by Michael Siemsen
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Frederick is a demon. Born in Maryland in the early 1980's, he hasn't a clue where he came from or why, but feels an irresistible desire to occupy a human body. Once inside, he finds the previous occupants' consciousness and memories forever erased, an inevitable side effect that gives Frederick pause when switching bodies, but not so much as to truly halt his ongoing enjoyment of human lives. In various bodies, he travels the world for decades--aimless--sampling cultures and experiencing life from the points of view of males, females, young, old, rich, poor. Now, Frederick has an urge to return to his roots in America, explore the mystery of his origin, find someone to love, and settle down for a while. In his hometown, his mission bears fruit much faster than he expected, as person after person presents themselves, and following his impulses, he is lead directly to love, tragedy, answers, and the humanity he never knew he wanted.
A Warm Place to Call Home by Michael Siemsen is a glimpse into the life of Frederick. Frederick is a demon who came into existence in the eighties. Told in first person, he shares with us his experiences as he possesses a man name Joseph Cling in his search for love. Unique, shocking and wonderfully paced I could not but this odd little tale down and consumed it in a single evening. Three-word review: different, intriguing and twists.
From the very first pages Fredrick the demon talks to the reader. He shares his origin, the horrors, and the travels. He is in your face, brutally honest and sometimes hilariously funny. Then he shares his quest for love and his experience as Joseph Cling. The tale that unfolds has moments of romance, fear, and shock. It is in your face at times, disturbing, and wholly addicting.
Frederick is such an unusual character and has a strong voice. He shares his opinions and concerns without any buffer and doesn’t apologize for anything. At first, he wasn’t very likable, and he admits this. As we spend time with him, and the author peels back his layers we discover there is more to him then the cold, crass character he presents to us in the beginning. Frederick feels at home in Joseph’s skin, and we get to experience a lot of “firsts” with him. Melanie is the love interest, and while not as fleshed out, she was an interesting character with her own voice. Family and friends both complicate and enhance his life while adding some suspense and drama.
A Warm Place to Call Home has such a unique concept and delivery. Frederick holds nothing back as he shares this glimpse at his life as Joseph Cling. At times, it is shocking, and other times, completely sentimental. Michael Siemsen holds nothing back from the reader and sometimes, I squirmed in my seat or scrunched my nose as Fredrick shared some detail he observed. His delivery was unapologetic as he shared even the most private details with us. I was impressed with the way he revealed Fredrick to us and slowly made me feel for this demon. There were clever twists and turns that I never saw coming. I loved how it tied into things we learned in the beginning and the details all clicked in to place. The tale contains adult content including sex, violence, and language. There is a love story after all Fredrick is in search of love, but it doesn’t follow any traditional tropes. Siemsen gives us an open-ended conclusion. I think it really worked for this tale, and of course, leaves open the possibility of more tales from Fredrick.
A Warm Place to Call Home offers the reader a unique glimpse into the life of a demon, and perhaps a few life lessons. Incredibly captivating it is a tale you will remember long after you close the book.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Christina A.
Kind of. There has to be a reason why some people are just so evil.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly..LOL
Daniel M
nope, until i meet one anyways, and would rather not
kimbacaffeinate
I am with you on that Daniel! Good luck 🙂
Berls
I’m definitely interested in this one and I hadn’t heard of it before. If it weren’t for the little “a demon’s story” I would have passed by this as a typical contemporary romance from the title and cover.
Sounds like really great character development and I love that it was both hilarious and disturbing at times. On my definite TBR. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was hilarious and disturbing. I liked the twist near the end as well.
Joseph McGarry
I’m interested in reading this.
kimbacaffeinate
glad to hear I’ve peaked your interest, good luck Joseph!
amanda whitley
i like to read about demons. i think this book sounds cool..almost reminds me of Warm bodies movie in a way.
kimbacaffeinate
This was cool Amanda, good luck!!
Lindsey
The question: do I believe in demons? No. Not in the literal sense of the word. Although, I’ve liked a few books with them in them. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I like demons in my books, and watching Dean and Sam Winchester battle them 🙂
Rachelle
I love Demon books!! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Rachelle, good luck!
Naomi
Warm place to Call Home sounds like a different read. But you have made me very curious about Frederick and I want to know more about him. I like the characters when they are truly honest to you. Great review Kimberly!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Naomi, I hope you get a chance to meet him!
Diana Doan
Great review! I enjoyed this book and would love to own a hard copy. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
So glad you enjoyed it, good luck Diana 🙂
Debbie Talbot
Thank you for the amazing giveaway 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
you are welcome! good luck Debbie 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
Very unique for a demon, sentimental and brooding. That is a great selling point for this book, something that will attract non-supe/para readers to pick it up. And the cover is so misleading too! Looks like a contemporary romance or something.
kimbacaffeinate
This was very much a contemporary, and Frederick needed to learn to adapt, it was quite fascinating.
Candace
This one sounds REALLY interesting to me! Very different and I’m really curious about how the author pulls this off. This sounds fantastic!
I’m not sure exactly what I believe about demons but something that can possess a body, yes I believe in that. And whether things are a ‘demon’ I don’t know, but yeah, I guess I basically do believe.
kimbacaffeinate
This was so different Candace and I get what you are saying about possession.
Veronica Vasquez
Great review! This sounds like a very unique & interesting read! And yes, I believe
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Veronica and good luck!
Adriana
Very different then what I’m used to. Frederick’s personality sounds like it really came to life in the story. I don’t know if I believe in demons but I do believe in evil and spirits. Thanks for the giveaway!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Adriana, Frederick was indeed fleshed out, and a most unusual demon.
Megan Stietz
Definitely different but sounds like a great read!! Yes I do but not in the tradition sense! Thank you for the giveaway!!
kimbacaffeinate
good luck to you Megan 🙂
Jenea
I have to say that from the sounds of it, it was not what I thinking it was about. But wow, does it sound good, definitely has caught my attention. Awesome review.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed this Jenea and I promise you have never read anything like it. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, I’m so intrigued by this premise and loved your review.
deb
kimbacaffeinate
This was certainly different and Fredrick is unlike any demon I have ever come across.
Maria
I do believe tat evil exists and that demons can takeover people. Those are movies I don’t watch because they are so scary. But reading is a bit more fun. Scary fun sort of…lol
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Maria, I think you will find that Fredrick isn’t your garden variety demon. Good Luck!
aurian
O I really don’t want to read this one. I am glad you enjoyed it, but it is not for me.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Aurian, this was unique and I enjoyed it.
Trish
Sounds very original. When I saw the cover, I thought it would be a sweet contemp romance! Got that one wrong!
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe…it is a contemporary paranormal :snort:
Heidi
I was thinking when I saw the title and cover oh that sounds like a comfortable, nice little read for after October but then I was surprised to see that it was about a demon and not light and fluffy. I am definitely curious about this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly, I like that element of surprise, and while this is paranormal it really focuses on the struggle of Fredrick as he possesses Joseph.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Peeling back the layers of a character is usually what I like, but to do that to a demon? Oh color me interested. This sounds fab and the kind of demon is more like the eastern definition of one than the western one. I also like the cover… it throws you off for what it really is inside! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I like the cover too, but Michael made a comment that they changed it. It is very modern.
Michael Siemsen
Hi folks! And thanks Kimba for the wonderful review. I can’t get over everyone’s reactions to the original cover. We thought we were being oh-so-clever, but the first impressions here are in line with the majority elsewhere, thus the cover format change for the entire series (new cover viewable here: http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/2940016322063_p0_v4_s260x420.JPG ) More paranormalish?
The prequel to A Warm Place to Call Home will be released in a few weeks on 11/12/13, and the sequel to both, called “Frederick & Samuel” is slated for Spring 2014.
kimbacaffeinate
I actually like that the cover is a contradiction 🙂 The new cover matches the story though. Thanks Michael!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
What an interesting twist on the normal paranormal type of read. I would imagine that there were many life lessons and a unique type of look on them 🙂 Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
This was an interesting twist and oh yeah Fredrick likes to share his new experiences with us.
kindlemom1
I wouldn’t of expected the type of story you described either from the book cover!
This definitely sounds like a unique read that had you captivated from the get go.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a compelling read Ali 🙂
Mary
An odd little tale, indeed! I do have a harder time with open-ended conclusions, though. I usually want some form of satisfaction (my brain is puny and needs that closure…).
kimbacaffeinate
Mary, the tale gives closure involving his possession of Joseph, but does allow for other encounters so I think it would provide the closure you need.
Nick
I saw the title and the top part of the cover and immediately thought it was a contemporary romance story. And then you surprised me by mentioning it’s the story of a demon. It sure does sound very unique and I like how it’s written in the POV of the demon. He sounds like a complex character.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Frederick is a unique character, and one I can guarantee you’ve never come across before. 🙂
Chasity Morrison
Thanks for the giveaway!!
kimbacaffeinate
you are very welcome Chasity, good luck to you 🙂
Tanja
I saw the cover and then started reading your review and I see demon. I go back to the cover and reread your first paragraph. wow I’d never guess that this is paranormal. It sounds like a really interesting read and I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I had the same reaction when I saw the novel.
Lauren
This definitely sounds like a unique love story! I’m glad to hear you consumed it quickly in one sitting, I always love books you can’t put down. I’ll have to give this one a read! Thanks for your lovely review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love that too Lauren, the fact that it is told from his perspective really kept me involved, shocked and oh so curious.
Megan
Wow, this book sounds super interesting. I love the idea of an unapologetic demon as a main character. I’m a bit bored of the reluctant paranormal creatures that seem to be so popular.
The title and cover of this one really throws me off though. It looks like a fluffy contemp romance, not something with a demon in it!
kimbacaffeinate
Frederick is really uninhibited and it made for an interesting tale.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I have to admit that I was shocked when I saw ‘demon’s story’ written on the cover. It just looks so contemporary! Nevertheless, I love the originality and the naturalistic honesty of it all.
Great review, I am very intigued.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Maja, this was so different, and found the plot captivating.
blodeuedd
Such a warm title and then demon’s story, ha I like it
kimbacaffeinate
clever huh?
Christy
Unique sounds about right for this one. I was totally expecting something else when I saw the title and cover. But color me intrigued!
kimbacaffeinate
It is so different and just sucked me in, I’ve never read anything like it.