My Little Sunday Update

What an exciting and interesting week this has been!  My first giveaway/hop is still going on, until tomorrow at midnight.  So get your entries in while you still have a chance!  You can win a gift card and a really amazing book :)  And while I am speaking about this, let me just say thank you to everyone who is following and entering.  Your participation is essential to any giveaway!  So best of luck to all of you. 


And if you don't win the Spooktacular Hop on Fictional Candy, don't go away because the Thanks for the Books Hop starts on Tuesday!! I will be giving away another Amazon gift card on that one, and it is even easier to enter.  


Right now I am reading Modern Women by Ruth Harris.  It is a bit different from my normal book choices, but I am really enjoying it.  Hopefully within the next couple days I can have a review up for everyone to read.  Right now I can tell you it is a very interesting story of three women, starting in the 60's.  If you weren't alive then, this book will definitely give you some insights, and perhaps a different perspective on some of the things happening in the country back then. 


After I finish Modern Women I will be reading a galley from NetGalley, but I can't tell you which one yet.  After that I have scheduled a book from Smashwords about a man who just found out his wife is cheating on him.  


Also sometime in the very near future I will be doing a giveaway on some children's books, and some supernanny books.  Hopefully you will all stick around for that!!  I am also planning some other book giveaways, but I am still working those packages out. 


Oh!  I also have a new post of Movie Cast all set and ready for posting this week.  I received a lot of good feedback on last weeks entry, so I am really hoping some people will join in this week and do their own Movie Cast :)


So there is a little update.  I just wanted to make sure everyone knows I am still around, but reading feverishly to add some new reviews to the site.  


Do you have any suggestions, questions or comments?  Let me know in the comments section.  As most anyone will tell you, you will hear back from me very quickly!

Dirty Little Secret (10-27-11)

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:

1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.
2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image and copy instructions (located at Under the Covers).
3. Answer the question they propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.
4. Then add your link at Under the Covers.

"If you could shape shift into anything, what would it be?"

My answer:

I would definitely want to shift into something strong and powerful.  And currently, that answer would be a Dragon!  Yes, my Dragon obsession is continuing.  

Meme: Movie Cast

<center><a href="http://fictionalcandy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Fictional Candy" src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z392/FictionalCandy/moviecast.jpg"/></a></center>

So here it is, my first meme that I'm hosting! This first one is going to post now as kind of a early run (plus give me time to advertise it), but my actual schedule day is going to be Fridays (I think), giving a whole weekend if needed.  But honestly, it doesn't matter what day you post, I just hope you participate!

Rules:
It's really easy to do. Just pick any book you like - it doesn't have to be the same book as me (but it can be), and cast it for the movie you wish it'd be made into! Comment, pass on, come back here and link to your post, and view someone elses.  Make sure you leave a comment and a link at their blog so they know you visited!  And link to Fictional Candy in your post or use my button code up above.

You can make it as extravagent as you want, or as simple as you want. Want to add locations? Or a soundtrack? You don't have to add pictures, but it sure does help :) Live or dead actors/models/cartoons/animals, it doesn't matter!

Here's mine, to start. And its a doozy. But I've been obsessed with casting it ever since I started reading the series.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood, JR Ward

Part 1 - The Brothers (I'll do supporting characters in another week's post)



 Wrath - Peter Steele

Strange Neighbors - Ashlyn Chase

Title: Strange Neighbors (Strange Neighbors #1)
Author: Ashlyn Chase


Format read: Ebook, Amazon, Purchased myself.


From Goodreads:

He's looking for peace, quiet, and a little romance...
There's never a dull moment when hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field...

A girl just wants to have fun...
Sexy Jason seems like the perfect fling, but newly independent nurse Merry's not sure she's ready to trust him with her heart...especially when the tabloids start trumpeting his playboy lifestyle.

Then pandemonium breaks loose and Merry and Jason will never get it together without a little help from the vampire who lives in the basement and the werewolf from upstairs...

Ok, so this is a book I read a while ago, before Fictional Candy.  


This is my review on Goodreads:
This was a really fun book that I almost put down after the first couple chapters because of some corny aspects. I am so glad I didn't!! It turned out to be a very interesting read, with lovable characters. I found myself rooting and cheering (ok, that was internally) and sympathizing... without giving spoilers, I'd just say go ahead and read this if you would like something a little different. And bonus! Its part of a series! I can't wait to read the second book.


**************


Now after some time has passed, I can only say that this book hasn't left my mind.  I am constantly on the look for the rest of the series when I am book shopping.  I think I am just going to have to get it for my kindle.  But I think that says something, when you keep thinking about a series. 


This book was wacky.  Yes, wacky.  There were some really far fetched things.  But that's what we love about paranormal, right?  The fact that it is far fetched?  Ok, so maybe I believe in some of this stuff, but that's not something I am going to discuss right out here in the open.  Yet.


Anyhow, at this point its hard for me to get into some of the particulars, since its been a while since I read the book.  But I thought the twists in it were pretty unique.  I was shocked to see what kind of a shifter Jason is.  It certainly wasn't what I expected!  Which isn't to say I don't remember what happens, but I don't want to give away the secrets.  It's truly something you should read for yourself!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my little stop on the hop!

This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer  and The Diary Of A Bookworm

Fictional Candy is giving away 2 prizes!!

First prize: $10 egift card from Amazon, and an ebook copy of The Calling, by Ashley Lynn Willis from either Amazon or Smashwords .  You can see my review here.

Ashley's Website is HERE.  You will need to go here to enter!  Website will open in new window :)

Second prize: An ebook copy of The Calling from Smashwords or Amazon!

Make sure you visit the linky below the Rafflecopter to visit the rest of the blogs in the hop!

Twi Harder - Lacy Maran & Kevin Michael

Title: Twi Harder (A Twin Fang Novel)
Authors: Lacy Maran & Kevin Michael


Format: Smashwords ebook provided by author for purpose of review


From Amazon:
Heavy necking. Shirtless hunks. Bad boys with fangs looking to warm your blood rather than suck it. Alice Johnson loves the vampires of fiction. It's the real life vamps she was having trouble with. But when an impossibly hot new vamp falls for Alice, her life will never be the same.

"Twi Harder" is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance that unfolds over Oscar weekend at a luxury celebrity hotel where all the stars have gone vamp.

This book took on a pretty satirical view of Hollywood, paparazzi, vampires, the whole thing.  This first third of the book felt very negative to me.  The main character, Alice, complained about everything and liked nothing.  Granted, she had little reason to be optimistic, but the pessimistic level was a little much for me at times.

Basically vampires live among us, in normal society.  Alice is a human working in LA/Hollywood as a waitress in a hotel bar – and she is not an aspiring actress.  Recently dumped by her boyfriend, he quickly became a vampire and his singing career skyrocketed.  Alice definitely is feeling bitter, and you can totally sense that through most of the story.  It’s very ironic how she bashes almost everyone around her for acting so superior, when in her mind she is the superior one.  

I don’t know if it was intentional, but it seems that there are some references to actual celebrities - and  not all are in the nicest light.  It became a game of “let’s figure out who this is”.  Some were easy, like the vampire actress Jules Madison who played the “…vampire hooker with a heart of gold”.  I thought that part was kind of fun.  I think I guessed who a couple were inspired by.

Near the middle to end it became more interesting for me.  While it was difficult to keep up with the many characters introduced, it was interesting to see how Alice interacted with them.  And throughout the book she has an internal conflict about her ex, and something she can do to get quite a bit of money.  The real question is will she or won’t she?

One minute she is thinking about what soulless jerks vampires are, and literally the next she is falling in love with one.  Mark seems like a nice guy, and he definitely had feelings for Alice.  I would have liked to seen that aspect more in depth than everything else going on.  Overall this book was very low on the romance, and what was there was over so quickly that you had better not blink.  I’m not sure I would class it in that genre specifically.  But it definitely was a different take on the paranormal story.  While it wasn’t exactly the type of story I normally read, I am happy I gave it a chance and got to meet Alice.  I definitely think she is the type of character that could flourish in a story that is longer than one weekend. 

Big Book Haul Today!

So I went to the book sale at my local library.  Woohoo, got a ton of books for me and my daughter!

Not to mention I also got 2 books in from the Goodreads (soon to be gone) bookswap

PLUS 

I am getting a Children's book giveaway together!!  I will probably schedule that in the next week or two.  

Also....

I'm also planning out a meme to host!!  I'm still in the debating stages, but I think I am going to do it.  So I hope when that goes live, that everyone will join in and have some fun!

Poll: Who Did It Better?

Two different books, different covers...but the same model (ok, picture...).  Which cover do you like more?


              

Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons #2) - Katie MacAlister

Title: Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons #2)
Author: Katie MacAlister
Published: 2008
Format read: Print copy borrowed from library


From Goodreads:
Though May Northcott’s heart belongs to Gabriel, leader of the silver dragons, being stuck in Abaddon has significantly cooled down her love life. Especially since a demon lord is trying to woo her. Looks like May will have to barter to gain her freedom and fulfill her destiny by Gabriel’s side...

“Carrie Fay always says that nothing is really horrible unless it eats away your face.” Sally said with sublime disregard.

That line made me laugh out loud.  Seriously, its hilarious.  And well, it’s true too!

I loved this book.  This may very well be my newest favorite trilogy.  I want to read the last book more than any other book I have right now.  And I will have to soon, cause they are due back to the library on the 24^th! On the other hand, I’m really sad that its almost over.  Sure, there’s the Aisling Grey series, and the start of the Light Dragon series, but I want more Silver Dragons.

  

Why?  Gabriel.  Woooooohooooo, that dragon could give me his fire any time he wanted.  Ok, so after the first book I claimed that I got more of a Bruno Campos vibe from Gabriel.  Not anymore.  I still don’t know if I can picture him just like the author describes, but I am just about there.   I can picture this guy moving through the room.  Quiet.  Calm.  Deadly.  And he loves May Northcott more than anything in this whole universe.  And boy oh boy oh boy, it is a hot hot love that they have. 

This book takes place right after the first.  We find May in Abaddon, basically getting all prettied up for a whole lotta nothing in her mind.  Magoth, by the way, I am certain is Rudolph Valentino. I may be wrong, but Katie MacAlister keeps saying how he was a dark, brooding, sexy silent film star.  I would place my money on Valentino!  Ok, back to the book.  May is getting a mud mask from Sally, who has designs on becoming a demon lord herself.  You want to hate her, you kind of like her, she’s funny.  She reminds me of Paulette in Legally Blonde.  Up in your face, seemingly naïve…but you know there is more there.  This woman has layers, even if she isn’t a top character in the book.  She has enough personality to have a spin off!  Then May disappears!!  Ok, she doesn’t actually.  But she does get summoned up to see Gabriel, Aisling, and the group.  There’s a plan to get her out of Abaddon.  Annnnnd it involves her becoming Magoth’s consort.

But whatever works, works.  I don’t care, as long as she gets out and gets closer to Gabriel.   And through a series of events, the dragon shard from the phylactery lands itself right inside of May!!  Suddenly she is shifting during sex into a dragon, she is moody, she is flying off the handle.  I loved it!!! She doesn’t, however.  She’s worried about becoming a dragon permanently.  So of course there is a plan to get her out of that situation.

That’s what I love about this trilogy.  There’s a main storyline, and all kinds of shenanigans along the way.  Cyrene gets into trouble, of course.  Kostya is around.  We meet some new dragons.  Its mayhem! There is no way you could get bored reading this series.  Katie MacAlister definitely does a good job of keeping you on your toes.

There’s a lot of action in this book.  Fighting action, plotting action, battle action, sexy as hell on fire action.  I couldn’t read it fast enough.  I love the absolute unfaltering devotion of May and Gabriel.  If I gave stars on my reviews, this book would get all 5 :)




UPDATE:
Ok, I've got it.  I know who I picture Gabriel as:  Jason Momoa!!   I wish I had some quotes on hand so that I could do a "My Book Boyfriend" but maybe next week.  In the meantime, check out these pics!

WWW Wednesday 10-19-11

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

 • What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

1) What am I currently reading?

Twi Harder, by Kevin Michael and Lacy Maran

I just started this, I'm only on chapter 2, so I don't have a lot to say.  But I have high hopes for it.  The title makes me giggle :)

2) What have I recently finished?

Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons #2), Katie MacAlister

OMG, I loved it.  I am going to write a review tonight, but suffice to say it was fantastic.  I'm sad there's only one book left in the trilogy, but happy I have it on my end table at home :)

3) What will I read next?

Modern Women, Ruth Harris

I don't know a whole lot about this story, but I'm hoping it is wonderful :)

Want to play along?  Leave your answer in my comments, or go to Should Be Reading and join the fun there!

A little dragon fun...

So right now I am reading book two of the Silver Dragon series, from Katie MacAlister, "Up In Smoke".  I can't say this enough, I love these dragons!!!

Found this little quiz on Katie's website, and I got the perfect result!!

(Ok, the embed feature, and the add to blog feature didn't work, but here is a pic of my result and if you click on it, you can take the same quiz!)

Whirl (Ondine Quartet #1) - Emma Raveling

Title: Whirl - Ondine Quartet Book 1
Author: Emma Raveling


Published: September 2011


Format: Ebook provided by author for purpose of review


Available for purchase at: Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Apple iBookstore




Links:
Whirl


From Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Kendra Irisavie is an ondine, a water elemental caught in the middle of an ancient war with the Aquidae, immortal dark demons who will stop at nothing to destroy the fragile balance of the Elemental world.

Fierce and independent, Kendra has always played by her own rules. Gifted with the powerful magic of Virtue and trained to be a deadly fighter, she has spent her life breaking hearts and getting into trouble.

When her life explodes one violent night in a northern California city, a dark stranger appears, promising answers to her mysterious past. Alone and with no one to trust, she must now navigate through a dangerous new world, face the temptations of a forbidden romance, and remain true to her duty and destiny.

All while the Aquidae continue to hunt her down, in the hopes of eliminating her forever…

An edgy urban fantasy/paranormal romance, Whirl is recommended for older teens and mature readers due to strong language and mild sexual situations

In the beginning of this book I was a little put off by all of the customized terms that seemed to have little to no definition.  As the story went on, more definition was provided, and it became easier to follow.  As it turns out there was a glossary of terms at the end of the book.  In an ebook it is not as easy to flip pages, I would have really liked to see this at the beginning.

This book is about an ondine (a water elemental) named Kendra, who has been living a rogue life with her mother, outside of the community of other water elementals.  Her mother has taught her to be strong, independent, and to take care of herself.  Suddenly her mother is gone, and Kendra is alone.  A gardinel named Tristan shows up to bring her back to Haverleau – an elemental community.  There she will attend school and develop her magic.  But this ruffles Kendra’s feathers, as she has always led a very different lifestyle.  The elementals are in a war with the Aquidae, the soulless demons who hunt her and others like her.

While I really enjoyed the story, and meeting all of the characters, I feel the main character Kendra Irisavie, seemed a bit arrogant.  It seems to me that she really felt everyone in the elemental community was below her for one reason or another. She feels she is the smartest, the toughest, the strongest, most cunning… A couple characters even broached the subject with her.  She needed to be part of a community, a family in a broad sense of the word.  This is the ultimate goal in her story, she needed to learn that she was a part of something bigger than herself and that she didn’t need to do it alone – that she couldn’t do it alone.

There were a lot of people in this book to meet.  I enjoyed all of them, for different reasons.  Kendra’s friends, mentors, family, and rivals all gave a unique flavor to the story.  I do feel this is a book worth reading.  I don’t have any real complaints about it at all.  I would enjoy seeing more history on Tristan, he seems to have a rich past and there is something happening in his future that sounds interesting.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read.  I do recommend it to anyone interested in urban fantasies involving elementals.  

Here is the trailer for Whirl, which is terrific.  I love the imagery and music

Waiting On Wednesday 10-12-11

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week, my choice is: 

Undeadly, Michele Vail

on Amazon  To be released February 28, 2012

Synopsis:
The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper-and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath.

Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. Who seems to hate her guts.

Rath will be watching closely to be sure she completes her first assignment-reaping Rick, the boy who should have died. The boy she still wants to be with.

To make matters worse, students at the academy start turning up catatonic, and accusations fly-against Molly. The only way out of this mess? To go through hell. Literally.

Give Me, A Fairy Tale - By L.K. Rigel

Title: Give Me, A Fairy Tale
Author: L.K. Rigel

Format: Ebook provided from R2R,  Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics

From Amazon.com:
A young witch with a good heart. Two lovers in mortal danger. A spell that ends in disaster.

Lilith Evergreen lives in the California desert, an ordinary woman until her fiancé returns from London with a ring he bought from a street vendor. When Lilith puts it on she dreams of a green land that's anything but desert, a tree at cliff's edge, a ruined castle, and a handsome prince.

Then she discovers that it's all real.

When Lilith visits the ruins of Tintagos Castle, she discovers a world of magic and love - and its dark side when she's entangled in the remnants of an ancient spell gone bad. From the moment Lilith sees Cade Bausiney, she's overwhelmed with desire for him. Cade is drawn to Lilith too - but their feelings might only be sparked by dark and dangerous magic.

Lilith and Cade must break the old spell or be forever possessed by spirits who've waited a millennium to consummate their love.

For such a short story (although that term is a bit deceiving here) this book packed quite a lot of information in it. I love that. There are scenes from the past, memories, dreams, other planes, and the present. It’s a lot to keep up with, but the author did a beautiful job and you don’t get lost trying to keep up.

This is a love story, and there are so many triangles and loops, its hard to tell where one heart begins and another ends. I am secretly hoping this is going to be a prequel to a more extensive series, I would love to learn more about Lilith and her lineage. Or perhaps something about her mother, or Aubrey.

Lilith is the central character in this story. Her heart has just been broken by her jerk boyfriend. I am willing to bet everyone who reads this will want to pummel that guy!!! Right then I was hoping she was some witch and would just obliterate him! Instead she feels compelled to take a trip to Dumnos Village, a location she sees in a brochure that she drug out of the trash of all places. But she’s drawn to it, and makes plans to go immediately.

I love all the little hidden things in this book. Like her ex’s new girlfriend’s name was Sarumen, same as the company he worked for. I’m very curious to know how that plays into the story since that was a rival kingdom to Dumnos.

If you are looking for witches, fairies, royalty, mystery, catty French girls, and a bit of lusty love – then this book is for you. I feel it was well written and easy to follow. The characters were interesting and multidimensional. The landscape was rich and full of history. I really can’t say anything bad about this book at all, except for the fact that it wasn’t longer! 

The Kult - Shaun Jeffrey

Title: The Kult (Kindle) (Print) (Nook)
Author: Shaun Jeffrey


Format: Ebook provided by author for review


Notable Websites Related to book:
The Kult, Movie
The Kult, Amazon UK
The Kult, Smashwords
The Kult, Movie Trailer


From Amazon:
People are predictable. That's what makes them easy to kill.

Out of misguided loyalty, police officer Prosper Snow is goaded into helping his friends perform a copycat killing, but when the real killer comes after him, it's not only his life on the line, but his family's too. Now if he goes to his colleagues for help, he risks being arrested for murder. If he doesn't, he risks being killed.


"People are predictable. That's what makes them easy to kill."
"Look out, look out, there's a monster about."


And a quote I'm totally ripping off from a friend, but fits this book so perfectly: "The scariest monsters have human faces". 


This book was scary.  The beginning was pure horror.  10% into the book, and I was afraid to leave the house.  At one point near the beginning, I almost put the book down saying "no more".  But I didn't.  Putting the book down doesn't make the monster go away. 


Vengeance, Retribution, Bait... There's a lot of reasons to kill.  Detective Prosper Snow (coolest name ever, by the way) is now on a case to find The Oracle.  No one is safe from this serial killer.  If he gets ahold of you, you are definitely going to wish you were never born. 


I really enjoyed this book.  It had some very strong elements of horror.  In fact, I wouldn't recommend it for the very faint of heart or easily offended - unless you can skip over some parts.  In which case, you should get it, because the rest of the book is definitely worth withstanding some very scary parts.  


While taking notes for this book, I wrote down "I don't immediately like Prosper.  He seems like he has a dangerous secret".  But my opinion of the man drastically over the course of the story.  Prosper snow takes you on his journey with him, and you feel it all.  Stress, regret, fear, love, some more fear, a dash of paranoia, and so on and so forth.  But who do you trust when the evidence pushes you in every direction it can?  


Something else I really liked about this book is that I instantly felt like I connected with the victims.  That only made it that much more difficult when they actually became the victims.  


The characters are well written around a story that is well written.  You get a history on everyone, and really feel like you get to know them. I felt it was fast paced, and I finished it in just a couple days. 


And a really terrific addition to this book?  It has a movie!  How exciting is that?  Here is the trailer:







I encourage you to read this book, tell your friends about it too.  And the author tells me that there is a sequel to this book, about to published soon.  I will definitely keep my eye out for that one!

Know Me Better (1)

This is a new weekly meme hosted over at I Am A Reader - Not A Writer.  This is what she says about hosting this post:

"Know Me Better"

"Each week I will pick 5 questions off of my author interview list to answers. In trying to figure out how to share more about myself I got to thinking that I would love to get to know the readers of my blog better too.  I invite you to share your answers to these questions as well.  You can share them as a comment on this post or share them on your own blog and link up to this post"

Know Me Better 10/6 Questions
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Night owl, or early bird?
One food you would never eat?
Skittles or M&Ms?


********************************************************
1.  What is your favorite flavor or ice cream?
I'd have to say vanilla, rich creamy vanilla. Its perfect on its own, but able to handle anything else you can do to it.  Otherwise, I'm pretty fond of the different varieties of "Birthday Cake" flavor. 


2. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Well, if I am hungry I looooove a cheesy omlette full of peppers, onions, sausage even.  Topped with lots of country pepper gravy.  And some salty hashbrowns.  And a big glass of orange juice.  But I also like a good bowl of cereal lol.  It all depends on the mood. 


3. Night owl or early bird? 
Well, I prefer night owl.  I stay up late every night...or I try to.  I usually wake up on the couch somewhere between midnight and 4 am.  I get up early, 530 on weekdays, 630 on weekends - but I don't want to!


4. One food you would never eat?
Hmmmm... well... I've had cow tongue (against my wishes!), so does it get much worse than that?  One food I hate is mushrooms.  I detest those little fungi. 


5.  Skittles or M&Ms?
Skittles!!  Love that fruity tangy chewy flavor!


Now its your turn to answer the questions here at my blog, or head on over to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and answer them there.   


And yes, I know I'm a day late.  This one looked like fun, so I had to join in!

The Perfect Plan - Ty Hutchinson

Title: The Perfect Plan

Author: Ty Hutchinson

Format: Free ebook for Kindle on Amazon

From Amazon:

From the author of the wickedly funny action-thriller, Chop Suey, comes a psychological thriller that shows you how bad your day can get, when your perfect plan is perfectly wrong for you and perfectly right for someone else.

For Blade and Angel, everyday is about their next high. Tired of the daily jobs needed to support their habit, Blade hatches a scheme for a bank heist. It’s the perfect plan.

Suddenly things go terribly wrong. Their plan crumbles and now they’re forced to find a way out of this mess. And if that’s not enough, someone in the bank just killed a hostage and it wasn’t them.

I had high hopes for this short story, it takes place in Detroit (hometown!).   Those hopes….well, let’s just say I didn’t get what I wanted.

It starts off with a couple committing a bank robbery.  It feels an awful lot like that scene in Pulp Fiction with Honey Bunny and Pumpkin.  There’s a lot of speech that feels forced.  People just don’t speak like that, in my experience. 

Right away, the Babe kills two people, quite drastically (although what murder isn't drastic?).  Either these are two of the most ignorant bank robbers in history, or they just don’t care.  You don’t kill people right off the bat!

There seems to be a lot of rough language, gore and violence just for the sake of having it, not because it makes sense in the scene.  The police are inept, along with SWAT and FBI. 

But then we get a peek that something else is amiss.  The headcount is wrong.  Then someone has to go to the bathroom (and yet they aren’t afraid to ask after seeing two people get murdered).  The bodies begin to pile up.

Granted, this story could have worked.  It was a good idea.  But I just don’t feel it was well suited for a short story.  This story kind of felt like a B-Movie to me, which may have been the intent.  I was just hoping for more.