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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

New Release: ABSOLUTE TRUST by Piper J. Drake




Hot military heroes, the women who love them, and the dogs who always have their backs. ABSOLUTE TRUST is the third book in a high-adrenaline romantic suspense series from Piper J. Drake.

LOVE IS THE GREATEST RISK OF ALL

After multiple tours of duty, Brandon Forte returns to his hometown on a personal mission: to open a facility for military service dogs like Haydn, a German shepherd who's seen his share of combat and loss. It also brings him back to Sophie Kim, a beacon of light in his life . . . and the one woman he can't have. But Forte's success means he's made enemies in high places. Enemies who are now after Sophie . . .

When Forte enlisted and left without saying goodbye, Sophie did her best to move on. But with her first love back in town, looking sexier than ever, she's constantly reminded of what they could have had. Then after he risks himself for her, Sophie realizes she'll have to put her life in the hands of the man who broke her heart, knowing the danger—and the sparks between them—could consume them both.

BUY THE BOOK HERE




THE SERIES

EXTREME HONOR, #1
ULTIMATE COURAGE, #2
ABSOLUTE TRUST, #3


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Piper J. Drake (or "PJ") spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every interesting novel she could find at the library. After being introduced to the wonderful world of romance by her best friend, she dove into the genre.

PJ began her writing career as PJ Schnyder, writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk, for which she won the FF&P PRISM award as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.

PJ's romantic suspense novels incorporate her interests in mixed martial arts and the military. The True Heroes series is inspired by her experience rescuing, owning and training a variety of retired working dogs, including Kaiser, a former guard dog, and Mozart, who was trained to detect explosives.




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EXCERPT

Sophie Kim must’ve come directly from work because, under her very sleek, black trench coat, she wore a matching pencil skirt. Three-inch red heels popped in contrast to the severe black of the rest of her outfit. Which did all sorts of things to him. Naughty things. The kind of things that were so good that they were really bad. Especially when a woman was off limits.
“Hey! Is that the new guy?” Sophie slowed her approach, keeping her gaze locked on Forte’s face.
She’d been around tiny dogs all her life, but she’d spent enough time at Hope’s Crossing Kennels over the last couple of years to have learned how to meet the much bigger dogs in Forte’s care. Training working dogs was his thing. Or in Haydn’s case, retraining.
Always a work in progress.
Sophie had been here when Forte had come back from active duty, too battle weary to continue deploying. She’d helped him with the accounting when he’d established Hope’s Crossing Kennels and had generally integrated herself into the private world he’d created for himself, Rojas, and Cruz while they all rebuilt lives for themselves.
Sophie’s bright smile faded as she waited for him to answer. She always sensed when he got too caught up inside his own head.
“Yeah.” Forte came to a halt and murmured the command for Haydn to sit.
Instant obedience. Despite his injury, surgery, and current need for recovery, the dog was as sharp as he’d been on active duty. The mind was eager, ready to work. The body, not so much. 
Sophie’s smile renewed, the brilliant expression stopping his heart, the way it had every time he’d seen her since they’d first met way back in high school. She came to a stop in front of them, barely within arm’s reach. “He must be doing well if you’ve got him out here for some field work.”
While they spoke, Haydn watched them both. Then he sniffed the back of Sophie’s hand, which she’d been holding conveniently within reach.
Usually, he preferred if a person asked to be introduced, but this was Sophie. If she’d approached anyone else, she’d have requested permission to say “Hi” to the dog. But between the two of them, everything was an exception.
It showed how well she’d come to know the way he worked in the last few years. He’d changed with every deployment. It happened. And she’d adjusted and accepted those changes in him without a word when he came back. She was the steadfast, forever friend. 
He’d never told her why he’d left in the first place or why he’d come back. She was so good at just accepting him that she might never know. And he was a coward for not telling her.
“What’s your plan for him?” Sophie glanced down at the dog, now that he’d sniffed her hand. “Haydn, right?”
 “Yeah.” Forte cleared his throat. “He’s got a couple of weeks of physical therapy first. Then we need to coordinate with the Air Force on his adoption.”
“Ah.” Understanding in one syllable. She had the kind of caring heart to fill in the gaps when something went unsaid. “His handler didn’t make it.”
Part of why Sophie was one of the only people Forte felt easy around was because she got it. Only needed to explain once. And she listened the first time. Sometimes no explanation was required at all.
 “Where’s your car? We’ll walk you.”
“Right across the street.” Sophie jerked her head in the direction of the small parking lot.
They headed over, Sophie falling into step next to Forte. She didn’t try to take his hand or tuck her own around his arm. They weren’t like that. Besides, she knew he didn’t like to be all wound up with a person when walking out in the open.
 As they approached her car, Sophie juggled her shopping bag to pull her keys out of her purse and triggered the trunk.
“Need help?” Forte came up alongside the car, scanning the area around the parking lot out of habit.
“No worries.” Sophie lifted the trunk door and carefully placed her shopping bag inside the deep space, leaning in to move things around to where she wanted. “I need to make sure this is arranged so stuff doesn’t shift. It's delicate!”
He was not going to admit to anyone, ever, how much he was willing to stretch his neck to catch sight of her backside while she was leaning over.
Haydn sniffed the side of the car. The big dog was very engaged, his relaxed attitude changing to a sharper set of movements. Forte tore his attention from Sophie.
Haydn had detected something out of place. Something wrong. Forte’s stomach tightened into a hard knot. Nothing wrong should be anywhere near his Sophie. It didn’t matter that they were in a sleepy town on the edge of a river in the middle of a peaceful country. It didn’t matter that there shouldn’t be any real danger here.
Haydn deliberately sat and looked up at Forte. It was a clear signal. One Haydn had been specifically trained to give as a military explosives detection dog.
Shit.
“Sophie. Step away from your car.” He’d explain later. Be afraid later. Rage. Worry.
Later.
She popped up from the trunk. “Huh?”
“Do it.”
They had to move now.
She complied, thank god. He gave Haydn a terse command, circled around to grab Sophie and get more distance. He steered her across the parking lot toward a big dumpster. It’d serve as good cover. Then he reached for his smart phone.
They got a couple of yards away, and Sophie craned her neck to look back at her car, even as she kept moving with him. She always did as he asked immediately, but she had a brain, and she insisted on explanations after she complied. “What—?”
Behind them, the trunk hatch came down with a solid thunk.
Forte let out a curse and grabbed her, pulling them down to the ground and rolling for the cover of other cars as an explosion lifted the entire driver’s side of her car.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

New Release: ABSOLUTE DOUBT by Cherry Adair



In a situation this volatile, something is bound to blow!

Three. . .

T-FLAC operative Asher Daklin is running out of time in his race to end the production and sale of the word's most deadly explosive before a cataclysmic terrorist event occurs. This op isn't just his last chance at redemption, it’s deeply personal. Because of him, E-1x took his brother’s life and nearly incapacitated him. Now, with the timer counting down the remaining hours, he has to go deep under cover at the home of the mastermind producing the deadly explosive and stop him. Daklin can't allow anything, or anyone, to distract him from his mission.

Two…

Lingerie designer River Sullivan is on a mission of her own—to find her genius brother. When millions of dollars are inexplicably wired to her account she knows he's trouble. Traveling to the small mining town of Los Santos, situated in the mountainous jungles of Cosio, she accepts the hospitality of her brother’s employer and searches for clues as to Oliver whereabouts. If only she wasn’t overcome with inappropriate lust for one of the other houseguests- a gorgeous bishop with a warriors body and laser-sharp eyes that hint at deep, dark secrets.

One!

River and Daklin find themselves in a race against time, hampered by staggering odds and overwhelming desire. Daklin has one final, desperate chance to prove himself, keep River safe, and save the day. . .






"Ash? I--I'm in a shitload of trouble."

Holding the cell phone to his ear, gritting his teeth against knifelike stabs biting along the nerves of his shattered tibia, T-FLAC operative Asher Daklin flung his bum leg off the coffee table. He'd never heard that tone in his brother's voice, and he went from stupor to full alert as his defense physiology kicked into high gear. As it did when he defused an explosive, his pulse slowed and his focus became pinpoint.

Hyper-alert, his voice calm and even, he speed-limped to the front door. "Where are you?" Swinging his coat over his bare chest, he shoved his Glock 41 Gen 5 in the back  of his sweatpants, then thought better of it and stuck it one of his jacket pockets. "How bad?"

By habit, his earpiece was in the bowl beside a full clip and his keys. He inserted the earpiece, then slipped the phone and clip into his other pocket. "Let me speak to your CO." Like himself, Josh was an operative, though still a rookie, with barely a year in the field.

"I'm solo on this."

Fuckit. A "shitload of trouble" could mean damn near anything when out in the field. Especially unsupervised. His brother could be anywhere.



Cherry's Bio and Links:


New York Times/USAToday Bestselling author Cherry Adair’s innovative action-adventure novels have appeared on numerous bestsellers lists, won dozens of awards and garnered praise from reviewers and fans alike. With the creation of her kick butt counterterrorist group, T-FLAC, years before action adventure romances were popular, Cherry has carved a niche for herself with her sexy, sassy, fast-paced, action adventure novels. She hates first drafts, has a passion for mentoring unpublished writers, and is hard at work on a new T-FLAC trilogy. Cherry loves to hear from readers, visit her on Facebook, Twitter,  or www.cherryadair.com

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION


Cherry Adair will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Monday, December 5, 2016

New Release: THE HERO by Donna Grant




THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved…

Pre-Order Incentive Information: 


There are TWO pre-order incentives going on now for Donna’s new military romance series!!

If you pre-order THE HERO you will be entered for some seriously cool prizes including the **entire** Dragon King series (Dark Heat – Smoke and Fire – including novellas) signed to you, winner’s choice of a bundle of books, Darkest Flame (signed) and some swag, and swag and a coveted DK t-shirt!

But to be entered, you MUST FILL OUT THE FORM. All pre-orders are acceptable as long as you have an order number from the retailer you purchased from.

Pre-order form to THE HERO: http://bit.ly/TheHeroPO

If you pre-order THE PROTECTOR you will receive a bonus scene that features Owen and Natalie from THE HERO. The scene will NOT be shared anywhere else. It will be exclusive to those who pre-order THE PROTECTOR and fill out this form:

Pre-order form to THE PROTECTOR: http://bit.ly/TheProtectorPO


Book Links:


IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1TuprXe
Tantor Audio: http://bit.ly/2cIuTar 

AUTHOR CHAT: 


Date: Thurs., 12/1/2016
Time: 7pm CST / 8pm EST
Link to the FB Event is https://www.facebook.com/events/267169100347430
Hash Tag: #TheHeroDG


Author’s Bio:


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas.




Website: http://www.donnagrant.com/
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant
Twitter: https://twitter.com/donna_grant
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1141209.Donna_Grant
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnagrant1/
Tumblr: http://donnagrantauthor.tumblr.com/
Tantor: https://tantor.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=donna+grant
Audible: http: http://adbl.co/2gA71oQ


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

5/5 Review: For Maggie's Sake by Lora Leigh



For Maggie's Sake is written by one of my favorite authors, Lora Leigh.  I have never been disappointed in her books and doubt I ever will. Furthermore, Ms. Leigh is a master storyteller with unlimited masterpiece, her books has a mixture of tears, betrayals, a true testament for what true love can endure and conquer.

 If you could think nothing could be worse than losing your husband, think again as Ms. Leigh takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Maggie's husband, Grant has just died but instead of taking time to mourn him and try to get back on track with life, she is forced to fight for her freedom and hide from those that should be protecting her.

Our protagonist is Maggie's husband's former best friend, Joe, who coincidently happens to be her ex-lover.  Joe's feelings have never changed for Maggie, but he has maintained his distance to honour his friendship to both Maggie and Grant.

But life is never what one thought it would be, unknowingly mixed up with the  the mob, Maggie is being framed by the one person who was supposed to love her forever. To make matters worst, falling in love with her protector wasn't in the cards either. Now it's a race against time to sort out betrayals, trust, and find the evidence to clear Maggie's name.




4/5 Review: Illusion Town by Jayne Castle





Illusion Town is 13th book in Jayne Castle's Harmony series. I have to say I'm sad I came into this series so late! Harmony is an alien planet that is the new earth. They have everything like any place - high end living to the seedy side of life. 

Hannah, is a dreamlight talent (she dream walks and this helps her find things). She is called a finder. Elias Coppersmith is the head of R&D for his family's mining consordium. He helps develop items using alien technology and gems. He meets Hannah when he hires her to find a lost antiquity for him. After, she finds the item for him, he talks Hannah into going out with him for dinner. Next thing you know - boom they are waking up in a seedy motel room - and oh yeah - They are married and neither has a memory of what happened. As they retrace their steps things start falling in place - however, the mystery continues.

Ms. Castle's writing is wonderful, I did find some of the terminology a bit confusing but understandable. She will take you through her world with great detail - you will go along on Hannah and Elias' adventures in underground alien ruins, through a rainforest, and a mysterious carnival. The story is fast paced, filled with humor and danger. 

If you are a fan of aliens, romance, and want to smile - I recommend this one - I think the series will be added to my ever growing TBR. And heck - protective Dust Bunnies are something we should all want to have along for a ride!


4/5 Review: Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin



I will start by stating that this is the second in the Jen McLaughlin's The Sons of Steel Row series. I did not read book one but you pick up very quickly on how book one ended - it wasn't pretty! That being said I do recommend you read book 1 although Dare to Stay reads well alone. 

In this installment we get to learn more about Chris O'Brien. Book one ended with Chris bleeding in an alley on the seedy side of South Boston. Having done something beyond reproach. Molly Lachlan finds Chris and saves him from dying. 

Molly, just happens to be the girl next door (literally), that Chris has worshipped from afar most of his life. Molly, may be the girl next door, a teacher, and has dealt with the loss of her family from gang violence. So, Chris is about as far from what she is looking for as it can get. But, sometimes fate has something else in mind!

Can Molly, look past Chris' way of life and love him for who and what he is? Can Chris forgive himself for the awful things he has done and give Molly what she wants and what he thinks she deserves? Settle down open the book and discover The Sons of Steel Row!

Ms. McLaughlin's writing is descriptive and her plot lines are tight and keep the story moving forward. The story is told in alternating 1st person, so you get to see what is going on in both Scott and Molly's heads. So, if you are in the market for a great bad boy romance, I highly recommend this one.




5/5 Review: Break of Day by Mari Madison



This is the second in Mari Madison's Exclusive Romance series.  Having not read the first - I can say that it works well as a stand alone.  In this installment she brings us the Piper's story.

Piper is a strong woman - she has been through alot in her young life but she is making it one day at a time.  When she is thrown back in her career not getting a promotion that she was thought was hers.  Life opens a window and the adventure begins.

Asher Anderson - local weatherman and local celebrity, meets Piper at their friend's wedding.  He finds her attractive and can't seem to get her out of his mind.  He arranges for her to become his assistant.  His mother and the station have been hounding him to find someone to get him together.  He would rather be surfing then spending time predicting the weather.

What starts out as a friendship, slowly turns into romance.  They both of family issues.  Ms. Madison deals with some very sensitive issues - like drug addiction, homelessness,  and death with ease and grace.  Asher and Piper come from different social/financial backgrounds, but they still find themselves falling in love.  Will they find forever with one another or will they step away to help the other become all that they can be?  Sit down, cuddle up, and start turning the pages.  If you are in the market for a lovely contemporary romance Break of Day is well worth the time.



5/5 Review: A Season of Ruin by Anne Bradley




This is the second in Anne Bradley's Sutherland Scandals series.  It reads well enough as a stand alone but do yourself the greatest favor and read the first one.  I fell in love with the Sutherland Rogues.

This book brings us Robyn and Lily's story.  Robyn - he is the nair do well brother and in his escapades he has sullied the wrong maiden.  His brother's sister in law, Lily.  He seems to not really care because he has finally lived up to the expectations that his family has always expected from.  

Then we have poor sweet - naive Lily.  She just keeps getting her name in the gossip sheets of the time.  The match that she was hoping for has left, her Grandmother that has been estranged from them garners her attention and tries to make arrangements for Lily's future.  Who will it be - the original match or the Rogue that has captured her heart and shown her true carnal pleasure? 

Ms. Bradley, writes with humor, I found myself turning pages just to see what trouble Robyn was going to cause.  It is obvious she has done some great research on the time period and she will take to you into her world with great joy.  If you are looking for a wonderfully written historical romance I highly recommend this wonderful romp through the Ton, mixed with scandel, high tea, romance and duels.



3/5 Review: The Dirt on 9th Grave by Darynda Jones




This is the 9th installment in Darynda Jones' Charley Davidson series.  I will say that I may have rated the book higher had I read the other 8 - being said guess it's not a stand alone - I was a bit lost in the beginning.  However, Ms. Jones' writing will have you laughing out loud. 

I suppose that the humor is what has been used to even out the horrible past that Charley has had, and helps her stay positive life stance.  She is strong a bit frivolous on the way she handles situations much to my frustration and Reyes as well.

Reyes is Charley's love interest and it was fun watching them fall in love (I suppose again).  This installment begins with the fact that Charley has lost her memory and landed herself in Sleepy Hollow, NY.  With all the supporting characters from the previous books along for the ride.

Ms. Jones' writing is fluid, her characters are well-developed, and her plot lines keep the story moving forward.  I will say at this point again, it's not a stand alone! I recommend reading the series from the beginning.  But, I feel that if you are looking for a sexy at times, humorous to the point of strange looks from the snorts of laughter in public, well developed series - I recommend giving this one a go.




4/5 Review: Exiled by Jasinda Wilder



I will start by noting that Exiled should not be read as stand alone novel. I highly recommend you read them in order. That being said Exiled is the third and final installment in her Madame X trilogy. And finally finally finally! We get to know what the heck is going on! It's not what I expected but at least I didn't feel like punching my kindle when I was done.

Caleb has shown his true colors and Madame X has finally seen the light. She wants to know who she really is discover what it is like to live really and truly live. Discover the world, discover herself and discover true love. 

Logan Ryder is truly in love with Madame. He wants more then the lessons she has taught, he wants to be her friend, her partner, her adviser, and above all her love. With his money and power he helps Madame become Isabelle, it this is what she truly wants.

This book is the story of whom Isabelle is and if she is going to fight for herself or let Caleb (if that is who is really is) possess her forever. If you are in the market for a truly stunning mind bending ride and at times erotic ride - start at the very beginning and enjoy!



4/5 Review: Mnevermind 1: The Persistence of Memory by Jordan Castillo Price




This book is the beginning of a what I believe to be a great story.  This story does end on a cliffhanger, so if that is a deal breaker wait until more are out, but do not let this story pass.  

Daniel has taken over the family business called Adventuretech because his father decided it was time for him to retire.  Daniel is a memory sherpa, he goes into people’s mind and pulls them out of their memory trip.  He is a good memory sherpa and usually has no problem jumping in and out of other people’s minds, but he has recently been seeing someone in these minds with him.  He thinks that it is something he has made up and begins to worry that his mind is now playing games with him, or he is caught in a memory packet.  Then he realizes that the man jumping into people’s minds with him is a real man and he decides that he must find him.

When Daniel finds Elijah, he realizes that Elijah is a not ‘normal’ person.  I use ‘normal’ because that term is relative, but in this case it just means others without the skills and abilities that Elijah has.  Elijah speaks and understands better when he is in other people’s minds so when Daniel asks him if he wishes to go out and have a coffee, he doesn’t understand that Daniel is asking him out on a date.  After much teasing and snarky comments from the people he works with Elijah realizes that Daniel was asking him out and tracks him down.  After Elijah finds Daniel again things are said that seem to make their seeing each other something that is not going to happen.

Daniel needs to become more confident in his abilities, so that he can actually take care of his business.  He also has to deal with the guilt of how his father remembers things, because he believes that is was because of a packet he wrote that his father has no memory of his mother leaving.  He doesn’t believe that he deserves a relationship with anyone much less someone who would require lot of understanding and patience.  

Again I am not disappointed with Jordan Castillo Price’s work and look forward to reading more on Daniel and Elijah.  I want to see how their relationship progresses and how Daniel continues to deal with his father’s memory issues.  I want to know more about the memory trips and how Elijah and Daniel traverse them.  I can’t wait for the next book in the MNEVERMIND series.



5/5 Review: Connection Error by Annabeth Albert





Josiah is a programmer for the game Space Villager.  He is traveling to Germany to meet with some of the members to finish a new expansion pack for the game.  This is a new position for Josiah and is under a lot anxiety to make sure that it goes correctly.  When he gets on the plane, after being late, he meets Ryan.  Ryan is Navy SEAL on his way to continue his therapy.  He lost both of his legs on a mission and needs therapy to get used to his prosthesis. He and Josiah strike up a conversation and begin a journey that will change both of their lives.  

They are deviated and have to take new flights the next day.  Josiah never noticed Ryan’s condition and because he has ADHD he has not filter on his thoughts.  So a lot of times he says what he thinking without any control over his thoughts.  When he notices Ryan’s lack of legs he blurts out something that makes their departure from each other to become very awkward.  As Ryan is leaving the airport to his hotel, because he figured something like this would happen and booked a room, he sees Josiah sitting on the floor waiting for the day to pass.  Even though he became annoyed with Josiah’s reaction he can’t help but feel sorry for him and invites him to share the room.  

They begin a friendship that carries them through their worst days and creates some of the best memories of both their lives.  As their relationship becomes more involved Ryan has to decide if he is going to open up and trust that if he lets someone in, his heart won’t be broken.  Josiah has to begin to trust in himself and his ability to take of himself before he can truly accept that someone else loves him for him.  

This is the second book I have read of Annabeth Albert and I am happy with it.  I will be looking for more work by this author and believe that I will not be disappointed.  The journey that Ryan and Josiah were on is one that I enjoyed to travel and hope to see more of them.  I recommend this and any of Annabeth Albert’s work.





Snare by Racheline Maltese and Erin McRae




This story is about Eli finding the place he belongs even if it’s not where thought it was supposed to be.  Eli works in New York as a filing clerk.  He is very diligent in his job and makes sure that his work is done to the best of his abilities, even if it is filing paperwork.  One day while filing paperwork he notices that some of it is filled out incorrectly.  He decides to go the address and have the paperwork filled out correctly.  When he gets there he meets Matthew.  Matthew is the one that runs the warren and makes sure that everything is taken care of for everyone who lives there.  

While Eli is at the warren he helps Matthew with the paperwork in his office and realizes that he is having a good time.  When he realizes the time, he has to leave and go home.  When he gets ready to leave both he and Matthew realize that he can’t leave because of a blizzard that has stopped the trains.  While having dinner with Matthew and the rest of the warren Eli and Matthew’s attraction to each other becomes more obvious to themselves and to Richard.  Richard is the warren master, the vampire.  Richard and Matthew decide that Eli can spend the night with them, in bed. When Eli agrees they head up for the night.  Things from there happen so fast that Eli’s life is changed drastically.  

I enjoyed the story, but felt that it was slow in some places.  The world that the authors worked to create seemed interesting, but it was explained in a way that seemed just to place Eli in a certain place.  I wish that this story was written in a way that didn’t seem rushed and slow at the same time. It is a good story with potential to be even better.