Review: Hourglass (Hourglass #1) by Myra McEntire

Did Not Finish Hourglass (Hourglass book 1) by Myra McEntire.

The story has a great start with untold potential to be had on revelations about the unknowns, mainly the supernatural and paranormal. Unfortunately, the plot fizzles out after a couple of chapters and it turns out to be yet another mediocre Young Adult romance with superficial, cardboard characters.

I can understand all too well why the author tries to retain an air of secrecy over her story by holding back information and disclosure. Which author doesn't? Do it well and the book will be a blast. Sadly, in this case, it backfires on the author. If you ask me, she puts in too many secrets and then proceeds to drag out the truths way too slowly such that reading the story feels like having a constipation and is a pain in the a**.

Review: Return to Tradd Street (Tradd Street #4) by Karen White

4 stars for Return to Tradd Street (Tradd Street book 4) by Karen White.

I realise I have spent the bulk of December reading the Tradd Street series one after another in succession. It is actually a very pleasant and enjoyable experience since there is no need to acquaint myself with new characters that come with reading a standalone novel or start of a brand new series.

In this book 4, the author brings readers back to square one, aye to the house on 55 Tradd Street and its unfinished business yet again. The lifting of this historic house from its foundation for major repair works due to a crack in book 3 is the reason for this uncalled-for revisit as one thing leads to another and ultimately to the skeleton hidden in the closet. As is the norm, the ball is once again in our heroine, Melanie’s court, waiting for her to investigate, to right old wrongs and put to rest eternally the resentful presence of a grievously wronged soul.

In return to Tradd Street, the author focuses a lot on the emotional aspect of Melanie and her practically non-existent man woman relationship. Growing up with her father’s aversion to all things unexplainable has led to Melanie taking up the path to self-denial where she justifies herself that out of sight equates out of mind. However, she soon learns the hard way that where matters of the heart are concerned, it is no simple feat in comparison to feigning not seeing and having to deal with the haunt of an angry and vengeful spectre. Though I can understand where the author is coming from for putting Melanie in her existing predicament, I find it hard to stomach at times on the fix that Melanie entwines herself in when it is actually very simple and straightforward. Regardless of this behavioural shortfall, the story is still an enjoyable read on the whole.

A new character, detective Riley is introduced in this book. I can almost see the wheels turning in the author’s mind the moment Riley first makes his appearance and proclaim with certainty as I read on that this likeable personality is definitely someone who is here to stay, and highly possibly to steer the direction of subsequent instalments and influence how they will pan out in due course. The only indeterminate point is when book 5 will be available since it has taken a span of seven years for the series to come about, from inception of book 1 in 2008 to book 4 in 2014.

Publisher: NAL
Publication date: 7 Jan 2014

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Facing her future as a single mother, psychic Realtor Melanie Middleton is determined to be strong and leave her past with writer Jack Trenholm behind her. But history has a tendency of catching up with Melanie, whether she likes it or not.…

Melanie is only going through the motions of living since refusing Jack’s marriage proposal. She misses him desperately, but her broken heart is the least of her problems. Despite an insistence that she can raise their child alone, Melanie is completely unprepared for motherhood, and she struggles to complete renovations on her house on Tradd Street before the baby arrives.

When Melanie is roused one night by the sound of a ghostly infant crying, she chooses to ignore it. She simply does not have the energy to deal with one more crisis. That is, until the remains of a newborn buried in an old christening gown are found hidden in the foundation of her house.

As the hauntings on Tradd Street slowly become more violent, Melanie decides to find out what caused the baby’s untimely death, uncovering the love, loss, and betrayal that color the house’s history—and threaten her claim of ownership. But can she seek Jack’s help without risking her heart? For in revealing the secrets of the past, Melanie also awakens the malevolent presence that has tried to keep the truth hidden for decades.…

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Strangers on Montagu Street (Tradd Street #3) by Karen White

4.5 stars for The Strangers on Montagu Street (Tradd Street book 3) by Karen White.

As alluded by title of this book 3 of the Tradd Street series, the story revolves around the residence on Montagu Street, an old spooky Victorian house with a large circular turret that claims one corner of the building and culminates in a mansard-style roof.

At first glance, there seems to be no reason for the strangers on Montagu Street to be connected in any way to our female protagonist and narrator, Melanie. Nevertheless, the author manages to weave a riveting tale with perfectly valid and logical motive for Melanie to probe and uncover the secrets embedded in the roots of this prominent family hidden behind the facade of their historic house in Charleston.

Once again, the author does a superb job of creeping me out with the supernatural and paranormal aspect of the unknowns in this story such that each and every trivial sound that permeates the air in my living room while I read the book late into the night makes me jump up in my couch with a thumping heart and surreptitiously turn my head around as if I am being watched by unseeing eyes.

Though some parts of the storyline in book 3 The Strangers on Montagu Street are more predictable than the earlier 2 books (book 1 The House on Tradd Street and book 2 The Girl on Legare Street), it still ticks all the right boxes on the account of mystery, romance, suspense and the paranormal. For those who love a good spine-tingling and hair-raising story, it is definitely a book not to be missed.

Publisher: NAL; 1 edition
Publication date: 1 Nov 2011

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With her relationship with Jack as shaky as the foundation of her family home, Melanie’s juggling a number of problems. Like restoring her Tradd Street house…and resisting her mother’s pressure to ‘go public’ with her talent—a sixth sense that unites them to the lost souls of the dead. But Melanie never anticipated her new problem.

Her name is Nola, Jack’s estranged young daughter who appears on their doorstep, damaged, lonely and defiantly immune to her father’s attempts to reconnect. Melanie understands the emotional chasm all too well. As a special, bonding gift Jack's mother buys Nola an antique dollhouse—a precious tableaux of a perfect Victorian family. Melanie hopes the gift will help thaw Nola's reserve and draw her into the family she’s never known.

At first, Nola is charmed, and Melanie is delighted—until night falls, and the most unnerving shadows are cast within its miniature rooms. By the time Melanie senses a malevolent presence she fears it may already be too late. A new family has accepted her unwitting invitation to move in—with their own secrets, their own personal demons, and a past that’s drawing Nola into their own inescapable darkness…

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Girl On Legare Street (Tradd Street #2) by Karen White

5 stars for The Girl On Legare Street (Tradd Street book 2) by Karen White.

In this book 2 of the Tradd Street series, attention shifts from the house on 55 Tradd Street to the one on 33 Legare Street, a three-story Georgian double house where our protagonist, Melanie spends her early years in with her grandmother and mother before leaving to live with her father at the age of seven.

The change in focus by the author, from one house to another is done seamlessly as if uncovering mysteries and revisiting the antiquities of old houses is a natural thing to do. Correlating to this change is the corresponding switch in mantra from “It's a piece of history you can hold in your hands” in book 1 to “We are not as we seem” in book 2, which when reiterated during the course of narrating this unnerving story, send chills up my spine that cause the hair on the back of my neck to stand.

Faced with unfolding of bizarre events to which she has no control of, Melanie realises that she has no choice but to stand up to her past, confront head-on the malevolent forces at work, and put to rest once and for all, the manifestation of the inexplicable spectre from her line of ancestry.

Spooky and unsettling, The Girl on Legare Street is an exceptionally well written petrifying follow-up to The House on Tradd Street which is guaranteed to creep readers out. A must read for those who are already knee-deep in book 1.

Publisher: NAL; Original edition
Publication date: 3 Nov 2009

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There was a time when Melanie's dysfunctional family was out of sight and mind, and her only worries were her monthly sales figures, what shade of beige to paint her low-maintenance condo, and whether she was ready to make charming journalist Jack Trenholm a permanent fixture in her life. Those days are over.

After receiving a deadly premonition, Melanie's mother, who deserted her more than thirty years ago, suddenly returns to Charleston to protect her. But all Ginnette Prioleau Middleton does is remind Melanie of how little they have in common--except for their ability to communicate with ghosts...

And now Ginnette is moving into their ancestral home on Legare Street, and she needs Melanie's advice on restoring it and her sixth sense to talk to the dead that inhabit it. But Ginnette's return has awakened a dark spirit--whose strength has been growing for decades--and who is ready for revenge. With Jack's help, Melanie and her mother must find a way to work together to fight its malevolent presence and save what's left of their family...

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The House on Tradd Street (Tradd Street #1) by Karen White

4.5 stars for The House on Tradd Street (Tradd Street book 1) by Karen White.

As always I am cautious and kind of sceptical when starting off a new series penned by an author to whom I have not read any works previously. Thus it is with much trepidation as I make my pick on Tradd Street. However three chapters later, I find that my initial apprehension is unfounded what with a story layered within another that is exquisitely written with mysteries and hidden secrets waiting for me to unravel.

Tradd Street book 1 is truly a well-rounded work of fiction as the author does not limit the story to merely romance but taps on a deeper level involving kinship and friendship. Likewise, the paranormal factor embedded in the root of the story is so skilfully written that reading these uncanny episodes brings on sudden awareness that sends chills up my spine, and neither it nor the goose bumps sprouting on my arms were due to the mid-Dec cold wind breezing through the windows into my living room.

Indeed The House on Tradd Street, a book with a plain-Jane title, but nevertheless one that tells of touching stories filled with love and sadness of its inhabitants and their ancestors living on 55 Tradd Street in Charleston, a beautiful old city full of rich history and character, and architecturally significant buildings, is an enchantingly engaging read.

Publisher: NAL
Publication date: 4 Nov 2008

*** Favourite quote ***

I felt numb, as if my nerve endings had been scattered into the wind like a dandelion, leaving a bare stem of simple weariness.

~ The House on Tradd Street
Karen White

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Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she’s going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he’s the smitten one...

It turns out Jack’s search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak—and even murder.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones

3.5 stars for First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson book 1) by Darynda Jones.

Apparently there is a mood for every occasion; either that or my perception on story content evolves over time. Lately, I find myself revisiting books chucked under my keep-in-view stash, mainly books I read more than a year ago but due to one reason or another, unable to proceed further than 2 or 4 chapters. Come to think of it, I am still very much the same person, but what I used to deem as giving me reading block turns out to be enjoyable stories now. And book 1 of Charley Davidson series falls fittingly into this category.

First Grave on the Right is a delightfully pleasant and lighthearted read. Though the story centers on things that go bump in the night, reading First Grave does not give me the creeps nor chills due to the relaxed and upbeat style of writing by the author.

The story as told through the eyes of lead character, Emily, flows adequately well with reasonably developed background history. As the story progresses, I find myself liking Emily more and more, what with her good sense of humor and fluid ability to view things brightly and turn dire situations into something cheerful and hilarious. Some cleverly thought out scenes that amuse me to no end are those involving Emily and her cell phone tricks.

Besides solving mysteries for the dead or rather undead, Emily has some secrets of her own to unravel, questions that no one is able to give her answers to, except perhaps herself. It is interesting to read on how Emily takes things into her own hands and tries solving the puzzles by her own reasoning and investigation. Equally noteworthy is the entertaining way the author presents some of the other characters that keep me guessing which of which may possibly rub off the right way with Emily and lead to development of something further.

Notwithstanding the above, I do have a grievance or two about what I feel as shortcomings which hopefully can be improved upon in later books in the series. The first being parts of the narration tending on the side of long-windedness and bored me out. The second being introduction of a tad too many minor characters. While I understand that Emily has got the third eye to see things that normal people do not, it does get confusing with the breezing of names that come and go; names that I am not sure if the characters they portray are of importance and will stay for good or are just a passing cloud. Third and lastly, certain segments of the story do not gel quite so well. Read on its own, the individual section is probably fine, but when combined to make out the whole story, some parts just do not go well enough to attest the natural flow. In any case, it is still a fun experience reading First Grave on the Right.

All in all, a jolly interesting story with likable characters, both lead and side. I will be looking forward to more, hopefully improved account, in the subsequent instalments.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 29 Nov 2011

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Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) by Deborah Harkness

Did Not Finish A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy book 1) by Deborah Harkness.

Apparently there is lack of affinity between me and all stories witchy related, not for lack of trying. I enjoy reading the first 25% of this historical fantasy before the pace becomes unbearably, painfully slow and throw in the towel at 40%. I give it a 2.5 stars rating for my two-bit worth of time.

Though the book is not suited for my reading pleasure, debut novelist Deborah Harkness did craft a mesmerizing read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos.

Publisher: Penguin Books; 592 edition
Publication date: 8 Feb 2011

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When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Vampire Next Door by Angela Snyder

2.5 stars for Vampire Next Door by Angela Snyder.

Vampire Next Door starts out mysteriously great and promising; and compels me to read beyond the sample chapters.

Sadly, it fails to generate sufficient curiosity to sustain the level of interest required for me to continue reading conscientiously. At 50% mark, I am thoroughly bored by the overflowing mundane details, and keep waiting to get to know the main characters beyond a skin-deep level but it continues to disappoint.

Though the story is smooth flowing with a fast moving plot, the lack of depth in character building coupled with some loose ends leave me feeling dissatisfied upon completion of the book.

Publisher: Angela Snyder
Publication date: 26 Nov 2013

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After being left for dead in the woods, a woman wakes up from a coma. With no memory of her past, she is given the name Jane Doe. While trying to adjust to her new life, tragedy strikes again. However, this time a mysterious and handsome next-door neighbor is there to help her pick up the pieces. But is he really a stranger, or does he hold the key to unlocking her past and finding out who wants her dead?

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Cursed (Fallen Siren #1) by S J Harper

4.5 stars for Cursed (Fallen Siren book 1) by S. J. Harper.

Cursed is the first in a brand new series by S. J. Harper, the pen name for writing team of Samantha Sommersby (the “S” in S. J. Harper) and Jeanne C. Stein (the “J” in S. J. Harper).

It is interesting to note how a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy and all things Joss Whedon can bring together two different authors to kick off a collaboration of an exciting urban fantasy-paranormal romance featuring a cursed federal investigator / Siren working towards redemption. Even more unusual is how the single name Harper is conceived by the authors from the letter “H”, which is often eye level on bookshelves and the beginning letter on the list of most popular surnames.

The Harper team has done a wonderful job bridging urban fantasy with paranormal romance by creating a mystical world with compelling lead characters who are clearly drawn to each other, yet suppress their mutual feelings in a bid to conceal their dark secrets and elude revealing their less-than-human sides.

There is considerably an amazing amount of script rapport between the two authors as readers cannot tell which chapter or section is written by author S or author J. The story flows smoothly and consistently from start to end via the heroine, Emma’s first person narration.

All in all, an impressive debut novel which I would recommend to lovers of all things urban fantasy with a hint of romance paranormal.

.. And Book 2 Reckoning has already made its way up on my to-be-read list.

Publisher: Roc
Publication date: 1 Oct 2013

*** Favourite quote 1 ***

He continues dipping onion rings in ketchup as if that stalling tactic is going to work.
Persistence is my middle name.
I fix him with a laser beam stare.

*** Favourite quote 2 ***

He knocks back the last of the bourbon.
The sound the empty glass makes when he sets it down on the table has a ring of finality to it — a decision’s been made.

~ Cursed
S. J. Harper

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Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She’s cursed. He’s damned.
Together, they make one hell of a team.

Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

*Blurb from author's website*

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