Jen in Bookland

Afraid - A Novel of Terror Synopsis: ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? YOU WILL BE... Welcome to Safe Haven, Wisconsin. Miles from everything, with one road in and out, this peaceful town has never needed a full-time police force. Until now... A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom. And each will have this harrowing thought: Maybe death hasn't come to their town by accident... Review: I must say Jack Kilborn is a new favorite author of mine. I have been trying to read some good horror/thriller/suspense/whatever creepy books for Halloween. I love that kind of thing, but it is hard to find ones I actually enjoy. I keep trying ones from best of lists I have found and for th...

The Morbid and Sultry Tales of Genevieve Clare is now Live! Go pick up your copy now! Available on Amazon , Amazon.de , Barnes & Noble , and Goodreads Synopsis: My name is Genevieve Clare, professional mourner, destined to spend my days donning a black suit and throwing myself on top of caskets for money. Sometimes I mixed it up and threw myself on top of a willing warm body instead. Finding the right warm body though, that was a different story. "We’re all gonna die, Cookie. Death is the devil you know. The better you live, the more you piss him off, and he just hates that. Right now, you’re lettin’ him get his way.” About the Author: Julie is a Southern California native, a fan of a really good story (preferably romance with a happily ever after), really good pie (preferably pumpkin) and copious amounts of coffee (preferably Folgers). She has always enjoyed writing and at one time thought she could be a singer songwriter...

Rowdy: A Marked Men Novel Synopsis: The New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with this sizzling, sexy story of love, heartbreak, fate, and second chances. After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned. Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sis...

It is here! The second book in The Rusk University series! I am so so so excited to read this one. I loved the first book, All Lined Up, so I cannot wait to read this. It is finally here!   Amazon ** Amazon.de ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes ** Goodreads Synopsis: In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack’s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can’t only fight for what you believe in . . . sometimes you have to fight for what you love. Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one. Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and infuriating, she can’t help being fascinated with him. ...

The Missing Synopsis: A remote and affluent Maine community, Corpus Christi was untouched by the environmental catastrophe that destroyed the neighboring blue-collar town of Bedford. But all that will change in a heartbeat . . . The nightmare is awakened when third-grade schoolteacher Lois Larkin takes the children on a field trip to Bedford. There in the abandoned woods, a small, cruel boy unearths an ancient horror—a contagious plague that transforms its victims into something violent, hungry . . . and inhuman. The long, dark night is just beginning. And all hope must die as the contagion feeds—for the malevolence will not rest until it has devoured every living soul in Corpus Christi . . . and beyond. Review: The Missing was a good read. It was interesting because I didn't really like any of the characters. I didn't care if any of them lived or died. They all had such strange thought processes and just were not really great people. This was the firs...

Trapped - A Novel of Terror Synopsis: TERRIFIED... It was supposed to be a harmless camping trip. Six wayward teenagers who'd run into trouble with the law, and their court-appointed guardians, Sara and Martin Randhurst. Three nights on a small, deserted island off of Michigan's upper peninsula. A time to bond, to learn, to heal. Then Martin told a campfire story about the island's history. Of the old civil war prison hidden in there, and the starving confederate soldiers who resorted to cannibalism to stay alive. Everyone thought it was funny. They even laughed when Martin pretended to be dragged off into the woods. But Martin didn't come back. And neither did Sara when she went in search of him. Then the laughter stopped. ...TO DEATH The group soon began to realize that this deserted island wasn't so deserted after all. And perhaps Martin's ridiculous story had more truth to it than anyone thought. What's the most horrifying thing you...

Under the Skin Synopsis: In this haunting, entrancing novel, Michel Faber introduces us to Isserley, a female driver who cruises the Scottish Highlands picking up hitchhikers. Scarred and awkward, yet strangely erotic and threatening, she listens to her hitchhikers as they open up to her, revealing clues about who might miss them if they should disappear. Under the Skin takes us on a heart-thumping ride through dangerous territory—our own moral instincts and the boundaries of compassion. Review: Under the Skin drew me in right away. The first 60% or so was amazing. I kept wondering what is really going on and Isserley was so strange. I loved reading about her, but then after the big reveal it just fell short. Afterwards I just thought oh, okay. It was just a bit disappointed in the rest of the book. Isserley picks up hitchhikers every day. Only muscular male hitchhikers. She makes some small talk and makes sure no one is waiting for them and if not she abducts t...

SHIVER: 13 Sexy Tales of Humor and Horror Available on  Amazon ,  Amazon.de ,  Barnes & Noble , and  Goodreads Shiver is an anthology of novellas from 13 different authors available for a limited time. All proceeds go to a good cause so why not pick up a copy? I'm going to have a short review for each story with the associated rating for that story. If you know me you know I usually do not like novellas. Something about the longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel usually just doesn't work. I don't know that most authors can write a good story in so few pages. The ones in this anthology for the most part are alright, but again I am not a novella person in general. Without further ado here are my thoughts. Better the Devil You Know by Belle Aurora When you know, you know ★ ★ 1/2 I love Belle Aurora's books, and while this story was alright for me it ended too quickly (my usual complaint about novellas). It just seemed like everything worke...

The Collector Synopsis: Withdrawn, uneducated and unloved, Frederick collects butterflies and takes photographs. He is obsessed with a beautiful stranger, the art student Miranda. When he wins the pools he buys a remote Sussex house and calmly abducts Miranda, believing she will grow to love him in time. Alone and desperate, Miranda must struggle to overcome her own prejudices and contempt if she is understand her captor, and so gain her freedom. Review: The Collector started off good, but eventually became rather tedious. I guessed how it would end rather early as there really was only one or two ways I thought it would. Before reading it I read some reviews that indicated there was a shocking twist at the end so even when I grew bored with the story I kept reading to see the twist. Well, it wasn't a twist. It wasn't a surprise. It was what I expected would happen. I don't why anyone would be shocked by the ending, but apparently some people were. I mean...

The Honeymoon Trap Synopsis: They were on the honeymoon of a lifetime. Pity it wasn’t theirs.  Eli Jackson has just married the woman of his dreams. Sure, it was part of an online role-playing game and not exactly real, but he totally dominated the wedding battle that followed and his lady wife was very impressed.  Eli never imagined that his brothers would bestow on them a real-world honeymoon package at one of the Gold Coast’s premier hotels. He never figured on costume designer Zoey Daniels being such fun. Together they’re dynamite, but Eli’s not looking for a real relationship and Zoey lives only for the day.  Besides, no one falls in love this fast. Do they? Review: Sometimes I download books that I don't actually think I will like that much. Books that seem like they will be cheesy or too much or just not that good, but for some reason they intrigue me at the same time. Like I need to see how they play the storyline out or something. Not ...

  It is here! Rowdy. Finally. I am so excited for this book. I love Jay Crownover's books, I love her hot tattooed guys and I can't wait to find out more about Rowdy. Rowdy is the fifth novel in her Marked Men Series published by William Morrow, and imprint of HarperCollins and you do NOT want to miss it!   Amazon ** iBooks ** Barnes and Noble ** Kobo ** IndieBound EXCERPT: WHEN I PUT THE key he had given me in the door to his apartment it felt like the end of a long journey. Really it was only a little over twelve hours and I had stopped to nap once along the way, but it still felt like too long since I had seen his face or been able to touch all that toned and tattooed skin. Jimbo greeted me at the door when I pushed it open. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he jumped up and put his paws on my legs. He was going to be huge when he finally grew into his fuzzy body and I was overwhelmed at how happy I was to see him. I dro...

I have always heard of NaNoWriMo and similar month long events where you participate by completing something in a month and been a little jealous. I am not a writer, so that is a no go (my husband used to bug me telling me I should write a book since I read so much. My reply? Reading and writing are two different things). My husband would participate in a make an album in a month challenge since he is a musician, but me? I don't really have anything. When I saw Book Bumblings is hosting a blogger challenge, BookBlogWriMo, I thought yes! Something I can participate in! It is like NaNoWriMo, but for book bloggers. I am excited since it will a) add posts other than reviews to the site and b) let my readers learn a little more about me. I will still have my normal reviews up every day so this will be in addition to that. How does it work? Well starting November 1 there is a post prompt for every day indicating what I will be writing about. Some posts will be longer, some will be sho...

Santa's Little Helper Synopsis: He shows up in a white box, with a bright red book under his arm... He wears a jolly grin and hat, a suit with gold bells and green yarn... He watches you for Santa, or so his red book claims... But though his grin is jolly, he's not here for fun and games... The children have been chosen, such precious little souls they are... And may the Gods be with them, if they wish to make it very far... For Santa's Little Helper does not say, but knows important things... He knows when you've been bad or good, and what monsters stalk your dreams... He knows when you are sleeping... He knows when you're awake... He's picking out his presents... He's got some souls to take... Review: *Note I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released Oct 31 and is available for pre-order now* When I saw H.D. Gordon had a new horror book coming out, Santa's Little Helper , I w...

Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series Book 1 Synopsis: Jennifer Berkley is a straightforward, ambitious, soon-to-be lawyer in the fast, driven city of New York. She doesn’t have the patience or time to deal with people who can’t or won’t give her what she wants. When her father asks her to visit her aunt in Ohio as her last dying wish, Jen is immediately resistant, but reconsiders when her father makes her an offer she can’t refuse.  Jen finds Ohio a much different pace than New York, and is beginning to enjoy country life when she meets Zack LaFaye, a good-looking, helpful man who is adored by her aunt. Each encounter with him leaves Jen flustered and annoyed. The question is glaring: does she have feelings for him, or does she hate him so much that she can’t decide?  Amidst a country backdrop, Jen discovers feelings and experiences no city girl is prepared for. As the summer unfolds, she finds herself questioning everything. Using her skill and training...

Ubik Synopsis: Glen Runciter runs a lucrative business—deploying his teams of anti-psychics to corporate clients who want privacy and security from psychic spies. But when he and his top team are ambushed by a rival, he is gravely injured and placed in “half-life,” a dreamlike state of suspended animation. Soon, though, the surviving members of the team begin experiencing some strange phenomena, such as Runciter’s face appearing on coins and the world seeming to move backward in time. As consumables deteriorate and technology gets ever more primitive, the group needs to find out what is causing the shifts and what a mysterious product called Ubik has to do with it all. Review: Ubik was my book club  book for this month and my first time reading Philip K. Dick. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it. Most people in book club thought that this was not his best work so I will have to check out more in the future. I started reading Ubik late one night. I was tired and prob...

Unrequited: Unrequited Book #3 The Chosen Series Synopsis: Nick Sawyer, a successful business man, has everything he has ever wanted. Grateful for the new additions to his life, he realizes he has the kind of love that he never knew existed. If it wasn't for Lizzie O'Malley, Nick would still be sucked up in his job during the day and bars at night. Lizzie changed his life just by stepping into it.  Samantha Hughes, a childhood friend of Nick's, is back in Boston following her father's wishes. It is his intention that Sam catches the eye of Nick before he commits himself to Lizzie O'Malley. Their plan rapidly becomes reality, just not the reality Sam was expecting. Unrequited is a twisted love triangle story that goes awry. Who will be the one that loses it all? This is the third and final installment of The Chosen Series. This book is told by Nick and Samantha's POV. Review: Oh man. I knew Unrequited would have some drama since the ...