The Shifters of 2040
By Ami Blackwelder

I was not familiar with the work of Ami Blackwelder until I read this book. Although my main genre of read is paranormal, my interest is mainly with vampires/werewolves. I have not read much about shape shifters but was open to it. I found I was a bit lost in the beginning but of no fault of Ami's because when I read a book that is not in my realm of interest, it takes me a bit to get off the ground with the book.

I was greatly impressed by Ami's imagination and creativity in The Shifters of 2040 and due to this, the book not only held my interest but became a 'can't hardly wait', page turner. I tried to put myself into the story and ask the question, " could something like this really come to pass?" Well, logic tells us no, but for me, I like to look beyond the 'norm' and 'logic' life has to offer and push the envelope. In doing so, I find life to be a lot more interesting.

"The shifters winced whenever their fluid bodies met with the water-jelly, as if an electrical surge shocked their systems. Though able to transform into any animal form on earth, in their alien form, Melissa could make out a soft malleable cylinder tube inside their shadowy frames from top to bottom. The cylinders directed currents of what appeared to be photons, at least to the scientists who studied the captive shifters, and the structure mimicked the shape of plant seedlings in growth. Encompassing the cylinder, a protective layer of jelly-skin, gray in color, felt like the insides of an oyster to the touch. This protective layer, as malleable as the cylinder, seemed to serve no real function other than to provide security for the cylinder and allow them to camouflage with their surroundings. The tubes of photons glowed intermittently as they spit off shards of light. The studies conducted on their design revealed the tubes also offered nourishment to the alien species by way of chlorophyll infused into the cylinder tube, converting light into sugar for energy, much like the plants on Earth. The studies concluded that Earth made a suitable abode for the life forms because of the plentiful supply of H2O and nearby sun." (excerpt from book)  We think of aliens as being little green men with big eyes, but in The Shifters, they are described as really having no form until they came to earth and became shape shifters, taking on the form of a human or animal.

Melissa, wanting to take a break from the lab where she worked as a scientist, running tests on the aliens who invaded earth over 20 ago, goes to a bar for a drink. She meets a man and decides to take him home with her, insisting they not know each others names. To her horror she discovers after having had the most memorable sex ever, the man starts flickering and losing his human form. She takes out a gun and chases him out of her home. She doesn't realize it, but her whole life is about to change forever due to that one night of passion. Her worst nightmare is about to come true. The species that comes from a human and alien is called a hybrid and that is what the aliens are striving for in order to keep their kind alive. But Melissa has to hide her pregnancy from SCM and her father most of all. What would he do to her and/or her babies if he knew?
I would recommend this book and give it five stars. I once again want to give Ami Blackwelder a lot of praise and credit for her imagination, creativity, and realism in The Shifters of 2040. I will be looking forward to more from her.

***** Five Stars

Reviewed by

Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Twilight of the Gods
by Denise Verrico

Denise Verrico has continued the saga of Mia and Kurt in Twilight of the Gods. Once again she has taken the meaning of vampire to a whole new realm.  Kurt and Mia in the beginning are living in secret to keep from being found. They still find ways even in the toughest of circumstances to love one another with passion and devotion. However, their world was to come crashing down upon them once again with Kurt being kidnapped by the Wolf and his dogs. Now, Mia has to contact Phillip, an old friend, to assist her into getting the love of her life away from Gaius before he tortures him until dead. Will Kurt be the same Kurt before he was taken by Gaius and his dogs? Will he still love Mia with undying love or has someone else entered his life and now Mia will have to share his affections? What horrors did Gaius inflict on Kurt, that Mia will see when she takes in Kurt's blood vision during lovemaking? And will Mia blame herself for it all? For now the answer to these questions will have to wait.....because right now, they have a war to fight!

The author out did herself keeping the reader in suspense, not knowing what was going to happen to the characters next. I found this book to be a definite page turner, not able to put it down until I was finished with it! I was very pleased that this book picked up where the last one left off at. I did not have to look in the book Cara Mia to refresh my memory. I totally fell in love with the characters in Twilight of the Gods. The author gave them a lot more life and meaning in this second in the series. I found that I couldn't foresee what was going to happen on the next page, or next chapter, or even the end.  I experienced happiness, anger, and sadness with the turn of events, from the beginning to the end. I am very pleased this is not the last in the series.

I would highly recommend this book.

I give it five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Cara Mia
by Denise Verrico

First of all, let me start by saying I have never read any of Denise Verrico's writings before. I was actually pleased when I found out that the book I was reading was based on vampires which  is my favorite genre. Denise is a wonderful and talented writer who goes to great depths to make sure the reader gets as much detail as possible so they can be pulled into the book. However, there are parts in this book, in which I felt there was too much time spent on the detail.

The book is about two vampires, Mia and Kurt who are in a experimental lab. Each one in their own room with their own demands as what they need. Joe, who worked at the lab was instructed to talk to Mia and Kurt to get as much information from them as possible. In doing so, Mia needed to start at the beginning telling Joe her entire story, beginning with how she became a vampire and ending with how they ended up at the lab. During a few chapters with Mia giving her story is where I felt the book sort of dragged on and it was hard to keep my attention because during those times, nothing real exciting went on. Mia's master Ethan, was a little disappointing because he turned out to be mean and abusive to Mia. I guess I am used to vampire stories where the master of a newborn vampire took them under their wing, protected them, and loved them unconditionally. I felt sorry for Mia a lot in the book because she was raped several times, hit, and humiliated.

This book has all the components of a great book, love, betrayal, violence, all the goodies. And yes it was a bit slow in some parts but I did enjoy seeing the vampires not being the 'norm' and seeing them from a different perspective. I feel it can be enjoyed by those who read it for they will  follow in the footsteps of Mia and her struggle to keep her independence while searching for her true identity and love. The reader will find out what the lab wants with them and what they are willing to do in order to get it. The Master Vampires are also wanting answers to the secrets from Mia
.
I give this book four stars

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

A Different Yesterday
By Linda Mooney

I found A Different Yesterday to be an outstanding, uplifting read by Linda Mooney. It demonstrates how strong a person's first love can be. For Drew and Jo they had been best friends since childhood. They shared their hopes, dreams, innermost thoughts and secrets, knowing they could put total trust in one another. They could never imagine life without the other one. Unknowingly to them, the innocent and pure love they shared was about to be put to the test and turned upside down.

Drew's dad was being transferred to Maine, away from Jo, his best friend and true love. The news devastated both Jo and Drew. Before leaving they shared a kiss and Drew promised Jo he would one day come back to her.

Linda Mooney has written this book so the reader can be in the present and the past without getting lost and confused. I found that having the "yesterday" put in after a few chapters of the present, was a refreshing change. I usually do not like flashbacks in novels because it would lose me and become a nuisance. I did not feel this in A Different Yesterday. The flashbacks to 'yesterday' was the backbone of the book. It took you from Jo and Drew's childhood and  the events that led up to Drew's entire family being slaughtered and Drew almost killed as well. It helped the reader understand why Drew became a nomad, on a journey to find out if his one true love had survived the 'apocalypse' as a result of the sun imploding due to global warming. The author gives outstanding and vivid detail so the reader can feel they are in the story experiencing what the characters experience.

I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it anyone needing a great book to curl up with. It has some graphic details involving violence, and several love scenes which were done in very good taste.

I give this book five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

House of Immortal Pleasures
By Katie Salidas

Katie Salidas has shown her wonderful and creative talent in her very first two books. Her first one Immortalis Carpe Noctem was a riveting page turning adventure into the life of a young lady who did not have a choice to be turned into a vampire. I could not put this book down and kept my full attention from page one to the end. If you have not had the privilege to read her first book, it is a must read and you will not be disappointed.

She has now released her second book Immortal Pleasures which is also a vampire book, and I read this book in a total of one day because I could not put it down! It is a book full of passion, love, and is for adults but done very tastefully. It was written to portray the life of an imprisoned vampire who never felt the true love of a mortal and of a mortal woman who never knew true love period. The two came together in a flurry of unbridled passion that will leave you breathless! I give this book five stars without hesitation. And if you happen to not be into the paranormal or into vampires, give Immortal Pleasures a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised on how much you will love this book. After you have read it, please give Imortalis Carpe Noctem a chance also because once again you will not disappointed. Please let Katie know what you think of her work by leaving your reviews here at Amazon. She can also be found at Facebook [...]. Katie makes herself available to her fans on a daily basis.
 
Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Halloween Fantasies

By Katie Salidas

Katie Salidas is turning up the heat for your Halloween in her newest write "Halloween Fantasies". It's a short read that will definitely spice up your Halloween fantasies! Sasha and her friend are celebrating Halloween by dressing up and attending a Halloween Ball as a witch and vampire hunter! Little did either of them know that there were real vampires attending the ball, which Angela detested and Sasha fantasized about! Without giving too much away, the evening for Sasha's fantasy turned into more than she ever bargained for! She not only met one 'real' neck biting vampire, but two, twin brothers, Dante and Trevor. These vampires have a few fantasies of their own, and when the three fantasies come together, all you can do is release your own unbridled passions, desires and inner fantasies!! Beware, not advised to be read alone unless you have accompanying 'devices'! It left me wanting more!

I give this book five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Immortalis Carpe Noctem
By Katie Salidas

I met Katie Salidas on Face book as a new and upcoming author. I felt she could not have chosen a better genre to get into at this time! It seems like the world has gone vamp crazy to the point people who were never fans of it, have been converted! I must admit, Maggie Shayne got me hooked with her series "Twilight" (the original for grownups) as she says. I have been reading and collecting the paranormal vampire/werewolf reads since. I am anxious about this new book coming on the scene by Katie! I plan on not only getting the E-book, but the printed copy as well because I am sure if this is as big of a success as I feel it will be, there will be others to follow in the series! So, let's all give her all the support we can. Every new author needs fans and people to help them get off to a great start! I can most assure you, you will not be sorry if you purchase this book! And please after you read it, come here and give your review whatever it may be. I am sure Katie would appreciate it so very much! Thanks!


Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Hunters and Prey
By Katie Salidas

Katie Salidas has done it again with the new released sequel to Immortalis Carpe Noctem, Hunters and Prey.

When I began reading the new book by Katie, Hunters and Prey, I was a little bothered by the similarity between the way Alyssa chose her victims and how Nicholas Cage's character in Ghost Rider punished his victims. Nicholas punished 'bad' people by making them feel the pain of their victims. In Hunters and Prey, Alyssa chose her 'blood source' by taking blood from only those who had harmed others in some way, and the victims felt the pain they had imposed on others. But as I read more into the book, I found it would not have worked any other way and I give her kudos for that. It gave Alyssa a compassionate side as a vampire.

In Hunters and Prey, Alyssa, breaks a rule by making herself known by entering a 'cafe she frequented as a teenager with her best friend Fallon. This sets the stage for the rest of the book. She finds she has to be rescued more than once by her beloved Lysander and the clan. Especially when her day mares about an old nemesis from Immortalis Carpe Noctem, becomes real.

I have to say once again, it was a book I could not put down, and am looking forward to the next chapter in Alyssa's adventures as a new vampire. Katie breathes life into her characters and as a reader, I found myself enthralled in the world she created in Hunters and Prey. I hope Katie keeps Alyssa around for a long time. Katie has added a extra treat at the end, a preview of the next book in the series, "Pandora's Box". This book is a must read!

I give this book five stars.

Review by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

The Butcher's Boy
by
Michael Robb

Janet, who was recently divorced, had found a new home for her and her son Michael. A new home that was huge and sat on two and a half acres with open fields across the street. It was a like being in the country with plenty of yard for Michael and Lucy, their rottweiler. Janet was in awe at the great price she was able to purchase the house for. Little did Janet know that the reason she got such a great deal on it was because a whole family was slaughtered in it and some of them refused to move on until things were set right.

Several people enter into Janet's life, each playing a part in this chilling and at times terrifying story. It had a few slow parts here and there, but not enough to really impact the story being told.  Some areas were predictable yes, but also didn't impact the story in a negative way. I would say this book is not for the squeamish or for children because it does involve rape, murder, torture, graphic language and content. I found the ending a bit disturbing because it went into great detail for a fairly long length of time and by the time it was over, I felt exhausted mentally. (S)

Michael Robb showed a lot of talent and knew how to push the characters and reader to their limits. The Butcher's Boy had a little bit of everything in it, love, hate, rape, ghosts, demons, torture, murder, all the ingredients for a great tale.

I would recommend this book and give it five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

The Strangers Outside

 

The Strangers Outside
By Vanessa Morgan

Jennifer and Louise take a break at their holiday cabin. Being sisters, each one had a different perspective and outlook on themselves as well as life. Louise  had confidence in herself as well as her sister, and Jennifer felt she'd never get a boyfriend because she felt she was ugly. Maybe this is the reason why Jennifer went to a physic and Louise didn't. Maybe Jennifer felt she needed to know what the future held for her.( I am coming to my own conclusions here and how I have interpreted this short book. ) When two strangers appeared outside of their cabin, it was cause for a brief double take but no panic came among the sisters. But as the evening went on, they noticed there were a few more strangers and they were moving closer to the cabin and to them. The girls then decided it was time to take action and be prepared for whatever these strangers outside wanted. But no matter what their imagination told them, it didn't them for the true horror awaiting them.

This has to be the shortest book I have read. In just 24 pages a whole story has been told. I want to give Vanessa Morgan praise for having the creativity and imagination to pull it off. I certainly will be reading a lot more of her material. If you want a little spine tinglier in a short amount of time, The Strangers Outside is just the thing!

I give this book four stars.

Reviewed By
Nora Bartau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Spirit Intervention

By Margaret West

Sally, wanting someone to share her life with was filling out paperwork to submit to a dating agency, while in her ear, her deceased mother was telling her she'd never find a man that way and without telling Sally, was adamant on showing her she wouldn't. Sally never had a chance to turn the application in before having a total head on collision with Emilio at work, spewing not only all her arm full of work all over the floor, but her shoe and behind as well. If fate were to be determined on first impressions, well, I doubt it would have ever worked out for either one of them, as Sally came up 'swinging' so to speak to the person who dared not watch where he was going! Although slightly humiliated and beyond frustrated, Sally was able to notice just how gorgeous this person she had never laid eyes on before was. But she was soon to find out he was a temporary replacement for her boss who was leaving for a short time, and Sally was to be his PA!

Sally had the ability to hear the spirits in the 'afterlife' while unknown to Sally, Emilio could hear them sometimes but he could mostly see them. Both of them hid this secret because they felt the other one would think they were crazy.

Not to give too much away, Emilio got a hold of Sally's application to the dating agency, and decided to jot down the likes and dislikes she had because he was smitten with her at first sight and was determined to be her 'perfect' man. But Sally had told some small 'white lies' on her application to make herself a little more interesting, which in turn were the total opposite things Emilio liked. So, they not only had those obstacles to get over but the constant bantering of her deceased mother Patricia constantly trying to run things the way she seen fit.  Each date has it's own twists and turns sure to put a smile on your face one minute and be totally exasperated with the characters the next. In the end when all looks lost, reinforcements from the spirit world come in to try to clean up the mess, and get things on the right track. You must read it to find out how things turn out.

It's been a long time since I have read a book that has made me laugh and be totally aggravated at the same time! I thoroughly loved this book! The characters Emilio, Sally and Sally's deceased mother Patricia were very real to the story.

I strongly recommend this book by Margaret West, which I found to be a  pleasant and easy read.  You will not be disappointed and will truly enjoy what true love can endure to survive.

I give this book five stars

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Abigail Cottage by Margaret West

Abigail Cottage
by Margaret West

Abigail Cottage is about two very different love stories, one very dark and the other full of purity and light. Both circled around Abbey and the curse that has been in her family's blood line for centuries. A curse, if not broken would have meant the downfall of all mankind. And it entered Abbey's life in the form of a very old gold coin accompanied by a letter notifying her she had inherited a cottage from someone in her family. A cottage she would later find was the portal to evil, shadows that she feared her entire life, and an entity that had been formed out of resentment for the love he lost centuries before. Justin was determined he would have his beloved Abigail regardless of how many souls of babies that were lost. Justin, once a handsome man, had become a grotesque demon who had to use magic to hold the illusion of the self he once was, and to allow Abigail Cottage to appear in a form other than the deteriorating building it was in order to appeal to Abbey to dwell in it. Once she inhabited the cottage, events were in play and it would take the love of a child and of a true love to break the curse forever. The true love would come from a man Abbey met at the airport after she arrived in Ireland where her inheritance was located. Shaun was smitten and it was love at first sight. They spent one beautiful night together in his mother's house. A night that would set into motion, a miracle, a betrayal, a tragedy, a revelation, and a light which was driven by a love so powerful, no evil could survive it.

This book was outside of the genre I usually read most often, although still paranormal, it was a story that was not about vampires or werewolves. Knowing this, I wasn't sure it would hold my interest even though I do like to read various different reads, I was not real familiar with Margaret West's work. So, in the beginning I found it to be a bit 'slow' going. After sticking it out, and continuing with the story, I soon realized why it started the way it had. The author had to explain a bit of the history of the story in order for it to make sense, otherwise, the reader would be lost throughout the entire book.

I found Abigail Cottage to be a very well written book. At times I found the 'accents' a bit hard to understand but not to the point I didn't know what was being said. A few times I felt sorry for the demon in the story because all he wanted was the true love h.e thought he once had, no matter the cost. This book made me smile, discouraged, anxious, sad and unsure up to the very last page. This book has peeked my interest to check other works by Margaret West. I feel this book can be enjoyed by all no matter the genre they are used to reading because it contains a little bit of everything. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I plan on reading more of Margaret West's work. I give this book four stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Immortyl Kisses by Bk Walker

                                       
Immortyl Kisses is the work of BK Walker. She did something in this book that I have not come across before in a paranormal novel. She has vampires, werewolves, witches and warlocks, all working together to make this one of the best books in this genre. There's a little bit of everything in this book. You have the two best friends at the beginning, who accidentally bump into a gorgeous vampire, Tristan, with piercing green eyes and an rival of his, Logan who is a werewolf. You have a tremendous love story between Tristan and Raine which is challenged by Logan. But the bond between Raine and Tristan is intensified when Tristan has to turn Raine in order to save her life, which is against council rules and has a penalty of death. But Raine can't ignore her feelings for Logan, she's just unsure what those feelings are. Her best friend Shania, wants the love Raine has with Tristan, to be with Logan but Logan does not return the same.

And just when you think things are going one way, you are caught completely off guard with yet another twist to the story. Enter Rogue vampires, witches and a powerful warlock. Then Raine's true destiny is revealed. A fate that was set into place before Raine was even born. She finds herself in a position to act or many lives will be lost. And at that point, I am so engrossed in the book, I turn the next page and find I have read all 328 pages in a few hours! I was totally let down when I realized that I have to wait for the next book to come out to see the outcome of Raine's war and love dilemma.

I was not familiar with too much of BK Walker's work, and I am so glad I chose Immortyl Kisses to be my first read. It was all I had hoped it would be and more. I would recommend this book to all who love the paranormal/fantasy genre. You will not be disappointed. You too will find you will not be able to wait for the next installment of the story and trials of Raine.

I give this book five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

Introduction

Hi, I name is Nora Barteau . I am 51 years old and live in Missouri. My passion is books and more books. I have started this blog because I want to help authors out by reading their work and then giving a review. I am also new to blogging, so if you have any suggestions please do not hesitate to to let me know here. Welcome to my blog and to my life. I am here if you need someone to review your work, and thank you for the opportunity to do so.
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/2011/01/introduction.html