Thursday, January 19, 2012

Book #3 Haunted by Heather Graham


Looking for a ghost story type of book that will give you the chills, and make you think about leaving the lights on in your crypt??? Ummm...this is not one of those books, but it was a good story all the same. :)

The story centres around Melody House, a colonial house in Virginia. There have been rumours and whispers of the hauntings going on at Melody House...but the owner Matt Stone doesn't believe in ghosts. Finally he is forced to bring in help in the form of an old family friend, Adam Harrison, who owns a paranormal investigation agency.

Enter Darcy Tremayne, a strong young woman who works for the paranormal agency called into investigate Melody House. Darcy has an ability to sense things about a location, she dreams about the past and can normally figure our what has happened at a location through her visions. Darcy warns Matt that he may not like what she finds regarding Melody House. Matt the non believer scoffs at her, and figures she is just nuts...but something about her draws him to her...

I have collected quite a few of Heather Grahams novels though the years. They have sat in the library in my crypt for quite some time, gathering gravedust. Her books have always made me raise an eyebrow when I read the synopsis, ghosts, hauntings, and the like are TOTALLY up my alley so to say. Unfortunately I haven't picked up one of her books until now (been pulled away by such authors as Jack Kilborn, J.A Konrath and Blake Crouch. If you haven't read anything by these authors go now!! Pick something up!!). I am very happy with Heather's writing style and how the story progresses. It is smooth, and engrossing.

My only complaint is the spirits in this book are guiding and mean no harm to the living. They want to communicate and tell their story, wether good or bad. Personally if your going to make a story centred around a haunting at least make them a little unnerving??? Who doesn't love a story with a crazed ghost wanting everyone to violently pay for what happened to them or at least scare the heck out of someone....oh? Just me?!?! Hmmm...

Other then that I enjoyed the book, it was a good story with a bunch of spooky moments, some romance, and a bit of a mystery in there to. I would recommend the book to those that don't like something to scary to read. (stay away from aforementioned authors if your one of these people)

Closing the doors of the crypt for now, till next time!


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Book 2-The Moonlit Mind by Dean Koontz


Well what can I say about book #2?? Only that I had huge hopes for it...sadly I was let down.

The Moonlit Mind is a prelude novella to Mr. Koontz's newest novel 77 Shadow Street, which I have been dying (no pun intended) to read since I received the email about it's release. When I discovered The Moonlit Mind I jumped on it. It is only available as an ebook, which suited me just fine.

The book is a story of a young boy named Crispin who has to flee his stepfathers home, Telford Hall, to save his life. He is alone at the age of 9, and has to struggle on the streets to survive. He meets a dog who he names Harley (after his younger brother), who is not your average dog.

I really don't know what more to tell you...I was very disappointed in this story...I hope everything that happened in the book comes together in 77 Shadow Street. I found this book to be scattered and unorganized. It didn't catch my interest in the beginning, and thus I had a hard time bouncing between the current story and the multitude of flashbacks.

Sorry for not much "heart" in this blog post...I just didn't feel a lot of desire to read this book, but I finished it, and I am again hoping 77 Shadow Street is so much better. With all the hype surrounding it, it better be.

You can check out the trailer for it on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kKCo7jVO4w

I am crossing my fingers and toes!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Here we go again! Book 1 of 100

Wow...it's been quite a while since I have written a "confession". 2011 was a busy, busy year with not much time to think, nevermind read. I have agreed to another 100 book challenge with the "Banshee of Busby", my BFF Dawn, hoping to dig myself out of the ground and read again.

Hopefully 2012 will be much less hectic, and give me the much needed time to open the doors of my crypt and dig out the books that have built up a layer of grave dust.

The first book I have opened is Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Although this one has no gravedust as it was just released, it still had it's fair share of haunting my brain. My best fiend (no typo there) Dawn actually opened my eyes to this book about 6 months ago, and we have both been chomping (Brrraaaaiiiiinnnssss!) to get our hands on this book.
Shatter Me is the story of Juliette, a 17 year old girl who has been placed in "an asylum" by her parents, who are unable to cope with her "special ability". Juliette can kill people by touching them.

Honestly, I almost put this book in the "will never finish" pile quite a few times. The beginning of the book reads like a Simple Plan song...a lot of "pity me, pity me, my life is awful, woe is me blah blah blah" It totally had be wanting to gouge my rotting eyes out more then once. But...I didn't...and I can't say I am happy about pushing through to the end of the book, but I am satisfied.

The book carries on this way until about page 100 (which is a long damn time for a book to actually get moving), once the character of Adam comes into the plot, things seem to turn around.

I can't explain to much without spoiling the book, but lets just say Adam makes even this Zombiemom's heart flutter a bit more, and on occasion my dry eyes get a little moist. He is an amazing addition to this story, allowing Juliette to really open up like a flower. Her character and true personality comes forth and you can't help but feel for her, and those that she cares for.

So yes, I would recommend getting your decomposing hands on this book, if you would only like to escape for a little bit.