My name is Sarah. I live in southern Ontario, Canada with my husband and son. I maintain a book review blog.

I have always been a voracious reader. I taught myself to read before I was four. By the time I entered kindergarten, I was reading short novels. I quickly progressed to full novels, and have never looked back.

My favourite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but I will read most anything. I have at one point or another read almost every genre possible. I have discovered that there are a few things that I do not like to read. I prefer not to read overly graphic romance scenes, religious teachings, or a lot of cursing. Other than that, it's an open canvas.

Blog: http://www.workadayreads.com/

Flavio Olcese
Latest book: Gryphon. Published on September 13, 2010. (3.33 from 3 reviews)

• Snow Burn on March 13, 2011
  
  Tommy and Vince are teenage boys who go camping when Vince's parents go away one weekend. They get caught in a blizzard, and end up stranded with a convict on the run. Will they survive the weekend? I was impressed with this story. It seems like a natural telling from a teenaged boy. The language and thought process were very smooth and logical. There was humour and emotion, and it all seemed very reasonable, like something that could actually happen. It is a short story, but packed full of action and emotion. It flowed quickly and easily. I loved the progression of the what if scenario. As the story advances, the scenario changes to reflect the current situation. If you stop to think of what you'd actually do, it could reveal a lot of how you think and see others. I think that early teen boys would really like the story, and could easily identify with it. I could see an enterprising teacher or tutor using the what if scenarios to prompt a written response from the reader. It would be a great way to get the reader to identify with and examine the story in more detail. As well as explore what they would be in the situation, and how their answer might change as the situation changes. Any story that creates that type of involvement is a great read.
  
• The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno on March 28, 2011
  
  Joe Parker grows jalapenos on the local sheriff's farm. His secret to growing them is based on questionable methods that the sheriff concocted. When Vera is delivered to the farm to hide from her drug dealing ex-boyfriend, Joe's life is turned upside down. This story is something quite different from what I normally read. I did enjoy it though. Getting past the gruesome growing of jalapenos, there was a surprisingly sweet romance between Joe and Vera. Technically, I found a few incidents in the beginning half where the narrative switched from third person to first person with no warning or reason. This was a little jarring, and caused me to re-read a few pages to figure things out, but it could be easily fixed. I also found there were a few overall graphic and unnecessary sexual references. But getting past these few things, I really liked the growth in Vera, and sweetness of her relationship with Joe.
  
• The Prophecy on April 16, 2011
  
  Lucie has four days to figure out the ancient power that has suddenly manifest itself. She needs to learn what it is, how to use it, and who she can trust. All within four days, because then it is her birthday, and the day she must save the world. I found this to be more of a short story than a full novel. As such, everything happened really quickly, without much development. I'd love to see it fully fleshed out in a full-length book. The premise of the book, and Lucie's actual powers were very interesting. The fact that her whole family is involved was an added bonus. Overall, there is not much I can say without giving away most of the story. Except that I liked what I read, I just wish it was written with more details, and explanation.
  
• Soaring on April 21, 2011
  
  Mysterious winged men visit two cities. Julie Rumley, a scientist specializing in birds, is about to learn they aren't a faux, and much more. This is a very short story, so it's hard to talk much about it without giving it away. My best suggestion is to go and read it yourself. You won't regret it. The description of the book states it is "a short story meant to activate your imagination." And it does a great job. Mostly, it spurs me to want to know more. If I had one wish, it would be that this story be expanded into a full length novel because now that I had a short sample, I definitely want more. Something this story lead me to think about is what kind of reception humans would give to unusual visitors. I thought the reactions for the three encounters seemed very true, and that isn't necessarily very good. Personally, I would hope my reaction would be similar to the third visit. What would your reaction be?
  
• Other People's Heroes on May 12, 2011
  
  Josh Corwood has always wanted to be a superhero, and when he unexpectedly develops a special talent, he is excited to join the league. But what if the life of a superhero isn't as real as it seems? I have never read a superhero story before, so I didn't know what to expect. What I got was an amazing read. Action, excitement, surprise, and even a sweet love story. Josh is a really nice guy. He has a solid moral and ethics code, and everything he does is in line with this. This makes for a refreshing, and very likeable character. His crush, and resulting romance, is very sweet, and totally unexpected. Most of the characters are very accessible, and easy to understand. There are a few cliche-type personalities, but this fits with the superhero theme. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and realistic facets that each personality had. I'm not sure if this was just my reaction, or if it also had to do with Josh's surprise at this development as well. Either way, I liked it. There were two bonus stories included, Lonely Miracle and Inciting Incident. Both of these stories were awesome, and complimented the main story well. I loved the little insight into a specific superhero's story. I'd love to read stories about the other characters.
  
• The Advice Girl on May 25, 2011
  
  Kira and Sophia are best friends, and have been since early childhood. Sophia is nicknamed "The Advice Girl" because people just feel comfortable talking to her. When she is killed in a mysterious accident, Kira is devastated. Things become worse when Kira finds a note from Sophia that makes her question everything she knows about her friend. This note draws her into a war between two secret societies who may know more about Sophia than she does. This novella is fast paced and full of action. There are a few places where it seems rushed and I'd love to see more detail, but overall, it is a very exciting read. Kira is a very developed, and likeable character. She becomes really depressed when Sophia dies. Reading those passages, I really wanted to give her a hug and help her feel better. While she doesn't have any special powers, she is still willing to do whatever she needs to in order to help her best friend. Sophia is a interesting character. Her abilities are unique and portrayed in a realistic manner. The one thing I had trouble with was how quickly Sophia and Ethan's relationship progressed. Given a little more time, or a bit more explanation about their time together would go a long way to making me believe how intense they were. The ending had quite a few loose ends, but it was still handled in a concluding manner. It could have been a stand alone book, and even when I finished it, I didn't realize it was part of a series right away. Anyone who reads my reviews will know this is an important detail to me, and this book handled it in a very satisfying way that makes me really look forward to the next book.
  
• Icarus Rising on June 01, 2011
  
  Nostraterra is still recovering from the Great War. The peace is shattered when Alfrahil, Crown Prince of Eldora is the target of an assassination attempt. Preliminary investigations hint that his brother Daerahil may be involved. The King and several members of the other races start looking for the truth, but is there a greater evil working behind the scenes? I had a really hard time getting into the story. The first few chapters seemed to be full of geographical and political descriptions that were confusing without knowing the storyline. There seemed to be a lot of looking back at the Great War. So much so that I felt like I was reading the third book in a series and had missed a very large, important part of the story. But once I reached the storyline concerning Alfrahil and the assassination attempt, the story really took off and became engrossing. The world was very developed and intricate. You can tell that the author put a lot of thought and time into creating it. But there was a downside. There were too much unnecessary descriptions. Geographical, historical and political. Much of the content didn't add to the story, and just seemed to be there to prove the author had fully developed the world. With some ruthless editting this would be an amazing first book in a series. As it is, it is hard to get into and stay into.
  
• This Human Condition: A Collection of Flash and Micro Fiction on June 29, 2011
  
  A collection of flash and micro fiction based on human emotions. Flash fiction is a condensed shot of words, often only a few pages or less for each story. The stories in this collection are based on a specific emotion, and are grouped by that emotion. I found this to be a real mixed bag. Some of the stories were great, and some not so great. The ones I really liked were: - Trampled by Cindy Noble - based on inspiration - This was beautiful. The scene described just jumped off the page. - In the Light by Christi Craig - based on sorrow - This matched the emotion perfectly. I didn't even need to be told what emotion it was based on, it was that obvious. - Without Breathing by Taylor Ridling - based on sorrow - This was a choppy little story that managed to convey a range of emotions, not just sorrow. - Heartless by Stacy Reckard - based on anger - Effectively captured the feeling of a broken-heart after the end of a relationship. - Raw by Jayme Whitfield - based on anger - The story made me mad along with the narrator. It was also a surprise situation, which is hard to do in such a short length. Listing them, I can see that I generally preferred stories based on strong emotions. I think these are easier to capture, reveal and understand. These also provoke the most reaction in readers, which is something flash fiction needs to do to be remembered. This is an easy read, and definitely one I'd suggest fans of flash fiction check out.
  
• Mind Cafe on June 30, 2011
  
  Rosie suffered a tragic accident as a young woman, and was left as a living vegetable. She can't move or talk, all she does is sit and think. The Mind Cafe is a place she has created in her mind where she talks to her loved ones. Reading this, I was fulled with overwhelming sadness. Rosie's story is never fully revealed, but what you do learn is tragic. Rosie has been a "living vegetable" for decades. Her sole wish is to die, and yet she lives, year after year. The story mostly revolves around conversations with visitors within the Mind Cafe. These were emotional, and felt like real conversations. This is a very short story, and quick read, but the emotions stirred up will stick with you for a while. This is definitely not a light-hearted read, but still one you should check out. I will definitely be reading the other stories the author has written.
  
• Dawn of Avalon on July 03, 2011
  
  Before they were famous, Merlin and Morgan le Fay were young. This is the story of the day they met and saved the kingdom they knew. This was a short little action story with a bit of romance. Based on the description, I expected more emphasis on the relationship between Merlin and Morgan, but was content with the action-based plot. This was a great glimpse in Arthurian tales, and left me wanting to dive into the author's full length novels.
  
• Cassie on July 09, 2011
  
  This is a very short story about a family dealing with grief, loss and guilt over the death of a child. For a 7 page story, there is a lot of emotional impact here. The pain Cassie feels radiates off the page. I felt so bad for her, and wanted to help her find peace. I was impressed at the punch this story delivers. Definitely worth checking out.
  
• Dandelions In The Garden on July 11, 2011
  
  Amara Borbala was the lady-in-waiting companion to Countess Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess. They were together from the time they were young girls until after Elizabeth's trial. This is her account of what really transpired, as dictated in a manuscript intended for Elizabeth's grandson. Reading these books, I realized neither is a stand alone story, or even books in a series. They are two halves of the same story: a single story split into two volumes. I can see why, the first is over 400 pages while the second is 300. It is a long story, but quite a fascinating one. The first volume starts with Amara first joining Elizabeth and covers up to right before Elizabeth's reputation as the Blood Countess begins. The second volume details Elizabeth's exploits and her downfall. The story is more than just Elizabeth's though. Amara takes centre stage and much of the story focuses on her as the narrator. This is especially true in the second volume when Amara begins to distance herself from Elizabeth. I found both volumes fascinating. The second volume is much darker, as can be expected. The first was much lighter as the girls were much brighter, happier and more adventuresome in their youth. Something I found interesting was the feeling of age in the narration. It was easy to distinguish which sections were written as Amara as an old lady. The feeling of these sections was much older than the narration of her youth. As the narration progressed, the tone definitely matured and aged. I thought this was very well done. Overall, I was impressed with the story. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. With the warning that you need to read both volumes back to back to get the full story.
  
• The Hidden Will of the Dragon on July 11, 2011
  
  Amara Borbala was the lady-in-waiting companion to Countess Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess. They were together from the time they were young girls until after Elizabeth's trial. This is her account of what really transpired, as dictated in a manuscript intended for Elizabeth's grandson. Reading these books, I realized neither is a stand alone story, or even books in a series. They are two halves of the same story: a single story split into two volumes. I can see why, the first is over 400 pages while the second is 300. It is a long story, but quite a fascinating one. The first volume starts with Amara first joining Elizabeth and covers up to right before Elizabeth's reputation as the Blood Countess begins. The second volume details Elizabeth's exploits and her downfall. The story is more than just Elizabeth's though. Amara takes centre stage and much of the story focuses on her as the narrator. This is especially true in the second volume when Amara begins to distance herself from Elizabeth. I found both volumes fascinating. The second volume is much darker, as can be expected. The first was much lighter as the girls were much brighter, happier and more adventuresome in their youth. Something I found interesting was the feeling of age in the narration. It was easy to distinguish which sections were written as Amara as an old lady. The feeling of these sections was much older than the narration of her youth. As the narration progressed, the tone definitely matured and aged. I thought this was very well done. Overall, I was impressed with the story. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. With the warning that you need to read both volumes back to back to get the full story.
  
• The Witch Queen's Secret on July 25, 2011
  
  Dera is a former army harlot who takes refuge with Queen Isolde at Dinas Emrys. When they uncover a dangerous plot, Dera risks everything to help save the queen and her fortress. I didn't realize that this is set between the first and second books in the Twilight of Avalon series. It is meant to be a stand alone novella about Dera, one of the secondary characters from the series. I found myself a bit lost in the beginning, trying to understand the situation, but this quickly took the backseat to the story. This is a fast-paced action story about Dera's adventure. It is a bit simplistic, but entertaining. It makes me want to read the whole series, which is a great accomplishment for an accompanying story.
  
• Between The Land And The Sea on Sep. 15, 2011
  
  Marina has always lived a life on the road with her scientist father. When he decides she should spend her last year of high school with her aunt in "regular school", Marina is not happy. But shortly after she arrives in the pretty beach town strange things start happening. Marina almost drowns twice, and comes face-to-face with a mermaid. Maybe this year won't be so boring after all. This is a very sweet story. There is surprisingly a lot of action, mixed in with very unique characters. Marina's cousin Cruz is definitely quirky and lovable. He is a fashion designer in training, and is delightful to meet. His exuberance and energy leap off the page and left me smiling everytime he entered the scene. I found Marina's closed nature and difficulty in opening up to and accepting help from her family and friends very frustrating. It made sense based on her lifestyle and experiences growing up with her father, but it was still very frustrating. I was confused about the family structures present. There were no two parent families, only single parent families, with the missing parent either dead or run off. Everyone was in this situation, and it just seemed a little extreme. I was also concerned with the cluelessness and absense of the existing parents. Marina's father was easy to accept since he was on the other side of the world, but the rest of them? You would think that all those single parents would be a little more tuned into the happenings in their children's lives. Overall, this was sweet and unique story. The mermaids were not quite what I expected, in a good way, and the storyline itself was different and fresh. This is a story that will appeal to a variety of ages.
  
• The Moon And The Tide on Sep. 16, 2011
  
  Marina's slowly coming to terms with her family's secrets when another huge secret is revealed. Feeling betrayed from multiple angles, Marina seeks comfort in surfing with Lorelei. This brings its own dangers, and when an enemy finds them, Marina must try to save herself and her mermaid family. Following the first book, I was slightly disappointed in this one. The storyline was great, with lots of action, but it was definitely aimed at a teenaged girl audience, and not just YA lovers in general. I found the teenage drama to be overwhelming and annoying. Marina and Ethan swung from overly sweet continuous makeout sessions to full out ignoring each other break-ups. The teenaged drama of "I love you" turning to "I hate you" over the slightest small misunderstanding was annoying and frustrating. Very realistic, but not very satisfying to read. While the drama was never ending, I did find that portayal of a teen caught between being an adult and a child was very realistic and well done. Marina had some profound insights into the people around her, which helped to offset the selfishness and self-centeredness her actions often portrayed. Overall, this was a good follow-up book, however it was a little heavy on teenaged drama for me. I've never been one for drama, and I have a hard time enjoying it while reading. The story itself is good, still very original and fresh. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy angst in their stories.
  
• Eternal Knight on Sep. 21, 2011
  
  Hadde is a very unique and intriguing woman. She isn't afraid to be herself, even if she is different from those around her. She is proud of who she is, with good reason. Hadde is an awesome heroine you can easily root for. I was a bit disappointed that she seemed to become a little less unique after being in Salador for a while, but I guess it is to be expected. Put a person in a stranger land and they will eventually begin to assimilate. Morin was also a great character. I'm not sure if he was a good guy or bad guy though. He made me both smile in happiness and growl in frustration. Either way, he was a great complement to Hadde. The world building in the story was extraordinary. Everything was very well thought out and complete down to the tiniest detail. But all without hitting you over the head or taking away from the story. It is very easy to tell that Matt put a lot of work into not just writing, but also editting. Overall, this was an amazing epic fantasy story. One of the best I've read in a long while, possibly ever. If you can't tell, I loved this book. Everyone should definitely check it out.
  
• Doodling on Sep. 23, 2011
  
  This is a fun short story.I was a little concerned that it would be too fanciful, but it was actually quite delightful. The characters are definitely a quirky collection. Each of them was unique in their own humorous way. I found that there were some very important themes in the story: finding your purpose in life, and making time to slow down to enjoy the moment. The whole idea that Neville let go of the world because it was just moving too fast sounds like something most people can relate to at one time or another. I loved the way he took the time to have a few moments to himself before deciding to do something he considered to be important. It is definitely a lesson to be remembered.
  
• Misconception on Nov. 02, 2011
  
  When Christy sent me the book's blurb and cover back in July, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. I've only just got to it now, but I have thought about dropping everything, skipping my carefully prepared lists and reading it right away. I did just that last week and I'm so glad I did. I love this story. When I made notes about what I wanted to say in my review, I started with just three words: wow, powerful, emotional. Now I will try to expand on them because that doesn't really say much. I really felt for Pace, much more so than Jason. Yes, it was easy to feel sorry for a guy who is committed to his family and relationship, and who knows he couldn't have fathered another child with his wife, but his behaviour was not something I can condone. Pace on the other hand really tore at my heartstrings. How do you prove that you didn't cheat on your husband? How do you cope with the fact that he thinks you did? How do you both move on and rebuild your relationship. These are the questions the book deals with. There was a scene where Pace and Jason are talking to their kids and trying to explain why things are so tense between them. Their youngest son tells Pace to simply apologize to Daddy because she obviously did something to make him mad. It made me want to cry. It was so heartbreaking. My review is making this book sound sad. But while there are some sad scenes, the overall feel of the book is not negative. The ending leaves you feeling happy and wishful for a good future. And yes, the pregnancy question is answered. I was so happy to actually get an answer. It seems to be rare to have all loose ends tied up, but this one was very satisfying. Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It is a quick read, yet very powerful. It definitely met all the expectations that were building in my head every time I glanced at my TBR list.
  
• All About Eve on Nov. 15, 2011
  
  This short story is an interesting take on guardian angels and ghosts. Eve is a unique character who seems younger than her 25 years. She has a gift/curse that has grown and developed with her since she was a child. The story ended a bit abruptly for me. There is quite a lead up to the actual action, with lots of background about Eve and her childhood. But once she reaches adulthood, and the main part of the story, everything just rushes by and ends. This is a prequel to a novel that isn't scheduled to be published until Sept 2012. I look forward to reading it once it's available. The novel doesn't focus on Eve, but I can't wait to see how her character and gift fits into the story.
  
• Ex Cineribus Resurge on Nov. 16, 2011
  
  I don't read many steam punk stories. It's not a genre that really appeals to me, but I did enjoy the small glimpse into a steam punk world that this story offered. The story centers mostly on the characters, with the world only seen in the background. I did find the plot to be a little too easy. There seem to be no obstacles or conflict to slow down the characters. They wanted something, so they ran out and did it. With everyone and everything around them acquiescing to their desires. As a prequel to a novel, this short story serves the purpose to introduce the world and some characters.
  
• A Soul Less Broken on Jan. 05, 2012
  
  This to me felt like three separate and only vaguely connected stories: Cat's ordeal, the love story, and Maddie's illness. I enjoyed the majority of each story, but they didn't feel like one cohesive book. I am not typically a fan of soulmate stories, and this one had my usual complaint: the nonbeliever flips to a complete soulmate believer with very little detail. One look and that's it. No struggling against or difficulties excepting the idea at all. I also felt that there was more telling than showing. Particularily when it came to developing relationships. We get no insight into the development of Cat and Maddie's friendship. One minute they are therapist and patient, and the next they are best friends. Where was the transition? And how does such a professional relationship become such a personal one? Even with those complaints, this was still an emotional story that was enjoyable. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the writing flows. With a little bit more development, this would be an amazing story that could easily transition to a romantic tearjerker movie.
  
• The Fate Of The Muse on Jan. 12, 2012
  
  This series is like crack. I don't particularly like Marina, I find her more and more annoying as the series progresses, yet I keep wanting to read. The mermaids are such a draw: carefree and wild, without a thought of anything but the present moment. This book was less about the mermaids than the others, and more about the consequences of Marina's action from book #2. It still manages to be a complete story that was easy to pick up and catch up to, even though I read the second one a few months and several books ago. Marina herself is annoying. She's selfish and insecure. She rarely seems to consider the consequences of her actions, and seems to have no idea hwo other people think and react. Her constant doubts about Ethan's feelings and motives are ridiculous. I want to shake her so bad when she gets going on her pity-party tirades. And yet I can't stop myself from reading the series. When's the next one out? Some time this year? Can't wait to see what the next adventure holds.
  
• 17 Stories About the End of the World on Jan. 23, 2012
  
  This is a quick little collection of flash fiction about the world ending. I found some of the stories a little lacking in detail and hard to connect to. I enjoyed the story On That Last Afternoon the most, which, ironically, is the only story where the world does not actually end. This story had a realism and humour that made it stand out from the others.
  
• Birthright on Feb. 03, 2012
  (no rating)
  I was very disappointed, but I couldn't finish the book. I only got a third of the way through it. The night I found myself trying to remember what book I was reading and couldn't come up with the title, author or plotline I decided that there was no way I was going to finish it. I did eventually figure it out, without picking up my ereader, but only because I tried to remember what covers were showing as currently reading on Goodreads. I remembered it was dark, which lead me to the title, author and plot. Unfortunately, the story itself didn't draw me in. I couldn't get into the characters. What was happening to Raine was interesting, but Raine himself was rather boring. I kept thinking Sierra's name was Elizabeth, and Vince was just inept.
  
• Unlovable on Feb. 23, 2012
  
  I'll cut to the chase: I loved this book. It reminded me of a Nora Roberts trilogy, except sweet and clean instead of steamy and borderline erotic. It is the first in a trilogy with each book focusing one person from a tight group of awesome friends. In this case, it's a group of sweet and hot guys. Maggie's life is heartbreaking. Her mother is an alcoholic who is just plain mean, and Maggie is slowly starving to death while trying to keep everything together and hidden. It's hard to read, especially since Maggie is such a good person. One of my favourite parts comes closer to the end of the book: the wordplay between Maggie and Booker. It is so funny and light-hearted. It's such a great contrast to everything else that happens. I love the zingers they send each other. Overall, this is a great book and a great start to a series. I can't wait to read the other two books. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of all kinds of genres: YA, romance, drama, and contemporary. There is something here for everyone.
  
• Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch on April 11, 2012
  
  I would describe this book as epic fantasy lite. It is a YA quest story that is clean but violent. Exciting and fast, the action progresses quickly without a lot of complications. There is little political intrigue, which allows the story to focus on the good vs evil struggle. The story isn't as in depth as most epic fantasies, but in this case, I think it works. The story is more accessible to YA readers who might be scared off by the idea of a long and complicated story. For a fantasy story, the names are easy to read and the history of the world is easily understood. There is no romance, but there are a few hints that one might develop in future books. Overall, this is a great story for either readers who are new to fantasy quest stories, or are looking for a lighter version of the epic fantasies they are used to.
  
• The Turning Tides on April 19, 2012
  
  The series finally comes to an end. I am glad I didn't have to wait years between the books because I really wanted to get through the series and see how it ended. This book was a satisfying end to the series, although the first quarter of the book felt more like a recap of the series so far, rather than the start of another adventure. My feelings toward Marina did not improve in this book, I still don't like her. She really came across as selfish and judgmental this time around. At one point she mentions that she tends to pull into herself and shut people out, and I would definitely agree. To the point that it is hard to sympathize for what she goes through. This book was mostly about Marina and Ethan, and I found myself really missing the rest of the group. Cruz especially. I loved his snarky and sarcastic comments, and missed having that light-hearted element in the story.