Book Review: Evolution: SAGE (The Evolution Series Book 2) by S.A. Huchton

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Evolution: SAGE (The Evolution Series Book 2) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/Fantasy/New Adult Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (05/04/14)

 

Summary:

“If you don’t give people a chance to be better, they never will be.” (Page 375).

Evolution Sage picks up right where Evolution Angel leaves off, with a depressed and devastated Candace for what happened and what she did to Adrian. For weeks she gives up on everything, purposeless and wracked with guilt. It isn’t until Jackson makes a comment to her about moving on or giving up and she is given a new purpose by the facility that she is finally ready to move ahead with her life. A new threat lies on the horizon and this enemy has been around for a long time, just now making their move. It is up to the ANGELS to get ready for this new, stronger enemy and they will turn to a higher level of experimentation to improve their already super hero super powers, but what will the consequences be this time?

 

Keywords:

Genetic Manipulation, Superheroes, Comic Books, Books, Tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter, Hard Decisions

My Review:

The more I read, the more I fall in love with the characters. I absolutely adore and look up to Candace. She’s not afraid to say that she’s wrong or being too anything: too hard, too harsh, or too emotional. She has the ability to self-analyze and adapt. She harnesses her ability and hones her skills, discovers new things about herself and her abilities. When SAGE begins, a new level of herself is opened up and she explores even more new possibilities for her weapon even as she’s haunted by the power she used on Adrian in Evolution Angel.

Jackson. Swoon. He was the bad boy attitude problem, snarky comment, easily angered boy from Evolution Angel. Now that Adrian is no longer in the picture he gets to have his day. All along I’m sure Starla had great plans for Jackson, she was just biding her time and building him up as a person. Jackson is the real romantic fantasy. He is flawed and angry. He has a past that is terrible and hangs over his personality. He cares for Candace, but tries to hide his feelings for her. He is rude at times, but is extremely polite when he needs to be a gentleman. He is also insanely good looking and every time Candace gets too close to him,  she can feel him and knows that she wants him.

The relationship between Jackson and Candace gets its day in book two of the Evolution Series and it’s a wonder to behold. Starla built up this relationship from the first time they saw each other, when they hated one another. “I’ve hated you for a long time. I hated you for making me want someone. I hated you for being with Adrian. I hated you for what you dissolved into after he was gone. I couldn’t stand it, Candace. No one thought I was worth helping, and I believed it. And then you helped me, for no other reason except that you could. You caught me in almost every lie I’ve ever told you. You challenge everything I say. You took everything I thought was true and turned it upside down.” (Pages 249-250).

Jackson and Candace are so emotionally charged when they’re together, so destructive, so powerful, and I could go on and on. The best romances are the ones that happen within a story that already has a powerful plot.

Starla has built a powerful, mesmerizing plot full of characters that are emotionally appealing and fascinating to watch. Candace is tough and rational, but also very prone to feeling sad or weak when everything is against her. She is so real, even as she can control a person through her connection to the water in their veins. I love how she stands by her convictions and sticks to her morals when making decisions and weighing the pros and cons before making a tough decision.
My only critique for this book was that the ending is abrupt and right in the middle of action. Thank goodness book three is already available.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on May 4th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Evolution: Angel (The Evolution) (Volume 1) by S.A. Huchton

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Evolution: Angel (The Evolution) (Volume 1) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/Fantasy/New Adult Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (02/25/14)

 

Summary:

“Knowing what came with great power and experiencing that weight was so vastly different you couldn’t even see the other side of the chasm between them. (Page 241).”

From the very first moment that Candace Bristol and her cousin Gabe saw the ANGELs in action, they knew they wanted to join the project and become two of the world’s superheroes. Fast forward four years when Gabe is already in training and Candace has just sent in her application. Not everyone gets accepted and not everyone can make it because it takes special genetics and a special comportment to be able to make it as an ANGEL.

When Candace is accepted, she is elated and she knows that there will be more going on than she has researched about the ANGELs. When she gets to the training grounds she is overwhelmed by some of the aspects of the project, but she steps up as a leader.

 

Keywords:

Genetic Manipulation, Superheroes, Comic Books, Books, Tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter

My Review:

Every girl wants a comic book hero to look up to and wish to have their powers. What we get are an assortment of men with superpowers and women who look pretty in skintight clothes with lame powers. What Huchton does in her superhero series is give us a real kick-butt female with real superpowers. Huchton has diverse characters that look and act different and have unique personalities.

Candace is a strong Alpha personality. She’s very curious, very go getter, very nothing gets in her way. She’s an open, up front person who does what she wants to do, says what she thinks, and doesn’t let anyone get her down. She is already a super hero inside. She sees the good in people and makes sure they don’t get away with their nonsense when they’re up to no good.

Adrian is the unassuming librarian with the sexy baritone voice. There was something in his past that gives him a chip on his shoulder and he has trouble thinking he is worth the love and effort of others.

Gabe is Candace’s older cousin and comic relief in the story. They continuously banter and at first Gabe tries to look out for her, but she is too independent and stubborn to let that fly. She would rather fall on her own, then be helped along.

Jackson is the troubled bad boy with an attitude problem. Does he secretly have a thing for Candace? Not going to tell you! “I think he could possibly be motivated to work with others on a team. While he’s abrasive and not a little trying on my patience, I don’t think he’s unsympathetic to others and he knows not to cross certain boundaries. If he’s here at all, it’s because it was his choice, isn’t it?”) (Page 86).

There’s also Ella, Candace’s friend and fellow trainee, True from the first wave of ANGELS, and Hector, etc. There was such a range of characters to get to know and love.

I thought the raging hormones bit was overplayed, but it did add a sense of hilarity, brusqueness, and urgency to the ANGEL’s actions.

The ending was so emotional and so devastating and left me itching for book two. Starla Huchton is a genius and a beautiful story-crafter and this series is a great one to read.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on Feburary 25th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads

Beta Readers Wanted!

by in author platform, Rachel Barnard and tagged , , ,

Beta readers wanted! Signup on my blog to be a beta reader for either of my WIPs Donuts in an Empty Field (For the Love of Donuts Books) or Flora Finds Her Magic. Donuts will be available for beta reading this summer and Flora will be available for beta reading this fall.

 

For the Love of Donuts: (working summary)

Best friends Nichole and Vanessa work through life, death and the local food challenge   In the moment you have to choose between doing what is right and letting go of anger, what will you choose to do? Nessa has harbored anger at the son of the local restaurant, where her father rushed into an accidental fire to save him and died from complications. Nessa has never forgiven the boy, but will have to let go of her anger in order to save herself and the boy again.

Flora Finds Her Magic: (working summary)

Flora wanted to be an artist, but artists without strong magic are not taken seriously. Flora has to find her magic, but every time she tries something new it backfires. Her best friend Sebastian is not concerned with magic, only finding his real parents and Flora has a hard time taking him seriously. Magic is everything. Magic is important. Magic is how you are adopted. Sebastian was adopted before he got his magic because he had potential. Flora has no potential, only a love of art, and no prospective parents will want to adopt her. Stuck in a group home, Flora’s only chance for a future is to discover what’s been inside herself all along, and it’s not just magic.

 

Here’s what I’ll need from you:

  • You need to be honest and bold and willing to give any criticisms
  • Be familiar with fiction and YA
  • Be a reader and/or a writer
  • Be able to give real critique and forthright assessment of the manuscript
  • Be able to evaluate with depth and/or breadth
  • Be able to find weak spots
  • I’m not looking for line editing, but critique on plot, character development, storyline, etc.

 

**You won’t hurt my feelings. You can tell me anything and everything. Better now than after it’s published, right?**

 

Here’s what you’ll get from me:

  • A formatted version of the novel (pdf/doc/ePub)
  • I’m also a reader so if you have a book out I will see if it’s something I’d like and may put it in my review pile
  • I will give serious consideration to every comment, suggestion, and question you pose
  • I will thank you profusely!
  • I would love to give you a small token of my appreciation if you would like ($5 gift card to Amazon)
  • I have 2 other novels I’d love to give you a copy of if you’d like
  • When I create swag packs/marketing materials/cool things associated with my books I’ll give you one/some

To signup: fill out the contact form below and I will add you as a beta reader and send you a copy in the format requested when it’s available, depending on the book(s) you chose.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Local Event: Destination Staycation at the AFK Renton, WA June 27

by in Local Authors, Local Eats, Local Events, Seattle Specific Saturdays and tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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8 local independent authors come together for one event. Selling and signing books all afternoon and evening.
AJ Downey, Sechin Tower, Lee French, Connie Jasperson, Lindsay Schopfer, Stephen Matlock, David Moore and Jeffrey Cook are the featured authors this time around.

Saturday, June 27
at 2:00pm – 9:00pm
Next Week · 90°F / 60°F Clear
AFK Elixirs & Eatery

3750 E Valley Rd, Renton, Washington 98055
I’m excited to see some authors I’ve been reading and meet some new ones! Who’s coming down for burgers, beers, and/or books???

Foodie Fridays: Another From my Faves – Chia Pods Chia Pudding

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Vanilla Chia Pod 2 (1)

 

I took my first taste and I wasn’t sure that I liked it. Are there ever any foods where you eat some and you don’t immediately have an opinion? CHIA POD was it for me. So I took another sip/bite and another and what do you know I loved it! It is smooth but has a crunch to it from the chia seeds. It isn’t too sweet, but it has a very unique texture. I call it my “goop.” At only 160 calories per container, it makes a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. It only has 4 ingredients! Chia Seed Gel (Filtered Water, Chia Seed), Coconut Milk, Vanilla Bean Paste. This is a special treat everyone should try and try again to form an opinion on the fascinating “goop” of a texture.

Where did I get it? Costco!

Where can you get it? Check out their website’s map!

Book Review: Broken and Burned (The Sacred Hearts MC Book 2) by AJ Downey

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Broken and Burned (The Sacred Hearts MC Book  2) by AJ Downey

A Romance Novel published by Second Circle Press (09/08/14)

Summary:

 Everett is having the worst day. She was late for work and got a warning, burnt her finger while making coffee at work, thinks she’s going to fail her statistics class at school, is barely making ends meet paying bills, and now her car breaks down. Evy barely makes it into the mechanics and has to leave the car overnight and her boyfriend isn’t picking up the phone. After the hunky mechanic Draven “Dray” gives her a lift to her apartment, her world falls further apart. She walks in on her boyfriend in the act of cheating. Her world crumbling, Dray steps in to help her, but this damsel in distress is not as weak as she might appear to be. Dray was not always a valiant gentleman who feels compelled to help any less fortunate damsel he meets. He has his own sordid past. This is a relationship built on the healing powers of romance.

Keywords:

Romance, abuse, power, struggle, survival, motorcyle, club, friendship, loyalty, family, different, gruff, POV change, Irish, best friends, bad days, sexual content

My Review:

Broken and Burned, The second book in the Sacred Hearts MC Series was quite different from the first book (Shattered and Scarred). Though AJ Downey used another character from the MC, the story was wildly different. I thought it was quite clever for Downey to utilize characters from the first book that she had already given such personalities in Shattered and Scarred. I love the fact that this second story has such a great connection to book one, while being its own great story and potentially a standalone read. It’s as if, by telling the stories of Ethan “Trigger” in book one and the gal he finds on the side of the road and Draven “Dray” in book two and the gal he finds broken down at his mechanic shop, that Downey is creating the world of the MC. Eventually we will get everyone’s stories and pull more characters into the MC’s world.

Downey’s characters are so full of life and alive. Each character has a very specific backstory and such detailed characteristics and details that the characters must be alive, they seem so real. Both Dray and Evy are intensely and intimately real to me and I love them. They are unique and have their own interesting personality quirks. I feel like I would know how each would think and act in situations. I also know, without a doubt, what each one looks like.

I would like to mention how fantastic Downey’s character names are. Everett: named for the place she was born and the confusion in her father’s mind. Draven: carries his mother’s last name as his first name. How neat are those names and the stories that go along with them? Again, like book one, Downey utilizes POV switching between Dray and Evy seamlessly to tell their combined story and their personal stories.

This novel was published by Second Circle Press on September 8th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

A.J. Downey’s Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review: Green-Eyed Pursuit by Victoria Bastedo

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Green-Eyed Pursuit by Victoria Bastedo

A YA Mystery novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (05/04/2015)

Summary:

“Sometimes a thing has more value if it doesn’t come easily. And if you know your father before you know his history, you’ll have to judge him by his face and actions rather than by the trouble associated with his name.” (Kindle Locations 141-143).

Lucien, after discovering a letter written by his late mother detailing the existence of a father he never knew about, journeys to Seahaven with his best friend Rutherford and their schoolteacher Miss Pansy. After a 6 hour coach ride, they search all over town trying to find Amani Peale, Lucien’s father. They plan on matching eyes from father to son to prove parentage as both have startling green eyes. Eventually, the three are able to find Amani, but that is not all they discover in Seahaven. Lucien’s mother left the port town for good reason, to protect her son from the dark cloud of evil that surrounded Amani. There were those in the family and town who wanted to take over Amani’s inheritance and before Lucien was born, thugs roughed up Amani and framed him for murder. For 17 years Amani lay in wait, expecting the rogue to make a misstep so that Amani’s name could be cleared for good. Lucien gets caught up in Amani’s past as they work to create a new future together as father and son.

 

Keywords:

1905, Sea town, schoolteacher, absent father, inheritance, green-eyes, chase, family, love, loyalty, setup, suspense, stubbornness

 

My Review:

I adore Bastedo’s characters. She gives us a diverse assortment of them. You have Amani Peale, the estranged father who didn’t know he had a son and is valiantly trying to clear his name whilst building up his own fortunes outside of the family inheritance. Bremen is his loyal and trusty right hand man. Lucien is the boy who discovers he has a father as a near-adult and sets out to find him. Rutherford is his best friend. Miss Pansy is the schoolteacher who mothers them all. Beamish is the misunderstood upward-crawling family member whose opinions of Amani are less than nice. Finally, there is Clinger: the presumptuous bully from the docks. Bastedo’s characters are all very different in their personalities and their actions, although she has set some similarities between Amani and his son Lucien and between Bremen and Rutherford, the two buddies.

 

Though Bastedo sets her story in 1905, the writing style is lively if a bit dry. Her characters are stoic and don’t always admit to how they’re feeling. For Lucien, it’s his stubbornness that holds him back and keeps him from letting his feelings free. He lost his mother after all and doesn’t care to be mothered, subconsciously pushing away Miss Pansy’s attempts to care for him because she is in a way replacing the role of his late mother. Lucien is a fun character. Every time he is given new information that involves him and his future, he shows his aptitude for business and summarizing family legalities. His lengths at remaining stoic are hilarious, though he does display emotions when they are called for.

 

Though the writing and setting were somewhat dry to begin with and the action was slow to get the ball rolling, the story naturally found its stride and the secrets kept pouring out until the very end. I believe the slow to action start is quite appropriate for the setting of the story as 1905 was such a different time. Halfway through though, you won’t be able to put the book down as the drama accelerates and the action gets too exciting to let go.

 

This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 05/04/2015 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

On the web

SnoValley blog

Victoria Bastedo blog

Contest – Chance to Win $5 and/or $50 – Just Read and Review!

by in author platform, Miscellaneous Mondays, Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hello Blog Readers!

This is Rachel Barnard here. I’m hosting several contests on my blog here I wanted to let you know about. I wanted to give back to the readers and support great Indie authors, so I’ve come up with a contest to do both!

My first type of contest runs new monthly; with one in June, July, August, September, October, and November. All you have to do is purchase a book! Not just any book, though, one from my reviews list that I’ve rated 4.5 stars or higher.

I’ll be adding new books to choose from every week. You have until the end of the month to provide proof of purchase and you’ll be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card. Sweet yeah?

I’m also hosting a $50 Amazon gift card contest! All you have to do is write a review of three stars or higher for one of the books you purchased from my list.

 

Here’s the $50 contest:

 $50 Amazon Gift Card Drawing: Entries Open June Now Until December 31, 2015

Leave a review of 3 stars or higher of any of those 4.5 rated or higher books now until the end of the year to get entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Help support Indie authors!

If you don’t know what book to choose, I’ll even match you! Just fill in the following form:

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

email address provided will only be used to send possible book matches and I will not use it for any other purpose.

 

Be sure to check out my Contest Page on my blog for more details and throughout the year to enter the new contest every month!

Maple Valley Days!

by in Free Valley Publishing, Local Events, Maple Valley, Rachel Barnard, Seattle Specific Saturdays

What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you’re coming down to Maple Valley to support FreeValley Publishing at Maple Valley Days and get some great books!

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Maple Valley Days
06/12/15 – 06/14/15
Cost: Free
More Info

FreeValley Publishing will host a booth at the 2015 Maple Valley Days from June 12-14, 2015. Come visit the FVP booth and check out other Maple Valley local favorite vendors.

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Foodie Fridays: Food Challenge aftermath

by in Foodie Fridays

Here is what I normally eat:

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Here is the Goliath Challenge from last week:

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Here are some stats on calories for you: Goliath Burger features:
• 1 1/3 lbs beef with diced fresh habaneros (1288)
• 1/2 lb barbecue pulled pork (~600)
• Bacon (~86)
• cheddar and pepper jack cheeses (~200)
• home-made habanero relish (??)
• 4 onion rings (~275)
• 1.5 lb fries (~1700 calories)

~4139 calories in the challenge, I was saving calories all day (only ate ~250 in preparation which consisted of a peach, matcha urban remedy tea, a bite of crème caramel urban remedy, and a few bits of granola as well as lots of water)

Keep in mind that a person my size, weight, and height only needs to eat 1700 calories per day.

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I dressed up and made the challenge a meet up and invited anyone to come join or watch and two of my friends came, one even joined in the challenge.

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Here’s how I did:

I couldn’t weigh the food beforehand because the scale only goes up to x weight but I weighed the plate with the remainders and subtracted the wight of an empty plate

 

Plate weighed: 2 lbs 14 5/8 oz.

Food weighed: 3.5 lbs.

My plate remainders weighed: 1.09375 lbs.

the other challenger left: 1.3125 lbs.