Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel by Gail Carriger -- A Book Review

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is a single woman in Victorian England. She is considered a spinster by her mother and half sisters due to her Italian heritage and straightforward personality. It is the later that gets Miss Tarabotti into precarious situations involving vampires and werewolves.

Lord Conall Maccon is the Alpha of the London werewolf pack. He continues to cross paths with the heroine during her exploits. Soon the two find themselves at odds with each other while fighting an attraction.

Gail Carriger's ability to pull the reader back in time through elegant dialogue and proper mannerisms is fantastic. Carriger beautifully captures the styles of Victorian fashion while spinning this magical tale.

The story is captivating and give the reader a new twist to vampires, werewolves, and London society. Readers will find it hard to put the book down before finishing.

The next book in this series is entitled Changeless. It will be highly anticipated by readers of Carriger's work.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

It's Never Too Late To Be What You Might Have Been by BJ Gallagher -- A Book Review

This book was inspired by and titled from a George Eliot quote. It uses this idea as a basis for sharing stories that will encourage readers that they can still achieve. The stories range from changing careers to being creative to finding love.

The real-life stories give advice to the reader as well as hope. Not only do the subjects share their stories, they tell about their failures and help show how to begin a journey. The these of each story is there is no such thing as too late, too old, too anything.

Regardless of what you are striving toward at this point, BJ Gallagher captures stories you can identify with. The people Gallagher selected for subjects offer a variety of backgrounds that inspire the reader further.

With quotes placed throughout the book and quick stories or observations, this collection meshes well and pulls the reader in for an uplifting experience.

This book is great for anyone having doubts about their choices or the path they should take. I recommend this to everyone and encourage it be sent as a present to others.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

The Unusual Mind of Vincent Shadow by Tim Kehoe -- A Book Review

Vincent is an inventor living with his father, stepmother, and three stepsisters. He works on various toys in his secret lab. When his father gets a new job, Vincent has to leave New York and his lab behind.

At his new school, a teacher offers Vincent the chance to enter a toy contest. Vincent enters his windless kite and is chosen to be a finalist. Soon disaster strikes and Vincent has to be quick in finding a solution so he can achieve his dream.

Tim Kehoe wrote a wonderfully imaginative, entertaining, and educating tale of a young boy looking for his place of belonging. Vincent finds it in the owner of a toy company and a famous inventor. Kehoe does an excellent job in meshing these personalities into the story.

Vincent is fully developed as an inventor based on the ideas in the book and the glimpse into one of his notebooks at the end of the story.

Kehoe has written a story that leaves the reader wanting more. This book was enjoyable even from an adult's perspective. Let's hope we see more of Vincent in the future.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Sassy The Birthday Storm by Sharon M. Draper -- A Book Review

Sassy is going to Florida to visit her Grammy and Poppy. It is her Grammy’s birthday and a large party is planned. A hurricane threatens the festivities. Sassy gets scared not only for herself but also a nest of baby turtle eggs. Her family helps to protect the sea turtles from the storm.

Sassy’s family works together to get the house ready for the hurricane. They stay close during the storm. Grammy’s birthday party is not what Sassy wanted but she has fun in the end.

Sharon M. Draper keeps the reader entertained with the family’s activities during the threat of the storm. Draper is able to relate to the emotions a child would feel during various situations that Sassy faces.

Though some elements of the story seemed choppy the overall story was forgiving of these distractions.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet -- A Book Review

Wisty and Whit are pulled from their house in the middle of the night by New Order soldiers. They are accused of being a witch and wizard. They deny the allegations while serving time in a detention center.

As the situation grows bleaker, this brother and sister realize their powers. Through the help of old and new friends they escape and work to rescue fellow inmates from their death sentences.

Soon they learn they are part of prophecies that make them a threat to the New Order. They work to figure out how they can bring down this oppressive government while searching for their parents.

James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet entertain the reader with their realistic depiction of a close sibling relationship put to the test. They also horrify readers with the imposing government juggernaut called the New Order. Patterson and Charbonnet change point of view effectively through the book.

The story and characters pull us into their world and make us hope for the best. The fast paced book leaves the reader looking for more.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Retail Hell by Freeman Hall -- A Book Review

An aspiring screenwriter moves to California and finds himself financially crunched. He accepts a job as a commissioned handbag salesman in a luxury department store.

Freeman Hall takes us through the horrifying and funny encounters he had nightmares about. Hall devises a category for various customers based on recurring behaviors. Some are rather dramatic.

As a true life tale of his adventures, the book entertains. It is a piece of commiseration for those that have suffered through retail jobs.

Hall’s characters are at times two dimensional. He fell short of developing his coworkers into identifiable people. His straightforward prose pulls the reader into his world. As a whole this was an enjoyable read.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.