Review: Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman

Details: Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman

• Pub. Date: October 2011
• Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
• Format: Other Format , 304pp

Synopsis:

Powerful scions walk the streets of modern London, oblivious to their true nature. Unknowingly, they carry within them the spirits of reincarnated dragons from an age of high fantasy. As magic begins to emerge once more in the 21st century, long-dormant memories begin to flood the minds of these scions, reminding them of their mystical heritage. Welcome to the world of Fireborn!
Ethan Gallows knows things about his world. He knows there is magic, and he knows he wants nothing to do with it. Yet, when he is sent on the seemingly menial job of filming a museum curator’s antique art collection in London, Ethan discovers that he has much more to learn. After witnessing a violent display of sorcery, ancient memories come rushing back to Ethan – memories seen through the eyes of a dragon! With minions of the Taint now seeking him for their own twisted purposes, Ethan must put his trust in Sojourner – a woman claiming to be a draconic scion. Could he really be a dragon of old, or is this some sort of fanatic conspiracy?
Embers of Atlantis is the first novel based on the acclaimed Fireborn roleplaying game setting. Written by New York Times bestselling author Tracy Hickman (Dragonlance), Embers of Atlantis introduces readers to a modern world faced with the sudden emergence of magic.

David’s Thoughts:

Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman is a novel written in the Fireborn RPG (Role Playing Game) world.  Magic disappeared from the world with the fall of Atlantis, but has returned in modern times.  The dead have risen in Europe and are re-fighting WWII, monsters from fairy tales attack airplanes, American Indians have claimed the plains with shamans using magic to fight the army, and a handful of people have memories of a life as a dragon.  Ethan Gallows is one such person.  Initially unaware of these memories, events lead him to realize he has the magically essence of a dragon last seen on earth as Atlantis was destroyed.  But this revelation only comes about as Ethan is plunged into a war between good and evil.  Each side believes they are in the right, with the side of good using clean, pure magic, and the side of evil using tainted magic.

I’ve been a fan of Hickman’s books for 15 years of more, and was eager to read this one.  I had never heard of the Fireborn RPG before, but have read hundreds of other books written in role playing settings.  No knowledge of the game setting is required to read this book, it works well as a standalone novel.  I thought this book was an interesting read.  I liked the setting and the characters.  I’ve always found Hickman’s books to be easy to read with a smooth, flowing storyline with characters that the reader comes to love (or hate).  I read through this book quickly, wanting to know what happens next.  The biggest disappoint I had was that the book ended.  At about 300 pages, it’s not a short book, but I wanted it to keep going.  Now I’m stuck waiting impatiently for the next book.

David’s Rating:

*An Ecopy of this book was provided by Netgalley.com for review.  This in no way affected the rating or opinions on the book.

Review: Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Details:  Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

• Pub. Date: June 2011
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Format: Hardcover , 320pp
• Sales Rank: 18

• Series: Stephanie Plum Series #17

Synopsis:

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. 
 
Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

The hardcover edition of Smokin’ Seventeen contains two smokin’ hot stickers inside!

My Thoughts:

As always, Stephanie finds herself in an odd situation at the beginning of book 17 in the Stephanie Plum Series.  At the end of the last book, we found the bail bond building destroyed and now bodies are showing up in what remains of the grounds.  She also finds herself face with another set up from her mother and tracking down a man who thinks he is a vampire.  Don’t worry there are plenty of appearances by both Ranger and Morelli.  

This series has always made me laugh out loud the situations that Stephanie finds herself are crazy and just down right funny.  I will say that for me this book was not as funny as some of the previous.  Okay, I take that back the 2nd half of the book was not as funny.  I know that it must be very difficult to keep the same level of banter between family members and situations going through such a long series.  My favorite part of ever book is wondering when Ranger is going to show up out of the blue with all of his hotness!  This man is almost too much for me.  I love the bad body.  Don’t get me wrong Morelli and his dog are nice too but I love the mystery that is Ranger.  And as always some awesome car end up being destroyed when Ranger lends them to Stephanie because as always something happens to hers.  

I have been waiting for a “vampire” to show up in one of these novels and I think that Janet Evanovich did a great job creating a way to bring this popular culture into The Plum Series.  

I was a bit frustrated with this story because it just seemed so predictable from the very beginning but I know that I know this author writing style well and what comes with that is knowing where the story will head.  

All in all, this was worth the read and I will be waiting for the next one to come out.  

My Rating:

1/2

3 and 1/2 Penguins.  Good story but could have been a bit stronger in my opinion with more mystery

*I purchased this book.  All opinions are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Next Always: Book One of the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy

By Nora Roberts

November 1, 2011

“America’s favorite writer” (The New Yorker) begins an all-new trilogy-inspired by the inn she owns and the town she loves.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen…

I have read every book Nora Roberts has written and I am super excited about this book because of the setting.  I have always wanted to own a bed and breakfast so this book just clicks with me.

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should be Reading 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Summer House By Nancy Thayer

Page 15

Some Days she succeeded better than others.  Some days the present rushed toward her like a storm, wild with gale-force winds, rogue lightening strikes, and thundering rain, and she found herself taking refuge in the past.

What teaser do you have for me this week?

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week will share with you the books we are reading, just finished reading and those books we are planning to read this week. 

Finished:

Currently Reading:

Up Next:

What about you?

Interview and Giveaway: Raven’s Kiss by Toni Lotempio

All About….TONI LOTEMPIO

Hello!  I’m Toni LoTempio, author of Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense/YA Fantasy!  I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to read, when I didn’t like the endings of the stories my mother read me I simply rewrote them J  Even though I write mainly in the paranormal genre, I have also written straight horror, as well as contemporary romance/suspense.

In 1995, I joined the staff of SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS, a pulp magazine for collectors of antique children’s literature (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.)  Currently I’ve written over 300 articles for that magazine, and I was the first recipient of their Margaret Sutton Award for Distinguished Writing in 1998.  I joined the staff of NIGHT OWL REVIEWS IN January 2011 as the suspense reviewer/columnist.  My column, DARK STREETS, which features articles on suspense authors and their novels, is featured on a monthly basis. I love to spotlight new talent, so if you’re a suspense author, please contact me!

In 2007, Whiskey Creek Press published BOUND BY BLOOD, a tale of possession, and EBONY, which deals with zombies and the dark side of man. EBONY was #2 on the Fictionwise bestseller list for e-books for the month of July 2007, beating out Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story. (and no one was more shocked than I, LOL) In 2010, after countless attempts to land another agent, I took the advice of a fellow author HP Mallory, and self published NO REST FOR THE WICCA, which has been on Amazon’s list of top one hundred in Occult since March 2011.  My short story, THE SACRIFICE, appears in the e-published anthology KISS ME KILL ME, and I also have a YA fantasy, MY SUPERHERO SISTER on B&N and Amazon.  A complete listing of my books appears at the end of this bio.

Currently single, I work full time and live in Clifton, NJ, with  my muses:  Rocco, Maxx, Gata and Trixie.  (Rocco is also known as Rocco the SciFi Blogging Cat and has appeared on the SciFi Saturday Night website and radio show, and also on the Kids Need To Read website where he holds the distinction of being the first (and possibly only!) blogging cat to support this charity!)

I love hearing from fans, so please feel free to friend me on FACEBOOK, and visit my website, www.tonilotempio.webs.com  Rocco and I post daily M-F on his blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Toni LoTempio Books:

Bound by Blood – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, Feb. 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Ebony – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, July 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Witch’s Pawn – Echelon Press, trade paperback & e-book, December 2008 (horror)

Nom de Plume – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, November 2008 (contemporary romance)

It’s in the Cards – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, February 2010 – (paranormal romance)

Out of the Ashes – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, May 2010 – Fantasy

No Rest for the Wicca – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, September 2010 – paranormal suspense

My Superhero Sister – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, Trade Paperback – January 2011 – YA Fantasy

Kiss Me, Kill Me – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book anthology –February 2011 – Short Story, “The Sacrifice”

Raven’s Kiss – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, & Trade Paperback April, 2011 – Paranormal Romance

Interview:

What inspired you to write this book? 

 I wanted to write a book without my staple of vampires, and I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of parallel time ever since I first saw it on Dark Shadows, so I just did some research and decided on Shapeshifters. I mean, think about it. You can turn yourself into anything you want? That’s kinda cool.

What is your favorite screen? 

 By screen I assume you mean movie? Gone with the Wind hands down. It’s got it all, romance, drama, and a kick-ass heroine.

Who was the hardest character to write? 

Finn, simply because at times it’s hard for me to get inside a man’s head

Which character was the easies for you to connect with? – Raven, without a doubt. I took a lot of my qualities (especially the snarkiness) and infused her with them.

Was there anything taken out of the book that you were upset about? 

since it’s self-published, no. but I have worked with editors who have removed stuff that I scratched my head over

Who is the biggest inspiration in your life? 

My friend Vi who lives in Arizona- she is, as I’ve always said, My Muse

Is there anything that inspires you that you have never told anyone about? 

sometimes when it’s quiet and I think about my parents, and how much I miss them – their belief in me and my writing has always inspired me.

Quick Questions:

Black or White – Charcoal Gray

Coke or Pepsi – neither – Iced Tea

Cat or Dog – Hah, Cat definitely (or the four I have at home will kill me)

Cake or Ice Cream – I’m an ice cream gal – especially pistachio

Summer or Winter – Fall

Print books or ebooks – Print! I’m old fashioned that way J

You can purchase this book:

*Barnes and Noble

*Amazon

Check out more here:

July 5 – Final Stop: Author Toni LoTempio www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Holiday Weekend Reading

Happy 4th of July everyone!
Thought I would make a quick post about the great reading I have gotten to over the last few days. I have finished Smokin Seventeen by Janet Evanovich. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. Part of a Halloween Anthology and most of Witch Song by Amber Argyle. It has been awesome to just sit and read! Hope you are all havijng a great Holiday weekend!

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren.

I am happy to share with you what I got in my mailbox this week.  I hope you had a great mailbox week as well.  Please feel free to leave me a link and I will stop by and see you.

Won:





For Review:





Purchased:





What was in your mailbox this week?

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It’s where I list all the books I desperately want but haven’t actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It’s also an event that you can join in with too – Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own ‘On My Wishlist’ post. If you want to know more click here.

Overbite by Meg Cabot

Meena Harper has a special gift, but it’s only now that anyone’s ever appreciated it. The Palatine Guard—a powerful secret demon-hunting unit of the Vatican—has hired her to work at their new branch in Lower Manhattan. With Meena’s ability to predict how everyone she meets will die, the Palatine finally has a chance against the undead. Sure, her ex-boyfriend was Lucien Anton­escu, son of Dracula, the prince of darkness. But that was before he (and their relationship) went up in flames. Now Meena’s sworn off vampires for good . . . at least until she can prove her theory that just because they’ve lost their souls doesn’t mean demons have lost the ability to love. Meena knows convincing her co-workers—including her partner, Über-demon-hunter Alaric Wulf—that vampires can be redeemed won’t be easy . . . especially when a deadly new threat seems to be endangering not just lives of the Palatine, but Meena’s friends and family as well. But Meena isn’t the Palatine’s only hope. Father Henrique—aka Padre Caliente—New York City’s youngest, most charming priest, has also been assigned to the case. So why doesn’t Meena—or Alaric—trust him? As she begins unraveling the truth, Meena finds her loyalties tested, her true feelings laid bare . . . and temptations she never even imagined existed impossible to resist. This time, Meena may finally have bitten off more…

What book is on your wish list this week?

Review: Embody by Jamie Magee

Details: Embody by Jamie Magee

• Pub. Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Alvasia Publishing

Synopsis:

Not many Scorpio’s are known for their patience, and Willow Haywood is no different. Her only desire is to love Landen Chambers and redeem the lost souls of Esterious, but the path to that desire is long, dark and dangerous…
Before Willow’s life had a chance to balance the sudden revelations and grief she had to endure to get to Chara a disturbing discovery is made. A photo, one that shows Willow blissfully embracing the flawless image of Drake Blakeshire; giving her not only proof that she had lived before, but that she had loved him. 
Running away from the memory of Drake’s hypnotizing touch, and the prophecy set before her seemed like the logical thing to do. That is, until a dark dream reignites her passion to save the hopeless dimension of Esterious. Willow struggles to find patience – to learn everything she needs to know before she faces Drake again, but her eagerness is dangerous and one step in the wrong direction takes everything and everyone away from her – the only way to survive this trial is for Willow to remember who she is and what she really wants out of this life.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in a series and I thought that I would be able to dive into this one and just go with it but it turned out to be a little more difficult than I thought it would be.   I did figure it out but I would highly recommend reading the first book in this series before moving on to this one, it is well worth your time 🙂

Jamie Magee created a wonderful story in Embody, not only in the creation of this world but in the characters as well.  This is a story that really makes you feel for those in it and at times it is difficult to put yourself in their place.  

For me the best part of this book was to watch Willow grow and at time struggle with finding herself and who she is.  This was the strongest part of the book for me and what kept drawing me back to it.

My Rating

A good intriguing story

Please visit my giveaway for this book here.

* I received a ecopy of this for review from Book Lovin’ Bitches Ebook Tours.  This in no way affected my views of this book listed above.