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The Moment Collector
The Moment Collector
Jodi Lynn Anderson | 2014 | Children
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
That ending ...
Originally posted on NetGalley.

Jodi Lynn Anderson’s latest novel The Moment Collector has been described as a haunting, mystery romance. There is certainly romance involved between the characters, however the mystery storyline is not so strong.

Sixteen year old, Maggie Larsen has just moved from Chicago with her parents to their new home in County Door on the edge of Lake Michigan. Being homeschooled means she does not have to deal with settling into a new school but she does need to get used to the quietness of the area. She quickly becomes friends with two other teenagers, Pauline Boden and Liam Witte, and spends plenty of time with them in the woods and by the lake.

Things, however, are not as idyllic as they may seem. Starting from the day of Maggie’s arrival, reports keep coming in of girls being found dead, floating in the water. It appears that there is a serial killer on the loose and many girls, including Maggie and Pauline, may be in danger.

As well as all this there is another part of the story told through paragraphs in italics. The ghost of a girl is living in Maggie’s basement. She is not sure who she is or whether she has a purpose. All she can do is watch.

It is difficult at first to get into the story. It is a while before anything of note begins to happen. The murders feel a pointless part of the novel especially as they do not appear to connect to Maggie in any way. The reader may expect Maggie to be kidnapped or hurt but after nothing happens during the first two thirds it seems doubtful that anything ever will.

Up until the final chapters, the ghost also feels meaningless. She does not connect with Maggie nor affects the outcome of the story. Maggie is not ever aware of her existence.

The third person writing style makes it difficult for the reader to relate to Maggie. She is a girl who rarely complains and keeps her emotions to herself; therefore it is not easy to truly get a sense of the way she feels. Due to this it is hard to feel any emotion about her love interest and eventual betrayal. Despite this, the ending is moving especially once it is realized who the ghost actually is.

‘The Moment Collector' does not really fit the story as a title. If there was more input from the ghost then it may possibly be more adequate, but overall the story mostly focuses on the relationships between Maggie, Pauline and Liam. The blurb is also a little deceptive when mentioning: “There’s a ghost haunting 208 Water Street.” The ghost is not doing any haunting in the paranormal novel-type sense. There were hints in the narrative that things may become more supernatural with mentions of Pesta, the Scandinavian version of the Grim Reaper. However these references amounted to nothing.

For those looking for a young adult romance novel complete with heartbreaking ending then this is the book to read. But for anything else there may not be enough substance to maintain a strong interest.
  
RH
Ruby Hill
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
(This review can be found on my blog <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.com/">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a>).


After reading the blurb, I thought this book sounded really interesting. However, it was a bit disappointing. While it is listed as being in the horror genre, I felt that there wasn't much horror in it except for one quick scene. Luckily, it was just a short read.

The title is a little bit intriguing although it sounds more like a woman's name than a paranormal book. I think it would've sounded better if it had the word asylum in it.

The cover looks a bit spooky, but the romantic couple on the cover make it feel like it's going to be an erotica (which it's not). I should've judged this book by its cover, and not bothered with reading it as it's painfully obvious there will be romance in it.

The world building seemed okay although I was wondering what kind of police department would waste their time trying to prove or disprove supernatural theories. The romance between Ashley and Corbin did seem a bit forced. Although it is explained a little bit how Corbin's brother died, I never really did get Corbin's reasoning for blaming Ashley. At first, I though Ashley was Corbin's brother's girlfriend. Then, I thought Ashley and Corbin's brother were having an affair, but both were wrong. Apparently, Corbin blames Ashley because she encouraged him to explore the asylum. Perhaps I'm just being dense, but it seemed like a crazy reason to end a relationship.

The pacing started out slow, but then it went the opposite way. It became too fast, and I was left wondering what had happened. There's not really a decent pace in this book.

The plot line was a good idea, but I just felt like it was poorly executed. The awkward romance overshadows what is supposed to be the spooky factor. Everything just felt rushed and predictable. I believe if this book was a little bit longer, it could've been a better read. There's not any plot twists either.

I couldn't really connect with either Corbin or Ashley. I think this was because the book just felt rushed. A little bit more back story on the characters (as well as the asylum) would've been much appreciated.

I thought the dialogue was actually alright. Although the book felt rushed, the dialogue actually flowed smoothly.

Overall, Ruby Hill sounds like an interesting book but just falls flat. I felt, after reading the book, like the author just rushed to put a story together quickly. While it wasn't a horrible read, it's not a great read either. I probably won't be recommending this book to anyone. However, if the author decides to add more detail to the book, I'd consider reading it again.

(I received a free ecopy of this title from the tour host in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review is being posted after the tour due to being under 3 stars).
  
The Moment Collector
The Moment Collector
Jodi Lynn Anderson | 2014 | Children
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>Originally posted on NetGalley.</i>

Jodi Lynn Anderson’s latest novel <i>The Moment Collector</i> has been described as a haunting, mystery romance. There is certainly romance involved between the characters, however the mystery storyline is not so strong.

Sixteen year old, Maggie Larsen has just moved from Chicago with her parents to their new home in County Door on the edge of Lake Michigan. Being homeschooled means she does not have to deal with settling into a new school but she does need to get used to the quietness of the area. She quickly becomes friends with two other teenagers, Pauline Boden and Liam Witte, and spends plenty of time with them in the woods and by the lake.

Things, however, are not as idyllic as they may seem. Starting from the day of Maggie’s arrival, reports keep coming in of girls being found dead, floating in the water. It appears that there is a serial killer on the loose and many girls, including Maggie and Pauline, may be in danger.

As well as all this there is another part of the story told through paragraphs in italics. The ghost of a girl is living in Maggie’s basement. She is not sure who she is or whether she has a purpose. All she can do is watch.

It is difficult at first to get into the story. It is a while before anything of note begins to happen. The murders feel a pointless part of the novel especially as they do not appear to connect to Maggie in any way. The reader may expect Maggie to be kidnapped or hurt but after nothing happens during the first two thirds it seems doubtful that anything ever will.

Up until the final chapters, the ghost also feels meaningless. She does not connect with Maggie nor affects the outcome of the story. Maggie is not ever aware of her existence.

The third person writing style makes it difficult for the reader to relate to Maggie. She is a girl who rarely complains and keeps her emotions to herself; therefore it is not easy to truly get a sense of the way she feels. Due to this it is hard to feel any emotion about her love interest and eventual betrayal. Despite this, the ending is moving especially once it is realized who the ghost actually is.

<i>‘The Moment Collector’</i> does not really fit the story as a title. If there was more input from the ghost then it may possibly be more adequate, but overall the story mostly focuses on the relationships between Maggie, Pauline and Liam. The blurb is also a little deceptive when mentioning: “There’s a ghost haunting 208 Water Street.” The ghost is not doing any haunting in the paranormal novel-type sense. There were hints in the narrative that things may become more supernatural with mentions of <i>Pesta</i>, the Scandinavian version of the Grim Reaper. However these references amounted to nothing.

For those looking for a young adult romance novel complete with heartbreaking ending then this is the book to read. But for anything else there may not be enough substance to maintain a strong interest.
  
40x40

Hazel (1853 KP) rated Black Ice in Books

Dec 14, 2018  
Black Ice
Black Ice
Becca Fitzpatrick | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

The author of the <i>Hush, Hush</i> saga, Becca Fitzpatrick, steps away from the paranormal genre with this brand new contemporary thriller, <i>Black Ice</i>. Britt Pfeiffer has persuaded her best friend, Korbie, to go on an adventurous backpacking trip in the Tenton mountains for their senior spring break. It immediately gets off to a bad start when the girls get caught in a freak snowstorm and stranded a long way from their lodge. Luckily they come across a cabin owned by a guy named Shaun who is there with his friend Mason. But it may not be the safe haven they hoped it to be. With her best friend’s life in danger as well as her own, Britt has to remain strong in order to save themselves; either that or hope that her ex-boyfriend will realize they are missing and rescue them.

Initially it was difficult to connect with Britt who narrates the entire story. She, as well as Korbie, is a rather annoying, spoilt daddy’s girl and equally annoying to read about. This did not set the novel up well as it appeared it was going to be about two whining teenagers, both used to getting their own ways, fending for themselves in the mountains. Once the girls were faced with a life or death situation, Britt’s character developed rapidly. She became more independent, clever and likable, which made the story a lot easier to read and enjoy.

<i>Black Ice</i> is a thriller containing a murder mystery, which links all the characters together but in ways that you would not originally expect. It is also a romance novel. Although Mason is perceived as a bad guy, Britt ends up falling for him, and he her, sparking a risky relationship.

Despite the shaky start, Fitzpatrick’s latest novel is full of exciting twists and turns. There is the high risk of death, either from murder or exposure to the elements. Also, with a breathtaking conclusion, it is exhilarating to try and work out who is good, who is bad and who has been murdering girls in the mountains.

Fans of Fitzpatrick’s previous works may be disappointed with the lack of the paranormal and fantasy creatures that she has become known for, however this is still an enjoyable book. Personally I preferred it to <i>Hush, Hush</i> which I admittedly did not care for. I confess that I did not expect to like this book, especially as the main character began as a very irritating person, but it does get so much better.
  
Out of the Pocket
Out of the Pocket
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For over a century, the town of Green Beach has frightened its children with the tragic legend of Joshua Thorne. He’s the reason it not only locks its doors at night but nails its windows shut. Steeped in romance and revenge, his is the kind of story Angela Ironwright lives for.
When the specter of Joshua appears to her, insisting she’s the only one who can help him piece together the fragments of his own murder, she follows him without a second thought into a place he calls the Pocket, a beautiful hidden world of jumbled memory and imagination. But the Pocket holds more than magic and mystery. Before long, its other reclusive inhabitants begin to call out to Angela, warning her not to trust Joshua and begging for her help to escape his dark power.
Angela’s sure there must be some misunderstanding, and she’s determined to set it straight. Otherwise, finding justice will mean betraying the only boy who’s ever liked her.
Smart and genre-savvy, Out of the Pocket is a dark, honest, subversive take on the modern paranormal love story.

The plot is about a girl named Angela who doesn't have a great life in reality being ignored or ridiculed by others gets pulled into a fantasy where she falls in love and goes through perilous adventures.
Very good characters with a good story line. The characters are real with strangeness thrown in.
Love all the twist and turns.
You find yourself very surprised in a good way by this book.
This was my first from this author and I look forward to more.

I received a free copy via AXP Authors but this is my own honest voluntary review.
  
WD
Walking Dead (Walker Papers, #4)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've enjoyed the other Walker Papers novels, but <i>Walking Dead</i> definitely showed more depth and maturity than the earlier volumes. Both the author and her lead character have grown very nicely. It's refreshing to read a series that does not fall into the all-too-familiar paranormal romance formula!

Another thing I enjoy about this series is that heroine Joanne has a supporting ensemble of friends and coworkers who have their own talents and foibles, including a delightful married couple, a sexy father figure (who isn't related to anyone we've met so far), and an even sexier boss. This time around we were treated to the return of a character Joanne rescued in an earlier volume who has grown into some of her own ass-kicking abilities.

Joanne is far from perfect, but she doesn't make the same mistakes over and over again, which is a pet peeve of mine and occurs all too often in some other authors works. (There's consistency, and then there's refusing to learn from mistakes to the extent that I have to believe that a character is too stupid to live.)

There is a thread that ties all of the Walker Papers together, but C.E. Murphy is keeping things fresh enough that I, at least, am not getting bored. I would, however, caution that this is a series that is best read completely and in order. I began reading one of the novels without realizing that there had been a novella published between it and the previous one, and found myself well and truly confused. Walking Dead definitely is not a good starting point for the series! While a new reader wouldn't necessarily be completely lost, she would miss far too much of the magic.
  
HT
Hunt the Moon (Cassandra Palmer, #5)
Karen Chance | 2011 | Paranormal, Romance
Chance must have thought readers were bored with the Cassandra/Mircea match, because much of this book is spent with Cassie falling for Pritkin without really being aware that she's getting into dangerous territory.

Palmer isn't one of my favorite characters. She isn't an ass-kicker, but she's probably somewhat more realistic than most paranormal heroines for that fact. She's coming into her own by standing up to Mircea more in this volume, but she does it in childish ways. I find her annoying partially because I'd hate to try protecting her from herself, much less anyone else.

I don't honestly understand why Mircea and Pritkin are attracted to her, either, but part of the romance formula is the heroine has to be irresistible to at least one, preferably more than one man. I do find Mircea and Pritkin interesting (they just have bad taste in women), so they and the plots hold my interest.

To be fair, Cassie seems to be growing up a little bit. Not entirely, but she's growing a little. She does vehemently claim to care about whether or not other people get hurt trying to protect her.

This book also serves as backstory time for Mircea and Pritkin, as we learn a lot more about their pasts. Things drag a bit while they relate their stories, and in fact there seems to be little point in what we hear from Mircea (readers of the series already know a lot about his family and history).

Altogether, I wouldn't have read it if I weren't already so far into the series. I do wish Chance would switch focus to another character. (I'm aware of the Dorina Basarab series set in the same universe, and consider them to be better books in general). I suppose that's unlikely, seeing as it's the Cassandra Palmer series.
  
AM
Awaken Me (Connected, #1)
E.M. Sky | 2011
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
“Awaken Me” is the story of Aimee, a young woman about to get married to Derek. She was told that six years ago, when she first met Derek and his mother, Elizabeth, she was recovering from an accident, during which she lost her mother, as well as her memory. However, she suddenly finds that all is not what it seems in her little world, and everything she thought she knew about herself gets thrown out the window in a hurry.

I really enjoyed this story, and it definitely held my interest from start to finish. Learning along with Aimee, about her past, who she actually is, about Derek and his family, was like a roller-coaster ride, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened on the next page. The supporting characters of Alec, Iva, and Marcus are all very fun to read about, as well, and I really like their interactions with one another, as well as with Aimee.

However, there were a couple times that I thought the story was rather repetitive, especially when Aimee talks about who she is, once she learns the facts. It seemed like every couple of chapters towards the end there was a “refresher course,” which would be good if you had set the book down for a while, but as I was reading it pretty much straight through, it did get slightly annoying to read the same thing over and over. It didn’t drag me down from enjoying the story, though, and I don’t think it was worth dropping a star from my rating.

All-in-all, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal reads with a little revenge and romance thrown in the mix, and if you like a heroine who can kick butt, this one’s for you!

5 stars =)
  
Captivating Melody (Discord&#039;s Desire #1)
Captivating Melody (Discord's Desire #1)
Katherine McIntyre | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Captivating Melody (Discord's Desire #1) by Katherine McIntyre
Captivating Melody is the first book in the Discord's Desire series, and it starts off with wollup!

First of all, we are introduced to the band, and their manager. We find out about each of them, and their differing personalities. We see the how's and why's of them getting together, and how Liz walked into their lives. The impact she has on them all is huge, but it is Kieran it impacts the most. He changes his way of life (literally) as nothing else seems to measure up to Liz. She fights it though, as she is worried it will go nowhere. She doesn't know how long she will stay in one spot, and has made it her mission to never get attached. This sneaky incubus isn't giving up though, and their relationship is worth every word!

Quite simply, this was a brilliant start to the series. With family feuds, crazy ex's, and fair-weather friends, this book has a bit of everything. The pacing is smooth, and the pages are filled with action. I loved how Liz and Kieran's story moved along, whilst still having the other characters play a part. Because of how Jett and Renn bicker, I think they should end up together! lol
 
I can't wait for the rest of this series to see how the different stories (and characters) will pan out. If you are looking for a fun, feisty paranormal romance, then I can definitely recommend this one.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Blake Mistake
The Blake Mistake
I. C. Camilleri | 2013 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ben Blake has a talent that can occasionaly help in his job as an intelligence operative. When he forsees a terrorist attack he asks his friend, brother in law and former bad boy Jake Snell to help him prevent it. However Jake is starting to behave oddly, including having periods where he is not aware of what he has done. Could the suppressed memories of his traumatic upbringing be the cause? Meanwhile his wife (and Ben's sister) Emma is delving into Jake's family history. Maybe the secrets of the past are best left alone.

Camilleri aims high with this book - and delivers. It is a complex mix of whodunnit, psychological thriller, paranormal thriller and romance. The plot moves forward dragging the reader with it, the threads and lives of the characters spiralling around the central theme of Jake's past and how it is impacting on the present. There are a number of twists and turns, some as surprising to the reader as to the characters.

The characters themselves are well drawn, benefitting from having developed over previous books (which don't need to have been read to enjoy this). The way the relationships between them change and develop as suspicions arise and certain events occur is excellent, although sometimes frustrating as the reader sees the story from all their viewpoints so can see that sometimes there has just been a misunderstanding or that if something was said everything would be different.

The first third of the book is a little slow as the characters are described and the situation is set up but this allows the rest to move under it's own terrible momentum towards the climax.

Overall a book worth reading and it certainly holds the attention once it gets going.

Caution: Some sex scenes