[Audiobook Review] Dauntless by Jack Campbell

Dauntless
The Lost Fleet #1
Jack Campbell
July 2006
Penguin
293 pages

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The Alliance has been fighting the Syndics for a century--and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is a man who's emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized, beyond belief...

Captain John "Black Jack" Geary's legendary exploits are known to every schoolchild. Revered for his heroic "last stand" in the early days of the war, he was presumed dead. But a century later, Geary miraculously returns from survival hibernation and reluctantly takes command of the Alliance fleet as it faces annihilation by the Syndics.

Appalled by the hero-worship around him, Geary is nevertheless a man who will do his duty. And he knows that bringing the stolen Syndic hypernet key safely home is the Alliance's one chance to win the war. But to do that, Geary will have to live up to the impossibly heroic "Black Jack" legend...

I am a huge fan of naval fiction, both space and water. Jack Campbell has done a great job here without the aid of ships having the unexplainable ability to see objects light-hours away in real time nor weapons that fire faster than light. And in seems in the century since Captain Geary placed himself in hibernation that while the weapon technology hasn't changed much, the idea of tactics is a dead one.

Fleets on both sides of the war have turned the war into one of attrition with massive fleets facing off and just pummeling each other to bits. This appalls the "hero" to see, and he's got his job cut out for him to educate his side on how to fight.

When the entire flag staff of the fleet which rescues Geary is murdered, he finds himself the senior captain in a fleet that believes they already know what to do despite being outnumbered and outgunned. But with a quick mind, old fashioned tactics, and fleet officers who are willing to die for him, he might just have what it takes to save the majority of the fleet during its long retreat through enemy star systems back to home space.

Along the way he deals with treachery from both within and without and kept me on the edge of my seat and cheering for Geary the whole way. I give Dauntless a solid four laser pistols, it is truly out of this world.

[Review] The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

The Avery Shaw Experiment
Kelly Oram
May 2, 2013
Bluefields

Note:  This book is only available in
digital format.

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 When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Have you ever finished a book and literally sighed at the end because it you had warm fuzzies when it was over?  If you answered yes, then you know what I was going through when I read the last page of The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram.  The Avery Shaw Experiment is about Avery who didn’t just get her heart broke but crushed by her best friend Aiden.  Luckily with the help his older brother Grayson she is starting to put the pieces back together by proving that the only way to cure a broken heart is to go through the five stages of grief.   Since Aiden is no longer her science fair partner she asks Grayson to help her.  Together they set out to prove Avery’s theory and find romance along the way.

The Avery Shaw Experiment is a very quick and very cute read.  I read it in a couple of hours.  When I had to the book down to go to work I felt like a drug addict because all I wanted to do was get back to the book to find out what happened next.  The Avery Shaw Experiment is a contemporary romantic comedy.  I loved that the book is told from both Avery and Grayson’s point of view.  I really liked how sometimes it takes someone who is the complete opposite to help get you out of your comfort zone and not to settle just because it’s there.  I liked how Avery grew from a quiet, scared and socially awkward to being able to stand up for herself.  I like how Grayson realized that he wasn’t just a dumb womanizing jock to going to college and falling in love.  The side characters, Avery’s best friend Libby, always put a smile on my face. 

In conclusion, if you are looking for a cute, sweet, and definitely warm fuzzy kind of read to past the time then pick up The Avery Shaw Experiment.  I highly recommend it and give it four very solid laser pistols.  Not to mention that I completely fell for Grayson, for Avery of course.

 

[Givaeaway] Double Prize Pack Giveaway!!!

Tired of the summer heat? Here's a great way to beat those summertime blues. Enter our awesome giveaway for a chance to win one of two prize packs. Each pack includes one book signed by the author. Both packs include books that we enjoyed during the early days of this summer.

The Goddess Star Prize Pack:
Signed Copy of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Hardbound copy of For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

The Pushing the Collector Prize Pack:
Signed copy of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
A copy of The Collector by Victoria Scott

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[Review] For Darkness Show the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars 
Diana Peterfreund
June 12th, 2012
Blazer& Bray imprint
of Harper Teen

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It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.
Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.
But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.
Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Tears filled my eyes and happiness flowed through my heart as I read the last page of For Darkness Show the Stars.  This book was fantastic.  Oh the feels, Oh the feels this book was so romantic.  It is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.  The world of For Darkness shows the Stars was what really drew me in.  I was fascinated with this dystopian post-apocalyptic society of three classes trying to seek out an existence on two islands.  In this world a genetic experiment from long past has created brain damaged humans called The Reduced and is the duty of normals or The Luddite nobility to take care of them.  There is also a class called The Posts who are not brain damaged or nobility.  The Posts do not want to be slaves like The Reduced.  They want to be treated as equals by The Luddites. 

 

Elliot is a Luddite who feels responsible for her estate and all the people living on it.  Kai is the son of the mechanic.  If you know the story of Persuasion then you know they loved each in the past but could not be together in the present.  Kai left the estate when they were both fourteen and both, him and Elliot, were forced to let go of their childhood dreams and grow up fast.  Now both are eighteen and Kai has come back to the estate but now he is no long Kai but Captain Wentforth.  To Elliot he seems cold and unforgiving of the past and wants nothing to do with her.  So as the story unfolds with all the same plot points as Persuasion.  It is Elliot herself that makes this story because she grows into such a strong character.  In the end is able to stand up for herself and what she wants to make her happy.   I loved the fantastical world that really could be any world any time in human history.  Humans are always going to humans and there will always be those who think they are better than everyone else.  I loved the history of world because post-apocalyptic societies fascinate me.  I love stories about how people survive and what they do after.  It doesn’t surprise me that when it all collapses and people are scared of technology things go back to the way would have been in Jane Austen’s time.  With the haves and the have nots.

 

In the end I think Jane Austen would have been proud of For Darkness Shows the Stars because it is pays great homage to the story of Persuasion and captures the essence of what makes it a beautiful and gut wrenching story.  It was so romantic and all without sex or even kissing.  I highly recommend this story because what started out the night before as “I am just going to read a few pages before bed” turned into a hundred and tonight I have read the last page because it was so hard to put down.  I give For Darkness Shows the Stars five laser pistols.  Go read this book!

[Review] Paradise Valley by Rosanne Bittner

Paradise Valley
Roseanne Bittner
July 2, 2013
Source Books

Copy Provided for review by
Sourcebooks via Netgalley

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"Stop! Or I'll shoot your hat off."

Maggie Tucker has just gone through hell. Outlaws murdered her husband, looted their camp, and terrorized Maggie before leaving her lost and alone in the wilds of Wyoming. She isn't about to let another strange man get close enough to harm her.

Sage Lightfoot, owner of Paradise Valley ranch, his hunting for the men who killed his best ranch hand. But what he finds is a beautiful, bedraggled woman digging a grave. And pointing a pistol at his heart.

From that moment on, Sage will do anything to protect the strong-yet-vulnerable Maggie. Together, they'll embark on a life-changing journey along the dangerous Outlaw Trail, risking their lives...and their love.

With drama, romance and of course outlaws Paradise Valley by Rosanne Bittner drew me and didn’t let go until the end.  I love epic historical romance novels set in the west and this book was no exception.  I love the worlds Rosanne Bittner describes especially in Paradise Valley.  It is romantic and yet harsh all at the same time.  I can picture the wild untamed west in her book so perfectly.  I have to admit I have been a fan of Ms. Bittner since I was in high school.   I loved her books for some odd years now.  What I love about her novels is a world that is well researched and a love story that grows and matures. 

In Paradise Valley Maggie’s husband has been murdered and she has been raped and left for dead.  Then Sage Lightfoot comes upon her and she begs him to take her with him to hunt down hunt down the men that have wronged them both.  On an epic journey that sweeps across the mountains and valleys of Wyoming they begin the hunt.  I like that Maggie is a strong independent and even though she loves Sage and she wants Sage, she doesn’t need him to take care of her.  I love how the characters are both hurt not just physically but emotionally.  They both need each other to help heal the hurts and grow. 

Go read Paradise Valley because like with all Rosanne Bittner books this book is be savored as a real treat.  It was suspenseful, full of drama and romance.  I really enjoyed this book and as always look forward to reading more.   I give Paradise Valley four very strong laser pistols, because this is what a sweeping western romance looks like.

[Audiobook Review] The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test
The Goddess Test Series Book 1
Aimee Carter
April 19, 2011
Harlequin Teen

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It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

This book was intriguing, moody, and full of potential. Kate moves back to her mother's hometown only to get caught up in a test not like any other test she has ever taken. A test that will test just how far she is willing to go to save the ones she loves. If you are like me and like stories of Greek mythology then you know the story of Persephone. The Goddess Test is a continuation.

Kate is tricked into the woods by a rival classmate and to save her she makes a deal with a mysterious boy. She must live with him for the winter and take the Goddess Test. If she survives she willhelp rule the underworld and marry him.

Kate lives with Henry and discovers that he is not a ruthless underworld lord but a sad lonely boy. Kate learns that she is stronger and more caring that she thought and capable of love. While I liked the story I felt parts were missing somehow. I felt like there was still a part of Henry he was holding back from Kate. I felt like if I were Kate I would have been a little more upset by all the shocking revelations. I am guessing I will have to read the next book to find out more about Kate and Henry because I have a feeling there is more in store for their relationship and the ending left me a little unsatisfied. I still liked the book and the character Ava is one of my favorites. I look forward to more from the world. I give The Goddess Test three and a half laser pistols and round up to four.

[Reveiw] The Wedding Gamble by Cindi Meyers

The Wedding Gamble
Cindi Meyers
July 8th, 2013
Entangled Indulgence

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Preschool teacher Laura Nichols is celebrating her birthday and sister's bachelorette party in Vegas. Being in Sin City is thrilling and she intends on tapping in to her wild side. Laura can't resist the added excitement that comes with saying yes when a hunky man off the street proposes...

FBI agent David Abruzzo has been working undercover as a thug to bring down the Zacolli crime family, but his cover depends on convincing the mob he came to Vegas for a quickie wedding. If they catch on to his plan, his cover's blown, and he's as good as dead.

Over the course of 48 hours, David and Laura use rollercoasters, glowing condoms, and exotic male dancers to stay alive and bring the crime family down. But it will take more than Lady Luck, one night of passion, and a little Vegas magic to turn their fake marriage into something real.

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The Wedding Gamble by Cindi Meyers is sweet, flirty and fun.  I had a hard time putting it down.  I am sucker for shy wallflowers finding their inner beauty and self-worth and the sexy men who knew it was there all along.  This story is about curvy preschool teacher stuck in a rut.  Then one night in Vegas, on sister’s bachorlette party, she agrees to marry a sexy stranger.  Turns out he is undercover for the FBI trying to take down a Mob family.  Now Laura’s life is turned upside down as she puts her heart and her life on the line to save her husband.  I liked how the story flowed.  It was a very quick and very cute read.  Even though Laura and David fell in love over the course of three days it was believable.  I think everyone once in while we all need to let go of being cynics and believe in fate and happily ever after’s.  I know that is why I love romance novels so much because the girl usually gets her guy in the end.  Read this book and be swept away by the swoony romance like I was. If that doesn’t do it for you there is also hilarious hijinks as Laura goes go to whatever lengths possible to save the day.  I give the Wedding Gamble four laser pistols and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for quick romantic read.

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[Audiobook review] Etiquette & Espionage by Gale Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage
Finishing School Book 1
Gale Carriger
February 5th, 2013
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore.

I love Gail Carriger's soul protectorate series, so when she came out with a YA novel set in the same world I was excited. I was not disappointed because Etiquette & Espionage read like her adult novels just with younger cast members. The humor and mystery that I have grown to love was all over this book.

Sophronia can't stay out of trouble, her mother is fed up, and she decides to send her to finishing school. Sophronia soon learns this school is no ordinary finishing school, but a school for young ladies to finish and become skillful in the arts of espionage.

I found parts of this book hillarious, especially when one of the teachers is teaching the young ladies the art of faintingor where to stash a hankerchief. "Ladies must never wipe their faces. Only dab my dears, only dab." Moria Quirk does a wonderful job narrating. She really captures some of the ridiculousness and makes the story that much more funnier. Etiquette & Espionage is a fun romp filled with mystery in a quirky steampunk world. The best way to describe the story is think Nancy Drew meets a steampunk finishing school. I give Etiquette & Espionage the audiobook four laser pistols and look forward to finding out if Sophronia will get herself out of trouble next time.