Wednesday, September 30, 2015

*Platypire Read-A-Thon* September Results

Photo Courtesy of Platypire Maribel
The month is over, it seems to go by pretty fast, and I really don't feel like I read very many books (probably because most of the books I read were proofreads which do take me a little bit longer due to marking errors and then sending in corrections etc.) Without further ado, here are my results.


X - Read
R - Currently Reading
+ - To Be read

X - Rising Tide by T.L. Zalecki
Read my review here.

X - Secrets by Mary Reason Theriot
Read my review here.

X - F You, Box by Katie Cook
Read my review here.

X - A Kiss So Deadly by Mary Reason Theriot
Read my review here.

X - Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Read my review here.

X - Unrequited Love by Mary Reason Theriot
Read my review here.

X - Haunted Visions by Mary Reason Theriot
Review to be posted shortly.

X - CarnEvil of Souls by Mary Reason Theriot
Review to be posted shortly. 

Currently Reading

R - The Rewriting of America's History by Catherine Millard
R - Sector 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole
R - Sweetwater: The Kihn by Rivi Jacks
R - The Voyage by Tammie Painter
R - The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
R - Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde
R - Give Me Your Answer True by Suanne Laqueur
R - Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning by Timothy Snyder
R - The Road Home by Kathleen Shoop
R - A Curious Beginning by Deanna Rayburn
R - Buffalo Trail by Jeff Guinn
R - Slow Burn: Box Set 1-3 by Bobby Adair
R - Troll by Ashley C. Harris
R - A Deadly Combination by Mary Reason Theriot
R - Revolt! by Terry Ray
R - I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
R - Christine by Stephen King
R - Karen's Witch (Babysitter's Little Sister) by Ann M. Martin

To Be Read

+ - The &Now Awards Volume 3 by Various Authors
+ - Shadows of the Unseen by Christine Steendam
+ - Drawing Heat by S.L. Dearing
+ - Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
+ - PrairyErth by William Least Heat-Moon
+ - House of Holes by Nicholson Baker
+ - Pieces by Maria Kostaki
+ - Summer Secrets by Jane Green
+ - Forgiveness by Chiquis Rivera
+ - The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
+ - The Prophets of Eternal Fjord by Kim Leine
+ - Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu
+ - The Underwriting by Michelle Miller
+ - The Biology of Luck by Jacob M. Appel
+ - Omega City by Diana Peterfreund
+ - American Warlord by Johnny Dwyer
+ - When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi
+ - Bell Weather by Dennis Mahoney
+ - Deadly Design by Debra Dockter
+ - Unprocessed by Megan Kimble
+ - The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
+ - The Sparks by Kyle Prue
+ - Take by Silvia Ami
+ - The Never-ending Story by Michael Ende
+ - Devil's Garden by Lance Tuck
+ - The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand
+ - It's You by Jane Porter
+ - Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
+ - Beautiful Girl by Fleur Philips
+ - The Witch of Bourbon Street by Suzanne Palmieri
+ - Killing Katie by B.A. Spangler
+ - A Hanging at Cinder Bottom by Glenn Taylor
+ - The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman
+ - Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
+ - The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer
+ - Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard
+ - Dracula is a Racist: A Totally Factual Guide to Vampires by Matt Melvin
+ - Steele Mackaye Investigations: The Tarot Problem by Barry H. Wiley
+ - The Age of Amy: Behind the Fun Zone by Bruce Edwards
+ - Jezebel: Defeating your #1 Spiritual Enemy by Bob Larson
+ - Fear Itself by Duffy Prendergast
+ - Anyone? by Angela Scott
+ - Silent Creed by Alex Kava
+ - The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie
+ - This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
+ - In the Dark by Chris Patchell
+ - The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild
+ - Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum by Greg Funaro
+ - Need by Joelle Charbonneau
+ - Gods of Anthem by Logan Keys
+ - Human: A Shadow Empires Book by S.M. Carriere
+ - Revolt by Terry Ray
+ - Second Chances by Sarah Price
+ - A Bridge to Cross by Edward R. Hackemer
+ - The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp
+ - Diary of a Single Wedding Planner by Violet Howe
+ - The Curse of Crow Hollow by Bill Coffey

So I only moved two books off of my currently reading shelf and onto my read pile, and only one book from my TBR moved to my currently reading list (and yet that got way bigger), but there's a reason I've added so many books to my currently reading list. I'm sure there's a reason, I'm just not really sure what it could possibly be, other than I get insane urges to just randomly pick up a book and start reading sometimes. I might have a slight problem. How many books did you read in September? - Katie


*Review* Unrequited Love by Mary Reason Theriot


Genre: Horror/Paranormal Romance
Published: January 11, 2014
Pages: 332
Ages: 18+

Synopsis

Forbidden love… Murder…Ghosts… Hidden treasure… Holy water… Voodoo… 

All of these take place at Whispering Willows. 

Whispering Willows Plantation was a place that knew love, loss, heartache, and anger. When things take place that causes a chain reaction that affects not only Whispering Willows, but also the people who live there, you learn that sometimes people leave more behind than they realize. 

Caitlyn Reed’s life changed drastically when she met Gregory Ferris, and not for the best in the long run. When she finds out what Gregory has done at Whispering Willows, she decides she has to do what she can to release the evil that he has left on the amazing home. What she didn’t realize was that it wasn’t just Gregory’s evil that had taken over the home, but someone else’s--someone from the past. 

Murder isn’t something that Pointe Creole hasn’t dealt with in the past. When a new string of murders leaves the police with no leads, that’s when Caitlyn realizes there might just be more to the noises the old house is making. 

With the handyman, Scott, by her side, Caitlyn embarks on her mission to rid the house of the evil. While at the same time, trying to ensure that the murderer that is on the loose isn’t after her as well. 
Will Caitlyn be able to free Whispering Willows of the evil that haunts it, or will it be too 
much for her? Are the police of Pointe Creole going to be able to catch the serial killer before another woman is found? 

If you enjoy reading suspenseful books that have a few twists of romance, murder, and paranormal, then join the journey through time on Whispering Willows Plantation. 


Review

I was hired to proofread this book post publication. The only feedback I provided was on spelling and grammar. If you feel that my connection with this book makes my review unreliable, so be it, but this is my honest review.

This book immediately made me wonder if it was a sequel to another book. Based on the fact that it's subtitle is The Secrets of Whispering Willows Book 2 makes me believe it is, and I'm quite interested in reading the first book. I'm hoping that it will be filled with all sorts of gory horror, and I'd love to sink my teeth into a good gory horror novel. Unrequited Love did leave me with some unanswered questions, but those questions don't actually have to be answered for this story to make sense, they're just things I really want to know because I'm curious like that.

I spent a fair amount of time while reading this book wondering just what had happened at the plantation in the past. There are allusions, but I really want the gory details. So even though I haven't read book one in this series yet, I feel like you would probably enjoy this book more, if you read Horror in the Night first. My wondering didn't detract from the story though, it just gave me more to try and puzzle through; one more mystery to try and solve.

Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was satisfying on it's own but also made me want more. If you enjoy paranormal mystery with a little bit of romance, you'll most likely enjoy this book. - Katie 

Buy the Book


About the Author

A Louisiana native and have had the wonderful opportunity of living in various states during my husband's 20-year career in the United States Coast Guard.

I have been happily married for over twenty years and am the proud mother of two wonderful children. My youngest encouraged me to begin writing this year.

Until my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2001, I worked in the Legal Field. Writing is great therapy for my own personal fight against MS.  

I truly hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

#TopTenTuesday - My Top 10 Banned Books

It's banned books week all the way through Saturday, you may have noticed me sharing links to articles about banned books on the Facebook page or Twitter. I figured for my first ever #TopTenTuesday, I would do a list of my 10 most favorite banned books. I am basing my list on this list of banned books from Wikipedia.

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#10 - The Dead Zone by Stephen King

"The Dead Zone was first challenged in 1980 for 'not meeting the standards of community." (Source)

Having read The Dead Zone and most of Stephen King's other novels, I'm surprised to find this book on the list at all, although apparently the challenges have greatly diminished in recent years. 

Synopsis

Johnny, the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into The Dead Zone

Johnny Smith, the small-town schoolteacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a four-and-a-half-year trip into The Dead Zone

John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power—the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in The Dead Zone.



Photo Credit: Goodreads
#9 - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

In Cold Blood "was banned for a short time in Savanna, Georgia, after a parent complained about sex, violence, and profanity." (Source)

This was my first true crime novel, and I think it held appeal for me most because I'm from Kansas. The complaints about it are probably accurate (it's been a while since I read it), but what do you expect from a true crime novel?

Synopsis

The laconic, atmospheric, and intensively researched narrative of the lives of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, and of the two men, Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, who brutally killed them on the night of November 15, 1959, is the seminal work of the "new journalism." Perry Smith is one of the great dark characters of American literature, full of contradictory emotions. "I thought he was a very nice gentleman," he says of Herb Clutter. "Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat." Told in chapters that alternate between the Clutter household and the approach of Smith and Hickock in their black Chevrolet, then between the investigation of the case and the killers' flight, Capote's account is so detailed that the reader comes to feel almost as if he were a participant in the events. New York Times: "A remarkable, tensely exciting, moving, superbly written 'true account.'" New York Review of Books: "Harrowing... the best documentary account of an American crime ever written... The book chills the blood and exercises the intelligence."

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#8 - Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stein

"The series was challenged for being too frightening for young people and depicting occult or satanic themes." (Source)

I loved the Goosebumps series growing up, and read a lot of them. The series may have even started my love affair with horror novels.  There's a good chance that I ordered a new one from just about every single Scholastic book order that I got (and I always went home with a stack of books on days when book orders were delivered.) While I understand why parents might object to it, I think Goosebumps got a lot of children reading (even my husband read them, and he doesn't read.) I've even started re-collecting them when I find copies at my local thrift store so that my children can read them when they're a little bit older (they're only 4 and 6 right now.) 





Photo Credit: Goodreads
#7 - The Hunger Games (Series) by Suzanne Collins

"The Hunger Games has been challenged for insensitivity, offensive language, violence and for being anti-family, anti-ethnic and occult/satanic." (Source)

If you don't know about The Hunger Games by now, I'm going to guess that you've been living under a rock, which is okay, I bet it's a very nice rock. Are the books violent? Of course they are. They are about children being forced to fight to the death as punishment for their great-grandparents rebelling against their government 74 years ago. Its been a few years since I read them, so I don't recall any particularly offensive language, but it's presence wouldn't surprise me. I do not understand where the other complaints are coming from though, especially it being "anti-family." Katniss freakin' volunteers as tribute to save her sister's life for crying out loud. That's anti-family? 

Synopsis

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 is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Collins delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#6 - Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys

Flowers for Algernon is most often challenged for the "parts of the novel that focus on Charlie's struggle to understand and express his sexual desires." (Source)

I read this book back in high school, so over half my life ago, and I don't actually remember a whole lot of the details of the story, but I do remember feeling particularly moved by it. It's a book that has been on my TBR list for a re-read for a while now even. 

Synopsis

With more than five million copies sold, Flowers for Algernon is the beloved, classic story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In poignant diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance--until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#5 - The Scary Stories Treasury by Alvin Schwartz

"Citing violence in the stories and graphic illustrations, parent groups and school boards would pull the three Scary Stories volumes from libraries and schools." (Source)

Much like the Goosebumps series, I loved these books as a kid and I want to buy copies with the original artwork now (because I hear they've gone and changed the illustrations so they're not as scary.) I get that the stories are terrifying, but the title of the first book is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark...what would you expect from that? Stories full of flowers and sausages? I don't think so. Kids read these books because they wanted to be scared, at least that's why I read them. And you know what, it takes quite a bit to freak me out now as an adult. 

Synopsis

Are you brave enough for Scary Stories? 
Some boys and girls were at a party one night. There was a graveyard down the street, and they were talking about how scary it was. 

"Don't ever stand on a grave after dark," one of the boys said. "The person inside will grab you." 

"A grave doesn't scare me," said one of the girls. "I'll do it right now. . . ." 

Welcome to the macabre world of Scary Stories, where folklorist Alvin Schwartz offers up the most alarming collection of horror, dark revenge, and supernatural events of all time. Here is a selection of extraordinarily chilling tales along with spine-tingling illustrations by renowned artist Brett Helquist.

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#4 - 1984 by George Orwell

" It has been banned and challenged repeatedly on social and political grounds, as well as sexual content." (Source)

I think 1984 was my first adult dystopian novel, and it definitely made an impact on me. I've wanted to re-read it so much since I've been here in Germany that I ended up buying a copy of it in German at my thrift store (on accident because 1984 is the same in English as it is in German.) I'm really not even mad about that though, in spite of the fact that I don't speak enough German to read it. 

Synopsis

'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.'

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101 . . . 

Nineteen Eighty-Four is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime.

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#3 - A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

"Attempts have been made to ban the book from some libraries, parents claiming that the poem "How Not To Have To Dry The Dishes" encourages messiness and disobedience." (Source)

The idea that a book of silly poems for children would be challenged at all is ludicrous to me. I'm sure many of you grew up reading this poems too. I've even bought (and currently lost) copies of all three of Shel Silverstein's poetry books to read the poems to my kids. (I'm starting to feel like a bad parent for buying all these banned books for my children to read. Oh wait, that makes me an awesome parent because I'm not obnoxiously censoring what they read.) 

Synopsis

It's hard to imagine a world without A Light in the Attic. This now-classic collection of poetry and drawings from Shel Silverstein celebrates its 20th anniversary with this special edition. Silverstein's humorous and creative verse can amuse the dowdiest of readers. Lemon-faced adults and fidgety kids sit still and read these rhythmic words and laugh and smile and lovethat Silverstein. Need proof of his genius?

            Rockabye
Rockabye baby, in the treetop
Don't you know a treetop
Is no safe place to rock?
And who put you up there,
And your cradle, too?
Baby, I think someone down here's
Got it in for you.
Shel, you never sounded so good.

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#2 - The Giver by Lois Lowry

"The most frequently cited reasons to challenge The Giver have been “Violence” and claims that the book is “Unsuited to [the] Age Group”—or in other words that it’s too dark for children." (Source)

The Giver was probably my very first dystopian novel. We read it in school, and I'm from a small town in Kansas. When I think of books being challenged and banned, it's usually in very small towns like the one I grew up in. So I was incredulous to see it on the list of banned books. 

Synopsis

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back. 

Photo Credit: Goodreads
#1 - Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series has faced backlash from several radical Christian groups because "the magic in the books promotes Wicca and witchcraft among children." (Source) Additionally, the ladies at Platypire Reviews feel it should be banned because it doesn't have any platypires. 

I guess I'm not really surprised that Harry Potter has come under attack for the themes it describes, which is sad really...that I'm not even surprised people don't want to allow others to read a children's book. This is one of my all-time favorite series, and I read the whole thing as an adult (well a technical adult because I was 18 or older when I first started reading the books.) 

Synopsis (Sorcerer's Stone)

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the "Harry Potter" series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts.


It was actually really hard for me to make my choices after the first four. Basically, the rest of the books from the list that I've read have essentially equal footing in my mind. I would like to add that I read almost all of the books on my list while living under my parents roof because they provided them for me (my parents are kind of awesome.) So since there were other books I'd read that could make the list, I'm going to just list them now because this is my blog and I do what I want. 

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Cujo by Stephen King
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Monday, September 28, 2015

*Review* Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 14, 2013
Pages: 403
Ages: 14+

Synopsis

This is a full-length, 110k word novel and is the first book in the Knitting in the City series.

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.


Review

I listened to the audiobook version of Neanderthal Seeks Human narrated by Jennifer Grace. I don't listen to audiobooks often as I personally have a hard time concentrating on the story when at home, but since getting my Fitbit, I've been going on walks and thought it would be nice to have something to listen to. Fortunately, I live near some fields that I can walk around so I didn't have to worry about others seeing the goofy grin that I frequently had plastered on my face whilst listening to Neanderthal Seeks Human.

So first, the story. It had almost everything I love in a romance, doubts from the heroine that lead to boatloads of anticipation for what was to come when things finally clicked for her and a dreamy, swoon worthy hero. In addition to that, it had random trivia and corny nerd jokes that had my inner nerd squeeing. There were a few times where the story felt reminiscent of 50 Shades of Grey, but they were quite brief and mostly dismissible. 

The part of this book that I really loved the most was the bond Janie had with her knitting group. She's very socially awkward, like me, but these ladies love her all the same, encourage her to go for what she deserves, and have her back no matter what. I wish I had a group of friends like that in the same time zone as me.

Now the narration. I loved Jennifer Grace's voice for Janie, and all the women really, but her voice for Quinn really grated on my nerves. I don't even really know why or what it was about the voice that bugged me so much, I just did not like it. It wouldn't stop me from listening to another Knitting in the City book narrated by her though.

Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it kept me entertained and grinning like a fool and the narration was mostly pleasing. I would recommend this book to readers that like their romance on the nerdy side. - Katie 

Buy the Book


About the Author

Penny Reid is a part time author of romantic fiction. When she's not immersed in penning smart romances she works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She's also a full time mom to two diminutive adults (boy-8 and girl-5), wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

*Review* A Kiss So Deadly by Mary Reason Theriot


Genre: Mystery/Paranormal Romance
Published: January 5, 2014
Pages: 233
Ages: 18+

Synopsis

Lightning flashed around her, thunder crackled in the night sky and suddenly she could hear women crying in the wind. They were moaning and pleading for help. She looked down at the water and saw the women’s faces staring up at her, their arms reaching for her to help.  
*** 

Love…… Betrayal……. Murder……. Ghosts……… A Haunted Plantation…… 
After the tragic death of her parents, Bridgette turned the family plantation into a Bed and Breakfast. Now, if only she could keep the ghosts from scaring away her quests. In all her years of living here, they all seemed to commingle in peace. Were they possibly upset that she opened the family home to strangers?  

Ever since her passing, Geneviève has wandered the plantation and watched her family grow. Lately, she has become afraid to wander the grounds. The beauty of the night was stolen from her. All that seemed to remain in the darkness of the night was death and evil. She must warn Bridgette of the evil that lurked these grounds before it was too late. 


Review

I was hired to proofread this book. The only aspects of the story I influenced were spelling and grammar (and maybe the name of the B&B). If you feel my connection with the story makes my review unreliable, so be it, but this is my honest review.

Going into this book I had decided that I was not going to fall for Ms. Theriot's trickery. Once I picked a suspect, I was sticking with him no matter what. I'm happy to report that I stuck to my guns, I wasn't right, but I stuck to my guns. I really wanted to change my mind a few times too, and obviously should have at least once, but I was pretty sure I could outsmart the author (really dumb assumption on my part.) 

This story is told in omniscient third person, which allowed us to delve into the minds of several of the characters. This led to some slightly repetitive scenes, but they felt mostly necessary, so they didn't annoy me as much as repetitiveness usually does.

I really enjoyed the paranormal aspect of this story, and the backstory, although there were some areas where foreshadowing seemed to be used that didn't actually lead anywhere after first being mentioned, and I felt one of them in particularly could have really upped the ante for the drama of the story, so I was a little disappointed when it didn't go anywhere. 

I also had an issue with the ending. While the idea behind the ending was good and fairly close to the basic idea of what I was expecting to happen, the execution was weak and felt like a missed opportunity to me. It was okay for what it was, and a satisfying conclusion, but I really feel like it could have been so much more.

Overall I give A Kiss So Deadly 4 out of 5 stars because it kept me turning pages and guessing about the identity of the bad guy, but had a couple areas where I thought more was going to happen that didn't. - Katie 

Buy the Book


About the Author

A Louisiana native and have had the wonderful opportunity of living in various states during my husband's 20-year career in the United States Coast Guard.

I have been happily married for over twenty years and am the proud mother of two wonderful children. My youngest encouraged me to begin writing this year.

Until my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2001, I worked in the Legal Field. Writing is great therapy for my own personal fight against MS.  

I truly hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I have enjoyed writing them.