The Picky Little Witch by Elizabeth Brokamp

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Can you believe it?  It's already OCTOBER!  Fall has arrived (not quite weather wise in my neck of the woods) and with it the spooks, creepy crawlies, and witching hour.  One word for you....AWESOME!  Yep.  I LOVE October, for multiple reasons.  First, it gives you the PERFECT excuse to tackle all those twisted tales floating around out there just begging to be read.  Second, it's a month of celebrations in my household; my birthday, mom's birthday, mom and dad's anniversary, and of course Halloween.  Last but not least....we are THAT much closer to Christmas!  Yeah, I love my scary times but also my sweet holiday titles.  What can I say? I'm a mixed bag!  Anywho...

Today, we're exploring the pages of our first spooky-tinged seasonal title via Pelican Publishing Company.  It stars a classic character that doesn't necessarily play to type and is PERFECT for the whole family.  Ready the cooking fires and prepare the cauldron!  Today's book of choice is...

The Picky Little Witch

by

Elizabeth Brokamp

Illustrated by

Marsha Riti

9781589808829

Pelican Publishing Company

With her little green nose turned up in the air, Little Witch wants nothing to do with the piping hot brew in Mama Witch's cauldron.  It matters not what "favorite" ingredients she's thrown in.  Wart of a frog, heel of a boot, wizard's sneeze, even the salt and pepper for seasoning, nothing is making her down a bowl of this mystery soup.  Well, at least until Mama Witch says it's the soup or no trick-or-treating.  Putting her bravest face on and pinching her nose, Little Witch gives it a whirl...to discover that maybe, just MAYBE, Mama Witch knows what she's talking about.  

It's a sweet story with just enough spooky fun to match the coming holiday.  The illustrations are wonderful and whimsical from cover to cover.  The expressions on Little Witch's face when she learns of all the brew's add-ins.  The delight in Mama Witch's eyes when she knows her little own is taken care of.  My favorite was actually in the latter half when the tables are turned and MAMA WITCH learns about the goodness of things foreign or unusual from LITTLE WITCH.  It's good to see lessons learned on both sides of the broom.

All in all, a fun and tasty read that will add a dose of Halloween fun to your October reading.  It has characters and gross out ingredients that little ones will get a kick out of while older readers can explore the added fun of making their own Halloween soup with the included recipe at book's end.  I'd call that a win-win, wouldn't you?

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Special thanks to the Pelican Publishing Company team for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  If this one strikes your fancy, be sure to check out the sequel where Picky Little Witch goes Back to School!

Until next time...happy reading!

Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Greg Funaro

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please the reader in you, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're jumping in to a Kid's Fiction selection with BOTH feet.  Yep.  We're not even going to look before we leap.  You know why?  Because it's filled with all sorts of odditoria that boggles the mind, defies the senses, and tantalizes the imagination.  Don't believe me?  You will after this post.  Ladies and gents, please join me on the balcony for the unveiling of today's book of choice...

Alistair Grim's Odditorium

by

Greg Funaro

978-1-4847-0006-8

Disney Hyperion

About the book...

Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim’s trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. There’s no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium’s magic from falling into evil hands—and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he’s no hero. He’s just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

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Where oh where to begin!

There is so much odditoria running around that...

...oh, wait a second.  You don't know what ODDITORIA is now do you?  Silly me!  Odditoria in the most basic sense of the word (the rest the characters will fill you in on the whole shebang in the story) is "any object living, inanimate, or otherwise, believed to possess magical powers".  Got it?  Alrighty then, so you see, in essence, the story is about a house (of sorts) that houses magical objects and beings (sort of)....but the real question is WHY and of course HOW! 

You see, this "collection" is not just an assembly of objects or lore.  It's a GATHERING of powers, assembled by Alistair Grim himself, utilized for many purposes but with one goal....the likes of which I shall not reveal.  Oh trust me, you don't want me spoiling the surprise but that is one of MANY that's going to knock you off your feet!

Grubb is discovered by Mrs. Pinch

From the moment we meet Grubb (spelled like the worm but with TWO b's if you were going to write it down), we enter a world both like and unlike our own.  He's an orphan child that mysteriously shows up on the Smears' doorstep one day, a gift from the Yellow Fairy, or so Mrs. Smears says.  His life is good enough I suppose, until the dear old Mrs. passes away.  You see SHE was the real caring hand here, not her hubby.  He only found value in things that served a purpose...for him; not the nicest fellow admittedly so, but I do believe some of his ill attitude was from the loss he felt deep, deep, deep, deep (you get the picture) within his heart.  The day Grubb escaped was the first day of the rest of his life...and what a life was in store!  Something WELL beyond his wildest dreams and just outside of his imagination, but he possessed enough wits and whimsy to see it through.  Good thing too because there is MAJOR DANGER ahead and lives, including his own, are at stake!

Alongside this adventurous, mysterious, and downright magical story is a cast of characters besides Grubb that are memorable indeed..for good AND bad reasons.  First up, the good!  We've Mrs. Pinch (pictured above), Broom (self explanatory and yet not), Nigel (a great man to have by your side, but not exactly whom he seems to be), Mack (if you can't love a talking pocket watch with attitude, who can you!), Cleona (LOVE her character!  So full of heart and mischief, but the good kind!), Gwendolyn (the Yellow Fairy...but if you're thinking Tinkerbell, THINK AGAIN!  Chomp chomp!), and of course Alistair Grim himself, but he's more of a borderline character that keeps you guessing as to his real purposes and drives.  On the flip side of things, we have Prince Nightshade (~shudders~), the Black Fairy (~double shudder~),  and all assortments of sirens, trolls, ecetera that threw their lots in to make a new world.  *cue disaster music...for all parties*  There's loads of mystery surrounding each of them and all manner of situations to be had with them in tow.

Overall, I was quite enamored with the tale.  After all, how can you not love a kid named Grubb thrown into circumstances WELL beyond his control with no history to call his own but a heart of gold that shines like a ray of sunshine in the darkest day?  There's something for everyone from the moment you spy the cover (and what a cover it is!) to the moment the BIG SECRET is revealed that...oh, wait a second.  You almost had me there.  Did Cleona put you up to that?  CLEONA!  That's not funny!  I almost spoiled the ending!

Recommended read for middle grade readers and beyond.

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About the author...

Gregory Funaro grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island, and wrote his first story, The Ghost in the Window, in the fourth grade. He considers this to be his finest work, but unfortunately it has been lost to time. Following high school Greg majored in theatre at the University of New Hampshire, and after various acting gigs, received his AM in Theatre Arts from Brown University and an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Greg teaches drama at East Carolina University, and is busy working on the next book in the Odditorium series.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to author Greg Funaro for the signed review copy.  (THANKS!!)  For more information on this title, the author, the series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title released at the beginning of this year via Disney Hyperion, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  ALSO, book 2 in the series will be releasing soon, so safe a spot on your "to read" list!  Here's a peek at the cover...

...pretty nifty, right?
I know it's on my wish list.

^-^

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Magic Within by Sara Fitzgerald

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place to be any day of the week that you’re looking to add some bookish fun because really, a day without reading is like a day without air; am I right?

Today, we’re shining the review spotlight on a title that falls somewhere between Children’s Fiction and Young Adult (more on that later).  It deals with magic, paranormal critters, growing up in general, and all with a good storyline that delivers positive messages to boot.  Ready to join the adventure already in progress because trust me, the precarious position these kids find themselves in right from the start is enough to put you on edge.  Today’s ebook of choice is…

Magic Within

By

Sara Fitzgerald

978-1-77155-071-0

Champagne Books

About the book…

Nancy, a purple-haired witch, has never fit in with the kids in town. She has always felt something was deeply wrong with her. When Josh, her best friend, is attacked by a werewolf, Nancy seeks a potion to save him from the werewolf curse within him. But Josh’s fate--werewolf or human--is his to decide, when the potion is injected during his transition at the full of the moon.

Nancy, too, must make a choice. Her mother, her best friend, and a steadfast young man all see the magic within her. Can she finally accept who she is and give love a chance?

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The promo material I received on this particular title suggests its placement in the Young Adult genre, perhaps with a Romance, Coming-of-Age, or Paranormal moniker.  While I don’t necessarily disagree as it does in fact contain a dash and splash of each of those, I’d say the writing itself, the story line in general tends to a younger audience…perhaps tweens or those just advancing from Children’s Fiction to YA.  The viewpoints it shares are from a younger perspective, much more innocent with feelings running just on surface level despite the BIGNESS of it all.  It’s not a flaw, just an observation and something to note so that readers don’t go in expecting one thing and come face-to-face with another.  Now, on with the show….

The story focuses on Nancy and Josh, building outwards and upwards from there.  Initially the duo that could be more than friends is simply seeking the final ingredient to save their town from those that would have it become eternal night (aka vampires).  However their search and find mission turns into a missing person case when Josh tangles with the wrong wolf, emphasis on the “were”.  That’s right.  Vampires, werewolves, witches….they’re all here but in a perfectly mundane (not boring but tame) and suitable forum for kiddos. Refreshing, right?  Right.  Anywho…things get tense as days pass and Josh can not be found.  No one could survive the mauling he took and the wilderness all by their lonesome…right?  Hmm...Nancy begs to differ and you know what, this little purple haired witchy wonder just might be on to something….

Alrighty, so, as previously mentioned I was expecting a slightly older story, HOWEVER when all was said and done, I was not disappointed.  Nancy is a lovable character (love the hair no matter what color she chooses… ^_^) whom I think many will identify with…the whole knowing you’re different but wanting to be accepted battlefield, which she manages rather well.  The to-love-or-not-to-love angle doesn’t get too deep and yet it still keeps you guessing which way the cards will fall.  Will Nancy end up with Nick?  Will Josh go for Sandy?  Wait a second…what about the Josh and Nancy connection?  Ah, young love….  *ahem*  Anyway, moving forward…the story line is interesting for certain as are the possibilities for change that it introduces to this classic paranormal character.  Is there a chance that they can become human again?  Would they even choose it?  *dun dun dunnn*  By story’s end the loose ends were tied up and all was well that ended well…though I won’t tell who, what, or how because that would spoil the surprise. 

This is a short read coming in at around 120 pages, so if you’re looking to add a bookish break to your day and it captured your interest, well,…you know what to do.  ^_^  My only wish for this story would be that perhaps the author consider taking it further, going more in depth; then I think it truly would belong to the Young Adult genre it sought company in.  Recommended read for those already mentioned above, no need to rehash; I know you hung on every word.

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About the author….

Sara lives with her husband and seven-year-old daughter in Salt Lake City.  She loves romance, intrigue, writing and exploring the city with her family. Her two favorite parts of the day are reading bedtime stories with her daughter and hanging out with her husband.

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Special thanks to author Sara Fitzgerald for the ebook edition for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her future endeavors, be sure to stop by her official site.  This title was released earlier this year via Champagne Books, so seek thee out a copy at your favorite brick-and-mortar store or online retailer.  Oh and if you’re a fan of book trailers, stop over on the Tube of You (that’s YouTube, just being silly…  :P) for a glimpse of the one created for this title. 

Until next time…happy reading!

Cape Cod Witch Series: Elsbeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties by J Bean Palmer and Chris Palmer

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that aims to help you put the bookish fun back in your weekend, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we’re exploring the third installment of a Middle Grade series filled with magic, mystery, danger, and friendship.  It takes us to the upper east coast of the USA and across the seas as we seek to protect a home never known…and a little something more.  So grab your boat shoes and your big girl pants, you’re gonna need BOTH where we’re heading!  Today’s book of choice is…

ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties

(Cape Cod Witch Series, Book 3)

By

J Bean Palmer and Chris Palmer

9781456620806

Holly Hill Press

About the book….

When their wild and free ancestral lands are threatened, three ancient ghosts need one of their clan from the living world. They call the Thistle heir from across the sea to the old country. 


Almost-ten-year-old ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, the youngest witch on Cape Cod, has her own need to unearth the family mysteries and to begin in earnest her chosen calling to protect the natural world. 


ElsBeth uses the best she knows of science and magic (not so very different from each other, after all). But even with help from a curious cast of magical creatures she befriends, and her spirited classmates who've been swept along (including the beautiful but feisty fashionista Veronica, a Wampanoag chief-to-be Johnny, and Frankie, who wants to follow in the footsteps of his prize-fighting Uncle Vittorio), ElsBeth is in way over her magic level -- and into older, odder mysteries than she could ever dream -- in an adventure just above the surface of reality.

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We begin with a tale most ordinary, and move towards something much more extraordinary.  It’s true I tell you!  What at first appears to be merely another adventure with a varied group of kids, furry animals, and some magic thrown in for good measure…which by the way, would have certainly been good enough….turns into a cross seas adventure with a few lessons to learn , a hidden message of conservation and overall ecological responsibility.  Who’d have thought, right?  Yet, there it is, ready for readers young and old to capture, embrace, and take “the long look” themselves at how our actions and choices shape the world around us in a much BIGGER way. 

On the story level, we’re faced with topics such as growing up, uncovering a secret family history, “enemies” we couldn’t fathom having had let alone have them currently seeking us out, challenging friendships, and forgiveness.  There is a bit of a mystery to solve as well as a plethora of magical creatures to meet plus a bad guy worth serving up on a platter…with his little henchmen.  (Evil person….tisk tisk!)  Oh and speaking of characters, much like our favorite “boy who lived” there are ghosts running about!  (Well, okay…you might have figured that from the title too….)  These guys are a riot as they try to guide Elsbeth in their cause (well, I suppose it IS equally hers in the end as well) while getting her to see the bigger picture.  (Crafty little ghosties!)  Her well meaning friends provide many emotional highs and lows throughout the story.  My favorite would have to be Johnny Twofeathers and our leading lady, Ms. Elsbeth Thistle, on the human side of things, both for their general character as well as their good intentions.  On the side of familiars, Sylvanias wins paws down…gotta love that crazy cat!  I’ll let you discover more about him on your own. 

So, in conclusion…a trip to the Cape well worth the travel time with a cast of characters you’ll be glad to have met.  Though I’ve not ventured into the first two books in the series (nor the cookbook!), I never felt lost within the story…though I did certainly make two additional entries on my “to-read” list for that big someday in the future.  Recommended read for girls and boys alike from the Middle Grade set and forward.  Ebook for review courtesy of author Chris Palmer.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as the entire series, be sure to stop by the official site. 

Until next time….happy reading!

Tequila's Tales: The Teen Witch from Helston by Serena DaSilva

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that likes to add a little bookish magic to your day, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Speaking of magic…

Today, we have an otherworldly infused Young Adult ebook that aims to pull the wool off people’s eyes regarding a particular culture while still providing reading entertainment for the masses.  Was it a success?  Well…I’ll let you be the judge.  Let’s introduce it properly first though, shall we?  Today’s ebook of choice is…

Tequila’s Tales:

The Teen Witch from Helston

By

Serena DaSilva

About the book….

Tequila Torres is fifteen. She lives in Helston, TX, just north of Austin, with her grandmother and her two sisters, one older and one younger. She loves to hang out with her best friends and has discovered a penchant for spell work that has mixed results. Tequila is a witch and budding curandera who helps her grandmother treat common ailments like susto and the ojo. She aspires to be the white witch of Helston High when school starts up in the fall. Spend a week in her life dealing with her bitchy older sister, her absentee mother and a long-hidden family secret. Along the way, she finds a new boy in her life and learns more about witchcraft than she ever really intended. Find out how being a real witch may not be supernaturally glamorous, but it’s interesting all the same.

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I’ve recently had a slew of ebook’s coming through and we all know where I stand on them.  Paper is my friend….ebook is for in-between times or when I’m really interested and no other option is available.  This ebook fell to the later option (interested, yay!) but the staying power for me, I’m a bit more fuzzy about.  Allow me to break it down for you.

Pro’s as I see them….

1.        The characters – While we only really get to know Tequila (also known as TT) the best, the glimpses we capture of her sister’s, new found cousin, best friends and family are more than enough to develop a sense of them overall.  Her abuela is a firecracker.  Tio Pablo is a hoot! Nancy is certainly more than she envisions herself to be while Miguel has a lot to offer someone that returns his feelings.  Cori is definitely her own person even at such a young age.  Margarita is…well, a more likable version of herself by book’s end though in the beginning you kinda sorta definitely want to smack her up side the head….and let’s not even BEGIN to talk about the girl’s mother who is out of the picture, mostly.  Overall though, you can see, a family portrait is painted and quite vividly.

2.        The culture – Now I have a friend that’s Wiccan whom I intend to recommend this book to specifically for her take on this aspect of the story, but to me, a normal everyday “Jane”….I found it curious and intriguing.  It took away the “hocus pocus” part of it that I think makes a lot of people doubt it’s actual “power” (or perhaps even fear it) and made it more about the science, the history, and the power of belief. 

3.  The themes - Forgiveness.  Right versus wrong.  Free will.  Love.  The BIG picture.  Family.  These and more are running through the veins of this story giving it a lifeblood that will hit home for many readers at some point or another.  It's not JUST about the magic...it's about the wielder of such powers, how they fit into the bigger scope of things, and their everyday lives and concerns.  It gives the human side of them precedence over the magical ...a refreshing twist for supernaturally tinged reads.

Not-so-pro’s as I see them…

1.        The story transitions – There were times when a character just accepted a major change too quickly, or a situation was smoothed over in the blink of an eye that left me feeling like there was a plot hole…or two… in the story.  It was almost like the author gave up on the original idea and simply changed course….not an impossible situation mind you, but something that warranted a little more effort to take readers from plan A over to plan B.

2.        Tradition versus the modern day teen - I get it.  It's a balancing act.  How to weigh the wiccan versus the everyday world.  It's a theme in and of itself for certain however, when it comes to the interactions of the family, especially the sisters it didn't always fit.  How to put it.  *hmmm*  The sudden crassness of the characters took me by surprise more than once with the language used.  The delicate hand that was employed in explaining the ojo or susta sessions was certainly missing when Cori's boyfriend takes things a step too far (which to me at least lends this read to middle to older teens as opposed to those that just entered the "een" years).  Little things like that.  They added up to ill fitting traits (for lack of a better word) for the characters I was growing to know and care for as another literary "family".

All in all, I enjoyed the read.  I understood what the author was trying to do in revealing the world of the wiccan and I think readers will respond to that as well.  I just feel that with a bit more editing, a bit more development, the WHOLE story could truly shine.  Just my thoughts as you came here to read but as always, I welcome you to judge things for yourself.  After all, one person's issues with a story are another person's treasures.

  

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About the author…

Serena DaSilva is a first-time novelist who has written primarily for the web. She's a practicing wiccan and proud of the normalcy that is witch-life. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband of 12 years, her two children, aged 11 and 16 and her diva dog. She writes whenever she can and is currently working on more novels.

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Ebook for review courtesy of author Serena DaSilva.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as the author’s future works, be sure to seek her out online.

Until next time…happy reading!

Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be come rain or shine because the weather is ALWAYS perfect for great reading.  Unlike what Mother Nature is providing outside MY door today... *-*

Yeah, suffice it to say that in the realm of forecasting, my local weather calls for rain, rain, rain, and perhaps a little more rain.  Seriously, it's raining ridiculously hard outside!  I wouldn't mind it as much if say I was staying home today but alas, I have BOTH jobs today and if it keeps up at the level it is, I might need an ark to get to the second one.  Or maybe Seph would lend me her broom and a spell to keep the rain out off of me and our of my vision. *ponders*  

Who is Seph?  Oh, that's right!  I didn't introduce today's title yet now did I?  Silly me.  ^_^  For those of you that stop by the site somewhat regularly, you may remember my first venture into the Paranormal/Fantasy genre (well, on the adult side of things at least) last month, well book two in that same said series is ready for your consumption, if you're game that is.  Well, are you?  *raises eyebrow*  For a refresher on book one, click HERE; to dive straight into the series, keep on reading for today's book of choice is...

Hallowed Circle

by 

Linda Robertson

About the book...

And you think beauty pageants are scary? 
Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven -- now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers -- ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets -- including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos -- from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with.... 
Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything -- including murder -- to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life.

Oh Seph.  What will we do with you...that you haven't already done to yourself.
Talk about self-deprecating, this is one girl who's, pardon the cliche, "got it going on" and yet refuses to see any of the situations, skills, or potential love interests (*ahem* ^_^) as a GOOD thing.  I get it.  She's responsible.  She wants to always be in control.  She has more to think about than herself especially now that she's guardian to her deceased friend's child (Beverley, cool kid!), her Nana is her new housemate (funny as all get out and takes nothing from no one...love her!), the waeres she kennels on full moons are getting feisty (especially one...*ahem*), the vampire of all vampires has marked her (the extent of what that means exactly is still to be explored) and her connection with Johnny has made it into the realm of "needs defining"...again (and boy does it get defined...*-*).  So yeah, I can see finding out that you're up for the position of High Priestess (or shall I say being manipulated with good intentions into competing for the role) would be an untimely shocker, but seriously...if anyone can handle it, it's Seph and that's just what she does. *cues Taking Care of Business  music*

It's just another day in the paranormal neighborhood for this cast of characters but with this competition things are getting rather sticky.  Seph's secret, you know...how's she's the Lustrata and all...is so close to the surface, she can taste it but she's not so certain now is the best time for it to bust loose.  After all, it could show her for better or worse in the upcoming competition.  I mean if she wins, woo-hoo!  She'll have shown her strength and instantly garnered a supportive following...right?  Hmm.  Problem is...she doesn't WANT to win; the role is simply to much to balance with EVERYTHING else going on right now.  So...if she's outed AND loses, whose gonna put their support in her then?  It's enough to make your head spin so I certainly can't blame her feeling emotionally overloaded and making a few rash decisions here and there (even some involving a certain leather clad, rocker waere boy that has more than a few steamy glances for her...*ahem*).  In the end, things will work out...one way or another.

We welcome back the (mostly) friendly faces from book one and say hello to a few new acquaintances that seem to be ready to stick around for the long haul.  From witches to ghosts, vampires to waeres, faeries to who knows what, it's a paranormal party where nearly everyone is represented...just don't expect any wishes granted, killer spooked out parties (though there is a party that is pretty "killer"), sparkly meadow scenes or woodland strolls.  These guys and gals mean business; some for better and some for worse.  Seph has her hands full trying to stave on the unwanted attentions (or are they?) of both vampire and waere while trying to set an example for her newest charge and satisfy the needs of family...namely one Nana who wields her tongue as sharply as any stick and can wound with her words just as easily.  It's a tough life, but someone has to live it and it might as well be one that has a backbone strong enough (though she can't see it yet) to withstand the pressure.  Speaking of pressure...

The competition she enters for the High Priestess position?  Mega crazy!  I mean, testing skills and archaic riddles to be solved aside, when death comes knocking at their door, that doesn't even stop them!  Talk about "the show must go on" (oh, wait...that's actually pretty punny...hehe.  Sorry, you'll get it when you read it.  ^_^).  The show of power is pretty darn cool though and her fellow contestants are VERY interesting.  Pay close attention...just sayin'.  You've got to love a story that can throw you through the loops of happy, sad, mad and flabbergasted as fast you can utter your choice phrase of frustration but add in laughter and now you've got something even more to write about.  There are plenty of surprising scenes for one reason or another but one that tickled me so much that I burst out laughing (in public...yep) happened early on around page 14.  What can I say?  It's just so absurd, it's funny!

In conclusion, am I still enjoying myself?  You bet!  Good thing too seeing as I plan on seeing the series through to the end, or at least the current end (six books...learn it, know it, check it out!).  The characters are many but memorable.  The story line interesting and forward marching.  Add in the family notes, romantic interludes and a fab female lead as quick with a snark as she is with a spell (or roundhouse kick), and you've got a recipe for success...and don't feel bad in the least if you feel like saying the whole "double double toil and trouble" line about now, I sorta led you right into it.  ^_^  Quick note, this is a recommended series for older teens or even adult readers; though magic, mystery, and danger prevail there are definite moments of steaminess and then some.  Suffice to say, it's not for younger eyes.

Review copy received courtesy of Melissa at Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their site, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  As previously mentioned, this is BOOK TWO of a current SIX BOOK series; the sixth of which was JUST released last month and is entitled, Shattered Circle...you know, just in case you're already up to speed on the series and would like to jump ahead.  If you are, congrats...but hey, keep the spoilers to yourself!  ^_^

Until next time...happy reading!

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Hello, hello!

It's Friday and you know what that means....it's almost Halloween!  That's right...only one more full day until the official trick-or-treating holiday though as I understand it a lot of towns and cities have voted to celebrate it on Saturday this year..oh well, to each their own.  Anywho...speaking of Halloween....have you entered the 'Spooktacular Finds In Reading' contests as of yet?  If so, YAY!  Thank you thank you and good luck!  If not....um, why?  I mean if you don't like a chance to win one of several fabulous prize packs I totally understand, but otherwise yeah, you can't win if you don't enter so take a chance!  You never know, it could be YOU winning big next week.  Entries accepted through midnight CST 10/30/10 so be sure to get yours in before it's too late.  Just check the right hand sidebar under 'Current Contests' for all the links.  Speaking of the contests... 

Today's post is all about one of the titles that you have a chance to win!  I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing a few of this author's previous works and have yet to be disappointed so when I had the chance to read the latest release, I was there with bells on.  (Okay so no bells....too noisy, but you get the point...)  A familiar name in the YA genre all on its own, this author teamed up with a fellow writer that they've worked on a series previously and created a new literary adventure to entice and enchant.  Without further adieu, today's book of choice is....

Crusade

by

Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Vampires, and werewolves, and witches, and....OH MY! Paranormal creatures abound in the latest release from this marvelous writing duo and what's more...they're at war. Okay, so that in a general sense isn't that unexpected since they don't usually play nicely together, but the level to which it has reached truly is. The vampires are out of the coffin so to speak and ready to stand and be counted.  Making nice with the President of the US of A on national television ought to help their peace loving cause, no?  Um...no.  It would have, except not long after the smiling scene watched round the world, the President's daughter is kidnapped, turned into a fanged wonder and makes her first and last television debut decimating the military forces sent to rescue her before being staked.  How's THAT for keeping the peace? 

Nations are falling to the power of the Cursed Ones, one by one some supporting their cause while others simply fear it.  There are only a few that stand in the way of their world domination plans....the Resistance and the Salamancans. The first is a band of humans unwilling to lie down and become lambs for the slaughter; the second, highly trained teens ready to kick some paranormal behind....that is if they can keep their differences out of the way.  Who will win in this ultimate power struggle especially when family and friends are involved? Only time will tell...and that is only one of many things that isn't on their sides....

Wow...what can I say? This is a pretty hefty choice for a YA novel, sitting at 470 pages, but a great start to a new series. We've got paranormal creatures aplenty, a storyline steeped in many levels of mystery, and hidden pasts just waiting to be discovered.  Each chapter begins with either an excerpt from Jenn's journal (our primary lead character, more about her later), a brief glimpse at a passage from the Salamancan Hunter's manual (think of it as "how to dispatch vampires 101"), or a work of poetry from the Cursed Ones themselves that moves progressively from neutral to total domination.  The character assortment that is worked into not just the storyline but the hunter group itself is amazing.  How they manage to coexist without killing each other is beyond me, and yet it works.  As you learn more about each character it becomes clear why hostilities run deep and yet since this is the beginning of a series not the end of one, it sort of comes to a head at the end leaving you asking...and then what happens?!  I do have a prediction about one plot twist that is just screaming to come into existence, but alas, I shall leave it faceless and nameless for now....at least until the next book comes around and I can confirm my suspicions. 

Now we already mentioned that vampires are highly featured in the novel and with their inclusion comes a few twists on the classic myths commonly accepted about our fanged literary friends.  This time around we keep the classic no sunlight allowed bit with some vampires (well, one that we know of) being able to tolerate the site of a cross (even holy water if you can believe it), but gone is the acceptance of animal blood as a food replacement.  Nope.  There are no "vegetarian vampires" in this one (Twilight reference...though if you didn't recognize it, it probably still doesn't make much sense) just pure blood thirsty creatures of the night needing human blood to sustain their existence.  Surprising in some ways, but not overly so...a good balance in the end without drawing readers attentions away from what's happening to dwell over the details.

With all that is good must come a bit of the not so good...sad, I know, but true.  There are spots in which the story seemed to drag, especially after the group makes their way to New Orleans.  (Why are they there?  Nope....not telling, sorry!) There's a lot of waiting (or so much waiting) and hoping (when all seems lost what else have you got) and rituals (yeah, now this one is a doozy) but not a whole lot of action in any other form.  During the dry spells, the narrator of the story is shifted to help you learn a bit more about the lead characters and what motivated them to step into the roles they have today...with the number sharing the spotlight it's certainly needed (there are five at bare minimum but others step in and out as well).  Rest assured though, those few instances are bringing you towards a greater end and will help you form a more complete understanding of each character. 

This is a definite reading recommendation for YA readers of all ages, in my opinion. The only "questionable" aspects are rather PG (think along the lines of "Twilight" in regards to violence and romance) so anyone who enjoys the YA genre with paranormal twists should be readily entertained by this one.  The follow up book to this recent release is titles Converted and appears to be scheduled for release in 2011.  Will I be on the look out for it?  You bet!  I simply have to see if what I think might happen happens...and what becomes of the cause...and what about...okay, so short answer is yes, I'll certainly be on the lookout for it.

ARC for review courtesy of author Nancy Holder and Simon & Schuster.  (THANKS!)  To find out more about this title and her other works in progress, check out her website or follow along on Twitter!  (Be sure to say hi to her Corgi's too....definitely two cuties.)  To discover the other bookish wonders available from the publisher, visit their site or check out their Twitter page.

Until next time...happy reading!