Solomon's Freedom by Dennis Meredith

This is the first time I have tried one of Dennis Meredith's novels and I have to say he has a new fan. I was enthralled with this novel right from the beginning. The main premise of the novel is simple. Do chimpanzees have the same legal rights as humans do considering that 99.9% of human and chimpanzee DNA is the same? 
Dennis Meredith explores this thought provoking question in the form of Solomon, a very bright chimpanzee who has learned from a very young age to communicate by the use of computer images that symbolize language. The question arises when Solomon's owner mistakenly allows him to be sold to a millionaire who wants to harvest Solomon's heart for his own use. What follows is a fast paced and well thought out story that examines the ethical issue of whether our closest living relative deserves the same respect and dignity that humans have. 
I found the novel brought to life this very important issue and I became so involved in the story that I had tears in my eyes after staying up to read it to the finish. Highly recommended. I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

The Last Orphans by Neil. W. Harris

I was very fortunate to be offered this book to read in exchange for an honest review as I had my eye on it for awhile. I thought it would be good but it turned out to be even better than I anticipated.
What would you do if all of a sudden all of the adults in the world died and only teens were left to look after younger children while a ticking time bomb picked off the older kids one kid at a time.
It is a very different take on the typical end of the world scenario and it reminds me of an early Stephen King novel. All in all, the story blew me away. I was absorbed from the beginning and the excitement never let up. The author is very skilled at describing this new and frightening world and knows how to bring it to life. The characters were all believable especially the main character's internal struggle to rise above his personal feelings and lead the others to safety.
I am very grateful that I was able to read this wonderful book and cannot wait for the next book in the series. I am hooked!

The Inner Path: Awakening to a More Spiritual Life by Geoff Bell-Devaney

I actually finished this book three days ago but had to really think how to word what I wanted to say in my review. I found the book to be very truthful and informative for the mind and soul. I only wish that there was a way that the author could include work sessions (as a dual reading and workbook) to bring the ideas home in a real way. I did read this on ebook format though so I understand that it might not be a feasible idea. It is one of those books that has such great ideas for how we should view our lives that I will be keeping it and reading it again. I would also buy a copy of a paperback if it included a workbook to work on the ideas suggested. I want to thank the author for giving me a chance on reading this book. I received it for free on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.

Promises and Perceptions by Rachael Elizabeth Cole

I actually finished this a couple of days ago. I was given this on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. I didn't find it all that much like Jane Austen but found it to be a cute short story. It is an easy and fast read. There was not enough space to develop the characters or plot more though. I would love to see this expanded in a full novel. It definitely has potential.

The Prediction by Darren Sugrue

I received this review copy from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Firstly, the novel deals with issues such as the loss of a child and domestic abuse so be aware. I was absolutely blown away with this book from the beginning to finish. The author did an incredible job of making it a fast paced novel that draws you in but also takes the time to develop the main characters. I had great difficulty putting it down. It is based on a mathematical genius who has developed a formula that can predict the date of a person's death. Things don't go as planned and he is drawn away from his life as a crane operator back to the mathematical world of probability. I can honestly say that this is one of the BEST books I have read so far this year. It was a fantastic, enjoyable, and yes emotional read. I was in tears at the end. Prediction is well written, fast paced and very suspenseful. I would definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

The Halfway House by Weston Ochse

I enjoy many types of genre but my absolute favorite is the horror genre. I have to admit that I was "spoiled" by Stephen King. The way I judge a horror novel is if I like and want to know more about some of the main characters and if there is some "meat" to the story and it is not just a plain "blood and guts" horror fest. I have been disappointed so many times that when I first started to read this book, I assumed it would probably be an ABC type of horror book. I am pleased to say that I was very wrong. It is a horror novel but is so much more. It is a view of urban life, and in particular, gang life, surfer life style, and orphans. The center of the story is the Halfway House and orbiting it are a few very interesting characters. Lucy, the gang leader, Kanga, the seasoned surfer, and Bobby, the epileptic/loner searching for his place. I actually grew to care about Bobby and surprisingly, Lucy. I received this book for free on LibraryThing in return for an honest review and am glad I did. I have actually found a new (for me) author in my favorite genre. 

Those Devils by James DeSantis

I received this short story for free in exchange for an honest review. The first story I read from this author was "Sons". I had found it to be very original and intriguing and was interested in finding out what else he would come up with. "Those Devils" does not disappoint. The horror genre has been around for a long time and it can be hard to find something different and out of the ordinary. I was drawn in from the beginning and didn't put it down until I was finished. I am really enjoying the writing style. I can't wait to read the sequel!