Author Meeting Place

In Lady Of The Herd by Isabo Kelly, we find ourselves hoping that Diarmaid convinces Grace that she really is Grainne…a fairy that ran away from the fairy world. You can feel that Grace doesn’t believe in the beginning of the story that she is Grainne and thinks Diarmaid is off their rocker. Then as she does some magic she starts to belive that she may in fact be Grainne.

 I really wanted to like the story but I felt it lacking towards the end and left me wanting to know what happened to Grace when she reached the fairy world.

3  Bookmarks

Carol Langstroth, Manager

Mind Fog Reviews

In Tirnan ‘Oge by Amanda McIntyre we have a love story beyond a simple love story. Roan McNamara is not just in love with Sighoge faerie named Feeorin but also in love with the love and passion that Roan has to tell the stories and legends of the faeries.

While I like the story in general I wish that the author could have told some of the faerie stories as background in the book. It is a well-written book however and those who like a fantasy/romance will enjoy Tirnan ‘Oge.

3.5 Bookmarks

Carol Langstroth, Manager

Mind Fog Reviews

In Janette’s Tale by Mark Patrick I found it to be a good story with good character descriptions, a good flow, and great details. At times however, the story got “long winded”, and a few characters were brought in that didn’t make sense (the little girls). However, at the end of the book, in the author’s notes, he states that this book was originally planned as one story in a series – so maybe the parts that seemed to be “too much” in this story will be played out in the other stories in a series. I hope so!

Also, making his main character a young girl, who was attracted to what appeared to be an older man, was questionable. Again, this is probably a relationship that will (hopefully) be played out in other books/parts of the series.

Overall, however, I enjoyed it. The main character was interesting, the dialogue was good, and the action was vivid. 

I am looking forward to reading more of Janette’s Tale.  She’s got a lot to do!

3 Bookmarks

Nanci Arvizu

Mind Fog Reviews

In “Unwise” by Jane Toombs I find the age-old tradition of pre-arranged marriage an old storyline.  However, Ms. Toombs combines it with a fantastical land of enchantment.  Although a short story she has accomplished several plots within this novel that are believable and standard for a romance.

I feel that Ms. Toombs could have expounded on the “land of enchantment” a bit more as I expected to see more of it described in this story. All-in-all she achieved her goal that she set out to portray in this fantasy.  Based on her standards of writing I feel she has met her goals.  In regards to this being a fantasy I wish I had seen more although Ms. Toombs ties it in with the romance and pre-arranged marriage quite well.  Fantasy readers might expect a bit more “fantasy” than what Ms. Toombs has provided.  Avid fantasy readers might find this a bit lacking as I did.

2.5 Bookmarks

Anastasia Cassella-Young

Mind Fog Reviews

Leanna Renee Hieber’s “Dark Nest” allows you to bring yourself into an alternate state of reality when you read about the treachery, love, troops, space travel and magic in this novel.  Her main character is unusually powerful for a female.  This novel lets you see that a woman can and will do whatever it takes to protect her ship and people.  Fantastical events lead to a battle which ensues from all of the treachery and debauchery involved.

This reviewer finds “Dark Nest” to be wildly imaginable for any reader. Through the mind of Heiber you are engrossed in this story from beginning to end. It is full of adventure and magic that make you think “outside the box”.  I find this an enthralling read.

3.5 Bookmarks

Anastasia Cassella-Young

Mind Fog Reviews

“Ruling Eden” by Michelle Picard will take you away from modern day living into a magical world seemingly running parallel to modern day living.  The author’s format compares each world together and it runs thoroughly well throughout “Ruling Eden”.   With a bit of romance and warring going on you will want to continue to read as the magical lessons unfold and are learned.  A must read for fantasy readers.

3.5 Bookmarks

Reviewer’s Name

Mind Fog Reviews

Cinsearae Santiago has done a magnificent job at detailing a vampire’s life and the definitions involved in a vampire story.  “The ABRAXAS Series Books 1-3” is very detailed and has great imagination put into the various descriptions of situations throughout the novel.  This is not your typical vampire story as it includes a former girlfriend and a child born out of wedlock that died at birth.  The death was to be deferred by Natasha by creating a Necromancer (a zombie boy) for herself in denying her son’s death. Santiago grips you from the beginning with no names she described a feature-length situation creating Christine as Lady ABRAXAS and how she came about.

Right away there is a sexually explicit scene commonly found in vampire novels.  Lord ABRAXAS comes on strong to Christine Vargas as he believes her and feels that she is his “lady”.

Dartanian and Diane wreak havoc on this relationship. Battles unforeseen come about through their own devices.  They are defined as brother and sister and their bond is strong in their convictions.  The author has done a fine job of laying out these stories.

MY FINAL WORD AS A REVIEWER:

Gripping! Compelling! “The ABRAXAS Series Books 1-3” is an a-typical vampire story but not so a-typical with some of the points being human-like problems such as an ex-girlfriend with a child born out of wedlock that has been re-created as a Necromancer (zombie boy) because the boy had died at birth.  Natasha, Christine, Ryan, Dartanian, Diane and all the other characters seem to jump off the page in the action packed scenes provided by Santiago right from the beginning.  You really won’t want to stop reading this while its edge-of-the-seat tale unfolds.  Sexually explicit at times, these scenes were breathtaking and well done.  Vampire followers should follow ABRAXAS in its eternity of life and life-situations.

**** 4 Star

Anastasia Cassella-Young, Reviewer

Mind Fog Reviews

"Replay" by Sally Odgers is a very well written story that has an unusual spin to time travel. The tale is a weave of several different eras with mini stories of the lives of the characters as they live through different centuries. I completely enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone who likes to read fiction that spans time.

**** 4 Stars

Author/Reviewer Marilyn Thompson

Mind Fog Reviews

Unlike many fantasy stories, Lorina Stephens’ “From Mountains of Ice” tells more than just a single narrative centering around a hero or group of adventurers in a magical world.  Stephens tells the stories of Simare, an Italian country struggling to keep its simple rustic way of life free from the encroachment of larger countries and a crown’s tyranny.  The understanding of cultural nuances serves as a foundation for the struggle of main characters. 

            Sylvio di Danuto comes from an old noble family and spent many years as advisor to his king and mentor to his prince.  He also possesses the unique Simirian abilities of a ‘bone speaker’, a person who can commune with deceased ancestors through their remains.  Sylvio and his family, friends and comrades must contend with the negligence and abuse of their country and kingdom by the young Principe Carmello.  Political powers and the spirits of the ancestors arise in anger as the young ruler seizes power by pushing away, and yet never truly letting go of,  Sylvio and others who would impede his hedonistic drive and approach to leadership.  Sylvio realizes that he must act if his country and everything he loves should survive.

            Stephens’ tale takes her reader through an exploration of the bonds between love and hate, darkness and hope, and the power of resilience that leaves an impression as lasting as Simare’s “mountains of ice”.  The concept of a “bone speaker” stretches one’s imagination to go where it normally does not go to in every day life unless you are into these kinds of beliefs. This reviewer went there in her imagination and found she is quite pleased as to the way the author introduces this portion of the story and found it quite intriguing.

Rating:

*** 3.5 Stars

Sara Messina – Reviewer

Mind Fog Reviews

Forest Song: Finding Home
Vila Spiderhawk

Overall I have to say I loved reading Forest Song: Finding Home by Vila Spiderhawk. There are times that the book was so detailed that I was felt everything that Judy was feeling. I felt like I could even almost taste the pierogies. I can even under Judy because my parents didn’t understand my calling to the woods.  However this reviewer feels that there were times were the details to the settings were not as vibrant as they could have been at lest for me. The whole book was one big climax, which I loved.

Anyone who loves fantasy will love this book.

I can’t wait to read the next one and hopes there are more in this series.

**** 4 stars

Laura Matthews, Reviewer

Mind Fog Reviews