"N.A. Tuesday": Keeper vs. Reaper (Graveyard Guardians Book 1) by Jennifer Malone Wright

Genre: New Adult, Urban Life, Romance, Paranormal. 392 pages.

Price: $0 FREE (at time of post)

Publisher & Date: Jennifer Malone Wright. August 9, 2014.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  . 8

Price I Paid: $0 (got it FREE on July 27, 2015) 

My Rating:   

My Thoughts: Soooo Not A Keeper!

     This book seemed promising, ratings were high and the cover looked great. However, the story was too crude for me to get through and the plot was obviously cliche. Now I rarely stop reading a book, but I couldn't continue with the story after the third sex scene occurred in a matter of 11 chapters and the main characters had only met once for less than 5 mins.

      Reapers suck the souls from the living and dead; while Keepers save souls from the evil Reapers. Jack Walker is the son to the Empress and Emperor making him heir to the Reaper high leadership. He would like nothing more than to live his life for himself and away from his overbearing mother. Jack is sent to destroy the Chosen One, who is reported to be the youngest child of the Estmond Clan. However, meeting the "One" proves to be strange as he finds himself feeling a connection which can't be good for a Reaper where a Keeper is concerned. Lucy Mae Estmond is just trying to get over he fathers passing, but as a Keeper she has the duty to keep souls safe. Then her father appears to her as a new soul for her to keep with a message letting her know she is the Chosen One. Lucy hasn't a clue what that means or what to do with that info, so she begins to uncover the prophecy. Lucy also finds her life is now in more danger as she is no longer just a Keeper, but the one that could bring an end to the Reapers. Now if she could get rid of this pesky connection and feelings for a certain arrogant Reaper.

      Overall, I can only fairly judge the book based on how far I read, but I forced myself to read until the main characters interacted, which took 9 chapters to make that happen. The language was too foul, almost overly so. Now I know people cuss, I'm not naive, but I really hate f-bombs being used so frequently. Then the perspectives changed up randomly to another character, which threw me. I really just kept waiting for the story to get going and instead Jack kept having sex again and again, but not with Lucy. Getting to the end of chapter 11 was hard and I finally decided the book wasn't worth my time. So if you're willing to put up with foul language, a slow paced plot, sex, and probably a cliche Romeo and Juliet Type Plot-line, Then you could try this book, but I could not finish it and have deleted it. 

"Misc. Monday": The Poe Consequence by Keith Steinbaum

Genre: Horror, Occult, Urban Life. 330 pages.

Price: $ 2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Publisher & Date: LitFire Publishing. May 24, 2015.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  . 6

Price I Paid: Zip,**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**

My Rating: 

My Thoughts: Rival Gangs and Ghouls Set On Revenge Create Great POEtic Thriller!

     Seriously this story blew my mind! The story is amazingly complex and highly narrative bringing to life the gang war torn inner city streets of  L.A. The book does have explicit language and scenes, but most is needed for realism. Steinbaum's plot is like a puzzle with each character and their back story each are an important detailed piece, which when it's all done a reader can see how everything had been all connected from the beginning someway somehow. 

     The story revolves a round a string of mysterious deaths concerning two rival street gangs, the Alvarado Street Diablos and the North Rampart Lobos. Everything seems to stem back to the day when English Prof. Warren Palmer, aka Prof. Poemer, was killed in a drive by shooting. The Diablos and Lobos have always been at war with each other nothing new for gangs to be at war, but what has the cops and the gangs spooked is what's taking out the gang members. Lobos and Diablos are dying in strange ways, times and places by an unknown person and no one know how. The key to it all maybe who's involved and discovering what may have started it all.

    Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Truthfully I had wanted to read it just because I knew it was centered in my area of L.A. However the plot and the way it was written was so enthralling, I found myself really into the story. At first you are given so many characters and pieces of information, not knowing what it all means, but as the story goes on connections form and the plot thickens. By mid book you will be so into the book you'll be wondering how the heck it will all end. Now my only issue is there were 3 sex scenes that could have been implied rather than embellished. Especially the rape scene it wasn't too detailed as the "love" scenes, but I really didn't see the need for sex at all. Oh and as for the language in the story it's explicit, but for gang members it's realistic as to how they talk, trust me. I liked how this author sought to bring to light the fact gang members are victims of their circumstances as many forget that too often. These gangs are formed because their lives at home aren't good and it's then that society has this new sub society, which we'd rather ignore than deal with and try to prevent than help escalate. Anyways, So if you are okay with foul language and are looking for a thriller that involves Poe's dark form of justice and couple people out seeking revenge but may find revenge is being served cold and the only form of happiness may be tolerance and forgiveness, this book will be great.