Book Review: The Halloween Collection From the Indie Eclective

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! This is a fun collection and only marginally scary. See the smiling pumpkin?

THE HALLOWEEN COLLECTION FROM THE INDIE ECLECTIVE
M. Edward McNally (Author), Lizzy Ford (Author), Heather Marie Adkins (Author), PJ Jones (Author), Alan Nayes (Author), Julia Crane (Author), Shea MacLeod (Author), Talia Jager (Author), Jack Wallen (Author)

• File Size: 490 KB
• Print Length: 113 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005LPGG0C

Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 6, 2011The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors. Whether you enjoy light or dark paranormal, YA or adult-themed genres, there’s bound to be a story to suit your tastes. Thanks for reading!

Review:
It was fun to read these different stories and learn the tone of all new authors to me. I have written just a short sentence or two on each story - the print in orange. The two that are blocked in pale orange are my favorites and I may well seek to read more of those series. The collection is still free on Kindle and I recommend trying it. Some are more enjoyable than others but the full collection is entertaining and reads very quickly.


**Rhyn Trilogy: Origins, by Lizzy Ford: Gabriel's fate as an assassin seems set until he meets a courageous half-demon child named Rhyn, whose plight rekindles the humanity he thought he'd lost.  I liked Gabriel even as a harsh assassin for the Immortals. But I was pleased when he chose to help Rhyn.  I would like to read more from this series.

Ralphie the Special Werewolf by P.J. Jones: Ralphie doesn’t want to get snipped, but his pack is tired of watching him defile the sofa cushions. Now, he’s got to find a mate by Halloween night—or else.  This is a rather funny, and a bit crude, ‘doggy’ tale.

**Sunwalker's Kiss by Shéa MacLeod:  While searching for a magical bloodline, Sunwalker Jackson Keel discovers magic of a different kind. Jack was a Templar Knight but is now a Sunwalker, an Immortal who has come from hiding in the Dragon land. Amara has been accused of being a witch but Jack knows she is not...but she is something. When he realizes what he is more than willing to protect her against the evil man who seeks to kill her. I would like to read more in this saga too.

The Village of Those Who Touch The Dead by M. Edward McNally: "All obligations will be paid. There are no exceptions."  This is an interesting monster tale perhaps from Chinese legend. The endiing was not what I expected.

Haunting in OR 13, by Alan Nayes:  Halloween never frightened Sara McCaffe, until she stepped into Operating Room 13!  This one is a psychotic tale - is it dementia or a real haunted hospital?

To Taste of Shimmering Revenge by Jack Wallen: A vampire is awakened after four hundred years only to find his kind embarrassed and shamed by the rash of shimmery, hunky vampires on the big screen. His revenge will be sweet and tasty.  Ha- a Rip Van Winkle type story with a vampire waking to modern times that he can’t quite comprehend.

Magickal Vendetta by Heather Adkins - Revenge is a dish best served up in a pink saucepan for accident-prone blood witch, Gretchen.  By harnessing the power of Halloween, she hopes to break the bond with the soulmate who did her wrong.  This is a fun story of a witch who can’t seem to get her magic straight in spite of an expert mentor and a smart alike cat, Aura. As the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter her mate has been predestined. She wants to break the curse... except with his magickal kisses that might be more difficult than she thinks.

From the Keegan’s Chronicles series:  Haunted House by Julia Crane -  Keegan, Lauren, and Anna find much more than they bargained for during an innocent trip to a commercial haunted house.  Someone long dead awaits them on the second floor... Three girls start with fun in a haunted house but soon find a real ghost who needs help to leave this realm.

From the Gifted Teens series: Mind-Blower by Talia Jager - Kassia and Daxton’s romantic picnic is interrupted by the arrival of creatures bent on her destruction.  Will her powers fail her when she needs them most? A teen couple trying to enjoy a picnic need a little help. Although Kassia has a gift to kill demons and Daxton has strengths to help, they need some extra special help to escape from the demons when their numbers become almost overwhelming.

I read this for my Just For Fun October & Halloween Challenge.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes

This is a delightful story and a great way to start my 2012 Christmas reads. :-)

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402268637
• ISBN-13: 978-1402268632

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description;
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Praise for RITA-nominated Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish: "An extraordinary, precious, unforgettable holiday story."—RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, Top Pick of the Month, Best Historical Romance, RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers' Choice Awards 'Tis the Season for Scandal... Years ago Lady Louisa Windham acted rashly on a dare from her brother, and that indiscretion is about to come to light. She knows her reputation will never survive exposure. Just as she's nearly overwhelmed by her dilemma, Sir Joseph Carrington offers himself to her as a solution... But Sir Joseph has secrets as well, and as he and Louisa become entangled with each other, their deceptions begin to close in on them both...

Review:
Lady Louisa is the eighth of ten Windham siblings. The pressure is on for her to marry so her  younger sisters can find their mates. But Louisa has never been a ‘debutante’ type. She is more of a blue-stocking with her love of languages and ability to do complex math in her head. Louisa fears that a youthful indiscretion will bring scandal to those she loves.  Her older brothers are aware of the problem and are all quietly helping to gather and hide the evidence of her folly.

Sir Joseph is a wounded, honorable knight. He is a humble man who is happy  raising pigs and reciting poetry to his favorite, Lady Ophelia. Sir Joseph is in line to inherit a title which he’d like to refuse as he doesn’t want the extra responsibilities and obligations. Besides he already has his share of secret obligations. But Sir Joseph recognizes that it is time to find a wife to guide his sweet little girls who tend to baffle him.

Louisa and Joseph discover they enjoy each other’s company as they travel to London for the holiday festivities. They gently step in to protect each other from unwanted companions or embarrassing social circumstances.  Although Sir Joseph rescues Louisa from an unwanted compromising attack she still faces society scandal. He finds that he is pleased to propose a more permanent solution to her marital choices.

Louisa and Joseph discover a wonderful passion together but someone is sending each threatening notes to reveal their secrets. They are both insecure of the other’s feelings and they are frightened of the consequences of having to disclose their secrets.  Will their new found affection be able to survive their secrets?

These are two wonderful characters - an extremely intelligent and warm woman and a wounded war hero who is a romantic with a soft heart. The plot is sweet with conflicts, sensual tension and fear of exposure of their secrets. I love how Louisa’s parents and all of her siblings are willing to find ways to help her.  Sir Joseph is a perfect romantic knight sidling in champion Louisa. Grace Burrowes writes delightful historic romance and this entire series is wonderful. I look forward to the next stories. If you haven’t tried her books yet, this is a lovely one to pick up for Christmas cheer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Louisa’s father contemplates his daughters:

His Grace loved his five adult daughters and would cheerfully have died to protect them, but as for understanding them... He might as well have tried to grasp the mental processes of... another species entirely.  Page 37.

Sir Joseph describes his girls to Louisa, giving her a compliment in the process:

“Their little minds are at once devious and innocent.  They can be obvious in their emotions and also unfathomable. They are passionate and reserved.”.... “They are already like you, my lady. They have that fascinating, unknowable quality.”  Page 67.

I received this from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit  the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 9, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 10, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Feature: Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Mailbox Monday October 29, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR OCTOBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is (updated) Mailbox Monday!

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I added more books this week. How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

No review books received this week.

Wins

I won a title at Margaret Daley's Blog.  She features other Christian authors and offers giveaways each week!
The Doctor's Defender by Terri Reed

 and Terri also sent:  The Deputy's Duty

Thank you Margaret and Terri!

Purchased

I picked these up for our church Ladies' Book Club. We chose three titles for November and December as we won't meet again until January. I search out books that we can get for under $3.00 each. :-)

The Great Christmas Bowl
by Susan May Warren

Perfect Match
by Janice Hanna

and

White Picket Fences
by Susan Meissner

Free

I picked up some too many free titles on Kindle and Nook.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? October 29, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!


What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Again, this was another good reading week.  I finished five books and posted five reviews to keep up.  I posted two author guest posts with Giveaways, and a download giveaway.  Plus, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I got to visit some blogs last Sunday night, and then did more visiting Saturday.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 22, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox October 22, 2012.

• Book Review: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson; Romantic Comedy; my rating 4.5. 

• Giveaway Links + Guest Post with Rachael Anderson.  Ends 10/31.

• Book Review: The Mine by John Heldt; Time Travel, Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Download Giveaway: The Jupiter Chronicles by Leonardo Ramirez; Children's, Fantasy, Steampunk; my rating 4.0. Ends 11/2.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 26, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 11/1.

• Audio Book Review: The Magician's Apprentice; Fiction, Middle Grade; my rating 5.0.

• Saturday Snapshot 10/27/12- Skagway.

• Book Review: Loving Luke by Suzanne Barrett; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 10/26.

• Guest Post and Giveaway with Suzanne Barrett.  Ends 11/2.

• Sharing Beyond Books #72 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/2.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 28, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. Print
 

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes
I enjoyed this and 
will post the review and ARC Giveaway this week.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

2. Audio
 

The Magician's Apprentice
Author: Kate Banks; Narrator: Charlie Thurston
Remarkable! Review is linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

Loving Luke
by Suzanne Barrett
Good romance.
Review  and Giveaway Post linked above.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Trouble with Cowboys
by Denise Hunter
I enjoyed this conflicted romance.
I will post the Review and Giveaway this week.
Reviewed for Thomas Nelson.

5. eBook/Kindle
 

THE HALLOWEEN COLLECTION FROM THE INDIE ECLECTIVE
M. Edward McNally (Author), Lizzy Ford (Author), Heather Marie Adkins (Author), PJ Jones (Author), Alan Nayes (Author), Julia Crane (Author), Shea MacLeod (Author), Talia Jager (Author), Jack Wallen (Author)
This was a fun collection - nothing too scary.
I plan to post the review on Wednesday 10/31.
I read this for my Just For Fun October & Halloween Challange.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 6, 2011The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors. Whether you enjoy light or dark paranormal, YA or adult-themed genres, there’s bound to be a story to suit your tastes. Thanks for reading!

Line Edits: Waiting for print formats to be approved.

Currently reading:

1. Audio
 

Outer Diverse
by Nina Munteanu
Rhea Hawke is a tough assassin! I'm enjoying the action and suspense.
Reviewing for Iambic Audiobooks through AudioBook Jukebox. 
Description
Outer Diverse is the first book of the Splintered Universe Trilogy, set in and around the Milky Way Galaxy. The first book begins as Galactic Guardian Rhea Hawke intestigates the massacre of an entire religious sect, catapulting her into a treacherous storm of politics, conspiracy and self-discovery. Her quest for justice leads her into the heart of a universal struggle and toward an unbearable truth she’s hidden from herself since she murdered an innocent man.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Wicked Wager ( A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance )
by Anya Wylde
I am 10% into this and enjoying the characters.
Reviewing for the Author
to post with interview and Giveaway on 11/1.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride—the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey.
The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke’s estate to think things over.
Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke’s gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.
Alas, he underestimates the duke’s intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate—never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.
His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.
Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).
His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes … a tad complicated.

3. eBook/Kindle

Holiday Affair
by Annie Seaton
I will start this by week's end.
Reviewing for the Publisher; Review and Giveaway to post 11/7.  
Book Description
Publication Date: March 15, 2012
Staid professor Lissy McIntyre believes that choosing a mate should be based on common sense, not runaway passion. And she would certainly never pick a rolling stone like Nick Richards for long-term love. But a red-hot, tropical romance? Oh, yeah. He’s got a body just made for sinning and his sizzling kisses leave her senseless.

When Nick blows into town, he’s stunned to discover that his no-nonsense new neighbor and co-worker is the same sultry creature he seduced for one night of forbidden island pleasure. He’s unaccustomed to staying in one place for long, but he just can’t seem to keep his hands off the multi-faceted woman. Will Nick break loyal Lissy’s heart or will she be the one woman he simply can’t walk away from?

4. Print

Enslaved (Eternal Guardians)
by Elisabeth Naughton
I am 70 pages into this
and interested to see how it proceeds.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Release Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: Eternal Guardians

"Do not miss this series."—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione

GRYPHON—Honorable, loyal, dependable...tainted. He was the ultimate warrior before imprisonment in the Underworld changed him in ways he can't ignore.

She calls to him. Come to me. You can't resist. But Gryphon will not allow himself to be ruled by the insidious whispers in his head. And there's only one way to stop them: kill Atalanta, the goddess who enslaved him. But with so much darkness inside, he can't be sure what's real anymore. Even the Eternal Guardians, those who protect the human realms and the gods, want to exile him.

Finding Malea is like a miracle. Somehow he doesn't feel the pull of the dark when she's near. And he's determined to keep her as near as possible, whether she wants him close or not. But she's a temptation that will test every bit of control he has left. One that may ultimately have the power to send him back to the Underworld...or free him from his chains for good.

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on my new MP3.]
Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around 1989 so I will enjoy it again. This week the reading is 2 Timothy.

Line Edits: I am waiting on one galley return and starting a poetry collection format this week.

I had 22 books listed for October and I finished 18. I removed one title from reading and there are 3 left over to carry into November.

Here is the plan for this week going into November; I will post the rest of November titles next week.
10/29 Bewitching Book Tour Feature: Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair
10/30 Review: Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes
10/31 Review: The Halloween Collection
11/1 Review + Feature: The Wicked Wager by Anne Wylde
11/2 Audio Review: Outer Diverse by Nina Munteanu
11/3 Review with Giveaway: Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter
11/4 (Sun)

Left from October-
Harlequin
A Tangled Affair by Fiona Brand  - may not read at this time.

NetGalley - moving into November
Uninvited by Heather Graham
Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles by Jim Melvin

Authors: - Last one to move into November
Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series) by Karen Weisner

Next From the TBR shelves - Won TBR: The Shifters of 2040, a Shifter Dystopia by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder - carry forward

[To be posted - I am setting these up for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]