Monsters by Gareth S Young {Review}

2015 is off and running and so am I. It is high time I get back into blogging... and that means getting caught up on all those reviews! *gulp* I'm actually looking forward to it. I have already read a couple of really good books this year and will be reviewing those books later this week. But today I am kicking the review year off with a book I read last year *hangs head* yes I said last year, Monsters by Gareth S Young. Check it out.

Blurb~

Doyle Godwin works nights as a Private Investigator in the small town of Gabriel's Horn. He has learned how to hide his twisted, giant frame in the dark, avoiding the cruel eyes and taunts of the locals as he ekes out a living tracking down adulterers and other night-dwellers, living vicariously through the images he captures on camera.
  
Lurking in the shadows, he is content with his world until, one day, the only woman he ever loved walks into his office and hires him to find her missing daughter. Emmy Watson is losing hope. After three long weeks, her daughter Scarlett remains missing and the FBI have slowly removed themselves from the search, leaving an impotent Sheriff's department no closer to solving the kidnapping. Her heart broken and her nerves frayed to their ends she hires Doyle, Sheriff Reid's main suspect, forcing the town's Boogieman out into the daylight.
  
Sheriff Emerson Watts has discovered a body beneath Mt Rainier's watchful gaze. An ex-FBI agent with a once bright future, he sifts through the detritus of the murder scene and realizes there might be a connection between his case and the missing girl in Gabriel's Horn. Trying to meet with Sheriff Reid, he instead bumps into the deformed detective and triggers an avalanche which threatens to swallow them all up. MONSTERS is a dark, complex, character driven psychological thriller.
  
This 93,000 word story mixes strong themes: family, friendship, love, loss and betrayal and features a protagonist who echoes classic characters like The Hunchback, Frankenstein's Monster and The Phantom. This story is aimed at adults of all ages.

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Review~

It is every parents worst fear. Losing a child. For Emmy Watson it has become a reality. On Halloween when everyone is dressed as ghouls and goblins, knights and superheroes, and children are excited and carefree, Emmy Watson's daughter, Scarlett, goes missing. There are no leads and seems to be no hope, so Emily turns to an old high school friend, turned private detective Doyle Godwin for help. He has a reputation of getting the job done, but he is as mysterious as his methods. To many he is the monster and many point to him as the likely culprit. But he is determined to discover the true villain. His journey is not easy and is one that will test who he is, who he wants to be, and friendships around him. 

Doyle Godwin is not your typical detective or knight in shining armor, sure he has the talent and drive to be the best detective, but due to an illness he is what many would call deformed, a monster. In fact to many in the town of Gabriel's Horn Doyle is the only monster that lurks in the night. So naturally when Emmy Watson's young daughter goes missing he is the first one accused. But like his old classic counterparts he is only a gentle giant. Well, until he has to use force, then he is certainly not someone you want to mess with. Doyle is very good at what he does and in his search for Emmy's daughter, Scarlett, discovers a very sick and twisted secret that very well could cost him his life. 

But that doesn't stop him. When Doyle does a job, he sees it to the end, no matter the cost to him. 

Monsters is definitely not your typical thriller, it is not a story of the damsel in distress and her charming and handsome rescuer. Author Gareth S. Young gives us a story that is much more personal. He finally gives us a hero that isn't drop dead gorgeous and every girls dream. He gives us a hero that in many eyes very well could be the villain. This thriller is indeed twisted not just because of the twist on heroes but the story itself is twisted, deep, and dark. It takes us down a road that no parent wants to travel. Puts us in their shoes and allows us to feel their fear. 

Monsters is definitely not sunshine and rainbows, no it is much more sinister. From the beginning of this tale the mood is tense and creepy, the perfect combination for this story. Author Gareth S. Young does a spectacular job of allowing his readers to feel the story after all that's how you truly connect to a story of this magnitude, feeling. After I read Monsters I wanted to clutch all my kiddos just a little bit closer.

I have to give author Gareth S. Young props for giving me a thriller with characters that were as dark and deep as the story. 

Monsters is definitely a refreshing read in a world where the hero always has to be good looking. It gives us a look at the darker side of life and really allows the reader to feel it. This is a definite read for lovers of suspense! Just make sure you hug your kids before and after.

Top Te.... er, books of 2014

What a whirlwind year! When the year first started I had the crazy idea that I could read 150 books. Of course by June I quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. Did I change my goal? Of course not! It wasn't until October that I finally realized, like really realized that I would never reach my goal. So I changed it to 75. And now that I am sitting here looking at 2015... well close, it will be 2015 in exactly forty-two minutes, I can say that I read 69 books. That's a lot of books. No it's not what I wanted to accomplish, but it is till a lot of books. It is a lot journey's, adventures, heart break, love, and worlds. I have traveled to amazing places and through greater minds. This year has definitely been a good year for reading.

So here is my list of the top.... books of 2014. No I couldn't pick just 10, so just go with it. And don't even ask me to put them in order because I could no sooner pick my favorite star, or ice cream flavor.

In no particular order...
~Sweet Redemption and Sweet Requiem by Bailey Ardisone if you have ever been to this blog or have read my reviews of these books then this is a no brainer. From the second I entered the world with Nari, Mycah, and Rydan I was swept away in a world of magic, elves, and amazing characters! This book was everything that I wanted in an ending. It broke my heart and mended it completely. Simply put, it was perfection.


~From the Wreckage Series by Michele G Miller yes all of them. I have been a fan of Michele's since she first asked me to read her first book Never Let You Fall, but what she did with this series blew me away. There aren't words to describe the incredible story that she spun. The depth of the characters emotions, their pain, it was so real. I have never been so connected to characters like I was... no am to the ones in this series. I have never felt so much emotion and pain from any book let alone an entire series. But this one killed me and made me soar all at the same time. A beautiful wreckage.

~Vampire Down by Steven Montano What can I say about this book? It was the ending to an incredible series. A series in which my heart was in my throat the entire time. I had never seen an author be as brutal to his MC than Steven Montano. When I first started this series I loathed him for it. Believe me, we had many conversations about his treatment of his characters. But over time I began to understand it. Of course it didn't make reading it any easier and he broke my heart more than a time or two, but I knew why he did it. I accepted that it had to happen, his books were better for it too. Each and every one of them. And this book was no different. Steven Montano put his characters through the most incredible hell, but I can't help but love the way he does it, with such flare. What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment. This book definitely punished, but it was also the explosive ending I had hoped for.

~Evernight and Everlasting by Candace Knoebel this series definitely took me by surprise. I thought I would like it, but I had no idea I would love it like I do. The story of Jaxen and Faye is one that immediately gripped my heart and soul. This story just sings to a believer in true love. This series gives me everything I desire... magic, action, sarcasm, love, and amazing characters and I know that I will be begging for more for many many years to come.

~Bad Blood by Nikki Jefford When Nikki Jefford started writing about vampire's and vampire hunters she turned the world on its head. Well at least for me she did. No one has ever written a story like these and I love every one of them. Not only does she put a great spin on vampire hunters, but she writes one hell of a kick butt main character... Aurora. Every book that Nikki publishes in this series makes me thirst for more!

~Wings of Lomay by Devri Walls Tears. That's the first thing I think of when I think of this book. No author has ever stomped on my heart like Devri did in this book. But she did it in such a beautiful way that I can't help but love her for it. I know why she did what she did and respect her for making the decision, but man she crushed me like never before. I seriously had to stop reading to collect myself. Hell I cried for a good week every time I thought about this book. Hands down emotional and amazing! AMAZING ending... beautiful, glorious, sad, magnificent, everything it needed to be.

  ~Dumb White Husbands vs. Zombies: The Zomnibus by Benjamin Wallace This was by far the funniest book I've read this year. Probably more than that. There is something about the way that Ben tells a story that makes it so real. There is so much of him in his books, his personality, and his humor. The characters in this book could easily be my next door neighbors. This is exactly how I imagine the zombie apocalypse going. Maybe not this hilarious, but pretty dang close. Definitely one of my favorites.

~Mythology: The Wicked by Helen Boswell Demons. Beautiful demons. Good demons. Is that even a thing? Well in this book it is. And boy does Helen know how to write beautiful demons. What else can I say besides... yum! And beautiful? Oh I know, this book, well Micah... makes dark and bad oh so good. :)

~Never Let You Go by Michele G Miller I was so happy to get this book. The way that Michele left my heart at the end of Never Let You Fall was just cruel, but trust me when I say it was nothing compared to what she did to me in this book. This book had me questioning everything. It also made me extremely pissed at Michele. She was ripping my heart out and I'm pretty sure she enjoyed every minute of it. She still holds my heart. And she will until I finally get closure... finally get my answers! I wonder, will she be the second author to crush my heart with glee? Have you seen that cover??? That guy.... Xander is pure awesomesauce! And yes one of the reasons I love this book.

~Penumbra by Logan Patricks When Logan Patricks first started this series he did something that I had never witnessed in a book. He completely took me by surprise and I'm pretty sure every other reader out there. There is something so incredible about the way he tells a story. I swear this should be a movie. I know that's how it plays in my mind. Everything is so real, vivid, that I'm right there. I felt everything these characters felt, everything. Logan completely took my breath away with this story and again left me flabbergasted and in shock. 

Through the Ever Night and Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi  Now I just read these books, and I do mean just read them so they are definitely fresh in my mind. I read Under the Never Sky almost a year ago and Through the Ever Night has been sitting on my shelf ever since. Don't ask me why it has been there this long because I loved, LOVED book 1. Any way I found it and devoured it in hours. I then ran to the nearest library and got Into the Still Blue man what an amazing series. Definitely the best dystopian series I have ever read! EVER! And it was definitely an excellent way to end my year.

And there you have it. My Favorite books of the year. Of course I read many excellent books, many. But these are the ones that continue to stick with me. The ones that I hold in my heart and the ones I will continue to carry with me.

So, what are your top books of 2014... or should I say were your top books?

Looking Back.... Looking Ahead

2014 is almost gone... in fact it is already gone for most of you, I however still have 1 hour and 12 minutes left until 2015 sweeps in and makes me curse writing the date. Of course by the time you read this it will be 2015 here. 

What can I say about 2014? It was a year that kicked my butt. The first half of the year was great. I was on fire with blogging, writing, teaching, everything. I actually published my first book! (Can I just take a second to let that sink in? I still can't believe I... I published a book. Like a real book. I can see it sitting on my shelf and everything.) Okay, moment is over. 

The minute I hit publish on that book everything changed. Naturally I began to doubt my decision to publish my book. But the book was out there so it was too late. Now all I could do was dwell on the fact that it was out there. Then the what if's sort of froze me. My doubts froze me. I no longer felt like I had what it took to write a second book. Oh sure, I had the second book mostly outlined, a plan for a prequel and even plans for book 3. How could I think of not continuing? That's exactly what I'm thinking now, how could I, but I did. 

Life happened. Things at work got crazy, I got promoted and took on way more responsibility than I ever had before. I took my classroom and students to heights I didn't think possible. But everything else fell short. I stopped blogging. I stopped reading. I stopped doing everything that mattered to me. I just was. I was in a funk, depressed, I don't know. I was a shadow of the person I wanted to be, but I couldn't seem to find a way to change it. In fact a part of me didn't even care. I didn't want to change it. What was wrong with not being so busy all the time. Life was busy enough without all the extras I put into it. 

But then I began to see glimmer's of myself. I began to see my old self floating to the surface again. She surfaced a few times over the past 6 months, but I was fast to shove her back under. I never let her surface for too long. Looking back now I think I was afraid. Afraid to fail? To succeed? I don't know. But again my fear froze me. Slowly but surely she fought herself to the surface more and more. Each time bringing more than glimmers. I began to see that I still wanted to do all the things I was doing before. I still desired, yearned, to be a writer and blogger and that wasn't a bad thing. 

I finally picked up a book and enjoyed it. I began thinking of my characters again, of Jo and Jasper. Of the story that lie in waiting for over 6 months now. Stories untold began to float through my mind and a fire was stoked. I picked up things for my blog, cover reveals, blasts, blitz's, small things. Nothing that really required me to think, but it was enough to make me miss it. 

And now I'm back. Or at least I think I am. Well I want to be. 2014 wasn't everything I wanted it to be. It was a good year overall, but it wasn't everything I wanted it to be and like most of you I have spent the last couple of days reflecting on exactly what I need to do to make 2015 better. To make myself happier. 

And I have come to one conclusion.... I need to just be me. I need to accept the fact that I cannot be the perfect blogger, posting everyday, I can't be the best teacher there ever was, I can't be the perfect author, and heaven knows I can't be a perfect mother or wife. But I do know that I can better.

I can be a better blogger today than I was yesterday. A better writer. Teacher. And yes a better wife and mother. Because that's all I really want. I don't want to be perfect. I just want to be better. I don't know how I will measure it, but hopefully I will feel it in the happiness of myself and those around me. 

One thing is for certain... I am going to rock the hell out of 2015!!! Who's with me???

Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter: Hunting Season {Cover Reveal}

Today is an awesome day. Not only is it my birthday, but I get to share the cover of the next book in the Aurora Sky series with you! Talk about an awesome gift! And the best part is that I get to share it with all of you. So here you go, feast your eyes on Hunting Season by Nikki Jefford (one of my favorite people)

Releases 3-3-15

Hunting Season

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 4

Blurb~

Better to be a hunter, not prey.
 Ever since her partner was kidnapped, Aurora Sky has been on a personal mission to get him back. To do that she needs the vampire responsible for destroying her life.
 In order to have a snowball’s chance at success, she’ll have to team up with her most loyal friends—including a certain vampire in black with a provoking talent for distraction.
 Old cravings aren’t easily quenched, nor past passions. With knowledge comes danger and Aurora is at risk on all sides.

Pre-order on Amazon or sign up for a Release Alert to receive links to Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iBooks. Add at Goodreads.

Cover design: Phatpuppy Art. Photography: Teresa Yeh. Typography: Najla Qamber Designs. Models: Gabriella and Lee.

About the Author:

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan, born & raised in Anchorage, now living in northern Washington state. She loves meeting people from all walks of life, from around the globe, and wouldn't trade her French husband in for anyone--not even Spike! The dark side of humanity fascinates her, so long as it's balanced by humor and romance.

Find Her: Facebook | Twitter | Blogger | Goodreads

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly {Nerd Blast}

Blurb~

They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...
  Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.

But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

Find It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

I have to say, I am really digging that cover! Wow! Stunning, this book is definitely going on my TBR!

Check out the book trailer...

About the Author~

Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.
  L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. You can follow her on Twitter at @LA_Weatherly

Find Her: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Giveaway

International... 6 winners will receive a Copy of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Giveaway Link