Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Review: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris


Deadlocked is book 12 in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris from ACE.


Blurb:


With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it's the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman's front yard--especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.


Now, it's up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl's fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who's out to make Sookie's world come crashing down.


My thoughts:


Sookie and Eric’s relationship is a bit rocky.  He has declared her his human wife - but that is not recognized by the vampires.  Before his death, Eric’s maker made arrangements for Eric to marry Freyda, Queen of Oklahoma.  


Though Eric professes his love of Sookie - he claims there is no way he can get out of marrying Freyda.  To add insult to injury, Vampire King Felipe de Castro is in town investigating the disappearance of Victor and he is determined to prove Eric and Sookie had something to do with that disappearance.


Sookie is ‘invited’ to present herself at Eric’s to meet with Felipe - something she doesn’t really want to do and something that Bill would prefer she not do as well.


When the body of a woman is found in the middle of Eric’s front yard - Sookie is determined to prove that Eric had nothing to do with it.  In the course of her investigation Sookie finds more than she bargained for - she’s been the target all along...


I love this series - but Deadlocked was a little on the boring side.  I loved the ending - but 15 chapters of so-so and one chapter of ‘wow’ doesn’t balance for me.


I give Deadlocked 3 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937007448
ISBN-13: 978-1937007447 

Monday, July 30, 2012

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

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


Books Read Last Week:
Blood Fever - Veronica Wolff
Eve of Destruction - S J Day
Hunting Julian - Jacquelyn Frank
Eve - Anna Carey

Current Read:
Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues - Diana Rowland

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 07-28-12

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

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



Here is what I received this past week:

Purchased:
Marked by the Moon - Lori Handeland
To Walk the Night - E S Moore
Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues - Diana Rowland
Liquid Lies - Hanna Martine
Eve - Anna Carey
The Maze Runner - James Dashner

Friday, July 27, 2012

Friday Finds: Immortally Embraced by Angie Fox


Bestselling author Angie Fox combines magic, medicine, and modern romance in a dazzling series about one dedicated doctor who keeps legends alive…


IN THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES…


Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be…


IT’S EVERY GOD FOR HIMSELF.


Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war…


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (2-26-13)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031254667X
ISBN-13: 978-0312546670

Thursday, July 26, 2012

YA Review: The Reapers Are The Angels by Alden Bell


The Reapers Are the Angels is a YA novel by Alden Bell from Holt.


Book Blurb:


Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.


For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. 


She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. 


Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.


My thoughts:


Temple does not remember a time without the ‘meatskins’.  Those dead things that won’t stay down without a bullet or sharp object to the brain.  Temple also doesn’t remember her parents.  She’s sure she must have had some - but she doesn’t know what happened to them.


She’s been on her own for a little while now.  Moving from place to place - trying to stay out of the way of the meatskins.  Trying to find what beauty is left in the world.


But not everything is beautiful - and not all survivors are trustworthy.  When Temple is placed in a dangerous situation she does what she must to stay safe.  Killing comes easy - whether man or meatskin.  


Temple actions - however justified - have consequences and now she is on the run.  And being pursued - not by the meatskins - but by a flesh and blood man out for vengeance.


I enjoyed The Reapers Are the Angels.  It is written a bit oddly - not a quotation in the whole book.  Once I wrapped my head around that I was okay.


This book fascinated me.  I’m not sure if it was due to Temple’s young age or the ease with which she dealt with whatever life handed her.  The ending made me angry though - really angry.


I give The Reapers Are the Angels 4 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (August 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805092439
ISBN-13: 978-0805092431 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

WoW: Eternal Beast by Laura Wright




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

My WoW for the week: 

Blurb:
Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life-and rules his thoughts and desires . . .

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn't want to surrender-she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray-the man who destiny claims is her mate.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Signet (August 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451237722
ISBN-13: 978-0451237729

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite World's/Settings

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.  Each Tuesday we're given a book related topic and we post our top ten favorites for that topic.


This week's topic is Top Ten Favorite World's/Settings.


10.  Nekropolis Series by Tim Waggoner

  • Meet Matt Richter. Private Eye. Zombie. His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis. This place has always been ruled by the vampire lords. Now they're planning to destroy the city. Over his dead body. More pulp than Pulp Fiction, more butt-kicking than Buffy, Nekropolis is the first in a deathly new series.

09.  In Death Series by J D Robb

  • Writing as J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts has won new fans with her futuristic series of romantic crime novels. New York police lieutenant Eve Dallas gets involved with Roarke, a suspect in her lastest murder case. But passion and seduction have rules all their own....

08.  Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

  • Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

07.  Anita Blake series by L K Hamilton

  • Introducing Anita Blake, vampire hunter extraordinaire. Most people don't even bat an eye at vampires since they've been given equal rights by the Supreme Court. But Anita knows better--she's seen their victims. . . . A serial killer is murdering vampires, however, and now the most powerful vampire in town wants Anita to find the killer.

06.  Black Dagger Brotherhood by J R Ward

  • In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

05.  Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showatler

  • Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful . . . Don't miss this incredible new paranormal series from Gena Showalter!

04.  Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  • The Dark-Hunters are ancient warriors who have sworn to protect mankind and the fate of the world is in their hands. . .

03.  Demonica series by Larissa Ione

  • Underworld General Hospital is run by demons, staffed by vampires and were’s and offers health care to anyone willing to walk (or be carried) through the doors...

02.  Harry Potter by J K Rowling

  • What did Harry Potter know about magic? He was stuck with the decidedly un-magical Dursleys, who hated him. He slept in a closet and ate their leftovers. But an owl messenger changes all that, with an invitation to attend the Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches, where it turns out Harry is already famous.. . .

01.  Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole

  • This sizzling new paranormal series has vampire's, were's, demon's and valkyries... 

Monday, July 23, 2012

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

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


Books Read Last Week:
Kiss of Pride - Sandra Hill
Gunmetal Magic - Ilona Andrews
Darklands - Nancy Holzner
The Hour of Dust and Ashes - Kelly Gay

Current Read:
Blood Fever - Veronica Wolff

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 07-22-12

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

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



Here is what I received this past week:

For Review:
A Wolf At the Door - K A Stewart
Two Weeks Notice - Rachel Caine
A Hundred Words for Hate - Thomas E Sniegoski
Seawitch - Kat Richardson
Thanks to Penguin 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Box of Books Giveaway Winner

The giveaway for the box of books has concluded and using random dot org, the winner chosen.


#16, Anme


Congrats!  An email is the way.


Thank you all for participating in this giveaway.


Happy Reading!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Finds: Revelation by Erica Hayes


Revelation is the first book in the new Seven Signs series by Erica Hayes.


A fallen angel with a mission and a medical examiner who’s lost her faith are fighting for their souls in a glittering, near-future Manhattan… 


Blind faith is for fools. That’s what Dr. Morgan Sterling believes. And she’s going to prove it by curing the zombie plague ravaging her city’s slums. She’s certain it’s not a sign of the End of Days, but a nasty disease — until an angel appears in her morgue in a flash of glory.


Luniel is not just a fallen angel. He’s a powerful warrior sworn to fight evil in hopes of a chance at redemption. He’s after the demon princes who are stealing the seven vials of holy wrath which, when perverted, will unleash eternal hell on earth.


To stop the plague, Luniel needs Morgan’s help, and her faith. But Morgan believes science is their salvation. If the zombie plague is a demonic curse — and if Luniel is true — he’ll have to prove it. Even if he loses his heart to true love or his soul to Hell…


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425258378
ISBN-13: 978-0425258378

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Review: Flu by Wayne Simmons


Flu is the first book in the Flu series by Wayne Simmons and a novel of Fiction from Snow Books.


Blurb:


A Deadly Strain Of Flu Has Mutated...


Two cops fight their way through an angry and frightened crowd to gain entry to an apartment block in Belfast. They have received reports of a fresh outbreak of the virus and are met with the bloodshot eyes of a six-year-old Lithuanian girl.


Out on the streets, Geri finds herself looking down the business end of a ski-masked man’s revolver.  Nearby, hell-bent on self-preservation, the shorn-headed punk Lark peeks out the window of his terraced-house hideout. In neighboring Finaghy, churchgoer Karen looks to the stoic and level-headed Pat for a paternal figure, seemingly oblivious to his checkered past as an IRA gunrunner.


As the flu continues to mutate, another phenomenon rocks the very foundations of Belfast...Infected bodies suddenly begin to rise.  


My thoughts:


Northern Ireland has been hit hard with a new and deadly strain of flu.  The authorities have urged people to stay calm, watch for symptoms and when needed, quarantine those infected.


The flu is spreading fast and fear even faster.  Martial law has been declared and the police are imposing in home quarantine - permanent quarantine.  Those infected are being sealed inside their own homes - to live or die as the virus allows.


But the flu has mutated and death is not the final stage - those infected are rising again.


Flu is an enjoyable read.  The story focuses more on the people facing the outcome of the virus rather than the people who have been infected.


I give Flu 3 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Snowbooks (April 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1906727198
ISBN-13: 978-1906727192  

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

WoW: Night Forbidden by Joss Ware


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

My WoW for the week:  

Blurb:

The world is ash, destroyed, and now controlled by Strangers. Survivors live in constant peril. But in the heart of Envy, resistance grows . . .

Somehow Bruno "Fence" Washington survived the apocalypse—emerging from a Sedona cave into a strange and terrible new world . . . fifty years later. Now, scouring the ruined earth for answers about the malevolent Strangers, the former extreme sportsman encounters an Amazonian beauty who calls to his every desire, but whose secret could mean his end.

Ana grew up in the ocean, diving far beneath the waves to the remnants of a world she never knew. Try as she might she can't resist the man who tempts her in ways she never knew possible . . . whose touch elicits truths she swore never to reveal. But the passion between them won't be denied even though it means facing a new evil rising up from the roiling waters to blanket the world in unending night.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (July 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062018647
ISBN-13: 978-0062018649

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Review: Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter


Wicked Nights is the first book in the Angels of The Dark series by Gena Showalter and a Paranormal Romance from HQN.


Blurb:


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


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


My thoughts:


Following the death of his brother Zacharel lost what little emotion he possessed.  Now the ice cold angel leads the most powerful army in the heavens - but not by choice.


Zacharel and his band of warrior angels have been given one last chance to prove that they understand the importance of human life.  If they can’t come to terms with that - understand that they are to protect humanity no matter what - they will lose their wings.


Annabelle Miller has not seen the outside world in four years.  Accused of a crime she did commit and locked away with the criminally insane, Annabelle hangs on to her own sanity by a very thin thread.


When Zacharel meets Annabelle is instantly confused.  He can’t understand why he feels like he should help this human female?  But help her, he does.


What neither know is that this meeting has long been in the works.  Zacharel has an enemy - an enemy on a mission - and that mission includes Zacharel’s death...


Wicked Nights is an amazing read.  I love Gena Showalter’s writing.  Her world building and characters come alive on the page.


I give Wicked Nights 5 out of 5 stars.


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

Monday, July 16, 2012

Giveaway: Box 'O Books

Over the weekend I cleared out another shelf from my bookcase resulting in a box full of books that I need to find a new home for.


Interested?


This box is full of paranormal romance and urban fantasy - those being the two main genre's I read.

This giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Just leave a comment with a valid email addy and you are entered.


Using random dot org, winner will be chosen and announced on Saturday 7-21.


Good luck! 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 7/15/12

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

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



Here is what I received this past week:

For Review:
Gunmetal Magic - Ilona Adrews
Precinct 13 - Tate Hallaway
Darklands - Nancy Holzner
Thanks to Penguin 

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friday Finds: Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews


Steel’s Edge is the fourth and final installment in the Edge series by Ilona Andrews.


Blurb Forthcoming


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Ace (November 27, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937007820
ISBN-13: 978-1937007829

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Early Review: Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway


Precinct 13 is a Paranormal Romance by Tate Hallaway from Berkley Trade.


Blurb:


Recent college grad Alex Conner is thrilled to have landed a job as the Hughes County coroner/medical examiner in Pierre, South Dakota. But when her first day on the job ends with a missing corpse, Alex starts to wonder if she would have been better off collecting unemployment...


When the cops made some cryptic comments about being careful with the body they brought in, Alex just thought the boys in blue were messing with her. That is, until something freaky happens that no amount of med school could have prepared her for. By the time Alex gets herself together, the body has disappeared and the other residents of the morgue start talking her ear off.


After working up the courage to report the missing body, Alex is transferred to the mysterious Precinct 13 where she discovers that her new co-workers—including a cute technomage named Jack—are paranormals just like her. Now, Alex is being encouraged to use her ability to speak to the dead to solve crimes. And despite being in the middle of nowhere, Hughes County sure does have a lot of paranormal activity…


My thoughts:


After a series of childhood sightings of magical creatures that no one else could see, Alex Connor spent countless hours in therapy and began a strict regime of mood altering medications.       


Determined to lead a normal life with no mention of magic or magical creatures, Alex moved to a new town and on a bet, threw her name in the ring for county coroner/medical examiner. 


Imagine her surprise when she was offered the job.


But that is nothing compared to the shock she feels when her first autopsy walks off the table.  Or the utter disbelief when she is directed to Precinct 13 where she learns that magic not only exists - it thrives.....and Alex may be magical herself.  


Precinct 13 is an okay read.  


I didn’t connect with Alex and found myself far more interested in her boyfriend, Valentine.  


I give Precinct 13, 2 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425247791
ISBN-13: 978-0425247792 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

WoW: Seduced by Blood by Laurie London


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

My WoW for the week:  

Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two vampire coalitions: 

Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors... 

Hot-blooded and hard-edged, Tristan Santiago has an uncanny ability to see beneath the surface-a power that serves him well as the Guardians' region commander. But when a deadly plot against his fellow vampires is uncovered, he must turn to the one woman he can't read: the beautiful yet mysterious Roxanne Reynolds, whose sensual presence soothes his tormented memories. 

Roxy had put love before duty once before, with devastating results. But to root out a dangerous traitor in their midst, she must put her faith in Santiago, the one man skilled enough to break through her defenses. Posing as lovers, Santiago and Roxy work side by side-and discover a powerful craving that threatens to consume them both....

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (July 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373776691
ISBN-13: 978-0373776696