Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Angel Reviews -- Castigate My Sins by Elicia Clegg

Castigate My SinsCastigate My Sins by Elicia Clegg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked this book. It was surprising all the way through. I can't really say much without giving it away but I can say it was dark, twisted and disturbing and the ending was unexpected.


A book like this is always so hard to review cause it has so much going on in it but to go on and on about it here really would ruin it for any potential readers! All I can say is, if you like the dark side of humanity pick it up and give it a read! It was worth the time for me!



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Monday, November 14, 2011

Angel Reviews-- Taken Away by Patty Friedmann

Taken AwayTaken Away by Patty Friedmann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I'm having a hard time gathering my thoughts on this book. On one hand it was good, on the other it was horrible and it's so hard to explain why.

The premise of the story itself is captivating. Detailing the event leading up to Katrina and it's aftermath as seen through the eyes of an average young girl, Taken away will make you want to keep turning pages. The turn off for me, however was the character development, or lack thereof. There just wasn't enough development to make me totally connect with any of the people in the story. They seemed so superficial and well, honestly, I was really disturbed by how RACIST they all were! Is this how it is in New Orleans? If so remind me to NEVER EVER visit this city! I can't imagine living somewhere where money and/or the color of your skin dictates your worthiness. Not in today's society! I thought we were past that. But, if this book is an indication of the "truth" New Orleans is not for me. It actually offended me, and alot of you who know me know that I am not easily offended.

Ok, so here is my opinion.

I felt as if I were reading an unfinished work. There is a good story in here and good characters. I just think it needs a really good, deep rework. More emotion from the parents! A little less snobbery and racism from Sumbie. A little more realism when it comes to the kidnapper. I don't buy that that chick was smart enough to pull that off even in all the chaos of Katrina going on.

I give it 3 stars for potential.



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Friday, November 11, 2011

Interview with Author of The Zaftan Miscreants Hank Quense

Can you tell us about your latest book and why you wrote it?

A: Zaftan Miscreants is the title of my latest book. It's Book 2 of a trilogy and I wrote it because I had so much fun writing the first book. The zaftans are an alien race and I make them as politically incorrect as I possibly can. That's where the fun comes in for both the author and the readers.


Why did you write this book? Is there any “back story” that inspired you to write this book?

I had the idea for Sam, an android a few years ago. Originally, I planned to use to her in a short story. Her job was as a stew-droid on a space ship, but I could never develop a story for her. When I started to plan this trilogy, I saw a spot where Sam could have a major role and really become a star.


What's different about this book? Why should people buy it?

Zaftan Miscreants is different and offers a wealth of unusual characters. The four main characters are an android (Sam), a ship's computer (Slash 9), a beautiful alien who is a societal misfit (Klatze) and another alien who is a well-adjusted murderer (Gongeblazn). If that isn't enough, one minor character is an ancient robot (Dot 38) who is a religious fanatic paving the way for the coming of the Mechanical Messiah.I'd say that defines 'different'.

Why did you write a sex scene between two aliens?

Only another alien character would agree to do it with Klatze. I attended a convention in the spring and I was stunned by how many romance and erotica authors showed up. I think I was the only one who wrote fantasy and scifi. It became apparent to me that sex scenes sell, but perhaps using two hideous aliens is the wrong approach.

Does your book have a reading guide to help out book clubs?


Yes, it does. The guide is designed to help reading groups delve deeply into the philosophical issues addressed by my book and the characters. Here are two questions from the guide.

* Do you think Gongeblazn acts the way he does because he had a miserable squidling-hood? What should Zaftan society do to repay him for his misery.
* The author seems to have an unhealthy fixation on the repulsive aliens. Is this an indication of a mental disorder? Can it be caused by an incident in his childhood? How would Freud diagnose the problem? What would he recommend to alleviate the situation? How do you know that?



What's up next for you?


My next novel is Shakespeare's worst nightmare. I've taken two of his plays, Othello and Hamlet, and turned them from tragedies to comedies and that ain't easy to do. I think of it as updating the Bard's work for modern readers. You can look for Falstaff's Big Gamble in the spring of 2012


What do you do when you're not writing fiction?

When I'm not writing stories, I'm the CEO, Editor and reporter (under about 20 aliases) for Faux News Network. (Faux is the French word for phony or fake). I write satiric news reports about current events. You can only get the FNN reports on my blog: strangeworldsonline.blogspot.com

Monday, November 7, 2011

Cheryl Reviews: Pride and Prejudice Hidden Lust by Mitzi Szereto

Pride and Prejudice: Hidden LustsPride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts by Mitzi Szereto

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Pride & Prejudice
Hidden Lusts
By: Mitzi Szereto

3 stars




Well the subtitle of the book says it all!! I warn you, if what happens behind the bedroom door (well in this book everywhere but) makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you! Every character in this book, with the exception of the nerve wrought and uptight Mrs. Bennet, can only be described as horny!! There is a plethora of consortium going on within the pages of this book. As a matter of fact I think there may only be a dozen pages that do not have some kind of sexual act or fantasy written upon it. There is nothing left out and every kind of sex is represented - hetero, homo, s&m, oral and self gratification are all included.


It was amazing to find that even with all the "acts" taking place that there is indeed a plot. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have five daughters and Mrs. Bennet wants to see them married into riches. It reminded me of a sexual soap opera set back in the day of horse and carriage! I really wish I could make this review longer but there is not much more to say. I did not find this book to be a page turner but it was a good read. Parts had me laughing, parts had me blushing and parts had me utterly perplexed. You have to read it to find out how buttons fly of breeches and...... well I just can't give away more than that, but trust me... some parts will have you giggling!



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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Angel Reviews--The Zaftan Miscreants by: Hank Quense

Zaftan MiscreantsZaftan Miscreants by Hank Quense

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me it was HILARIOUS! There wasn't a single page where I didn't snicker, giggle or just laugh uncontrollably! If I were rating simply for myself I would have given a solid 5 stars instead of 4. The only reason I held back one star is because I KNOW there are people out there who just wouldn't get it and well, they just shouldn't bother to pick it up cause the brilliance of it would be wasted on them!



So, the characters are surprisingly relate-able for being whacked out biologically backwards aliens and droids/computers! I think I liked Sam the best and really got sucked into her trials to deal with being human-like yet not human. Though Sam touched my emotional side and became my favorite character, Klatze and her 3 bleeding uteruses was a close second. Yes three bleeding uterus's ... simultaneously bleeding.... I think I've said enough!



The story line itself was not just one cut and dried road, it had a lot of little twists and side-stories and I don't want to give away too much but a lot of the goings-ons could really be paralleled to things happening here and now. Life, love, government, deception, lies, hope, despair, it's all in there wrapped up with some of the best satirical humor I've ever read. Just like a good spaghetti sauce IT'S IN THERE.





Once you pick up this book and take a taste, you don't wanna put it down til your overly full and sated.



I would recommend this first to anyone with a sense of humor! Secondly to all fans of sci-fi who are looking for something just a little different.



Come to think of it...ya know what? Remember that last star I was gonna leave out? The hell with that. I give this book the full 5 stars!



Click HERE To head on over to Hank Quense's website Strange Worlds Online and pick up your own copy of the Zaftan Miscreants today! You WON'T be disappointed!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Cheryl Reviews: Canyon of TheSoul by Charles L. Fields.

Canyons of the SoulCanyons of the Soul by Charles L. Fields

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Canyon Of The Souls
Charles L. Fields


Star Rating 2 1/2


Well I will start with the fact that it really took a lot of effort to get passed the first three chapters. I love a book to get me hooked within the first few pages and this one did not do it for me. The book revolves around a Boston lawyer who goes on a mission for a life insurance company owned by Mormons. I appreciate the authors attempt at familiarizing the reader with some of the Mormon principles and history but this part had me asking more questions to better understand what I was reading, and while I enjoyed the conversation with my husband when asking him to explain more in depth about Freemasons and the Illuminati, it distracted me from the actual book. Once I was beyond the third chapter and the mission was revealed it was easier to stay focused on the book. I didn't ever get the feeling of needing to get back to the book and find out the ending though. The author takes us on a scenic route to and from his mission. Very descriptive scenes made me want to visit and see for myself the beauty through Arizona and Utah and I get the feeling that the author loves a good meal because we read of every scrumptious lunch and dinner the main character had throughout his adventure was revealed to the reader. I only wish we were given a few more chapters and a lot more description of the actual mission. I wanted to be drawn into the scene more, there was no movie created in my mind by what I was reading.

I loved that the main character is from Boston, given that I grew up not to far from the city. Familiar places mentioned in a book as well as some new learned history about Paul Revere made me smile. The general plot was great but I wanted so much more from the core pieces. The main part of the mission started and ended and left me feeling like "that's it?". The book took us on a mission to take down a polygamist and on the way we get scenic tours, two love interests, some great meals, crystals with powers, and a history lesson or two. It was an ok read for me. I will end with saying that the last few chapters had me just as unfocused as the first. I usually beg to know what happens to the main characters at the end of the book, this one was just to drawn out. I guess the scenic tour to the mission was enough and I didn't need to see it going back home too.



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Welcome Cheryl!

Angel's Cove would like to welcome Cheryl to our review team! To learn more about Cheryl visit our About Us page! Thanks for joining the team Cheryl!