pelicanfreak's reviews
2209 reviews

This has been on my TBR pile for a few weeks now and I am glad I finally opened it; once I did I couldn't put it down! From the opening we are treated to a very vivid picture of Michael Walker's predicament. I must say it made me cringe even more so than when I watch television or movies and have the images in front of me - Palmer does an excellent job of being descriptive, yet without being too wordy. As a result the book was fast-paced and full of action, drama - even some humor. The only drawback was that it had to end - but luckily there's more (Book 2). I highly recommend this read!

As I am treated to the POVs’ of characters who are literally, centuries apart I am intrigued and feel a need to go on. Once catapulted into the future I cannot help but appreciate the tone of this time; computers have taken over the world – something I’ve been saying will happen as we continue to give them more and more abilities.
The characters are very interesting, particularly Milo who on the surface seems like an evil genius but without posting any spoilers I’ll just say I perceive there to be more to him than that deep down.
We are also treated to an interesting glimpse into what can happen when a government is allowed to have too much power.
I was unable to put this book down – I will say be prepared to need Book 2 as it does end abruptly.

There are so many things to love about this book that I fear I'll not be able to name them all here! Immediately I'm drawn into the characters, loving to hate on the antagonist and wanting to know more about the lives of all the others. Soon I am treated to just that - all the while a bit of mystery and romance, drama with a helpful dose of humor thrown in are going on. I ended up speeding through this book as a result of my inability to put it down; now that there's no more to read I am eagerly looking for more of this series - Barrymire has made me a fan, and she made it look easy. My favorite part of this book is that it takes place in a small town - I love the general atmosphere and the close-knit community. The story is generally well written as I spotted only a few minor errors.
Highly recommend this read.

Book 3 of the Broken Protocols series shows us Dani attempting to get back to normal... except her new 'normal' is anything but. After the action and drama she was recently subjected to, perhaps she can finally get to learning about this new time she's landed in and settle into her new life. BP3 starts out just where BP2 ended, not missing a beat and it does give a glimpse into the trouble that got her here but I highly recommend reading this series in order - so far it's been full of fast, fun reads. Laced with inside jokes from its predecessors and some lingering danger make for another great read. I read this in what seemed like mere minutes as it flew by and I could not put it down. This series is a reminder that no matter how much the world around us changes, perhaps we do not.

Ribbon is a young, likable girl: down to earth and relatable. As she tells me a bit about her family I have a need to learn more and as I am soon introduced to Draven I’m hooked. I love the world inside this book to the point that I want to live in it myself.
I was unable to put this book down until there was no more – it was a bit too abrupt for me. The drama that sucked me in was wrapped up just a bit too neatly, without much further drama. As a standalone, it does work but is just a bit too tidy. Lucky for us readers, it kicks of a series – I’ll be needing more of this world and found Ribbon of Darkness to the be perfect introduction.

This novel sucked me in from the start and in what seemed like minutes I’d read half of it already. I enjoyed the drama of following Grace through her child/teen/college years. It began to get a little too ‘happily ever after’ for a short while but there was still drama and it kept me intrigued. Yet more drama ensued and I won’t say whether it was a happily ever after – you’ll need to read to find out. For me, it was very well written, and a good story concept but a bit dragged out.

Braineater Jones

Upon first discovering this book and checking it out, one might be under the impression that it’s some sort of joke or spoof. Check it out anyway – trust me. I love this book. Off the bat, I find myself laughing at it – I do not mean in a mocking way. I mean because the author has a way of writing that is quite humorous. ‘Braineater Jones’ describes his surroundings and situation in a way that paints a very clear picture, provides humor and makes me need to read on. As I do, there are several mysteries afoot and none of them are your typical mystery novel style. This book is like nothing I’ve read before and I just want more.

While Jones is undead, there isn’t any apocalypse / zombie situation going on. People are going about their lives during a difficult time in our history- some are living and some are.. well.. unliving. Jones’s personality promptly shines through, despite the fact that he cannot remember who he is – this is a brilliantly designed character surrounded by other well designed, and funny characters.

The author was even considerate enough to include a glossary in the back to help with some of the slang from the past though I must say I didn’t find this necessary. Any phrases I hadn’t heard before were used in away that were self-explanatory meaning there was no need to be checking back & forth.

First of all this collection is designed brilliantly; if you’re a fan of short stories you can read this, in or out of order as standalones as they all wrap up nicely. Yet, if you’d rather a full-length novel, you can read them all (I’d suggest in order) as each has ties to the others. This has been an incredibly fun read that more than lived up to all the hype that the promotional materials built up for me over the past several months.


‘A Diary Full of Names’ by Tyffani Clark Kemp
Extremely well written, hard to put down and a bit mysterious. Although Die is open about what landed her in this situation, there is clearly a bit more to her that she’d rather not divulge so easily. In Die’s story, we are also treated to a glimpse of the other girls in rehab and I cannot help but feel excited for all that is to come.

‘A Closet Full of Demons’ by Miranda Stork
Catherine is hilarious and highly relatable for me. I suspect she’s only partly straightforward in telling us what landed her in Rehab but as dark magic is involved I have to find out but I get the feeling she really isn’t all that bad…
This one will leave you needing more – typical Miranda!

‘A Cauldron Full of Goodbyes’ by Cynthia Valero
Trista brings us to a very fun place in history – this story is not to be missed! A bit naïve yet fearless, her story is exciting every step of the way.

‘A Trunk Full of Peril’ by Tara S. Wood
Circe is my kind of chick – the style, the language the attitude. Even if you’re not a fan of her particular brand, you’ll find yourself hard pressed to keep a straight face at her antics. Her self-destructiveness is frustrating but stick with her; trust me…

‘A Basement Full of Secrets’, by J. A. Howell
Finally – we get to meet Gertie! Each of the other girls has had something interesting to say about her and I’m so ready to read her side. She grows on me quickly and fiercely – I SO need more Gertie in my life that I’m wondering if we can convince Howell to give her her own series or something… Without spoilers I will also say that some very satisfying stuff happens here as well.

‘A Suitcase Full of Revenge’ by Elle J. Rossi
Robie’s story is short and sweet and like some of the other girls, she isn’t actually bad, just screwed over. Very well developed characters and good continuity with the other stories but what I absolutely love here is the sinister feel the story gives off.

‘A Photo Full of Justice’ by All above-mentioned Authors
Action packed & well written, you’ll have to read for yourself to find out what happens here.

We are treated to a short and sweet introduction - nice. Immediately onto the recipes and some of these are quite brilliant. I'd never have thought to use my slowcooker for pancakes, for example. The recipes are easy to understand, clearly stated and consisting of easy-to-obtain ingredients. This is a great book!

The book opens up in a way that leaves me wanting more and I have to go on - I started this book earlier today and I couldn't stop until it was finished. There are very well-developed characters who seem realistic both in nature and in their conversations, something I'm not finding enough of lately. Early on I made several predictions thinking I'd made how the whole book would play out but - nope. It took a very different turn and I will not know if ANY of my predictions are correct as the end left me very much hanging. Very well written with good grammar and from a believable standard. The POV switches around a bit and it is done well with great continuity and is very easy to follow.