Manroot by Anne Steinberg

Title: Manroot
Author: Anne Steinberg
Length: 258 pages
Publisher: Self-published
Classification: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: March 15, 2014 (first published September 1994)
Source: e-book (Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book.)
Read: August 2014

GoodReads

In the spring of 1939, Katherine Sheahan and her father, the taciturn Irishman Jesse, are looking for work in the isolated tourist town of Castlewood, Missouri, which offers bathing, gambling and adultery. Jesse gets a job as handyman and Katherine as maid at a small hotel. Jesse drinks and neglects his work and eventually disappears, abandoning his daughter. Katherine discovers the ginseng, the manroot, and other secrets of the foothills; she discovers herself as a natural healer who has inherited this gift from her Navajo Indian mother. She also has a special but unwelcome gift. She can communicate with spirits. 
Among the hotel s regular clientele is Judge William Reardon, a local hero who metes out justice by day, then drinks the foul taste away at night. Escaping his sterile marriage, he becomes captivated by Katherine. He is like a man reborn. Theirs is a union of like-minded souls, but a dangerous dark magic is released. Can their love survive? 
A powerful, haunting novel that explores the powerful themes of identity and destiny, love everlasting and its brutal twin, violence. (From GoodReads)

**This e-book was provided for me by the author and/or publicist in exchange for a honest review.**

 My Rating:

(I rate this book somewhere between 2.5 and 3. But decided to round up to 3.)

There are several things that I found interesting about this story, but overall this book is just not a book for me. I liked that the book is different from other books that I have read. And I think that the story is very unique.

The story takes place over a long period of time. Which I found to be different, since most books I read take place over a couple of months rather than several years.

I feel that I struggled with really liking this book because of the affair. And I felt like it was a really big age difference (I might have read it wrong.) And I didn't really like or connect with some of the characters. I didn't like the Judge or his wife. I feel like other than Katherine, the characters I was most interested in had small parts in the story.

Now for the things that I really like about Manroot.

• I like the main character: Katherine. I really enjoyed that she is diverse. (Part Navajo Indian) And that there is quite a bit of traditions and beliefs from her culture. 
• There were a lot of times I really felt for Katherine. I felt like I could connect with her on an emotional level. I might not fully know what she was going through personally, but it didn't keep me from wishing she didn't have to go through some of the stuff she was. She had a lot of struggles and challenges to face.
• I liked that the book kept me wondering what would happen next. 
• I feel like there were a lot of twists and surprises that I didn't see coming. Which kept the book entertaining. 
• I liked the magical parts of the story. It added another level to the story.
• I felt like the story was at times confusing and a little strange (in an interesting way), it kept me wondering what else was going to happen to the characters.

Overall, I found this book to be uniquely entertaining. There were some things that kept me from enjoying the book as much as others have, but I still recommend giving this book a read if you like reading about a diverse main character and enjoy reading books that have magical components.  

Getting By (A Knight's Tale I) by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Title: Getting By (A Knight's Tale I)

Author: Claudia Y. Burgoa

Length: 235 pages

Publisher: Literally Alpaca Illustrations, LLC

Classification: New Adult, Romance

Release Date: February 18, 2014

Source: e-book (Provided by the author and publicist. Thank you!)

Read: May 2014

You can find the book on GoodReads and Amazon.

Synopsis:
When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.

Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.

**This e-book was provided for me by the author and/or publicist in exchange for a honest review.**


My Rating:

I don't think I have read many New Adult books (not that I know of) and this book makes me interested in reading more of the genre. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it pretty quickly because I had a hard time putting it down, due to wondering what was going to happen next. 

The Story:

I enjoyed several aspects of the story. It is told from two different point of views. Emma and Jake. I liked that I could see what was happening through both of their opinions. I felt that it was an interesting romance that pulled me in and made me want to keep reading. 
I also loved that the author made a couple Supernatural references (I love that show). I love when books make references to things that I like and enjoy. 
I did feel like a couple things felt a little rushed, but it didn't take away from the story or away from me liking the story-line.
And I loved that there were some twists and surprises that I didn't see coming.
I do hope to read the next book in the series when it comes out.

The Characters:

I really liked most of the characters in this book. 
I especially found that the main characters were very well developed and had interesting back-stories. 
The two main characters each had personal challenges and issues that they were trying to overcome. And I love reading books where the characters grow.
I really like Emma and Jake.
I also enjoyed the scenes with Jake's family, especially the Knight brothers.
I look forward to learning more about the characters in the next book.


My Recommendation:

If you like romance books that focus more on the relationship between the characters instead of the sexual aspect then I recommend giving this book a read. I also think if you are interested in the New Adult genre, then you should give this book a try. I felt that there was more than just a romantic aspect in this book and it was interesting and enjoyable. 

Wind and Shadow by Tori L. Ridgewood

Title: Wind and Shadow (The Talbot Trilogy #1)

Author: Tori L. Ridgewood

Length: 230 pages

Publisher: Melange Books

Classification: Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: June 13, 2013

Source: e-book (provided by author and publicist for a review. Thank you!)

Read: April 2014

After a series of misadventures including being accused of attempted murder in high school, Rayvin Woods, a photographer and natural witch, left her hometown of Talbot in Northeastern Ontario, hoping to start her life over and never return. Ten years later, circumstances force her back to face her past and her former crush Grant Michaels.
 Malcolm de Sade, a cunning vampire, escapes from an underground prison looking for vengeance. His accidental release unleashes his hunger and ambition on a small, sleepy town. Rayvin’s power is all that stands between de Sade and his domination of Talbot, and beyond. Grant Michaels, a police officer, thought Rayvin was a murderer. He will do whatever it takes to protect the community he loves from danger... but will he learn to trust his heart, and the word of a witch, before it's too late?
Rayvin didn't count on rekindling a lost love or battling a malevolent vampire and his coven for her life when she came home to Talbot. Facing the past can be a nightmare… It’s worse when a vampire is stalking you.

**This e-book was provided for me by the author and/or publicist in exchange for a honest review.**

My Rating:

(I rate this book somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star. But have decided to round up to 4 stars.)

I enjoy reading paranormal books and I especially love reading about witches. And the book description immediately grabbed my interest.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and am happy that I read it.

The Story:

I think this book has an interesting plot. The story pulled me in and I kept wanting to know what happened in Rayvin's (the main character) past. And the author did a wonderful job of creating and developing a story that kept me interested in what was happening. 

There were a couple of events that I figured out, but overall the story had several surprises and twists that I didn't expect. I felt that these events did a good job of keeping my interest in what was happening. And added to the fact that this book was a fast read. 

But, I didn't particularly like the plot twist at the end of the book. Some people might like what happened, but I didn't really like the shift in the story. It does end on a cliffhanger, which doesn't really bother me. But the big climax that leads to the end of this part of the trilogy I didn’t really like, which has left me with not needing to find out what happens next that quickly. I will probably eventually finish reading the trilogy.  

There are sexual situations throughout the book, which I wasn't really expecting and it took me by surprise. (Which I probably owe to the fact that I have been reading pretty much only YA books lately.) 

The Characters:

Rayvin: She is our main character. Most of the story is told from her point of view. She is a witch. (Which I love!) I think that Rayvin is a well-developed character. I found her to be full of mystery and it really made me interested in her character. Overall, I think she is strong willed and full of determination. She is protective of those she cares about. I especially liked that she didn’t let her past control her. She has worked hard to move on.

Grant Michaels: He is the love interest and a police officer. He has a hard time with his emotions for Rayvin. I like this character. He is protective and strong. And out of most of the people in Talbot, he really tries to move on from what happened in the past. He is skeptic and notices detail, which makes him a great police officer.

Malcolm de Sade: The vampire stalking Rayvin. He is dangerous, creepy, and mysterious all at once. The author does a great job of creating the “nemesis bad guy” as a character that I can dislike/hate, but also be really interested in reading about. 

I recommend this book. If you like reading paranormal stories, especially about witches, then you might really enjoy reading this one!

Kitty Hawk and The Curse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading

Title: Kitty Hawk and The Curse of the Yukon Gold
Author: Iain Reading
Length: 336 pages
Classification: Young Adult, Adventure, Mystery
Release Date: December 2012
Source: e-book (provided by author)
Thank you Iain Reading!
Read: April 2014

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new young adult series of adventure mystery stories by Iain Reading. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations.

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales, Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada. As the plot continues to unfold, this spirited story will have readers anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves. 

**This e-book was provided for me by the author and/or publicist in exchange for a honest review.**

My Rating: 

Overall, I enjoyed the plot of this book.
Iain Reading fills the story with a lot of details and history. This book is full of actual places, historical information, scientific information (about whales) and detailed stories about the Gold Rush.

But this story wasn't really a me story. I did enjoy the plot of the book, but it is not one that I would reread.
I did have a hard time getting into the story though, it took me several days to read the book and I didn't get very interested until the last 40% or so. For me, parts of the book dragged and were boring. And some parts felt repetitive.

But overall, the story had adventure, mystery, and had an interesting concept.

Kitty Hawk is not your average teenager. Her father taught her how to fly planes when she was a little girl. After writing a letter to an outdoor/sports supply company, she gets sponsored for her own expedition to study whales in Alaska.
She studies the whales and makes new friends. She then learns about the Gold Rush and gets herself mixed up trying to solve a mystery involving stolen gold.

This book is really full of information. There are a lot of actual places written about in the story. There are little pictures of maps to help illustrate where Kitty is traveling. And not only does the book include historical information about the Gold Rush, there are also some historical facts shared about some authors that lived or had been in the same area that Kitty was at.

Even though, this book is not one that I would normally read, I do think there are others that would really enjoy reading this story.

I recommend this book to readers that enjoy reading books that are full of history, information and details. I also think people that enjoy reading mysteries could enjoy this book. Also, if you like history about the Gold Rush in particular, then this book might interest