13 British Horror Stories (review)

 

Title: 13 British Horror Stories

Author: Rayne Hall

Genre(s):  Anthology, Thriller
Published Feb 2013
Pages: 100

Publisher:  Scimitar Press

Buy it or View on Goodreads

 

 

Summary:  "Thirteen creepy, atmospheric stories by Rayne Hall, all set in Britain.

This collection includes:

Take me to St Roch's
Seagulls
Never Leave Me
Double Rainbows
Scruples
Through the Tunnel
The Devil You Know
I Dived the Pandora
Four Bony Hands
Beltane
Druid Stones.
Burning
Only a Fool

The stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, anthologies and collections. Some are also included in the Six Scary Tales books.

The words, spellings, grammar and punctuation are British English."

 

 

Review:  Overall, I enjoyed these stories.  Some more than others but each one worth taking a look at.  Each story is about 5-20 pages long so they are quick to read.  

 

These stories vary from creepy ghost stories, vengeful people and more.  My favorites included 'Take me to St Roch's,'  and 'Druid Stones.'  But there were many others I liked as well.  Seagulls reminded me a bit of the old horror story, 'The Birds' by Daphne du Maurier.  

One thing the author did that I found nice, was that at the beginning, she tells the reader how she got the idea for each story.  While I found this interesting, especially the time and dedication she puts into each one (and it shows in the stories),  I wish she had kept it s bit shorter.  A paragraph or so for each story would have been plenty but we get a bit more than that.

As I said, the author put in good time to understand the setting for each story, and it shows.  The description makes you feel as if you can be there yourself.  How she spend time in a cemetary at night to get that feeling is nicely portrayed.  

To me, a misleading fact is the title.  While the author does state that these are more creepy and not gore-fill (very true), I would not claim them as horror either.  Some are slightly unsettling and others have a creepy atmosphere but I don't like the use of the word horror to describe them.  

 

These stories can be read by any ages Middle school-adult and enjoyed by all.  You can read the whole book in one sitting or even just a story a day.   

 

 

 

 

 

Sneak Peaks at New Release Titles April 2013

Browse Inside The Elite by Kiera Cass

For those of you who , like me, have not gotten the chance to get or read the book, here you are.
Click the link to read the first 67 (7 full chapters)pages of The Elite!

Also, if you click the the Tap in the Top left you can view other titles  like Sweet Peril, Divergent and more!

Giveaway Question

Giveaway Question!!!

So, I have a poll over to the right (under GFC followers) about Giveaways.  I want to know what you, my readers, would like to see me offer.  Please select any/all that apply.  

Also, feel free to leave a comment on this post.  Please let me know.  I have a stack of Arcs that I do not know what do do with when I finish them, I have a box of books to post on bookmooch but was debating on offering the more popular ones as prizes (like posting a giveaway for winners choice of a book I have available).  Or I can stick to gift cards or other goodies.  What sounds good to you?  I have never hosted a giveaway so feedback is highly valued.

I would like to start hosting giveaways once I reach around 50-100 followers (need at least 100 followers for me to offer a gift card).

Spellbinding (review)

 

Title: Spellbinding

Author: Maya Gold

Genre(s):  Young Adult, Paranormal
Published April 2013
Pages: 272

Publisher:  Scholastic Point 

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary:  "It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth."

Review:  The book is written in first person perspective of a teenage girl named Abby. She is just your average high school student for the most part, except lacking in friends. She only has one at a time, which I found kind of odd since she wasn't the some major introvert either. Naturally, like so many stories before this one, she likes the most popular guy in school. Likewise, his girlfriend is the nastiest piece of work in the school.

A school assignment sends her to Salem to learn of her family tree. She learns she is related to one of the 'witches' that was hung. While there she meets a guy named Rem whom she finds herself drawn toward, gets a job at a New Age shop and finds herself back home with a potion/spellbook. The whole trip was uncanny, right down to her moving a cone using...magic!?

So...surprise, surprise she finds some love and attraction spells and uses them on the popular boy, Travis. Soon he is trailing her like a puppy. Very cliche. Yet off to the side is the mysterious Rem who seems to breath hot and cold with her. This leaves us with a very standard love triangle.

As Abby delves deeper into magic, she begins to learn she is an elemental witch and that there are other witches is Salem as well.

Enough of the plot though. That is more than enough to get you started. Overall, the book was a fun read. Yet very predictable. I finished the book with a "Been there, Done that" feeling.

The pace was nicely done but I would have preferred the story to slow just a tad so I could get more into the characters. One thing I was curious on is that her employer tells her that Travis likes her yet even after the spell, I was wondering if that was true and maybe she should have asserted herself naturally first. But she didn't even try. I would have like to know more about the real witches in Salem but we don't get too much besides her and Rem. There was one part of the book I thought she was going to have a 'Carrie' moment (from the Stephen King book). Alas, I was denied that.

So while it was enjoyable to read, it brought nothing new to me as an older reader. This books may be perfect for someone reading their first teen witch book, however. It is appropriate enough for younger teens to read. No foul language which was nice, and while there was romance it was more chick-lit in style. Only 2 kisses in the whole book! So parents can rest assured of a good, clean book. For more experienced readers this can still be a fun read on a day off but don't expect many surprises or unique twists.

Note about the cover:  for some reason, when read the book, that is not how I envisioned Abby's hair.  She keeps describing it as 'wild.'  I don'e see it as wild.  Of course, since its currently being blown around but 'wind-swept' or 'lightly waved' might have been better for a visual idea.

Thank you to the publishers at Scholastic for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Stacking the Shelves #3

   Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

So this is a new weekly post I will be sharing every Weekend. This is to share with you my new books from the past week.  These are books I acquired from various sources  They can be from bookstores (new/used), trades/swaps, gifts, Arcs, from NetGalley, Amazon, Smashwords or anywhere else. Physical books and ebooks both are welcome. If it is something being sent to me by mail, I will not mention it until I actually receive it.  The only thing I will not list are books I am borrowing (whether from a friend or library) as the list would quickly become too long.  

Click on the picture to link you to Goodreads so you can view the summary and other information.

**Some of these I actually received last Fri/Sat and just did not get the chance to add them to last weeks post.  So this week has a lot :)

 ♥  ♦  ♣  ♠ 

  

Books I have won in Contests or Giveaways

   

♥  ♦  ♣  ♠ 

  



Got these from NetGalley

  

  

 

 

 

            

    

  

♥  ♦  ♣  ♠ 

  From Bookstore or Booksales

 

♥  ♦  ♣  ♠ 

From Amazon 

 

 

  

TGIF weekly 7

TGIF WEEKLY!!!

Welcome ! This is a weekly blog post that will share 3 books I have on my to-read list.  These are books I have gotten my hands on and have pulled aside and are therefore my top reading choices of the moment.

  My goal is to read, or at least start, one  or more of them between today and the following Friday.  Books may be fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or anything else that might by fun or interesting to read.   

 So, some things came up with me this past week so I didn't get as much reading as I was hoping to.  Only read 1 1/2 books this week, and 2 graphic novels.  Sad week.  However I am lucky now as I have the weekend off and to myself for some good reading. :)

░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ 

Summary:  "There's more than one way to be powerful . . .

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth."

░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░

Summary:  Mattie was never truly mine. That knowledge must have filled me as quickly and surely as the milk from her breasts. Although my family ‘owned’ her, although she occupied the center of my universe, her deepest affections lay elsewhere. So along with the comfort of her came the fear that I would lose her some day. This is our story...

So begins Lisbeth Wainwright’s compelling tale of coming-of-age in antebellum Virginia. Born to white plantation owners but raised by her enslaved black wet nurse, Mattie, Lisbeth’s childhood unfolds on the line between two very different worlds.

Growing up under the tender care of Mattie, Lisbeth adopts her surrogate mother’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring. In time, Lisbeth realizes she has freedoms and opportunities that Mattie does not have, though she’s confined by the societal expectations placed on women born to privilege. As Lisbeth grows up, she struggles to reconcile her love for her caregiver with her parents’ expectations, a task made all the more difficult as she becomes increasingly aware of the ugly realities of the American slavery system. When Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Lisbeth realizes she must make a choice, one that will require every ounce of the courage she learned from her beloved Mattie.

This compelling historical novel is a richly evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption set during one of the most sinister chapters of American history."

 ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░

 

 Summary:  "This is an epic fantasy adventure book with lots of action, intrigue, creaturas and dragons, for young adult to adult.

Bronwyn and Blayke are two strangers being drawn into the same war. Their world is facing invasion from the Third Realm. While they move unknowingly toward each other, they are watched, hunted, and sabotaged. When the Dragon God interferes, it seems their world, Talia, will succumb to the threat. Can they learn enough of the tricks of the Realms before it’s too late, or will everything they love be destroyed?

The young Realmists’ journey pushes them away from all they’ve known, to walk in the shadows toward Vellonia, city of the dragons, where an even darker shadow awaits."

 ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░

So there you have it.  My top 3 to-reads for this next week. 

What do you plan to read next?  

The Hunger Games

  

The Hunger Games (1)

by Suzanne Collins

 

 

Genre(s):  Dystopian, Young Adult
Published Sept 2008
Pages: 374

Publisher:Scholastic Press 

 

 

 

 

Summary: :

"Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender.

If she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

 

Review:

Well this book lived up to a lot of the hype that surrounds it. While the name and cover still do not grab my attention the story, once started, did.

This book is written in first perspective, from the heroine's aspect. Her name is Katniss Everdeen. She starts off in her home, a simple, poor area of the land. She is the provider for her mother and sister with her hunting skills. To protect her younger sister, she is sent to the capitol, along with local boy Peeta, to 'participate' in the annual Hunger Games.

These 'games' are fights to the death, aired and shown to the capitol and all 12 districts under its control, in a survival arena of sorts. The book shows, throughout the story, a somewhat futuristic dystopia society. The tributes (Katniss, Peeta and others in the game) are given basic weapons (bows, spears, clubs) and the district where Katniss is from uses herbs and eats basic foods (squirrel, wild turkey, etc) but the capitol has voice command room service, automatic hair dryers, and a camera/screen set that tracks and shows the tributes (no matter where they go) to the viewers. It is an interesting combination.

There is a 'romantic' setting as well. Katniss and Peeta are to appear as a united team to the people. Peeta even admits to liking her during his interview. So a setting for 'star-crossed lovers' is created. However, Katniss has various feelings toward Peeta throughout the book and its very realistic and understandable, especially when there is possibly another guy back home.

Yet while there are time I can relate to her, at the same time several of her thoughts want to make my roll my eyes or drop my head onto a desk. While she is survival smart, she is not people smart. She can't socialize and cannot read people worth a darn. While it is annoying at times, it is also endearing and has created a unique character.

Overall, very good book.  It is of constant pace of survival and action, with just the right touch of romantic possibilities. 

 

 

Quite Contrary

 

 Quite Contrary 

by Richard Roberts

Genre(s):  Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Published Mar 2013
Pages: 317

Publisher:Curiosity Quills Press

Summary:  

"The secret of having an adventure is getting lost. Who ever visited an enchanted kingdom or fell into a fairy tale without wandering into the woods first?

Well, Mary is lost. Mary is lost in the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and that is a cruel and murderous story. She's put on the red hood and met the Wolf. When she gives in to her Wolf's temptations, she will die. That's how the story goes, after all.

Unfortunately for the story and unfortunately for the Wolf, this Little Red Riding Hood is Mary Stuart, and she is the most stubborn and contrary twelve year old the world has ever known.
Forget the Wolf's temptations, forget the advice of the talking rat trying to save her - she will kick her way through every myth and fairy tale ever told until she finds a way to get out of this alive. Her own way, and no one else's"

 

Review:

This book has left me with very different opinions on various parts and aspects. One thing I will say up front. THIS IS NOT A KIDS BOOK. Older teen-adult is appropriate.

First off,  The combination of the name Mary, alon with the title brought an amused smirk to my lips. She goes off to a party and tries to spite the host by going into the tunneled crawl space of the spooky mansion it is hosted at. She finds herself locked in ans so she ventures around, making various turns through the tunnels. She comes across a talking rat (Rat-In-Boots) who helps her begin her journey.
When she puts on the white and red outfit, her fate is sealed to the story of Red Riding Hood. She journey's through various fairy-tales and lands of legends.

One thing that really bothered me in this story is that she never questions why. Why her, How did the rat get her, etc. She just accepts everything. While her character gained depth throughout the book (she started of bratty, then we learn she has a chip on her shoulder to learning she actually cares for others), I never once felt she was 12. More like 16-19. And the language, sexual references, etc (going to a brothel, virginity references etc) did not seem right.
Yet, to contrast her character I liked Rat-in-boots, even though he doesn't have his boots. The perfect little hero. Cunning, swift, caring and stubborn. I also really liked some of the places we see. One of them is the Viking Lands and the Norse. She meets a boy named Eric who is the son of Thor. This amused me because in the 'Thor' and 'Thunderstrike' comic books, Eric is the name of the man who becomes the New Thor.

Another place I enjoyed reading was purgatory, which was set up as a huge ship (and I mean HUGE) that can take years to escape (if you can at all). This part reminded me of the Goonies a bit (children working together, following a code) and Silent Hill with the creatures in the dark and the way things lock and checking various rooms for items.

Through all these stories and more, the Wolf is after her. Apparently Red Riding Hood is the strongest story ever. Rat-in-Boots tells her that no one knows of a world outside their story yet everyone knows hers and keeps telling her to take off the hood. The only way to escape the Wolf is to go home. Which is the one place she doesn't want to be.
So while there were enjoyable parts, I just could not get into the book itself. Too much unanswered. And her characters personality did not fit any middle schooler I have ever met. Also the ending was a let down. The last 50 pages were rushed, worlds not explained, etc. And the last chapter was a recap of the book. Pfft. Not needed. So while it was kind of interesting to read and started out with some creative thought, it didn't hold the same appeal that I had before I started.  

I would like to thank the Publishers at Curiosity Quills Press for giving me the chance to read and review this adventure