Read to Review- Swordplay (Gendarmerie Magique #1)

Title: Swordplay (Gendarmerie Magique #1)

Author: Katharina Gerlach

Rating: 4/5

Summary
Despite her obvious lack of magical talent, nineteen year old Moira Bellamie apprentices with the Gendarmerie Magique, the magic police. She puts all her effort into solving a burglary at the National Museum where antique weapons have been stolen, to keep the hard won job. Falling for her partner Druidus wasn't part of the plan. When more and more people are murdered with one of the stolen weapons, Moira must tame uncontrollable magic, or the people she cares for will die, her partner first and foremost

My Review
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
  This fun murder mystery with a magic twist, was really fun for me to read. I am a huge fan of many of the crime dramas on T.V and have even enjoyed a few books of murder mystery genre, and to add magic into that mix was really fun and I do believe the author did a great job of mixing the two.  I must admit I was drawn to the book because the title deceived me a little, I thought there would be sword fighting until I read the summary and I was pulled in for a whole other reason, and by the way the title makes perfect sense to me now.
 This world was very different and it took me a bit to get used to some of the language, but once I did I thought a lot of the ideas were cool and new. My one big issue with this book was the main character, Moira, I felt like I never really connected with her, I liked her and she was smart and resourceful but her relationship issues that obviously steamed from her Daddy issues, kinda threw me off a bit, now overall she was cool but I couldn't get past that and that is my personal opinion.
The mystery and the layers this story involved were laid out really well and I love when I am surprised and this one did just that. I found myself engrossed in the mystery of it all, and as it came down to the wire and things got much more intense both in the case and with Moira's magic I was entertained to the very end. I love the idea of CSI with a magic twist and I can't wait to read more.

Blog Tour Review- Forsaken by Makenzie McCroskey Jones

Title: Forsaken

Author: Makenzie McCroskey Jones

Genre: YA Fantasy

Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Rating: 4/5

Summary
Burdened by eyes that reveal her emotions, branded by a birthmark that spells out her name, and gifted with strength heightened by inhuman capabilities, Kiara Fable has always suspected a veiled aspect of her life-what she failed to notice was the truth of her past lurking in the shadows, disastrously unraveling the normalcy of her future. Kiara's dreary life with her adoptive family in a small, isolated village in the heart of the mystical world Menevilen is abruptly shattered the day she is rescued from an attempted assassination by the charming and intimidating Avian Knight. According to him, royal blood native to the kingdom of Enevale flows through Kiara's veins-the same blood her maniacal, magic-wielding aunt, Vyntrx, will do virtually anything to spill. Thrust in the midst of a century-old blood-feud between the Evalseman and Nonae races, Kiara must ultimately betray half of her heritage and choose to defend a side of the rivalry. Faced with a war she may not be capable of winning, the presence of a traitor hiding amid the darkness of distrust, the bittersweet venom of love's merciless sting, and more precarious escapades than she thought imaginable, Kiara fears her new world may be utterly forsaken.

My Review
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
 I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book, but to be far I don't think it was all the books fault, I think I was in a bit of a reading funk (if you know what I mean). Overall this book was good, it had a much different plot than I expected and was also much deeper than I had first thought. I wish there had been a little bit more world building but I was able to easily understand with what was given, I just love detail. I really liked the idea of eyes the Nonae's eyes changing color is was both helpful and troublesome depending on the situation. I must confess my reason behind the 4 stars, I felt like there were parts in the middle that made me a little bored but the end picked up and I was glad for most of the information I did get in those middle parts.
There seem to be a lot of snakes in the grass and I hope Kiara can wade through all the lies and finally find the truth she deserves after all these years. Avian was torture on my emotions  I really don't know what to think or believe, I feel like even he is unaware of his loyalty and were it belongs and I also feel very sad for him, the terrible choices he made in his younger years and must pay for then forever in a big way, maybe Kiara and Kain can be the key to his redemption.
This book is great for fantasy and magic lovers and I think this will be an exciting series.

Author Bio
Makenzie McCroskey Jones has been writing since the tender years of childhood. After writing her first Novel in fifth grade, McCroskey Jones was determined to become a published author and share her stories with the world. Her debut novel, Forsaken, was under construction for six years before it's release. Currently, McCroskey Jones attends college in her home town and dreams of one day moving to the thriving world of a big city. McCroskey Jones's work load is split between her job as a student writer in the University Relations and Marketing department of her college, as a creative writing major, and as the author of Forsaken's squeals and two additional budding series which she will publish under the pen name M.L. Sparrow.

Author Links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MaKenzie-McCroskey-Jones/525688687485608
https://www.facebook.com/MLSparrow?fref=ts

Buy Links:
Paperback- http://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Fall-Menevilen-Volume-1/dp/0615820158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390756165&sr=8-1&keywords=makenzie+mccroskey+jones
Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Menevilen-MaKenzie-McCroskey-Jones-ebook/dp/B00E0KRRE8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390756165&sr=8-2&keywords=makenzie+mccroskey+jones

Review- Ice Dogs by Terry Lynn Johnson

Title: Ice Dogs

Author: Terry Lynn Johnson

Rating: 5/5

Summary
Victoria Secord, a 14-year-old Alaskan dogsled racer, loses her way on a routine outing with her dogs. With food gone and temperatures dropping, her survival, and that of her dogs and the mysterious boy she meets in the woods, is entirely up to her.

Author Terry Lynn Johnson is a musher herself and her crackling writing puts readers at the reins as Victoria and Chris experience setbacks, mistakes, and small triumphs in their wilderness adventure. 

My Review
I won this book on Goodreads first reads, the beautiful cover drew me in and then after I read the synopsis I was really hoping I would win this one and get a chance to read what sounded to me like an exciting tale, and thank goodness I won cause this book was not just as good as I had expected...IT WAS BETTER!
I found I had an understanding of both Victoria and Chris, and for me that made things a lot more intense. I understood Victoria's love for her dogs and her willingness to put them first knowing they needed her, David on the other hand I understood because my love of dogs does not extend to the outdoors he was more of an indoor guy and that makes sense to me. I liked how their relationship grew and how they eventually used each other to stay alive. I was very invested in these two and I was on the edge of my seat anxious for their nightmare to be over, and with every small victory I did a little jump for joy (on the inside lol).
I loved the authors  knowledge of Dog sledding you tell could tell she has been out there, done things and bonded with a beautiful pack of dogs.  In a letter I received with my copy of the book I was told that some of these things had happened to Terry Lynn Johnson well what a brave soul she must be, I loved this  story but I do not feel the need to experience this first hand, the vivid writing was enough of an emotional ride for me and I will be satisfied with that.
There is so much more I want to say about this book but I really want people of the world to experience this wonderful, tragic, coming of age tale. I have to admit I cried a few times but that ending oh my did it get me so make sure you have the tissue close, if you have a heart that is.
Loved this book and I know many many others will too I have already got my sister hooked and many others are on the way. 

ARC Review- Landry Park

Title: Landry Park (Landry Park 1)

Author: Bethany Hagen

Rating: 5/5

Summary

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

My Review

 I won this book on Goodreads first reads and I was so excited to read it,  Since the summary caught my attention right away and I was not disappointed, this book exceeded any expectations I may have had. Now before I continue my review I just have to say that I received an ARC copy if this book and any quotes and this review are based on uncorrected text. Okay now that's out of the way onto my glowing review of this beautifully written dystopian novel that stole my heart.
I am a lover of the dystopian genre and it seemed to be on a boom lately and that is not a bad thing but it seems if you read to many they start to repeat a bit , well this was not the case with Landry Park I mean yes it did have some of the core ideas the same but I found many things to be different. One thing that I felt was different was the timing of Madeline's stand against her family and version of government, I don't know how to explain without spoiling to much but fans of the Genre will know what I mean when they read this book.
Madeline was a strong Heroine which is always a plus for me, she struggled  a bit like we all do but overall she proved she was more than a tool to be used by her father to run and better the estate. I don't usually care for love triangles but I liked the way this one was done and I believe the difference was the added factor of social standings and keeping up appearances, and I will say I am glad it worked out the way it did in the end. David and Jude were so different and yet so much the same I was in a constant state of uncertainty about both...that is until a very important moment when my mind was made up about both, at least for now anyway :)
The stories of King Arthur and his knights had always interested me and I loved how it was used in this book and I just had to mention it. Jack was a favorite of mine and without giving to much away he is much more important than I had first thought, and when I reached the end I realized that his short talk with a young girl in the woods was the part that stuck out the most for me, he found a way to open Madeline`s eyes to the truth with a short speech and a wise face and for that he will remain one of my favorites and the fighter I will back.
I was really happy with the ending, I felt satisfied and yet hopeful for more and very curious about what will come next for this group who risked everything for the hope of a better world.
This book has come out recently and I think it will be a hit, so get your copy and jump on the wagon and enjoy the wonderful ride.

Review- The Name Of The Wind

Title: The Name Of The Wind

Author: Patrick Rothfuss

Rating: 5/5

Summary
Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

My Review
I heard many wonderful things about this bookou and to be honest that sometimes scares me, I hate being that person who can't seem to see the greatness others see in a book, but this book was another one for me this year that lived up to it's hype. I fell in love with the writing as I read the first words on page one and I loved it more and more as I continued, I found it beautiful and lyrical I don't know how else to explain it but trust me it's fantastic. I loved the characters and the intense development devoted to each one in their own way. I hope I can do this wonderful book justice with this review so here goes.
I found this book to be one that I needed to slowly ingest, I felt like I would be doing the characters and the author a great injustice if I rushed through without letting each beautifully constructed word, sentence, and paragraph sink in. Kvothe was very complex and I am very glad that he chose to tell his story the way he did, with such a full and complex journey it deserves the slow methodical approach it is given. His development in the short amount of years is intense and the idea that there is so much more to come is very exciting for me and I am anxious to get my hands on book two and watch things get more romantic, intense and all around exciting.
I can't wait to continue the series and the author and to anyone who loves to read a great story I think you should read this ASAP.

Review- One Minute Gone

Title: One Minute Gone (Porter Hall #1)

Author: David Hansard

Rating: 5/5

Summary
Porter Hall is was raised in the West and is familiar with animals that can kill you in under a minute. But those will seldom attack unless their survival is threatened, or maybe because they're hungry. Yet for all his Western survival skills, he is out of his element among the rich and famous in the middle of New York City, one of the most sophisticated places in the world. In Manhattan, where he is raising six-year-old twins as a single father, he is about to confront the most lethal predator on the planet, his fellow humans. Unlike the untamed creatures of the West, these will kill for revenge or money or love, or sometimes the simple pleasure of killing. In ONE MINUTE GONE, Porter Hall must untangle the riddle of why someone would want to harm him, find out who it is, and stop them before he and his family are destroyed.

My Review
I won this book on Goodreads first reads and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this book and I am glad I got to read this cool thrill ride. I was pulled into this mystery very quickly, the author did a wonderful job of dropping just the right amount of clues that I was kept interested, and at times I found it hard to put this book down.
I really liked Porter Hall he had a fun quick wit, he was smart, and he had a quick temper, he was flawed yes but I think he was aware of that and it kinda gave him an edge on the overly confident enemies in his life. I will admit that some of the dialog was weird to me, it was kinda like a cheesy action movie and had me laughing for the wrong reason, that is why I could not give this book five stars, the rest of the book was well done and I enjoyed myself. I found the plot exciting and a little scandalous, if this were a movie I would be front row for the psychological twists and turns with the suspense of being hunted thrown in.
I was pleased with the way things were wrapped up and how all the pieces seemed to fit, but this being book one I know there will be more and I have a small idea as to what it may be about, there were a few things left unfinished and I can see our hero getting into a few more messes and I would be happy to read along.

Review- The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner 1)

Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Rating: 5/5

Summary
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade-a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up-the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My Review
I have had this book on my shelf for a while but as my fellow readers know a TBR is ever growing and somehow this one got pushed back.... well what the shuck was I thinking, not only do I love dystopian but I also love good books and this was both. What a brilliantly laid web of puzzles, conflict and WTF moments. I had a very hard time putting this book down. I am not going to say I had this figured out and was blindsided cause this book was so crazy I never deluded myself into thinking I knew anything about it and yet even then the author found a way to surprise me.
I think the best part for me was the differences this book had form so many other dystopian books, it was so mysterious.. a broken world yet all these boys are unaware, there were so many secrets and half truths I was always on my toes trying to solve the puzzles with Thomas, who by the way is so much smarter than me and was always two steps ahead but lucky for me he let me in on his discoveries lol. I am very excited for the rest of the series and I have heard nothing but good things about them and since this one lived up to the hype I am very optimistic.