Review: King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab

King of Darkness is the first book in the new Chronicles of Yavn series by Elisabeth Staab and a Paranormal Romance from SourceBooks Casablanca.


Book Blurb:


ETERNAL COMMITMENT IS NOT ON HER AGENDA...


Scorned by the vampire community for her lack of power, Isabel Anthony lives a carefree existence masquerading as human--although, drifting among the debauched human nightlife, she prefers the patrons' blood to other indulgences. But when she meets the king of vampires this party girl's life turns dark and dangerous.


BUT TIME'S RUNNING OUT FOR THE KING OF VAMPIRES...


Dead-set on finding the prophesied mate who will unlock his fiery powers, Thad Morgan must find his queen before their race is destroyed. Their enemies are gaining ground, and Thad needs his powers to unite his subjects. But when his search leads him to the defiant Isabel, he wonders if fate has gotten it seriously wrong...


My thoughts:


Isabel Anthony was raised in the human world, even though she is the vampire daughter of vampire parents. At the young age of thirteen, she lost her parents in a tragic accident , leaving her to make her way alone in the world.  


Now years later, she is an independent party girl just looking for a good time, a glass of red wine, and a sexy meal on heels (or in boots, she doesn’t discriminate).


Upon the death of his father, Thad Morgan became the King of Vampires, a task he feels unready to shoulder. When he was born, an oracle came forth with a prophecy that promised Thad a Queen who would unlock his powers and rule by his side.  


Thad has been looking for his Queen for some time now, and he thinks he’s found her - at a rave in Florida.


Isabel is all for taking a walk on the wild side with Thad - but become his Queen, rule by his side?  Not so much.


The vampires are fighting a never ending war with the wizards, and they are losing ground.  Thad can lead his people without an active power - but having one may make all the difference in the world.  And having Isabel by his side, definitely makes life worth living.




King of Darkness is a great read.  Full of sexy alpha males, sassy females and plenty of action.  I completely enjoyed it and can’t wait for more.


I give King of Darkness 4 out of 5 stars.




Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (2-7-12)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402263155
ISBN-13: 978-1402263156

(US & CAN) Giveaway: Pure by Julianna Baggott

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . 


Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.


Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . . 


There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her. 

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing I have one (1) copy of Pure to offer as a giveaway to those with a US or CAN mailing address.

To enter just leave a comment with a valid email addy so I can contact you when you win.

This giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US or CAN mailing address.

Using Random dot Org winner will be chosen and announced on Sunday 2-12-12.

Good Luck! 

Pure is an amazing read - you can find my review here.

Giveaway: Romancing the Books Blog Hop (US)

Romancing the Books Blog Hop is hosted by Delighted Reader and Livre D'Amour.

This Blog Hop is inspired by Valentines Day - as such the giveaway must be romantically inclined.  :)  Here is what I have up for grabs:

Bitten by Cupid - Anthology


And I have several ARC's I'd like to find new homes for:

Deliver Me From Darkness - Tes Hilaire
The Night is Mine - M L Buchman
Stud - Cheryl Brooks
King of Darkness - Elisabeth Staab
Hot Zone - Catherine Mann
A Demon Does It Better - Linda Wisdom


All seven (7) books to one winner!


This giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Just leave a comment with a valid email addy and you're entered.


Using Random dot Org, winner will be chosen and announced on 2-15-12.


Good Luck!  And be sure to stop by the other participating blogs.

Cover & Promo: The Twelve by Justin Cronin

Book Blurb:



The epic story of THE PASSAGE continues


At the end of THE PASSAGE, the great viral plague had left a small group of survivors clinging to life amidst a world transformed into a nightmare. In the second volume of this epic trilogy, this same group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War.


To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral - but whose side, in the end, is she really on?

Release Date: 8-28-12

I am so excited about this sequel.  I can't wait for August! 

Early Review: Unbroken by Rachel Caine

Unbroken is the fourth book in the Outcast Season series by Rachel Caine and a ROC Fantasy.


Book Blurb:


For millennia, Cassiel was a powerful Djinn-until she was exiled to live among mortals. Now the threat of an apocalypse looms, and Cassiel is in danger of losing everything she has come to hold dear... 


As the world begins to fall apart around her, Cassiel finds herself fighting those she once called her own-the Djinn. With Weather Warden Luis Rocha and the rescued child Ibby by her side, Cassiel struggles to find a way to protect those that are in her charge and come to terms with the leadership role she never asked for. 


Cassiel is opposed by a powerful Djinn bent on raising an army of kidnapped Warden children to bring about nothing less than the end of the world. It will take everything Cassiel has to stop the Djinn from starting a war that will wipe all of humanity from the face of the earth. She knows that this might not be a battle she can survive, but protecting those she loves is worth any cost... 


My thoughts:


Cassiel may not be Djinn anymore, but she is still powerful.  With her lover, Luis, by her side, she and the Earth Warden are a formidable pair.  But even they are not strong enough to fight what is happening now.


The Earth has wakened, and she is restless and feeling unbalanced.  All manner of storms, earthquakes and volcanic activity are being unleashed around the globe. The Weather Wardens are busily trying to right things...but they are overwhelmed.


If that weren’t bad enough, Pearl is back.  In the guise of the petite Shinju, Pearl has the Wardens believing that she and the children who are in her ‘care’, want to help.  


Cass knows different.


In order to put the Earth back in balance and stop Pearl, Cass is going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice.  A sacrifice she is willing to make...but will it be enough?


Unbroken is a great read.  Fast paced and full of action - I devoured it in one sitting.  I had to find out how it was going to end.  And what an ending.  I can’t wait for more.


I give Unbroken 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Roc (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464427
ISBN-13: 978-0451464422

In My Mailbox: 2-4-12

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.


Here is what I received this past week:  

Bought:

Lothaire - Kresley Cole

Primal - Anthology

For Review: 

Dating the Undead - G. Showalter & Jill Monroe

Thanks to Planned Television Arts

*I will be hosting a giveaway for one (1) copy of Dating the Undead on 2-14-12.  Be sure to stop by and enter to win.

Early Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott

Pure is a novel by Julianna Baggott and a YA Dystopian from Grand Central Publishing.


Book Blurb:


We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . 


Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.


Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . . 


There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her. 


My thoughts:


Pressia Belze lives in the burned out rubble of the Detonations.  The air is filled with ash, the water tainted, food inedible.  The animals have mutated - so have the survivors.  But survive they have.


Off in the distance is the Dome and inside that Dome are the Pures.  People who escaped the Detonations - escaped the mutations.  They live in comfort, untainted by the outside world.  No one leaves the Dome - and no one is let inside.


Partridge Willux is one of the Pure’s living inside the Dome, his father one of the Dome’s creators.  On that terrible day of Detonation, Partridge and his brother were already inside the Dome - so was their father.  Sadly, their mother did not make it inside.
At least, that is what Partridge has been told.  


But now he’s not so sure - and if his mother is outside the Dome - she might still be alive.  Partridge is determined to find out the truth - and that means leaving the Dome.


Pressia can’t believe when she hears that a Pure has left the Dome.  Why would they do such a thing?  When she sees Partridge, Pressia feels compelled to help him - a Pure is not suited for the outside world - especially the world after Detonation.


Pure is a fabulous read   


Ms Baggott has created a world full of unbelievable heart break, populated with courageous survivors determined to live despite the environment surrounding them daily.


Pure is a very intense read, made even more so by the fact that the mutations are based, in part, on actual accounts of the devastation of the atomic bomb.


I give Pure 5 out of 5 stars.




Product Details
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (2-8-12)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455503061
ISBN-13: 978-1455503063