Touchback by Don Handfield: 5+ stars

Let me just say right off that this goes on my Highly-recommended-and-I’ll-tell-everyone-I-know-to-read-it list. Yes, I have just such a list. It’s not very long. This book definitely makes it on.

So I guess you can say I really, really liked this book. 

The basic premise is familiar: what if you were given a second chance to change the moment that destroyed your life? That’s exactly what Murphy, a former high school football star, gets. Two completely different futures hinge on what he decides. He’s okay with that, but what he didn’t expect was that either way, a sacrifice is required.

This book works on several levels: as a story about second chances; superb character development and descriptions; as a reflection on what sacrifice and love really are; and ultimately about figuring out what’s really important. This is an easy read with profound consequences. Go buy it.

http://www.amazon.com/Touchback-ebook/dp/B007TXT9XA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349339357&sr=1-1&keywords=Touchback

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Scars of the Prophet, by Mingo Kane: 5+ stars

Sincerely, five stars are not enough for this masterfully written story by Mingo Kane. A young marine comes home after his third tour of duty in Iraq, and struggles to adapt to a society he doesn’t fit into anymore. As he buses across the country, Tom tries to grapple with interacting with his fellow passengers while experiencing a series of flashbacks to his time in Iraq. The plot is tight, the imagery searing, the writing rich and poetic, and the story deeply memorable. Scars of the Prophet will linger with you long after you turn the last page. I can’t recommend it enough, and I know I’ll be reading this book again.

http://www.amazon.com/Scars-Prophet-Novel-Romance-ebook/dp/B005UTVLT0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344331490&sr=1-1&keywords=scars+of+the+prophet

The Priest, by Monica La Porta: 4 stars

Mauricio is a man, and therefore a slave. Rosie is the President’s daughter in a society where women do not befriend men. The Priest by Monica La Porta is the story of what happens when two people break social taboos and fight against the laws and norms that keep them apart.

What I loved: Original and beautifully written. Vivid descriptions but not heavy handed. Great world building. I felt completely immersed in the believable and highly unorthodox society of Rosie and Mauricio. Some of the scenes are incredibly poignant and heart rendering. One of my favourites was when Mauricio is put in a room with a window, and sees sunlight for the first time in his life. 

What I didn’t like: This isn’t a major issue, but the last few chapters felt like they should have been another book in the series, more detailed and developed. There was just so much there – characters, new situations etc – that I wanted to know more about. Or at least there could have been another chapter linking the story to the end chapters.

Overall – this is going on my ‘highly recommended’ list!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Priest-Ginecean-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0075XAFWS/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349250458&sr=1-4&keywords=The+Priest

A Job from Hell, by Jayde Scott: 3 stars

Jayde Scott started this off brilliantly. Literally, I was almost breathless reading the opening chapters. A young woman arrives to work as the housekeeper in a creepy, remote mansion for a man who’s never around when she’s awake. The writing was good, the witty conversation great. And then it went kind of mushy after that. Not necessarily in a bad way, but just not up to the same strength as the beginning.

The storyline of A Job from Hell is pretty solid if not basic, with a few original twists and characters: turns out Amber won a paranormal prize she wasn’t aware of winning, and the problem is, she’s mortal. Enter Adrian, the mystery employer, who’s determined to save Amber and win her heart, if he doesn’t kill her first.

Stuff I loved: smart one-liners, great humor and snappy conversations. This was definitely Jayde Scott’s strength. There were also a few unusual characters in the mix, including Satan’s daughter, and a species called the Shadows that I really want to know more about.

Stuff I didn’t like as much: I already mentioned the mush. I’ve got nothing against romance, but I have to admit to a tendency I have: I start rolling my eyes when a story relies heavily on soul mates, predestined love and repeated declarations of undying adoration, unless it’s very well done. And even then, I don’t want to read about it every few pages.

Amber kept flipping back and forth between “No way can I stay with him, he’s way too dangerous” to “I’d give up everything to save him”. Seriously, make up your mind. And there were a few inconsistencies, like how does a vampire wake up with his heart beating rapidly? Being dead kinda implies his heart no longer works, right?

But that’s just me. I actually think it was a decently written story, despite the bits I rolled my eyes at, and I know other more romantically inclined readers will enjoy it.

http://www.amazon.com/From-Hell-Ancient-Legends-ebook/dp/B004YTI17M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349251738&sr=1-1&keywords=A+job+from+hell

One foot in the grave, by Jeaniene Frost: 5 stars

So after devouring the first book in this series, I immediately bought one Foot in the Grave, which continues the story of Cat and Bones. Cat has a new boss now and a new support team, but we know where her heart and mind really are. The energy and intensity is still high and the action is non-stop.

If you like the Sookie Stackhouse stories, you’ll love this series. It’s not as dark and even more fun. Jeaniene Frost maintains her strong writing style and great story flow, and gives us more insights into this crazy world she’s created. Love it! Not for the kiddies to read…

http://www.amazon.com/Foot-Grave-Night-Huntress-ebook/dp/B0010SEMP0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349251469&sr=1-1&keywords=one+foot+in+the+grave