Dec 032014
 

EndlessCover-Final-Endless

Author: Jaclyn Weist

Publisher: Trifecta Books

Published: November 25th, 2014

ASIN: B00Q61MYTW

ebook: 201 pages

YA Fantasy

FTC FYI: Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary 

Sydney lives her nightmares every night. While other teenagers are dreaming of boys or traveling to exotic places, she must run a staircase with no beginning or no end, or a terrible debt will never be paid.

Just before her seventeenth birthday, the dreams change. She is no longer alone.

But her nightmares don’t end when she wakes up. Her stepmother and stepsisters threaten to ruin everything she holds dear. She must protect the secret that both she and her father have magic or they will use it to their advantage.

As Sydney learns to control her magic, what seemed impossible before—escaping her stepmother and those ever-present stairs—is now at her fingertips. When she learns the ultimate plan of her evil captor, Sydney must stop her at all costs, or she will forever be trapped inside her nightmares.

My Review

I really enjoyed this twisted-tale of Cinderella.  While reading I had many questions as to why characters were acting a certain way, or why something was happening and Jaclyn did a great job of addressing those, and then some.  Sydney had to endure quite a bit from her step-mother and step-sisters.  And I loved her reasoning for putting up with all their abuse, she does it for her dad.  There was a great twist to the story on the Fairy Godmother, which was so sweet and fun.  One character in particular drove me crazy, but I was thrilled with the end result for all the characters.  This is a fun fantasy book that is clean and page-turning.

4 out of 5 stars.  Jaclyn released a bunch of books this year!  Check her out on the links below.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.

Excerpt

Dad handed over the ticket and turned to us. He noticed me staring and glanced back to where the valet had been standing. “That’s Luke. He’s the son of one of my partners.”

“He’s gorgeous,” Sarah said. “Do you think he’d go out with me?”

Dad laughed. “Maybe so. He’ll be coming to Sydney’s birthday party, along with a few other young men I think you would prefer over Luke. Dillon seems more your type.” He gestured toward another guy coming up to the restaurant with his family.

Sarah wrinkled her nose. “No, he’s more Kaylee’s type. Oh! Here’s Luke with the car.” She hurried forward so she would be standing in front when he opened the door.

I rolled my eyes and glanced over at Kaylee. She was too busy staring at Dillon to notice me. Sarah was right, I guess. I climbed in the other side of the car, hoping to avoid the embarrassment of Sarah throwing herself at Luke.

Dad climbed in right after. “You don’t want to meet him?”

I shook my head. “No. Not right now, at least. Dad, that feeling is here. Someone’s here that shouldn’t be, and I don’t know who. What if it’s Luke?”

“You felt it too, huh? There’s a bad feeling here, but it’s not him. His dad—” He stopped when Julie climbed in.

 

 

Mar 252014
 

NotYourAverageHappyEnding_ChantelSedgwick_1000x1500[1]-1Not Your Average Happy Ending

Author: Chantele Sedgwick

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Published: March 3rd, 2014

Paperback: 257 pages

ASIN: B00IQAERR8

FTC FYI: I received an ePub copy from the author in exchange of an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

When Ash Summerland left the Academy of Magical Beings, he was sure he’d put his troubles behind him. But when his girlfriend, Kendall, is almost killed by an old enemy over something he knows little about, Ash is forced to confront the demons of his past.

With his fairy magic fading and his darker djinn magic more powerful than ever, Ash isn’t sure he can stop the evil from closing in around him. Although Kendall is the only thing keeping him from going over the edge, if he can’t learn to balance out his magic and find a way to defeat his enemies once and for all, both his world, and the girl he loves will be lost forever.

My Review

I LOVED Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele.  Everything about it was magical.  If you are new to this series, I would read Fairy Tale first.  That being said, I was thrilled with the release of Happy Ending, as I knew it would be just as enjoyable as the first.  I was right.  Like the first book, both Ash and Kendall are telling the story from their point of view, rotating chapters.  We find out at the beginning, from Ash, that three months has passed.  Ash has been living in the human world in an apartment near Kendall, while she is in school.  While Ash is getting used to the whole “half djinn/half fairy” thing, Kendall is nearly killed by Dax, Ash’s half brother.  He wants something from Kendall that confuses Ash as to the reasoning behind it.  This starts a chain of events that lead to many battles, healing, dragons, banshees, and many more exciting adventures that lead to more questions for Ash and being lead to those who have been lost.

4 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed Happy Ending.  Just like the first book, Chantele did an amazing job with character development and plot.  I was drawn immediately back to Kendall and Ash’s world and what I loved about their relationship in Fairy Tale, was just as fabulous in Happy Ending.  Chantele is not only an amazing author, she is a great friend of mine.  I love her books and can’t wait for more titles from her.

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Publisher

May 292013
 

Farworld_Air Keep Bk3Farworld: Air Keep (Book 3)

Author: J. Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: February 26th, 2013

Hardcover: 336 pages

ISBN13: 9781609073251

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.

Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery.

While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?

And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”

My Review

In the past few years, it seemed that I asked always Jeff the same question whenever I saw him.  “When is the next Farworld coming out?”  I’m sure he was getting rather sick of me asking, but as a huge fan of the series, how could you blame me?  Naturally, I was ecstatic when I heard the rest of the series was going to be completed.  Air Keep does not disappoint.  It has the same heart and action as the first two books and I really enjoyed how much the characters care about each other.  It has been 6 months since Kyja and Marcus were together.  Kyja and Master Therapass were trying to find a safe way to get Marcus to Farworld.  It was taking too long for Kyja, so she decides to take matter into her own hands.  As you can guess, things don’t go quite as planned.  Something happens to Marcus before Kyja is able to reach him, and he sees something that could change things for both kids.

I loved this book.  It felt like I was visiting old friends.  But, these friends are on a very dangerous journey, while I get to come along with them unscathed.

5 out of 5 stars.  Jeff is the author of many fabulous books.  He has been very busy, and has had three releases in the last six months.  Case File 13: Zombie Kid was released in December of 2012, and Dark Memories in January 2013.

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

May 112013
 

Snow Whyte and the Queen of MayhemSnow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: Sweetwater Books/Cedar Fort

Published: December 11th, 2012

ISBN13: 9781462111459

Hardcover: 288 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, then purchased my own copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

Katiyana Whyte’s world is only as big as the apple orchard she was raised on.  She can never leave the home where she grew up under the careful eye of her uncle Barney.  But when life at the orchard suddenly becomes dangerous and her childhood friend Jeremy begs her to flee, Kat finds refuge in the Fluttering Forest with seven dwarves.

Meanwhile, the queen of Mayhem, an evil sorceress, learns through her magic mirror that the daughter she believed to be dead, still lives.  Enraged, she sends a servant to kill Kat, the princess of Mayhem, but Kat finds protection in a spell that causes snowstorms whenever she is in danger, giving her the nickname Snow Whyte.

In the wonderfully imagined Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, nobody is quite who they seem.  Full of romance and adventure, this is the magical tale of Snow White as you’ve never read it.

My Review

4 of out 5 stars.  I was instantly taken with this story.  I loved the narrator (I won’t say who he is for spoiler reasons, but you find out early on).  I really enjoyed seeing each character through his eyes.  The Queen was awesomely evil.  She truly was a wicked queen, and written very well.  Queen Radiance (as she made her subjects call her) stole the show.  There are so many twists in this great story, and lots of fun surprises.  Kat is a sweetheart.  I enjoyed how her little dwarf friends loved her , and how she loved them.  Jeremy was an unexpected surprise, and his story is so cool!  Again, many twists that are very enjoyable.

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

 

 

Sep 292012
 

Benotripia: The Rescue

Author: McKenzie Wagner

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 11, 2012

Paperback: 136 pages

ISBN13: 9781462110148

Genre: Middle grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: When her mother—the ruler of Benotripia—goes missing, Roseabelle knows she’ll need the help of her best friends and their combined powers to survive the perilous journey ahead of her, rescue her mother, and save Benotripia! Written by a young author, this exciting adventure story pulls you into a true fantasy world. A suspenseful and addicting read!

My Review

Benotripia: The Rescue is a very fun, fast-paced story for middle grade readers looking for an adventure.  The author has created a world full of fun characters and creative magical elements.  Roseabelle is in a magical school where each child has unique gifts.  She can hop through shadows that transport her to different places when needed, along with other gifts.  Her best friends Jessicana and Astro have special powers too. Jessicana can turn herself into a parrot, and Astro has fun with lightning.

Roseabelle’s mother is taken.  She and her friends risk everything to find her, while learning about their country’s past along the way, and the enemies they have.

3 out of 5 stars.  McKenzie is a very talented author for her age, and has great potential.  The Rescue is book 1 in a series of 3.  I’m excited to read the next book.  I met McKenzie last Saturday at Authorpalooza.  She is very outgoing and sweet.  I was impressed by her kind demeanor, and enthusiasm.  My daughter added Benotripia to her own personal library.  Find out more about McKenzie here.  Follow her on Facebook.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

Aug 152012
 

August Fortress

Author: Andrea Pearson

Publisher: Self

Published: June 2012

eBook: 381 pages

ASIN: B008AYUYB8

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Jacob Clark’s most dangerous quest yet is just beginning. He and his friends must rescue the powerful Shiengols from August Fortress, where they’ve been held captive for nearly fifteen years. But deadly Lorkon traps are everywhere and affect all involved—even Jacob. To succeed, he’ll have to master more of his powers and put aside distractions from his ordinary life.

My Review

This is my favorite book of the series. I loved the adventure and surprises around every turn. The characters are creative and fun. I really enjoy the world that Andrea has created. The creatures are my favorite, I would not want to be hunted by a fish because I accidentally fell in it’s water. Jacob and his friends embark on their most dangerous quest, to request the Sheingols. All of their senses are effected, and there is danger around every turn. Jacob has some really cool abilities and is everyday learning about them. Andrea’s books are full of fun, suspense, adventure, heart, and have a great sense of family. From the humans to the Makalos, everyone is loved and appreciated. You will enjoy these books even as much as your kids will.

4 out of 5 stars. August Fortress is Book 3 of the Key of Kilenya series. Book 2 is The Ember Gods. Follow Andrea on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / SMASHWORDS