Book Review: Beneath Claire's House (Corey J. Popp)

Beneath Claire's House 

by: Corey J. Popp

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Claire Young is tormented by a recurring, prophetic nightmare and visitations from gruesome, mutilated ghosts. She's convinced the apparitions intend to harm her widowed father, but there's little she can do locked away in Saint Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. Her situation is hopeless until a mysterious priest delivers the name of a man who may be the only one willing to help. Claire launches a daring scheme that leads her and her best friend to a former paranormal investigator.

But the matter is complicated by Claire's own father. Convinced his daughter is schizophrenic, he'll send Claire back to Saint Thomas permanently if he discovers she’s still clinging to her delusions. Claire and her friends must tread lightly to complete the investigation, but amid bizarre twists and chilling encounters, she’ll discover her home's basement is hiding something far more sinister than just ghosts.

 

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW** 

Claire has been through more than most of us could ever imagine....and she's only sixteen years old.  After the death of her mother, she began being terrorized by ghosts....the scary kind of ghosts that would make anyone experiencing them question their sanity.  She's convinced that they are trying to harm her father, but vocalizing that to him lands her in a psychiatric hospital.  How in the world is she going to be able to save her dad when she's locked away?!?!?!?  That in itself would have made an awesome plot, but believe me when I say that the twists and turns in this book are unlike anything you've read before.   

Beneath Claire's House definitely didn't lack in the suspense department.  It's the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat up until the very end.  I must admit that I did quite a bit of speculation as to what Claire's ghosts wanted from her, but boy was I way off!

 Corey J. Popp is a very talented writer and has left me wanting to read more of his work. 

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Book Review: The Taming of Jenesa (J Michael Storm)

The Taming of Jenesa

by: J Michael Storm

Genres: Erotica, Horror, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Intrigue, Adult
**This book contains strong sexual content**

There are predators all around us. Some of them are quite easy to spot, they are monsters that look like monsters. However there are some, quite a few in fact, that have the skills, the cunning, intellect and manipulative ability to perpetrate their malevolence within a shroud of perpetual anonymity. Bobby and Keri Allen are such predators. Cloaked in a veil of the ordinary and the mundane, they are in reality, the most implacable and loathsome of things.

For years they’ve hunted their prey with naked lust, taking advantage of the helpless, the discarded, the lonely or sometimes, just the careless or the unlucky. Possessed of an unwavering perseverance, meticulous precision and skill and fueled with a voracious appetite whose malign sexual greed is boundless, they pluck hapless victims with heartless impunity.

But their lordship over their hunting grounds may soon be over. Something or someone has been watching them! Their stalking has come to the attention of another predator, this one, perhaps, even more dangerous and resourceful than themselves and this interloper has penetrated deep into their highly protected and secured sanctuaries, threatening their exposure and an end to their deviant sexual reign!

**WE RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

We, at CommonBookSense, take pride in knowing that we don't turn books down based specifically on their genre. We know how hard it is for Indie authors to get the recognition that they deserve, and for that reason alone, we often find ourselves stepping outside of our comfort zones to provide reviews for something that we wouldn't necessarily read. Since starting our blog, I can personally say that I find myself skimming over the genres listed, and focus more on the content of the blurb. It's simple, if it catches my eye, I agree to provide a review.  The Taming of Jenesa wasn't an exception.

This book has done something that many have tried and failed....it has almost rendered me speechless. I try to adhere to the "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all" premise, but it's my job to let you guys know my thoughts on what I've read...I hope you're ready for this one!

One would think that this book, titled 'The Taming of Jenesa,' would be focused on "taming Jenesa," but she was little more than a passing thought until well into the second half of this horribly vile story. Even then, there was no taming involved. The main characters, Bobby and Keri Allen, have a secret life that involves preying upon the weak. They get off by spending their free time manipulating, abusing, and raping anyone who catches their eye. Who the hell does that?!?!?!? I get that people are into different forms of kink, but I'm completely turned off by anything that involves unwilling participants. I am by no means a prudish person, but for the love of all things holy, are these people for real? Better yet, why would someone want to write about such things...?

If I find myself reading something that I don't really enjoy, I typically begin to focus more on the writing style, so that I may at least have something positive to say when writing my review, but in this case the content was just too overpowering. When these monsters weren't seeking out/torturing their next victim, chapters were spent inside the dreams of Keri, which were full of some really strange sci-fi sexual shit. Weird.

After taking a couple moments to mourn the brain cells that committed suicide while I forced myself to finish this book, I plan on spending the next couple days reading something that's worth my time...and yours.  

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Book Review: A Stalled Ox (Dean Moses)

A Stalled Ox

by: Dean Moses

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Novella

An isolated religious cult has reportedly been consuming meat while the rest of the planet has been forced to live a life without it. Presuming this sect has resorted to cannibalism, two agents from an organization known simply as The Agency are dispatched to investigate. Will they find evidence of humans eating one another? Or is something even stranger taking place?

“In the tradition of Serling and Bradbury, A Stalled Ox is a gruesome, yet beautiful story that wraps a complex morality tale in an engaging and fast-paced horror story with a touch of espionage. Crafting a world where no one is truly innocent, Moses invites the reader to follow Agent Howard Harrington as he discovers what true evil is.”

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

A Stalled Ox is a novella, so it was a relatively short read, but WOW,  was it masterfully written! I usually don't have much say about novellas, because they typically tend to leave much to be desired.  I've found that a lot of times there simply isn't a solid foundation, or the author barely skims over things in order to keep the book short.  I'm so pleased to say that wasn't the case here.  

Imagine a world where being a vegetarian is the only option...unless of course you join a meat serving cult that's more than likely serving people for dinner.  This book kept me on my toes, made me cringe, and kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next.  I have to give Dean Moses credit again, for his amazing ability to engage readers.  CommonBookSense isn't finished with A Stalled Ox, or Dean Moses.  I've already recommended it to Kailei and a couple of our part time reviewers...BECAUSE IT'S THAT GOOD!

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Book Review: Barking Madness (Ryan Hill)

Barking Madness

By:  Ryan Hill

Genres: Coming Of Age, Paranormal, Thriller

RECOMMENDED FOR READERS 17  AND UP DUE TO STRONG LANGUAGE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, DRUG USE, AND MILD VIOLENCE. 

"My life is crumbling away before my eyes while I do nothing to prevent it. I have visited too many funerals, for too many friends who haunt my dreams. Everybody dies eventually, right? No, everybody dies young when they befriend me. Was I born to die young? I don't think so. I'm the only one here with the nerve to stay alive. I can't be left alone. Not with that hollow man, the one who hides his face. That's what he wants, me to be alone, because once I'm alone he's going to kill me!" 

Seventeen-year-old Rosetta Harper is plagued by nightmares of a masked man. With her father’s new career move, her family has just relocated from Florida to the small New England town of Ashwood. A quiet town and close-knit community where you know your neighbors, and trouble is a word unspoken. But soon after her arrival, her world and the worlds of her classmates come crashing down. 

Michael hates his family and feels alone and unloved. He only finds comfort when he's with his friends, but even they get on his nerves. Everything about Ashwood and his life bores him, until Rosetta Harper moves into town. With her as a new classmate, Michael finally gets the excitement he was looking for, but it may be at too high a cost.

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

I don't even know where to begin with this book. I guess we should start with the book itself...I found this book to be very stiff. If you've never read a stiff book, then you probably don't know what I'm talking about. A stiff book is one that doesn't really flow properly. Instead of envisioning smooth characters, you see boxy and awkward beings. You could compare it to the first and thirteenth seasons of Family Guy (for example), the first season doesn't look so bad upon first glance, but when you put season one and season 13 beside each other, you realize that season one is really rough looking... It loosens up around 30%, but around 35 the awkward, stiff dialogue and forced story-line make a return. The concept behind the book was good, I mean, who doesn't like a demented monster wold running around in their head?? And that one little twist that confuses you, as well as Rosetta.

Onto the characters; I have a strong dislike for them. Rosetta, the main-main character is my least favorite character, seriously, I borderline hate her guts. She is such a bitch! (I was given permission to use that word, so do not fret) I mean, my GOD, she uses people and has little to no regard for their feelings or the trouble they go to to do what she asks. She is selfish, and mean. Think of her as one of the rude popular girls that turns their noses up at anything nice in the world. And she's a total whore/slut. Sorry, it's true. Where are her parents??

Okay, so, Micheal (a.k.a Mike). I don't understand him. And, quite frankly, I was ready to hate him after he said he 'loved' his dog, but didn't care if she was hit by a car/lived another year. I think that Mike may have not been a very thought out character, because in the beginning of the book he said he was sad to see his dog deteriorating in front of his eyes and was worried that she wouldn't live another year? Am I missing something?

I feel as though I would have liked the book more if I didn't hate the characters. Because of my instant dislike of Rosetta, I had to REALLY focus on the plot/words of the book. If I adored the characters, I don't think it'd have mattered much.

I made it to 49%, I was 13 pages away from 50 (which is half of over 600 pages, so there ya go. I basically read a whole average-sized book). I honestly would have finished the book, because I am genuinely curious about the ending, but this morning was my deadline for this review (set by my mother), so I had to write it.

Anyway, the links to all the things will be below.

Don't let my review stop you, read this book, when you get past all of the bad things (which is very few), it's actually a really interesting book.

Have you guys seen the changes...I mean, you're here, so you must have. What do you think?? Is it too girly? Mom said no, but I dunnooo. And our logo changed, how about that? Why don't you tell me what you guys think in the comments?

Keep your noses in the pages and I'll blog you later, my lovelies.

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Book Review: Undressed to the Nines (Jayden Hunter)

Undressed to the Nines

by: Jayden Hunter

Genre: Thriller

 A missing reporter believes that a congressman is involved in illegal military research.
A political fundraiser for a conservative politician leads to a late night encounter with the daughter of a major donor. Drew Stirling finds herself caught in an intrigue that pushes her to test the limits of her own character as she must decide who to trust, who to run from, and whether or not to break through her own self-imposed boundaries in the world of steam-punk porn, centerfolds, friendship, love, and sex.

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

 

So, we received a review request for Undressed to the Nines....and I almost rejected it.  In fact, another member of the blog had already sent the author a "rejected" email, when I just so happened to go back through all of our rejects to see if anything caught my eye.  Boy am I glad that I did.

The blurb/synopsis wasn't bad....beautiful girl caught up in some sort of illegal military research that leads to a reporter going missing and more than likely a little bit of political involvement/cover up.  I typically shy away from political pleasure reading, but throw in a little sex, love, and controversy and I was more than ready to start reading.

Drew Stirling's character was both sexy and fierce.  She knew what she wanted and walked a fine line between doing all of the things that would make her happy and trying to please her jackass of a father.  I truly felt as though I was right there beside her as she navigated her way through the twists and turns of this suspenseful roller coaster. 

Undressed to the Nines was brilliantly written.  I seriously found myself reading faster than usual, because I NEEDED to get to the next page to see what was about to happen.  I loved thinking that I had everything figured out, only to quickly learn that things really aren't always as they seem. 

Jayden Hunter provided the perfect amount of background information and mastered creating understandable alternating dialogue. He made sure to give his readers the necessary information to perfectly envision the characters, settings, and overall story.  

Bravo!!

(Like always, you can find author and book links below.)

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Book Review: Where Death Is a Hunter (Christopher Stookey)

Where Death Is a Hunter

by:  Christopher Stookey

                                                                      Genres:  Mystery, Thriller

Hannah Fâtier is a thirty-two-year-old physician fresh out of residency training. She’s just started her first job as an anesthesiologist at Deaconess Hospital in San Francisco, she’s bought a new home, and she’s engaged to be married.

In short, life is good for Hannah--until, one morning at work, tragedy strikes. A patient under her care dies unexpectedly during a routine operation. An investigation into the case reveals the cause of death to be a basic medical error committed by Hannah. Wracked with guilt, Hannah falls into a malaise of depression and self-reproach. Yet the more she ponders her alleged “error,” the more she realizes that something about the way her patient died doesn’t add up. Digging deeper into the records of the case, Hannah discovers a number of puzzling inconsistencies. She begins to suspect that someone has framed her for a medical mistake she never made. But who would do such a thing and why? And, more importantly, if there was no medical error, then why did her patient really die that morning on the operating table?
Where Death Is a Hunter is a medical mystery dealing with hospital death, betrayal, one doctor’s self-doubt, and the search for redemption.

**WE WERE GIVEN A COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

I am usually not the type to typically enjoy, or even crack open a medical thriller, but I was asked to post a guest review and thought I'd give a new genre a shot.  Although it took a few chapters to really grab my attention this book was well worth reading. After the first few chapters of introduction and build up to the plot, I found my eyes were no longer moving across the words on the pages methodically, but instead I was transported to the world of the main character, Dr. Hannah Fâtier. I found this book to be very well written, and was excited to learn that the author has another book of the same genre. I will definitely be reading it next, and I recommend this one as a must read for anyone, especially those who love a good medical thriller.

The only negative thing I could find about the book is the title, which even after reading the book, still does not seem to fit the story.

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Book Review: Dying for a Living (Kory M. Shrum)

 Dying for a Living

By: Kory M Shrum

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy (Urban Fantasy, Supernatural), 

Mystery, Horror (Zombies), Romance

 On the morning before her 67th death, it is business as usual for Jesse Sullivan: meet with the mortician, counsel soon-to-be-dead clients, and have coffee while reading the latest regeneration theory. Jesse dies for a living, literally. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. Although each death is different, the result is the same: a life is saved, and Jesse resurrects days later with sore muscles, new scars, and another hole in her memory.

But when Jesse is murdered and becomes the sole suspect in a federal investigation, more than her freedom and sanity are at stake. She must catch the killer herself—or die trying.

 Woah, guys! Two reviews from me in under a week? A review everyday?! Woah, guys, what's happening to CommonBookSense?!

Dying for a Living was a book that I actually downloaded on a whim. I was searching for free books to add to my kindle and I came across this one. It'd been on my Kindle for an unknown amount of time and I really wanted something overly fictional. Honestly, this book was exactly what I was looking for.

To call Dying for a Living a Zombie book would be like comparing a Pug to an orange....It's just wrong.
Now, I can't exactly say that I've read Zombie books (I actually have a full-blown phobia of zombies, nightmares and everything), besides that one Walking Dead book that I was forced to read and  was actually really good, but I can almost-confidently say that you can't compare this book to zombies. No brains involved, just, ya know, dying and coming back to life...totally not zombies.

Jesse Sullivan is a Death Replacement agent; she literally dies for people so that they don't have to...the only difference is that she comes back to life. Like with nearly everything that's not mentioned in the bible, the church is heavily against it....who'd have thought?  I guess in the time the author set the book ( I think sometime in the future perhaps), you can compare Necronites to the LGBT community today, you know, how they're treated/how the church sees it?  That ties into the book HUGELY, so remember that, alright? About the church thing...Sorry..possible spoilers, I'll stop now.

The whole basis and idea for this book was so unique and amazing. The characters' views didn't change half way through the book, either. My favorite character in the ENTIRE WORLD WAS WINSTON! HE WAS A PUG! Gah, my baby, Sullie, is a pug! (Not like baby with a capital B, but my fur-covered-dog-baby.) While there WAS a love-triangle, it didn't take up the entire story....The author was going somewhere, and she didn't let a little love triangle stop her! I honestly can't say that I found a single of her characters annoying, which is saying something. AND THE FEMALE LEAD WAS MY FAVORITE KIND! Just yes! She was witty, sarcastic and strong-willed! I loved every single minute of this book! Every character Kory M. Shrum presented, I fell in love with.




Now, I'm going to have to cut this review rather short because, well, I REALLY want to rave on and on and on about this book, but I have another review to write and another book to read! And you guys would NOT appreciate spoilers.  If any of you have read this book, PLEASE email, or message us (through Facebook) so that we can gossip about it! I'd love that. Just be like "Hey, Kailei! I read Dying for a Living! Didn't you, like, love Winston?! He was so cute and your dog is also the cutest omg I'm jealous of how cute Sullie is."
 I mean look at him...>
He's the adorablest.
I shall blog you later, my lovlies.  

Book Review: Dead as a Doornail: book five of the Sookie Stackhouse Series (Charlaine Harris)

Dead as a  Doornail  
By: Charlaine Harris

       Genre: Mystery, Romance, Novel, 
     Fiction (Gothic Fiction), Fantasy Literature 

 

Small-town cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has had more than her share of experience with the supernatural—but now it’s really hitting close to home. When Sookie sees her brother Jason’s eyes start to change, she knows he’s about to turn into a were-panther for the first time—a transformation he embraces more readily than most shapeshifters she knows. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population, and Jason’s new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who’s behind the attacks—unless the killer decides to find her first…

*Sigh* Sookie, Sookie, Sookie, your fashion sense is still stuck in the eighties. I blame this on the author, who, no doubt, thinks she's writing you up to date. I, myself, did a face-palm when I read about your lipstick matching your red earrings and your red socks with your black work pants.  Questionable fashion aside, I still really enjoy this character. She had some tough times in this book, what, with having no sexual escapades (the first time ever, although it seems like every male in the town is interested in her--must be the red socks), getting shot, and having part of her house burn down. Unfortunately, it was just her back porch and kitchen that burned, so her collection of hair scrunchies were saved. I've also decided that I'm pretty well over the werewolves in this book. Alcide, a character I liked in past books, is kind of a jerk here and the whole head of the pack competition grossed me out. That being said said, I'm happy to read the next in the series.  

    For your Entertainment, 

  Sophie