Location: United States
Member Since: Nov. 14, 2011
Hazel G
Books
This member has not published any books.Smashwords book reviews by Hazel G
- Madison's Life Lessons
on Nov. 29, 2011
Madison's Life Lessons is a prequel, by Gracen Miller, for her first book in her Road to Hell series, Pandora's Box. This short takes an early look into the life of heroin, Madison Wescott, and sets the groundwork for whats to come in the series. Written in small chapters titled Life Lessons, it starts off with Madison at age 15 and follows snippets of her life up to where Pandora's Box begins. We see Madison on her journey to becoming a woman, falling in love with future husband Micah Dominus (who obviously has something otherworldly going on), detaching from her overly pious father and her dispassionately secular mother, and having her son, Amos. I really enjoyed these shorts. They were extremely well written and very emotionally charged. Having read Pandora's Box before this prequel, and knowing how it would turn out, didn't diminish the excitement in reading how Madison and Micah find their way toward each other. I got glimpses into the overall picture that The Road to Hell series is taking and will take in future works. I might have liked Micah in Pandora's Box, even though I wasn't sure of the "why" of his intentions, but these Lessons really gave me an insight into his character and I simply LOVE him more then I did before. I also got a real sense of who Madison was verses who she becomes in Pandora's Box and admit that her character really pulls at my heartstrings. This is a must read! Im excited the author took the time to put this together for the fans. We get a clearer picture of whats going on and it was nice to have something to tide me over until the release of the next book in the series. This read is nothing short of fantastic! And I really suggest you follow this story on to Pandora's Box which is another amazing read, introducing you to some VERY powerful and interesting characters and a story line that will no doubt leave you wanting more!
- Adventures In Funeral Crashing (Funeral Crashing #1)
on Dec. 27, 2011
Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris is an excellent read! Its a YA novel about a 16 (almost 17) year old high school outcast named Kait Lenox who likes to respectfully crash funerals. While at her latest funeral, she runs into a bit of a snag as she tries to quietly melt into the background, that leads to her becoming part of a murder mystery surrounding the small town she lives in. She, along with the most popular guy in school, Ethan Ripley, team up in an unlikely pair to solve the murders. I really liked this book for many reasons. The writing was cleaver and at times funny, it flowed well and the plot was very believable. There was mystery, suspense, romance and heroic adventures. I felt like I could really relate the Kait and what she was going through. It realistically took me back to my own high school years and to that moment when you'd wish the coolest guy in school would look your way and see... you. Kait's character was well developed and very likable. She had a great personality and you could just feel yourself rooting for her. There were really only two things I didn't like about the story. One, it was WAY to short, coming in at only 140 pages. Second, at times it seemed repetitive. Kait would internalize about the same things over and over. It was a little distracting, kind of like the point was trying to be hammered home. Other then those two things, the story was really great. I would definitely suggest this to other readers that like stories geared towards young adults.
- Straight to Hell
on Jan. 26, 2012
Straight to Hell is the first book in the Lilith Straight series written by Michelle Scott. I liked this book. It was a nice little quick read coming in at about 180 pages. Lilith Straight is a very likable, well developed character, as was her supporting characters and the story was intriguing enough to keep me reading through the pages in one sitting. I liked that every thing Lilith had to go through was a choice of conscience and there was a strong story of right vs. wrong and she has to walk into the grey area in order to keep her life going in a way she can both live with and accept. There were a few things I didn't like. The story seemed to get bogged down from time to time with the constant beat down Lilith was taking. At one point in the story, Lilith literally has no food in the cabinets, her car is broken, her house is in disarray and her life is in general chaos. I felt like the author was trying to build up to a reason why Lilith made the choices she did in order to better her circumstances, but the struggle fell a little flat for me. It was to mundane and at one point a bit repetitious. Also, though I think the author was trying to make the lead male, William, sexy and intriguing, he fell flat as well. I liked his character, but I found no chemistry between Lilith and him at all. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and a good start to what I think will be a great series. I would recommend this to friends who want something light and fun. I'll certainly read the next book in this series when it comes out to see where Lilith and friends find their next adventure.
- My Enchanted Life
on Feb. 28, 2012
I received this book as part of a R2R with PR&UFF from Goodreads! As always, I want to thank the amazing moderators of this group as well as the generosity of the author for allowing me to participate. This book was a fun and quick read. It comes in at about 180 or so pages. I read it all in one sitting. After Emma turns eighteen, she is bequeathed a house in England by a late Uncle she was unaware she had. Upon her arrival, she quickly realizes things are nothing like the world she just left behind and her new life has taken a crazy turn she's not sure she wants. Faced with all manner of creatures from the supernatural community and budding powers she doesn't know how to control, she has to decide whats important in her life and face who she truly is. I liked this read. It had some really funny moments as well as touching dramatic moments in it. The characters were unique and I liked the paranormal elements. The authors use of all different type of supernatural characters was refreshing and the story itself was a joy to read. I liked the romance aspect of it as well. (SPOILER) Emma and Matthew were cute together and a surprise given in the beginning of her arrival in England I was sure Randolph was going to be the love interest. (END SPOILER) Things I didn't like were, all the scenes seemed so rushed. All the action was rushed. Things jumped from one scene to the next with no segue. Also, there was no character building. I didn't even get a good sense of who these characters were or what they looked like. The world building was unique but could have benefited from a lot more detail. There is soooooo much potential here to turn this book into a fantastic series. I'd love to see more character depth as well as more information on the world they live in if there's another book. The ending left plenty of room for a second novel and I'd definitely purchase it to see where this intriguing story leads!
- Hell's Phoenix
on March 08, 2012
It’ll be hard to express how much I LOVED this book, but Im going to try! After reading book one, Pandora’s Box, I was sure this story couldn’t get any better. I just loved it so much. I loved the characters and I loved the story itself. But however strongly I felt about that book, Hell’s Phoenix just shows how much more talented the author is and how much she’s grown as a writer! Miller once again blows me away, stepping up the excitement, the hotness factor, the action and the story line another ten notches! I was completely enthralled by the writing! We get the return of our beloved characters from book one as well as get a whole slew of new and fascinating characters in book two. Phoenix and Micah burned up the pages with their lusty goodness and add Madison into the equation and all Hell breaks loose! Each scene draws you in deeper and deeper. There are twists and turn, disturbing imagery and enough heat to make you thirst for the next page! Miller’s Hell scenes are full of creative creepiness and her descriptions pull you in and won’t let go! Hell’s Phoenix is one crazy, wild and stimulating ride from start to finish. Gracen Miller’s talent for executing a story is unique and awe-inspiring. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who wants to hunker down for an evening or two of sweltering intrigue, fast paced excitement and thrilling entertainment that will leave you wanting to embrace the dark side just to get a taste! And an ending that will make you say, “WHAAAAT?!!?” Yeah, go out and buy it right now along with book one. You WONT be disappointed!
- Angel Evolution
on March 11, 2012
I received this as a R2R with PR&UFF. I liked this book. It was a fun and interesting read, coming in at about 263 pages or so which I climbed through in one day! I liked the story and the mix up on the demon and angel mythology was fantastic. It could appeal to anyone, leaving religion completely out of the mix. The reason for demons and angles was explained very well and the story had a solid background to pull from. I also liked that there wasn't a clear cut bad guy in the beginning of this story. Everyone had a reason for what they were doing even if you disagreed with it. Each side had family and friend and the ability to love. They both knew right from wrong. It was an interesting dynamic and made it hard to chose sides - at least until the truth came to light and the baddies were a small group of aura stealing power hungry megalomaniacs. I really liked the imagery of how the sides went to war and the use of soldiers and gargoyles was very creative! In fact, the imagery and descriptions of the demons and angles was very well done! I also liked that each side had different powers. The author did an amazing job with that. I liked the characters for the most part. I really thought Christopher was well developed and consistent though he was a secondary character. I also liked his relationship with Sam. It seemed genuine and real. I liked the main characters, Taylor and Gabriel, though I think they could have used a bit more consistency throughout as well as a bit more development. Taylor was to "back and forth" for my taste. One minute she was declaring her love for Gabriel and the next she claims she doesn't know how she could have gone off with someone she hardly knows. I also didn't like how she didn't question her roll in killing an entire species, weather they were demon or not, considering she thought highly of Chris. Even with being brainwashed by Gabe, she had great instincts but never thought it was wrong to kill an entire group of people? Gabriel's character was definitely hiding something and you didn't know where he stood, which was the point and it was done well. But I would have liked to have seen more from his character in way of back story. I would have liked to have seen his struggle a little more and heard more from his POV. I also thought the ending was rushed. Once Taylor and Gabriel got to angel headquarters, things just seemed to roll along way to fast. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It had some questionable and unrealistic moments but the story was very well done and the writing was creative and fun. It also left one heck of a cliffhanger so I will be purchasing the second and maybe the third book to see how this story ends!
- Pandora's Key
on May 22, 2012
Pandora's Key is the first book in The Key Trilogy by Nancy Richardson Fischer. Review: I really liked this book. It was different, it was exciting and creative and it was smartly written. I love the tale of Pandora's Box and have always had a love of the Greek Gods mythology. This book really put those tales to use with its own spin and story. The writing was great, the imagery was well done and the story itself was plausible. Evangeline was a terrific lead character. She's the reason this story works so well. You can literally feel the changes her life is taking, what she's going through and the heartache she's enduring. The supporting cast of characters were interesting and well written. There was action, suspense, mystery and a bit of romance in this book. There were a few things that I disliked about the book, but minor given the whole of the story. The beginning was slow and a bit confusing. It took me several "put down and pick back up" attempts to get through the first few chapters because I just couldn't get into it. But Im really glad I kept going because its picks up speed and rhythm and it all comes together. Some of the dialogue was a bit rough and I think Evangeline reaction to her new life was a bit off. I also wish we had gotten more of Raphe and Evangeline together. I would have liked to have seen their love story better developed considering they knew each other before the events started to unfold in Evangeline's life. He seemed to really care about her and love her despite her own deprecating self image. All in all this book was definitely worth the time to read it. Im looking forward to reading book two! NOTE - I read this as part of a R2R with Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics! in Goodreads. As always, a special thank you to the moderators as well as the author for allowing me to participate.
- In a Celandine World
on May 25, 2012
In A Celandine World is a fantasy romance written by Catherine Thrope. Review: I went into the book thinking it was one thing and it turns out to be a completely different experience then expected. And I have to say, it just wasn't for me. The book blurb leads you to believe this novel to be a paranormal type mystery when instead, I found it to be more of a book based on the inner ramblings in the POV of the main character, Willow, about beliefs, the contemplation of her sanity, reality and the possibility of magic and fairy folk. There was a story hidden in there as well but Willow spends the majority of the book wondering if the events around her are actually in her head and what this could mean for her own sanity and reality. The authors use of flowery imagery kept me reading. She has a poetic way with words for sure, but the story itself was confusing, leaving me stumbling over chapters trying to decipher what I had just read and where this story could possibly be going. It wasn't until the end that you understand the reason for everything and by that point I just didn't care. I wish there had been better, more discernible clues hidden in the mystery of the book. The characters were just as mysterious and confusing as the story and I didn't understand their point until the end. This just wasn't my typical type of read so I may be judging to harshly, but I just couldn't get into the story. I assume by the ending of this novel there will be a second book but I probably wont pick it up. NOTE: I read this as a R2R with Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics! A special thank you to the mods and the author for allowing me to participate.