The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman

The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman, 352 pages

If you love dark fairy-tales, and folklore, you will love this book. It is well-written with twists and turns that will keep your head spinning. The book is very fast paced - much like Red Riding Hood - and almost as dark. It does contain some content that might not be suitable for younger readers. The publisher recommends grades 8 and up. 

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin- 694 pp.

Intricate high fantasy about several noble families plunged into intrigue and war after the suspicious death of the High King; meanwhile a mysterious force assembles in the North, and to the South, a rogue princess prepares to take back what is rightfully hers.

Lips Together Three Times by Laini Taylor

Lips Together Three Times by Laini Taylor, 265 pages
(3 short stories)

Quite honestly the only thing I enjoyed about the three stories in this book were the illustrations. They were absolutely amazing and fit so well as a mini-preview of each story. Of the three stories, I liked "Goblin Fruit" and "Hatchling" the least. "Spicy Little Curses" had more of a plot line making the story more enjoyable than the others. Because they are short stories, to say anything about them would give too much away. I will say that the first deals with goblins and will have you shaking your head at the very stupid main character. The second deals with hell and back - and is intriguing. The last is just way out there.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, 387 pages
(2nd book in His Fair Assassins series)

Dark Triumph focuses on Sybella's life more so than the historical facts of the time. Sybella has been raised by a monster of a father and has experienced all forms of abuse at his and her brothers' hands. Her story grips you to the soul as you experience the madness that touches her mind from being forced back into the life she thought she was free of upon becoming one of Death's handmaidens -- an assassin for the god Mortain. The abbess of Mortain has sent Sybella back to the very hell she came from. Her mission - to discover what her cruel earthly father is up to and how it can harm/help the cause for Duchess Anne. We first met Sybella in the first book Grave Mercy. I'm thrilled that this book was dedicated solely to her though we did get to visit with all the characters from the first book. From Sybella's cruel past to her most awesome future, this was a fantastic read. I have to be careful to not give too much away. The romance, mystery, murder, cruelty, compassion and loyalties that Sybella discovers in her story are well worth the read. I was very thrilled that the Beast had a role to play in Sybella's story as well. He was a very strong and like-able character in Grave Mercy -- deserving of some attention to his own story.

Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston

Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston, 166 pages

Sick and twisted this book reads like you are in the head of a person with schizophrenia. Valley lives with her mom, Da and brother Bo in the wilds - or so you get the impression. They are survivalists living in the modern USA-- Although at some points it feels apocalyptic. Da is definitely not all there and teaches his children to be violent people who fear/hate the government. When the mom passes away, he blames it on the government. Everything that goes wrong is the government's fault. Bo is an odd ball. You get the impression that he might not be all there mentally or at least lacks a moral compass entirely. Valley is treated poorly by those around her. She is physically, emotionally and sexually abused. The extreme sexual abuse gets pretty descriptive at a certain point in the book and she is forced to watch it play back on video by her abuser. Most readers will find child pornography and child molestation very disturbing and should avoid this book. We watch as Valley slowly drifts into the world where her life no longer matters and she becomes a suicide bomber by her own choice. The book is bleak, sad, horrible, and shows just how sick and twisted a mind can become when subjected to extremes. There are no happy endings, no answers ... just complete chaos and confusion until the end.

Apocalyptic Moon by Eva Gordon

Apocalyptic Moon by Eva Gordon, 362 pages

 Dr. Dora Adler is celebrating her 27th birthday in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Every female member of her family has died on their 27th birthday and she is worried the curse will make her its next victim. When she is bitten by a zombie, Dora fears the curse has succeeded in ending her life. Surprisingly, she doesn't succumb to the virus and instead becomes a guinea pig for a test facility. While there she meets a gorgeous alpha werewolf to whom she is immediately attracted. Together they attempt escape from the facility and try to find Dora's step-brother and niece. In the meantime, there is a huge war brewing between religious fanatics, human-hating werewolf packs and zombies.
The author seemed to have a lot of agendas in her writing -- Everything from gay marriage/parenting, to religion and politics are interwoven in the story. This might offend some readers. Still, it's an interesting mix of romance, zombies, werewolves, shape-shifters and witches. (Although I could have done without the graphic descriptions of zombies eating people.) I liked that the main female character was strong and intelligent. The storyline is a bit disjointed, but  enjoyable.

An English Bride In Scotland by Lynsay Sands

An English Bride In Scotland by Lynsay Sands, 375 pages

A light-hearted romance that is simple but still appealing. When Annabel is whisked away from the Abbey she was sent to as a 7 year old, she has no idea the plans her ridiculous mother and father have in store for her. She barely has time for a quick bath and change before she is being led to the altar in her sister's place. It seems her sister, Kate, decided marriage to a Scottish Laird was not for  her so she ran off with her one true love - the stable master's son.  Annabel doesn't know anything about being a wife or how to manage a household. She has a strength and determination, however, to help her get through life's difficulties. Granted life would be easier if someone wasn't out to harm her.

The Queen Is Dead by Kate Locke

The Queen Is Dead by Kate Locke, 337 pages
(Book 2 in The Immortal Empire series)

I wasn't so impressed with this book as I was with the first. It seemed that the author simply tried to "tidy up" from her first novel and make connections. One particular character that comes back from the past left me shaking my head. The quick change from viewing certain characters as "evil" and then as heroic was a bit odd. The end seemed to be rushed and didn't have as much action as the first book in the series did. All in all -- I didn't dislike the story, but it could definitely have been much better.

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep, 336 pages
(book 1 of Mythos series)

Gwen Frost is a gypsy teenager with the gift of touch. Anytime she touches an object or person, she can see, hear and feel everything they've ever felt, seen or said. The gift brings in a little cash for her until one day she inadvertently picks up  her friend's hairbrush and sees more than she has ever wished to see. Shortly after Gwen's mom is killed in an accident  and Gwen is taken from her grandmother's home and sent to Mythos Academy. A special school for those gifted by the gods to fight Loki and the Chaos war he wishes to bring. There Gwen learns all about who she is and what is so special about her long line of ancestors. She will also have to fight for her life because things are not always as they seem at Mythos Academy. The book is your typical teen fiction with teen angst, romance, drama, drinking, sex and drugs ... yet, it's still well done.

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James, 532 pages
(2nd book in Fifty Shades trilogy)

Wow. I seriously don't know what possessed me to read the second book after the first "eye rolling, lip biting, smoldering look, etc." Fifty Shades irritated me so much. Okay, so I was hoping that Anastasia would finally learn some self respect and Christian would learn how to treat her -- and I was challenged to read the whole series before making a judgement call. Nope. Once again we are led through a flimsy storyline that is very disappointing. I can sum the book up pretty shortly -  Anastasia and Christian resume their "romance". Christian buys the company where Anastasia works and fires her boss (who seriously got what he deserved and was a redeeming quality in the book). One of Christian's old "flames" is actually quite crazy and stalks Anastasia. Elena (aka Mrs. Robinson) gets her just desserts. And, yep, Christian declares his love for Anastasia and asks her to be his wife. The only part of the book that was interesting was Christian's background -- why he is the way he is. Granted your past, no matter how troubling, does not negate/excuse how badly you treat people in the future ... but there you go. All in all, I'm glad I'm done with the second and flat out refuse to read the third.

Romancing the Countess by Ashley March

Romancing the Countess by Ashley March, 320 pages

Leah loves her husband, Ian, from an arranged marriage and is thrilled to be returning home to surprise him. Walking into his study, she discovers him with another woman. The memory forever haunts her as she continually sees the mistress every day ... Ian's best friend's wife, Angela. One year later Ian and Angela are killed together in a carriage accident. Suddenly Leah is free of her husband who pretended to love her all while continuing his affair with Lady Angela Wriothesly. Lord Sebastian Wriothesly receives the news that his beloved wife and his best friend both were killed in the same carriage accident. Pieces are quickly put together and he realizes he's been betrayed by the two people he loved most in life. Wishing to guard his 2 year old son's reputation by hiding the affair, he pursues Ian's wife, Leah, to keep her from making mistakes that would expose it. For one year she has to act the distraught widow and he'll ensure that she does. However, Leah doesn't feel so distraught. While the book does have some good points, it's mostly a slow and tortuous read. I couldn't wait to reach the end of the book. I would not recommend this book in any way.