Product Review: The Zombie Tarot

by: Paul Kepple and Stacey Graham

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
You’ve never seen tarot cards quite like these. Imagine the celebrated “Rider Deck” infused with the horrors of Night of the Living Dead, and the result is The Zombie Tarot—a crazy, campy interpretation of a classic divination system.

In this zombified parallel universe, wands become limbs, pentacles are biohazard symbols, and the Major Arcana is full of shambling corpses. Along with the 78-card deck, readers will receive instructions in a 96-page full-color book; its contents explain how to survive the zombie apocalypse and forecast your future using one of three different card layouts.

The secrets of The Zombie Tarot await you!

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I know Zombie's are all the rage right now, so a Zombie Tarot isn't too surprising. But this is such a unique spin. The art has a 1950s post-atomic-bomb-apocalyptic feel. It was perfect right after the Housewives Tarot. They balance each other.

It comes in a pretty heavy-duty cardboard box similar to the Housewives Tarot. The cards are made from a thick cardstock that seems like it will last forever!

I adore the artwork but the numbered cards didn't always make logical sense. Look at the Seven of Swords above, there are no swords or knives, there are 8 zombies...see, there's no number tie-in. I'm not enough of an expert to know if this is a problem or not, after all the cards are clearly labeled. And from what I've read in the booklet, the pictures can pull you toward their meaning.

It's a little gory without being too off-putting. These are so kitschy, you just gotta love them even if you don't read the tarot. But what better deck to learn from than one that makes you laugh and you enjoy looking through. In one tarot book I've read, the author says you should play with your cards to learn them better. This deck encourages much play, even my children keep digging into it, and they have their very own tarot deck.

Book Review: Dear Jack...a Finding Emma Novella

by: Steena Holmes

Available at Amazon

Synopsis:
Dear Jack...a Finding Emma novella. The journal of a woman unwilling to let go.

Coming December 1, 2013

Dottie is a woman with a heart full of emotions but unable to express them unless through written word. When Jack goes off to war, Dottie is left behind having to be strong for their young daughter, Mary.

While Jack is away, she keeps a journal full of letters for Jack, for him to read when he comes home. Except, Jack has gone missing and leaves Dottie to fend for herself.

Were you one of the readers who wanted to know about the story behind Dottie and Doug? This is where you'll find out.

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This was a unique experience. It's a very quick read, only a short story. It's written like letters to Jack in journal form. He had given her the journal to write in everyday that he was away. We learn about life during that time, the women left behind...the men left behind. Jack's friend couldn't serve in the war, so he was one of the few men around and it fell to him to help the women with the chores their husbands usually took care of.

I don't want to say too much more, I don't want to give it away. I found it a very easy read. It moves faster than a regular story because it's only a woman's nightly journal writing. She has a daughter, and that finds its way in a lot, she has his best friend who has promised to take care of them while Jack is away, and she writes about the other women in their neighborhood.

Jack and Dottie are characters from the novel Finding Emma. This is a interesting look into their past, and it gives some dimension especially to Dottie and even some clues to Mary.

Do you need to read Finding Emma first? Nope, in fact I didn't even remember the connection until I wrote this review. It stands alone just find on it's own.

Book Review: The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs

by: Dana Bate

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Hannah Sugarman seems to have it all. She works for an influential think tank in Washington, D.C., lives in a swanky apartment with her high-achieving boyfriend, and is poised for an academic career just like her parents. The only problem is that Hannah doesn’t want any of it. What she wants is much simpler: to cook.

When her relationship collapses, Hannah seizes the chance to do what she’s always loved and launches an underground supper club out of her new landlord’s town house. Though her delicious dishes become the talk of the town, her secret venture is highly problematic, given that it is not, technically speaking, legal. She also conveniently forgets to tell her landlord she has been using his place while he is out of town.

On top of that, Hannah faces various romantic prospects that leave her guessing and confused, parents who don’t support cooking as a career, and her own fears of taking a risk and charting her own path. A charming romantic comedy, The Girls’ Guide to Love and Supper Clubs is a story about finding yourself, fulfilling your dreams, and falling in love along the way.

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This book really touched me. It starts out with Hannah kind of having a dream life. She has a boyfriend who is doing well, she has a job that her family approves of. But it's not really perfect. He's kind of an ass and throws her out and she honestly hates her job. She loves to cook, that's where her passion lies.

So when she finds her perfect apartment, her friend starts pressuring her to hold a supper club. It's an illegal and secret dinner. I was hooked. I'd love to do something like that! But with 2 kids and a ratty old trailer, I'll have to live through Hannah for right now.

It's a good sign when you are cringing at all the bad choices a character makes but you still can't put it down. I read this book months ago, the cover caught me. I had some free time and library books but this cover just screamed "read me!" It really was a great chick-lit story. Romantic comedy? Fun, definitely fun!

Book Review: Blood Seductions

by: Celeste Hall

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Beware of dark desire… When a vampire falls in love with a human, there is more at risk than a broken heart. How do you protect the one you love from becoming the thing she fears most in the world? How do you share your life with someone knowing fully well that your blood carries a virus which could destroy her?

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This book is a very fast read, I read it Friday afternoon before going out to dinner with family. I didn't put a whole lot of concentration into it, but it's not my usual read.

What I did glean from this story is that it's full of adventure, drama, and it's pretty well-written. The pacing is extremely fast. I didn't know the girl was human, though. The stuff I did catch from her, I thought she was something else...I mean what human could survive a vampire attack without becoming a vampire herself?

So if you enjoy paranormal romance, I think you'll really enjoy this book. It's not really outstanding, but it's not bad either.

Book Review: The Good Daughter

by: Jane Porter

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Love was given to all, except herself . . . Kit Brennan has always been the most grounded of her sisters. A Catholic school English teacher for seventeen years and a constant giver, her decisions have been sound—just not very satisfying. Her fortieth birthday is right around the corner, causing Kit to consider some wilder notions, like skipping right past the love and marriage to raising a child all by herself . . . A girls’ weekend away is just the reprieve Kit needs from school, Mr. Wrongs, and life-changing decisions. It’s there that she meets a man who’s dangerous; a man who challenges who she thought she was, or rather should be. Kit wants to indulge herself this once, but with one of her students in crisis and the weight of her family’s burdens weighing heavy on her heart, Kit isn’t sure if now is the time to let her own desires take flight . . .

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The Good Daughter continues from the 1st story, The Good Woman, but it's from a different sister's perspective. These books are about the Brennan sisters. The first was about Meg and the mess she creates by having an affair. This continues where that ended but now it's from Kat's perspective.

Kat is tired of waiting. She spent 10 years with a man who turned out to not really love her at all. He just wanted a girlfriend. She wanted a family. Now she's lost hope of ever finding someone. She does some real soul searching in this novel and makes some choices for herself even as she is watching her mom die from cancer. I do have to admit that I'm in love with this family. They aren't always perfect and it's presented in a realistic way. But they love each other and are close, it's the family I dream of having.

Jane Porter has such a smooth writing style that there are never any boring spots, it's a real page-turner. I love how she can seamlessly go from one story about one sister right into the next about another sister. She did give a little peek at how Meg is doing, too.

I truly love these Brennan Sisters books and can't wait for the next one. *fingers crossed* I can review that one, too! I wonder if she'll write about all the sisters?

Book Review: Tiger's Eye

by: Barbra Annino

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Stacy Justice is looking forward to a lazy summer of hot dogs and beer; swims in the lake with her Great Dane, Thor; and hanging with her rekindled old flame, Chance. But when she gets a creepy anonymous call hinting that her father’s “accidental” death fourteen years ago was actually a murder, she’s too unsettled to relax. Stacy has blamed herself for his death all along—in fact, it’s the reason she’s fought so hard against being a witch. But who’d want to kill an innocent small-time newspaperman?

That’s the question on Stacy’s mind when she casts a spell that goes horribly wrong. And between the white tiger that keeps appearing out of thin air, the body in the lake, the feisty razor-toothed Chihuahua, and the gun-toting maniac, she suddenly has her hands full once again. But solving the mystery of her father’s death is Stacy’s number-one priority…and avenging it, if necessary, is a very close second.

Continuing the thrilling Stacy Justice saga, Tiger’s Eye drives the reluctant witch deeper into the mysteries of her family’s past…and the darker regions of her soul.

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I've had the pleasure to review the previous Stacy Justice tales. I would say Stacy Justice is like Stephanie Plum, but that's not really true. Stacy Justice is smart, competent and a witch. She's better! And Tiger's Eye is the best one yet. There's some awkwardness with Leo, but Stacy has really settled down with Chance. So her love life is less of a mess, but her family still needs fixing.

Her father died when she was young, and her mother is in witch jail in Ireland, I think. They just say "The Old Country" but I think that's what they mean. Before Stacy has been reluctant to acknowledge her status as a witch and start training with the Geraghty Girls, her grandmother and 2 great-aunts. In this novel she finally accepts her purpose. She is happy to get trained by her family so she can save her mother. But first, she has to figure out who murdered her father.

There are no shortages of surprises and mysteries. We also learn more about Stacy and her family. I really enjoyed this one and I stand by what I said, best one yet!

Book Review: Love and Other Subjects

by: Kathleen Shoop

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
For every woman who thought she chose the wrong career…

In Love and Other Subjects Carolyn Jenkins strives for two things—to be the greatest teacher ever and to find true love. She’s as skilled at both as an infant chowing down with a fork. Carolyn’s suburban upbringing and genuine compassion for people who don’t fit effortlessly into society are no match for weapon-wielding, struggling students, drug-using colleagues, and a wicked principal.

Meanwhile, her budding relationship with a mystery man is thwarted by his gaggle of eccentric sisters. Carolyn depends on her friends to get her through the hard times, but with poverty-stricken children at her feet and a wealthy man at her side, she must define who she is. The reality of life after college can be daunting—the road to full-fledged adulthood is long and unscripted. Can Carolyn take control and craft the life she’s always wanted?

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My first impression when I sat down to read this story was joy that it is a novel! My 2nd impression was, I love Carolyn! She is goofy, struggling with her career, and a bit socially awkward. I'm VERY socially awkward and I can't seem to figure out what I want to do with myself. Granted, she knew she wanted to be a teacher who makes a difference, but between the students and the principal, she was struggling through her first year.

"I made people laugh. Not because I was witty, but because I was ridiculous." - Carolyn in Love and Other Subjects.

When the story started, I kept waiting for her to quit and find a new career. She didn't seem to be a good fit, and she kept butting heads with Klein, the principal. She'd have to deal with him and then her students would do something horrifying. The stress she was under, I just gained so much respect for this character because she never gave up. She had a goal, and fought for it.

One evening, after having been shot in the foot with a BB gun, she met Jeep (aka Money). He was handsome and his very touch sent shock-waves through her body. She felt a "soul-slip"; which I think is the least cheesy soul-mate thing ever. But even this isn't perfect. They both keep messing up, too stubborn. I'll give him credit, he was very sweet and natural with her.

It's also really funny in many parts. Yes, crude, but I couldn't help but snort-laugh when she woke herself with very loud farts during her first sleep-over with Jeep. You end up wanting what's best for her, but who knows what that is? You just have to keep reading. I was nearly late for work last night, I just had to finish! lol

Book Review: A Different Witch

by: Debora Geary

Available at Amazon

Synopsis:
A Note from Debora: For those of you who haven't discovered my witches yet, I invite you to start with book one, A Modern Witch. Some series can be read out of order - this isn't one of them :).

For the rest of you who have been eagerly awaiting this release... happy reading - and thank you!

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Witch Central welcomes everyone. Or does it?

Twenty months ago, Jamie and Lauren crashed a coven meeting in Chicago - a visit they barely remember. For Beth Landler, it was the moment that fractured her circle and awakened her need for an entirely different kind of magic.

The kind only found in Witch Central. If she can dig up the courage to go.

A Different Witch is book five of the top-rated A Modern Witch series. Light contemporary fantasy with a good dose of humor, a little romance, and characters you won't want to leave.

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I agree with Debora's note, that's why I included it. You really should start with book 1, which I have also reviewed. Oh I have reviewed them all! They fall under paranormal, but not really romance. Plus they are light and fun, big problems that are still light compared to man-eating werewolves. I guess I'm saying, it's low on the violence and gore scale.

This is the 5th book in the Modern Witch series. There are a whole bunch of characters that we've been learning more about along the way, and new ones in each book that don't seem to go away quietly. The witches of Witch Central, what they call themselves in Berkley, CA...and a little bit from Nova Scotia. Having fully figured out how to transport through the Witch Central game, travel is no longer an issue.

I love how Debora can keep it fresh, in what is really the 8th book she's written about some of these people. And this was unique in that the new witch has Aspergers and was taken without warning. A cross between the fetching spell and the travel spell and Beth found herself way outside her comfort zone. Beth came through, though with less scaring than poor Nell. See, Nell is a fighter and she just doesn't know how to get through to Beth without succumbing to her own frustrations.

All in all, it was another fantastic story in a long line of them. These really are quite easy to take. Not a lot of violence or even sex, I would let my teens read them without pause.

Additional note - if you have a Nook instead of a Kindle, you can purchase the Kindle version and send your receipt to Debora. She will then get you an ePub copy for your Nook.

Tarot Review: The Housewives Tarot

by: Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Within This Box Lie The Secrets of Domestic Empowerment

Begin your journey by lifting the lid, dealing out your fate, and understanding the hidden messages of The Housewives Tarot. Through images of dinnerware (Pentacles), martini glasses (Cups), mops and brooms (Wands), and much more, these tarot cards can answer all of life’s most challenging questions. The enclosed instruction book will show you how to interpret all 78 cards and provides useful advice on giving a reading.

Includes:

• 78-card Tarot Deck
  
• Instruction Book

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I have to say this Tarot comes across as more kitsch than anything else. But I loved seeing the pictures on Mrs. B's Facebook page. So when the opportunity came up to review the deck for Quirk, I jumped at the chance. Ok, I begged. lol I have to say, it's the most accurate Tarot deck I've used. I think part of it is the imaging. Look at the Devil card - Devil's Food Cake. Every image screams 1950s-1960s household...not just housewives. It's loaded with vintage pop culture that many of us will understand more easily than the images that are more...how do I put this..artsy-fartsy? ;-)
I'm saying, in this modern world, this deck is fun and it works. I've done simple readings, just past-present-future, and each one has been accurate and eye opening. I also adore the recipe box the cards come in. There are actual recipes, and separators for the deck between the Major and Minor Arcana and of course the instruction booklet. There are real recipes included, and the layouts included in the booklet are housewife style. Remember the 3 card reading I just mentioned? It calls to place the cards sideways and renamed it "The Neapolitan." There's also "The Dinette" which looks like a place setting at your dinner table. If nothing else, it's the most unique deck and set of instructions that I've ever seen in the world of Tarot. And I'm one to spend ages in that section at my local pagan store.