The Tyrant King by Cheri Chesley — Blog Tour Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 302012
 

The Tyrant King

Author: Cheri Chesley

Publisher: Cheri Chesley

Published: August 13, 2012

ISBN: 9781470085575

Genre: YA speculative

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary 

Krystal’s peaceful life as queen of Fayterra is shattered when a stranger arrives with a connection to Jareth that threatens to change everything. Soon her loved ones are threatened, her people are under attack, and Krystal must face a devastating loss. As the future becomes bleaker and the mystery continues to unravel, Krystal’s enemies will learn just how far she will go to defend the people she loves.

Backcover

Her heart paused, but Krystal remained defiant.

“You lie. You would never do such a thing to my child.”

“You think not?” He laughed again and she drew back. “I’ve sworn an oath to annihilate my dear cousin’s present and future, take over his kingdom and his crown, and fulfill my father’s dreams. And you think I would hesitate to murder his offspring? Come now, Krystal. I know you are smarter than that.”

Mindy’s Review

I have been a fan of Cheri’s for a long time. I was thrilled to be apart of the Blog Tour for The Tyrant King.  This book is full of romance, suspense, and action.  Not only is it page-turning, but you will immediately care about the characters as you read about their continuing story. Krystal and Jereth’s love story remains strong, and we get to see them as caring and loving parents. Donovan is a bad guy that you will love to hate. And, for fans of The Wild Queen, there is a surprise for you at the end.

My daughter Michalla is also a huge fan of Cheri’s, who is very generous with her fans. Michalla emailed Cheri telling her how much she enjoys her books, and Cheri was gracious enough to answer her back, and sent a signed book (for the both of us).  Michalla is always telling her friends about these great books.

4 out of 5 stars. Krystal is such a wonderful character, a strong woman who fits for what she wants. I”m excited for Book 3 next year.

Sheila’s Review

Main character Krystal, the Queen, wowed me with her inner strength when I read Cheri Chesley’s first book, The Peasant Queen. Though she was kidnapped and forced into a marriage she didn’t want, she remained strong for her real love Prince Jareth. In The Tyrant King, Krystal and Jareth’s love is still strong, made even finer by their young son Landry. Their life seems finally on track, but not for long. The late King Gregory’s unknown son, Donovan, shows up for Princess Alana’s wedding. Soon things are happening in the kingdom out of the King and Queen’s control. People are found dead and war is declared on King Jareth and the kingdom of Fayterra. This is when we see the Krystal from The Peasant Queen emerge. She truly is amazing! She supports her husband going off to war, and trains to fight. Again, Krstyal is not a helpless woman waiting for her knight in shining armor, she fights along side her knight to protect those she loves.

Cheri has given her readers another action packed novel full of intrigue. We know who the bad guy is, but we don’t always know when he will strike. Donovan runs a mean streak as vicious as his father. You know he is bad the second he enters the story. Why couldn’t the other characters see this? Well if they did, there wouldn’t have been a story. I also have to add I loved the sneak peek of book 3: The Lost Princess at the end of the book. Can’t wait to read that in 2013!

Author Links

Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links 

Smashwords / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Feb 292012
 

On the Fringe

Author: Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Published: 2011

Paperback: 272 pages

IBSN: 978-0-9825005-5-2

FTC FYI: I received a free copy which did not affect my review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary:  Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she’s still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn’t helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel’s face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.”

Right when Claire and Daniel are starting to realize they like each other, Daniel is killed in shooting.  They have known each other for years, and Claire is best friends with Daniel’s sister, Addie.  While  Daniel is best friends with Matthew, Claire’s brother.  In the beginning of the book, you get to know the characters and be with them for some of their escapades.

I love the way this book is written. It is told in Claire’s and Daniel’s perspective, and a bit in flashback form.  Very clever, and written well.  This book was so enjoyable and the characters were engaging.  My favorite was Daniel.  I felt myself cheering for Claire and Daniel even though… oops, I can’t tell you all that.  You will have to read this entertaining book to find out all the fun secrets.  It was very intense in some scenes, and spooky too.  There is someone out there on the fringe who wants to hurt Claire, and they need to find out why.

4 out of 5 stars.  Find out more about the author here.  Follow Courtney on Twitter on Facebook.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON