Book Signing Fun: Jonathan Maberry

 
My big boys and I took a little three hour drive (six hours round trip) to meet Jonathan Maberry on September 18th, and it was completely worth it. If you haven't read my reviews yet, I recently finished and loved the Benny Imura series. That was my first exposure to Mr. Maberry's writing, and I'm looking forward to reading his other series. And once I finished the Benny Imura series, I approved it for my boys to read. My ten-year-old has started listening to the audiobooks. He loved Rot and Ruin, and is in the middle of Dust and Decay. They are superior audiobooks and I highly recommend them. Word is they are in the midst of working on the third book for audio.
 

Oooh, the pretty signed books!

Mr. Maberry not only entertained us about his books, but was a wealth of information on writing, creating, and organizing. I was inspired not just by his works of fiction, but by his personality and work ethic as well. I'm hoping my children were paying good attention :)

 

And zombie cards!!

In good news, Mr. Maberry said he'll hopefully be publishing a fifth Benny Imura book, perhaps in the next year and a half or so, as well as an adult book that details First Night. I'm thrilled by the prospect of both of these and hope they come to fruition.

My Reviews:

 
If you've not explored the world of Benny Imura, you can find my review for the Benny Imura Series here, and my review of the final book (so far), Fire and Ash, here.
 

Here is a list of the first books of Jonathan Maberry's series:



Benny Imura Series
Book 1: Rot and Ruin
Blurb: In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

Joe Ledger Series
Book 1: Patient Zero
Blurb: When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills... and there's nothing wrong with Joe Ledger's skills.  And that's both a good, and a bad thing.  It's good because he's a Baltimore detective that has just been secretly recruited by the government to lead a new taskforce created to deal with the problems that Homeland Security can't handle. This rapid response group is called the Department of Military Sciences or the DMS for short. It's bad because his first mission is to help stop a group of terrorists from releasing a dreadful bio-weapon that can turn ordinary people into zombies. The fate of the world hangs in the balance....

Pine Deep Series
Book 1: Ghost Road Blues
Blurb: From a new master of horror comes an apocalyptic showdown between the residents of a secluded, rural town and the deadly evil that confronts them wherever they turn . . .

Evil Doesn't Die
The cozy little town of Pine Deep buried the horrors of its past a long time ago. Thirty years have gone by since the darkness descended and the Black Harvest began, a time when a serial killer sheared a bloody swath through the quiet Pennsylvania village. The evil that once coursed through Pine Deep has been replaced by cheerful tourists getting ready to enjoy the country's largest Halloween celebration in what is now called "The Spookiest Town in America."

It Just Grows Stronger
But then--a month before Halloween--it begins. Unspeakably desecrated bodies. Inexplicable insanity. And an ancient evil walking the streets, drawing in those who would fall to their own demons and seeking to shred the very soul of this rapidly fracturing community. Yes, the residents of Pine Deep have drawn together and faced a killer before. But this time, evil has many faces--and the lust and will to rule the earth. This struggle will be epic.

Dead of Night Series
Book 1: Dead of Night
Blurb: A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave.  But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects.  Before he could be buried, the killer wakes up.  Hungry.  Infected.  Contagious.  This is the way the world ends.  Not with a bang…but a bite.

 

Book Review: Forever My Girl



Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
(Beaumont #1)
December 27, 2012
Bandit Publishing Company
302 pages
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
(contains sexual situations, language)
Source: Personal purchase

Book Blurb:

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

My Review:

This is a well-written second chance story and I really enjoyed it. We follow the alternating POVs of Liam and Josie, getting glimpses of past and present. They were high school sweethearts, deeply in love, and then things unexpectedly went awry and they've been out of each other's lives for the last ten years. A deeply unfortunate turn of events brings them back into each other's lives and forces Liam to face the regret he's been avoiding for the last ten years. 

I could really feel the emotions of the characters throughout this story and they felt very authentic. Heidi's ability to show the array of feelings one would face in this type of situation was well though out and did not feel overly outlandish or excessively angst filled. It felt honest and I loved being in both Liam and Josie's heads. They felt real. And I loved how their emotions and everything played out. I felt so sad for everyone, especially in the beginning. Just so sad for all the wasted, lost time. But along with my sad feelings, there were some really beautiful, tender moments. This really struck the emotional gamut.

But throughout the story I could also see that this time apart allowed them to become the individuals they needed to be. Would they have made it as a couple if the circumstances were different and they hadn't lost those ten years? That is the million dollar question. But I think Liam and Josie were eventually able to answer that question for themselves. And no worries, Liam paid a price for his rash, cowardly decision. A hefty price indeed. But forgiveness and redemption are worthy goals, and I liked how the story progressed.

I've touched on the characters, but I love this group of friends in Beaumont. And not just the adults, but the children as well. What a great array of personalities and imperfections. Josie has a great support system, and she lends her support to Katelyn as well. And then Liam is there for Katelyn. And then Katelyn is supporting Liam. And everyone is supporting the kids. They are multi-dimensional characters that really add something special to the story. There was one character that I felt like got a bad rap and I felt sorry for him (though he should have been paying attention to the red flags that had been popping up all along). But I'm glad he's getting his own story.

On a personal level, I could relate to Liam. I remember starting college and all the things I'd thought I'd wanted to do and career plans I'd had and been expected of me from my family kind of blew up in my face freshman year. I learned a lot about myself, became a new person, and discovered who I thought I was going to be was no longer who I wanted to be. Halfway through my sophomore year I dropped out of college for a year to figure things out and decide what path I wanted to follow. My parents cut off my funding and I had to take care of myself, though they did not disown me, just were deeply disappointed and didn't understand me. So to a certain extent I could relate to Liam. The difference between Liam and me comes down to communication and history. My boyfriend knew what I was feeling and what I was doing, but we also hadn't been dating as long as Liam and Josie, so he wasn't entrenched in my past expectations. But I could understand how the events in this story took place, even if I would have personally made different choices, and sympathize with Liam's position and choices. And I don't think I'm the only one who can relate.

Bottomline: I loved this story and loved these characters, This story deals with heartbreak and heartache, regret and remorse, trust and truth, repentance and redemption, hope and happiness, love and life. Heidi nailed the emotional gamut and used imperfect characters to bring a story of second chances to life. And no worries, we get a HEA and no cliffhanger. I'm a new Heidi McLaughlin fan and look forward to the rest of the Beaumont series, which I quickly bought after finishing this one.

4-1/2 STARS

 

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Upcoming Author Events (Southern California)

This is a list of upcoming author events, primarily Young Adult and New Adult, in Southern California, particularly in or near the Los Angeles area. Now this is not an exhaustive list, though I will try to be thorough. I may not attend them all, but I try to get my fair share of book signings in. I will try to update as frequently as I can. If I have missed anything, feel free to leave me a comment.
 
** Note: Be sure to verify the information about each event according to the links (click on venue for link) in case anything changes prior to the event, as things may change without my knowledge. Feel free to contact the venue for further questions.
 

October 2013
 
Tuesday, October 1st at 7pm
Kami Garcia
at Barnes and Noble, The Grove at Farmer's Market
 
 
Thursday, October 3rd at 7:30pm
Cinda Chima Williams
at Mysterious Galaxy in Redondo Beach
 
 
Saturday, October 5th at 1pm
Kate DiCamillo
at Barnes and Noble, Ventura Gateway
 
 
Sunday, October 6th at 2pm
Kate DiCamillo
at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena
 
Wednesday, October 9th at 7pm
Brandon Sanderson
at Barnes and Noble, The Grove at Farmer's Market

 
Saturday, October 12th at 11am to 5pm
Teen Book Fest with multiple authors (see flyer or website)
at the Central Library in Los Angeles

 
Wednesday, October 16th at 7pm
Brandon Sanderson
at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego


Wednesday, October 23rd at 7pm
Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines
at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego
   
 
Thursday, October 24th at 7pm
Shannon Messenger
at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego
 

Tuesday, October 29th at 7pm
Gennifer Albin, Ann Aguire, Leigh Bardugo, Jessica Brody
at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego
   
 
 
November 2013
 
December 2013
 
Saturday, December 7th at 2:30pm
Marie Lu
at Mysterious Galaxy in Redondo Beach
 

Monday, December 9th at 7pm
Lauren Kate
at Barnes and Noble, The Grove at Farmer's Market
 

2014

Saturday, November 8th
SAN DIEGO AUTHOR EVENT 2014
Blog Sponsor: Swoon Worthy Books
Event Organizer: Lalone Marketing
DETAILS COMING SOON…

Stacking the Shelves (25)

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Won from Publisher:

 

Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

 

Purchased:

 

Angelfall by Susan Ee

 
Used Book Finds:
   

 

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Shrimp by Rachel Cohn
Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm
 

Waiting on Wednesday (16): GREED

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


I love all things Fisher Amelie. I loved Callum and Harper. I loved Thomas and January. I loved VAIN. Then I found out VAIN was going to be the first book of "The Seven Deadly" series, and I got super excited. Seven books! The next book in that series is GREED and is due out in October, and you guessed it... I am super excited to read it!!

GREED by Fisher Amelie
Expected publication date: October 29, 2013

 

Book Blurb:

Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours…because that’s what I do. I want.

My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy.

I’m Spencer Blackwell…And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

To find my review for VAIN, Book 1, click here:

 

Teaser Tuesday (19): The Kingmakers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read    
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Kingmakers by Clay and Susan Griffith
Vampire Empire: Book 3
Published: September 4, 2012

 

I loved the first two books of this trilogy, and this final book is just as good. I feel like I'm savoring the last chapters because I'll be sad when it's over. If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend.

 

Teaser from pages 144-145:

 

"If I might explain the place of research in my state - do it or I'll kill you." Cesare stared evenly at the Welshman. "And if you say another word besides Yes, my lord, I will slice you open and leave you to bleed to death on this floor while the clan feeds off you."

 

Goronwy glanced from Cesare to Flay. "Yes, my lord."

 

 

Find my reviews for the first two books here:  

  

 

Book 1: The Greyfriar

Book 2: The Rift Walker 

 

Audiobook Review: The Rift Walker

The Rift Walker by Clay and Susan Griffith
Vampire Empire Book 2
September 20, 2011
Prometheus publishing
399 pages
Genre: Paranormal Steampunk
Source: Audible personal purchase

Book Blurb:

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, senator Clark. With the human alliance in disarrray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.

As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar.

The Rift Walkeris the second book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternative history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, the Vampire Empire series brings epic politcal themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

My Review:

Find my review of book one, The Greyfriar, here.

The Rift Walker is a fabulous middle-of-the-trilogy book. Second books, especially when they follow wonderful first books, can be very tricky. It sometimes feels like they're just afterthoughts and filler until the final book. Not so with The Rift Walker. The Griffiths did an amazing job keeping the plotlines fresh, with many twists and turns, while still continuing the original story.

Plot: Speaking of plot, we were previously left with Adele and Greyfriar's separation due to the ever-present political issues surrounding them. Unfortunately that separation also involved the unwanted Senator Clark (or at least I don't want him) and their pending nuptials. Along with their future marriage is also the future war between the vampires. So much is resting on the court's decisions and Adele's cooperation. And of course there's Prince Cesare, who can be quite the evil genius at times and a bit batty at others, but should never be underestimated. The different scenarios and revelations kept me on the edge of my seat. When Greyfriar re-entered the scene, the story took a giant leap and things never quite settled down after that. Loyalties and disloyalties are revealed, chaos ensues, and through it all Adele must step up to the plate and become the leader she was meant to be, make the difficult decisions, and be left to deal with their consequences. Plus there are so many questions of morality and "for the greater good" questions that make the decisions of the different political leaders quite compelling in this world where right and wrong is not always obvious. Tremendous story.

World: I continue to love this world the Griffiths created. We get to visit more countries and see the cultures of more people. Along with these cultures, we also get to see more of the "steampunk" aspects of the book. I've not ventured into many steampunk novels, but I can say that I love the Griffiths' take on it. I also loved the whole mixing of technologies with nature. The whole geomancy thing itself is fascinating, and I enjoyed how the "rifts" were interwoven throughout the story.

Characters: What I love about these books is that they are so character-driven. That's one of the things that can make or break a book for me, and the Griffiths do not disappoint. I love these characters, even the bad ones, because they felt so fleshed-out. Even the secondary characters have depths and backstory. And just when you think you know a character, you learn something new about them.

Adele: She grew so much in this novel, and I loved watching her transition from a somewhat naïve princess who was told what to do, to a woman who could command those around her and men would pledge their loyalty to. She really started to come into her own, and her growth felt very organic and genuine. She had her struggles, she had to wrestle with choices and didn't always make good ones, but through it all she was real and felt true to her baseline self. She evolved and matured and was a fantastic heroine I could really get behind.

Greyfriar: He continues to be my favorite character. How could he not? He is such a mix of fierce strength, selfless loyalty, and quiet vulnerability. He wouldn't hesitate to give his life for Adele, and it shows in everything he does. For such a powerful and mysterious person, he is also gentle and kind. But make no mistake, he is also a fearsome warrior who should not be underestimated, though he is not without his weaknesses. He too is coming into his own and finding his place in this world. Throw in his dry sense of humor, tenderness, and fascination with the human world, and I can't help but love him.

Romance: I love the gentle romance between Adele and Greyfriar. These are two people who have mountains of obstacles to climb between them, yet their loyalties persist and their love is true. They have a beautiful relationship that has grow through mutual respect, genuine admiration, heart-warming friendship, shared vision, and absolute trust. There is no unnecessary angst between them. The true obstacle is the outside world - which is a huge obstacle indeed.

Audiobook Narration: Once again James Marsters narration was fabulous. I loved the voices he used for each character as well as how he interpreted the dialogue. For audiobook listeners, this is a real treat.

Bottomline: I loved book one, The Greyfriar, and I loved book two, The Rift Walker. This series has captured me with its array of fascinating characters, engrossing storyline, and inventive world. There were twists and turns, action and tenderness, terror and hope. The Griffiths have written a story that has completely captured me and held my interest until the very end. At the time of this review, there is no audiobook for the third book, The Kingmakers, yet. This, however, is not a difficult obstacle for me. I've already purchased the paperback and started it because I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends!

5 STARS

 

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