July 30, 2013

So this happened today

20130730-211147.jpgAnd I am so freaking pissed off right now. This was my e-reader, which I dropped and now the screen is frozen, for lack of a better word. I am posting this everywhere and just waiting for the dead tree book people to drag out their soapboxes and start, “Now if that was a REAL book, it wouldn’t have broken when you dropped it.”

So help me if they start shit with me I’m taking an axe and chopping up their fucking soapboxes and setting fire to them! Breaking my e-reader is like having a flood destroy all your books or finding out the library has closed, permanently! It’s not just one book, it’s all my books, my magazines, my knitting patterns and my Bible.

Leave me I need to be alone now.

Posted by on July 30, 2013 in Miscellanea and tagged , , , .

Comments Off on So this happened today

July 22, 2013

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

DarknessShowsStarsFormat: eBook
Pub. Date: 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Type: Fiction ~ Library Book
Pages: 402
Read: 07/22/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥♡

Luddite – one of the 19th century English workmen who destroyed laborsaving machinery that they thought would cause unemployment

Luddite – any opponent of technological progress

When a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, those who were not effected formed a ruling class and imposed laws that outlawed technology, establishing protocols that froze advancement and have cut them off from the rest of the world. They are referred to as the Luddite Nobility. The upper class charged with taking care of the “Reduced”, but in some cases taking advantage of them. Elliot North is a Luddite Noble who is still in love with Kai, a servant and in the class referred to as COR, Child Of Reduced. The COR do not like this name, they prefer to call themselves Posts, since they no longer have the effects of the Reduced, now children born are either Reduced or Posts. Both classes are kept in servitude to the Luddites, unless they are able to run away and survive life off the Luddite Estates. Kai was one who ran away, Elliot, bound to her estate and the responsibilities of it, let him go without her.

Now the Post-Reductionists are trying to change things, bringing back technology and wanting to explore, looking for other lands, and Elliot’s estate is foundering, she worries she will not be able to provide food over the winter for the Posts that live there. She takes the bold step of renting land to the Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders, their best pilot and explorer is Captain Malakai Wentforth, who is Kai reinvented. Prosperous now and over Elliot.

The story is told in the present and from letters that Elliot and Kai wrote to each other before he ran away. In this manner we learn of how much they loved each other and how much heartbreak they must be now experiencing.

Everyone in this story has a secret, I got a little annoyed that Elliot couldn’t figure something out that I picked up on from the start. However, with the responsibilities she shouldered it was difficult to remember she was only 18. Also the Jane Austen references and quotes from Persuasion lost me, I’ve never read any Jane Austin, but appropriate since this is a love story, set in a strictly regimented society.

This book is called a romance, but it is more than that as it talks about life and overcoming obstacles and compromise. I would recommend it, but not to action, thriller fans. It is part of a series but can be read without the other books.

Posted by on July 22, 2013 in 2013, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, YA Fiction and tagged , , , , , , , .

Comments Off on For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

July 21, 2013

Nomad by J.L. Bryan ~ Review and Giveaway

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

NOMAD_by_JL_BryanFormat: eBook
Pub. Date: 2013
Publisher: http://www.jlbryanbooks.com
Type: Fiction ~ ARC
Pages: eBook
Read: 07/21/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥♡

A new dystopian novel from the author of Jenny Pox – coming July 26.

In J.L. Bryan’s version of the future, the United States is ruled by a dictatorship, the cities are war zones with armed forces battling rebels. This is the life Raven knows, trained since she was a child to fight. It is from this future that Raven travels back in time to change history.

The book starts with Raven appearing along a highway in 2013, she is disoriented and suffering from loss of memory, but she knows she doesn’t belong here because everything seems ‘wrong’. Almost immediately agents from her own time show up to try to kill her. As she regains her memories and uses information she has from the future, she realizes she is in this time period to change the future.

While there is plenty of action in the beginning of the book, it evens out. We follow Raven as she marvels at how different this world is from hers and realizes exactly what has to happen to bring about the desired changes. There are no big plot twists here but a solid plot line that heats up when necessary.

The action was easy to follow and there were no WTF? or huh? moments. What happens to Raven when she changes history is dealt with in a way that actually kind of made sense. As much as science fiction and fantasy can make sense. I would recommend this book. It is different from Jenny Pox, as much as two people are different but the same solid story telling is here as was in Jenny Pox.

Also I have a copy of this book to give away, it is in electronic format. For one entry make a comment on this post, you will have to list your e-mail since I have to e-mail the book to you. For two additional entries follow me on twitter, UES_Bella. For three additional entries like my facebook page, Bella Foxx. I’ll draw a winner next week.

Posted by on July 21, 2013 in 2013, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller and tagged , , , , , , .

Comments Off on Nomad by J.L. Bryan ~ Review and Giveaway

July 17, 2013

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane | Things That Happened On The Way To Somewhere Else

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane | Things That Happened On The Way To Somewhere Else.

Posted by on July 17, 2013 in Fantasy, Fiction, Guest reviewer, Novel and tagged , .

Comments Off on The Ocean At The End Of The Lane | Things That Happened On The Way To Somewhere Else

July 14, 2013

Duel with the Devil by Paul Collins

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

DuelDevilThe True Story of How ALEXANDER HAMILTON & AARON BURR Teamed Up to Take on America’s First Sensational Murder Mystery
Format: Trade Paperback
Pub. Date: 6/4/2013
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Type: Non-Fiction, True Crime ~ ARC
Pages: 218
Read: 7/14/2013
Rating: Really liked it ♥♡♥

Something happened while I was reading this book that has never happened before. I was so engrossed in reading that I missed my stop. Seriously I have never done that before. That is how fascinating and interesting I found this book to be. This crime happened in 1799 in what is now known as SoHo. The site of the murder was a well known as the Manhattan Well. A young Quaker woman was murdered and a young man, referred to as one of her suitors, who lived in the same boardinghouse as she did was accused of the crime. There were many accusations but not much proof, he needed a dream team and the two top lawyers in Manhattan were hired. Those two men were Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

Paul Collins shows his skill as a historian in the information he conveys about how life was in Manhattan in 1799. He tells of the diseases that ran rampant and how clean water was vital to the city but not available, how Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton came to be such bitter rivals and how Ezra Weeks was able to hire these two men to defend his brother. He brings the turn of the century to life in an informative and interesting way.

He also describes in vivid detail the jail the accused was confined to and how trails were conducted at that time. This was a time of swift justice, citizens would riot if the outcome of a trial was not as they desired and men fought duels. Also included is how the trial transcripts was handled at that time.

The book also covers the aftermath of the trial, what happened to the girl’s family and the accused. The lawyers involved, he includes an account of the famous duel between Hamilton and Burr. He also recounts some information that was discovered long after the crime that points to a much more likely suspect, someone who was suspected at the time of the crime, but not enough evidence was available to accuse this person.

He also gives the street address of where the Manhattan Well was and still is, although it is in the basement of a restaurant and not able to be seen by the general public. He tells how he got this information and that the site is reported to be haunted. I have made of note of this spot and someday I plan on going there and asking them, “Is there a ghost in your basement?”

Posted by on July 14, 2013 in 2013, Historical True Crime, History, Non-Fiction and tagged , , , , , , , .

Comments Off on Duel with the Devil by Paul Collins

July 10, 2013

Rasputin by Joseph T. Fuhrmann

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

RasputinFormat: Hardbound
Pub. Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Wiley
Type: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Biography, History ~ Library Book
Pages: 320
Read: 07/10/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥

When I read a book I carry it around with me everywhere, that is the only way I can ever finish them. Walking into the elevator at work carrying this book someone looked and it and remarked: “Rasputin, the mad monk of Russia.” I just smiled at him, I was far enough in the book to realize what Joseph Fuhrmann said at the beginning of this book, Rasputin wasn’t a monk and he wasn’t mad. He is a fascinating historical figure, he is also complicated, unsavory, ambitious, manipulative, partially responsible for the end of the Russian Empire and in the end murdered.

Much of the information in this book is taken from previously closed Soviet archives and contains new information and pictures of Rasputin and others of the time. There are police reports and personal letters included. Mr. Fuhrmann is careful to keep the facts straight and explains when there are discrepancies between the official record and personal accounts, he will make a statement and report why he feels that is so. This is a very detailed account and while not boring, I found I could not really get into it, I had a lot of trouble finishing it. I gave it the rating I did because I found it informative and interesting even though I had trouble sticking with it.

In conclusion I would say that if you are really into Russian history or Rasputin and the Romanovs you might enjoy this book.

Posted by on July 10, 2013 in 2013, Biography, History, Non-Fiction and tagged , , , , , .

Comments Off on Rasputin by Joseph T. Fuhrmann

July 4, 2013

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

GraveyardBookFormat: eBook
Pub. Date: 9/30/2008
Publisher: HarperCollins
Type: Fiction, Fantasy ~ Library Book
Pages: 312
Read: 07/04/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥♡

This is a delightful story, it starts with a murder but if you think about it, a lot of fairy tales are filled with murder and child abuse and other nasty things. The main characters of this story are a baby who wanders into a graveyard, the inhabitants of the graveyard (ghosts), Silas (who is not of the living or the dead but has ‘rights’ to the graveyard) and a man named Jack. The baby is named Nobody, he is called Bod by his friends. He is a normal boy, subject to a normal boy’s desires, he is educated by the ghosts and Silas takes care of his needs. He is safe in the graveyard, outside is the man Jack who still searches for him.

Neil Gaiman is a masterful storyteller, after I read this I listened to “The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection”, it is a collection of short stories read by Mr. Gaiman and includes an interview with him by his daughter. As they say, it was short and sweet. Back to the Graveyard, Mr. Gaiman weaves a story with his words, he keeps Bod a real boy who although obedient is also curious and sometimes misbehaves. He is also smart and learns his lessons. I can’t say what they are because that would be spoilers.

The synopsis of this book on GoodReads calls The Graveyard Book ‘a luminous new novel’ ‘sure to enthrall readers of all ages’, I have to admit I agree with those statements.

Posted by on July 4, 2013 in 2013, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel and tagged , , , , , , .

Comments Off on The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

July 4, 2013

Jump When Ready by David Pandolfe

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

JumpWhenReadyFormat: eBook
Pub. Date: April 2013
Publisher: for Kindle
Type: Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller
Pages: xxx
Read: 06/24/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥

Henry is dead, or as the dead like to say ‘between lives’. He is with a group of teenagers that he appears to have nothing in common with, although we learn this is not the case. There are other groups around, Henry can hear them but never sees them. Having trouble adjusting to being dead, Henry hangs around and watches his family, in doing so he witnesses his sister being kidnapped. He wants to rescue her, but what can a ghost do?

While this is a ghost story it is also a story about family and responsibility, about doing the right thing, but most of all friendship and working as a team, since each ‘ghost’ has a special ability. That is pretty much all I’m saying since I don’t want to give anything away.

This was a quick read, took me a day and was a pleasant diversion, a light read even with the serious situation Henry’s sister is in.

Posted by on July 4, 2013 in 2013, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, YA Fiction and tagged , , , , .

Comments Off on Jump When Ready by David Pandolfe

July 4, 2013

A Child al Confino by Eric Lamet

If you enjoy reading my reviews, please like my page on Facebook: Bella Foxx

alConfinoThe True Story of a Jewish Boy and His Mother in Mussolini’s Italy
Format: eBook
Pub. Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 398
Read: 6/19/2013
Rating: Liked it ♥♡

While I knew that Mussolini and Hitler were allies, I never gave any thought to what happened to the Jewish people in Italy. This book opened my eyes to that part of history. The impression I got from this book was that Mussolini didn’t hate the Jews, but he wanted to stay on Hitler’s good side so he ordered them into what is referred to as ‘internal exile’.

This is the autobiography or memoirs of Eric Lamet, his parents managed a luxury hotel in Vienna when the Nazis invaded. He and his parents fled for their lives. Eric’s parents shielded him from the ugly truth of war so he spent much time thinking they ‘hated’ him and were moving around just to torture or inconvenience him. I am referring to torture as a seven year old who has had a luxurious upbringing would define it. He records the moves they had to make, how he had to leave beloved possessions behind and how although his mother loved him and protected him, he eventually came to understand the horror of war.

His father went to Poland, Eric and his mother ended up in a little village in Italy that lacked many modern conveniences, they were ‘confined’ here, as in they couldn’t leave without permission. They had to report each morning to the police.

It was very interesting seeing war from the perspective of a young boy far away from the actual fighting, he records honestly his feelings and his interactions with the villagers, the priest and even a German soldier. He is very honest about how at times he was confused, afraid and resentful of his situation. Through it all his love and admiration for his mother shines through.

Some reviewers have doubted the veracity of this account since the events Lamet is recalling happened so long ago, while I agree that some of the details my not be accurate, I think the feeling portrayed and accurate and found this book enlightening and interesting.

Posted by on July 4, 2013 in 2013, Biography, History, Memoir, Non-Fiction and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

Comments Off on A Child al Confino by Eric Lamet

June 24, 2013

NOMAD Cover Reveal

*Cover by PhatPuppy Art*

*Cover by PhatPuppy Art ( PhatPuppy Art )*

NOMAD a BRAND NEW release from J.L. Bryan, author of Jenny Pox (The Paranormals) series & The Songs of Magic series!

Book Details:

NOMAD by JL Bryan
Expected publication: July 26th 2013

They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood.

By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight.

Goodreads Link:

Nomad

Author Bio:
J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue.

Author Links:

Website: 
Twitter:
Goodreads:
Facebook:
Amazon:

Posted by on June 24, 2013 in Fantasy, Novel, Science Fiction and tagged , , .

1 Comment