Review: Fallen by Laury Falter

Fallen - the first book in the Guardian Trilogy...

Maggie is unaware of the terrifying fate that awaits her. It isn’t until she lands in New Orleans for a full year at a private high school and her unknown enemies find her does she realize that her life is in danger. 

As a mystifying stranger repeatedly intervenes and blocks the attempts on her life, she begins to learn that there is more to him than his need to protect her and that he may be the key to understanding why her enemies have just now arrived.  

*To view Emily's full showcase with Laury, click HERE

Who doesn't enjoy a good love story with a little bit of fallen angels mixed in.  Fallen will give you all that and more.  The characters were likable and the story was original.  I rate this book 3 stars.  

Showcase: The Scarlet Omen by Cinthia Koeksal

What do a clan of vampires, a hidden gateway and a three hundred year old prophecy have to do with a rebellious teenager? Everything. Being a good daughter is not easy. Being a bad one is downright exhausting. Anjeli, a girl plagued by visions of blood lust and magic, tries to live a carefree, teenage life but her over-protective Indian mother will not have any of it. The animosity between them does not subside and as a series of events changes the course of their lives, Anjeli tries to assuage her guilty conscience with good memories. Instead, Anjeli stumbles upon a prophecy that has come to claim her as its main performer.

Hi. I’m Cinthia Koeksal and I’d firstly like to thank you for taking an interest in The Scarlet Omen. Without readers who bring characters to life, a novel is just fancy words--words with great potential but nevertheless undiscovered--and I am grateful for your support.

Let me tell you something about myself; I promise to keep it short. On the 13^th of July in 1980, I took my first breath in a seaside town on the East Coast of Malaysia. After a few years of lazing on the beach and taking small-town life for granted, my family moved to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and made it our base. My mother and I travelled the deepest jungles of Malaysia following my engineer father from one timber factory to the next. We spent a few years in Kuching, a gorgeous town in East Malaysia, where I realized that I simply loved writing. My darling friends were my first fans as I forced pages and pages of high school romance novels on them. I hope that they are happy now that I have moved on to fantasy; although love and magic are still a very important part of my stories. There's always room in the world for tales of princes and evil witches, right?

A few years ago, I met my prince without any interference from sorcery. We’re married now and have been blessed with a son. We live in Germany with our dog, Sparky, and try to make every day as magical as possible.

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. Writing has always been an important part of my life. It's my way of escaping life's dreary moments and also a way for me to further delve into the many realms that exist in my head. The people around me inspire my characters and my country Malaysia has always been a source of wonderful myth and legend that any writer would pounce on for material.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. I like seeing the many worlds that I've created come to life and I love getting great reviews. Five star reviews from people you don't know just makes you feel like all those years of slogging away at your laptop and all those missed weekends with the family have finally paid off.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. The competition out there definitely. There are just so many great writers with huge publishing houses behind them and elbowing your way through that to catch the eye of your potential reader is really hard. Thank God for Goodreads, though.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. A rock star, of course! Travelling the world with my guitar surrounded by really cute guys has always filled my daydreams. 

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A. Lord of the Eye Rings (authors don't get much sleep)

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. The Book Thief. Heart-rending yet funny and dark with Death being the story teller. I simply loved it and have read it four times now.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. Golem. With a slight personality disorder, I'm obsessive and protective about the things I love.

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A. Prince Kayanya the prince of the Lake People. He's flirtatious, adventurous, slightly cocky and falls head over heels when he's in love. He'd also do absolutely anything to keep the one he loves safe.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A. The moment between the end of Winter and the start of Spring. It's like sitting on a rooftop at twilight, floating in a realm between death and life.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. My protagonist Anjeli discovers a parallel world through a hidden gateway. This gateway is situated in a cave tucked away on the island of Borneo. On the book cover, you see an Indian girl inviting you with a bold stare to join her on her journey, standing in front of this cave. She isn't just asking you to come with her to the magical valley, Anjeli is inviting you to taste life and magic.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A. I once had to give a quick book summary to a very important person at a book fair while he was rushing off to another appointment and all I could think of was, "It's...it's...it's... a really awesome book. You know, with teenagers and magic and stuff." He looked at me as though I had just crawled out of a hole in mid-evolution. Needless to say, I don't work well under pressure.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A. I've just handed in the sequel to The Scarlet Omen and am writing book three of my trilogy. 

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  Thanks so much for stopping by. I write a weekly blog where I discuss everything and anything about writing, reading and my novel if you're interested in learning more about my book (cinthiakoeksal.blogspot.com). Thanks for supporting our book bloggers without whom we writers would be lost. Have a great New Year!

Review: Life on Hold by Karen McQuestion

Fifteen-year-old Rae Maddox just wants to stay in one place like everyone else, but there’s no chance of that happening—not with a free-spirited mother who thrives on cross-country moves. When the two of them land in Wisconsin sophomore year, things are off to a great start: her mom promises they’ll stay until graduation, Rae makes two good friends and finally gets a chance at love. Her newfound happiness is jeopardized when the vice-principal at the high school pairs her with Allison Daly, a new girl with a bad attitude. As Allison’s secrets unravel, and Rae’s mother gets involved, Rae is forced to take charge of her own life or risk losing everything important to her.

McQuestion knows how to write a novel that captures your attention and keeps you interested from cover to cover.  She is a versatile author since she writes both YA and adult fiction.  In LIFE ON HOLD she writes from a 15 year old's perspective and takes you on a journey with Rae who is used to not staying put too long.  When she gets to Wisconsin that all changes and Rae finally feels at home.  In this quick novel you will become immersed in the story and enjoy seeing the characters grow and mature.  McQuestion never disappoints and I would recommend this book to both teens and adults.  4 stars.    

More with Karen on MMBBR'S

-Read my review of Edgewood, The Long Way Home, Easily Amused or read my Q&A with Karen 

Buy McQuestions books HERE

Review: Totlandia: The Onesies, Book 1 (Fall) by Josie Brown

The Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club is the most exclusive children’s playgroup in all of San Francisco. For the city’s ultra-competitive elite, the club’s ten annual spots are the ultimate parenting prize.

But not everyone is PHM&TC material. The club's founder, Bettina Connaught Cross, adheres to strict membership rules: Moms only. No single parents or working mothers allowed. Membership is an arduous commitment. And there’s no room in the club for scandal, bad behavior, or imperfection...from tots or their moms.

In a world of power and prestige, no one has more than Bettina. And as every mom in Pacific Heights knows, you simply cannot cross her. But this year’s admissions process is more rigorous than ever, pitting prospective members against each other to prove their mettle.

But four of the six candidates vying for the remaining four slots have a secret that would knock them out of the running. Jade is a former stripper and porn actress, who has been absent for most of her son’s life. Jillian’s husband cleaned out their joint accounts and left her for his pregnant assistant. Ally never even had a husband—just a sperm donor—and she’s hiding a high-ranking corporate job. And Lorna fears that her son may have special needs... just the excuse her sister-in-law, Bettina, needs to deny her entry to the club.

Can these hopeful moms keep up appearances long enough to outlast the competition? Or will their chances—and their private lives—go up in flames?

This is the first of four books that follow our heroines during "the Onesies," their inaugural year in the club. Upcoming books—to be released in four episodes each year—will follow subsequent years: the Twosies, Threesies, Foursies, and Fivesies.

Brown did it again!  She wrote a book that is both hysterical and original.   She gets at the heart of motherhood and all its glory and shame!  Brown loves to develop numerous characters and you sure to connect with one, if not all in some way.  She makes you think, with whimsy and fun.  I absolutely adore her writing and I cannot wait to drive into book two of this series!

Check out Brown's books here!!!

Review: The Marriage Challenge By James and Andrea Wood

Marriage is hard work, but worth it.
The challenge is to stop trying to avoid the frustration, pain and discouragement of marriage. Too often we focus on how to not be a bad spouse, how to not hurt feelings, how to not get in trouble. But then our focus is entirely on what NOT to do.
Instead, shift your focus. Look at what you want to do, embrace the joy, encouragement and challenge of marriage. This book offers one conversation a week, for an entire year, to help you move toward a better marriage. You can’t change everything about your marriage overnight, but, working a bit at a time, you can improve your marriage.
One hour a week for a conversation with your spouse can change your marriage from what not to do, into what you’ve always wanted. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

It is one of my New Years resolutions to be a better wife.  I am a great Mom, teacher, friend, sister, daughter ect, but struggle at times to be the best partner to my husband.  I take most things out on him; my daily frustrations, my own short comings, among other things.  I plan to take the Marriage Challenge and hope to engage my husband in some great dialogue and to be the best wife I can.  I know that I am far from perfect and I hope to find ways to better communicate my thoughts and feelings with my husband.  

Are you ready to take the challenge? 

Review: What You See by Ann Mullen

Book #1 in the series, young Helen Carrolton leaves home alone to visit a friend in the majestic mountains of Charlottesville, Virginia. She never makes it there.

That's where it all begins for Jesse Watson. At thirty-one, suffering from suburban burnout, an unfulfilling job and a nonexistent love-life, she heads for those same peaceful, quiet mountains to find a new life. Her intentions are to settle down and simplify.

All that changes the day she goes to work for private investigator, Billy Blackhawk, a Cherokee Indian who's hired to find Helen Carrolton. Jesse's dreams of a quiet country life surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery is quickly shattered as she becomes embroiled in danger, murder and mayhem facing the wrath of a disturbed family.

Soon it becomes a race for time, a race for her life and an astonishing destiny Jesse could never have anticipated, even in her wildest dreams!

Read Emily's Series Showcase, HERE

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I enjoyed this fun mystery.  I liked the characters and felt they were easy to relate to.  It was fun being on the adventures with Jesse and her crazy cast of characters.  I love that Mullen wrote all the parts of the characters; the good, the bad and the ugly...making them well rounded and real.   I am a fan of Janet Evanovich and felt like this was right in line with her writing.   I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the others in the series and I give it a 3.5 stars review! 

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About the Author

The best thing about writing is that you can let your imagination run wild, and I do.—Ann Mullen, Author

People often ask me, is your character, Jesse Watson based on your personality? I reply that, yes, in some ways, but not in all. Aren't many writers similar to their protagonist? I'd like to think that I'm as level-headed and open-minded as she is. I think it's safe to say, I'm the lively, out-spoken spirit of Jesse.

I was born in Wilson, North Carolina, and was only four years old when my parents packed up the family and moved to Newport News, Virginia. My father passed away many years ago, but my mother is alive and well. The mother in my books, Minnie, is based on mine—and has the same name. She's a wonderful person who takes her religion seriously. I have one sister (very much like Claire in my book) and two brothers.

In 1968, I married for the first time and had a beautiful baby girl. Unfortunately, the marriage didn't last. Not to give up on the idea of finding true happiness, I took the plunge once again in 1977. This time I married my soul mate. He's my rock, my companion, my dearest whatever. My husband, Tom, is smart, opinionated and stubborn. Sometimes I just want to jerk a knot in his head, but, after thirty-four wonderful years, I don’t know what I'd do without him. We have a terrific, thirtysomething son, Tommy, who's as smart and handsome as his dad. Our daughter, Wendy, has one son, our first grandchild, Jake. 


I received a degree in Machine Technology from Thomas Nelson Community College so long ago that I can't remember the date without looking it up. I worked at the Engineering Center/Phillip Morris, USA, for seventeen years in my field while living a typical suburban lifestyle.

In 1999, we made the big move. My husband and I sold our house and left the suburbs behind. We settled in a quiet, sleepy little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounded by neighborly people and breathtaking scenery. After a couple of years of mountain bliss, I gathered up my courage and starting writing my first novel. Energetic, sensitive Jesse, her family, friends, neighbors, and lovers sprang to life. To get my novel out there, I started my own publishing company that same year—Afton Ridge Publishing—and to date, I have seven books with book #1 in its third printing, book #2 and #3 in its second.

In 2006, I was chosen as Favorite Virginia Author in a reader poll sponsored by Cooperative Living Magazine. This has been the highlight of my career as a writer—so far. Also uplifting, five of my books, A CRYING SHAME, MIDDLE RIVER MURDERS, GREENE COUNTY KILLER, DEATH ON THE BELLA CONSTANCE, and ALL ABOUT THE MONEY have been nominated for a Library of Virginia Literary Award.

All the books in my mystery series are set in beautiful Greene County, Virginia. To find out what's happening here in real life, visit http://www.vgreene.com. For updates, additional information, or to post a comment, visit my blog:www.annmullen.blogspot.com, or friend me on Facebook, tweet me on Twitter.

Review: Escucha Means Listen by Talia Aikens-Nuñez

From the mowing of the lawn to the splish-splashing of rain puddles, Talia Aikens-Nuñez’s bilingual picture book Escucha Means Listen introduces toddlers and babies to the sweet sounds around them.

Take a journey through the world—just listening. Escucha Means Listen helps children discover sounds around them in English and Spanish.

Excerpt

Buzz. Buzz. Qué oyes? (What do you hear?)
Las abejas (The bees) circling the flowers.

Woosh. Woosh. What do you hear?
El viento (The wind) is whistling by.

Shh. Shh. Qué oyes? (What do you hear?)
Las hojas (The leaves) are dancing on the trees.

5 star book that is not only educational, but beautifully illustrated with an amazingly engaging story!  I love that I can learn along side by children while reading a fun children's book.  I highly recommend this bilingual gem!