Monday, April 30, 2012

April RAK Wrap Up

Another month of RAK has come to a close.  Here is a rundown of how April went for me.  :)


RAK's mailed:


Cinder - Marissa Meyer to Natalie @ Mindful Musings
Box of Books to Beth @ Living A Goddess Life 

RAK's Received:

Hunger - Michael Grant from Natalie
Wicked As They Come - Delilah S Dawson from Beth 



Sunday, April 29, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 4-29-12

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!


Purchased:
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini



Friday, April 27, 2012

Cover Find: Fury's Kiss by Karen Chance


Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. But so far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing...


Dory is used to fighting hard and nasty. So when she wakes up in a strange scientific lab with a strange man standing over her, her first instinct is to take his head off. Luckily, the man is actually the master vampire Louis-Cesare, so he’s not an easy kill.


It turns out that Dory had been working with a Vampire Senate task force on the smuggling of magical items and weaponry out of Faerie when she was captured and brought to the lab. But when Louis-Cesare rescues her, she has no memory of what happened to her.


To find out what was done to her—and who is behind it—Dory will have to face off with fallen angels, the maddest of mad scientists, and a new breed of vampires that are far worse than undead…

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by Penguin
ISBN 0451413237

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Review: Viper Moon by Lee Roland


Viper Moon is the first book in the Earth Witches series by Lee Roland and an Urban Fantasy Romance from Signet Eclipse.

Book Blurb:

In the small town of Duivel, Missouri, darkness awaits....

Cassandra Archer is the Huntress.  She has faithfully served the Earth Mother for years, rescuing kidnapped children from monsters - both human and supernatural - dwelling in the abandoned ruins of the Barrows district of Duivel, Missouri.

When Detective Flynn’s twelve-year-old sister goes missing, he suspects she was taken to the Barrows, and he goes to Cass for help.  The two clash, but Cass still finds herself irresistibly drawn to the tough, no-nonsense cop.

After another child goes missing, all clues point to a cataclysmic event during the next dark moon.  Cass and Flynn must race against the clock to save the children and prevent a sacrifice that could destroy the entire town....

My thoughts:


Ten years ago a very young, very naive Cassandra Archer was visited by the Earth Mother and asked to join her service - Cass accepted and has never looked back. Though she does question - at times very forcefully and very disrespectfully - she never fails to complete a task. Because every time she goes out on a job - she saves the life of a child.


Now Cass has two missing children to find and they seemed to be connected.  One is the sister of a cop - the other, the son of a crime lord.  No matter who the children are related to - Cass will do her best to bring them both home.    


But her best might not be good enough this time - and Cass may need to ask for help.  An ancient evil has been lurking in the Barrows for years - but it has grown tired of merely influencing from afar.  With the coming of the dark moon, this evil plans to become a more solid presence....


Viper Moon is an enjoyable read.  


I like Cass a great deal.  She is tough and strong willed - but always puts the children first.  She doesn’t mind skirting the authorities or even the Earth Mother - do get the job done.


I don’t care very much for the Earth Mother - she is a bit manipulative in my opinion.


I give Viper Moon 3 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Signet (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 045123376X
ISBN-13: 978-0451233769

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

WoW: Summoning the Night by Jenn Bennett


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.

My WoW for the week:  

MAGICAL TRICKS. DEMONIC TREATS. 

After narrowly escaping her fate as a sacrificial scapegoat, Arcadia Bell is back to normal. Or at least as ordinary as life can be for a renegade magician and owner of a tiki bar that caters to Earthbound demons. She's gearing up for the busiest day of the year - Halloween - when a vengeful kidnapper paralyzes the community. The influential head of the local Hellfire Club taps Cady to track down the fiendish bogeyman, and now that she's dating red-hot Lon Butler, the Club's wayward son, she can hardly say no. 

Cady and Lon untangle a gruesome thirty-year trail of clues that points to danger for the club members' children. But locating the person behind the terror will require some metaphysical help from Cady's loyal bar patrons as well as her potent new Moonchild powers - and she'd better figure it out before the final victim disappears and her own darkest secret becomes her biggest enemy.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451620535
ISBN-13: 978-1451620535

Tuesday, April 24, 2012


Ascension is the first book in the Dark Breed series by Sable Grace and an Avon Paranormal Romance.

Book Blurb:

The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed - vampyre, demons, shape shifters - and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen . . . and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission - to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity - Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort . . . Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both . . .

My thoughts:


Kyana is a tracer pledged to the Order of Ancients.  It is her job to fight the Dark Breed - those who have gone rogue and kill humans.


When a Dark Breed is vanquished it is sent to Tartarus for eternity.  But someone has found a key to Tartarus and they have opened it wide - allowing the vanquished Dark Breed to escape to Earth - where they have overrun the humans.


The world is in chaos and the Order of Ancients are losing power.  They need to transfer what power they have left to the Chosen - beings who have been marked to take the place of the ancient gods.


But someone is killing the Chosen.  


Kyana has been assigned a mission: find the key that locks Tartarus - before it is too late.


Ascension is a great start to what looks to be a fantastic new series.  


Kyana is fierce and never wants anyone to see what she perceives as weakness.  She is stubborn and disrespectful - but as the story goes along she begins to crack, just a little - showing compassion for a child and fear for her friend.  I can’t wait for more.  


I give Ascension 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061964409
ISBN-13: 978-0061964404

Monday, April 23, 2012

Review: The Thirteenth Sacrifice by Debbie Viguie


The Thirteenth Sacrifice is the first book in The Witch Hunt series by Debbie Viguie and a Signet Novel.

Blurb:

Samantha Ryan is plagued by nightmarish memories of magic and fear...of strange chants and blood spilled. Because Samantha Ryan grew up in a coven that was seduced by power and greed.

With a cross around her neck and a detective’s shield in her pocket, Samantha has tried hard to put her horrific childhood behind her.  But as the last in a long line of ruthless witches, she should know that such talismans are no match for the power of a coven that’s gone bad.

And when young women start dying, only Samantha knows what the archaic symbol carved into their flesh means: The witches have returned to Salem.

Now Samantha is going undercover - into a town obsessed with black magic, into her past, and into the dark, newly awakened heart of evil...

My thoughts:


Samantha Ryan has tried to put her childhood behind her. She loves her adoptive parents, has a fulfilling and important job as a detective and holds strong to her faith - but that is not enough to stop the nightmares.


When Samantha and her partner are called to a murder scene - Samantha is shocked to find the dead body of a young woman with a pentagram on her forehead.


Samantha immediately knows what this means - someone is messing with powers they have no business messing with.


To get to the bottom of this murder Samantha reluctantly agrees to go undercover - awakening powers within herself that she has spent years trying to ignore.


What Samantha finds is evil, black magic, and ties to her own past she thought long dead...


The Thirteenth Sacrifice is suspenseful and creepy - I enjoyed it.  I like Samantha and I am looking forward to finding out more about her and the challenges she faces.

I give The Thirteenth Sacrifice 3 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Signet (April 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 045123636X
ISBN-13: 978-0451236364

Sunday, April 22, 2012

In My Mailbox: 4-22-12

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:        


Purchased:
Flu - Wayne Simmons
Drop Dead Gorgeous - Wayne Simmons
Celebrity in Death - JD Robb

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Winner: Molly Harper 4 Book Set

My giveaway for the four book Jane Jameson series by Molly Harper has concluded.


Using random dot org the winning number is: #5 - June M


Congrats! An email is on the way.


Thank you all for participating.


Happy Reading!  

Friday, April 20, 2012

Cover & Promo: Death's Rival by Faith Hunter



Death's Rival is the fifth book in the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter.

Blurb:

Jane Yellowrock is a shapeshifting skinwalker you don’t want to cross—especially if you’re one of the undead…

For a vampire killer like Jane, having Leo Pellisier as a boss took some getting used to. But now, someone is out to take his place as Master Vampire of the city of New Orleans, and is not afraid to go through Jane to do it. After an attack that’s tantamount to …a war declaration, Leo knows his rival is both powerful and vicious, but Leo’s not about to run scared. After all, he has Jane.

But then, a plague strikes, one that takes down vampires and makes their masters easy prey. Now, to uncover the identity of the vamp who wants Leo’s territory, and to find the cause of the vamp-plague, Jane will have to go to extremes…and maybe even to war.



Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Roc (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464850
ISBN-13: 978-0451464859


I don't know how I feel about this cover - Jane looks like a warrior elf.  I'm not sure what that is beside her head - but it looks like a pointed elf ear.  :)  Can't wait to read it though.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Review: Shadow's Fall by Dianne Sylvan


Shadow’s Fall is the third book in The Shadow World series by Dianne Sylvan and an ACE Urban Fantasy.

Blurb:

Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires who feed off the living.  In Austin, Texas, one woman must figure out a way to live in both worlds without sacrificing either...

For three years, Miranda Grey-Solomon has kept her role as vampire Queen of the South separate from her Grammy-winning music career.  But now her dual lives are starting to collide, threatening everything Miranda and David, her Prime, have worked for.

To make matters worse, the entire Signet Council has descended upon Austin for its ten-year summit, bringing with it Prime James Hart of the Northeast, a sworn enemy come to take his revenge on those who defied him.  As Hart’s machinations lead to outbreaks of violence across the South, Miranda and David receive an unexpected offer of help from David’s sire, an ancient and powerful vampire with knowledge that may be their salvation - or their doom.

My thoughts:


It has been three years since the events of Shadow Flame and Miranda is adjusting nicely to her role as Queen.  Her career is on a high note and her relationship with David is steady and growing stronger every day.  In those three years the Pair have not seen Prime Deven or his Consort, Jonathan - but that is about to change.


With the Council Summit being held in Austin this year, David and Miranda will be playing host to vampire royalty. All Prime’s and their Consort’s will be present - including Deven, David’s longtime friend and one time lover - and James Hart - recent enemy to both.


Jonathan, Deven’s Consort, has had a vision and he and Deven are determined to prevent it from coming true.


When Lydia, David’s sire appears - Deven is sure that she will play a role in Jonathan’s vision.  Deven is willing to sacrifice almost anything to make sure David is safe - but it may not be enough.  When danger comes from an unexpected source - no one is safe.


Shadow’s Fall is a great read.  I love the world Ms. Sylvan has created.  Miranda is tough and no nonsense and I was glad to see David toughen up a little bit more in this installment.


We were left with a couple of cliff hangers this go round - grr!   But it just leaves me wanting more.


I give Shadow’s Fall 4 out of 5 stars.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace (March 27, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937007383
ISBN-13: 978-1937007386 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Early Review: Siege by Rhiannon Frater


Siege is the third book in the As The World Dies trilogy by Rhiannon Frater and a Horror novel from TOR.

Blurb:

The old world is gone, shattered by the zombie plague.  In the tiny town of Ashley Oaks, Texas, a hundred or so survivors are building a new world, beginning with a high-walled fort.  They’ve defended their home against ravenous zombies and cruel bandits, gathered supplies, established a civil government, and even found love among the ruins.

A supply run gone terribly wrong leads to the discovery of another group of survivors, trapped in a failing shopping mall.  Their every move is controlled by a power-hungry US senator who has had her eyes on the fort almost since the first day.

For some the opportunity to recover even fragments of the old world is an irresistible temptation.  For others, the freedom of the new world, despite its terrors, is more than worth fighting for.

The final battle for the fort - and, in a way, for the soul of America - is about to begin.

My thoughts:


It has been almost a year since the world exploded into chaos and the dead began to walk - and feed.  The survivors living inside a fort in a small town in Texas have learned a great deal in that time.


Safety and security are at the top of the list.  The fort has been secured to the best of their ability - with modifications and upgrades taking place as needed.      


The zombie presence has decreased somewhat, with a handful showing up every now and again and they are easily picked off by the snipers.


But there is unrest inside the fort.  Some are tired of the status quo.  In the confines of the fort bickering can have a ripple effect - causing unneeded stress in an already stressful situation.


When one of their own goes missing, the group find out that the military are involved - and they want something from the survivors at the fort.


They want the fort.


Siege blew me away   


While reading Siege I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster.  I laughed. I cried.  I got angry and had to put the book down - but then immediately picked it up again.


I became invested in these people from the first chapter of The First Days and hate that it has come to an end.  


But what an ending.  I was honestly surprised with several things that happened in this book - some were good surprises - some were not.  But everything came together for an incredible read.


I give Siege 5 out of 5 stars.

Product Details
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765331284
ISBN-13: 978-0765331281 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Cover Find: Sacrifice the Wicked by Karina Cooper

Sacrifice the Wicked is the fourth book in the Dark Mission series by Karina Cooper.


Expected Release Date: 09-25-12

Monday, April 16, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper


Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors is the fourth book in the Jane Jameson series by Molly Harper and a Pocket Books Paranormal Romance.


Blurb:


With This Ring, I Thee Dead


Just as Jane Jameson’s unlife seems to be stabilising, fate sinks its fangs firmly into her butt.  Despite her near-phobia of wedding planning, her no-frills nighttime nuptials to her sexy boyfriend, Gabriel, are coming along smoothly.  That is, until she turns a fatally wounded teenage acquaintance, and the Council pronounces her responsible for the newborn vamp until he can control his thirst.


As if this weren’t enough to deal with, the persnickety ghost of Jane’s newly deceased grandma Ruthie has declared war on the fanged residents of River Oaks.


Tensions inside the house are growing...and outside, a sinister force is aiming a stake straight for the center of Gabriel’s heart.  Most brides just have to worry about choosing the right dress, but Jane fears that, at this rate, she’ll never make it down the aisle for the wedding all nice girls dream of...


My thoughts:


Jane Jameson has had her fair share of ‘weird and unexplained’ problems since becoming a vampire - but she thought things were finally beginning to settle down.


She thought wrong.


It all started with a delivery gone wrong that left Jane with no choice but to sire a childe.  Now said childe is living with her and she is responsible for making sure that this childe turns out to be a productive member of vampire society.


No problem.


Her personal life is on the upswing and she finally accepted Gabriel’s proposal of marriage.  A fact that has her mother squealing with delight and Jane running from the thought of planning a wedding.


When Gabriel is injured Jane contacts Ophelia, the local head of the Vampire Council.  Ophelia immediately sets a watch on Jane, hoping to use her as bait for whoever it is that has it out for Gabriel.


But things never do work out the way Jane plans...and this time is no different.


Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors is my favorite in this series.  I really enjoyed it.


I give Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (February 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451641818
ISBN-13: 978-1451641813 


Now for the giveaway.  I have all four books in the Jane Jameson series up for grabs.


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 are entered.


Using random dot org winner will be chosen and announced on Saturday, 4-21.


Good luck!


  

Sunday, April 15, 2012

In My Mailbox: 04-15-12

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:       


Goddess in the Middle - Stephanie Julian
Thanks to SourceBooks

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Blog Tour: A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster


A Perfect Storm is the fourth book in the Edge of Honor series by Lori Foster and a Romantic Suspense from HQN.

Blurb:

He never saw her coming.

Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including the nightmare she survived and her resulting trust issues. But in order to expose a smuggling ring - and continue avenging his own tragic past - the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to make Arizona a decoy. Yet nothing has equipped him for her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.

Arizona wants to reclaim her life, which means acting as bait to lure the enemy into a trap. Sure it's dangerous, especially with a partner as distractingly appealing as Spencer. But as their plan - and their chemistry - shifts into high gear, Arizona may discover there's an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero...


My thoughts:


Spencer Lark has first hand knowledge of the cruelty some people are capable of - and he lives with that knowledge every day.  He lost his wife several years ago when she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tracking the beings responsible for his wife’s death - Spencer discovered the heinous crime of human trafficking - and he has since dedicated his time to stopping these criminals.


Arizona Storm was a victim of human trafficking - and she still suffers from her time spent at their mercy; nightmares, distrust of men and a hair trigger temper that often results in violence are just the top of the iceberg.


Arizona is determined to do whatever she can to stop the people who trade in human trafficking - even if it means using herself as bait.


When Arizona comes to Spencer and asks his help in staking out a likely smuggling ring, Spencer has no choice but to say yes.  His top priority is keeping Arizona safe - in spite of her reckless  disregard for her own safety.


A Perfect Storm is a great installment to the Edge of Honor series.  I absolutely love Spencer and Arizona together.


I give A Perfect Storm 4 out of 5 stars.



Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (March 27, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 037377656X
ISBN-13: 978-0373776566


Now for an excerpt:


“Yeah? Only three?” Tsking, she let her gaze drift over him. “Any other bruises?”

“No.”

She propped her chin on a fist. “One lucky punch, huh?”

Did she have to appear so amused by idiotic drinking and brawling? “Something like that.” Actually it was a thrown chair that had caught him, but whatever. He wouldn’t encourage her with details. “So tell me, little girl. What were you doing in a bar?”

She looked away. With one finger, she traced the rim of her coffee cup. “Sometimes,” she said low, her voice almost whimsical, “I just need a distraction.”

His chest tightened. He waited to see if she’d elaborate, if she’d share details of her tragic background with human traffickers.

The next blog participating in the scavenger hunt is My Reading Room.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

WoW: Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.

My WoW for the week:  

Blurb:

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down. But when an Oracle shows up, warning the descendants about wild dog attacks in Washington D.C., Nikki is afraid it might be a trap. The Olympians believe the “dogs” are jackals, controlled by a blood-crazed descendant of the Egyptian death-god Anubis. Whatever. . . . 

If Nikki hopes to muzzle Dogboy, she’s got to catch him in the act. But when she stakes out a local cemetery, she ends up face-to-snout with a snarling pack of shadow-jackals whose bite is worse than their bark. These hellhounds are deadly—even for an immortal like Nikki. “Dog” spelled backwards may be “god,” but that won’t stop Nikki from teaching these old gods some new tricks. Like playing dead.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 145160680X
ISBN-13: 978-1451606805