Blog Archives

Review: A Monster of All Time

7/28/2019

Synopsis

Ambitious, attractive, and full of potential, five young college students prepared for the new semester. They dreamed of beginning careers and starting families. They had a lifetime of experiences in front of them. But death came without warning in the dark of the night. Brutally ending five promising lives, leaving behind three gruesome crime scenes, the Gainesville Ripper terrorized the University of Florida, casting an ominous shadow across a frightened college town.

What evil lurked inside him? What demons drove him to kill? What made him 'A Monster of All Time'?

Review

True Crime is a genre that I love (Murderino, right here), but one I have not read many books about. That is on purpose, of course. I am extremely picky about what true crime books I read because it is easily an area where people could exploit the victims. I also don’t like the idea of focusing whole-heartedly on the murderer. So, yes. I am picky.

I jumped at her chance on review A Monster of all Time because I’m (sadly) not offered many true crime books, but also, I had not heard of the Gainesville Ripper. Let me say, author JT Hunter did a fantastic job telling me exactly who the Gainesville Ripper was as he terrorized people near and at the University of Florida. This book has gripping and tragic details and also focuses on the victims - really giving us a glimpse into their lives and who they were. There is so much detail in these pages that all true crime lovers will be quite satisfied to fly through them. I especially appreciated the touch of orientation we get when Hunter reminds us that it wasn't that long ago from these murders that Ted Bundy had been running rampant near there as well. It helped place the events that unfold.

I recommend this to all true crime lovers. However, take heed that there is a lot of detail about these grisly murders. Proceed with caution.

1 Comment

Review: Kozart

7/25/2019

0 Comments

Kozart
by J. Nathan

Synopsis

Kozart Savage is the world’s biggest rock star.
At twenty-five, he’s got it all. Money. Fame. And the adoration of fans everywhere.
He thought that was enough to make him forget his past.
Enough to transform his distrusting heart.
Turns out that’s not how it works...
Then he meets a bridesmaid hiding out in a hotel bar.
Probably the only girl on the planet who doesn’t know who he is.
But she seems to be the one girl who can give him something no one else can.

Aubrey Prescott just discovered her boyfriend cheating—at her sister’s wedding.
Trying to escape humiliation, she seeks refuge in a hotel bar.
While trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of what was supposed to be an amazing senior year in college, a handsome stranger interrupts her wallowing.
A stranger who quickly makes her forget why she’s there.
One who, after an unforgettable night, disappears without a second glance.

But walking away doesn’t always mean letting someone go.

Review

First of all, I have to be honest and say I really don't like the cover of this book. I don't think it conveys just how sweet the story is. How do you actually convey that? I don't know, so don't listen to me - I just felt the need to say it.

I found Kozart to be a fantastic rock star romance. I found it refreshing that there's this rock star, Kozart, that has an honest to goodness problem, insomnia, and has enough insight to realize that maybe he's not cut out to be the stereotypical rock god everyone wants him to be. Aubrey is also a breath of fresh air as someone who is strong willed, understanding, and willing to accept her feelings. This book was so short, but so good - I didn't feel cheated in any sense. There was even a part that made me want to cry real tears (the skateboard. omg, the skateboard), and I definitely felt the pangs of hurt as our characters head toward the path of wanting and trying to be together.

I truly believe that lovers of the rock star trope will love this book - but most importantly, it's a great introduction for anyone wanting to love the romance genre. This is what it is - it makes you hurt a little, but you know you're gonna be okay. How many things or people can actually give you that guarantee?

0 Comments

Spotlight: Becoming Grim

7/24/2019

0 Comments

Becoming Grim
By Ashley Tomlinson
Genre: NA Urban Fantasy

Piper is running away from a cheating boyfriend and New York City when something terrible happens, her plane crashes. Instead of going to Heaven or even to Hell she goes to a whole other plane of existence. Now not only is she dead but she is a reaper learning the ropes to collecting souls from the handsome, Zeke.

Everything is going great until Piper sees something that she's not supposed to see. Now she is torn between keeping it to herself or putting her and everyone she's come to care for in danger.

About the Author

Ashley Tomlinson was born in a very small town in South Carolina and now she lives in a slightly larger city in South Carolina with her husband. Most days you can find her writing in her home office that is filled to the brim with books and candles. When she isn’t writing she’s spending time with her plethora of animals, curled up reading on her couch, painting, or crocheting a blanket that she will probably never finish. She also loves being apart of the bookstagram world, especially taking photos of books.

She knew she wanted to be a writer in high school but didn’t pursue it fully until she was in her twenties. Now not a day goes by when she isn’t in front of her laptop typing away. Her head is always in the clouds thinking up new scenes or coming up with a new book idea.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hyper_Ashley
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11855080-ashley-tomlinson
Website: http://www.hyperashley.com/

0 Comments

Review: Light from Distant Stars

7/17/2019

2 Comments

CLICK TO PURCHASE
Baker Book House * Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Christianbook.com * Lifeway * Books-A-Million
More Retailers

It's been a long time since I've started a book that had such a thrilling opening as Light from Distant Stars did. Shawn Smucker's words were gripping on that opening page. I truly did not find relief for the slight anxiety it caused me until much later.

Our protagonist, Cohen, is presented to us, seemingly as true as a character can be presented in the beginning chapter of a book, but it does not take long for the reader to wonder what exactly Cohen has done. His character is written on the surface - we truly do not understand who exactly Cohen is, nor can we fully trust what he is showing us even with his innermost thoughts. This is exemplary writing by Smucker - an unreliable narrator at his best.

The chapters of Light alternate between what is happening in the present, and flashbacks to, what we can assume, are important moments in Cohen's life. It shows us that Cohen is definitely an observer - one who has seen much more than he was ever supposed to growing up. Smucker lures us into Cohen's life story with these flashbacks to his past; however, the idea that Cohen is still not someone we can trust lingers in the background. The exceptional writing by Smucker dangles in between these two "worlds" - one where accidents happen and the other, a darker place, where choices are made and accidents are created. Light is an addicting read - each page sinking us further and further into this avenue of doubt - did Cohen do something bad, or is he simply a victim of circumstance?

Smucker's writing and thought provoking chain of events for his characters definitely keep you guessing - something I love in books like these. Can you consider this a thriller? A mystery? I'm not sure. I believe it falls more in a thriller category, but it also presents itself to be much too quiet to be a thriller. I can honestly say, however, that there is no particular genre that this book fits in, nor does there seem to be a singular word to describe what this work is. It is chilling and troubling as it is sad and heartbreaking.

Light from Distant Stars is a book that is impossible to put down - each short chapter makes the temptation to keep going so much greater! I say, give in and read the book - it’ll definitely keep you up at night.