The Adventures of Rupert Starbright Book Spotlight

The Adventures of Rupert Starbright Book 3
About the Author:
A filmmaker and writer since childhood, Mike has directed numerous shorts, music videos, documentaries, promotional videos and two feature films (NO EXIT and TRIPTOSANE). His first novel, Milky Way Marmalade received rave reviews and was the winner of the 2003 Dream Realm Award.

He is very excited about the release of the first of his exciting new kid-lit series, RUPERT STARBRIGHT: The Door to Far-Myst.

Mike, a certified Yoga instructor, has many interests including gardening (loves growing chili peppers in his rooftop garden), playing guitar, cats (long-time volunteer at NYC’s Ollie’s Place Adoption Center), really good and really bad movies and 70s TV as well all kinds of geeky stuff. He is a dedicated MST3K fanatic. He thinks of music as his religion—especially Classic Rock.

He lives quite contently in a NYC apartment with his wife and soul mate, Suzy and their rescued kitties, Cosmo and Rupert.


You can visit Mike’s website at　www.mikedicerto.com


 About the Book:
Strange creatures begin to appear in the normally dull Graysland after Rupert Starbright digs up a mysterious bell in his backyard. Rupert sets off on his latest adventure to discover the secret of a mysterious haunted mansion and its creepy occupant and the connection to the old holiday called Winter Joy.
Title: The Adventures of Rupert Starbright Book 3: The Ghost of Winter Joy
Author: Mike DiCerto
Publisher: Zumaya Publications
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Language: English
Strange creatures begin to appear in the normally dull Graysland after Rupert Starbright digs up a mysterious bell in his backyard. Rupert sets off on his latest adventure to discover the secret of a mysterious haunted mansion and its creepy occupant and the connection to the old holiday called Winter Joy.


Book Trailer:

On Blazing Wings by L. Ron Hubbard

Book Description: 
David Duane, artist, adventurer and air ace, discovers his destiny awaiting him inside a mystery-shrouded Finnish city of golden minarets. As Duane bravely confronts and challenges his fate, the action swirls to an explosive climax amidst a fierce aerial dogfight with an unexpected toll.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this one.  David Duane is a pilot.  He is a good pilot to be more accurate.  He has flown in several wars for different countries.  Problem is he has always wanted to be an artist and his heart hasn't been completely into the wars.  Then a crash into enemy territory changes everything.
This was a good one.  It is an old story about war, but with the narration it is new again!  The sound effects and the voices are wonderful.  The storyline is good.  It wasn't surprising but you were rooting for David Duane and hoping he could work against his fate. 
I rate this a 4/5.  It is a good book, and the narration is great.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this audiobook.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Giveaway!!!

I have 2 copies of Heather Burch's Avenger in hardcover to give away! 
**All you have to do to enter to win is comment below and include your email.  (no email, no entry!)
**US only
**Winners will be randomly selected on 12/1/13

Book Description:
Sometimes the Truth Comes with a Price
Nikki knew Damon Vessler would not let his prized creation go easily---she simply never imagined the lengths he'd go to get her back into his clutches, and turn Nikki's heart toward darkness.
A Seeker at her heels, trained on her blood, Nikki flees with Raven alongside her for protection, while Mace and the other Halflings fight the battle that has erupted on earth. But even as the two boys she loves fight for her, she knows the battle will be hers to win. Determined to uncover the secrets of her past, and exactly how she fits into Vessler's twisted plans, Nikki sets off on her own, and soon discovers facing hellacious beasts is nothing compared to the decision she will need to make. One that could change not only the war, and her relationship. with Mace and Raven, but her future with the Throne.

The Return by Melissa Douthit

Book Description:
After the fall from the Maaldan cliff, Chalice is reunited with her friends on a journey that takes them to the coastline of Ielieria. Little do Vlaad and his Fierain know what is in store for them as, bit by bit, their plans are thwarted by this blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty.
The small band of rebels then travels across the Realm, preparing it for war, while Chalice herself is brewing plans of her own that may just land her in the hot seat. What will happen when she returns her father to the throne? What will happen when he finds out what she has done? And … what will happen once Dar’Maalda learns of the rebels’ location?
In the third and final novel of the trilogy, The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia, you find out. It is a dramatic finish to an epic story of action, adventure, betrayal, forgiveness and love.

My Thoughts:
I couldn't wait to start this book.  The Return picks up right where we left off in The Firelight of Maalda.  Chalice fell over the cliff after being attacked.  She learns a lot of information from an interesting source, then is reunited with her friends/family.  She has a plan in place to return her father and finally defeat Vlaad.  The problem is, he has plans of his own.  It is a fight for their lives and Chalice isn't just going to sit around being a princess, but instead is going to charge headlong into battle!
Chalice has grown and changed so much through these books that she is hardly recognizable as the young girl we first met!  She still has an opinion and is strong-willed but she has learned to channel her strengths.  I'm still in love with Jeremiah.  He is always the protector.  Her friends are still close, through everything she and the war puts them through.  I wasn't sure how this book was going to play out and for that reason, I couldn't put it down.  I really enjoyed this whole series.
I rate this a 5/5.  I loved the series and was sorry to see it end, but the author did a great job!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Book Description:
Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.
One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.
Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this audiobook!  I got it for my kids to listen to and I think I liked it more than they did.  Carter and Sadie are siblings that look nothing alike and rarely spend any time even on the same continent.  On one of the rare occasions they do see each other, they find out a LOT more about their family than they ever thought existed.  They learned that magic is real, their father was a magician and the 'gods' they learned about are real.  Now to save their father, they have to battle with magic and save the world!
I have to say, I think the cat is my favorite character.  The two narrators did a great job with the voices and I got completely into the book.  Carter and Sadie couldn't be more different but it was their differences that made them so perfect for the story.  The author did a great job with all of the characters and settings.  The siblings don't just stay in one place but travel everywhere.  I liked the crush that Carter had, though it didn't exactly turn out like I'd expected.  The way Sadie and Carter have to learn magic and the fact that their family is a strong old powerful family was great.  I can't wait to read the next one.
I rate this a 5/5.  It was a great book. 

***I know a lot of my followers are Christians so I will say that it does talk about gods so if that offends you, this book isn't for you.  It IS fiction though and really a good story.***

The Howling Heart by April Bostic

Book Description:
Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.

Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.

Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

My Thoughts:
This was an intriguing book.  Paige has finally reached her goal at work.  Her hard work is recognized and she gets the promotion she has been wanting...the same day, she catches her boyfriend cheating on her and her father dies.  Her father leaves her a cabin in the woods of Colorado.  A series of strange events and encounters send her running for home but a car accident halts that route and she is drug into a world she didn't have a clue existed.
Paige was a unique character.  She was so set and determined to have her life the way she wanted it, but then Riley is set to change her mind.  I liked the world the author was trying to create and how close the members of the pack were.  I did not feel a connection to Riley much at all, he did get on my nerves.  Paige had sudden changes of 'heart' that caught me off guard but she was still a good character.  I really liked Riley's sister, she was probably my favorite. 
I rate this a 3/5.  It was an original book.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

**This book contains adult themes/language**

Lila: The Sign of the Elven Queen by Mark J. Grant

Book Description:
Lila always knew that her big eyes made her special, but she never realized how special. She can see her invisible pet dog, Fluffy, who introduces Lila and her family to a kingdom of invisible people. Their lives are changed forever when Lila learns she's a real princess.

My Thoughts:
This was a cute book.  Lila has always wanted a dog.  There are problems with her having one so she comes up with a brilliant idea...she will have an invisible dog!  Fluffy is the perfect compromise.  He is an invisible dog who introduces Lila and her family to a whole race of people who are invisible, only to find out that Lila is a princess.
Adorable characters, good plot and original concept.  I really enjoyed Lila as did my 5 year old.  Everything from the invisible dog to the invisible people kept him intrigued and he wanted more.  The author does a good job with imagery, especially to catch the attention of a child.
I rate this a 4/5.  For ages 6-12 probably the best and I am looking forward to more from this author.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PumpUpYourBook).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Firelight of Maalda by Melissa Douthit

Book Description:
The Firelight of Maalda: A story that unites the real with the fantastical and turns science into magic …
Chalice and her group leave Barenthren to travel to Portalis. There she and her friends discover the beautiful city, its people, its history, and its secret that has been kept hidden for thousands of years. During their stay, they learn that Dar’Maalda has the Firestone and that he plans to use it.
What is the Firestone and what does Dar’Maalda plan to do with it? What are the Naezzi? What does the title, The Firelight of Maalda, really mean? And … what is the secret of Portalis, the secret that has been guarded so jealously for so long – so jealously, that many have given their lives to protect it?
In The Firelight of Maalda, the second novel of the trilogy, The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia, you find out. It is a tale of intrigue and wonder where two opposite worlds collide in an explosive journey that leads Chalice and her friends to the dark islands lurking just beyond the horizon of Ielieria, where the Firelight of Maalda sits … and waits.

My Thoughts:
Chalice's journey continues!  She and all the villagers they rescued travel to the new city.  Chalice and her friends discover what a rift there is between the two classes.  Now that she is 'royalty' and they are not of her family, she cannot associate with them.  When a quest is required, the upper-class will realize just how stubborn and determined their Princess is to save all of them and to do it her way.  She just may not realize the cost.
Oh how the author catches you up in this story!  Chalice and Jeremiah are still close and so in love but it becomes obvious to both that it just isn't done because their classes are so drastically different.  I love the growth in the characters.  We don't see as much of Chalice's friends in this one but we meet a lot of new, amazing characters.  Jeremiah is still my favorite and I do love Ben as well.  I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
I rate this a 5/5.  It was a wonderful continuation of the Raie'Chaelia story!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Raie'Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

Book Description:
When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather's instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King's men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman who rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true friends and true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie'Chaelia.

My Thoughts:
Chalice's life has been completely turned upside down.  Her papa sends her away as the town is being attacked, but when she gets to where he sends her, she finds something has happened to those people as well.  Jeremiah is an old friend and more.  She meets up with him and the two of them set off to find out exactly what happened to the people they love.  Along the way they meet a host of interesting characters that will help them in their journey.
I absolutely loved Jeremiah!  Yes Chalice is the main character and she is wonderful, but Jeremiah was my favorite.  He has so many wonderful traits including strength, loving unconditionally, and protective of his friends.  Chalice is great.  Such devotion to her friends and family, even a family that she doesn't know.  That devotion is amazing and could cost her more than she ever planned on.  Her friends, Ben and the Chinuk are wonderful.  The storyline is great!
I rate this a 5/5.  I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Red Dragon by L. Ron Hubbard

Book Description:
As a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps—as handsome and cocky as Richard Gere—Michael Stuart was once considered an officer and a gentleman. But that’s all changed. Now he’s seen as a renegade, a traitor and a thief.

Stuart is a man without a country . . . and perhaps without a prayer. Why? Because in a daring plot to foil the Japanese puppet regime in China, he set out to reinstate the country’s true emperor. Known now as The Red Dragon, Stuart is a soldier of fortune in war-torn Manchuria—and a man of honor in a world of treachery.

Stuart’s latest adventure takes him from Peking to the Great Wall and beyond. He’s in a race against time and against the Japanese super-spy known as the Hell-Cat, both of them in hot pursuit of an elusive black chest. For Stuart, the ultimate prize is one filled with mystery, power, and treasure—not only in the chest itself, but in the love of the beautiful woman who has sent him on this mission. . . .

It was on Hubbard’s second journey to East Asia that he met British Secret Service agent, Major Ian MacBean, who introduced him to “The Great Game,” the geopolitical tug-of-war between China, Japan, and Britain. Hubbard also learned of the trade in stolen Chinese treasures, and was exposed to the secret criminal society known as The Red Dragon—inspiring this story of the same name. He has captured a singular time in this storied land.

My Thoughts:
This was a good audio book.  Mike Stuart is the Red Dragon.  He was once a soldier and respected man, but life changed drastically for him.  He is now feared and playing countries against each other.  He agrees to help a young woman on her search for a treasure that her father left her a map to.  He must go through terrible danger and bring them both out alive but keeping her alive is now what his life is about.
I really liked how the story flowed and the characters.  Mike was great.  He was a great bad guy.  Probably not really a bad bone in his body and he is fiercely protective!  I really liked the clarity of the audio in this.  It was a book I could listen to in the car with my children and they completely enjoy it as well.
I rate this a 4/5.  I do enjoy these old stories and the narrator is great.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Book Description:
Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.
The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life.
She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years.
A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years.
Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.
Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...

My Thoughts:
Charlotte was kidnapped and suffered for four long years.  When she was rescued, the police killed the men and thought the case was over.  Only Charlotte knows that it wasn't over and she can't tell.  A turn of events brings her back to the city and introduces her to two men that will be an integral part of her future.  She wants to trust Bryce but she is scared.  Her faith in men and God was shaken if not shattered during those four years.
Charlotte was a deep character.  She loved her family and those close to her, but trust was something she just couldn't give to others.  Bryce didn't know much about her but wanted to get close to her.  Charlotte didn't make it easy on him but Bryce was determined.  Her sister, the reporter, her bodyguard and many others were good characters that made the story flow well.
I rate this a 3/5.  It was a good book, but reminded me a LOT of one this author's other books.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep

Book Description:
The hotly anticipated ninth novel in the hugely popular Elemental Assassin series finds Gin Blanco on a dangerous mission to rescue a friend.

When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out…


My Thoughts:
I was ready for another Gin book!  She is still a kick but assassin, but now her family is in danger.  She has been having people try to kill her and is used to that.  You don't mess with her family though.  When a cruel man from Sophia's past kidnaps her and wreaks havoc with the rest of her family, Gin will do whatever it takes to get her back and keep the rest of the family intact.  Owen's support and seeming change of heart thrills her but it may be too late.
Gin is such an awesome character.  Her elemental powers are awesome.  The relationship with her 'family' is so strong and you know she will give her life for any of them if necessary.  Finn wasn't as central of a character as usual but he did have his usual role as supporter and protector.  I was so happy with the change in Owen!  He was back to how he used to be and it was awesome.  The storyline was great and I really enjoyed all the action.
I rate this a 5/5.  This was a great addition to the Spider series!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

***This book contains adult themes/language.***