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The Haunted Brothel by Bret Jordan

Posted under Reviews by Mary on Friday 16 September 2011 at 11:46 pm
****

The Paranormal Investigation Group was headed out on their first case, and though Nancy was finally living her dream, her teammates left a lot to be desired. Her friend, Tina, was more interested in the here and now, and was rarely seen without her cell phone glued to her ear. However, Tina’s father had bankrolled the entire operation, so Nancy was stuck with Tina as an active group member. Tony owned the van, and had a mad crush on Tina. Dwayne, Tina’s cousin, was there at the request of Tina’s father, and he refused to go anywhere without Randy, even though Randy did not believe in ghosts. Nancy tried to get the group’s attention in order to go over the case, and was getting increasingly more frustrated at the banter and fuss the others were producing.

Finally Nancy was able to discuss the particulars of the building they were investigating, informing the others that the owner’s intent was to turn an abandoned brothel/hotel into a haunted house during October, but the place actually seemed to be haunted, and the staff was frightened at the special effects they had not created. In meeting with the owner, Nancy did her best to remain professional, although Tony and Tina seemed more interested in researching the supposedly haunted bedroom, and Dwayne refused to leave the first floor, since Randy could not climb the stairs. Will PIG manage to solve the case to the owner’s satisfaction, or will they fail miserably at their first real ghost hunt?

I could totally relate to Nancy’s frustration at getting everyone’s attention, and at her embarrassment when she introduced the group to the client, especially when Dwayne lifted Randy – a Basset hound – from the van. The descriptions of the hotel were appropriately creepy, and I liked seeing the group’s reactions to the phenomena they discovered. Their first case was definitely a learning experience for all of them, and I appreciated each one’s personal growth and discovery. This was a funny story, with plenty of potential for disaster, and I enjoyed their investigative adventures.

Book Stats:

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Shaylee Druid’s Daughter by Bret Jordan

Posted under Reviews by CeCe on Saturday 23 January 2010 at 9:13 pm
****

Shaylee lives with her father Grom, a former druid, away from the village. She avoids going there because the villagers, especially the children, are cruel to her. But as she enters puberty, the changes in her body coincides with dormant powers manifesting themselves in her, and her father’s revelations make it even harder for her to accept all these changes. However, with the help of another outcast, Oran, and his friendship, she discovers more abilities and her inner strength. And while together, they are capable of fighting against the whole village, if needed, and much more.

Shaylee Druid’s Daughter is a well-written novella. It is a touching coming of age story told in a straightforward way. The main characters, especially Shaylee, are well-developed. It is an excellent read for younger readers, but adults will also appreciate this feel-good story, particularly the important message it delivers.

Book Excerpt: Her heart thrummed in her chest. It felt like the embarrassment Ghazi had put her through, but instead of making her want to cry she wanted to shout for joy. The boy had asked for a kiss from her! He thought she was pretty, or nice, or sweet, or something. He didn’t dislike or shun her like the rest of the town. He was different. He wanted a kiss.

She didn’t think she would be able to answer. She had never kissed anyone before, besides Gorm, and that didn’t count. She wasn’t sure if she knew how to do it right. Finally she stammered, “Oh…y…yes. Certainly. It’s the least I can do. You were so brave.”

She stepped forward and felt her cheeks grow warm, knowing that a stupid smile stretched her mouth from ear to ear. She forced the smile away by puckering her lips. He stared, as if waiting for something. Finally he said, “Well, ye got to close yer eyes. I can’t be kissin’ ye with yer eyes open. That ain’t how it’s done.”

Her cheeks reddened at her foolishness and inexperience, but the comment didn’t extinguish the flutter that she felt within her chest. “Oh, of course.”

She closed her eyes. Her lips puckered, head tilted forward. She waited in silence.

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Gremlins: An Anthology by Assorted Authors

Posted under Reviews by Amy on Sunday 8 March 2009 at 7:27 pm
****½

Hiram’s Secret by Anastasia Rabiyah

Hiram wants to leave Pig’s End and pass through the portal to another realm. He’s bored of his current life and he is curious of what the other side can offer. When he is sent to jail in the other realm, he never thought he would meet Secret, a beautiful and mysterious woman. Is the woman really what she seems to be?

To think that a gremlin is merely an ugly and vile creature is totally overrated. Anastasia Rabiyah brings us a heart-warming love story in “Hiram’s Secret”. With a blend of erotic dreams, passionate feelings, and life-death scenario, readers will get to see gremlins get their own happy ending, and a surprising one, too!

Rating: 5/5

The Witch, The Hunter & The Bride by Bret Jordan

Monteh is enthralled by the witch’s song which makes him weak and powerless. He is drawn by the witch’s spell and unwillingly becomes the her sex slave. But he has a wife, a woman who he loves deeply. In time, he is able to resist the witch’s temptation, but when small accidents keep occurring to his wife, he knows the witch is behind it. But how can he win against a witch when he is powerless every time she sings?

Bret Jordan shows us why a gremlin is a creature with whom one should never mess around with. They are small, cunning creatures who can creep into your house even in the middle of the day, and you will never know what will happened to you until it is too late. “The Witch, the Hunter & the Bride” is a story which will make you feel like it’s Halloween every time you read it.

Rating: 5/5

Fire for Ice by Cerise Amour

In Lanae, everybody has a gremlin including the princess, Callista. While playing with her gremlin one day, she suddenly finds herself in a room with a murderer who not only sees her but is waiting for her. With a killer on the loose, and a royal mark on the body of the last victim, Tamir, the royal guard, confronts the princess to get some answers. However, the intense attraction between the masters and their imps complicates the situation. Will their emotions get in the way and give the murderer a chance to get what he wants?

Gremlins may become one’s best friend, if given the chance. Cerise Amour explores a mythical world where gremlins and humans co-exist with such an unimaginable bond. “Fire and Ice” makes me want to have a gremlin myself. If I am unsure of my own feelings, just take a look at my gremlin and voila! I can figure it out. It is such a splendid idea!

Rating: 5/5

You are My Sunshine by Crymsyn Hart

When Larissa moves into an apartment, she knows it is haunted. But what’s a girl to do when that’s the only one she can afford? With the cheap rent and one condition – never to disturb the owner who lives in the room downstairs – living with a ghost is no problem. But when there is a loud noise from her owner’s room every sunset, she gets curious. It seems Gregory has a secret, carrying a dangerous and life-threatening curse. Will her love prevail when the curse threatens to kill her?

For so long, Gregory suffers alone in the dark. But in the dark, the sun will shine and bring happiness with it. When Larissa struggles with her feelings, I wanted to be there to share her pain when she cried and laugh with her when she is happy. Her emotions touch my heart and brought tears to my eyes. The emotion, the suspense and the myth in Crymsyn Hart’s novella will surely tug your heart and your soul.

Rating: 5/5

Night and Day by Dahlia Rose

Larkin Day witnesses her partner die in her arms with his insides and his blood splattered everywhere on a roof top. The thing that attacked her partner then jumps to attack her. Lucky for her, someone saves her in the nick of time. Facing a monster, or precisely a gremlin, for the first time is utterly unimaginable and shocking for Larkin. Unlucky for her, the gremlin already marked her for its next victim and will not allow her to escape death. Keaton Knight feels protective of Larkin, so he appoints himself as her protector. Will his skills be sufficient enough to save her from the gremlins, or will their feelings get in the way?

“Night and Day” is a fast-paced story that kept me gripping my seat. From the impressive fighting skills to the bone-chilling suspense, it made me anxious and kept me guessing. The queen’s appearance gives additional merits to the story. Dahlia Rose brings life to the characters and believable chemistry. This story is another great addition to the anthology.

Rating: 5/5

Bonamy & Clyde by Dawne Dominique

Bonamy and Clyde are neighbors. Bonamy, ever the perfectionist, is badly affected when her life gets out of control. Clyde is new in town, but he has already been given the cold shoulder a few times by his neighbor, and that annoys him. When bizarre things occur and electrical appliances go crazy, both of their lives take an interesting turn. Is it just coincidence, or is it something more?

Although the story started out slow in the beginning, Dawne Dominique made up for it by teasing readers with her truth and dare game. The scene itself boosted my enjoyment in reading “Bonamy & Clyde”. However, the characters seemed cold, and I felt like there were not enough emotions and chemistry in the story. I can only say that this is not one of Dawne Dominique’s best work.

Rating: 3/5

The Silver Scream by S. D. Grady

Gilda planned something special for her boyfriend on his birthday. However, their night of passion on the stage in the old theater does not go unnoticed. A pair of eyes watches them, anger rippling through his veins. Gilda and Seth couldn’t keep their hands off each other. But when a freak accident occurs, Gilda changes. Is their love strong enough to fight against all odds?

S.D. Grady caught my attention right from the beginning with the right amount of sexual teasing and passion. The mysterious, evil, dark creature gave off bone-chilling vibes which kept me on the edge. “The Silver Scream” reminded me of why love exists in the first place and the lengths people will go for it.

Rating: 5/5

Book Stats:

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: loveyoudivine; 1st edition (October 6, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1600542301
  • ISBN-13: 978-1600542305

To purchase a print copy of Gremlins: An Anthology click here.

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submitting author’s blog go here.