Picking a Booknerd's Brain

Uprising: Vampire Federation by Sean McCabe

2011-01-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

US Edition

Yet another offering from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers. I've been making out like a bandit, lately, I'm pleased to say. This time it's Uprising, the first book of the new Vampire Federation series by Sean McCabe.You may also know him as Scott Mariani, author of the Ben Hope thriller series, which is quite popular in the UK. In fact, Uprising has already been published in the UK, in June 2010, under the name Scott G. Mariani. But don't let the pseudonym get in your way -- Uprising is making it's American debut February 1, 2011. And, I gotta say, I think the US cover is much more appealing.

Back cover blurb:

A gruesome ritual murder has stained the Oxfordshire countryside. It's just the first incident in a chain of events awakening Detective Inspector Joel Solomon to his worst nightmare-and a dreadful omen of things to come. Because Joel has a secret: he believes in vampires.

Alex Bishop is an agent of the Vampire Intelligence Agency. She's tasked with enforcing the laws of the global Vampire Federation, and hunting rogue members of her race. A tough job made tougher when the Federation comes under attack by traditionalist vampires. They have a stake in old-school terror-and in an uprising as violent as it is widespread.
Now it's plunging Alex and Joel into a deadly war between the living and the unloving-and against a horrifying tradition given new life by the blood of the innocent.

UK Edition

I just finished reading this today, and I thought it was great. Granted, I wasn't immediately hooked. A few things stand out as less-than-perfect. For example, there's an overly narrated quality to the author's writing style that I didn't always like. At times, it felt like McCabe was trying to write things like a movie instead of a book. Some may enjoy that, but I felt that the narrative flow suffered. A few too many perspective changes, choppy action sequences, scene setups that were a bit forced ... that sort of thing. Overall, none if it stopped me from reading or enjoying this book, so let's move on to talking about the fun stuff.

Uprising scores well with me because I never once lost interest in what I was reading. The story unfolded pretty quickly and maintained momentum until the cliffhanger end. Some aspects of the plot were predictable, yes, but that didn't bother me too much since I was happily entertained, nonetheless. There was plenty of good action to be had -- chase scenes, firefights, and dramatic developments in creepy places. Best of all, there was the perfect amount of twisted, violent grit. Readers who fear that the vampire genre has plummeted down a hill of mind-numbing smut and broody Byronic types can happily turn to this book. Here the vampires are dark, dangerous ... and not a one of them glitters.

Uprising: Vampire Federation comes out February 1, 2011. You can read an excerpt here. Unfortunately, it's too early to know anything about the sequel, but I'm definitely looking forward to it.

Find more reviews of this book at Geek Syndicate and It's a Book Blog.

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

2011-01-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

Born at Midnight was another win from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program; I was given an advanced reader copy of the book, courtesy of the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin. Born at Midnight will be released, in paperback, on March 29, 2011.

Granted, there's been a long string of paranormal young adult books featuring a troubled yet good-hearted female protagonist. The pervasiveness of the type doesn't mean these books are any less entertaining. Born at Midnight, first book of the new Shadow Falls series, is another title to add to the list of quality young adult stories. While some elements of the story are familiar to us readers, this is nevertheless a well-crafted book with much to like about it.

The book is written by C.C. Hunter, who also writes successful romantic suspense novels under the name Christie Craig. This is the author's first foray into young adult novels, and she's done a wonderful job. Here's a blurb from the author's site:

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap lately. Her parents are getting a divorce for who the heck knows why. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. And her grandmother died because . . . well, older people do that. But now, Kylie's acquired a stalker and she hasn't a clue what he wants or how to get rid of him . . . and she really wants to get rid of him because apparently she's the only one who sees him. Thinking she may be losing it, her parents send her off to see a psychologist who gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

Kylie's surrounded by vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shapeshifters. And if she believes what they tell her, she's one of them. They're just not sure exactly how she fits in. As Kylie struggles to cope with the realization that these creatures even exist, and the fact that she might not be human, she's got two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vying for her attention. And they can just keep vying. Kylie's determined that before she lets her heart loose on love, she needs to unearth the truth. What does the ghost want? Who can and can't she trust? And most of all . . . What is she?

I was thrilled to have received this ARC, since the idea of a paranormal summer camp sounded like all sorts of fun. And indeed, it was. I sat down to read just a chapter or two and was quickly pulled in. Before I knew it, I was nearing the end of the book and eager for more.

The great appeal of this book is the pace. Things start off with a kick, swinging right into a charged scene between protagonist Kylie Galen and her parents, who have just announced their impending divorce. Within just the first chapter we get a good sense of Kyle and her life. The pace doesn't slow as the situation escalates and Kylie's world becomes increasingly complicated.

I give the author massive amounts of credit for creating a protagonist that's likable and believable. Kylie's not perfect -- she struggles to push beyond her preconceptions, fear, and lack of self-identity. Indeed, her perfectly depicted confusion makes for a personal journey that's highly realistic despite the inclusion of witches, vampires, and ghosts.

This book isn't just about Kylie's self-actualization, though. There's a varied band of secondary characters, each with their own tale to be told. From arrogant vampires to shy faeries, everyone can find something to like about this group -- especially a certain mysterious, smokin' hot werewolf, if, you know, you like that sort (and I do!). And it isn't all fun and games, despite the prevalent light-hearted tone. There are some serious issues handled here, problems and questions dealt with by many teenagers today, even the non-paranormal ones. I appreciated how the author addressed these things responsibly without ever turning preachy.

I expect that teens and adults alike will appreciate this book and this promising new series. Born at Midnight is scheduled for release on March 29, 2011. The second book, Awake at Dawn, comes out October 2011. If you're interested in this book, check out this great giveaway contest at Blkosiner's Book Blog and more reviews at: Urban Fantasy Investigations, Knight Reader, and Books and Things.

Captive Spirit by Anna Windsor

2010-12-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

This is the fourth book of Anna Windsor's Dark Crescent Sisterhood series. If you haven't yet read the first trilogy (Bound by Shadow, Bound by Flame, & Bound by Light), a little background info is in order. The series is about a collective of kick-ass women with elemental powers, called Sibyls, who fight demons and the forces of darkness. It's a delightfully superheroine-esque series with plenty of action, lots a sex appeal, and strong draws on mythology and folklore of all sorts.

If you couldn't already tell, I really enjoy this series. Windsor's style of writing is fast and engaging, and I love her use of mythology; she pulls from popular folklore like Greco-Roman myths and voodoo practices, but she also brings out lesser-known entities from around the world. Her books satisfy both my itches for action and romance: tastefully violent and fabulously sexy. I absolutely recommend Anna Windsor's books to fans of Gena Showalter -- they're quite similar in style and overall vibe.

Now that I've raved about the series as a whole, let's talk about Captive Spirit in particular...

Captive Spirit takes place a couple of years after Bound by Light The Sibyls and their OCU allies are recovering from the longstanding war against the Legion. Bela Argos, a temperamental earth sibyl, has the unenviable task of choosing replacements for her fallen comrades. Against all advice, she recruits other Sibyls who are as devastated by their losses as Bela is, but she's determined to bring them all together for the sake of the mission. And the sooner she can pull it off, the better, because there's a new battle on the front.

Then there's Duncan Sharp, a warrior and protector to the core. After his years in the military, fighting in the deserts of Afghanistan, he's taken up the badge as one of New York City's finest. He's tough enough to take on anything -- except maybe the otherworldly threat behind a string of violent murders. Caught up in the conflict between Sibyls and demons, Duncan finds himself sharing his body with another man's soul and a demonic infection. Both threaten to taken him over, and only the Sibyls can help him now.

I feel like Windsor has amped up her writing since the last book, Bound by Light. It was always good, but now it seems much more memorable. Some of the scenes here, especially the opening sequence with Duncan vs. the bad guys, are fabulously written. Incredible imagery and creative wording really bring a lot of moments to full, vivid glory. It's the kind of skilled writing that I, quite honestly, don't ever expect from a romance novel of any sort. Moreover, I appreciate the balance between comic book-worthy action, angsty drama, sizzling romance, and silly fun. There's entertainment to be found, cover to cover.

As for the not-so-fun stuff, Bela as a main protagonist didn't really work for me. I couldn't connect with her, not like I do several of the other characters. I don't think that's really through any fault of the character or the writing -- she's a decent character, depicted well. And there was plenty of buildup for her story in the first three books. I don't know... she just didn't do it for me. Even though I enjoyed reading this book, I was in a constant state of distraction. Instead of focusing on the primary story that was centered on Bela and Duncan, I was more interested in the secondary characters and what was developing with them. Happily, the next two books are slated for release in the near future.

You can read an excerpt from Anna Windsor's blog, or an interview with Anna over at Romance Reader at Heart.

Captive Soul ~ Comes out December 28, 2010. This book is about fire Sibyl Camille and the very unusual John Cole.

Captive Heart ~ Comes out January 25, 2011. At last, we'll get a book about Andy Myles, everyone's favorite water Sibyl.

When Wicked Craves by J.K. Beck

2010-12-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

When Wicked Craves is the third book of the Shadow Keepers series by J.K. Beck -- also known as Julie Kenner. You can read my thoughts on the first two books here.

Synopsis:

A danger to both the human and shadow communities, Petra Lang is cursed never to love. For one touch of her skin unleashes the vilest demons imaginable. Sentenced to death by the shadow authorities, who fear she’ll turn her curse against them, Petra is rescued at the last instant by vampire advocate Nicholas Montegue. As their bodies merge and transform into mist, Petra feels an urgent erotic longing.

Nicholas fought long and hard to save Petra—and nearly paid the ultimate price. He risked his own life to spare hers, yet he knows he can never give in to the explosive attraction he feels for her. But the deep yearning they share can only be deferred for so long. Together, they must find a way to lift the curse. For only a love this strong has the power to overcome such monstrous evil.

If you haven't read the first two books, you most definitely should before diving into this one. Each book has its own focus, but there's an continuing storyline and and returning characters, and background info is essential to really getting the story. Infact, this book picks the story almost directly up from where When Pleasure Rules left it. Our band of heroes have escaped another adventure of danger and romance, but Petra Lang must now face the consequences of exposing her curse. The Alliance, governing body of the shadow world, has decided that Petra is too dangerous to live, and the story opens with her government-sanctioned execution.

I gotta say, absolutely love how this book kicks off -- I was instantly hooked and emotionally invested in Petra and her troubles. Which is great considering that we don't get a whole lot of intro to her character in WPR. Within just a couple of pages, the author totally convinces you to not just like Petra but to actually care about her.

The other quick hook here is Nick Montegue. Introduced from the very beginning in When Blood Calls, Nick has been a great asset to this series -- a nice change of pace from the supermacho toughness found in Luke and Rand. I like supermacho, I really do, but variety is pleasant, especially in manflesh. Of course, don't think that Nick is a prancing lightweight. As is nicely depicted in the book, he's a renaissance man (sort of literally, since he's a centuries-old vampire) who thinks as well as he fights. He and Petra are an excellent match, and I give the author all kinds of kudos for successfully creating believable -- and sexy, mustn't forget -- chemistry between characters.

As for the action-y bits, I enjoyed the pace of things. I was well-entertained the entire time I read this, never found a moment when I was bored or impatient with the plot. I wasn't all too impressed by the villain-esque characters, though. The primary bad guys, Alliance figures Dirque and Tariq, are pretty interesting but ultimately didn't work for me. There was a certain amount of depth missing from them, which did decrease the overall urgency of the conflict. With some books, even though you know there's going to be a Happily Ever After at the end, you experience a moment or two of doubt. That, just maybe, this time the bad guys will win. That wasn't the case, here. Still, everything was quite lively from start to finish, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with a relatively angst-free story every now and then.

One thing I particularly enjoy about this series is how the characters from previous books maintain a significant presence and continue to develop as the series progresses. It was a nice surprise to find the tension between Nick and Lissa had continued from the second book, and that Luke and Sara aren't down for the count now that they're happily mated. This is a fully-fledged series with plenty of thought put into making each book flow smoothly from the next. I will absolutely pick up the next book, When Pleasure Lies, when it hits the shelves -- bringing back Caris, the vampire-werewolf hybrid with a tough-as-nails attitude. I'm very much looking forward to it.

More thoughts on When Wicked Craves at: Book Lush, Paranormal Haven, Ruby's Reads

Blood and Sunlight: A Maryland Vampire Story by Jamie Wasserman

2010-11-20T10:12:00.000-08:00

This is a book I received, courtesy of the author, through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program. If you haven't checked it out, you should. Blood and Sunlight is the author's first novel, though he has published several shorter works of the fantasy and horror genres.

From the Back Cover:

Melanie would love to believe in fairytales. She’d love, in fact, to believe in anything. The twenty-three-year-old college dropout is stuck — stuck in a dead-end waitress job, stuck in her hometown of Ellicott City, Maryland, and stuck with a boyfriend who likes to play dress-up as a vampire.

Vampires. Her world and her reality are turned upside down when she encounters the real thing. Along the way, she meets Lucas, the would-be vampire slayer, his father the sheriff, and ultimately the vampire himself. Melanie learns that fairytales can come true, and evil isn’t always where you expect to find it.

As I read this book, two things in particular struck me. One, I love the writing. Wasserman has a great way of setting scenes with a poetic yet minimalistic style. Everything is very tight, vivid, and packed with meaning. And clever -- the whole story is framed by a bedtime story told by a father to his little girl. I can't say too much more without giving away crucial parts of the plot, but it was an unexpected yet delightful element. It made for a fabulous opening that instantly appealed to me. Then, later, I had one of those "oh!" moments when the everything you've just read takes on a whole new perspective, and you go back to the beginning to reread things with a fresh eye. As I said, clever. And I appreciate clever.

The second thing about this book -- I don't love the characters. Well, specifically, I don't love the protagonist, Melanie. She has this disaffected youth thing going on that I just don't and didn't care for much. It's not the type of character I gravitate towards, and I always struggle with a story if I can't feel for the characters. Since Melanie is the central thread of this story, my total enjoyment was affected.

Overall, this book strongly put me in mind of a vampiric Tithe, the popular young adult novel by Holly Black. Granted, less . . . well, frilly, I guess is the word. Still there's much similarity in tone and character. And both left me feeling the same way -- thoughtful and intrigued yet a little put off by the protagonist. I can only deduce that the book is great but that I'm the wrong audience for it. Which is fine. I'm still quite happy to have been given the opportunity to read it. And now I'm curious about Wasserman's other work, and whether something else by him might be more to my style.

Rule's Bride by Kat Martin

2010-11-19T10:44:00.000-08:00

This book has actually been out for some time, but I wanted to break up this streak of paranormal romances and urban fantasies.

Rule's Bride is the conclusion to the Bride's Trilogy by Kat Martin, historical romances, set in 19th century London, about three brothers and their bouts with love. Rule Dewar is the youngest brother, a confirmed rake who has never experienced love. Out of duty, he agrees to marry his American business partner's daughter in order to look after her. One problem -- Violet Griffin is only sixteen. They marry in name only, and Rule promises to return to America when Violet is older and ready to be his wife. Except, Rule isn't ready to be a husband, and he doesn't return for his bride as he said he would. Three years later, Violet has grown tired of waiting around for a husband who doesn't want her, so she takes matters into her own hands goes to him. But where Rule wants a reconciliation with his unexpectedly beautiful wife, Violet wants an annulment and a complete parting of ways.

Let me preface by saying I've haven't read the first two books of this series or anything else by Kat Martin. Perhaps if I had, I would have liked this book more, though I doubt it.

First and foremost, I did not like Rule. He started off as a self-centered asshat just out to get laid. As the story progressed, he turned into a moronic asshat just out to get laid that needed to grow up more than just a little. Every time he possibly redeemed himself, he then went and proved himself to be, yet again, self-centered, moronic, or both.

By comparison, Violet seems like a very likable and sensible character. But she up and decides she's in love with Rule because he looks good and has a moment of quasi-heroism. My estimation of her continued to decline each time her common sense was warped by hormones.

So, basically, these two deserve each other given how idiotic they both are. Their relationship, which seems to consist of sex and jealousy, hits an impasse, then they go whining about to someone else, said confidant tells them what to do, they go back to their shallow relationship, rinse and repeat. This is really a cautionary tale about two strangers jumping into a relationship together -- very vapid and aggravating. Plus the whole resolution to Rule's supposedly inability to love, and all because he didn't have a mommy . . . give me break. I don't want to toss out a spoiler, in case someone actually wants to read the book, or else I'd really rant about the ending.

Most everything else about the book wasn't enough to get me past the above gripes. Lots of -- too many -- minor characters that I didn't care about, which turned into so much clutter. A suspenseful plot that I couldn't pay attention to, annoyed as I was by the characters. In short, nothing much to recommend this.

But! I did enjoy the side story between Caroline, Violet's cousin, and Luke, Rule's buddy, quite a bit. Oh, how I wish the author had chucked Rule and Violet entirely and just written a book about Caroline and Luke. There was a true romance, there were well-rounded characters. I eventually gave up on Rule and mostly read their story. What a waste of potential.

Crave by J.R. Ward

2010-11-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

In J.R. Ward's Fallen Angels series, newly-made angel Jim Herron is caught in a dark competition against the forces of hell ... "seven souls at a crossroads with a choice that must be made." This time game has brought him to Isaac Rothe, a compatriot from Jim's old life with the covert and elite team of assassins, XOps. When Isaac goes AWOL he faces enemies at every turn, including unearthly demons. His only allies are Jim and Grier Childe, the public defender sworn to keep Isaac out of jail. While Grier fights for Isaac's freedom, Jim fights for his soul until these two battles collide.

I found this to be a big improvement from the first Fallen Angels book, Covet. The main characters were more interesting, the story was more lively, and now I can really see the potential of this series. Yes, it's different from Ward's very popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but there are still all the elements that one looks for from this author: a hunky, hyper-masculine hero with carefully buried threads of vulnerability; a strong, realistic heroine who goes after what she wants; sizzling sex appeal; a motley group of side characters; just enough violence to make things interesting; and a larger story arc that unfolds a little more with each book.

Now, I don't think this book can come completely out of the shadow of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but if you like edgy paranormal romance then you should give this series a try. Absolutely do read Covet first, though; Ward does a great job of refreshing readers' memories, but you'll be better off with some background knowledge.

Eternal Hunger: Mark of the Vampire by Laura Wright

2010-11-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't like this book, in particular, but I do think I might like this series, as a whole. To me, this book was an icebreaker, the introduction to a possibly interesting series.

The Mark of the Vampire series is built around three vampire brothers, rebels within their own society. Things kick off with the eldest of the three, Alexander Roman. Cursed by their father's legacy, the genetics of a breeder male, Alexander faces a transformation that turns a vampire's lust for blood -- and women -- into an uncontrollable fury. Enter Sara Donahue, a human woman who crosses his path just when he's the most dangerous. Sara wants nothing to do with vampires and this strange new world she's been thrust into, but Alexander just can't seem to let her go . . .

In its own right, this book was only passably entertaining. Unfortunately, I simply never grew interested in Alexander and his story; I was much more interested Lucian, Alexander's youngest brother, and a few other side characters -- whose own stories didn't start to develop until halfway through. Consequently, just as I was getting into things, it all was coming to a close.

There are a lot of lukewarm responses to this book, but fans of vampire romances should give it a try. Certainly don't let my criticisms steer you away. I did like the author's style of writing, and -- with the exception of Alexander -- the characters were all appealing. Also, major plus points for sex appeal. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 on steaminess. Eternal Hunger ended with a satisfying close to Alexander and Sara's story but left enough hanging to build momentum towards the next book. I think once this series gets into full swing, reception among readers may improve. Overall, this read like a cross between Larissa Ione's Demonica series and J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood . . . plenty of potential.

So despite my own tepid response to Eternal Hunger, I will keep an eye out for the rest of this series, even if only to read more about Lucian.

Infinite Days (Vampire Queen) by Rebecca Maizel

2010-11-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

I didn't like it. I might even go so far as to say I hated it. I gave it a fair chance, making it two-thirds of the way through the book despite my increasing disinterest, until I just couldn't take it anymore. It is, and I quote, a "dreadful book."

The general idea of the story -- an age-weary vampire queen returns to mortal life as a teenage girl -- is interesting and drew me into signing up for an ARC of this book. I was really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, after receiving it, I read the first few chapters and wasn't drawn in. Honestly, had this not been an LibraryThing Early Reviewers book, I would never have picked it back up.

Three things in particular put me off: the lackluster characters, the weak plot, and the tedious writing style. The main character, Lenah, was one of the greater disappointments. She didn't come together as a believable, likable character. Despite the first-person point of view, she was very distant and superficial as a protagonist -- contrived rather than compelling. And her behavior was much more like a vapid, hormonal teenager than the jaded, centuries-old former vampire queen she supposedly was.

The supporting characters were equally unbelievable. The love interest, Justin Enos, I completely didn't get. Other than an outgoing personality and nice looks, he never made much of an impression. Vicken and the other vampires were too melodramatic to bear, and Lenah's classmates were beneath notice. The only characters that held any interest for me were Rhode, who is only truly present for a few pages, and Tony, who is shuffled off out of sight for much of the story. Speaking of, the whole situation with Tony, Lenah, Justin, and Whatsherface was completely botched -- wrapped up into an ultra-convenient, utterly juvenile scenario. Not to mention, the complete nightmare of predictable social stereotypes and literary archetypes. Sadly, I can't say more without invoking spoilers.

As for the plot, I would call it nonexistent. There were two main threads going on: Lenah learning how to be a modern human, and Lenah hiding from her vampire coven. Thread One dominated in a very uneventful manner. Thread Two didn't kick in until the last third or so of the book, and I was long past bored by then. There was no real sense of urgency, no compulsion to keep turning pages.

And on to the writing style ... the entire time I was reading, I felt disconnected from the story. In some parts, it was maudlin and pseudo-profound. In others, superficial. It didn't gel into a cohesive flow of ideas and images. Partly due to disruptive elements that knocked me out of rhythm. For example, Lenah's perspective was of someone completely unfamiliar with the modern world; and yet, the author forgets this time and again, using words and definitions that Lenah shouldn't have known.

But what I really hated was how the whole thing was bogged down by Lenah's memories. It seemed she couldn't turn around and see a maple leaf without slipping into a soap opera-esque memory sequence/trance that completely slowed down the pace of the story. Pair that up with frequent flashback scenes and ... I shudder. Flashbacks -- a horrid and transparent convention that gives writers an easy way out of character development. And don't get me started on the phrase, "as a vampire" ... "As a vampire, I did this ... As a vampire, I used to think that ... As a vampire, I once ... " Gah. We get the point.

Shadow Keepers Series by J.K. Beck

2010-11-03T18:09:00.003-07:00

I have to say, I've always liked this author's work when writing as Julie Kenner, but this new series, Shadow Keepers, is easily better -- better characters, better writing, better stories. I hope this series goes far because it has a lot of wonderful potential.

In the first book, When Blood Calls, prosecuting attorney Sara Constantine is pulled into a world she never knew existed -- one full of vampires, werewolves, and demons. Her new job is to prosecute Lucius Dragos, a high-profile vampire and all-around badass. It's a case that could make her career, so long as the fiery attraction between them doesn't get out of control.

This is a great book -- it's sexy, funny, intriguing ... all in all, a joy to read. I loved Lucius Dragos, right off the bat. He's the perfect blend of bad boy and chivalrous hero. Sara Constantine, is no slouch, either. She comes across as a very strong yet believable character, and these two are well-suited to each other. All the side characters are equally interesting in their own rights, leaving you very intrigued about where this new series will go. As for the plot, it hits the ground running and doesn't let up for a single page.

When Pleasure Rules picks up the story with Vincent Rand, a werewolf hitman investigating a brewing war between werewolves and vampires. And keeping tabs on him is Lissa, a succubus with the power to steal men's secrets. Caught between two powerful factions, Lissa can't let her feelings for Rand overrule her judgment, but he just may be her only hope for survival.

I really loved When Blood Calls. I really liked When Pleasure Rules. No real love with the sequel, but it's still a good book in a good series. Lissa and Rand are both appealing and well-written, especially as a duo. There was plenty of chemistry, to keep things lively, and complexity, to keep things interesting. The story was also nicely paced from cover to cover, and I never grew bored. Best of all, just enough attention was given to the "supporting" characters, building anticipation for the next and future books of this series.

This is a fantastic new series. There's a nice balance of paranormal action and spicy romance, so you'll never get bored. I eagerly look forward to the next books from J.K. Beck.

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

2010-11-03T18:09:00.001-07:00

This is a fantastic book -- even better than Hunter's Rogue Mage series, if you're familiar with her previous work.

Jane Yellowrock stands apart from all others. With a mysterious background that even she can't fully remember, she struggles to discover who -- and what -- she really is. Because Jane has a secret that only her closest friends know . . . she is a skinwalker, a living legend who can take on animal forms. Putting her unique abilities to use, Jane hires herself out as a rogue vampire hunter. And, yes, she's very, very good. But Jane's newest case just may do her in because, this time, she's working for the enemy.

Full of action, Skinwalker keeps you revved up from cover to cover, and the writing is absolutely superb. Each scene comes across vividly in a way that transports you into the middle of the story. You'll have no problem envisioning this world or the people who fill it.

Speaking of, the characters are easily the best aspect of this book. From the main protagonist down to the supporting characters -- even the one's that don't live very long -- all are wonderfully developed and interesting, like mini stories within the story. Perhaps the most interesting character you'll encounter is Beast, Jane's feline alter ego. The intertwining of human and animal personalities is perfectly done, here, illustrating a dual-consciousness that sets the tone for every experience Jane has.

I had a lot of fun reading this book, obviously, especially since it offered up a bit of everything I could hope for in a novel: a sense of adventure, complex characters, a cleverly developed mythology, even some romantic suspense. And, of course, my personal weakness -- attractively arrogant vampires with violent tempers.

In the interest of a well-rounded review, I will admit that the first few chapters were slow to grab me, but at one point I was suddenly hooked and couldn't put the book down until I had read the very last word. I will definitely read this rest of this series.

Ecstasy in Darkness (Alien Huntress, Book 5) by Gena Showalter

2010-11-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

I consider Gena Showalter a must-read all around, but her Alien Huntress series is particularly worth reading. This latest book, Ecstasy in Darkness, picks up not long after Seduce the Darkness leaves off. This time we get the much-anticipated story of Victor McKell, the rough and ruthless vampire -- and former rival -- who gave Devyn such a delightfully difficult time in Seduce. If you haven't read the previous books in this series, you should definitely do so before reading Ecstasy. There's plenty going on here: renegade vampires, homicidal aliens bent on universal domination, and psychic visions that cause more problems than they solve.

I have to admit that Seduce remains my favorite Alien Huntress book, but that didn't keep me from enjoying every minute of this installment. McKell and Ava are a vastly entertaining couple, and there's plenty of appearances by old favorites like Mia Snow and Devyn Targon to keep old loves alive.

From cover to cover, this story keeps a good pace that never turns boring or pointless. There's a good balance between Ava and McKell's personal story and the larger AIR vs. aliens plot that drives the series. This particular book had more humorous bits than other Alien Huntress books, which I enjoyed -- especially a certain dog named Hellina (if you've read it, you know what I mean). Still, it maintains that kinda violent, sorta dark edge that sets this series apart from Showalter's other work.

In other words, another great book in a great series. Read more about this book and this author.

"Saxon Bride" by Tamara Leigh

2008-10-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've been in an historical romance mood of late, don't ask why. I've even broken out my old Julie Garwoods and Judith McNaughts and became all nostalgic for a time, in my greater youth, when historical romances were my bread and butter. Thus I picked up Saxon Bride on the merit of raving reviews. I found it good, if not great, and a bit more Iris Johansen than Julie Garwood.

Called the Bloodlust Warrior of Hastings, Maxen Pendery retreats to a monastery after the Normans conquer England, hoping a life of contemplation will wash the blood from his soul. But soon he is out to avenge his brother's murder, only to fall in love with a woman--who may turn out to be his brother's killer.

I think I would have liked this one a lot more had it not been for one distracting detail: the hero, fresh out of a monastery, spends a good chunk of the story with a tonsure. Talk about a mood killer. I just couldn't get over it, and I can't understand why the author kept bringing it up. Bald spots are just so not cool. The story, itself, was fairly entertaining, so I may check out some more of Leigh's work, provided there are no monasteries.

"My Wicked Enemy" by Carolyn Jewel

2008-09-28T16:21:00.001-07:00

Carson Philips is on the run from her guardian/employer, Alvaro Magellan... a dangerous man who is either a psychotic murderer or an evil mage out for power at any cost. Carson's only hope is the mysterious Nikodemus, who claims to be a demonic warlord and professed enemy of Magellan. But Nikodemus seems as likely to kill her as help her, and he's got some problems of his own to contend with -- starting with his undeniable yet forbidden attraction to Carson.

At first I loved this book. Then I didn't. And then I did, again. The story starts out strong, plunging right into the plot and quickly introducing the main players. About the middle, things slow down and get a little confusing, but the action picks back up and finishes satisfactorily. The plot is a little basic -- in truth there isn't a whole lot going on -- and some elements don't quite come together, so this definitely reads as the first book of a series; nevertheless, the entertainment value is moderate to high. The strength of this book really lies in it's intriguing set of characters. Fans of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood will love the cast of badasses found here, especially Xia, the biggest, baddest mother of the group. This is also a very sexy book, with the temperature ranging from sizzling to scorching all the way through. However, there's a blatant tone of kink here and there, so if you squick easily you'd probably be better off passing on this one. As for me, I will certainly pick up the sequel next summer, tentatively titled His Wicked Witch, which focuses on Xia.

"Storm Born" by Richelle Mead

2008-09-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Richelle Mead introduces her new Dark Swan series with this urban fantasy featuring Eugenie Markham -- just your average gun-toting, wand-wielding, spirit-banishing shaman for hire, until a new case brings her face to face with truths about herself that she may not want to learn. Suddenly she's the hottest item in the fairy world, and the attention just may get her killed.

I'd only read one other book by Richelle Mead before this, that being Succubus Blues. I liked, but didn't love, that book and back-burnered the Georgina Kincaid series while pursuing other authors of the genre. Storm Born, however, promised to be a stronger series from the start. Eugenie Markham is strong, interesting, and believable. Teamed up with a colorful assortment of characters, Eugenie takes the reader through moments of humor, fear, passion, and a good amount of ass-kicking. Imagine a cross between Merry Gentry and Rachel Morgan. What really pulled me in, though, was the dour, menacing side-character, Volusian. There's something about those "love to hate" relationships that I find... entertaining. Overall, I found this book had the urgency that was missing in Succubus Blues, and I move Richelle Mead up several notches on my list. I look forward to the release of book 2, Thorn Queen, in August 2009.

"Faefever" by Karen Marie Moning

2008-09-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Finally... the agonizing wait for Faefever is over and we now usher in the torturous downtime until Dreamfever. I trust everyone is back on schedule after having put their lives on hold while reading Fae. I swear, we should have been able to declare the 16th a national holiday. Well, if we start now we could have a movement going for next year. Who's with me? By the way, how do you know your man's a keeper? When he sees you ogling your Faefever Countdown widget with 10 hours, 42 minutes, and 15 seconds left to go and says, "do you want me to go to the bookstore while you're at work tomorrow?" Hoo-wee!

Now, let's get down to business. The book. Be warned: there will be spoilers.

I gotta say, to start off, that reading the first three chapters in advance muted some of my excitement over this book. About 20-30 % me would go back in time and change that decision. I think because I ended Bloodfever feeling like anything could and would happen in book 3, but with the sneak previews of Faefever I had too much time to form expectations about the rest of the book. I come away from Fae feeling like I didn't get what I wanted. Somewhat. Because -- let's be frank -- this series is fricking awesome. I'm always happy to read what KMM has to offer. So let's just move on to the funner parts.

V'lane... honestly I found him boring until now. His predictability was quite underwhelming when placed next to the ever-mysterious Barrons. Now V'lane has substance, and I like a man with substance. I loved the whole scene at the abbey and other side-seers, with him and Mac meeting in that gray area of compromise more and more. It adds to one of my favorite themes of the series: the complexity and complicity of Mac.

As for Mac and her complexity, can we say, "mental breakdown"? I mean, holy shit. I can't say I was shocked or surprised by where the story ended, but I'm deeply impressed by KMM's balls. I can't think of many authors who would go down that path. I felt myself going psychotic just reading this book. It was great. Only Lilith Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series has ever had the same hold over me, pulling me into the ever-darkening, ever-fracturing psyche of the main character. Why, it gives me chills. I'm on edge, waiting to see where Mac goes from here. Usually when I get all excited over a series, it's due to an intriguing male character and the romantic/sexual tension between couples. Mac, however, is fascinating in her own right. Thank Odin that KMM chose a first-person perspective for these books. I can't imagine the series would be half as delightful otherwise. Barrons actually took a backseat in my interest during this run (facilitated by his absence from much of the plot). And I can live with that, surprisingly.

BUT!...
Who else is peeved that we didn't get to see the MacKeltars? I can't believe they still haven't made a real entrance. Christian is cool, certainly more interesting than any of the modern-day MacKeltars have been 'til now, but I'm dying to see how Daegus interacts with Barrons. And wouldn't you love to know what Adam would have to say about this whole situation? Here's hoping we'll see him and Gabrielle again in the future. And I miss the silent conversations between Barrons and Mac. Those were excellent, not to mention hot.

I'm forcing myself to stop here, as I could write about this book/series all day and never run out of comments.

"Cry Wolf" by Patricia Briggs

2008-08-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

I obviously love paranormal fiction, but I've never been much a fan of werewolves. Unlike vampires, witches, and demons, werewolves always seemed a little dull and distasteful to me. That's why, I suppose, I'm pleased by how much I like Briggs' Mercedes Thompson series. Her way of writing werewolves is much more interesting to me than that of, say, Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K. Hamilton, or Keri Arthur.

Now here's Cry Wolf, a novel exclusively about the Aspen Creek pack introduced in the first Mercy book, Moon Called. Since I originally found Charles to be very intriguing -- more so than his brother, Samuel, or father, Bran -- I was excited to read a book with him in the spotlight. I haven't, sadly, read yet the story "Alpha and Omega," from the anthology On the Prowl, which begins Charles and Anna's story. Still, I was able to pick up the plot and found Cry Wolf an entertaining book. Maybe not as gripping as the Mercy books, but it certainly stands up on its own. As ever, Briggs' writing is excellent, her characters full of life, and her plot well-constructed and not hostage to the romance between main characters. I may not be a werewolf convert, but I'm definitely sold on the Alpha and Omega series.

"Strangers in Death" by J.D. Robb

2008-08-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Speaking of series that go on too long...

Strangers in Death is the latest in a long line of Eve Dallas books. I was fanatically devoted to this series until a few years ago; as a matter of fact, even when I lost all enthusiasm for Nora Roberts' formulaic trilogies and re-issued oldies, I still had the In Death books on my autobuy list. Then Roberts aka Robb dropped the ball entirely and staleness crept in. Instead of "autobuy" it became "when I can't find anything else to read." I mean, really, after 26 full-length novels and a handful of novellas something's gotta give . . . especially considering the series has only covered, what? Two or three years? Worst of all, this series really shouldn't have declined. Roberts is an extremely talented writer (cookie-cutter trilogies, about Irish sisters who've been separated at birth but reunited in their adulthood by their latent magical powers, aside) and Eve and Roarke are exceptional characters. These books should be golden, each and every one. So what went wrong?

In my opinion, Roberts got lazy and complacent. Eve continued to do her thing, Roarke popped in every other chapter. Meanwhile, all other characters -- like Peabody, Feeney, and the rest -- went largely neglected, developing dull coatings of blah. I.e. I got bored. Therefore, I'm happy to report that, of late, Roberts/Robb has refocused her game and started paying more attention to the development of those other than Eve or Roarke: Peabody becomes a detective, Nadine gets her own show, Mavis and Leonardo have a baby, Charles and Louis get some significant airtime, Feeney and Mira have homelives, Baxter and Trueheart have actual roles in the plot. Thank mighty Odin, right? I mean, why create all these characters if she's not going to use 'em?

Strangers was a good read, bringing new interest and freshness to the series. For the first time in years, I'm looking forward to the next book. I'm no longer willing to pay full-price for the hardcovers, nor will I return to Roberts' other books, but I'll continue to keep my eye on Eve.

And the Wheel Keeps Turning

2008-08-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

I began reading Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series on the recommendation on some fool I knew in high school named Greg. That definitely explains some things now that I'm remembering that. I certainly wasn't blown away by the brilliance of the books like he was, but, at the time, I was interested in some of the characters and wanted to see where things would go. So I kept reading. And reading. And reading. I went through the books quickly because I skipped all the boring parts, of which I found many. Still, I wanted to see where things would go. But they never went. Finally, the characters became far too irritating for me to ignore, and I abandoned the series with a giant sigh of relief. Since, I've had to fend off a number of people wanted to recommend books to me, all starting with, "have you read the Wheel of Time series?"

Now, years later, I see that Hollywood still can't come up with decent screenplays of its own and must adapt another popular book series for a hopeful blockbuster. Yes, that's right, Universal has bought film rights to Jordan's books. I just can't get away from this, can I? You might ask, "but how will they make a movie out of it if Jordan died before the series was finished?" Well, some dude named Brandon Sanderson is going to write the twelfth book, A Memory of Light, using the notes Jordan left behind. So, now, when people ask me about all the movies I haven't seen, I'll hear...

"Selene" by Lilith Saintcrow

2008-08-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

If you've read Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series then you may recall Nikolai and Selene, the Nichtvren couple who run Saint City. Or you may have been introduced to these two in "Brother's Keeper" from the anthology Hotter Than Hell, which serves as a prequel to Selene. I was always hoping Saintcrow would write more about these two -- there's something intriguing about Nikolai's single-minding adoration of his consort -- and now my wish has been granted. And as icing on the cake, it's free. Saintcrow will be posting this novel as an online serial in blog format. The prologue and first chapter are available now, with chapter updates coming every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Even if you haven't read the Danny Valentine books, there's no reason to not check out Selene. I mean, it's free... who doesn't love a free book?

"Acheron" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2008-08-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

So, at last, it's here -- the book many of us have waited years to read. Even those of us who have lost interest in the Dark-Hunters (I admit, I did) have trouble resisting this epic installment. I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall I give it a thumbs up and shall discuss that at the end of this review, but I have my complaints. Like all books burdened by high expectations, Acheron disappointed on a number of levels even though it kept me enthralled. Now, because of the high profile of this book I have more to say than usual, and there will be spoilers in this review, so please be warned.

Level One: Lost in Time. I'm not alone in saying the first part of the novel consumed too much of the overall book length. While crucial to the foundation of Ash's character, the first part (Ash's human life in 9000+ B.C.) became redundant after several hundred pages, and I was impatiently waiting to discover where it all was going. The present-day story was more interesting, to me, but sadly abbreviated. I mean, let's face it -- when setting out to read a book all about Acheron, what we're all really interested in is his love life. We want to see She Who Will Be His Honey. But as page 370 of 722 passes by we're still in B.C. land and there's the growing fear that the great love story will be a footnote in history.

Level Two: Beating a Dead Horse. In relation to Level One, Ash's abuse was drawn out just too far. At first, my heart broke and my eyes teared. I was completely involved. Then desensitization kicked in. The situation became unrealistic, with me thinking, "shouldn't he have seriously cracked already? How much more is she gonna put him through? Was this really necessary?" I appreciated the shift from subdued Ash to angry Ash, but with everything Kenyon was throwing at him, he should have been a complete nutcase, like Zarek on crack withdrawal.

Level Three: Respect the Narrative Flow. I was hoping to see snippets of Ash's life throughout the centuries, especially once I got the vibe of his trauma. It would have been a good way to see his adjustment and coping skills at work. Instead, the story jumps to present-day, suspiciously functional Ash. With an interlude -- still in the stone age -- that most if not all of us have probably already read three or more times and therefore resent the waste of prime real estate. Where's the transition?

Level Four: Assumed Awesomeness. Let me preface by stating, I love Tory; in fact, I think she's a fabulous character. I liked her immediately in Dream-Hunter and looked forward to the possibility that she'd be Ash's heroine, even though la mia amica E originally called that one. So, I like her, I just don't like how she was presented. There was so little foundation laid for her character, so little development. With Ash being the shiznet of Dark-Hunter heroes, it's reasonable that his lady love needs to be the shiznet of heroines. But Kenyon seriously underplayed her. If she had shaved off a hundred or so pages of Ash's abuse in trade for some added time with Tory I would have been much happier. I do give Kenyon her dues in writing a smart, funny, and admirable character; indeed, I'm saying Tory was so likable that I wanted more of her.

Level Five: Show and Tell. I suppose all my complaints can be generalized into what I like to call the Show & Tell Problem. Kenyon told when I wanted her to show. She told us about Ash's past more than she showed the impact of those events. Told us Tory was an incredible person instead of showing us how she won Ash's trust and love. For a comparison, read my ever favorite Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. Specifically the character Daemon for this purpose, although I'll come up with any excuse to talk about Daemon. Like Acheron, Daemon was violently and sexually tortured, used as a sex slave since his childhood, yet he maintains a core of decency and hope. What Anne Bishop does so brilliantly with Daemon is she conveys his pain, rage, fear, shame, bitterness, and hate without overplaying her hand and bathing the pages in his misery. As a result, I'll reread her books tirelessly, picking up all the nuances of what is shown but not described. A little more subtlety, some craftiness, would have tempered all those raw emotions and extreme situations Kenyon gave us into a complex sort of story that spurs me into multiple rereads. As it is, I feel like all the cards are on the table and I needn't revisit this book for a long time.

Now that I've probably convinced you that I hated this book, I really didn't. For two days my nose was lost in its pages with fixed attention, and I'll rate the reading experience right up there with Deathly Hallows. I suppose some disappointment was fated, considering how long we've waited and how high expectations were. Simply because it's Ash, though, this book was worth reading. And the sheer coolness factor that is Tory, the emotional roller coaster created, the answers to long-asked questions... this book is a need-to-read among fantasy/paranormal romance readers. Best of all was finally having complete insight into Ash's relationship with Artemis. If anything justifies the heavy B.C. concentration, it's that. Artemis is given depth beyond heifer goddessness, having the paradoxic result of making her seem less and yet more of a bitch that she did in prior books.

So, I summarize and say, "I enjoyed it." If you haven't read it, give it a go.

"The Iron Hunt" by Marjorie M. Liu

2008-08-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Maxine Kiss is the last in a long line of fighters, the Hunters who protect humans from demonkind. From mother to daughter they pass on a secret weapon -- living tattoos that transform into a personal guard of demons. With their help, she must stand before a threat that could destroy the world.

At first, I wasn't into this book. I appreciated the originality of Liu's ideas and the gritty elegance of her writing, but the story itself seemed slow. About halfway through, though, things picked up and I was thoroughly hooked. The originality that, just prior, was simply interesting became brilliant. I was fairly confused while reading, even after some things were "explained," yet that only spurs me to keep up with this series. I guess I should also check out the novella Hunter Kiss, which begins the series.

"Bloodring" by Faith Hunter

2008-08-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

In a post-apocalyptic world, mages are registered and separated from society in gilded cages of servitude and regulations. Thorn St. Croix, however, is on her own and living in hiding within a small mountain town. Until the disappearance of her ex-husband draws unwanted attention her way. Faith Hunter's world is a freshly unique one -- life after Revelations, where technology is on the fritz, humanity has been culled, and angels rule the world. Navigating this world can be confusing as Hunter tries to provide history and backstory without slowing down the plot. The effort is worthwhile, though, for an unusual sotry that blends desolation with innovation. And while the religious tones were a little heavy for a heathen like me, there's always something exciting and fearsome about angels -- especially hunky ones -- and I was pulled right in. I have every intention of picking up the rest of this series in the near future.

"Nightfall" by Anne Stuart

2008-08-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

I didn't enjoy this book so much as I was captivated by it. With Nightfall Stuart writes a very dark, angsty story -- like a train wreck you can't look away from. Cassidy Roarke, daughter of a famous if controversial writer, Sean O'Rourke. Sean wants to write a book about Richard Tiernan, a man convicted of murdering his family. Richard has his own reasons for agreeing to work with Sean, reasons that have everything to do with Cassie and the truth about what really happened to his family. Richard Tiernan is a complex and interesting character who provides the majority of substance for this novel. Cassidy Roarke, not so much. Her role in the plot is mostly reactionary, as she is manipulated and led around by everyone around her. She runs on shear nerves most of the novel, and I do appreciate the dramatic quality of that, but she was like a tennis ball getting smacked around by various people and, at times, all I wanted was for it to end. Which, I'm sure, was largely the author's intent. I think the plan backfired, though, making Cassie a less-appealing heroine and imbedding a sort of redundancy into the story. So, although I couldn't put this book down, I was relieved when it was done.

"The Becoming" by Jeanne C. Stein

2008-08-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another of those books I've been putting off forever, only to find I should have left it on the shelf. The Becoming was summarily unappealing. The biggest shortcoming was the flatness of characters. Some lacked that spark which makes characters interesting; some were downright unlikable. I think it was the author's failure to create compelling characters that produced such a lack of urgency, as with poor acting in low-budget films. And so I was bored and didn't care what happened in the book. Sadly, this book commits a few other sins. I mentioned the unlikable characters -- chief among these were the main protagonist and her male counterpart/villain. (That was a bit of a spoiler... oops.) Anna Strong, in an attempt to come off as a tough girl, is simply shallow and irritating. There's a love triangle that makes all involved seem like wastes of time. And -- most irksome of all -- a majority of the dialogue takes place through italicized telepathy, which became old after just a few pages. I would call this book a complete flop because I was more bored after half-reading it than I was before.

"Up Close and Dangerous" by Linda Howard

2008-08-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

Howard's books had declined of late, but this novel from last year brings back what I've always enjoyed about her books: tough characters, sexual tension, and a bit of action. Up Close is no spy thriller, but all the excitement comes from the "man against nature" scenario of two people surviving a plane crash in the wintry wilderness. It's a realistic plot with no wimps in sight. Not only was this book fun to read, it restored my faith in an old favorite.

"First You Run" by Roxanne St. Claire

2008-08-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

Mild. Lukewarm. Slow. In other words, this book didn't light any fires for me. Adrien Fletcher wasn't that exciting, Miranda Lang wasn't exciting at all. As for the plot -- meh. I enjoyed the Maya angle, but I had a difficult time getting through this one and have no intention of reading any more works from this author.

"Moonrise" by Anne Stuart

2008-08-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Another plus for one of my favorites. Stuart is a master at putting her leading ladies through emotional wringers, and this book poses no exception. Annie Sutherland is less-impressive than some of her other heroines, but she's likable and no push-over... a necessary trait, considering CIA assassin James McKinley is quite ruthless and dispassionate. Overall, a well developed plot worth reading.

"When Demons Walk" by Patricia Briggs

2008-08-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

When Demons Walk was the first of Patricia Briggs' books I had ever read, and it instantly hooked me on the author. I've since reread it several times, and it has yet to get old for me. Like Briggs' other works, this book has a little bit of everything going for it: great chemistry between characters Sham and Kerim, plenty of magic, a little mystery, even a few chuckle-worthy moments. I also think this is a good book for introducing people to the fantasy genre, as it keeps one big toe a modern, realistic atmosphere.

"Someone Like Him" by Karen Kendall

2008-08-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a delightful love story -- plenty of humor balanced out by romance and humanity, perfect for when you need some light-hearted entertainment. Karen Kendall is swiftly becoming a new favorite of mine because the dynamics between her characters are so much fun. And the satanic roommate is hilarious.

"Swordmage: Blade of the Moonsea" by Richard Baker

2008-08-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

As a Drizzt lover, I thought this book would be right up my alley, and perhaps it would be. I'm saddened to say I couldn't finish it. I found the style of writing too forced for me to get into the story. I'm not a minimalist by any means, but I felt the author simply said to much, falling into that precarious trap of telling rather than showing. With too much description and internal dialogue, there's no work for me, as the reader, to do. Which is boring.

"Extreme Danger" by Shannon McKenna

2008-08-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Having recently gone through a romantic suspense phase, I tried out a bunch of authors for the first time, including Shannon McKenna. Many of these authors failed to impressed, but I was happy with McKenna. Extreme Danger is an exciting and sexy book, one that surpassed my tepid expectations. I thought it would be all about the smut -- and there was some serious sexual tension -- but the tense, nervous plot takes over right away. The female lead, Becca Cattrell, is an awesome character... a compelling mixure of raw strength and vulnerability. The male lead, Nick Ward, is interesting but this is really Becca's story, her survival, with Nick spicing things up.

In Sickness and in Health

2008-08-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

News from the Nerd... the blog's been a little sluggish, for sure. Sadly, I've been suffering one form of sickness or another for the last month. July has not been fun, shall we say. But between bouts of vomiting, fevers, fainting, and prescription drugs, I have managed to polish off quite a few novels. Someday I'll even write about it. The books, not the vomiting. Though if you're that curious, I'm sure something will pop up on my livejournal. Be warned, chances of self-pity: high.

"The Mercenary" by Cherry Adair

2008-07-10T13:10:00.001-07:00

Good -- not great, but there are a few books I consider great, so "good" is a decent recommendation. The Mercenary is an older book, revamped by Adair, featuring the founding character of her T-FLAC Series. What makes it good? Good writing, good plot, good sex appeal. Here's the bad news -- I didn't quite buy the romance. Victoria is an excellent character, fully-fleshed, and I totally get Marc's attraction to her. I could "see" him falling in lust and then love with her. But things on her end... not so much. I see the falling in lust, but not love. Maybe I just didn't like him. Sure he was manly and all, but his issues and crankiness didn't leave much room for love -- when he wasn't being a heckling jerk, that is. He was nicest to her whenever she was asleep or otherwise out of it. Shall we say, the only chance she had with him was when she was unconscious.

"Dangerous Lover" by Lisa Marie Rice

2008-07-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

In general, this is an entertaining book. Rather on the serious side, but super-sexy. The hero of the fic, Jack Prescott, is a delicious character -- capable, mysterious, dangerous. His heroine, Caroline Lake, isn't shabby, either; she's a realistic, well-developed character that garners just as much attention as her hunky counterpart. The downfall of this book is, sadly, the plot. Although an excellent premise, there's plenty of build-up and little follow through. The story is mostly character-driven, anyway, but the potential of the story is greater than the actuality. The climax is unsatisfying (pun intended) and I continue to think that Rice could have given more than she did considering the foundation she laid in earlier chapters. However, what the book lost in plot in gained in sex appeal. This one's a sizzler, for sure. Even if the author was uncommonly preoccupied with Jack's dick. Surprisingly, despite the dwindled plot I was most bugged by the fumbled editing. After a major gaff in the beginning I noticed other narrative gaps that should have been picked up and smoothed out. They don't make the book less readable, but they do detract from the polish of a final product.

"Embrace the Night" by Karen Chance

2008-07-02T14:43:00.001-07:00

I put off reading this book because I didn't remember much of the first two installments of the Cassandra Palmer Series, and I didn't have time to reread them. The only thing I could remember was Mircea and losing interest in his character during the second book. I had completely forgotten about John Pritkin. Now there's a character I can get into. Whereas Mircea is flat, kind of obnoxious, and rather boring, Pritkin has some actual development. He's also a sexy, asskicking ubermage. How cool is that? I'm also tickled by the pockets of humor throughout Chance's writing. I remember, now, why I was so excited over this series. Hope Book 4, Curse the Dawn, which comes out April 2009 continues to deliver the goods. Oh, and check out the graphic version of chapter one from EtN. It's good for a smile.

"Fire and Ice" by Anne Stuart

2008-07-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

As for this installment in the Ice Series, I'm more pleased than I was with Ice Storm though I do have some complaints here, as well. My biggest problem is that Jilly doesn't come across like the wunderkind genius she's supposed to be, especially considering we get her perspective and thoughts for half of the story. Aside from her language skills, there's nothing to indicate her advanced intelligence. Stuart was more successful at this in Ice Blue, showing Jilly's mental fortitude during her captivity. I guess I'm comparing with Karen Marie Moning's supersmart characters, who maintain a brainiac theme to their perspectives even if they're not spouting off cosmological formulas.

Still, I liked this book, especially how Stuart works in Japanese culture -- just enough to put you in mind of watching anime and eating terriyaki chicken with chopsticks, not so much that it reads like a tour guide. I also love Reno's character and the return of Taka, whose story was the first of the series that I read.

"Ice Storm" by Anne Stuart

2008-07-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

I will confess, this has been my least-favorite book of the Ice Series, though I did enjoy it in a general sense. I found a certain incongruity towards the end with Isobel's character. I realize the novel built up her vulnerability and departure from Ice Queen-hood, but still... there were moments when she acted less like a trained professional in charge of a covert operation and more like an emotionally frustrated twenty-something. It was just too much of a personality jump for me. What bothered me the most about this novel, though, was Killian. He's an interesting, aggravating character, but he felt less developed than, say, Bastien or Taka. He never really came together for me. The backstory was the most interesting part, with everything else coming across as filler material. Which is a shame because I love Anne Stuart's work.

"The Undead Next Door" by Kerrelyn Sparks

2008-05-25T18:43:00.003-07:00

In a word: fun. There's witty dialogue, good chemistry between characters, and enough wackiness to keep things lively. The book is about Heather, a single mother full of stifled dreams, and Jean, a vampire fashion designer who must hide his true nature from the world. Circumstances and an old enemy bring these two together, and they must contend with both extraordinary events and mundane life. Sparks creates a nicely superpowered breed of vampire, though her vamps are not too distinct from other authors' versions. Where Sparks stands out from her brethren is in how she successfully portrays supernatural beings' struggles with everyday living. However, the larger plot was dissatisfying and took a backseat to the smaller events leading up to the climax. As for the climax, itself, it was, well... anticlimactic. Towards the end of the book the pace picks up suddenly, even jarringly. There are a few pages of crisis, then -- poof! -- bad guy defeated. And I felt that, in switching between Heather and Jean's perspectives, there were some gaps in the narrative flow. Nevertheless, this was an entertaining book with a Lynsay Sands-esque flair.

"One Foot in the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

2008-05-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

Another exciting book from the Night Huntress series. I'm pleased to report that, after all the anticipation, this sequel to Halfway to the Grave was everything I hoped it would be. Cat kicks some serious ass, her FBI connections give us some interesting side characters, and Bones is more sexy and ruthless than before. I must say, I really like Frost's writing. I zipped through OFG in less than a day without ever becoming bored; the pace was perfect and the language engaging... even fresh. After so many vampire stories read, that's high praise, indeed. I just have to say, though...

[SPOILER ALERT!]

...Bones can fly? Come on... was it necessary to go that direction? I'm still trying to get over the unfortunate name choice, and now the guy is swooshing around like a b-rate Dracula? I obviously didn't care for it. Mencheres definitely got the cooler power set. And I still don't believe Frost when she claims Bones wasn't inspired by Spike. He even gets the leather coat for crying out loud. And don't get me started on the cheap-ass glue job on the cover.

What a Lovely Way to Burn

2008-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

The months until the release of Faefever, book 3 of Karen Marie Moning's "Fever Series" are slowly trickling by. Agonizingly. Depressingly. Torturously. Is that a word? BUT! KMM understands our pain and sees fit to give us teasers now and then. The latest teaser is available on her most recent newsletter... and, yes, we get some Barrons action. Do go read it right away, it'll make you happy. And if you missed the previous teaser, you can find it in my earlier post "Mac Vs. the Shades."

Something else that will make you happy: there's talk about a movie! The NY Times announced that 20th Century Fox has optioned for a Fever film. Is that not wonderful? Though I can't imagine what overestimated, Byronic actor they'd get to play Barrons.

"My Antonia" by Willa Cather

2008-04-27T20:52:00.001-07:00

Another item from the long list of assigned reading, My Antonia is text #2 from my Literature of the Wild West class. Thus far, we've had plenty of the west and very little of the wild. I won't deny that Cather is a very skilled writer. Her prose is nothing short of textual beauty at times. However... I'm more than halfway through the novel and I'm still waiting for something to happen. Even Dickens isn't this slow. Coming off of Ramona, it feels like I've been slogging through Antonia for an eternity, wallowing in a morass of overestimated, canonical literature.

"Magic Burns" by Ilona Andrews

2008-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Magic Burns is the 2nd book in Andrews' Kate Daniels series. The first book, Magic Bites, rocked my world this past summer, and I encourage everyone to run out and buy both books and read them right away.

The first book introduces an edgy world where magic seems to have a mind of its own. This world is filled with weres, vampires, knights, witches... all in a gritty urban setting. Kate Daniels is a mercenary packing a lot of steel and magic, kicking asses, taking names, and fending off would-be suitors. Book two keeps up the pace, bringing some Celtic deities, sex-crazed werehyenas, and a smart-mouthed orphan into the mix. I can't wait to see what book three, Midnight Games, will offer. The world is fascinated, the characters are entertaining, and the writing is pure art. It's so exciting to find a new author/series this good.

At last, there's a new series to fill the void left by earlier Anita Blake books.

"Shades of Twilight" by Linda Howard

2008-04-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

An oldy but goody. I picked this up off the shelf last night because I wanted to read something a little dramatic yet romantic, and no matter how many times I read this book it always makes me want to cry. In a good way, not an "omigod this book is so horrible I want to cry" way. True, I've wandered away from reading Howard's newer stuff, but I still enjoy her older works just as much as ever. If you've never read Linda Howard -- which is unlikely of anyone with access to my library -- than Shades of Twilight is a good place to start. To everyone else, why not have a nostalgic moment and give this one another go.

Buffy's Bold Adventure

2008-04-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

You may know already that, although Buffy the show is forever and all time cancelled, Season 8 carries on in comic form. Thus far, I've only purchased one issue. Basically I scan each new issue in the store, comes to the sad conclusion that Spike is still a no-show, then convince myself to buy it at some ever-vague "other time."

This method of mine means I'm up to speed on events but couldn't really tell you what's going on. If you're interested... Dawn is a giant for some reason, Buffy has dopplegangers, Giles thinks Faith is pretty, a Japanese goth shape-changing vampire gang steals the scythe, Xander pays a visit to Dracula... oh, and, Buffy has lesbian sex with an Asian slayer who loves her.

Yeah, that's what I said.

The Very Graphic Gerald

2008-04-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you I've infected with my love of Gerald Tarrant, guess what! Dabel Brothers is going to put out a graphic novel of the Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman. Squee! I know some people roll their eyes at the surge of graphic novels, but we old-schoolers who read the real thing -- comic books -- couldn't be happier. My two literary loves, comics and novels, have been successfully merged. Maybe I should have kept up with my comic drawings. Oh, well. Life is grand.

"Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson

2008-04-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

I was assigned to read this for my American Lit class. The class is structured around the topic of the Wild West, and Westerns apparently developed as a response to something called domestic fiction. What is domestic fiction, you might ask. Well, imagine a bunch of self-righteous middle class women seeking to reform society through tales of disadvantaged young heroines who triumph over adversity through virtue, piety, and kindness. Are you nauseous yet? Now add some saccharine-sweet sentimentality, intended to manipulate your interpretation of the book through an abundance of emotion, and you have domestic fiction. Ready to heave now? Because you're sure to be heaving after trudging your way through Ramona, hopefully my last foray into domestic fiction. I understand now, more than ever, why Virginia Woolf felt it necessary to kill off the Angel in the House. What's the story about? Do you really care? Run away, far away. Go read something violent.

"Servant: the Awakening" by L.L. Foster

2008-04-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

This book launches a new series for L.L. Foster, also known as Lori Foster, romance writer. I was quite intrigued when buying the book, but I found the reality to have fallen short of the expectations. I had not read any of her books, but I recognized her name and was hopeful. Though I can't give any concrete criticisms, I'm sorry to report that this book failed to pull me in. Perhaps it was the protagonist, Gabrielle Cody, that I didn't care for. An orphan able to see the demons walking among us, Gaby is God's warrior against evil. Part ingenue, part Amazon, Gaby is a mass of contradictions that drives Detective Luther Cross crazy with frustrated desire. To me, though, she's mostly a ragamuffin with an attitude. And I like attitude, don't get me wrong, but something was lacking from this story, something that will keep me from picking up the sequel, Servant: the Acceptance (released this September). In the end, all I've really got to say is, "meh."

Plum Update

2008-02-29T21:56:00.000-08:00

The first part of the first chapter of Janet Evanovich's Fearless Fourteen is available on evanovich.com. Not much to it, i.e. no Ranger, though it opens with one of Steph's humorous captures gone wrong. The second excerpt will be up on April 1 and the book is still slated for release mid-June.

"The Waves" by Virginia Woolf

2008-02-27T22:18:00.000-08:00

Slap me sideways and call me Fanny. Virginia Woolf actually wrote something that didn't make me want to lobotamize myself with silverware. Not that this was, by any means, a treat to read. It was, though, interesting -- an interesting can exist along a whole spectrum of good to bad. What I'll say about this book is that it revolutionizes narrative form, written entirely from the stream-of-consciousness perspectives of six different characters. Confusing, certainly. Easily read, certainly not. Worth reading? I would say that if you had to read some of Woolf's fiction for some unstated yet dire reason, this would be likely choice.

"A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf

2008-02-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

Now, I've been saying for months that Woolf's essays and criticisms would probably be brilliant whereas her fiction is numbing. After reading "A Room of One's Own" I realize the truth in that statement. It figured, of course. As well-read and prolific a writer as Woolf had to have produced something worthwhile. And we all know I don't buy into a lot of feminist thought -- and, no, I haven't drunk the Kool-Aid -- but for anyone interested in female writers (or any profession, really) and what it takes to surpass Good Ol' Boy Systems, this is a good pick.

"If Angels Burn" by Lynn Viehl

2008-02-22T22:27:00.000-08:00

I do so love it when I get book recs from people (whose reading tastes I actually respect, that is). Credit goes out to E, who passed this series along to me. More vampires, 'cause you know how I like 'em. Thankfully, not a frilly, laced-necked poet's shirt was found among them. The story opens with Alexandra Keller, plastic surgeon extraordinaire. She's being pursued by a mysterious millionaire, one Michael Cyprien, to perform an undisclosed operation. The catch? He refuses to leave his home in New Orleans, offers a suspicious payment of $4 million, and won't take "no" for an answer. We can see where this is going, I'm sure.

What follows is an intriguing story as Alex is pulled, kicking and screaming death threats, into the vampiric underworld. And you'd like Alex -- I know I did. So hostile, so violent. Her compulsive urge to hurt people was vastly entertaining, let me tell you. They all deserved it, though, don't worry. I also enjoyed Viehl's take on the paranormal classic. Her vampires aren't completely innovative but have some distinctive characteristics, some more original than others. I was warned about the scent thing, true, but for the life of me can't figure why one would make their main dude smell like roses. Not pine needles, or juniper, or even lilies. Demons, thankfully, seem to universally smell of amber and spices. Point for them.

My complaints: I was not convinced by the chemistry (or love, for that matter) between Alex and Michael. Nor did I find Cyprien to be particularly appealing. When he wasn't being an anacronistic blockhead, he sulked around feeling good about how patient and understanding he was being. Shyeah. Alex should have totally slapped him around more. And Phillipe should have given Cyprien a run for his money. Not surprising but I liked him and Lucan better than Cyprien. Thankfully, I've got Dark Need right here waiting to be read.

Mac Vs. the Shades

2008-02-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

Karen Marie Moning has put up a cute little video game on the Sidhe-Seer, Inc. site. It's very simple but good for a few giggles. Kinda tricky with a touchpad, though -- I couldn't get higher than 2,050 points. And if you haven't already checked out the "Little Lamb" song, it's a hoot. Like Green Jelly meets Joss Whedon... It's a baaad night... to be a little lamb... Best of all, Moning's February newsletter comes with a teasing appetizer of an excerpt. Go read that then come back, I'll wait.

Okay, read it? Whatcha think? I'm guessing Mac finds Alina's journal and this is her talking about Darroc. And did you see that the next two books are titled Dreamfever and Shadowfever? Ooh, this is all so exciting, only seven months left... sigh. Okay, I can't even pretend that isn't a forever and a half to wait.

Only 8 Days to Go!

2008-02-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

"The Outlaw Demon Wails" from Kim Harrison's Hallows series comes out February 26th. A sneak preview is available, more of a tease than anything but worth checking out. This one is the complete first chapter, whereas the excerpt available on Harrison's site only gives a part of it. I think I'll have to reread "For a Few Demons More" since it feels like we've waiting forever for this next book. Hope there'll be plenty of Trent, though Harrison has pretty much denied any possibility of him and Rachel hooking up. Ah, well...

"Jacob" by Jacquelyn Frank

2008-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

I finally read it, this book that has been loitering around my home for months. Am I glad that I did? Well, sort of. The concept for the series, "The Nightwalkers," is interesting. Demons with elemental powers who are really a seperate species -- like vamps, lycanthropes, and other spookies in the underworld. In this first book we meet Jacob, the enforcer of Demon laws. Jacob has done the forbidden, involved himself with a human, Isabella Russ. But there's more to Isabella than even she knows, especially her role in the Demons' war against necromancers.

Like I said, Frank presents an interesting concept and I enjoyed the story. I had a consistent problem with the actual writing, though. In general it's just too poetic. As in good poetry -- her descriptions of the characters feelings is often beautiful and vivid and she sure knows how to pick her verbs. But in several instances the price for beauty was urgency, and a 7% tax of cheesiness. Also, there were holes in the story, which I see as Frank taking the easy way out in her writing. Her transitions between scenes basically suck. Three days go by all of a sudden with only disjointed comments to fill in the blanks, nothing so orienting as "Isabella sighed and looked around the dusty archive where she'd spent most of the last few days, though Noah had set her up in one of the guestrooms." Frank seems to forget she's got an audience. And [spoiler alert] the whole set-up with Bella's sister, Corrine, was poorly done. Summary: they find out Bella's a Druid, never stop the realize her relatives are most likely Druids as well, and stumble across Bella's sister near the end of the book and everyone's frantic to bring Corrine into the fold. Bella's all, "oh, I can't believe I never thought about it, and me supposedly the really smart Druid." And Jacob's all, "oh, I can't believe it never occurred to me either." Rinse and repeat for several characters. Which leads me to say, "I can't believe it, either. And since even your characters can't understand this breach in logic, clearly you need to go back and rework the story."

So now I'm left with a problem: I like this series, I just don't like the way it's written. There are three books out currently, with two more released this summer. I'm very tempted to read the second book, despite my misgivings, because Gideon is an interesting character and his and Magdalena's relationship has that love-hate thing going on, which is always a party. What to do, what to do.

"She" by H. Rider Hagger

2008-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

If Indiana Jones were Victorian -- and less with the sexy archaeologist and more with the stuffy imperialist -- then you'd have something resembling She. Basically a gun-toting university professor and his "golden boy" ward journey to Africa on the trail of a 2,000-year old quest to find the lost city of "mysterious Kor" and its immortal goddess-queen. Wackiness insues. It says something that Rider Hagger is grouped with British adventure writers like Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling. Basically, his work is all about affirming the white, intellectual male ego at the height of the British Empire. Not to say that nothing worthwhile comes out of She. Read this novel and you'll likely find the roots of every adventure-quest story you've come across. Remember those Alan Quartermaine movies, King Solomon's Mines and The Lost City of Gold, with Sharon Stone and that Richard dude? Yup, that there's the work of Hagger (the books, of course, not the films). So if you're feeling nostalgic this might be worth a go. Plus the monkey thing is just too funny.

"The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli

2008-01-29T21:46:00.000-08:00

Another fine example of why the Italians rule. I've been called upon to re-examine Il principe and, I must say, I love it every time. Someday, when I have established my empire, I shall read this book each day over my morning soy vanilla latte. Contemplating Machiavelli also leads me to ask, "do modern politicians and leaders ever take the time to learn from these historical examples of political genius? Machiavelli, Napolean, Augustus, Borgia, Cyrus, Henry VII?" Does Bushy research these figures of leadership on the Google? One would hope.

"The Devil Inside" by Jenna Black

2008-01-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted to like this one. I really, really did. A professional exorcist who discovers she's been possessed by a demon of her own for months... a demon that drags her into his war of succession to the throne of Hell... what's not to like, right? Well, I'll tell you what. There seems to be this movement of oversexed, unnecessarily kinky novels in the paranormal genres and I rather wish it would stop. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a sexy book as much as the next person. But riding on the coattails of certain authors many paranormal/dark fantasy writers seem to think it's not edgy if it ain't got whips, threesomes, and bestiality in it. Judging by "Devil Inside," Black appears to be among those ranks. The set-up was great, the main character -- Morgan Kingsley -- was an interesting balance of strengths and flaws. I should have been more suspicious when said character is getting it on in some phone sex with her boyfriend in the second chapter. Chapter 2! for crying out loud. We barely even know this chick, and we're already getting front-row seats to her sex life. I feel like the author owes me dinner. As for the rest of the plot, everything -- including, oh, say, a hunky demon king who happens to be possessing her -- gets eclipsed by Morgan's interactions with a cop possessed by a gay, sadistic demon. The whole story becomes about how Morgan is squicked yet oddly compelled by Adam's extra-curricular activities in the bedroom. What's a little thing like warring for control of Hell compared to that, right? Now, Black has three or so other books published and it may be that this one was an aberration. But I really don't think I'll be picking up the sequel.

"Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe

2008-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hated it.

There are people out there who get all excited over this book, this piece of classic, canonical literature. Well in this instance (as in several others) the canon can suck it.

First off, an 18th century Puritan man who hated women isn't the best choice for writing a female perspective. Second, there are no chapter breaks. None. Have you ever tried to read a boring-ass novel with no chapter breaks and questionable punctuation? Not to mention random capitalization and italics? I could have been drunk while reading this and it would have made more sense. Third, the reason why we like social-climbers like Scarlett O'Hara despite her conniving, manipulative, and whiney ways is because she's also classy, loving, and charming. Moll, for the record, is neither classy nor loving and her charms are as thin as water. I kept waiting for her to contract syphilis and die in a prison cell. Sadly, she lived.

"Savor Me Slowly" by Gena Showalter

2008-01-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

If you like your violence with a touch of science fiction, Showalter's "Alien Huntress" series is a good pick. The premise for the series is that, in the future, various species of aliens have struck up resident on Earth. A government agency called Alien Investigation and Removal is judge, jury, and executioner where criminal aliens are concerned. Within the ranks of AIR are some buttkicking, gun-toting, kill-you-as-soon-as-look-at-you women that serves as the heroine of each novel.

In this book, Mishka Le'Ace has been genetically and cybernetically engineered to be the perfect agent. Not that she had any say in the matter. With her strings being pulled by her "creators," Le'Ace must fight, kill, and screw her way through whatever mission they throw at her. Orders are to rescue Agent Jaxon Tremaine from his otherworld torturers -- not fall in love with him.

This book was good. Perhaps not as good as the first of the series, though more memorable than the second. I was pleased as punch until the end, which I felt was not only out of character but also too tidy to be anything but a cop out. My problem: Mishka and Jaxon are the misunderstood couple that well-intentioned friends try to break up. And when your friends are all armed and homicidal, "intervention" takes on a whole new connotation. So what do Mishka and Jaxon do? They forgive the pigheaded fools and get all, "gosh, let's just forget the whole silly thing." Puh-lease. Now, I'm quite the fan of Gena Showalter but I must protest when an author gets sloppy.

"Kitty and the Silver Bullet" by Carrie Vaughn

2008-01-20T20:40:00.000-08:00

This is the fourth installment of Vaughn's Kitty Norville series, and, thankfully, not a filler book. There's a lot going on in this one in terms of Kitty's development as a werewolf, her personal life, and the overall storyline. The catalyst for it all is her return to Denver, with boyfriend Ben in tow, which obviously sets off a variety of consequences. She must go toe to toe with not only Carl, her former jackass of an Alpha, but also Arturo, the city's Master vampire. Meanwhile she must come to terms with her own Alpha status in her little pack of two. If that weren't enough, Kitty's family is making their presence known in the craziness that is her life. What's a girl-wolf to do?

I have to say, this isn't really among my favorites of in-progress serials. Still, I do enjoy all four of the books and read this last one without ever getting bored. Even with Cormac playing a more minimal role than usual, stuck up in prison as he is. Which, by the way, is sad because Ben does absolutely nothing for me. There's just no magic. Which, I believe, may be just a little bit intentional. Read the last two pages and you'll pick up on why I say so. Ah, screw this subtlety bit -- Ben ain't the long-haul guy. I don't peg him for getting killed off just yet (though I'm hopeful) but I sense no HEA here.

BTW: African wild dog... whoddathunkit?

"To Hell and Back" by Lilith Saintcrow

2008-01-18T21:02:00.000-08:00

Another series put to bed. All things considered, I'm satisfied with this conclusion to the Dante Valentine books. The story was drawn to a nice close without any real cliffhangers to drive a person crazy and there was plenty of both action and character development. Definitely not a cop-out book the way some authors end a complicated series. And this was a complicated story if for no other reason than trying to figure out the main character. Traumatized, instinctively violent, emotionally needy -- Danny is a love-hate relationship personified. Then there's Japhrimel, tenderly protective lover and controlling, treacherous demon that he is. It's interesting how as the books went along he became more and less than he was in book one. It's also frustrating to get the story from only Danny's perspective as so much of their relationship goes unspoken. Certainly, though, this final installment sheds more light on Japh, the A'nankhimel, and their hedairae than all four previous books combined.

Incidentally, I've three other demon/fallen angel books on my to-read list. I had intended to make a run of it but perhaps I'll "lighten" things up with some werewolves, instead. After nearly four hundred pages of Dante's near-psychotic state, I'm feeling a little severe.

"Augustus" by Anthony Everitt

2008-01-16T20:24:00.000-08:00

Now I'm not a big biography reader and probably wouldn't have cracked this one if it hadn't been assigned. But damned if I'm not enjoying it. Everitt makes a good biographer for several reasons. Rather than relate facts a la textbook he tells a story complete with family feuds, gossip, fashion, animal sacrifice, incest -- all those things that make ancient Rome so fascinating. Another point in Everitt's favor is the way he fills in cultural and historical background without slowing things down. Neither does he concentrate on Caesar Augustus at the cost of neglecting other interesting personalities that pop up. This is an excellent source on Julius Caesar as well as Augustus. And let us not forget Cleopatra and the contemptible Marc Antony. What draws you in, though, from the beginning with Everitt's introduction is that he's not afraid of using a little creativity and imaginative intuition. With discretion, of course; this is ultimately a credible historical account. It just happens to be an interesting, easy to read historical account. Go figure.

"Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf

2008-01-16T19:47:00.000-08:00

In signing up for a class focused solely on Virginia Woolf, I had misgivings. Two weeks into the course I'm ready to puncture my frontal lobe with a shrimp fork simply to excuse myself from another ten weeks of reading this stuff. I must remind myself that novelists in the 1920s weren't shackled to an editor by well-meaning publishers as they are today. A pity, that, for what could have been a cutting-edge short story was allowed to swell into two hundred pages of stream-of-consciousness writing. In a word, ugh.

"Master of Darkness" by Susan Sizemore

2008-01-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

This is one of those books I've been tossing around for a while (since August?) and have decided to finally give it a fighting chance. Why? Because lots of people seem to recommend Sizemore and her blurbs are all over the place. Plus, a series about vampires and werewolves? Of course, I had to try it on.
But first, let's take a moment to rant. The whole vampire/werewolf thing... done to death, am I right? I mean, I get that in a world where vampires exists it seems only fitting to allow for werewolves and what have you. But aren't we getting just a little tired of the pairing? Everywhere you've got sucker-scratcher wars, vamps enslaving weres (and what was That Woman thinking when she coined "animal to call" anyway?), weres engaging in mafiosi dealings with vamps in Gucci... enough already! Points to authors who use a multitude of supernatural subjects: Briggs, Vaughn, Harrison, Kenyon, Andrews. They are--in general--exempt from my displeasure, especially the ones that pioneered the paranormal/urban fantasy/fang fetish genre. What really tickles me lately, though, are the ones who specialize or get really creative, like J.R. Ward, who portrays vamps as a whole separate race and society. Or McKinley who gives us something other than the uber-sexy, jaded, independently wealthy vamps. And don't get me started on the hair. Unless there's some cultural reason as to why, men with silky long hair are not sexy. Especially if it's any other color than ink black, platinum white, or some funky blue a la anime/comic books. Okay, maybe it's acceptable if they keep it appropriately bundled up so as not to cascade down his rippling back like a vanilla-scented waterfall. Ranger's stubby ponytail, Daegus's wrapped braid--this is sexy. This is acceptable. Others not so much.

Which, at last, leads me to to book. Aside from Laurent's silvery-blond glitter rock do, I'm just not digging the story. Nearly halfway through and I'm still bored. I accept partial blame for jumping in mid-series (MoD is #4) but unless you've had the bad luck to pull a filler from the pile, usually the middle stuff is the best anyway. So I consider this a lost cause. So I'm not even going to bother telling you what the story's about. Go read something else.

"The Hero and the Crown" by Robin McKinley

2008-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

What's neat about McKinley is that she revives popular legends and fairytales like Robin Hood and Sleeping Beauty. For that reason much of her work seems to straddle the line between adult fiction and young adult/children's fiction. I first encountered The Hero and the Crown when I was in fifth grade or so -- post-Nancy Drew but pre-Dean Koontz and Nightwylde. So this was a nostalgic read for me.

The story is about Aerin, the only child of a king and a reputed witch. An outcast from the moment of her birth, Aerin struggles to find her place in her father's court and chances upon her destiny in an unlikely occupation -- dragonslaying.

While not the most engaging read, this book fits the bill when you're in a fairytale kind of mood. It is slow at points but the quality of McKinley's writing is worth appreciating. And even though it's aimed towards a younger audience, both the story and the characters are sophisticated and complex.

"When She's Bad" by Leanne Banks

2008-01-05T22:37:00.000-08:00

I realize it looks as if I never read anything other than paranormal/fantasy/yetanothervampire books but I swear it's not so. And as proof I offer you this little tidbit dug out of my shelves while rearranging my paperbacks.

Her whole life, Delilah Montague has always had to rely on herself and learned to keep the world at arms' length. After the death of her bestfriend, whom everyone believed was her sugardaddy, Delilah ends up the overworked director of his business, the despised protector of his socialite daughter, and the unexpected guardian of his secret love child. If life weren't hard enough, her next door neighbor handles insomnia with midnight renovations.

This was a sweet love story and just a good story in general. Delilah is an admirable, strong-willed heroine and Benjamin Huntington III is the perfect sexy-neighbor. The story ties in with other books (which I've yet to read) but stands alone.

"Halfway to the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

2008-01-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

This is the first of five books in Frost's "Night Huntress" series, which revolves around a half-vampire heroine named Cat Crawfield. Cat, whose mother was attacked by a vampire, has been taught her whole life to hate vampires and has learned to use her supernatural legacy against them. When her covert crusade pits her against a vampire bounty hunter known as Bones, she must learn to work with the enemy in order to bag a bigger prize.

All the credit for picking this book out goes to A, who was oh, so happy to have turned the tables on me a little. As she should have, since this turned out to be a really good book. Frost really developed her main character, which I consider the hallmark of any decent story. A determined hardass on the outside, an injured wallflower deep down. It was fun watching all of Cat's preconceptions and conditioned thinking crumble to dust as she got to know "the enemy" on a personal level. The progress of her relationship with Bones (yes, I know, the name's a gag but ya can't win 'em all) was particularly interesting. They run the whole gamut from violence to suspicion to trust to sexual tension. And Jupiter knows I'm a sucker for UST. With each chapter the story became more and more compelling. By the end I was twitching to pick up the sequel and find out "what next?" Alas, that sequel won't arrive until April.

Now, it has to be said -- it figures that I would like this book, considering Frost's blatant appropriation of one of my favs, Spike. Within sentences of "meeting" Bones, the comparison becomes obvious... bleached-blond, snarky, prominant cheekbones, British with a lower-class accent, blue eyes, rides a motorcycle, keeps calling her 'luv'... if Frost isn't a closet fanfic writer I'd be surprised, given how strongly Bones invokes Spike. But ask me if I mind?

Nerdy News

2008-01-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

Did you know you could rent books? I'm not talking about going to your local library and checking books out. I mean actually renting books the way you'd rent videos. For a monthly fee, people can rent books from Paperspine and have them delivered to their homes. Think NetFlix for books. Paperspine works in just the same manner: you sign up for membership, make your picks and set up a queue, receive your picks in the mail, then send the books back in pre-paid return envelopes when you're done.

It's certainly a neat idea, now that I think about it, and they've got a decent selection in a variety of categories. While I'll always prefer the materialistic pleasure of owning my books, this strikes me as a convenient way of sampling new authors. After all, our local libraries carry limited fiction titles and trolling used-book stores isn't always much cheaper than buying new. And even if you do buy used books, if it's a crappy pick you're still stuck with the crappy book taking up shelf space and mocking you until you can get around to pawning it on someone else. Plus the delivery aspect -- delivery is bliss. Something to think about.

Update on an Old Favorite

2008-01-01T01:58:00.000-08:00

"Tangled Webs" by Anne Bishop, set in the Dark Jewels world, comes out early this March. Bishop has posted an excerpt on her site, a prologue and the first chapter. The story does focus on Surreal, after all, which necessitates plenty of Daemon due to their close relationship. I'm so happy. If you haven't already read the bit, go do so now so I can have someone to speculate with.

"Iron Kissed" by Patricia Briggs

2007-12-28T21:44:00.000-08:00

Goody goody! Book 3 of the Mercy Thompson series is out and in my hot little hands. Immediate response: why has the cover artist felt the need to give Mercy a different face with each book? The tattoo thing is explained to my satisfaction on Briggs's website, but is anyone else bugged by the Many Face of Mercy? (Note to Self: neat title for a story or even poem should I decide to attempt creative writing again.) Particularly since she seems to have gotten uglier? And not one of 'em match the image in my head. Mercy the First was pouty, Take Two was more cute in the face than seemed fitting, and #3 is trying too hard to be a tough and confident yet sexually appealing tomboy.

Yeah, yeah, but what about the story? Well, it's a good one. In anticipation of this release--and because I'd only read it once to date--I reread "Blood Bound" not too long ago, so I was all up to speed on the tense love triangle and Mercy's growing loss of anonymity. This third installment moves right along with the last. There's quite a bit of development on that triangle that I found most pleasing. I won't say if I'm an Adam or a Samuel fan, since to do so would give too much away. The plot was interesting from the word go but deceptively calm until close to the end and--BAM!--all kinds of shit goes down.

The side characters are all starting to come alive, which makes sense since this is slated to be a seven-book series. Ben fans will pleased. I know, I know... me and my thing for British bad boys. Honey's back and more, dare I say it, sweet than before. Gabriel and Jesse get a little action, though not in that way. Warren and Kyle fans will be disappointed by their minor role and I know I was saddened by the big lack of Sebastien, though he's in Mercy's thoughts.

In conclusion, another score for Briggs and the beginning of an end to the dry spell of worthwhile new releases.

Side Note: Patricia Briggs has two signings "in our area" this week.

January 3rd: Seattle, The University Bookstore, 7:00 pm
January 4th: Portland, Powells (the Cedar Hills store), 7:00 pm

"Bloodfever" by Karen Marie Moning

2007-10-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Genre: urban fantasy

The Story: Sequel to Moning's "Darkfever" and can I just say, I love these books. Anyhow, this picks up a week after "Darkfever" and follows right along nicely. MacKayla Lane is a rare sidhe-seer, a woman who can see past through the magic of the Fae. Unexpected turns of events have brought her to Ireland, following the trail of her murdered sister. Her only ally has been the ever so mysterious and inarguably dangerous Jericho Barrons. Mac and Barrons share a common goal--find the legendary book that her sister most likely died for. But what started out as a quest for revenge is slowly turning into a fight to save the world. In this installment of the story, Mac falls deeper into the paranormal world, going well past the point of no return. Tensions rise between her and Barrons, and some new players enter the field.

My Thoughts: This book was just as riveting as the first one. To be honest, the suspense is killing me and I'm not sure how I'll make it 'til the next release. What makes these books so good--besides the likable characters, sexy undertones, and twists of magic--is what makes Moning's other series, however likable, a little dissappointing. The Highlander books always feel underdeveloped to me, the relationships rushed. In the Fever books there's a wealth of characterization and so much tension that it's hard to stop reading. If you thought the UST in Darkfever was tasty, you'll love this. Who knew Barrons could get so jealous? I also love the pace at which the plot is unfolding. With every mysterious solved there's three more secrets lurking in the shadows. What is stashed away underneath the garage? And just how long have Barrons and Fiona known each other?

Holy Shit.

2007-10-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Dumbledore is gay. Not that I'm entirely shocked or anything. It's just that... that's like... way TMI. All I can think is... the beard... ugh, bad images. Thank the gods I only read HP fanfic that focuses on Malfoy. Sans illicit affairs with teachers, of course.

I Love Amazon.Com

2007-10-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

"Saint City Sinners" by Lilith Saintcrow has, as usual, been released early to Amazon.com. Woo hoo! It should show up in bookstores in another few weeks, possibly earlier than the original November release date.

Hmm...

2007-10-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

I can't help but notice all the bondage going on. Is it me? Am I grabbing the wrong books? Or is this just the new trend in smut? Are there smut trends?

"A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court" by Marianne Macusi

2007-10-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

Genre: Time-Travel Romantic Comedy (medieval)

The Story: As the title says, a 21st century fashionista is sent back to the Middle Ages. King Arthur's court, to be specific. What happens when a cell-phone toting, Armani-wearing, back-talking city girl lands in the middle of the Knights of the Round Table? She gets thrown into the tower! Will Lancelot be her knight in shining armor, or is his heart already taken--by Queen Guenever?

My Thoughts: Definitely a fluff-read, but a diverting one at that. Silly and improbable with some good, clean fun. Kudos to Mancusi for writing a "behind the scenes" story in which Guenever does not come across as a vapid ho and Lancelot isn't a womanizing ninny. Up yours, Malory. I do have one gripe, though, with Mancusi's characterization. Kat Jones, our little time-traveler, is supposed to sophisticated yet not that bright. She talks about not paying attention back in school yet makes literary references and quotes FDR. I don't mind the author leaking into a character in principle, but since this is a first-person narrative a little consistency is necessary. No talking about The Odyssey if your character is supposed to be a flighty clotheshorse.

Recommendation: Good for killing time.

"Lover Unbound" by J.R. Ward

2007-10-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Story: This here is Book 5 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. In which it finally dawns on me why they're called the Black Dagger Brotherhood, as there are these nifty black-bladed daggers they each have... Anyhow, this continues soon after Book 4 and deals with my second-favorite Brother, Vishous.

Vishous, son of the Bloodletter, has got his fair share of shadows in his past. Now his future isn't looking any better, either. The Scribe Virgin has charged him with a new destiny: to be the Primale for the Chosen and ensure the continuation of his species. To twist things up more, Vishous has stumbled upon love with a human woman, Dr. Jane Whitcomb. They can't be together, but neither can they bear to be apart.

My Thoughts: I love this book. No surprise there. I especially love how the series flows seamlessly from one book to the next. This may as well be one giant novel. So, if you haven't read Ward's books yet, definitely start at the beginning. But back to Vishous...

[SPOILER ALERT! Do not continue if you've not read the previous books.]
I was curious how Ward would pull this off. After all, the whole Vishous-Butch-Marissa triangle is an obvious obstacle to any love interest going V's way. Then there's his kinky nature and serious intimacy issues. Those who're getting all squicked over the Butch-thing can relax. Ward eases V away from that particular affection without belittling it. And V's bondage fixation never goes into the realm of TMI. It's erotic without being omigod! or disturbing. For the "experienced" reader, anyway.

Also, our other unbonded characters are getting just enough press coverage to keep you looking towards the future. John's coming along nicely, Phury's pulling the stick out of his ass, and some other side characters are springing up.

Recommendation: What? You mean you still haven't read it? What are you waiting for? Go!

"To Pleasure a Prince" by Sabrina Jeffries

2007-09-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

The Story: Lord Marcus, Viscount Draker, is a social outcast despite his wealth and title but, if his debutante sister is going to have a successful season, he must play nice with the popular Lady Regina. Regina would do anything to help her friend, Marcus's sister Louisa. Even strike a bargain with Marcus to let him court her for a month, but Regina's reputation may not be enough to protect this unlikely couple from scorn and scandal.

My Thoughts: I was a few chapters from the end when I realized the book was pissing me off. Jeffries writes well, and it's a very good idea, and Regina is a decent enough character... but Marcus... Lord Marcus will annoy you to no end. Oh, it'll catch you unawares. You'll be sympathetic at first. Poor little pariah. Then it'll dawn on you--this man is a pigheaded, prideful, self-centered ass.

Granted, the whole premise of the book was this guy's "dragon" temperament, but this was poor execution. I've read several excellent, angst-ridden, heart-wrenching stories where the heroes are not only mean and rough but downright evil. Yet those authors manage to give them subtle vulnerabilities, unexpected kindness, hesitant reform, and genuine affection. Marcus Draker, unfortunately, has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease and a wealth of self-pity. At one point, our heroine states it perfectly when she says, "Is this what you've been doing all this time, when you should have been apologizing? Drinking down here in this dungeon, working yourself into a fine brooding?"

Now being a proud, card-carrying member of the Spike Rules, Angel Drools Club, we know I can't endorse any brooding. Therefore...

Recommendation: While being deceptively interesting at first, this book is a pass. And the title's misleading, too. So there.

"Witch Fire" by Anya Bast

2007-09-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Story: Mira Hoskins is recently divorced, works as a waitress in a local diner, and lonely not to mention horny. She's also an air elemental witch, although she never knew it. Enter Jack McAllister, a fire witch and agent for the Coven. Jack must protect Mira from a rogue faction, at the same time training Mira in her powers. To make matters trickier, air and fire form an intense attraction that Mira and Jack can't resist.

My Thoughts: This book was all about one thing--sexual tension. Like a one night stand, the story took a nosedive once Mira and Jack finally get it on and the itch is scratched. The actual plot is unimaginative and the characters are nothing special. Points for originality on the elemental magic. Points lost for the author's misuse of good potential. The best part of the book was neither the plot or the two protagonists; it was the supporting role of Thomas, the strong and tightly wound leader of the Coven. You know the type... the kind of man that makes you want to muss his hair and seduce him atop his paperwork.

On a side note, the smut is built on a bondage/submission angle that, in my opinion, was carelessly handled. The whole bondage thing was a prop, not an integral part to the story. It hardly factored into Jack's personality or even his relationship dynamic with Mira. What does that leave us with? Gratuity. Shame, shame Ms. Bast. Read some Lora Leigh and learn how kink is supposed to be done.

Recommendation: This one can be passed up with very little pain.

"My Immortal" by Erin McCarthy

2007-09-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

Genre: Dark fantasy romance

The Story: Damien du Bourgh, a spoiled and selfish rich boy, bargains with a demon for immortality. The price? He's now a demon's servant, charged with provoking humans into lust and sin.

Marly Turner is the quintessential good girl. She's spent her whole life taking care of others, being responsible, and erring on the side of moderation. When Marly's sister goes missing, her only clue is an e-mail that leads to Damien's New Orleans plantation. In order to find her sister, Marly must pit herself against Damien and all the temptations he brings.

My Thoughts: This is decidedly darker and more sexual than McCarthy's Heiress for Hire. Surprisingly, though, the story is more about character development than it would originally seem. The paranormal aspect is rather weak, more of a vehicle than a significant feature of the story. As for the smut factor...yes, sex is a major theme but I wouldn't consider the book all that smuttier than you're typical bodice ripper. Much is left to the imagination.

Marly and Damien make interesting if predictable characters. The embedded back story of Marie, Damien's deceased wife, is the best part of the story. If McCarthy had written more about that I think this would have been a great book. Sadly, she didn't. So it isn't.

Recommendation: Read if you're bored. Skip if you've got better things to read.

"The Diamond Throne" by David Eddings

2007-09-10T19:16:00.001-07:00

Genre: Epic Fantasy

The Story: Book One of The Elenium -- Sparhawk, renowned knight and Queen's Champion, has returned from a ten-year exile to find his queen seriously ill and the kingdom in political turmoil. He and his brotherhood, with the aid of a legendary sorceress, must find a cure for the queen while keeping her throne secure. As the plot unfolds, however, they discover a larger evil is threatening their world.

My Thoughts: Starts off slow, but improves once the action gets underfoot. Sections of back story drags at the momentum, as does excessive descriptive language. I once had a writing instructor who insisted on removing all adverbs from one's work. I always thought her little crusade was a tad excessive until I read the opening chapters of this book. Eddings has a habit of describing rather than presenting and it gets cloying at times.

On the other hand, his dialogue is witty and entertaining. And the characters are, for me, are the high point of the book. Eddings has a Dickensian skill for making individual characters memorable, usually in a humorous way. He also writes the tough guy well--formidable and confident without coming across like an ass. Fans of Raymond E. Feist will appreciate Talen, a precocious street thief who reminds me of an all-time favorite character, Jimmy the Hand.

Recommendation: Give this one a try if you like Raymond Feist or L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

"Atlantis Rising" by Alyssa Day

2007-09-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Story: Conlan, high prince of Atlantis, returns home after years of captivity only to discover Poseidon's Trident, a powerful artifact, has been stolen by a rebellious faction. He and his men travel to the surface in pursuit. There he encounters something unbelievable--a human woman with Atlantean powers. As if he didn't have enough problems, his irresistible attraction to her may jeopardize his mission and his kingdom. This is the first book of an ongoing series, The Warriors of Poseidon.

My Thoughts: This is a book in the tradition of the Dark-Hunters and the Black Dagger Brotherhood... you've got a connected group of hot, lethal, superhuman men who run around saving the day. Each warrior has his own curse, his own issue, thus leading us through a variety of salty goodness and world save-age while working up to the yummiest morsel of the band. In this case, the morsel is definately Alaric, Conlan's childhood buddy and voice of cynical reason. Or maybe that's just me. In other words, this book may have been only so-so but I have every intention of checking out the rest of the series.

Recommendation: Read for the sake of future and potentially more interesting characters.

"Hell's Belles" by Jackie Kessler

2007-09-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Genre: fantasy/paranormal romance

The Story: Jezebel is a succubus on the run from Hell. In order to hide from her pursuers, she uses magic to change herself into a mortal woman. Unfortunately, life as a mortal isn't as simple as she's used to--our girl needs a job. What's a former sex-demon in New York City suppose to do for a living? That's right... stripping!

My Thoughts: Vaguely entertaining. My biggest beef is that the characters are underdeveloped. The love interest is completely lost on me because characters are so unremarkable and the romance completely insubstantial. The most interesting characters appear only briefly. The plot is good, if bland, but gets a bit lost in the unclear flashbacks. I, personally, hate flashbacks so I could be more biased than usual. Smut colors the whole book, which is fitting considering our main character is a succubus. However, nookie scenes come across as clinical rather than passionate. Like watching a behind-the-scenes documentary on porn. Granted, this is a first in a series, so maybe there’s hope for the future.

Recommendation: Skip it.

"And Then He Kissed Her" by Laura Lee Guhrke

2007-09-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian era)

The Story: Harry Marlowe is a successful publishing mogul and a known ladies' man. For the last five years his life--business and personal--has been kept in order through the efforts of his sensible, complacent, and remarkably efficient secretary, Emma Dove.

Emma is a self-declared "girl-bachelor" with an expertise in etiquette and housekeeping, a real precursor to Martha Stewart. She has long-since talked herself out of falling for her boss's charms, but she can't help but feel like she's missing out on life by being so straight-laced and conservative.

My Thoughts: What I liked most about this story was the believable, gradual build-up to Emma and Harry's involvement. When the book opens, the two have already known each other for years, showing a comfortable and somewhat amusing familiarity between Emma and Harry. Kind of like my favorite scene from Two Weeks Notice, when Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are eating lunch together and we see the little quirks of a two people who've been around each other too long. There's just enough intimacy that you're waiting for the UST to kick in. And then, with an unexpected turn of events, it finally does and nothing's ever the same again. Not a whirlwind romance, but rather the sudden realization of what's been under your nose the whole time. He notices how the light reflects off her hair. She realizes the sincere man behind the glib womanizer.

Having read one other book by Guhrke, I have to say she's revived my interest in historic romances. I've been more inclined towards contemporary settings of late, which means these types of books sometimes come across as hokey. However, Guhrke has a writing style that facilitates the mental time-jump, making the story genuine instead of trite.

And yes, this novel has all its pages.

Recommendation: A good book to read with your morning coffee/tea or during the quiet hours just before bed.

"The Devil's Right Hand" by Lilith Saintcrow

2007-09-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

Japhrimel lives! Woo woo!

Genre: Urban Fantasy

The Story: Book 3 of Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series. Dante and Japhrimel are back together again, but the honeymoon comes crashing to an end when Lucifer comes a-knocking once more. The demons of Hell are rebelling and Danny must replace Japhrimel as the Devil's Right Hand. Unfortunately, the assignment may divide the two lovers...if it doesn't kill them, first.

My Thoughts: When I finished Book 1 I thought, "wow! I can't wait to read the next one." After finishing Book 2, I thought, "I have to tell everyone about this series." Now, after living and breathing this last book for the last ten conscious hours, I feel that same hum of contentment I felt back in the days when Robb's (Roberts's) In Death series was still a new and exciting thing. Danny has all the ass-kicking, hair-pulling appeal as Eve Dallas, with that same core of vulnerability to keep her character credible. Japhrimel is the tall, dark demon who becomes more of a mystery the longer you know him. It's both fascinating and frustrating to watch their relationship develop--I thought I had communication problems. With the added spice of violence, otherworldly creatures, and plenty of sass I couldn't be happier.

Recommendation: Buy it now! Read it now! Go, go, go!

"Shameless" by Lora Leigh

2007-09-04T14:07:00.001-07:00

Genre: contemporary erotic romance

The Story: This book from Leigh's Bound Hearts series. The basis of the series is a sordid little men's group, creatively called The Club. It's a very private, very exclusive club where rich, lusty men with... adventurous appetites can find like-minded company.

Shameless is about the owner of this club, Ian Sinclair, and Courtney Mattlaw, the daughter of one of his closest friends. Courtney has had her sights and heart set on Ian since she was a teenager, but she has to convince him that daddy's little princess is all grown up, now, and woman enough to handled his bent sexual habits.

My Thoughts: Shameless, indeed. This book is not for the faint of heart. This is no cheesy romance novel with a few nookie scenes thrown in when the plot gets dry. This is smut, folks, and some pretty jaw-dropping smut at that.

Recommendation: If you're after something naughty, this is for you. Read at your own discretion, and never in a public place.

Final Thoughts on "Urban Shaman"

2007-09-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'd have to say that, overall, it's a well-written book. To be honest, though, I mostly scanned the last few chapters. I wouldn't say that's any fault of the author's, though. I simply wasn't in a metaphysical mood and this book makes much with the metaphysical. I have to give kudos for the ending. There was enough resolution that I feel content should I never get around to the rest of the series. On the other hand, there was just enough of a tease to leave me curious about where Joanne Walker and co. will go from here.

Nerdy Note: With some novels, it's obvious that the writer is/has been a literary student. C.E. Murphy has degrees in English and history. It shows in the canonical literary references peppered throughout the book. Being a literature student, myself, I love it when that happens. It makes me feel extra smart when I get the reference and extra motivated when I don't. My favorite from "Urban Shaman" is when our heroine quotes Dante, only to be corrected by a 70-year old cab driver... "Abandon all hope, ye who enter." I think it's some sort of rule that all booknerds must know this quote. It's like manly men knowing the difference between a Phillips and a flathead.

"Hidden Agendas" by Lora Leigh

2007-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

Genre: contemporary romance

The story: Emily, daughter of a U.S. senator, is in danger of being kidnapped by a big-time cartel boss. Kell Kreiger is the hardcore SEAL assigned to protect her. The twist--she's been half in love with him most of her life.

Review: This is the kind of book I love to kill a free afternoon with. It's fast-paced and diverting without any hints of angst, pretension, or overt sappiness. The plot plays second fiddle to the uber-hot relationship between Kell and Emily. Obviously part of a related group of books, but stands on its own well enough. The characters are interesting, the action is entertaining, and the sex is great.

Recommendation: This book has two things I love--hot smut and alpha males. For that, I'd say it's worth a glance.

"Heiress for Hire" by Erin McCarthy

2007-08-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

Genre: contemporary romance

The Story: a rich girl from the city on vacation in the country gets cut off from her father’s money. She gets a job as nanny and housekeeper for a local farmer and falls in love.

My Thoughts: What was supposed to be a light, mindless read turned into a wonderfully engaging story. Characters, especially our heroine Amanda, are well-conceived and entertaining. It’s a sweet and funny story, with as much emphasis on Amanda’s self-discovery as the developing relationship between her and farmer Danny. If this book is any indication, Erin McCarthy will be finding her way onto my "Must Read" list.

Recommendation: Read it!

"Urban Shaman" by C.E. Murphy

2007-08-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

Genre: Urban Fantasy

The Story: Joanne Walker is having the mother of bad days when, returning home from her mother’s funeral, she encounters a modern-day banshee who predicts Joanne’s death. Without understanding how or why, Joanne finds herself pitted against Celtic gods, the legendary Wild Hunt, and a series of brutal murders that plague the city. Her only defense are shamanic powers she never knew she possessed and some unlikely sidekicks.

My Thoughts: About two-thirds of the way through, I find this book interesting if a little slow at points. Joanne is a very likable character, and the storyline is original without being too "out there." Murphy’s writing style is a pleasure to read, so that, even between the larger action, I’m not getting bored. However, this novel suffers the same affliction as most first books within a series. There’s a general sense of waiting for something that isn’t appeased by the ups and downs of the plot. So, while this may be a good book, I wouldn’t consider it great. Nevertheless, I'll more than likely check out the rest of the Walker Papers series and see if things don't pick up a bit.

Recommendation: A good read when you're in the mood for magic.