Review: Predator by Janice Gable Bashman

Predator by Janice Gable Bashman

Publisher- Month9Books

Realeased- Sept 16th 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

The hunt is on!Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.When Bree went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home, her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.Bree’s boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.

My Thoughts:

After the death of her brother Troy, Bree is desperate to reconnect with her scientist father who hasn't been the same since he lost his son and went along with him to Ireland for the summer to help with his field study, researching a way to create a wound-repair serum to aid soldiers on the battlefield and linking it with the acid from the peat that preserve the flesh. But Bree had no idea what she stumbled on when she discovered a well preserved bog body and his mutated hand, or what she could have possibly unleashed. 

Well this was certainly different. I wasn't sure what I would expect when I opened this book, but I was really impressed with how fast I got into it. Predator is a thrilling, suspenseful and mysterious spin on werewolf lore that combines, science, archaeology and folklore mythology. I'm a really big fan of myths so it was pretty interesting to learn about the Benandanti lore and how it ties with the lycanthropy legend. I also loved the concept about a bog-swamp and the possibility of human life being persevered throughout time by the peat and then researched by biological anthropologist to uncover ancient truths. Add the greed and desperation of men who want to use this information to further success the war efforts by creating a super-solider army, despite the risks, and you got yourself one hell of a solid read. I loved Bashman's writing, you can tell she put a lot of thought and heart into this book. The action was fast paced and pulse pounding and the tone of the book was always kept at fascinating, rattling and shutter-worthy levels. It was like seeing everything unfold on the big screen in my mind. Very real, addicting and entertaining.

I really enjoyed all of these characters. Each played their roles well which made it easy to like and connect with.

Bree has a great voice, she's brave, strong, intelligent with a good heart. She may be a little to curious for her own good and a bit reckless, but I liked that she took responsibility for her role in the events that unfolded and tried to do the right thing no matter the consequences.

Liam is one of those great book boyfriends who is kind and sweet and supportive. There was a moment near the end of the book when he approached Bree that stole my heart a little. It gave me even greater respect for him. However, I am curious, nervous and excited to see how things will play out for him in the next book all things considering.

All in all, I had a really good time reading Predator. It's not your average werewolf book which was refreshing and I really enjoyed the scientific approach more then I thought I would. It's a bit mind boggling mind you, but I think that's what makes it such a fun experience. For fans who are looking for a new twist in the werewolf genre should have a good time with this one. As for me? I'm greatly looking forward to seeing what happens next! A fascinating and highly intriguing read.

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                4 Snowflakes

Review: Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick

Not Your Average Fairy Tale 

by Chantele Sedgwick 

Publisher-Crescent Moon Press

Released-Aug 1st 2012

Purchase-Amazon / B & N

Armed with wings and a blue wand, being a fairy godmother should be easy ... unless your name is Ash, and you're a dude.
Ash Summerland has it all–good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. When he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings. A.K.A. the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a "happy ever after". But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father's death, Kendall doesn't want anything to do with him. And worst of all, she doesn't believe in happy endings.

My Thoughts:
Ash Summerland is pumped! Soon he'll be graduating at the top of his class after all his hard work at the academy, he's finally going to get his just reward by earning himself the dream apprentice job he's always wanted. So when he opens his golden letter from The Magical Being Academy and sees that he's working for Lady Shenelle he's thinking that there has to be some mistake or quite possibly a joke. A Fairy Godmother? But...he's a dude! There has never been a male fairy godmother in the history of the academy, so...why now?
Frustrated and a very pissed off Ash tries to figure out what's going on, but the council has all decided that this experience will be good for him and he may just learn something from it. He just has to hang on long enough to complete one assignment. Grant three wishes to a human girl and he'll be able to graduate and move on to better positions. So what happens when his assignment proves to be most difficult and doesn't even believe in happy endings? Or even worse, what happens when he actually starts to care about her?


Ha!! What a fun fun story!! Not Your Average Fairy Tale really took me by surprise. This was such an entertaining and creative concept that put a brilliant spin to some of my favorite elements. Magic and fairy tale beings. As soon as I read the blurb for this book, I knew that I wanted to read it, I just didn't think I'd have this much fun! 


Magic, mystery, romance, colorful characters and a wicked twist in the end, this book has Disney written all over it! I could totally see this on the big screen. Kudos to Chantele Sedgwick's writing! It's smooth, confident and consuming. I was constantly and instantly entertained from minute one!

I really adored every single one of these characters. Even the bad dudes. Each of them played their roles fantastically, bringing in so much thrill, surprises and laughter.

Poor poor Ash, he really took the news hard when he found out that he was going to be ~gasp~ a fairy godmother. It's a pride thing, a male thing, a 'I'm not wearing no dame tights and tu-tu' thing. His pouting ways were quite adorable and hilarious and it was amazingly fun to watch him squirm his way through this assignment. To add insult (girly wings and a blue wand) to injury, Ash also learns that his class rival, Dax got the apprentice position that he was aiming for and makes sure to rub it in his face at any given hour.

All Ash wants to do is get this stupid assignment done and over with and move on, but when Kendall starts to get under his skin, making him question everything that he's ever wanted, we see a new side to Ash that readers will cheer for!

I really liked Kendall, she's been having a hard time every since she lost her father in an accident, leaving her alive but badly scarred. She feels responsible and blames herself for what happened. She's lost the will to feel normal or be normal. So it's not really a surprise when she fist meets Ash and thinks he's some nut job. I mean, who would believe that this gorgeous guy is a fairy godmother who could grant her three wishes. But once she finally does believe it's pretty funny to see these two banter their way to a growing friendship. She can totally handle her own and has a mean arm to prove it. 

Also, a big shout out to Sam and Ellie, they were two of my favorite characters besides Ash and Kendall.

The story line has a little bit of everything. Fun filled magic, a sweet sweet romance that's perfect in the way true love and fairy tales were meant to be, secrets waiting to be revealed, betrayal and revenge and an evil sinister plot taking it's time to fester before it strikes.

Overall, I absolutely had a blast with this book. It's warm and sweet and really quite precious. I can't wait to buy myself a copy to add to my collection! I'm also guessing by the ending that we're getting more, which would be amazing! I can't wait to see what happens to Ash and Kendall next!! 

Big thanks to Chantele Sedgwick for sharing her story with us. Loved it!!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website

                                                                    4.5 Snowflakes