Review of Death of Mad Hatter by Sarah J.Pepper

Death of the Mad Hatter

by Sarah J. Pepper

(Taken from Goodreads)

Paperback, 333 pages

Published November 29th 2013 by CreateSpace

ISBN 1492823910 (ISBN13: 9781492823919)

The Jack prophesied: If the king loses his head, then the Queen with a Bleeding Heart would rule the Red Court until Time ceased to move forward. When a second carried on for infinity, every creature in Wonderland would tip their Hat to the misfit girl with a Boy’s name (or was it a boy with a Girl’s name?) who’d end the Reign of Terror. However, it all hinged on the One-Eyed Hare being able to convince an uninspirable Heir that the impossible was indeed possible—like stopping time—and that Love was worth a Beheading.

Heads would Roll…
Hearts would Break…
In the end, would it matter who Reigned?

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My Review:

Lets start with this colorful and beautiful cover! A young blond lady with a cute little hat. Her eye make-up is something else, It is super cool with these feather like lashes and beautiful hues of purples and blues as eye-shadow, completing the look off with the small heart lip in blue of course. It made me want to know, who she was, and why on earth was this her style. 

So I must admit, that when the author, Sarah J. Pepper contacted me and sent me the synopsis of the book, I loved it, however, I had a fear because I have NEVER read Alice in Wonderland (yes... you read that correctly), I've never read the books, or seen any movies. The closest reference I have is the TV show 'Once Upon A Time' where Mad Hatter is on there.

So with that being said, I am reading this book as is with no Alice reference.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! What a cute story about a girl and a boy with amazing twists and turns. We meet a young lady named Alice Mae and a young man named Ryley Edward Edgers. Ryley is minding his own business attending his high school classes, being a jock, when in walks Alice Mae. The new girl with LOADS of secrets and her eyes on Ryley. 

Alice Mae is mysterious, she is not the average teen-aged girl, with her spunky look, riddle talk and an unsafe candy habit. Oh and a love for stuffed bunnies. She leaves Ryley intrigued. 

Ryley has his own skeletons in the closet, and it seems that Alice Mae's arrival has begun to allow Ryley's closet to open.. but why? Alice Mae is more than meets the eye. 

The author Sarah J. Pepper did a wonderful job with a love/hate feeling for all her characters. Even giving the supporting characters such a strong personality, that makes the reader wanting to know more about each of them. Pepper made the read seamless with different point-of-views, which I personally love. This book left me with my mouth open amazed. Pepper really gave a great ending.

I don't know how the original story went, I was nervous about reading this book because of not knowing the classic book.  The beauty of Pepper is that she made this book a standalone, the reader does not need to know the classic to enjoy this book over and over again. Pepper has me wanting to read Alice in Wonderland really bad now.

This book is by far a... Blazing Hot - Could Not Put It Down book.

                 (The Hotties are on a 4 flame rating scale. Click the link to learn more of the rating scale) 

                                        ____________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(Taken from Author's website)

Sarah J. Pepper specializes in dark, paranormal romance – think “happy ever after” but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn’t only filled with hugs, kisses, unicorns, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It’s in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of – both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn’t always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn’t mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit?

Sarah J. Pepper’s Novels

Of Course the World is Flat

Archangel * Forbidden Beloved

Devil’s Lullaby * Death’s Melody * Angel’s Requiem

Forgotten * Twisted Games * Book #3 Coming Soon

Fallen Tears

Death of the Mad Hatter

Novels available Online at

Barnes & Noble, Amazon,Kobo, iTunes,Smashwords 

Connect with Sarah J. Pepper

Website - http://www.peppersreadingcorner.com/

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/sarahjpepper

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5762464.Sarah_J_Pepper

Christmas Surprise Blog Tour by Kirby Puckernut

Tour Schedule

Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise Kirby Puckernut is Santa’s cleverest little elf. While dreaming up marvelous toys for good girls and boys, Kirby has his best idea yet – a real elf in every home, all through the holidays, spreading Christmas Magic Santa finds the perfect family and allows Kirby to serve as the test elf for the first momentous visit. Fun and adventure are at every turn, but not everything goes as planned… Will Kirby’s idea be a success.
 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Peek Inside

Book Trailer




  About the Author Author Alicia Richardson has created a new Christmas classic with her children’s book, Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise. Alicia Richardson resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and four children. She has always had a flair for storytelling, and has given life to a special little elf named Kirby Puckernut.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

  Tour Giveaways Giveaway#1

5 winners will each recieve a copy of Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Suprise + Kirby Elf Open to US Only Ends 12/31/13

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Review of Ocean of Fear by Helen Hanson

Ocean of Fear

by Helen Hanson

(Taken from Goodreads)

Paperback, 292 pages

Published August 26th 2013 by Domino INK

Meet Baxter Cruise. Gifted robotics student. Spammer for hire. His cozy world of lattes and free wi-fi explodes when a hippie professor disappears, and Baxter discovers a lady professor’s warm corpse on campus.

With his secretive lifestyle, he hasn’t cultivated any real friends. When a student asks for help with a class assignment, Baxter figures it’ll throttle his funk. But the guy blackmails Baxter into programming narcotics delivery vehicles for a notorious cartel. Working for drug lords rattles the needle on Baxter’s errant moral compass, but it’s better than a bullet in the head.

Beautiful FBI agent Claudia Seagal tracks the professor’s brutal assassin, but every angle of her investigation leads to Baxter. He’s hiding something and in far too deep to cooperate with the law.

Baxter ignores the cartel’s depravity until he watches an innocent woman die. When he wakes up on a plane, it’s too late for remorse. In bed with dangerous allies, the cartel requires Baxter’s talent until the robots are complete. Then, he and thousands of others face certain death unless Baxter can find a way to escape.

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My REVIEW:

Lets start with what I love. The Cover! This cover left me really wondering, “What the heck is this going to be about?” A helicopter traveling over the water. The sky a bit grey, like a storm is brewing, but further past is brighter skies. Was this a metaphor? Is the ‘c’ in ocean an Arabian Saber? What does that symbolize? And to literally put the cherry on top, the word “FEAR” is in read.. I was ready for the tackle. When I entered my kindle version of the book and saw 78 chapters, I almost ran scared. But realized the book was only 292 pages.. whew.

We meet the Baxter Cruise. He is a handsome student that makes the lady’s head turn. He is super smart, a robotics engineering student. He has a business that is very lucrative, although very sketchy.  In his mind life is good. Then in a matter of days, his assumption of life really takes a nose dive.

His mentoring professor is missing, which really upsets Baxter. But then Baxter finds a dead professor, with this find he gets an unexpected introduction to the beautiful FBI agent, Claudia Seagal with questions about his recent discovery. Did I mention that Baxter is in the line of work of sketchy? Ok, it is technically illegal, but its so small of a thing, right? And to add more to Baxter's plate, he now has gotten involved with a drug cartel!!!

Illegal job + dead professor + missing professor + FBI Agent + Drug Cartel = Baxter Cruise nose deep into some mess with only a spoon to shovel out!

For Baxter this is where life changes everything he knows and thinks he knows. Dramatically! And where on earth is his mentor at?

Author Helen Hanson gives the reader an action packed book with several different points of view, this I love.  I think the helicopter on the cover is a great metaphor for the up, down and bumpy ride Hanson gives her readers. She makes her readers need to eagerly turn each page to find answers AND then when the reader thinks its figured out, Hanson throws a curve ball.

That’s what a thriller is about. The unknown, the “what the heck?” questions, the sit on the edge of your seat with your eyes bulging, not believing what’s going on moments.

This book is without a doubt, a HOT - Page Turner

(The Hotties are on a 4 flame rating scale. Click the link to learn more of the rating scale) 

______________________________________________

THE AUTHOR

Bestselling Kindle author Helen Hanson writes thrillers about desperate people with a high-tech bent. Hackers. The CIA. Industry titans. Guys on sailboats. Mobsters. Their personal maelstroms pit them against unrelenting forces willing to kill. Throughout the journey, they try to find some truth, a little humor, and their humanity — from either end of the trigger.

While Helen writes about the power hungry, she genuinely mistrusts anyone who wants to rule the world.

Helen directed operations for high-tech manufacturers of semiconductors, video games, software, and computers. Her reluctant education behind the redwood curtain culminated in a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrated studies in Computer Science. She also learned to play a mean game of hacky sack.

She is a licensed private pilot with a ticket for single-engine aircraft. Helen and her husband spent their first anniversary with their flight instructor studying for the FAA practical. If you were a passenger on a 737 trying to land at SJC in 1995, she sends her most sincere apologies. Really.

Born in fly-over country, Helen has lived on both coasts, near both borders, and at several locations in between. She lettered in tennis, worked as a machinist, and saw the Clash at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium sometime in the eighties. She currently lives amid the bricks of Texas with her husband, son, and a dog that composes music with squeaky toys.

If you enjoy her books, please consider writing a review. If you don’t, please be kind.

Want to learn more about Helen? Click away...

WEBSITE

GOODREADS

TWITTER

PINTEREST

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Death Is But A Dream - Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

 Death is but a Dream

by Erin Hayes

Death is but a Dream by Erin Hayes
Publication date: Fall, 2013
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, 

Mythology

Synopsis:

Caught between life and death, all Callie wants is to live again.

Homicide detective Callie Saunders knows that death isn’t all pearly gates and angels. After being hit by a bus, she finds that it's the ancient gods and goddesses of Greek mythology who are in charge of everything.

So when Hades offers her a deal, she accepts. If she wants to be brought back to life, she’ll have to figure out who is trying to kill his son. But if she fails, both her soul and the world will be destroyed.

With the odds mounting against her, it’ll take everything she has within her to wake up from death. But the rules are constantly changing. And someone wants her to stay dead

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 ______________________________

 My Review

Between the cover and the title, I was very excited to see what this book was about. The cover shows a young lady dressed in a black dress, hands to her chest and her looking down. The expression on her face seems to be sad, or could it be deep in thought? Hmm, hopefully the book will answer that question. 

Behind her is the silhouette  of either one large tree or several trees, mainly their branches what looks like the end of fall, where the leaves are almost all gone and the tree is just ready for winter. Could the tree branches be a symbolism for life and/or death? 

Grey skies fill the sky behind the trees and the young lady, but you can see a little peak of sunlight. Could this mean that the storm is almost over?

Way too many questions that I am eager to find out.

Last but not least, I love, love, love the font the author chose for the title. It fits so perfectly with the picture.

Now the question is, how was the book?

The book was such a fun read! I could not put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I love how the author Erin Hayes incorporated her character, Callie Saunder's life with Greek Mythology. I especially loved how Callie and my knowledge on Greek Mythology is almost the same. Although I think Callie had me beat in some of it.

In the story we meet a very strong character, Callie Saunders, who takes many licks and keeps her head high and keeps it moving. Not even Greek Gods and Goddesses are a match for her strength. And I think that was one of the best qualities author Hayes could have given her character. 

Oh and when did Hades son become Hunk-a-licious? Thanks Erin Hayes for that one! But on a more serious note, Hayes made Hades son remarkable. I do not know much of Greek Myth but I can say this, she made Hades son's character one to love, admire and most of respect.

Hayes will give her reader a spectacular journey. What I absolutely loved most about the book was that when it felt like it could end, it didn't. Hayes kept the journey going. And if this was a real ride, the reader would be left breathless, with sweat beading down their face, but wanting more and more. That is the ingredients needed for a fabulous book.  

You don't have to be a Greek Myth buff to enjoy this fun book, and I realize that fun and death is an oxymoron, but it is a fun read although death is brought up in the book. It isn't dark or sad. It just is, and it is part of the book and it makes the book what it is. (did I loose you?) 

Hayes could have ended the book a thousand different ways but her ending was beautiful and simple. It could easily be a series or just a very great stand alone book. 

Without a doubt, on the hottie scale, this book is BLAZING HOT - Could Not Put It Down!!!

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery Death is but a Dream and the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly Average. You can reach her at tiptoegirl87@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Author Links:

Website: http://erinsalterego.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5335865.Erin_Hayes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinhayes5399

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Bitter Like Orange Excerpt - Book Blog

Bitter Like Orange Peel

by Jessica Bell

 

Paperback, 268 pages

Published November 1st 2013 by Vine Leaves Press

original title: Bitter Like Orange Peel

ISBN:0987593110 (ISBN13: 9780987593115)

Six women. One man. Seven secrets. One could ruin them all.

Kit is a twenty-five-year-old archaeology undergrad, who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty. Life seems purposeless. But if she could track down her father, Roger, maybe her perspective would change.

The only problem—Roger is as rotten as the decomposing oranges in her back yard according to the women in her life: Ailish, her mother—an English literature professor who communicates in quotes and clichés, and who still hasn’t learned how to express emotion on her face; Ivy, her half-sister—a depressed archaeologist, with a slight case of nymphomania who fled to America after a divorce to become a waitress; and Eleanor, Ivy’s mother—a pediatric surgeon who embellishes her feelings with medical jargon, and named her daughter after "Intravenous."

Against all three women’s wishes, Kit decides to find Roger.
Enter a sister Kit never knew about.
But everyone else did

__________________________________________

 Book Excerpt

Bitter Like Orange Peel: Excerpt 2

IVY

In the staff room at Seattle’s Ditsy Daisy’s Café, Ivy is having a cigarette break when her mother, Eleanor, calls. With one glance at the caller ID, she switches her to voice mail. The last thing she needs right now is to be told she should quit smoking. Especially by someone who has the ability to scare the pants off an extinct ape with medical facts and statistics. Not to mention the fact that she was lectured enough about her smoking from her ex-husband, Amir. Enough to last her till she finds the missing link.

On Ivy’s way out, her colleague, Raquel, gives her a snarly look as she returns to the floor. People are starting to walk out. She’s been swamped with take-out coffees and unable to tend to seated customers. Ivy grabs her computerized notepad and approaches a middle-aged man with long grey hair in a ponytail, the only man alone in the whole café. He is wearing cowboy boots and has a briefcase under his chair.

Two things I never thought I’d see together.

“I’ll have an Americano, please, ma’am. And don’t put any sugar in it. Last time, the waitress put sugar in it.” The man relieves a tickle in his nostril with his long pinky fingernail. He squeezes and rubs his nose several times during this request, interrupting his serious glare at Ivy with the occasional inspection of his fingertips.

What the hell am I doing working here?

“Of course, sir. I apologize for that, but it sounds very unusual because we never put sugar in the coffee ourselves. We leave that up to the customer for convenience.” Ivy stands still, electronic pen to computerized notepad, fake smile on her face, trying not to look at the contents excavated from the man’s nasal passage that he’s rolling between his thumb and forefinger.

“Well, I know that. But I was just making sure you understood I don’t want you to put any sugar in it, ma’am.” He rubs his fingers on a napkin.

Ivy tries not to gag. “Okay. No problem at all. Americano with no sugar it is then.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m so very grateful you find it no problem, seeing as you are the waitress and all. Oh! Ah, bring me a donut too.”

 Ivy smiles at his sarcasm and grits her teeth beneath her glossy lips. Glad I risked being late this morning for a new lip gloss. Tangy, tasty. Complete shame I now associate it with snot.

Ivy returns with his coffee and donut covered in icing sugar. She is about to serve another customer, when she hears him groan and click his fingers in the air.

“Ma’am. Can you please come here?” He pounds his fist on the table. Ivy rushes to him. “You goddamn waitresses don’t give a good goddamn what customers want. All you girls care about is flirting with the pretty boys and touching up your makeup. You went ahead and put goddamn sugar in my coffee after I asked you specifically not to, didn’t you? Where’s your boss? I want to speak to your boss.” He taps his heel. It’s heavy, firm. No rhythm, no soul.

Flirting with the pretty boys? Touching up makeup? How dare you!

“I’m afraid he has just left, sir, but I assure you I did not put any sugar in your coffee. As I said earlier, we never put sugar in any of our customers’ coffee.”

“Well then, smarty-pants, can you explain why my coffee tastes so goddamn sweet?”

Ivy knows exactly why his coffee tastes sweet. But she doesn’t know if she has the balls to tell him. Perhaps she’ll embarrass him. Or even worse, get spat in the face in front of an entire coffee shop of curious customers looking her way. It’s happened before.

“Well, sir. I believe your coffee is sweet because—”

“Yes? Yes? Spit it out, doll.” A chunk of chewed donut escapes onto his chin as he utters the word spit. Everyone is staring in their direction.

“Because you seem to be dipping your donut in your coffee, sir, and it’s covered in icing sugar.”

The entire coffee shop bursts into laughter and applauds. Ivy can’t help but offer a victorious smile. He looks around, blushes a colour Ivy has never seen a man blush before, downs his coffee, throws a few coins on the table, and puts the remainder of his donut into his briefcase. It’s full of sheet music, a harmonica, and a tambourine. A struggling musician? Now Ivy feels sorry for him. Well, sort of.

_______________________________

About the Author

(Taken from Goodreads)

If Jessica Bell could choose only one creative mentor, she'd give the role to Euterpe, the Greek muse of music and lyrics. This is not only because she currently resides in Athens, Greece, but because of her life as a 30-something Australian-native contemporary fiction author, award-winning poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist, whose literary inspiration often stems from songs she's written.

Being the daughter of a semi-famous rock 'n' roll duo from Melbourne, she grew up surrounded by song. For a while it seemed logical to travel the musician's path, especially when her first band, spAnk, hit it off in the Melbourne indie music scene back in the late 90s. Although she spent her years writing and recording dozens of songs she decided she also had a love for the written word, and began to pursue a career as a writer.

She started as a poet, drawing from her musical background and etching her thoughts and feelings into verse. Those stanzas soon turned into sentences and paragraphs, and eventually into published books. Her literary voice is said to overflow with "lyrical descriptions, unique metaphors, tight dialogue, and an abundance of sensory detail." She has also been told she has the ability to take a seemingly ordinary three-chord type story and turn it into a main stage event.

In addition to her novels, her poetry collections (including FABRIC, which was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2012), and her pocket writing guides (WRITING IN A NUTSHELL SERIES), she has published a variety of works in online and print literary journals and anthologies, including Australia's Cordite Review, and the anthologies 100 STORIES FOR QUEENSLAND and SHADOWS AT THE STAGE DOOR, both released through Australia's, eMergent Publishing.

Additionally, she is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and makes a living as an editor/writer for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

Note: Check out the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop she annually runs. In 2012 she had Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest, this year, 2013, she has Katharine Sands, New York literary agent as the main instructor.

  

Contact the Author:

website:http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/

twitter username: MsBessieBell