**And just an FYI: if you see a book listed on my blog that is part of a series, just go ahead and assume that I've read all the books, or am working on reading ALL the books within that series. I may not always list them on here but trust me - they were read.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Taken by the Others: An H&W Investigations Novel

Author: Jess Haines

This is the second book in this series. The first book called Hunted by the Others, I read in December.

Shiarra Waynest is a P.I. in New York City. Her main concern used to be just making sure her business had enough money to stay afloat. Now, her main concern is staying alive. Max Carlyle has come in to town looking for revenge. Apparently he's picked Shia as his target because he blames her for the death of his progeny. And on top of that Max and Alec Royce (the vampire she's contractually bound to and leader of the city) already have a dodgy past that may come back to haunt Shia....

On top of all this, the White Hats (a human anti-other group) is pressuring Shia to join their cause in eliminating ALL others. Shia of course cannot join his group. Her boyfriend is a were, she's bound to a powerful vampire and she's finding unexpected shades of grey in what she used to believe about Others. Not all of them are evil. Many are only out of control when provoked. But most are just normal citizens who have lives, families, children even....and they do not deserve to be slaughtered like the White Hats want.  

Jess Haines is a very entertaining author. Go check out her website and you can read the first chapters from these books. The third book in the series will be out July 5, 2011!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Chosen : An Anna Strong, Vampire Novel

Author: Jeanne C. Stein

This is the sixth book in the Anna Strong novels. I'd tell you when I read the others, only I can't remember. It's been a while obviously. :)

I know this is yet another book about a female heroine who is a vampire - but it's a great one. If you've ever read anything by Kim Harrison (Rachel Morgan Series), Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake and Merry Gentry Series), or Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Series, aka True Blood on HBO) you are going to LOVE Jeanne C. Stein, absolutely no doubt in my mind.

It's almost been a year since Anna was attacked and turned into a vampire. She hasn't quit her day job as a bounty hunter. She really loves the illusion of being human and having a job and whatnot. But she's noticed that some of her "vampire" abilities are getting harder to control. With the anniversary of her turning looming around the corner she's getting nervous. SO many other vampire and other supernatural beings believe that she is The Chosen One. The ONE who will determine the role vampire's will play for the next 200 years in society. Will she let them run crazy on mankind and have them be the Gods so many of them believe themselves to be, or will she keep them where they are and keep trying to assimilate into a human society?

Anna is just as confused as to why she was chosen for this role. Why her? What makes her so special that she can walk through fire and not go up like a candle?? And is there a subconscious reason she can't tell Lance that she loves him?? I happen to think yes, there is.

Alright....I have to tell you that Jeanne C. Stein is one of my favorite authors. Please go check out her work, you won't regret it.
 



Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Web of Lies: An Elemental Assassin Novel

Author: Jennifer Estep

This is the second book in the Elemental Assassin Series and a fun read! I read the first book, Spider's Bite, back in December.


Gin Blanco has decided to honor her adopted fathers last wish and has decided to retire from the assassin business. But when two punk teenagers come into her Pork Pit and try rob it - well...it's not like she'd just let that happen. Turns out one of the misguided teens is son to a, no THE, hotshot lawyer in town. Who also happens to be Mab Monroe's (self proclaimed Queen of Ashland and powerful Fire Elemental) lawyer.
 
Since Fletcher's death Gin has been BORED out of her mind. But when a girl comes into her restaurant asking for the "Tin Man" because she needs his help - curiosity gets the better of her and she decides to help. Detective Caine happens to be a friend of the girl's family and tries to lend a hand as well....but he soon realizes it's not his type of help the family needs, it's Gin's.

Gin is up against some of the MOST powerful Elementals she's come across. She's got her Stone and Ice Magic to help her along the way....but she's not convinced it'll be enough.

Good read guys.....go check it out.



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Persistence of Memory


I've read several other books written by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and they were all pretty good. For a young author, I think she's excellent and will only get better. 

In this book we meet Erin Misrahe. A sixteen year old girl who suffers with schizophrenia from what most doctors say. She also has a tendency to panic which brings out her alter-ego named Shevaun. Shevaun is a violent ego who can and will hurt anyone around her. 

After having grown up in mental hospitals Erin has finally been rewarded with the chance at a normal life. Going to an actual Public High School. But as she watched her friend transform into a cat, Erin believes she's completely lost it...until her one time romance suddenly makes an appearance and hopes to help set her straight. 

Turns out Shevaun is NOT just an alter-ego, but a living person who's hundreds of years old. And now that she and her "family" realize that Erin is real too...they set out to find her and sever the link between them, even if that means Erins death....

Great young adult novel guys. Go check it out at your local library! 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Curse the Dark: A Retreivers Novel


This is is the second book in Laura Anne Gilman's Retrievers Series. I read the first one back in December called Staying Dead.

So we start where we left Wren and Sergei in the last book. Confused as to what their "personal" relationship really is and really frustrated to what their professional lives have become. After their last job, no one is coming to them for retrievals anymore. With her bank account dwindling and no work coming her way they cannot say no to the only job that presents itself...even if it is with the Silence. At least they are a guaranteed paycheck...

So now her and Sergei are on their way to Italy to track a mystical piece of parchment that could possibly make either of them disappear, if they happen to actually view what's written on it.

Wren is pushed to her limit by the time all is said and done...in all things physical, mystical, and mental.

This was a great, fun, easy read guys. I plan on checking out the next one after I finish some of what is waiting for me on my night stand.

HAPPY READING!!




Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Shadowfever



Author: Karen Marie Moning

I don't even know where to start because I am that excited over this author and her books. I started the Fever Series back in August and fell in love. I even got my neighbor addicted to them as well which is why we are going to KMM's book signing on Thursday!! I can't really talk about the book without giving away some of it's awesomeness to those of you who will read it so please forgive me if this isn't a great informational review.

Alright.... Mac, a 22 year old who is hell bent on NOT being the one to destroy the world. She came to Dublin to find her sister's murderer. But she's not sure who that is anymore. When the Sinsar Dubh, a book of dark, forbidden magic that can create and destroy worlds that was made by the Unseelie King, decides to start hunting for her, her life again decides to change everything she thought she knew.

The book starts hunting everyone Mac loves in this world, including her parents. The dreams Mac had as a child start up again. The Cold Dark Place. Not somewhere she ever wanted to go in real life. But...is she destined to anyway??

You guys have GOT to go get this series. The first book in the series is Darkfever, go request it from your local library!! And for my best neighbor ever..... JZB ALL the way!! ;)


Below is a picture of Cindy (aka best neighbor), KMM and myself from her book signing last night in Decatur, GA. This was our fist book signing for any author and it was awesome.


Death's Mistress


Author: Karen Chance

Ohhhh....where to start. I ♥ Karen Chance. I have previously read her Cassandra Palmer series and LOVED them, so I figure when she branched off that and started writing the Dorina Basarab series who was I to resist? Death's Mistress is the second novel in the series. The first is Midnight's Daughter which I read in December.

So we continue with the story of Dori, a dhampir, and daughter to one of the most powerful Senate members alive (if you could call a vampire alive). Now that she agreed to work with the Senate dispatching those they see worthy of death, she's got a steady paycheck, people to kill and she couldn't be happier.

When her best friend Claire shows up one night in a form that Dori is NOT used to, things start to change. The Fae that almost killed her is coming after Claire and her son, the heir to the Fae Thrown. Claire decides to let Dori help her find the relic that should prevent anyone from harming her son, ever. The only thing is, not everyone  is convinced that it's Claire and the boy he's after.

With a new mission from the Senate, trying to help Claire, trying to stay alive and worrying over Louis-Cesare....Dori's got a lot to take care of. Only NO ONE will give her ALL the facts of who she's chasing or why. Making her job more difficult and deadly for her.

You guys...this book is soooo much fun. Go check out her website. You can preview the first couple of chapters in any book she's written.

Awakened: House of Night Novel


Authors: P.C Cast + Kristen Cast

Alright, for those of you out there who do not know, this is the eighth book in the series. I started this series a while ago and was hooked right off the bat. It's got vampires, love, power, loss....everything you could want. However; with this last book they kinda let me down. Don't get me wrong, I'll still read when the next book comes out, but I will not be waiting first in line this time. And that kinda pains me a little to say, seeing as how my neighbor and I dressed and Zoey and Stevie Rae for Halloween (yes, I know we are in our 30's and to old to be playing dress up by most peoples standards, but it's fun and you should try it)

I have waited over a week to write this "review" thinking maybe I was just in a bad mood or something when I read it, that maybe with time I'd like it more. But I still feel that same way so here I am.

This book "continues" (I use the word lightly) with the story of Zoey Redbird and her fight with "evil" forces. It brings Zoey love she never knew, loss she never knew and she finds new strengths within herself and her friends. The part that disappointed me was that by the end, we are practically EXACTLY where we left of from book seven. Most of this book could have been stripped and told within a few chapters and we all would have gotten the point, and more importantly, gotten more of a story.

Anyway....now that's over with, the series is a really fun young adult novel series. Give it a shot. :)

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Torment


Author: Lauren Kate

This is the second book in the Fallen Series. Luce is shipped off to another school called Shoreline. Both Daniel (the love of her life who happens to be a fallen Angel but who sides with God) and Cam (another fallen Angel who does NOT side with God and is a constant thorn in her side) agreed that this would be the safest place for Luce right now. With a war about to happen, they both want her safe.

While at Shoreline, Luce learns what the strange shadows are that have been following her since she was little. She also learns how to manipulate them to see what messages they hold for her. While she's told that these shadows only tell a version of the past, it may not be the whole truth. But what she learns about herself, and Daniel, has her wondering if they really are supposed to be together. She knows she loves him with her whole self...but is that enough?? Her friends keep dying or getting hurt, because of them. And one shadow shows her things that rock her to her very core.

She also makes two new friends at Shoreline. Miles and Shelby. Although Miles is attractive, she doesn't start off seeing him that way. I mean, she loves Daniel. Always has though ALL their lives together. But something changes in Luce that she can't explain. And all of a sudden Cam is protecting her like he cares about her. She's so confused. She wants to know more about her past lives and she's determined to find out, with or without help.

Fun, fun read guys. Go pick it up. The next book in the series is called "Passion" and is due out Summer 2011.