Review: Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade

If you could read minds or control others thoughts, would you?  Your first response might be ---hell yes.  But give it some more thought. This is a hard question for adults, even harder for young adults who have been sheltered, or is it locked away, in a school designed for paranormal kids.  They have all the things any child or teenager could want, except freedom.  They are the Rent-a-Kids, hired out to normal people who need their abilities for private or governmental purposes. The subject of Kimberly Kinrade's Forbidden Mind-- Book 1 of the Forbidden Series.

They are drugged when transported to and from the school to their “assignments” and so have no idea where they are living.  And yet, Sam, Lucy and Luke try to live like normal teens forming bonds of friendship to see them through until they are liberated into the real world at eighteen.  

But as Sam approaches her 18^th birthday, things start to unravel. But in the midst of destruction and sorrow, she sees a young man in her dreams. When she connects with him telepathically, she finds her possible soul mate and salvation.  But others have different plans for the couple.

Kidnapping, murder and twisted genetic engineering keep this novel racing forward.

This is a wonderful edition to the YA genre that will be enjoyed by adults as well. The first in a trilogy, I look forward to reading the other two books. The characters are well developed and written to sound their age. The plot is well developed with twists and turns that keep you interested. The hints at the larger plot and players leave unanswered questions that are perfectly staged to bring you back.

There were a few editing issues, but none which detracted from the overall story. 

I give it 4-1/2 triskeles  

I have the pleasure of getting to cyber-meet Kimberly Kinrade during a joint blog tour she had with Zoe Winters. Through that, I found her writing.  I recommend her as one of the bright lights of the YA and NA genre.

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, Bella World, and Maddie World all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans, her two cats who think they're gods, and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Legally Pinterested

Once again we welcome my good friend John Bermingham to the Grove. He and I were discussing the rise of Pinterest and the concerns about posting images to the boards. He, as tireless champion of the arts, jumped right in with another great introduction to the issue of fair use and Pinterest.

Legally Pinterested.

By John A. Bermingham, Jr. Esq.

Growing up our mothers always told us it was nicer to share with others.  So how come when we get into the adult world we have to worry about whether sharing something is legally permissible?  With the rise of the internet we are brought closer together with others and we have the ability to find and share information with the click of a mouse.  Nevertheless, it would only be a matter of time until lawyers got involved and for courts to begin ruling on what we can post and share on websites.  Pinterest®, founded in 2009, allows users to collect and post findings from the internet or “pin” them where users can repost and re-share.  The website has virtual scrapbooks that users create and maintain with articles and pictures that have been created by others.  The issue for lawyers and the courts now becomes whether this is legal or an infringement of intellectual property.[i]

Intellectual property (IP) can be an “idea, an improvement, or an emotion one can touch, see, hear, and feel.”[ii]  Depending on what the intellectual property is, there are legal protections the originator can file for which will stop others from using their IP for various uses.  The legal protections for IP can be a patent, trademark, trade secrets, and copyrights. 

Just last week, Samsung® had to pay $1.05 billion dollars in damages for patent infringements to Apple® Computers as awarded by a jury for infringement of “Apple® patents with a wave of older devices running Google's Android operating system.”[iii] 

Moreover, Napster®, a music sharing website, was shut down years ago for copyright infringement by allowing users to share music that artists had legally protected under copyrights.  Copyrights mean one cannot legally reproduce the literary work without the written consent of the creator[iv].  The law can be confusing when all someone might want to do is share.

Pinterest® and other websites are going through the same legal scrutiny that Napster® went through years ago for copyright infringement; specifically, when users post things in their scrapbook on Pinterest® that are legally protected by the original creator.    

However, in the law, as in life, there are exceptions to the rule.  The “Fair Use” is an exception to a copyrighted work, which means one, other than the originator, may reproduce the copyrighted work for certain limited purposes without any legal liability.  The United States Copyright Office defines “Fair Use” as for “various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.”  Factors to be considered in whether something is fair use are the following:

1.      The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes

2.      The nature of the copyrighted work

3.      The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole

4.      The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work.[v]

Therefore, when a court looks at whether something can be reproduced or “pinned” under “Fair Use” it will not look at how many words were reproduced; but it will look at what the purpose is when reproducing it.  Additionally, the court will look at what is being copyrighted by the originator, how much of the original is being reproduced and whether the reproducer is making any sort of profit or limiting the originator’s potential capability to profit him/herself.[vi]

As tedious as it may be, it is always wise to read the “terms and conditions” on Pinterest® or any social media website when sharing potential copyrighted material.  Pinterest® states under its “term and conditions” that the users who share something that violates IP laws will indemnify Pinterest for any losses it incurs[vii].  This means that if Pinterest® is sued, loses their case for copyright infringement, and has to pay money damages, the user will be responsible to reimburse Pinterest®.

Most users of Pinterest® use the website to share ideas they find on the web and articles or recipes they would like to recommend to others.  If one decides to share something that is not one’s own creation and that something is copyrighted, that user must know positively that sharing this creation falls under the “Fair Use” exception to IP use to avoid liability; otherwise one should consult an attorney.  Although the intention may be to share something exciting with friends, if the person does not own it, lawsuits may follow.  The law promotes creativity and those who create an original piece of work have legal remedies against those who reproduce without exception or without permission.  While our mothers have told us sharing is good, the law may look at it differently and consider it an infringement on another’s rights. 

 

---

[i] Poletti, Therese (2012). Is Pinterest the Next Napster? The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Edition Home, Technology.        Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304450004577279632967289676.html

[ii] United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (2012) What is intellectual property? USPTO Museum. Retrieved from http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ahrpa/opa/museum/1intell.htm

[iii] Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (2012). Apple targets the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note. CNN Money. Retrieved from http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/09/01/apple-targets-the-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-and-galaxy-note/

[iv] Borland, John (2000). Judge expands on Napster shutdown order. CNET News. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-244397.html

[v] The Library of Congress (2012). United States Copyright Office: Fair Use. Retrieved from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

[vi] The Library of Congress (2012). United States Copyright Office: Fair Use. Retrieved from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

[vii] Poletti, Therese (2012). Is Pinterest the Next Napster? The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Edition Home, Technology.        Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304450004577279632967289676.html

John A. Bermingham, Jr. Esq. is a licensed attorney in the State of New Jersey.  He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New Jersey and all other state courts of New Jersey and is admitted to the District Court for the District of New Jersey.  He is a Member of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

John received his Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies from Arizona State University in 2000

and obtained his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America in 2004.  Currently, he is working on his Masters in Business Administration with a Concentration in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University and needs two more classes, graduating in 2013.

John works for Johnson & Johnson as the Director of Pharmacovigilance and Alliance Management where he drafts and negotiates contracts specializing in international law and U.S. federal regulations.  He is also an adjunct professor at Centenary College, Saint Leo University, and Kaplan University where he teaches business law, ethics, and may other legal courses.

Additionally, John Bermingham has his own law practice where he represents several individual entertainers and professionals regarding contractual agreements and representations as an agent in the entertainment industry.  

John is an expert, specializing in contractual matters as it pertains to business agreements, agency agreements, articles of incorporation, asset transfer agreements, buy-sell agreements, sales contracts, joint ventures, various types of leases, confidentiality agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and other types of contracts.

Mr. Bermingham has represented clients ranging from entertainers such as rock bands, actors, and authors, to corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors, and limited liability companies.   Recently, Mr. Bermingham, attorney for rock band Palisades, led the negotiation and signing of a multi-record deal with Rise Records.

Other areas of law practice include criminal law, trusts and estates, and health law.

Additionally, John is a motivational speaker as a victim’s rights advocate and volunteers his time as Legal Director for the non-profit International Writers Guild.  He is on the Board of Trustees and is the Agent of Law for the non-profit Proprietary House Association.

John is married to Laura Bermingham where they live in Port Monmouth, New Jersey with their dogs, Bode and Benji and cat, Kitty.

Can Demon Save the World and Get the Girl?

I have just finished Life Cycle by Zoe Winters. It is Book 4 of her Preternaturals Series, and while reading the first three books would be equally pleasurable, it is not necessary.  I will warn you that once you read Life Cycle, you will want to devour everything she has written.

DESCRIPTION:

Immortality can be a bitch… 

Tamara has lived nearly two thousand years, trapped by a spell of her own creation. Hunted by her enemy and former lover, she knows there is only one man strong enough to release her from the curse. But will Cain honor her death wish, or keep her for himself, whatever the cost?

Two ancient souls. Two weary fighters, torn between love and hate, forced to decide if the other could be worth living for.

Heat Level 3 of 5.
Some sexually explicit content and innuendo.

EXCERPT:
***
“Are you sure this is how you want to engage with me, Tam? Do you know what my demons would have done to you if I hadn’t stopped them? They are very loyal. You don’t attack me here. Maybe in your silly human world, but not here.” He spoke without raising his voice at her. His tone was level. His eyes didn’t even glow, but they didn’t have to.

The energy ball faded and died in her hand. “You promised you’d kill me. Before you got to my house, I was going to come find you because I thought you’d do it.”

A look of surprise crossed his face, but he covered it. “And that promise still stands.” He moved toward her and stroked her cheek. “I will kill you when I tire of you. And there is nothing you can do about it. Throwing energy balls at me will only make me disinclined to put you out of your misery. Just enjoy the ride, sweetheart. You’ll die soon enough… when I get bored. Believe me, that’s never taken longer than a week. Surely you can struggle through a week of passion with me.”

Every fiber in her being screamed to kill him, not that she could. The second best option would be to seal him in a jar and bury it in the middle of his desert where no one would ever find it—an option she was considering.

“I’m not going to be your concubine.”

A smirk. “Of course you are. What other option do you have?”

Smug bastard.
***

In case my introduction didn’t tip you off, I loved this book. It is tightly written, the characters are well realized, and the plot flawless. I found no editing issues. No spoilers here. So even though I thought I knew how it would all end, I wanted to go along for the ride and experience it through the eyes of Tam and Cain. Zoe takes a Preternatural approach to the Jack the Ripper story with a light but deft hand that puts a paranormal twist to the story without over-reaching or over-doing the connection.  Jack, the antagonist is crazy and love stricken, which makes him even creepier. Cain is a doomed demon in more ways than one. Tam is smart and snarky and tough and tormented; all the things I love in a female character. The energy between Cain and Tam is fun and sexy.

I give it 5 triskeles!

    

***

Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.

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You can visit the author at: http://www.zoewintersbook.com

Be sure also to visit http://www.theriantype.com for some fun supplemental material.

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