Saturday, June 30, 2012

Winner: The Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur

The giveaway for the first three books in the Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur has concluded and using Random dot Org the winner chosen.  The winning number is :


#2 - Dana


Thank you all for participating.


Happy Reading!



Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday Finds: Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank


From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.


When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 30, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345517695
ISBN-13: 978-0345517692

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Review: Celebrity in Death by J D Robb


Celebrity in Death is book 34 in the In Death series by J D Robb from Putnam.


Blurb:


Lieutenant Eve Dallas is no party girl, but she's managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating The Icove Agenda, a film based on one of her famous cases. 


It's a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin. Not as unsettling, though, as seeing the actress who plays Peabody - drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director's luxury building. 


Talented but rude, and widely disliked, K. T. Harris had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. Now she's at the center of a crime scene - and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop.


My thoughts:


The book Nadine Furst wrote about Eve’s high profile Icove case is being turned into a movie.  To celebrate the fact that the movie is almost wrapped, Eve, Roarke, Peabody, McNab, Mavis and Leonardo have all been invited to dinner with the cast and the major players behind the scenes.


As usual, Eve is out of her element - but in true Eve style, she mans up and makes the best of the situation.  Until things take a turn for the worse - and suddenly Eve is exactly in her element.


Murder.


When the body of the actress who is portraying Peabody in the movie turns up dead in the rooftop lap pool Eve immediately settles into cop mode.  Unless she is mistaken - and Eve is rarely mistaken - the killer has to be one of the people in attendance.


Questioning begins and Eve quickly realizes that actors make great liars - but no matter how good they are - she’s better.


I love this series.


I give Celebrity in Death 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Putnam (February 21, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399158308
ISBN-13: 978-0399158308  

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WoW: Even White Trash Zombies Get The Blues


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:
Angel Crawford is finally starting to get used to life as a brain-eating zombie, but her problems are far from over. Her felony record is coming back to haunt her, more zombie hunters are popping up, and she's beginning to wonder if her hunky cop-boyfriend is involved with the zombie mafia. 

Yeah, that's right--the zombie mafia. 

Throw in a secret lab and a lot of conspiracy, and Angel's going to need all of her brainpower--and maybe a brain smoothie as well--in order to get through it without falling apart.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: DAW (July 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0756407508
ISBN-13: 978-0756407506

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Giveaway: The Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur

Thanks to Penguin, I have a copy of the latest installment in the Dark Angels series, Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur, up for grabs.


But that's not all.  To make this giveaway even more awesome, I'm throwing in the first two books in the series.  That's right - all three books to one lucky reader.




This giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Just leave a comment with a valid email and you are entered.  Using Random dot Org, winner will be chosen and announced Saturday, 6-30.


Good Luck and Happy Reading! 

Monday, June 25, 2012

It's Monday...What Are You Reading?

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  This is a chance to showcase what you read in the last week, what you are reading now, and what you plan to read for the upcoming week.   


Books Read Last Week: 
Blackhearted Betrayal - Kasey Mackenzie
Grave Memory - Kalayna Price


Current Read:
Kiss of the Vampire - Cynthia Garner

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 06-24-12

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!    



Here is what I received this past week:

For Review:
Immortal Surrender - Claire Ashgrove
Thanks to TOR

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday Finds: Magic for a Price by Devon Monk

Magic for a Price is the ninth book in the Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk.


Blurb Forthcoming



Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Roc (November 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464869
ISBN-13: 978-0451464866


Thursday, June 21, 2012

YA Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking


Switched is the first book in the Trylle trilogy by Amanda Hocking and a YA novel from St. Martin’s Griffin.


Book Blurb:


When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.  She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.


Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her.  Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit.  But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth:  Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.   


Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening.  And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…


My thoughts:


Wendy Everly is not your typical seventeen year old.  She is not interested in boys, fashion or the latest gossip.  She doesn’t have a driver’s license and barely tolerates school.


Her brother, Matt, and her guardian, Aunt Maggie, try to encourage her to get involved, to try harder - but they cut her a lot of slack because of the trauma she suffered as a child.


Now attending the latest in a long line of public schools, Wendy is annoyed that the new guy is paying such close attention to her - it’s creeping her out just a little bit.


The new guy is Finn Holmes and he really is paying close attention to Wendy.  He is a tracker and he’s been sent to find Wendy.


Wendy is a changeling - a Trylle - and not just any Trylle. She is very powerful and has already started manifesting powers.  Powers that need to be controlled.


But Finn is not the only one looking for Wendy.  A rival tribe, the Vittra, are also looking for her - and they would love nothing more than to snag her right out from under Finn’s nose.


Switched is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the next two installments in this trilogy.


I give Switched 4 out of 5 stars.




Product Details
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250006317
ISBN-13: 978-1250006318 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

WoW: Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter


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:
Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless-and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions, at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before. 

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation-or her ultimate damnation?

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (June 26, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373776985
ISBN-13: 978-0373776986

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Review: Blood and Bullets by James R Tuck


Blood and Bullets is the first book in the Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter series by James R Tuck and an Urban Fantasy from Kensington.


Blurb:


He lives to kill monsters.  He keeps his city safe.  And his silver hollow-points and back from the dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat.  But now an immortal evil has this bad ass bounty hunter dead in its sights...


Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent.  So when a pretty vampire girl ‘hires’ him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him - and barely escapes a vampire ambush.


Now he’s got a way inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail.  There’s also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon’s greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...


My thoughts:


One time tattoo artist and family man, Deacon Chalk’s whole world fell apart when his wife and children were slaughtered by a supernatural monster.  Now he has devoted what remains of his life to hunting and killing any monster he comes across.  


When a vampire tries to hire him to kill another hunter - Deacon sets out to find the guy and let him know the vamps have put a bounty on his head.  What he finds is an ambush.


The hunter is a newbie, untrained and nervous - and under the impression that Deacon is a vampire.  First things, first.  Deacon has to get the two of them to safety.


Now Deacon is determined to find out who tried to have him killed.  His search leads him to vampire dance club - which leads him to a vampiress older than any Deacon has gone up against before.


It’s going to take all of Deacon’s considerable skill to walk away from this encounter alive...


Deacon Chalk is the sh*t.  I can’t wait to read more in this series.


I give Blood and Bullets 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kensington (February 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758271476
ISBN-13: 978-0758271471

Monday, June 18, 2012

It's Monday..What Are You Reading?

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  This is a chance to showcase what you read in the last week, what you are reading now, and what you plan to read for the upcoming week.   


Books Read Last Week:
Darkness Unbound - Keri Arthur
Darkness Rising - Keri Arthur
Death Most Definite - Trent Jamieson


Current Read:
Blackhearted Betrayal - Kasey Mackenzie

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 06-17-12

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!    



Here is what I received this past week:

Gifted:
Troublemaker - Janet & Alex Evanovich
Vampire Stories - Schimel & Greenberg
Vampire Empire - Griffith & Griffith
Bloodlines - Richelle Mead
Frostbite - Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss - Richelle MEad
Twisted - Gena Showalter

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Winner: The Shameless Summer Giveaway Hop

The Shameless Summer Giveaway Hop has come to a close.  Once again I'd like to thank Jen and Brie for allowing me to co-host with them, all of the bloggers and authors who participated - and everyone who entered.


Using Random dot Org, the winning entry has been chosen:  


#80 - Mara80


An email is on the way.


Happy Reading!!  

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday Finds: Mutated by Joe McKinney


Mutated is the fourth book in the Dead World series by Joe McKinney.


Blurb Forthcoming



Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Pinnacle (September 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786029293
ISBN-13: 978-0786029297

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Review: The Darkest Seduction by Gena Showalter


The Darkest Seduction is the eleventh installment in the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter and a Paranormal Romance from HQN.


Blurb:


Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive - but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he'd thought was forever beyond his reach...until now. 


Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris's arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.


Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally - or tear them apart?


My thoughts:


Paris houses the demon of Promiscuity.  He calls his demon Sex and that is what his demon needs - daily - or Paris will weaken.  If that happens, then Sex takes over, releasing a pheromone that attracts everyone and everything - leaving Paris with no control over who he sleeps with.  There is one problem though - Paris can not sleep with the same person twice - it is physically impossible.


Until Sienna Blackstone.  For the first time Paris is not only willing - but able - for a second go round with the same person.  Before he can analyze the why and what fors? - Sienna is killed.


Cronus steps in and places the demon of Wrath inside of the human Sienna - then locks her away.  When Paris finds out that Sienna is still around he is determined to find her.


And find her, he does.  


But Cronus has plans for Sienna - plans that do not involve Paris.  If that weren’t bad enough - another faction is interested in Sienna.  It would appear that the war between Cronus and his wife Rhea has far more at stake than first believed - and Sienna may hold the key to victory - or be the bearer of defeat...     


I love this series and, like everyone else, have been waiting for Paris’s story.  I was not disappointed   


I give The Darkest Seduction 5 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373776578
ISBN-13: 978-0373776573

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WoW: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost


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

My WoW for the week:  

Once Burned is the first book in the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost.

Blurb:

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all--but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him - a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (June 26, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006178320X
ISBN-13: 978-0061783203

Monday, June 11, 2012

My thoughts on episode 1 of True Blood


What can I say about last night's premier of True Blood?  It was AMAZING.  


Here are a few points that stuck out in my mind:


Vampire Tara:  My goodness, I've never liked Tara.  She is a whiner and I could enjoy the show just as much without her..but vampire Tara?  That may be an entirely different scenario all together.  Pam as her maker is perfect and makes me wonder if the two won't hook up along the way.  I do wonder though if Tara will regain all of faculties considering half of her brains are on Sookie's kitchen floor.


LaFayette:  Poor LaFayette.  The loss of Jesus and the role he himself played in the demise of his boyfriend has cast a long shadow on one of my favorite characters.  I think we have seen the last of the happy and carefree LaLa.  In his place is a more cautious and determined LaFayette.  And can you say cajones?  This man may wear more eyeshadow than I do - but he confronted Alcide and had no intentions of backing down.


Speaking of Alcide:  Grr!  I do wish this man wore less clothes.  When Alcide killed the pack master - he set himself up for challenges from the pack.  Some of the pack immediately knelt before their new leader - while others refused.  This could prove exciting in the coming weeks - as we see how Alcide handles his new roll as pack master.


Sam:  Sam has always had the worst luck in my opinion.  He's a nice guy - until he's not.  And when he's not, I really don't like him.  But I did admire the fact that he tried to protect Luna and her daughter from the werewolf pack.  We'll just have to wait and see how things play out with him.


Jason:  Amazingly enough, I believe Jason has decided to give up his player ways - but I don't think the girl he's interested in (Jessica) is ready to settle down.  Poor Jason, he never seems to catch a break....but he caught something else... the eye of Reverend Newlin.


Reverend Newlin:  At the end of last season when Jason opened the door to the newly turned vampire Reverend Newlin I almost fell out of my chair.  Reverend Newlin is hilarious and when he put the whammy on Jason last night I had no idea what to expect....but it certainly was not a declaration of love.  Jason response that 'his dog didn't bark that way' had me howling with laughter - until Reverend Newlin took exception and got a liitle too close to Jason neck for comfort...


Jessica:  The timely arrival of Jessica saved Jason and put the baby vamp Newlin in his place - an action Jason placed more value in than Jessica did.  Upon receiving word that Bill would be out of town for awhile, Jessica has set herself up as "Temporary Queen of New Orleans" and is determined to spread her wings - or at least host a frat party or two...


Speaking of Bill:  At the end of last season, Bill and Eric killed Nan and decided to make a clean break from the Vampire Authority.  Sookie decided she could have neither of them - so walked out on them, leaving them both upset.  I did note that in Sookie's despair, Bill tried to go to her - but Eric had a far more flippant response - he didn't care.  While trying to get to Sookie, Bill was captured by the Vampire Authority who then caught Eric, tossed them both in the trunk of a car and proceeded to transport them to the VA.


Eric:  Eric has kept it secret for years that his 'sister' is high ranking within the Vampire Authority - which came in handy last night when she was the one sent to capture him and Eric.  I was immediately icked out when Eric called her 'sister' and then planted a huge wet one on her.  The ickyness continued when they proceeded to jump each other and Eric once again called her 'sister'.


Sookie:  Sookie and Lafayette begged Pam to change Tara - a fact I'm sure is not going to go over well with Tara.  Then the twosome buried Tara and Pam in the back yard - went back inside, grabbed Debbie Pelt's dead body, rolled her in a shower curtain and buried her as well. Sookie is getting really good at buring bodies.


Hoyt:  I understand he is upset about the whole Jason/Jessica thing - but he's a grown man and shouldn't act like he's still in school and Jason stole his girlfriend.  He and Jessica were broken up - and though I do not condone what Jason did - (there is a code against dating a girl/boy that broke up with your best friend) Hoyt is acting like a jerk.  And from the previews of upcoming events - it looks like Hoyt is going all emo and heading to the vampire dark side...


Andy:  I have no idea what is up with this Judge who came in last night and 'convinced' Andy to fix a ticket for him.  And him being found nekkid in Holly's bed was hilarious.


Terry:  Something is going on with the men who served with Terry in Iraq - but Terry wants no part in it.  He is determined to leave Iraq behind him - but whatever he and his unit did - has something after them and Terry may have to face it - whether he wants to or not.


All in all - the first episode was fantastic and I can't wait for more.  :)  What are your thoughts?

It's Monday...What Are You Reading?

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  This is a chance to showcase what you read in the last week, what you are reading now, and what you plan to read for the upcoming week.   


Books Read Last Week:
Lure of the Wicked - Karina Cooper
Bonded by Blood - Laurie London
Coveted - Shawntelle Madison


Current Read:
Darkness Unbound - Keri Arthur



Sunday, June 10, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 06-10-12

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!    



Here is what I received this past week:

For Review:
Blackhearted Betrayal - Kasey Mackenzie
Darkness Devours - Keri Arthur
Grave Memory - Kalayna Price
Thanks to Penguin