Review of Dead as Dutch

I am not a fan of the Zombie genre. I don't understand the fascination with them. But when I was offered the chance to check out Dead as Dutch for free in exchange for my review for BookRooster.com, I decided to give this young adult novel a chance.

Stan is a film student, preparing to film a ten-minute short called Letter 13 for the coveted Fatty Arbuckle prize. He has grandiose thoughts of himself being the next Hitchcock or Coppola. On his crew is the scary-smart Irv, who seems to know a little bit about everything. His kid sister Dana has been coerced into helping him film as second unit. Keisha is the sexy female lead. Bryce is the whiny, spoiled rich kid who is used to getting his own way, especially as a talented actor. He is playing the lead opposite Keisha. All we really know about the plot of the movie is that it involves running from aliens. A good director is supposed to go with the flow and the flow quickly changes while the fivesome is working on their project.

When they accidentally uncover a mysterious metal box, their movie takes a completely different turn. The sun is going down, so they start to meander back to their campground, only to get completely lost. They stumble upon the cabin of the creepy Munyon, who seems like he belongs in Deliverance, and offers them shelter for the night. However, they quickly realize that they are not alone in the woods. Can they make room in the script for the Undead, while still clinging to their own lives?


The book was a relatively easy read for me. It flows in the same pattern as watching one of those cheesy teen horror movies unfold. The characters and the plot completely fit the mold. It reminded me of the I Know What You Did Last Summer series, as far as the characters and cheese factor were concerned, though much less scary. In fact, when the resolution comes at the end of the story, I was not surprised and actually suspected such an ending was going to occur.

Rich Docherty makes sure you really know his characters as he frequently rabbit trails to tell you each one's history. The backgrounds for some of them did seem pertinent to the story. Other ones were way too long and almost unnecessary. But unlike some other books I have read as of late, his background stories were well distinguished from the current plot. I could envision them as memory sequences during a movie.

It isn't going to qualify as literature of the highest quality, but it provides an escape for a few hours.

Get your Kindle copy here, regular price $2.99.

Huge Giveaway With The Vampire Hunter's Daughter

Are you a Facebook Fan of The Vampire Hunter's Daughter yet? If not, you better get over to Jennifer Malone Wright's page as soon as you can! She is running a HUGE giveaway right now. You have 12 more days from this posting to enter.

The Grand Prize Winner's special gifts include two autographed books, five free e-books, $10 to both Amazon and Starbucks, and an autographed bookmark. Two runner-ups will each receive an autographed copy of Jen's other book The Birth of Jaiden and a $5 Amazon gift card.


Gaining entries is easy. Visit the giveaway app and follow each step along the way. All you have to do is "Like" the pages of the books and their authors. Tweet about the giveaway. And share it with your friends!

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter is the first vampire series that I have fallen in love with, as I am not usually a fan of the genre. Jen is proving me wrong in my opinions!

Let me know if you have entered the giveaway! And good luck!

Review of The Hunger Games

It's a hot topic right now, as The Hunger Games movie was just released in theatres last weekend. Many people have gone to the movie without reading the book. Still others have read the book in advance of going to the movie.

I admit that I am not really interested in going to see the movie, but was curious about the books. I remember hearing people talk about them a couple of years ago when they first came out. But the idea of a bunch of starving kids fighting to the death was not interesting to me at all. I had picked up the book a couple of times to read it, but could never get past the first few pages. This past weekend, I made a concentrated effort to at least get through the first chapter. I wanted to give it a truly valiant effort. And by the end of one chapter, I was hooked.




Katniss Everdeen is 16 years old. She lives in District 12 in the nation of Panem, formerly the place known as North America. All of the districts are run by The Capitol. As punishment for an uprising some years ago, most of the inhabitants are kept in extreme poverty. People are forced to scrounge for food and often die for hunger, though the cause of death is often listed as something like pneumonia. Katniss takes care of her mother and her beloved 12 year-old sister, Prim, by illegally hunting in the woods outside of the fenced-in area and trading some of the meat for other foods and items. Their father was killed by a mine some years ago. Their mother was too depressed to care for her family, so Katniss took charge.

Once a year, The Capitol forces a battle between the Districts known as The Hunger Games. One boy and one girl from each district is chosen to compete. The 24 kids are forced to battle to the death as inhabitants of Panem watch on live TV.  This year, the girl from District 12 is Katniss's sister, Prim. Katniss quickly steps up to take her sister's place.

Survival comes naturally to Katniss, but so many other factors come into play during the Games. When she inadvertently becomes a national sensation prior to the Games, her chances of survival increase in the eyes of the audience. But it also marks her as one to remove as far as the other players are concerned. Will she be able to survive and bring pride to District 12? Can she win the big prize and care for her family in a way that she has never been able to before? Or will she succumb to the survival instincts of the other players?

I loved this book. I didn't think that I would. Katniss is the narrator and tells the story in real time. That makes you a part of the action as being told. You see the world through her eyes and witness events as she does. The pages turn quickly as you are engrossed in her life. It is action-packed, without being gory or obnoxious.

I want to point out that there really is not a lot of gore in the book. The killing scenes give enough detail to make a point, but are not so detailed that you will be completely grossed out. This is not just a story about teenagers fighting each other to the death. While a couple of the characters appear to be out for murder, it is more of a survival instinct that keeps them fighting and killing. They don't have any other options if they want to survive. To give in and lie down to defeat is suicide. What would you do?

For those who really want to, you can get into deep conversations about how this book parallels history and other cultures. Naturally, one of the historical societies that comes to mind is the Romans with their gladiator battles. It also makes a strong statement about society and the problems that come with too much governmental control.

Other than its message, it is just a good read. I was reminded a lot of Stephen King's book The Long Walk (which was written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman). I read a lot of Stephen King starting when I was about 10 years old. But I was the kind of kid who could handle that type of subject matter without a lot of problems.

My advice to parents who are questioning this book for their own kids is to read it first. As an adult, you are going to get more out of it than teenagers will. Assess the book for yourself and then think about your own child. Everyone's child is different, so you can't say that it is more appropriate for a 17 year-old vs. a 13 year-old. And definitely read the book prior to seeing the movie. I have heard that you understand the movie a little bit better if you do, which is usually the case.

As always, I would love to hear your feedback on the book. I'd even love to hear your thoughts on the movie adaptation.

You have many options for how you read the Hunger Games. Click on one of the links below to purchase your own copy.

• The Kindle version of The Hunger Games.
• Get a movie tie-in paperback version of the book.
• Purchase the trilogy as a boxed set. Once you read one, you will want to read them all!

Free YA Kindle Reads: Hockey, Mystery & Mermaids

I am not a huge fan of the vampire/werewolf genre. So, finding something I am interested in downloading for free from the Amazon Kindle in the YA genre can be tricky at times. However, I did manage to come across a couple of promising leads and am sharing them here with you.

No Kindle? No worries! I currently do all of my e-book reading by using the free Kindle apps for my Droid and my laptop. But soon I will own a Kindle Fire!

Face-Off (Book One)

This book was originally published when the author was a mere 16 years old. Twin brothers T.J. and Brad used to attend different high schools. Brad was at the public school and was the star of the hockey team. T.J. went to a fancy prep school and their father's favorite. But now T.J. has gotten out of the prep school and comes to the public school. He starts to compete to take over his brother's starring role on the hockey team, as well as stealing his brother's girlfriend.

Get your Kindle copy here.

Mississippi Cotton

Young Jake takes a bus to visit relatives in the Mississippi Delta in 1951. What is supposed to be a fun summer vacation takes a turn when an unknown body is found in the Mississippi River. The cousins decide to try their hand at detective work and start snooping around, but really should leave it to the adults.

Get your Kindle copy here.

 Deep Waters (The Lemoso Legends)

Okay, I do somewhat enjoy mermaids and have lived near the Great Lakes my entire life. In this book, a species of mermaids, known as the Lemoso, live in the Great Lakes. But environmental pollution and disasters have been threatening their way of life. Raymos, their prince, decides to take a stand and ends up in a forbidden relationship with a human. Both of them seek to save the Great Lakes.

Get your Kindle copy here.

Wanderlove Giveaway on YA Highway

Kirsten Hubbard on YA Highway is ecstatic to share that her new book, Wanderlove, is being released today! It's a story about finding yourself and love while traveling in Central America. It is also about art and travel. The book is a personal journey for the author, as it contains her favorite travel destinations and illustrations.





To celebrate, she has 26 different giveaways happening on her blog. Enter to win prize packages ranging from signed prints of Wanderlove illustrations to Mayan bracelets and several others in between.

Up to 5 international winners will be chosen, so no worries if you live outside of the USA. The contest stays open until Saturday, March 24th. Winners will be posted on Sunday, March 25th. So, head over to YA Highway to make your entry. And while you're waiting, purchase your own copy of Wanderlove and start planning your own travels.

Sisterhood Everlasting: The 5th Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Book

Young adult readers fell in love with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. The story of Lena, Tibby, Carmen and Bridget (a.k.a. Bee) and their infamous magical jeans brought to life the bonds of sisterhood that happen between girls who have been friends for life. These four young girls were all born in the month of September, to four moms who bonded during their prenatal classes. The four babies, though as different as the four seasons, became closer than friends, closer than sisters. They were a part of each other.

Flash forward a decade from the end of the fourth novel. In Sisterhood Everlasting, the foursome are now approaching their 30th birthdays. They are scattered in four different directions, leading four different lives. Time and distance has had its toll on them. Each one is feeling her own kind of pain without her other selves, yet doesn't know how to handle it. Finally, Tibby surprises all of them with tickets to Greece for a sort of reunion.

Upon their arrival, they are met with great tragedy. Their differences cause them to drift further apart as they deal with their own personal demons. Follow them on their quest for self-discovery and healing as they find their ways back to each other again.







This is a beautiful story. As an adult a few years older than the characters, I can relate to their struggles. But even teens who read the first four books may be able to relate on some level to the struggles going on in their lives. If anything, it can serve as a reminder to young girls that adulthood doesn't mean that all of your problems are over. With the love and help from friends and family, you can endure any obstacles that come in your way. It is also a powerful reminder to cultivate true friendships and bonds and to cherish them forever.

Readers will be able to find a way to relate to all four of the girls on some level. While this book has enough background information to be a stand alone novel, I recommend fans read the entire series to truly understand and feel their plights. Keep a few tissues on hand!

I was provided a preview galley of the paperback version of this novel by the publisher for the purpose of reviewing through my association with NetGalley. All opinions are strictly my own.

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter Part IV: Divided

Chloe's story is heating up. She is nursing her injury from the fight with the vampires. But instead of feeling defeated, she is even more eager to vanquish them all.

But in the meantime, she has her hot date with Gavin to the New Year's Ball to worry about. For one night, she gets to forget about vampires and get all dressed up. But why is Drew acting so jealous? It sounds like a love triangle is brewing.

Vampires are getting closer. Chloe's vampire blood is also starting to heat up a bit, though she is trying hard to ignore it. I see some foreshadowing in this installment.

Luke is slowly recuperating in the hospital. But then he has a sinister visitor. Chloe is forced to make some major life decisions and abandons this new life to which she has just started to become accustomed.

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter Part IV ends with a cliffhanger that will make you impatiently wait for the fifth part. Rumor has it that Part V will become available at the end of March. I am looking forward to it, because I have been completely sucked into this story!

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter series is one that will appeal to those who love vampires, as well as those of us who traditionally don't. It's fun young adult reading that will keep you glued to the screen and escape reality for a short while.

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter Part III: Becoming

It's Christmas. Chloe is surrounded with friends and her small family, but she still feels completely lonely without her mother. She decides that she wants to go visit her mom's grave for the first time. Drew takes her to the cemetery where she sits and sobs for half an hour at her mother's grave. As they are getting ready to leave, Chloe is seized by a strange warm tingling sensation, starting into her stomach and stretching into her fingertips. They are being visited by Sostrate, daughter of Artemis, who is giving Chloe the guidance that she so desires from her mother. Sostrate also gives her a special gift. Later, Chloe discovers her own personal gift or superpower while she and Drew are out for a run. There is no end to all of the learning. As the vampires begin to close in, she can't learn it fast enough.

This installment of The Vampire Hunter's Daughter is yet again fast-paced and sucks you in. As Chloe learns more about herself, you can't help but wonder what else you are going to learn with her. You want to see her succeed and to hone the gifts she has been given. Immediately after reading Part III: Becoming, I couldn't wait to download Part IV!





Download the first three parts all together!

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter Part II: Powerful Blood

I did it. I gave in and actually spent money on Kindle books, just so that I could continue reading The Vampire Hunter's Daughter series. I usually prefer to have physical books in my hand, especially when spending money on them. But the free first installment that I had received was so intriguing, it was worth the low price to continue the story.

In Part II, "Powerful Blood," Chloe is working herself ragged learning the tricks of the vampire hunter trade. She struggles with hand-to-hand combat, but is getting better with her daily run. She has also found that her particular skill is in shoot with both guns and a bow and arrow.

She is anxious to know more about her history, as well as that of vampire hunters in general. So she goes to the library and is surprised by what she finds out. She also finally asks Luke, her grandfather, to tell her more about her heritage. By having a vampire hunter for a mother and a vampire for a father, she is definitely in a unique situation.

Typical teen angst also sets in as Chloe goes to school. She finds her nemesis in Christina Livingston, the school bitch/slut, who has also dated Drew. She and Drew continue to develop their relationship, whatever that is meant to be. Chloe also witnesses her first vampire fight since her mother's murder.

Chloe is also trying to cope with her first birthday and first Thanksgiving without her mother. I felt particularly connected to her on this level, as I have recently gone through my first birthday and first holiday season without both of my parents. Whether you are a 14 year-old girl or a 34 year-old woman, it is a difficult rite of passage. This part of the story ends with Chloe asking for her mother's help, only to receive silence.

Yet again, I zipped through this installment of the story. I had to immediately move on the the third part. This story is very catchy and fun to read. Characters are easy to understand and are relatable. Even if you don't like vampires, as I typically do not, you will enjoy this series.

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter Part 1

I have been following author Jennifer Malone Wright's journey with The Vampire Hunter's Daughter almost from its inception. We have been Facebook friends for a few years now and often encounter each other on various writing sites and forums. I remember when she came up with the idea and decided upon her main character's name. I remember her finding a cover and the early promotions. And of course I remember her finishing up the series. I wanted to support my fellow writer, but couldn't bring myself to pay for it.

I hate vampires.

Sure, I enjoyed Dracula. I first read it in 8th grade. I reread it last year when I got my Droid with the Kindle app on it and liked it even more. It is THE original and quintessential vampire story. But I have tried to do the Twilight series and the True Blood series and can't stand them. I do not like vampire shows. So, I didn't want to spend the money on something I was sure to dislike. I would feel guilty about it.

Recently, Jennifer made the first installment of the series free. I knew I was headed out for a long day of shopping while my friend found himself the ultimate pair of sneakers for his street hockey games. So, I decided that would be a good time to give the book a perusal, while sitting in the stores waiting for him to debate the best treads for lateral movement.

I sat down on a quiet stool and started to read. I finished the installment before my friend was even done looking around the store. And I have finally downloaded the rest of the installments so that I can finish the story.

Chloe Kallistrate is awakened by her mother in the middle of the night. Felicia throws Chloe into the closet and tells her she loves her, just as some men burst into the bedroom. Chloe watches in horror as her mother is murdered before her very eyes. As she is being dragged out of the house against her will, another group of people burst into the house to save her. And thus, Chloe finds out the truth about her heritage, her parents, and her life's destiny. She decides to embrace it all and avenge her mother's death by becoming the greatest vampire hunter.

This first installment ends with Chloe making her vow and leaves you wanting more. It is told in the first-person and you can hear and feel the teenaged cynicism and attitude. Perhaps Jennifer was able to pull on her own teenage years?

The Vampire Hunter's Daughter is a quick and easy read. Granted, I read fast, but this first part was devoured in less than an hour. Get it for free on Kindle or other reading apps and see what you think! I will keep you posted on the other parts.