Jennifer Goehl

Biography

Lover of the St. Louis Cardinals and all things summer. I am addicted to Facebook and fountain soda. My Kindle Fire HD never leaves my side.

Where to find Jennifer Goehl online

Twitter: @JennyGReads

Smashwords book reviews by Jennifer Goehl

  • The Frankincense Trail on July 17, 2011
    (no rating)
    I was privileged enough to have helped this author out by reading the first couple of chapters for her so I was really excited to read this when it was released. I have Jody's other books on my to-read list but this was the first one I've read to far. Set in 200 B.C. Middle East this was different from anything I have read, ever. You can tell much research went into this book and the descriptions were so colorful I could see everything play out in my mind as I read. A few extras in this book, like a map of the trail, glossary of words, and a well written afterwards were just an added bonus. I highly recommend this book! This is a story about a teenage princess, still dealing with the grief of the death of her mother, recovering from a illness that had swept through the town she lives in, feeling like she has not seen anything in her young life, and a desire for adventure. Not the oldest child and not the youngest, she feel stuck in a lavish life being in the middle, knowing soon she will be married off.All she wants is be heard and help get her father's kingdom thriving again. When no one will listen to her or her ideas and seeing a small caravan of traders stop in her town she decides her wanted adventure time is now. With the help of her best friend/servant she disguises herself as a boy, as the traders will not take a young unmarried woman with them, no less a princess! Alia gets more than she bargains for as the desert and it's harsh elements show her trust, friendship, life and death. As she starts to find herself and her purpose in life, she realizes she has a lot to learn, as life outside of the palace walls is not always fair. She wears her heart on her sleeve and stands up for what she believes is right, although the caravan leaders are not so sympathetic to anyone. I would LOVE to see a sequel to this book! *wink wink*
  • Bone Dressing on Sep. 07, 2011

    First off, I absolutly loved the character Syd. I loved her snarky, sarcastic, tough-girl attitude. A few times I thought 'Oh wow, she sounds like me!" I felt bad for her in that she lost her parents at a young age and feels like she doesn't really belong, especially since she is still a teenager and is trying to find herself. No one seems to understand her, including her teachers, her foster parents, and most of the other students in her school, except for her longtime BF Patricia. Trouble seems to find Syd where ever she goes. Having never let herself really mourn the loss of her parents, she finds comfort in the local cemetery where they are buried. There she unexpectantly meets Beau, Sarah, and TJ, who will spin her life even more out of control and add more confusion to her already crazy life. There seems to be so much going on in this story, a couple times I had a bit of trouble keeping track of where Syd was, or should I say who Syd was. There also seemed to be a lot of detail about what Syd was thinking. I would of loved more dialog between the characters. As I read further into the story, I was completely caught off guard with the story line. It is so much more than the book description. I really, really, really like this story line and the plot. I feel that there is a great potential with the next six books. I am hoping more information comes out about certain characters, including Beau, Sarah, and especially TJ, as I have a lot of unanswered questions and how they all fit into Syd and her past lives. Overall, I am anxious to read book two and would definitely recommend this read!
  • White Witch Pond on Sep. 10, 2011

    I was hoping with a title like White Witch Pond, there would be enough creepy factor for this 33 year old horror lover to really enjoy this story. Not that I was doubting it would be enjoyable, because Jody is an amazing writer, just that it would at least give me a few chills being as it is a YA book. I was not disappointed! Right from the first chapter, reading in the almost dark living room, the hair on my arms stood up a little. Short and easy to read this is a perfect read for a dark, stormy night. I loved Shaya's character.I liked her confidence for being so young (I think she is around 12) and she seemed so grown up with her thoughts and actions. I felt bad for her though because it seemed like her mother did not understand her at all and was constantly putting her off and would never listen to anything she had to say. Determined to get to the bottom of the bracelet mystery and what is making her brother Dev sick, Shaya never backs down from the challenge and every step closer she gets, the more she needs to know. With just enough creep factor to keep you from looking out the window in the dark, White Witch Pond will keep you reading until you reach the perfect ending!
  • The Kindred Curse Anthology on Nov. 13, 2011

    There is a whole lota (is lota a word? if it wasn't it is now!) story packed into less than 75 pages in this first short story of the Kindred Curse Anthology. I loved it, plain and simple. The story never lets up from the first chapter to the very last page. Isabelle and her mother are on the run. From vampires. After loosing her twin sister Gabriella who was in love with a vampire and her father to suicide, they don't stay in any place too long. Something is in Isabella's blood that makes her irresistible to the vampires. After arriving in Chattanooga, TN Isabella has a run in with four young vampires and her life is on the line, literally. After being rescued by Xavier, an elder vampire, her whole world will be turned upside down whether she likes it or not. They are both drawn to each other and Xavier will stop at nothing to loose her, even offering her her every wish. The one thing that Isabella wants more than anything is her sister Gabriella back. But can he give her the very thing that she desires? Gleaming White is so well written that you will feel like you have read a whole novel by the time you reach the end. The ending was outstanding and left me hungering for more.
  • Witch Hunt (Book Two-Hayle Coven Novels) on March 18, 2012

    When an author writes a series, and the second book takes me on such a ride that I can't wait to jump right into the next book, I know I have a new series to add to my favorites list. In Witch Hunt, six months have passed since the ending of book one, Family Magic. Syd has still has new new group of friends, things have been pretty calm, and she is actually getting along with her mother. After being drug to a field party, where everyone from school will be partying it up, an ancient evil is released. People start going missing, coven members are taken, and an unexpected alliance with the DeWinter vampire clan is formed. As the evil entity becomes stronger, it's a race against time to search it out, find it's origins, and destroy it. And Syd must face the fact that she needs help from her inner demon now, more than ever. Even worse, she has love sick, football playing Brad wanting to be her boyfriend, a possessed cheerleader to deal with, and of course Quaid, who is struggling with his own issues. Can she handle anything else? Oh yeah, how about the strange Demetrius Strong, of the Chosen of Life, who is trying to get her to join them and leave her evil witchy ways of life. I think I enjoyed Witch Hunt even more than Family Magic because Patti Larsen just has a way of bringing her characters to life. You feel like in some ways you know them and can relate, they are a part of you. Enough back story is given so that Witch Hunt could be a stand alone read, but you are really missing out if you don't read Family Magic first. With non-stop action, suspense, laughter, and a bit of chill factor thrown in I had a hard time walking away from this story when "real life" called! Five stars all the way around!
  • Demon Child on March 19, 2012

    I am seriously not even going to ask if this series can get any better! I enjoy each book in the series even more than the last. Patti Larsen definitely has a great thing going with this Hayle Coven set. *I don't want to give any of the goodness away so I apologize right now for a cryptic review!* Demon Child jumps right into the action with Syd and her friends out on a camping trip, which of course goes horribly wrong, for Syd at least. When is anything ever easy for her? Demon Child also brings back the dreadful Chosen of Light, along with a few new characters. Syd's demon starts finding her own voice and wanting some control, leaving Syd waking up in odd places and at war with herself. A huge betrayal takes place in Demon Child, which completely caught me off guard. Syd and Quaid, Quaid and Syd...I loved how they finally seem to come together, but was cussing him at the end. Can't this guy just stop being a jerk??? *pulling my hair out* Syd finds herself alone, once again, when her friends turn their backs on her in favor of another. The new guy rubs Syd the wrong way and she knows there is something off about him but no one seems to want to believe her. When it comes time for the showdown, Syd finally gets her dream come true, or so she thought. This book found me breathless at times, heart pounding. Larsen was able to do what few authors can do... bring tears to my eyes. Actually, they were rolling down my cheeks. I felt so heart wrenching sad for Syd. If you haven't started reading this series you need to NOW! Another wonderfully written chapter in the Hayle Coven story!
  • The Wild on March 22, 2012

    Bittersweet, that's what The Wild was. I zoomed right through the four books in this series that have been published. When I began this one, I was excited to continue into the story but also sad because book five is not out for me to read yet :( I am really in love with this series and will be chomping at the bit to get my hands on book five! The Wild picks up right from where Demon Child ended. Syd is still minus her demon, and it seems that everyone hates her or is mad at her now. Way for everyone to be supportive, while they still have their magic in tact, right? Even the coven is giving her the cold shoulder and she has been banned from attending the meetings. Not only is Syd feeling abandoned, but her now-mortal father and her mother are so wrapped up in coven business, what with The Wild riders coming to destroy earth as they know it and rebuild. Now that Syd has the freedom she always longed for, something doesn't feel right. There is still some sort of magic lurking inside of her, the same magic that was causing Syd and her demon to never mesh in the first place. Now it is a race against time, with Quaid and Sunny by her side, to track down The Chosen of the Light and reclaim what rightfully belongs to her, not to mention save the world! There wasn't as much action in The Wild as in the previous books but I still enjoyed every single word of it. I had an idea on where Syd's "other" magic came from but wasn't 100% sure until Patti chose to revealed it. As with each book prior, I still wanted to slap Celeste silly. That woman! Patti Larsen has a way of writing that will easily make her one of your favorite authors. The Hayle Coven novels are fast paced and full of suspense that are enjoyable for all ages of readers, from teens to adults. Grab your copy of Family Magic (book one) and you will be surprised how fast you devour each book in this series! Now, if only I culd get my hands on book five *tapping my nails in "patience"*
  • Gatekeeper on July 07, 2012

    I am a HUGE fan of Patti Larsen's writing, especially this Hayle Coven series. Each book is seriously better than the last. So, somehow I missed the announcement that Gatekeeper was out and available (I'm blaming the new changes to Facebook changes). As soon as I knew I downloaded it and every other book I was reading was put on hold. I finished Gatekeeper in less than a day's time. Yes, it is THAT good. Patti's writing is THAT good to keep my attention and hold me in her thrall until the very. LAST. Word. Gatekeeper picks up where The Long Lost ended. Quaid is still living with the evil Dumonts under pretenses of being one of them with revenge on his mind. Syd's father, Harry is still stuck as a mortal and trying his darndest to get back to Demonicon. Celeste is still being a pain in the ass (I really can't stand her lol). And we can't forget Syd's friend, the troubled, one tip to shift the balance train wreck waiting to happen Alison. Still needy as ever, but you can't help but to feel some of her pain and want to make everything okay for her. And then there is Twelfth Grade, graduation looming like a light at the end of the tunnel for Syd. Then Gram decides to take off with her own revenge on her mind. When Syd's mother decides to go in search of her, along with Uncle Frank, who is still coming to terms with his own mess (which if you ask me, he should be grateful to even still be around, but that's a story for another day...) the family magic is transferred to Syd and she suddenly finds herself in charge of the coven...and the household, as her dad has basically checked out, too wrapped up in his own self and issues, and little sis Meira, with her new snotty attitude and new found love for makeup and hair products, until her mother's return. Sounds like enough is on her plate already right? HA! Yeah right. Now there is a Gate that Syd has been dreaming of, and the fate of the world and the Sidhe is at risk and time is already running out to not only find the Gate but to save the day once again. Enter new character Liam, a new favorite of mine. The last of the Gatekeepers. Full of keep you on your toes excitement, I am never not amazed at where Patti takes the storyline. As long as she keeps churning them out, I will keep reading them!
  • Flesh and Blood on July 07, 2012

    The. Best. One. Yet. Those four little words hold a lot of power to be able to describe a whole book. I was basically a blubbering mess the whole book through. For those how don't know me personally, I'm a tough girl, it takes A LOT to make me shed some tears. Flesh and Blood did just that. Being the seventh book in this series, fans can't help but feel like you are a part of the Hayle family. Syd's father, Harry, is desperate to try anything, anything at all to return him to not only Demonicon, but to make him not moral anymore. Even going as far as to use *GASP* blood magic, which is punishable by death. When his attempt goes wrong, all of his powers are sent into Sassafrass, the Hayle family cat. And low and behold, Sassy is now a teenage boy! For the first time in 150 years, he is no longer in the body of a cat! Unfortunatly, Harrys body is on the decline and time is not on Syd's side as Syd, Sassy, and Liam (yes he makes a return in book seven so I'm hoping he is here to stay!!) research, experiment, and even travel to the demon plane to get help from Sassy's dad just to save Harry's life. Gram is still gone, Meira is basically keeping Harry alive by feeding him her demon power, then the nasty Dumonts decide to make their return, a long with Quaid. Syd also comes to realize just how much power she really does have and the coven starts showing some respect. You can't help but root and cheer for Syd, considering she didn't even want anything to do with the family magic, no less her powers! Full of emotion, both the happy and sad kind, I would LOVE to share with you how Flesh and Blood ends...but I don't like cheating and I feel I would be cheating readers by telling. So grab your copy then feel free to email me if you are looking for someone to discuss with! If you have never read any of the Hayle Coven novels, grab you a copy of Family Magic and be amazed at how fast you devour the rest of the series.