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Thursday, December 29, 2011


Book Title: Released
Author: Megan Duncan
Publisher: Create Space
ISBN: 9781461017721
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

The human heart dares not stay away too long from that which hurt it most. There is a return journey to anguish that few of us are released from making.” ~Lillian Smith

Imagine our world taken over by strange, evil creatures with no warning and no knowledge of where they came from. Many humans die fights for their lives and the lives of their family and friends. The survivors are boarded up in their homes waiting and wondering what to do next. Among these survives are three teenagers: Abby and her brother Carter, family friend Max. Unfortunately, their family members are deceased. Looking for hope they turn to the radio and find a transmission that offers a safe haven to anyone that can make it there. The three, the nerd, the jock and the tomboy, set out to New Mexico in the hope they find other survivors and a safe place to live. On their journey they face many more “demons” some pure evil and others clothed in human clothing.

Although I am far from being a teenager by many years, I did find this book entertaining to say the least. The characters let their age show in many parts of this story, but I found it gave it a more realistic and believable feel. Their typical teenage mannerisms brought back memories of how my own kids acted. Even their hormones are shown as raging, even in the face of danger and destruction. The journey they are on becomes not only physically trying but also physiologically trying as well.

As with other reviewer of this book, I found it hurt to put down until I was done. I was surprised with the ending, which leaves things open for another book. There is suspense, horror and raw emotion: what more can you get from a good book.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011


Book Title: Something Secret This Way Comes
Author: Sierra Dean
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ASIN: B004QQ3MGI
Reviewed by Michele Tater For The Couch Tater Review

Camouflage is a game we all like to play, but our secrets are as surely revealed by what we want to seem to be as by what we want to conceal. ~ Russell Lynes

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the great City of New York, there are monsters that do more than go bump in the night. When one of these monsters take their “fun” to far, the Vampire Tribunal calls upon one person to take care of the problem. The person is not really a human person at all, she happens to be half vampire and half werewolf. Secret McQueen makes the strongest, of before mentioned, monsters quake in their shoes with fear; even just saying her name sends them shaking. The most recent trouble is the return of a very old vampire who had a run in with Secret before and he still has the broken tooth to prove it. Can she stop him in time to stop his taking over the largest of all cities with his rogue vampires? This while Secret is becoming more connected to her wolfy side. Why do women try to do so much at the same time! Can Secret handle it?

Now I know there are many vampire/werewolf books out there, but I found this one stands out on its own. Secret is a fantastic main character that shows how being different is not necessary a bad thing. She also has a strong support group that are there for her if needed. Yes there is love too, not too mushy or anything, just plain old boy meets girl and girl meet another boy...you will just have to read it for the details. The book is fast paced, packed with action and filled with mysteries that will leave the reader wanting to know more. Thank goodness the author planned to write this as a series and the other books are just a quick down load away.



Tuesday, December 6, 2011


Book Title: Fatal Rejection
Author: Bob Moats
Publisher: Magic 1 Productions
Reviewed by Michele Tater For The Couch Tater Review

A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success. ~Bo Bennett

Derek Harcourt is an author of a book that tells of the horrible crimes committed by a killer known as the NY Slasher. Liking the notoriety of the first book, Derek decides to write another one as he walks in the footsteps of the Slasher. As he moves from state to state he writes chapters that are sent to his editor Sarah Keller to edit and where his journey will end. As Derek travels from the East coast to the West coast, it seems that there are killings being committed with a eerie similarity to the murders that the NY Slasher was known for. The disappearance of this murderer many years ago may have just been a break for him and now he is back.

This book made me say “What?” “Really?” “No Way!” quite a few times. It puts the reader in the middle of a cat and mouse game where you are not sure who the cat and mouse are. With an unusual and unpredictable plot the reader must keep reading. I would dare to call it a first rate thriller from an author that has found another way to pleasantly shock me. Especially with the mentioning of Buffalo, New York, which I have lived in at one time, very cool. Looking for a good mystery to pass the time, this one will not disappoint. The reader is rewarded with the greatest of endings.




Book Title: Seven Days to Say 'I Love You'
Author: Ashley Hames
Manuscript Copy
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist.
~Stewart Alsop

After his father is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ashley is faced with the task of preparing his father to die and his family to grieve. Only days are given for his father to live. Although a close family, the words 'I love you' are not often said but are mostly inferred. Ashley makes it his goal to say those very words to his father before he pasts on. Most people have no problem in professing their love for one another, be it true or not, but Ashley finds it a true labor of love to utter them and mean them.

This a narrative of how Ashley and his family experience this heart wrenching stage of life. It is written in a raw, brutal and honest voice in describing the processes of saying goodbye to a treasured loved one. The author has opened his heart and his soul in writing this book and allows us to experience the pain and anguish felt from the lost of a parent.

I can not imagine loosing a close family member, especially my Dad. At the writing of this review, my Dad is scheduled to have open heart surgery which makes the fear of loosing him real. After reading this book, I have made it a point to tell my Dad and my Mom, that I love them. I find it a great gesture and a gift even to be able to say those words to them while they are still with me.

Words of caution: you will not be able to put this book down and it will change your outlook on life for the better. I actually was given this in a manuscript form, which I will cherish forever and always.