Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Burning Alive : The Sentinel Wars

This is the first book in the Sentinel Wars series by Shannon K. Butcher and the story of Drake and Helen.

Book Blurb:

They are the Sentinels...

Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes - the Synestryn. Now, one warrior must fight his own desire if he is to discover the power that lies within his one true love.

Helen Day is haunted by visions of herself surrounded by flames, as a dark-haired man watches her burn. So when she sees the man of her nightmares staring at her from across a diner, she attempts to flee - but instead ends up in the man's arms. There, she awakens a force more powerful and enticing than she could ever imagine. For the man is actually Theronai warrior Drake, whose own pain is driven away by Helen's presence.

Together, they may become more than lovers - they may become a weapon of light that could tip the balance of the war and save Drake's people.

This was a pretty good read. A slightly different take on the 'manly warrior must find willing female to save his soul' story that are so abundant in today's paranormal romances.

Drake is a Theronai warrior from another planet. He and his kind have been sent to Earth to protect humans from the nasties that want to harness their power and use a portal on Earth to get to the Theronai home world where they could then draw magic from the elders of that planet and become almost invincible.

Helen is just your average gal - with a few hangups - she is terrified of fire. She has had a vision of herself engulfed in flames for as long as she can remember. She surrounds herself with fire extinguishers and feels safest in the bath tub.

When Helen sees Drake for the first time she tries to avoid him - but Drake has other ideas. One touch and both of them know that something is there - an energy, a connection. Helen, afraid of her own death, wants nothing more than to get as far away from Drake as possible. Drake, for the first time in countless years, no longer suffers from the terrible pain of carrying around vast amounts of energy - he is determined to keep Helen by his side, no matter the cost.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and look forward to the next installment. :)

M

Sentinel Wars
1. Burning Alive (2009)
2. Finding the Lost (2009)
Burning AliveFinding the Lost

Sunday, June 28, 2009

The Devil You Know

This is the 2nd book in the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black.

Book Blurb:

The beautiful. The bad. The possessed.

Some people worship them. Some people fear them. And some people - like Morgan Kingsley - go up against them toe-to-toe, flesh to flesh, and power against power. An exorcist by trade, Morgan is one of the few humans with an aura stronger than her possessor, even though her demon can tease her body senseless. She's also a woman who has just discovered a shocking truth: everything she once believed about her past, her identity, may have been a lie.

With a family secret exploding around her and a full-scale demon war igniting, Morgan is a key player in an unsettled world. Then a rogue sociopathic demon enters her life with a bang. His name is The Hunter. And since she is the prey, Morgan has only one choice: to hunt The Hunter down - no matter what heartbreaking truths she uncovers along the way..

I'll admit, it's been a while since I read the first book in this series - due mainly because the first book contained a little too much bd/sm. LOL So I grabbed this book with not a little trepidation. But I am glad to say that this book only made small references to the previous books bd/sm.

That being said, this was a very good read. The story line seemed to pick up right where The Devil Inside left off and this book added nicely to the storyline. :)

There were a few shocks along the way - especially the one about Morgan. I can't wait to see what we find out about that - and I have The Devil's Due on the shelf. :)

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. :)

M


Morgan Kingsley
1. The Devil Inside (2007)
2. The Devil You Know (2008)
3. The Devil's Due (2008)
4. Speak of the Devil (2009)
5. The Devil's Playground (2010)
The Devil InsideThe Devil You KnowThe Devil's DueSpeak of the Devil

Friday, June 26, 2009

Amazon Ink

Amazon Ink is a Pocket Books Fantasy and the first in a new series from author Lori Devoti.

Book Blurb:

Meet Mel: Business owner. Dedicated mom. Natural-born Amazon.


It's been ten years since Melanippe Saka left the Amazon tribe in order to create a normal life for her daughter, Harmony. True, running a tattoo parlor in Madison, Wisconsin, while living with your Amazon warrior mother and priestess grandmother is not everyone's idea of normal, but Mel thinks she's succeeded at blending in as human.

Turns out she's wrong. Someone knows all about her, someone who's targeting young Amazon girls, and no way is Mel going to let Harmony become tangled in this deadly web. With her mother love in overdrive, Ms. Melanippe Saka is quite a force...even when she's facing a barrage of distractions -- including a persistent detective whose interest in Mel goes beyond professional, a sexy tattoo artist with secrets of his own, and a seriously angry Amazon queen who views Mel as a prime suspect. To find answers, Mel will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do: embrace her powers and admit that you can take the girl out of the tribe...but you can't take the tribe out of the girl.

This is a murder mystery. The big difference between this and other whodunnits is that the players are Amazon women. :) Amazon women with the power to control the elements, strength ten times greater than the biggest weight lifter, and major attitude to spare.

Mel feels that she was wronged years ago - wronged in a way that can never be forgiven or forgotten. With no other choice before her, Mel takes her young daughter and leaves the tribe - vowing to live among humans and never tell her daughter about the Amazons.

Now Mel finds herself again without a choice - young Amazons are being killed and the killer has brought their deaths right to Mel's door.

I've read one other book by Ms. Devoti and it wasn't one of my favorites - but this book was a very good read. :)

I like the whole concept of the Amazon women living in today's world. Mel and her family trying to blend in - the rest of the tribe vowing to do the opposite no matter what. The way the Amazons are separated into groups is also interesting - warrior, priestess, artisan, hearth-keeper.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out more about Mel and the Amazons.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Novels
Love Is All AroundLove Is All You NeedUnboundGuardian's Keep
Wild HuntDark CrusadeAmazon Ink

Thursday, June 25, 2009

New Cover - Bone Magic






Author Yasmine Galenorn posted this on her Myspace blog today. :)

This is the 7th book in the Sisters of the Moon series.

This book is due out January 2010.





Book Blurb:

When the Moon Mother and the Black Beast summon Camille to OW, she thinks she is just going to reunite with her alpha lover. But once there, Camille is forced to undergo a drastic ritual that will forever change her life, and the lives of those around her.

M

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Succubus Heat

This is the 4th book in the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead.

Book Blurb:

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus...which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she's been so wicked that Seattle's uber-demon Jerome, decides to 'outsource' Georgina to a rival - and have her spy for him in the process.

Being exiled to the frozen north - okay, Vancouver - and leaving Seth in the cozy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there's nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth - nothing apart from his girlfriend that is.

Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who's been playing them - or all hell will break loose.

This is one of my all time favorite series. :)

Georgina is a succubus, a minion from hell - bent on taking the life energy of good people for her survival. But all that being said, I like her. LOL

Ms. Mead has created a wonderful character in Georgina Kincaid. I honestly feel invested in her life and I want Georgina to have her 'happily ever after'. But I don't know how that is going to happen - when she's surrounded by demons, vampires, angels and imps on a daily basis?

I can't wait for the next installment in the life of Georgina. :)

I give this book and the entire series 5 out of 5 stars. If you haven't tried this series, I urge you to pick it up soon - you won't be disappointed.

M

Georgina Kincaid

1. Succubus Blues (2007)
2. Succubus On Top (2008)
aka Succubus Nights
3. Succubus Dreams (2008)
4. Succubus Heat (2009)
Succubus BluesSuccubus On TopSuccubus DreamsSuccubus Heat

Finders Keepers

This is a Bantam Spectra Sci/Fi novel by Linnea Sinclair.

Book Blurb:

Independent trader Trilby Elliot is making some not-quite-legal modifications to her starfreighter, when an unexpected visitor falls out of space. Literally. He's crashed onto the uninhabited planet of Avanar in a crippled 'Sko fighter-the last place you'd expect to find a Zafharin military officer because the 'Sko and the Zafharin have been at war as long as Trilby can remember.

Rhis Vanur is your typically arrogant Zafharin. But to Trilby's surprise, he doesn't look down on her or her slapdash ship. Still, Trilby's learned the hard way that even though she found Rhis, she can't keep him. She's just a low-budget jump jockey as far as men like him are concerned. She's not falling for his offer to help...until Port Rumor reports her best friend missing and Trilby learns that the 'Sko are hunting both her and Rhis. Now they're in it together for better, for worse-or till death blasts them to oblivion....

So I've been mixing things up a little bit lately...stepping out of my lovely paranormal box. :) And I have to say that I've come across some wonderful books that I may not have otherwise read.

Finders Keepers is one of those books.

Trilby Elliot, for all intents and purposes, is alone in the world. No family to speak of, save the other orphans she grew up with - a group of ragtag children used as an expendable labor force for the powers that be. But Trilby took what she learned and parlayed that experience into her own freighting business. A very small one woman freight service - but a freight service nonetheless. :)

Now the independent freighters are being taken over - some bought out by larger companies and others gone missing. Trilby, for the first time that she can remember, is worried.

Rhis Vanur is accustomed to giving orders and having them followed without question. He has a reputation as Tivahr the Terrible and even his own men fear him. But for reasons of his own, Rhis does not tell Trilby who or what he really is - instead leading her to believe that he is merely a Lieutenant in the Zafharin forces. His knowledge of illegal modifications impresses Trilby and eventually Rhis wins the trust of Trilby - no small feat.

That is until Trilby learns the truth about Rhis' identity - but by then things have gone from bad to worse and Trilby and Rhis have to work together to save the universe. :)

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Novels
Finders KeepersCommand PerformanceWintertideAn Accidental Goddess
Games of CommandThe Down Home Zombie Blues

Saturday, June 20, 2009

New Blog Look

Hello everyone. I would like to show off my Blog Beautification that was expertly done by Lea The Amazing Blog Beautifier. :)

And I must also thank my daughter (who is at this moment saying don't forget about me Mom) for finding my new avatar. She says she worked really hard and spent 5 whole minutes on deviant art looking for just the perfect one. :)

So again, thanks a bunch to Lea....

Thanks to you guys for stopping by....

And Happy Reading. :)

M

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Passion Unleashed

This is the 3rd in the Demonica series by Larissa Ione and the story of Wraith and Serena.

Book Blurb:

FORBIDDEN TEMPTATIONS

Serena Kelley is an archaeologist and treasure hunter-and a woman with a secret. Since she was seven, she's been the keeper of a powerful charm that grants her health and immortality . . . as long as she stays a virgin. But Serena isn't all that innocent. And when a dangerously handsome stranger brings her to the brink of ecstasy, she wonders if she's finally met the one man she cannot resist.

FATAL DESIRES

Wraith is a Seminus demon with a death wish. But when an old enemy poisons him, he must find Serena and persuade her to give him the only known antidote in the universe-her charm. Yet, as she begins to surrender to his seductions and Wraith senses the cure is within his grasp, he realizes a horrible truth: He's falling for the woman whose life he must take in order to save his own.

I love this series - but this book, by far, has been my favorite.

I was amazed at the transformation of Wraith as the story progressed. :) Who would have thought that Wraith could become a kind, thoughtful individual? This is the brother that only thought of himself - doing whatever he wanted to do and damn the consequences, no matter who or what was harmed.

Serena is a perfect partner for Wraith. She is strong, stands up for herself and doesn't take any of Wraith's crap. :)

The twists and turns we face in this book are many - and some of them are 'wow' moments.

I give this book and the entire series 5 out of 5 stars. :)

M

The Demonica Series
1. Pleasure Unbound (2008)
2. Desire Unchained (2009)
3. Passion Unleashed (2009)
Pleasure UnboundDesire UnchainedPassion Unleashed

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Street Magic

This is the first in the new Black London series by Caitlin Kittredge.

Book Blurb:

Her name is Pete Caldecott. She was just sixteen when she met Jack Winter, a gorgeous, larger-than-life mage who thrilled her with his witchcraft. Then a spirit Jack summoned killed him before Pete's eyes - or so she thought. Now a detective , Pete is investigating the case of a young girl kidnapped from the streets of London. A tipster's chilling prediction has led police directly to the child.but when Pete meets the informant, she's shocked to learn he is none other than Jack.

Strung out on heroin, Jack a shadow of his former self. But he's able to tell Pete exactly where Bridget's kidnappers are hiding: in the supernatural shadow-world of the fey. Even though she's spent years disavowing the supernatural, Pete follows Jack into the invisible fey underworld, where she hopes to discover the truth about what happened to Bridget - and what happened to Jack on that dark day so long ago.

The first 100 pages of this book were slow going - to be honest, I almost gave up. But I'm glad I kept with it because once we got to the actual 'magic' part of the book, it picked up.

I like the relationship between Pete and Jack.

Pete is strong willed and tenacious. She's not afraid of anything - even when a little fear might come in handy. :)

Jack is a typical rascal. He's out for whatever he can get for himself - no worries about anything or anyone else.

The two of them together form a somewhat dysfunctional duo - but they get the job done.

Once the book picked up, I did enjoy it. I like the characters and I can't wait to see what sort of mischief they get caught up in next time. :)

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. :)

M

Black London
1. Street Magic (2009)
2. Demon Bound (2009)
Street Magic

Friday, June 12, 2009

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

This is the first book in the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin.

Book Blurb:

I'm Jaz Parks. My boss is Vayl, born in Romania in 1744. Died there too, at the hand of his vampire wife, Liliana. But that's ancient history. For the moment Vayl works for the C.I.A. doing what he does best--assassination. And I help. You could say I'm an Assistant Assassin. But then I'd have to kick your ass.

Our current assignment seemed easy. Get close to a Miami plastic surgeon named Assan, a charmer with ties to terrorism that run deeper than a buried body. Find out what he's meeting with that can help him and his comrades bring America to her knees. And then close his beady little eyes forever. Why is it that nothing's ever as easy as it seems?

This is an Orbit Fantasy and I enjoyed every minute of it. :)

Jaz has some baggage - a lot of baggage. She is smart, stubborn, independent and fierce and takes her job very seriously. However, she has been known to leap without looking and that can sometimes land her in trouble.

Vayl has 270 plus years on Jaz and that gives him a different perspective on things - in the 6 months they have been partners Vayl has helped Jaz see things in a different light - for the most part. LOL

This first book did not have any romance in it - but I feel like there is potential for that in later installments if the author chooses to go that route. :)

I really like the relationship between Jaz and Vayl. Jaz can be a smart butt and Vayl sometimes misses the modern day euphemisms that Jaz throws out - that can be funny.

I can't wait to get the rest of this series. :)

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Jaz Parks
1. Once Bitten, Twice Shy (2007)
2. Another One Bites the Dust (2007)
3. Biting the Bullet (2008)
4. Bitten to Death (2008)
5. One More Bite (2009)
6. Bite Marks (2009)
Once Bitten, Twice ShyAnother One Bites the DustBiting the BulletBitten to Death
One More BiteBite Marks


Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ARC - Strange Angels

This is an ARC of the new YA book Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow.

Book Blurb:

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called 'the touch.' (Comes in handy when you're traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead - but still walking - and Dru knows she's next. Even worse, she's got two guys hungry for her affections, and they're not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever - or whoever - is hunting her?

I absolutely loved this book - so much so that I devoured it in one day. :)

Dru is tough as nails - but she's still only a kid. A kid facing all the bad, nasty stuff that goes bump in the night. Stuff that normal folks just don't see - or want to see for that matter.

Accustomed to being her Dad's side kick, Dru feels confident that she can handle anything that comes her way - that is until things start coming her way and she's left to face them on her own.

But then Dru picks up a side kick of her own - in the form of Goth boy Graves. Graves is a norm - has no idea about the nasties that lurk around the corners and hide in the shadows. But Graves learns quick - out of necessity - and once he's involved there is no turning back.

Enter Christophe. Dru is not sure exactly what he is - or if she can trust him. But he seems like he's on her side - or at least the enemy of her enemy.

I can't wait for the next installment of this series - due out in November of this year.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

M

1. Strange Angels (2009)
2. Betrayals (2009)
Strange AngelsBetrayals


Playing with Fire - tales of an extraordinary girl

This novel is by Gena Showalter.

Book Blurb:

Earth, Wind & Fire aren't just a band anymore . . .

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink, or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my Grande Mocha Latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I'm waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me 1)his name's Rome Masters, 2)he's a government agent and 3)I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation than I am . . . Because now he'll have to kill me.

This was a fun, quick read.

Belle Jamison is your average working class girl - but she feels stuck in a run down job - going no where fast. She just wants a change, something different. Didn't someone say, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?

Belle got it alright - and then some.

I really wish this had been made into a series rather than a stand alone novel. I love these characters and would be willing to follow there story further. :)

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Novels
Animal InstinctsOh My Goth!Playing with FireCatch A Mate
IntertwinedThe Amazon's Curse

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Over My Dead Body

This is the 5th book in the Broken Heart, OK series by Michele Bardsley and the story of Simone Sweet and Braddock Hayes.

Book Blurb:

Moving into Broken Heart seemed like the perfect transition for Simone Sweet and her young daughter, Glory. With her ex-husband gone after attempting to murder Simone, and Glory being mute since the incident, it is one place where she can feel safe, and almost forget she's a ravenous vampire...

No one is without secrets, but Simone's are big. She'd hate to have them interfere with what's developing with local hunk Braddock Hayes. When not turning her legs to jelly, he's building an Invisi-shield around Broken Heart and helping Glory speak again. But when Simone's past resurfaces, it threatens to ruin her second chance...

I love this series and always look forward to a fun, quick read. Well this book was just as good as the previous installments - but it was a little more on the serious side. It still had it's funny moments - but not as many.

Simone was a victim of domestic violence and we all know that is no laughing matter. But she has tried to put all of that behind her and concentrate on the present and maybe even the future, if Braddock has anything to say about it. :)

Things are going smoothly, as smoothly as they can when you're a blood sucking vampire, until things start getting hinky. Simone no longer feels safe and someone tells her it may have something to do with her past.....

Despite the serious subject matter, this was a good read. I look forward to the next installment. :)

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Broken Heart, OK
1. I'm the Vampire, That's Why (2006)
2. Don't Talk Back to Your Vampire (2007)
3. Because Your Vampire Said So (2008)
4. Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home (2008)
5. Over My Dead Body (2009)
I'm the Vampire, That's WhyDon't Talk Back to Your VampireBecause Your Vampire Said SoWait Till Your Vampire Gets Home
Over My Dead Body

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Small Favor

This is the tenth book in the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher.

Book Blurb:

No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favor he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last...

It always amazes me the trouble that Harry gets himself mixed up with - seemingly by accident. He just hangs out, doing his own thing and wham - things start trying to kill him.

What is even more amazing is how Harry gets himself out of that trouble alive (well, more alive than dead - but it was close a time or two).

I love this series. I watched the short lived sci/fi series and thought it was pretty good as well - now when I read the books, I picture Harry as that actor from the show. Nice visual. :)

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

M
The Dresden Files
1. Storm Front (2000)
2. Fool Moon (2000)
3. Grave Peril (2001)
4. Summer Knight (2002)
5. Death Masks (2003)
6. Blood Rites (2004)
7. Dead Beat (2005)
8. Proven Guilty (2006)
9. White Night (2007)
10. Small Favor (2008)
11. Turn Coat (2009)
BackupStorm FrontFool MoonGrave Peril
Summer KnightDeath MasksBlood RitesDead Beat
Proven GuiltyWhite NightSmall FavorTurn Coat