Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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Blood and Sand

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Blood and Sand by Elizabeth Hunter      Blood and Sand (Elemental World, #2)
by Elizabeth Hunter

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I have loved all the books in this series, this one has to be my favorite. The reason is that we get a chance to really get to know a character who has been in the background for a while. Baojia was first introduced in the Elemental Mysteries series as a member of the family of Don Ernesto as well as his head of security. The character is well fleshed out and the writing is impeccable. The tone and pace and just right for the story which is being told.

Baojia has been exiled from Los Angeles and is currently residing in San Diego, he expected to be there only a short time but it has been over 2 years and he is bored. When one night Natalie Ellis, a reporter walks into his club and turns his world upside down. Natalie got his name from a mutual friend, who did not inform her what he was, but she is investigating a story which has ramifications she could not possibly fathom. All she knows is that women are dying in large numbers and she wants to find out who is doing it and bring them to justice.

For his part, Baojia is glad to have something to do besides look at numbers. He does want the human out the way though and that could get sticky. This installment also brings together many of the characters we have met before in past novels. Beatrice and Giovanni, Ben, Tenzin, Carwyn and Brigid, as well as Desiree and Matt all become involved in this situation and are willing to help even though they do not all get along with Baojia. If you know about the Elixir, then you know it is still a major part of the story and why.

These books are well written, entertaining, and hot! The action is great too!!

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Waterlocked

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English: The City of London skyline as viewed ...

English: The City of London skyline as viewed toward the north-west from the top floor viewing platform of London City Hall on the southern side of the Thames. In the foreground: Dixie Queen and Millennium Time at Tower Millennium Pier. This is a 5 segment panoramic image taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Waterlocked by Elizabeth Hunter  
Waterlocked (Elemental World, #1.5)

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Elizabeth Hunter

 

 

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

I only gave this 4 stars because I really would have liked to have had
more. This is a novella however and not a stand alone novel. It is a
part of the Elemental World series and gives us a more background on the
character and characters of Terry and Gemma.

Terry is a bit of
con-man and rogue in his own way. He originally wanted to align with
Gemma because of her connections and who her family was but as time went
on he found himself wanting more. Gemma is the daughter of Carwyn ap
Bryn and a force to be reckoned with, his family has a lot of influence
in Ireland and around the world.

While Terry is in charge of
London, he runs things with the help of Gemma. There have been
challenges to the authority of many heads of cities around Europe and
they are bracing to see from which direction a challenge will come to
them. But while they wait Terry has decided that it is time for them to
marry since they have been engaged for ten (10) years. The couple move
forward and the shady characters in the background make their moves,
which could prove deadly.

If you have not done so by all means
read the Elemental Mysteries series before moving on to Elemental World.
You cannot follow along if you do not know the players and the
background of the action which continues here.

If you didn’t
notice I love this series of books. The author has a great balance of
characters and I love the take on vampires as elemental’s making them a
part of nature and not outside it.

 

 

 

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  • Carwyn (chippyreader.wordpress.com)

 

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Forget Me Not and Testing Fate

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Forget Me Not by Belinda Boring                     Forget Me Not (Mystic Wolves, #2)
by Belinda Boring

I really like this series, I started reading and could not put it down. This has everything you could want in a story. Our hero’s are heroic and will not be pushed around or aside, the villain’s are crazy or just plain nasty and treacherous.

Just as Darcy and Mason think they can get back their life and plans a threat from Mason’s past shows up to make trouble. They have survived the murder of Mason’s sister and an attempted hostile take-over but what comes running through their door could be more than even they can handle. Amber, a past romance that Mason does not want to remember shows up and announces that she is the true mate of the Alpha making for a very awkward situation. The mating ritual is three weeks away and now they must deal with a situation which could become very dangerous for all involved.

This installment gives us a look at who Mason was before he became the Alpha of the Mystic Wolves and what he endured to get where he is. It also has an unrepentant woman, power struggles, attempted murder, manipulation, and black magic. There are also witches and vampires among other supernatural creatures. Give this series a chance and it will grow on you.

Testing Fate by Belinda Boring         Testing Fate (Mystic Wolves #3)
by Belinda Boring

Another great entry that had me reading all night. Maybe it’s just me, but I really love these characters and have to give this 4.5 stars. The only thing that kind of bothers me is that each book ends with a cliffhanger, hate cliffhangers, but at least it starts exactly where it left off.

After an accusation is made against Darcy the fates step in to verify that she is Mason’s true mate. The couple have no choice but to undergo a dangerous trial in order to prove once and for all that they are meant to be together. Devlin, the vampire enforcer goes along with Darcy on her trial in order to help her as he can. The question is will they be able to complete the trials and finally be able to move on with their lives or will they die trying.

Both of these books are excellent reads and I am looking forward to the fourth installment. Another cliffhanger ending. Ugh!

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First Online With Fran Episode 2: Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School Students Speak Out

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The Arts should be supported for all young people ! Where would we be if there was no outlet for all the creative people out there. These kids are the future.

drfrances's avatarFirst Online with Fran

On April 5, 2013 First Online With Fran asked a group of students from Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School to respond to this statement, “The Arts are extra-curricular and disposable.”

Here’s what they had to say…

“You can’t take away something from someone that goes to bed every night and smile about. . . It helps you find who you are as a person and where you belong in this world.” ~Justin Figueroa

This is a critical moment for the future of education in New York City.

There’s change everywhere in education, and it’s never been a hotter political topic. Major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland have seen civic leaders join with parents, students, cultural organizations and businesses to expand access to arts education. New York City needs to be on that list.

The NYC Roundtable, together with more than 40 other cultural and educational agencies, invited…

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Ascent of Blood

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Ascent of Blood by Elizabeth Marx

Ascent of Blood (The Red Veil Series, #1)
by Elizabeth Marx

My rating:  5 of 5 stars

I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.

I truly loved this entry! After reading Descent of Blood I could not wait to find out what else was in store for The House of Imperials. Here we are transported from 1465 Cardiff to 1990 London and I was not disappointed!

When Dr. Everleigh Marbut, an American, comes to London in search of the Book of Descent she finds much more than she ever thought possible. She is studying vampire lore, though she does not believe in them, and the House of Imperials in particular. Her inquiry draws the attention of Prince Sebastian Pearce, the son of Severian and Meridian, who will rule the House of Imperials when his father steps down. When they meet there is an instant connection, but he cannot believe that after waiting 600 years for a mate, one who could carry immortal children, the fates would send him someone who seems to be so damaged. As Everleigh and Sebastian fight against their connection they do not realize that forces are aligning against them.

” Sometimes, love is conceived in the mind of a man long before it is ever realized.”

While this is a story of two people who are destined for each other but would rather fight than admit their feelings. It is also a story about genetic manipulation, betrayal, political posturing, and obsession. The House of Imperials is being targeted from multiple sides but can Sebastian stop the fall and still find the love he has sought for centuries?

   ” The destiny of his lineage, and the bond forged between them, now rests in their acceptance of each other AS THEY ARE.”

A book you will not be able to put down until the last page has been read. And then you will simply want more.

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Return to Hell House

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The Legend of Hell House

The Legend of Hell House (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Return to Hell House by Nancy A. Collins

Return to Hell House by Nancy A. Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this because it was not just a rehashing of the original story
but brought something new to the table. With that said it was still true
to the original in tone.

This novella is based on Hell House by
Richard Matheson. It is a prequel which gives an early view of Belasco
House and the power which was gathered within it’s walls.

Emeric
Belasco was a depraved man who built his house as playground for those
who were willing to participate in all manner of perversion and
depravity. When everyone died within its walls his body was not among
them but the evil lived on. In 1931 an investigation as launched that
resulted in the death of all involved. In 1940 another attempt was made
to investigate Hell House, this is their story. Dr’s Rand and Graham are
there to prove that ghosts do not exist, they have brought three others
as well. There is Grace Lauter, a mental medium who wishes to prove
that her ex-fiance did not commit murder in Hell House in 1931. Benjamin
Fischer, a 15-year-old physical medium who wishes to shed his moniker
as ‘Ghost Boy’ but has not been allowed to truly grow up. And finally
there is Professor Fenley a friend of Ben’s mother and a dedicated
spiritualist. What they find in Belasco House is stronger and more
terrifying than anything they could have imagined.

An enjoyable
and quick read for fans of Richard Matheson. This story can also be
found in ‘He is Legend‘ edited by Christopher Conlon.

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Hauntings

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This has haunting yet light quality. It feels right.

Helen's avatarhelenvalentina

Hauntings
Are never easy
The dead do not remain
For simple reasons
They carry earthly chains
Throughout the seasons
Hauntings
Are never easy

The haunted
Are never sane
The toll of such communion
Is like a winter gale
Their hopeless, sad reunion
Is craven, lost and pale
The haunted
Are never sane

Hauntings
Are never over
For there beyond the grave
There is but timeless space
No other lives to save
When all life’s left this place
Hauntings
Are never over

(c) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved

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Descent of Blood

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I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

I have never been over fond of history, but if it had been written like this I might have enjoyed it a lot more.

Descent of Blood (The Red Veil Series, #0.5)          by Elizabeth Marx

The story begins in England in 1465 during the War of the Roses, a bloody time in British history. This is a time when the King Henry was defending his thrown against the usurper Richard. Some of the lords backing Henry were actually vampires who felt that keeping him on the throne would protect them from being found out by others. While this is happening you have separate factions who are using the turmoil to attempt to solidify their own positions.

But this more than just a tale about war it is about a connection between a vampire and a human, a connection so deep that it even has a name ‘The Red Veil’. It is a connection so deep that it calls to the individuals body, blood and soul. It can cause a connection which can lead to the brink of madness if they cannot be with the one they desire. Meridian is the daughter of Lord Neville and innocent, Lord Severian Pearce comes to her castle tracking a man who knows about vampires and is on the opposite side of their battle. Severian is well-known and feared by many but he wants more from his eternal life than that and Meridian could be exactly what he has been looking for.

This was one of those stories I could not put down once I started and had to keep reading until I found out how things were resolved. The characters seemed true to the time period, a girl who was modest and chaste, a man who was a warrior and every inch the hero. There are unexpected twists, political posturing, romance, betrayal, and a fair bit of violence. I am looking forward to the next entry because this one really caught my attention. Loved it!!

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The Haunted

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The Haunted by Michaelbrent Collings

I would give this a solid 4.5 rating. Though the opening lines are
familiar, this just makes it feel like a story I might enjoy. I would
have just expected something a bit more original. I have always liked
haunted house mysteries because they can be the creepiest.

The
story has a slow build as you meet the characters, though there are only
two, as most of the action takes place within the walls of the house.
This house has been vacant for a long time, only occupied for short
periods of time by people from away who do not or do not believe its
history. The townspeople avoid the house perched on the hill because
though it is vacant it is not empty.

Sarah and Cap arrive and
start to move into their dream home, which they got for a low price, and
immediately feel that things are strange. Sarah is pregnant and looking
forward to starting a new life and home with her family. The only
problem is that she feels she is being watched and things keep being
moved around. Is she going crazy or is there something else going on her
new house?

I have read a lot of horror novels and it is not easy
to make me feel the dread that is supposed to be conveyed in these
stories. This one drew me in and gave me that feeling of panic and
desperation our couple were feeling. I was with them as they tried to
first find out what was happening and then trying to fight it. While it
is not super scary, it is a nail biter with a fantastic twist ending.

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How to Date a Werewolf

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English: French Quarter - New Orleans

English: French Quarter – New Orleans (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How to Date a Werewolf (Rylie Cruz #1)How to Date a Werewolf by Rose Pressey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rylie Cruz has quickly become one of my favorite characters. She is
witty, smart, feisty, and a little paranoid about her furry condition.
I  was torn when I first started reading not knowing where exactly it was
going to go as well as wondering who the werewolf was. Rylie runs a
matchmaking service for paranormal and humans in the French Quarter of
New Orleans. When she has a problem with one of her clients strange
things start to happen which endanger her life and a new relationship.

Rylie lives with her best friend, who is human, above her office space, She has told her friend that she is a werewolf and that she has a curse on her which prevents her from ever finding a lasting mate. While her friend has always claimed to believe her all it takes is a man to infer that Rylie has a psychological problem for her to decide he must be right. While Rylie deals with a client trying to ruin her business and thugs breaking her door looking for her Uncle, her friend and potential boyfriend are plotting to get her into therapy. Maybe she should have changed for them after all.

I’m definitely adding this series to my to read list.

 

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