Blog Tour Book Review: The Missing Alchemist by Caldric Blackwell

The Missing Alchemist by Caldric Blackwell is a middle grade fantasy novel.

Having grown up in an orphanage, Craig Pike appreciates his comfortable life as a student of Cornelius, a famous alchemist. But when Cornelius is kidnapped, Craig leaves comfort behind to search for him. Craig teams up with Audrey Clife, a clever archer, and together they travel across mysterious lands and battle otherworldly creatures. Their journey reveals that Cornelius's kidnapping is only a small part of an evil alchemist's elaborate grab for power, and the only people standing in his way are Craig and Audrey...

PURCHASE

Amazon - Kindle

Amazon - Paperback

KoboBarnes & Noble

The Author

Caldric's Website /  Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook 

Caldric Blackwell realized he loved reading when he read about a bunch of people (with single-syllable names) and their pets (also with single-syllable names) in kindergarten.

Exposure to a host of great authors while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara inspired him to begin writing fiction. Although he began writing short stories for adults, he eventually migrated to writing children's books. His debut work is an early chapter book titled The Enchanted River Race. His next release is a picture book, The Boy Who Couldn't Cry Wolf.

Outside of writing, Caldric enjoys hiking, gardening, and playing a variety of string instruments. Caldric currently resides in California.

 

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The Missing Alchemist is a book that has just about everything you expect from a fantasy novel. The is the orphaned hero, his pure mentor, the unexpected but skilled fighter (which I was glad to see cast as a girl), as well as monsters and magic. There was the dangerous, epic journey and the battles and risks taken because of the need to do the right thing regardless of the risks. The story itself was very well told, and full of drama and magic. what left me a little disappointed was the characters. Audrey was the most complex character in the whole thing, with the most complete backstory. I would have like a bit more character development, and a wee bit more variety in the fights. Not every magical creature has to be evil and beaten down, I really enjoy when a solution is found by outsmarting or striking up a deal or friendship with an opponent on occasion rather than just using violence.  That being said, for a high adventure story this book still hits the mark, it just did not thrill me like it will those looking for an action driven tale.

The Missing Alchemist is a perfect choice for a middle grade reader that likes an action driven story. There is a dangerous journey, a variety of perils, and magic and/or danger around every corner. there is a strong and smart female character as well as a male protagonist, so just about all interested parties will have a character to connect to. However, readers that need significant character development and a strong connection to the characters might be a little disappointed.

Book Review: Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong  is the third volume of collected short stories in the Otherworld series. It includes brand-new tales, some that had only previously available on Kelley Armstrong's website, and a few that had been published in previous anthologies. Most of the stories will feature the werewolves of the Otherworld, Elena and Clay, Jeremy, Karl and other members of the American Pack. These are some of Kelley Armstrong's best-loved and most enduring characters, from bestselling books such as Bitten, Stolen and Frostbitten. The short stories included are: 

1) Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is
2) Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"
3) Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella
4) Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"
5) Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2" (the Dec'14 SubPress graphic novella picks up this storyline)
6) Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"
7) From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"

8) Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen" 

As a fan of all things Armstrong I was thrilled to see Otherworld Nights show up on Netgalley. I had read a few of the stories before, but it had been a while so I was glad to see them again If you follow the Otherworld series at all, you will be glad to see these in between bit that give us a better and unique look at some favorite characters. I was particularly glad to read Hidden, which was about Clay and Elena with their children. Vanishing Act was my other favorite oft he collection. All of the stories are solid, with some simply heart breaking (like Reese’s story in Chivalrous) while others just made me happy to get an extra glimpse into the lives of some great characters. 

I think Otherworld Nights is a must read for fans, even if you think you have read everything out there by Armstrong. I was glad to return to the world she has created and am looking forward to the next full novel I can get my hands on. 

Three of My Favorite Novels Inspired by Mythology

Mythology and other legends often explore universal truths about humanity, even ones that we would prefer to ignore. These novels take the original tales and put new spins on characters and stories that mankind has never forgotten.

 

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a favorite of mine, but I freely admit being a Gaiman fan girl. He is an amazing storyteller and just draws his readers into the worlds that he creates. If you have the opportunity to listen to his work on audio book I highly recommend it, as he does his own narrations and does a phenomenal job. In American Gods Gaiman uses players from Norse, Hindu, Egyptian and African legends and throws them into today's world with their personalities and scheming fully intact. Readers follow Shadow Moon, released from prison one day after his wife is killed in a car accident. He says goodbye to his old life and accepts the job offer from a strange new acquaintance. Shadow is drawn into the strange reality of gods living in America and their battles amongst themselves.

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams is the sequel to Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. We see the intrepid Dirk Gently investigating a man possessed by Odin. The novel is twisting and rambling but in an indescribably good way. Adams gave the world a novel that is both confusing and thought invoking. Every single time I pick up this book I see something that that I do not remember from previous readings. Puns and one liners will keep you laughing while the Norse gods wondering around in society will get you thinking about the nature of man, immortality and what people want versus what they need. 

The Lightning Thief and the entire Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan are found in the young adult section. The series is well known now due to the movie, but the books are still well worth reading. Do not skip the books just to watch the movie; the books are worth reading and adding to your collection. Young Percy Jackson just can not seem to blend in with 'normal' kids. He gets expelled from schools for fighting with monsters that only he can see. Soon he is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he learns the reason behind his problems, and that his is the child of a god. Prophesy quests and godly feuds fuel this action pact series that is a great read for everyone from around age nine and up. Older readers might also enjoy Oh. My Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs which is another series featuring children of the gods, but this time from a teenage girl's perspective.

Other fantastic novels of this sort include Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman which retells the story of Persephone and Hades as well as The King Must Die by Mary Renault, The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley, any books in P.C. Cast's Goddess series, Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner and Ilium by Dan Simmons.

Early Book Review and Giveaway: Jaguar Pride by Terry Spear

Read to the end of the review to enter a giveaway for my paper ARC copy of this book.

Jaguar Pride is the forth book in the Heart of the Jaguar series by Terry Spear. It is currently scheduled for release on February 3 2015. you do not have to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this book, they can each stand on their own. JAG Special Forces operatives like Melissa Overton and her partner, Huntley Anderson, are trained for the most dangerous missions in the harshest environments. They work well together, but try to keep it all business and get the job done as they protect their wild cousins. These jaguar shifters can handle any variable, but what about babies? When Huntley and Melissa find two jaguar shifter cubs snoozing in their jungle hut while on assignment, they have to keep the cubs and each other safe from ruthless poachers, bringing these partners closer in ways they never expected.

This description does not do Jaguar Pride justice. While Melissa and Huntley are jaguar shifters and elite special agents, they have even more complications to their lives than this little window into the story offers. They are both honorable people with intelligence and an affinity to the wild. They each start the story involved in other relationships, which adds a reluctance on both their parts to getting together. Professionalism and the addition to two little jaguar cubs while hunting poachers in the jungle makes things more complicated and potent for both of them.

Jaguar Pride is a solid and entertaining read. The characters are good and there is plenty of action and suspense to keep readers guessing. I think that there is an almost too easy acceptance of the relationship as long term by both Melissa and Huntley by the end of the book, especially considering the complications they encounter. However, since they did know each other for a time before the book picks up I can dismiss it and blame their previous friendship.

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Giveaway and Book Review: Full Throttle by Julie Ann Walker

Read to the end of the review to enter a giveaway for a paperback ARC of this book.

Full Throttle is the seventh book in the Black Knights Inc series by Julie Ann Walker. Like the other books in this series, there is an underlying story arch, but each book can also stand on its own. Abby Thompson didn’t sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. Preferring a quiet life, she’s content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. However, she did not put others in danger everywhere she went. Carlos “Steady” Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions. But when he’s tasked with protecting the only woman he ever loved he faces tough decisions on several fronts. This are made harder for both when Abby is kidnapped by a group of trained terrorists. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him again?

Full Throttle is on par with the rest of the series, so if you have read any of the other Black Knights books you will like this as well. I like that Abby and Carlos had a solid back story, not that you would know from the original book description. Also, for those that have been following the series there are small strides in the larger story arch, but that does not interfere or distract from the story of this particular story keeping is a satisfying read to those that have not read the earlier books. I liked Abby's character, while she is sweet she also has a backbone of steel and is very smart. Carlos is also very smart and strong willed, but they compliment each other nicely rather than clashing. I was disappointed that despite their combined smarts there were a few too stupid to live sexy moments, this holds true with a pair of side characters too. These are smart, and in most cases highly trained, individuals should be able to think a bit more with their heads than whats in their pants.

Full Throttle is a entertaining romance with suspense and some solid action. It was a good read, but moments of shaking my head at the character's choices kept it from being great. I liked the characters, and find myself interested to see where the possible romance between a pair of secondary characters goes in a future book. I am sticking with the series for the entertaining reads, but hope that the next book has characters able to think through their libidos a bit better. 

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Blog Tour for The Faithful by S.M. Freeman with Author Read Excerpt

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist.

The Faithful by S.M. Freedman 

Synopsis

For Agent Josh Metcalf, memories are ghosts. They are blood-soaked backpacks and the smell of strawberry Chap Stick. Josh is haunted by a little girl who went missing his first summer on the force. Decades later his search has become an obsession, and he's pinned the photos of hundreds of missing children to his wall of tears. All the children had psychic abilities. All the cases went cold -- with no witnesses, no useful tips, and no children ever recovered. Until a woman gets injured trying to stop an abduction, and Josh comes face to face with his personal ghost.

For Rowan Wilson, a meteorite hunter for NASA's Spaceguard program, memories are lies. The childhood she thought she knew has been erased, leaving a black hole in its place. New recollections are flaring to life: men dressed like priests, a ranch in the mountains, mind control, and rape. Each new memory draws her closer to one of the other missing children, Sumner Macey; and to I Fidele, the underground organization for whom kidnapping is just the beginning.

For Sumner, memories have become weapons. He's sharpened each of his with surgical precision: the ranch, the doctrine, the mind-wash, and the murders. He's eager to slice at the black sludge pumping through I Fidele's heart, desperate to cripple those who stole his childhood.

To I Fidele, non-psychics are cockroaches in need of extermination, an inferior species destroying the earth. They're ready to enforce eugenics on a global scale. If they succeed, only those faithful to their doctrine will survive. Crossing several genres, The Faithful will appeal to anyone who enjoys supernatural mysteries; high-tech, edge-of-your-seat suspense flavored with paranormal elements; thrillers involving psychics, occult and high stakes action/adventure; tied up with a depth and humor usually reserved for works of literary fiction.

Where to Purchase The Faithful

Amazon - Kindle
Amazon - Paperback
Barnes & Noble

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The Author

 

S.M.'s Website / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Author Page / YouTube

S.M. Freedman is a top-ranked Amazon author in the Mystery, Thriller and Suspense
categories, and a member of the WorldWiseWriters group. She lives in Vancouver with
her husband, two children and a giant orange cat.

She studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and spent
years as a private investigator and business owner.

Inspired by authors of many different genres (favorites include Sue Grafton, Diana
Gabaldon, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, Justin Cronin, Suzanne Collins and Lawrence Hill,
to name a few) she eventually turned back to her first love: writing.

The Faithful, a paperback and kindle Amazon Bestseller in both the US and the UK, and
a Quarter Finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, is her debut novel.
She's currently working on the sequel.

Follow the entire The Faithful tour HERE

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