Monthly Archives: June 2011

June 10, 2011 · 7:26 pm

Ice Shards (Sisters of the Moon, #9.5) by Yasmine Galenorn (Hexed anthology)

This is Iris’ story where she attempts to get the curse lifted from her.

It has been several months since I read any of this series. The author did an excellent job of reminding me what was going on without beating me over the head with information. I do not know how much sense the story would have made if I wasn’t a fan of the series however.

This was a good side story. It solved some problems in the main storyline and set up possible plot lines. I think Iris will be able to help even more in the battles with the demons now.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal

June 10, 2011 · 9:42 am

Nightshade (Nightshade, #1) by Andrea Cremer

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers.

But when she violates her masters’ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

This book has been nominated for YALSA’s Teens Top Ten list as well as Georgia’s Teen Peach Award, so my expectations were high. Unfortunately, I was not all that impressed. I had difficulty keeping the characters straight. There were two wolf packs (soon to be three), the Keepers, the Guardians (another name for the wolf packs), and the Searchers. The wolves answer to their alphas, who answer to their Masters, who are Keepers . . . I think.

Actually, the book did begin to work for me after the first hundred pages, but I hate to have to keep flipping back to see who the different characters are. The storyline is unique and I can see a lot of twists and turns coming.

There is a love triangle (Twilight, anyone? Vampire Academy? House of Night?) which I find tiresome. That just means there is no way everyone is going to have a happy ending.

And speaking of the ending, there’s not one. The sequel, Wolfsbane, is due out on July 26, 2011. Will I read it? I am sure I will one day, but I am in no rush. I will probably wait for the next two or three in the series to be released and read them all at once.

I am really tired of cliffhangers!

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

June 8, 2011 · 10:37 am

Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum, #16) by Janet Evanovich

Trenton, New Jersey, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has inherited a “lucky” bottle from her Uncle Pip. Problem is, Uncle Pip didn’t specify if the bottle brought good luck or bad luck. . . .

BAD LUCK:

Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, has run up a gambling debt of $786,000 with mobster Bobby Sunflower and is being held until the cash can be produced. Nobody else will pay to get Vinnie back, leaving it up to Stephanie, office manager Connie, and file clerk Lula to raise the money if they want to save their jobs.

GOOD LUCK:

Being in the business of tracking down people, Stephanie, Lula, and Connie have an advantage in finding Vinnie. If they can rescue him, it will buy them some time to raise the cash.

BAD LUCK:

Finding a safe place to hide Vinnie turns out to be harder than raising $786,000. Vinnie’s messing up Mooner’s vibe, running up pay-per-view porn charges in Ranger’s apartment, and making Stephanie question genetics.

GOOD LUCK:

Between a bonds office yard sale that has the entire Burg turning out, Mooner’s Hobbit-Con charity event, and Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle, they just might raise enough money to save the business, and Vinnie, from ruin.

BAD LUCK:

Saving Vincent Plum Bail Bonds means Stephanie can keep being a bounty hunter. In Trenton, this involves hunting down a man wanted for polygamy, a turnpike toilet paper bandit, and a drug dealer with a pet alligator named Mr. Jingles.

GOOD LUCK:

The job of bounty hunter comes with perks in the guise of Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, and the dark and dangerous security expert, Ranger. With any luck at all, Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle will have Stephanie getting lucky—the only question is . . . with whom?

I read this the first time when it was released last year. Since the new book is coming out this month, I decided it was time for a re-read.

All of the great characters are here: Grandma Mazur, Joe, Ranger, Lula, and even Mooner. Mooner makes some great cookies.

I think my favorite quote is “You know what your problem is? You got too many scruples. One or two scruples is okay, but you get too many of them, and it clogs everything up.” (Lula, p. 157)

This book ends not with a cliffhanger, but definitely so that you know it is about to go in a different direction. I can’t wait for #17.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Mystery, Realistic, Romance

June 8, 2011 · 7:47 am

Hit List (Anita Blake, #20) by Laurell K. Hamilton

A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect “monsters” are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, US Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.

But some monsters are very real. The Harlequin have been the bogeymen of the vampire world for more than a thousand years; they are a secret so dark that even to speak their name can earn you a death sentence. Now they are here in America, hunting weretigers…and human police.

The Harlequin serve the Mother of All Darkness, the first vampire. She was supposed to be dead, but only her body was destroyed. Now she needs a new one, and she’s decided that Anita Blake’s is the body she wants. Edward thinks the serial killings are a trap to lure Anita closer to the most dangerous vampire they’ve ever hunted. The vampires call Edward “Death,” and Anita the “Executioner,” but Mommy Darkest is coming to kill one and possess the other, and she doesn’t care how many others have to die along the way.

It is a really good thing that I re-read Bullit last week or I would have been totally lost in this book. I have decided that there are not actually twenty Anita Blake books, but one really, really long book. It’s not that there are cliff hangers, it’s just the storyline keeps flowing.

This was one of the books that had very little of Anita’s men in it. She is on a hunt with Edward. Unfortunately, Olaf is brought into the hunt as well and he totally creeps me out. It’s ironic that with all the “monsters” in these books, it is one of the humans who bothers me the most. I am always afraid he is about to slip his chain.

They are hunting for the killers of clanless weretigers. Anita’s group knows it is the Harlequin (and how weird is it that I have a hard time typing there name?), but the regular Marshals do not. What I can’t remember is why they are being slaughtered.

And yes, I loved the Harry Potter reference.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

June 7, 2011 · 8:10 am

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, #1) by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

Purchased

Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.

These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray.

For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot . . . or see England fall to the Phoenix!

I love the idea of steampunk, although I have not read that much of it. Mostly, I’m hooked on Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series.

In this book, which is the beginning of a new series, there is a division of England’s secret service that investigates “peculiar occurrences.” Welly is the Archivist, not librarian he is quick to remind you, and Eliza is a field agent. Due to a few less than quiet activities she has been involved in, she is reassigned to work in the archives with Welly.

I love the fact that a good bit of the book takes place in the archives cataloging the cases. I love that Eliza is the physically dangerous partner, although Welly has secret strengths. I love the fact that the villains are villains without any shades of gray.

As a matter of fact, I love this entire book.

And there is something about the Archives that reminds me of the television show Warehouse 13 which I also love.

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Filed under Historical, Mystery, Steampunk

June 5, 2011 · 8:16 am

The Kiss by Emma C. Shortt

Title: The Kiss*
Author: Emma C. Shortt
Series: N/A
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Format: digital e-book
Date/Year: May 2011
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to the reviewer by the author for review

Summary from the publisher:

When Eva Diakou is offered a job on the Winterwood estate, she expects nothing but four months of back breaking work. Jobless and lonely, she has little choice but to accept. But things on the Winterwood estate are nothing like Eva was led to believe. Why has she been given one of the plushest rooms? Why is there nothing to do? And why is she so captivated by the strange statues adorning the estate?Adam Winterwood is paying for a crime he never committed. Trapped for so many years, he is waiting for the one person who can keep him alive…or set him free. When Adam and Eva meet, sparks fly. Yet, neither realizes the sacrifice they will both have to make.

And it will all be decided by The Kiss.

My Musings:

I have a policy of not reading book blurbs because I have been burned with spoilers before. This is, of course, only for books I know I am going to read regardless of the blurb.Anyway, I had no idea this book had a fantasy element to it. The fact that it does makes it just that much better to me. I was a little confused at first because the book switches from present day to the 1800s with no explanation. Although I was able to figure out what was going on after a couple of chapters, I think that aspect could have been handled better.

At the beginning of the book, I really felt that Eva was going to be one of those TSTL (too stupid to live) heroines. She agrees to take a job on a distant estate where she will have no contact with the outside world for four months. The interviewer questions her on whether there is any family or friends who will miss her or need to contact her while she is gone . . . and she tells her NO! Fortunately, it does work out for the best.

Adam and Eva (I cannot believe that allusion) are in lust with each other from their first meeting. The sex scenes are hot, but pretty vanilla. Adam definitely has a romantic side as well. If anything, Eva is the one being ruled by her hormones.

There is a witch’s curse and true love is the only way to break it. Maybe I should have classified this book as a fairy tale more than fantasy.

Either way, I really enjoyed it. The plot line was unique, the sex was hot, and the hero was built like a god.

What’s not to like?

Ratings:

Overall: 4 stars
Sensuality level: 4

(crossposted from Seductive Musings)

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Filed under Contemporary, Erotica, Fantasy, Historical, Regency, Romance

June 5, 2011 · 3:46 am

The Kiss by Emma Shortt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adam Winterwood is paying for a crime he never committed. Trapped for so many years, he is waiting for the one person who can keep him alive…or set him free.

When Adam and Eva meet, sparks fly. Yet, neither realizes the sacrifice they will both have to make. A sacrifice that will bring an end to a centuries old curse, or to one of them.

And it will all be decided by The Kiss.

I have a policy of not reading book blurbs because I have been burned with spoilers before. This is, of course, only for books I know I am going to read regardless of the blurb.

Anyway, I had no idea this book had a fantasy element to it. The fact that it does makes it just that much better to me. I was a little confused at first because the book switches from present day to the 1800s with no explanation. Although I was able to figure out what was going on after a couple of chapters, I think that aspect could have been handled better.

There is a witch’s curse and true love is the only way to break it. Maybe I should have classified this book as a fairy tale more than fantasy.

Either way, I really enjoyed it. The plot line was unique, the sex was hot, and the hero was built like a god.

What’s not to like?

(cross posted from http://www.seductivemusings.blogspot….)

View all my reviews

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

June 4, 2011 · 9:11 am

All Shook Up by Shelley Pearsall

When 13-year-old Josh finds out that he has to stay with his dad in Chicago for a few months, he’s not too thrilled. But when he arrives at the airport, he’s simply devastated. His father—who used to be a scatterbrained but pretty normal shoe salesman—has become . . . Elvis. Well, a sideburnwearing, hip-twisting, utterly-embarrassing Elvis impersonator.

Josh is determined to keep his dad’s identity a secret, but on his very first day at his new school, a note appears on his locker. It’s signed Elvisly Yours, and instead of a name, a sneering purple smiley face. The secret is out, and when his dad is invited to perform at a special 50s concert at his school, Josh is forced to take drastic action. From award-winning author Shelley Pearsall comes a hilarious novel about discovering the important (and sometimes painful) difference between who you want to be—and who you really are.

This book probably deserves five stars, but the problem is with my taste in books rather than the book.

I am not sure what to say about this book. It should definitely appeal to all the kids whose parents have ever done something that embarrasses them. I guess that means everybody.

I really liked how Josh came to realize that everything was not about him. I couldn’t blame him for being self-centered. I think that is human nature and it is especially strong in a teenager.

I grew up as an Elvis fan and I still enjoy his music. That’s another thing this book will do for you. It will make you want to pull out your old 45s. I wonder if they still make turntables? -grin-

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Young Adult

June 3, 2011 · 3:21 pm

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling, #10) by Nalini Singh

Purchased

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Although I just discovered this series about eighteen months ago, I feel like I have been waiting for this book for years! You know how it is when you are being set up for a particular book when reading a series? Well, this is it. This is Sienna’s and Hawke’s book and it’s about time.

Hawke is all alpha which does not mean just dominant, but caring and protective . . . especially of his pack. Sienna, unbeknown to Hawke, may be the most dangerous thing the pack has ever had to deal with.

In the meantime, there is a subplot involving two other pack members, Lara, the healer, and Walker, a Psy, and Sienna’s uncle. Lara’s and Walker’s story was a nice addition, but I almost wished it had been saved for a separate book.

Speaking of which, I wonder when the next book will be released and who if will focus on.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction