In the Box: September 2015 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

OK, so I seem to have been putting the wrong month on my Fresh Fiction box review (or maybe not, so confused).  This one was clearly the October not the September box, and it did a pretty good job with that theme.  Once again, it contained three paperbacks: Enchanted by the Wolf by Michele Hauf (which is signed!), Shadow Fall by Laura Griffin, and Sustained by Emma Chase. Shadow Fall seems totally me, and Enchanted by the Wolf involves a Fae, so that is awesom. Once again, 3 ebooks this month.  I received Cherish Me, Cowboy by Alissa Callen, Eye of the Ninja by D.M. Marlowe, and Luck be a Lady by Gemma Halliday & T. Sue Versteeg.  Cherish Me, Cowboy only came as an epub, which is OK, because of the three, it is the only one that is not me.

The swag kept mostly with an October theme.  There was chocolate coffee-scented lip balm, a pen that looks like a syringe, a skull bracelet, and candy corn.  The one item that was out of place (and totally out of time) was a mouse pad.

Possibly my favorite Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss.  While this month had 3 paperbacks, each box will have at least one paperback and 3-6 ebooks, along with swag, for $25 a month (you can skip months). 

Stacking the Shelves: 9/20-9/26

For possible review (on Bookloons):

The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

Claudette Colvin

Title: Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice
Author: Phillip Hoose
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

ISBN: 9781441802361

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: This reminded me of the type of biographies that I actually enjoyed reading when I was a preteen (and would use as sources for high school papers).  Very cool to read about a little-known civil rights activist.

Rating: 4 stars

Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop

Title: Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop
Author: Julia Park Tracey
Publisher: Booktrope

ISBN: n/a

Why Read?: Early Review

Thoughts: This was a fun story, but Veronika herself felt too contrived.  Would have actually been better if it had focused more on plot and less on character.

Rating: 3 stars

Peter and the Starcatchers

Title: Peter and the Starcatchers
Author: Dave Barry & Ridley Pierson
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

ISBN: 9781593559786

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: A good imagining of Peter Pan's backstory.  However, the beginning was rather slow and the very ending seems like they had to add someone in that they forgot.  The narration, though, was perfect.

Rating: 3 stars

Stacking the Shelves: 9/13-9/19

First Reads from Goodreads:

Jesus, Pope Francis and a Protestant Walk into a Bar by Paul Rock & Bill Tammeus

In the Box: August 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

I thought August was going to be my last Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack, but luckily, I can continue, so this will not be my last review! The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For August, the main game was Cacao ($34.95 value) from Z-Man Games. As you know, I love Z-Man games and I love chocolate, so this sounds perfect for me!  It's a worker placement game, which I have not played many of, so this will be a good challenge.

The first of the smaller games was Rumpelstiltskin (a $9.99 value) from AEG games.  This is a short two-player which is prefect for me and my husband.  I also received Poker Dice (a $1.49 value) by Koplow Games.  Seems like a good alternative to cards.

My collectibles this time were Crazy Cube Soccer Shootout (a $9.99 value).  I guess this can also count as a game, but it is not really for me.  Closer to my interests was The Smurfs Tag Athon Collectible Game Booster Pack (a $0.99 value) from WizKids.  While I do not play the game (sounds like HeroClix), I do love the Smurfs.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received my two favorites from the past (probably because I thought it would be my last), the pen and bookmark.

Of course, another awesome Awesome Pack !  The items actually added up to an amazing $57.41 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  Not the highest value one I have received, but I really love the games this time around.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

Stacking the Shelves: 8/30-9/12

For possible review (on Bookloons):

Greenwode by J Tullos Hennig

Shirewode by J Tullos Hennig

Dead Boy by Laurel Gale

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

First Reads from Goodreads:

The Ancient Whisper by M.A. Appleby

Blue Moon Over Fenway by Alden C. Glass

LibraryThing Early Review:

The Gray Lady of Long Branch by Maura Satchell

Swapped for on My Subscription Addiction:

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 1 by Osamu Takahashi & khara

Red Equinox

Title: Red Equinox
Author: Douglas Wynne
Publisher: JournalStone

ISBN: n/a

Why Read?: Early Review

Thoughts: A pretty decent paranormal horror with ancient artifacts, cults, and paranormal investigators.  Hopefully, this is the first in a series.

Rating: 4 stars

Torn from Troy

Title: Torn from Troy
Author: Patrick Bowman
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press

ISBN: 9781927401606

Why Read?: For fun

Thoughts: While I have seen YA retellings of myths, I have never seen one that retells the classic Greek Odyssey.  Torn from Troy starts with the sacking of Troy goes through the Island of the Lotus Eaters and finishes with the Cyclops, leaving plenty left for the rest of the series.  Unfortunately, there was a bit of down time between each recognizable event.

Rating: 3 stars

Inanna's Tears

Title: Inanna's Tears
Author: Rob Vollmar & mpMann
Publisher: Archaia

ISBN: 978-1-932386-79-0

Why Read?: For fun

Thoughts: Very interesting concept but I just found the whole thing hard to follow, especially the characters, and the artwork did not help.

Rating: 2 stars