Heart Shaped Box

By Joe Hill

ISBN: 9780061147937 $24.95

William Morrow, February 13, 2007

Reviewed by: Terry South (Quality Book Reviews) 3/07

 

http://www.joehillfiction.com/

 

Do you believe in ghosts?  Hold on for the spine tingling adventure you will discover in the Heart Shaped Box.  There should be a warning label attached stating “Once started, demands to be finished.”

 

I am not going to give away spoilers in this review, as you will want to read this highly recommended thriller.  This is a fascinating psychological ghost story which is packed with thrills and chills.  Joe Hill has produced a work that is so vivid and comes to life, an extremely visual novel. 

 

Judas Coyne is an aging rock star; he collects bizarre and macabre artifacts which include a used hangman’s noose, rare books on witchcraft, a snuff film, and artwork by a serial killer.  When his assistant approaches him with the discovery of a ghost being auction off of the internet, Judas decides to place the highest bid in order to acquire this for his collection.  The suit arrives a few days later via UPS in a heart shaped box.  Unknowingly, the suit used to belong to an old preacher, Craddock McDermott.  This haunting is it for meddling with the spirits? Or just by chance, or is it more sinister like a curse? 

 Heart Shaped Box is Joe Hill’s debut novel, and proves he is an excellent addition to the horror genre with his own style and voice.  Hill is also the son of Stephen King, which should come as no surprise.  His plot is strong throughout; he has executed excellent believable character development. 

This is a masterpiece thriller; I literally read this from cover to cover in one day, I just could not put it down.  This story is packed, it is spine tingling, intriguing, enticing, and is fascinating.  This book, in my opinion had no faults.  I think the concept and the writing as a whole can have no blemish thrown its way. 

This is a MUST READ!  I cannot wait for the next one. 

PSIence: How New Discoveries in Quantum Physics and New Science May Explain the Existence of Paranormal Phenomena
by Marie D. Jones

I have had the pleasure of reading another book from one of our authors here on myspace, and what a fascinating subject and a fascinating read, so thank you very much.

PSIence is phenomenal and a must read for all who have an interest in the paranormal or any curiosity of the subject.  Marie D. Jones explains quantum physics in such a manner that makes it understandable and you will be able to grasp the concepts with no problem.

PSIence delivers the latest discoveries in quantum physics which may explain the existence of paranormal phenomena including UFOs, ghosts, apparitions, poltergeists, psychic abilities, etc...

Marie D. Jones is both a researcher and investigator of metaphysics and the paranormal, and has published hundreds of articles, essays, and short stories, and is the author of Looking for God In All the Wrong Places.

She has accomplished both clarity and an understandable style of writing.  With such a fascinating read in PSIence, I would have to recommend that this is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered or had an interest in the paranormal.

Sins and Secrets
by P.F. Kozak
Kensington Aphrodisia
ISBN: 0-7582-1418-9  $12.95

Category: Historical Romance
Release date: October 2006

www.kensingtonbooks.com

P.F. Kozak's erotic historical romance, Sins and Secrets is set in Victorian London and is a very unique choose your own sexual adventure.  A sensual delight with blazing hot eroticism.

Set in Victorian London, as a time when people were proper, but yet indulged in their sensuality, passion and sexual inclinations behind closed doors.  The author is so vivid in detail that we are transported back in time. In this erotic tale, we as the reader can choose to have either the male or the female dominate the sex scenes, this is quite a change from the ordinary.

Pamela Kingston wishes to indulge her fantasies with her guardian Peter Rennard, the man whom she has loved forever.  And Peter has loved Pamela from the moment she was a child, working as the family barrister.  When Pamela's father dies she becomes the ward of Peter.  Pamela is blooming into a beautiful young lady and Peter's sexual attraction to her is becoming very strong. Peter sends Pameal off to boarding school in hopes to prevent his growing desires and to avoid the taking of her innocence.  He must keep his promise to Pamela's father, as he promised to make sure Pamela would marry into someone of her own status.

Upon her return, she has fully blossomed into a beautiful woman and is discovering her sexuality and desires.  They immediately recognize their sexual attraction has grown even stronger due to their seperation.  Peter introduces Pamela to her hidden desires and her sexual fantasies. But as time continues, Peter realizes he must find someone to marry Pamela, but he cannot stand the thought of someone else touching her.  Will Peter find someone for Pamela to marry, or will he marry her?

You will find wonderful characters, adventure, love, romance, and erotic sexual tension making this one hard to put down. This is a highly recommended historical romance read as it sizzles with passion and sexual tensions.

Eragon
by Christopher Paolini
Knopf Books

This is such a wonderful story, which is the reason children, young teens love it so much.  This story is full of action, it also reminds me somewhat of Harry Potter, related to its theme and style.  You are able to get lost in the adventures that transpire within the book.  It provides magic, mystery, battles, elves, monsterous guys, drangons, were cats, sorcerers, etc all within its pages.

This is a must for all fantasy lovers, you will absolutely fall in love with this book.  Astonishing is the fact that the author wrote Eragon at the tender age of 15.  This is the first in the trilogy, next to follow in my blog is the review of Eldest which I will be posting next.

I would recommend this to everyone of all age groups not just the young adults.  You will enjoy this book, it is a beautiful story of adventure and will wisk you away, even after finishing the book you will be thinking about its characters. 

A definite 5 star read!

Eldest
by Christopher Paolini
Knopf books

As promised, here is the review of Eldest, book two in the trilogy, the sequel to Eragon.

Eldest too is entertaining and adventerous as the first book was.  The story continues with the life of Eragon and his dragon as they continue their efforts to defeat the evil empire.  Eragon's cousin Roran is struggling to survive the mess Eragon has left behind.  You will find there is alot happening in this story, there are a lot of secrets which are revealed, which helps us as the readers discover the pieces of history of Eragon, as well as many other characters in the story.

This is very well written, packed with information, and very entertaining.  Now I am awaiting the third book, I can't wait to read it.  This is another highly recommended trilogy, you must read. 

5 stars

Romance
Virgin River
By Robyn Carr
MIRA Books
Reviewed by: Terry South

Melinda Monroe is a nurse and midwife, her husband Mark Monroe was murdered during a convenience store robbery. Melinda reads a want ad wanting a Midwife/Nurse Practioner in Virgin River with a population of only six hundred and includes a rent free cabin. She decides this might just be the perfect place for her to heal her heartache and also might be just the place for her nursing career. She accepts the job as the Doctors assistant in this small town. When she arrives nothing was as she expected or as advertised, the cabin is dilapidated and a wreck, and the old Doc Mullins does not even want her. She did receive a warm welcoming from Jack, the restaurant owner, but she still decides this was a mistake and makes the decision to leave, but her plans quickly change when she discovers the newborn left on the Doc’s front porch steps. Has she found the escape she was looking for, or has she discovered her home?

The main characters are Melinda, Doc Mullins, and Jack, whom is in love with Melinda, but he is being patient as he recognizes that her heart still belongs to another man.

The story line is solid; the characters are likeable as well as believable. Virgin River is a fabulous book that is addictive reading. There is so much packed into this book including Melinda’s adventure, great characters, and passion. I highly recommend curling up with this book.

A forum celebrating books - lots of reviews, the lowdown on what's new & hot in first time authors, bestsellers and everything in between, along with links to everything books!

I am often asked how I determine which books I am going to read and review. I get most of the catalogs from the major publishers and request review copies of books I have an interest in reading. I read several review sources on a regular basis.

I will read just about anything I can get my hands on, with the emphasis on fiction. I have a penchant for new authors, mostly because when I find an author I like, I tend to read everything they have ever written, which more or less forces me to find new authors.

Crime fiction comprises probably half of my reading time and is my guilty pleasure, but I also read chick-lit, contemporary fiction with a book club bent, tons of erotica, memoirs, compelling non-fiction, and works of horror, fantasy and sci-fi.

I am a voracious reader, and read several books each week.

I enjoy reading books, reviewing books, & promoting authors - especially new authors.

“If Truth Be Told”
By Lynda Fitzgerald
Five Star, June 2007
ISBN: 1-59414-568-7
Reviewed by Terry South (2/07)

“If Truth Be Told” by Lynda Fitzgerald, WOW, I loved this book, this story touched me so deeply, this is an emotional and a great read.

The story is told through the eyes of one of the main characters “Christie”. The setting takes place between Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach, and the story begins in August of 1961. Christie is the youngest of the three O’Kelly sisters, and is 14 years old when she meets the boy of her dreams. His name is Todd, soon to be her step cousin. Her Uncle Jack is marrying Carly, Todd’s mother. After falling for Todd she decides to put away her teddy bear, which from time to time she takes back out of her closet for comfort. After four years of dreaming about her future with Todd, she is devastated from a letter to her aunt and uncle revealing that Todd is married.

The story progresses through eight years; Christie comes home to find that Todd had been to her place looking for her. Todd is determined to win Christie back, but Christie wants no part of being hurt and lied to again. Todd offers to be there for her as a friend due to her uncle’s illness, she does not believe him and calls her uncle, and it is true, he is sick.

They are thrown together time and again due to her uncle’s series of medical conditions. Christie finally gives in due to Todd’s persistence. They become engaged, and then suddenly her uncle dies.

Christie is confused she though he was doing better, and Carly’s behavior and actions around her are very different, almost as if she feels guilty about something. Christie is determined to find out the truth, she does not believe her uncle’s death was natural. So she begins asking questions, prodding for the truth, but is afraid this will be the end to her relationship with the man of her dreams.

The author mixes romance and a touch of mystery. The plot is intriguing, the characters are believable, and the story has vivid details. In my opinion the writing as a whole can have no blemish thrown its way. The story will tug at your heart and will bring tears to your eyes.

A fascinating read, I could not put this one down, highly recommended, a definite 5 star read.

I would like to invite everyone to grab a book & a cup of Java and join me in reading and opening up our imaginations and seeing what adventures we may find today.


Read a book, open your inner imagination, sit back and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime! That is what reading a book is to me, a great adventure from the comfort of my own home or where ever I am.


So take the time out of your busy lives this weekend and join the adventures of a lifetime, see where you go, what you experience, and then please feel free to share your great adventure with us.
________________________________________________________________________________________
HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY DR SEUSS! NEA READ ACROSS AMERICA'S PROGRAM WHICH BEGAN ON MARCH 4! PASS ON THE JOYS OF READING & MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC CONTAINED BETWEEN THE COVERS. JUST OPENING A BOOK OPENS THE MIND TO SO MANY NEW & EXCITING ADVENTURES... ... PLEASE REMEMBER TO GO BY AND SEND A BIRTHDAY CARD!!
________________________________________________________________________________________

Books come in all shapes and sizes. There's usually something for everyone to enjoy. If I haven't read it I want to read it. My favorites are books that deal with true crime, suspense thrillers, mysteries, horror, or related to the paranormal such as Anne Rice's Witches and Vampire series. This is an ongoing work in progress, a labor of love I should say. But, I am finding a renewed interest in novels I haven't read in many years. Most are like fine wines, they only get better with age.

Read a book, open your inner imagination, sit back and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime! That is what reading a book is to me, a great adventure from the comfort of my own home or where ever I am.

Some of my favorite authors include: Jefferson Bass (Jon Jefferson & Dr. Bill Bass), Anne Rice, Ann Rule, Nora Roberts, James Patterson, John Saul, John Grisham, Dean Koontz, Michael Ledwidge, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, James Grippando, Tess Gerritsen, Janet Evanovich, Harlan Coben, John Sanford, J.K. Rowling, Nicholas Sparks, and many, many more.


One of my favorite quotes about books: These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. --Gilbert Highet