Black Dawn

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Now that the draug have infected Morganville no place is safe for Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve. Hiding in Founders square with a few remaining humans and vampires they fight for their survival against an enemy that travels by water. If things weren't bad enough Queen Vampire Amelia has been bitten by Master draug Magnus and is dying, Oliver is posed to take over as leader of Morganville, and Claire's is in danger because she is the only person that can Magnus.

As usual Rachel Caine as created another page turning novel full of twists and turns that were unexpected. What I like best about the Morganville Vampires series is that I am can never tell you whats going to happen next. Yes there is always danger, yes Clair and friends are always in the middle of danger, yes someone (usually a vampire) will betray Claire and friends causing more danger and yes Claire and friends will help once again save everyone but all the details are different and exciting.


I really enjoy this series and cant wait to get my hands on the next book.


View all my reviews

The Hollow Man

The Hollow Man: A Novel by Oliver Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Nick Belsey, London Police Detective Nick Belsey, is a man that has hit bottom with a vengeance. He wakes up on Hampstead Heath still drunk by a crashed squad car, no money, no wallet, no home and soon no job. While piecing together his night he casually starts investigating a missing person and figures out how to get himself out of this mess.

It will be oh so simple to step into the shoes of the missing business man, clean out his accounts and disappear himself. Its not like there is a body and no one even knows what Alex Devereux (the missing Russian business man) looks like. The more Nick investigates the missing person the more he is sure he could get away with the crime but he has to move fast. Soon body's are piling up and Nick's own life is in jeopardy.

You always know you have read a good book when you get to the end and you immediately go online to discover when/if more books will be coming. which is exactly what I did with this book.

Unlike most American crime novels this book moves a little slower and spends getting us to the guns blazing end, which is why it works so well. By the time you get to the half way mark you are secretly hoping Nick gets away with his scheming but also solves the big mystery surrounding Alex Devereux. You can't decide to you want Nick to be the good guy or the bad guy.

Unlike typical anti-heroes, bad guys being heroic, you have a "good guy" doing some bad things. And although the main character is essentially solving the mystery he is not doing it for the greater good he is doing it for his own selfish reasons. And that is what keeps you reading and connected to the character.


View all my reviews

Check out what others think of The Hollow Man.

Hard Bitten

Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Merit is finally settling in as Sentinel of Cadogen house. Of course nothing is ever quite in Chicago but she has settled into a routine. Until Mayor Tate threats to lock Ethan in jail if they don't put a stop to the blood raves.

The blood raves have taking a sinister turn and people may be dying. Soon Merit learns that a new drug is making vampires lose control and while she is trying to shut down the operation she discovers Celina may be involved with the disruption and the GP is sending a representative to Chicago back in order.

I am going to reveal a big spoiler. so if you haven't read the book stop reading the review now.

ETHAN IS DEAD.

Thats right they kill Ethan. ETHAN. I know that Merit is the main character and the romance between Ethan and Merit is more of a side story in the books but its obvious they are meant to be together and now Ethan is dead.

It was all very dramatic; Ethan steps in front of Merit to save her life from Celina and then Merit kills Celina. Yes there is a shocking twist and the introduction of a new enemy but Ethan's death is the only thing I can remember.


View all my reviews

The Red Queen

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margaret Beaufort is a the last hope of the Lancaster family. If she marries and has a son the Lancaster family has a hope of holding on to the throne of England if not then the Yorks are sure to take over.

Margaret is forced to marry Edmund Tudor when she is little more than a child. Soon widowed and pregnant Margaret determines that her son will one day be king of England. But her child is taken from her and she is married off to another man during the famed Cousins War. She bides her time and conspires with her former Brother-in-law to raise Henry to be King.

Windowed a second time Margaret conspires to marry a man that will help her get in good with the York court and further her agenda to put Henry on the throne. She befriends Queen Elizabeth Woodruff and conspires to marry her son to the Queens eldest daughter to further her scheme of putting her son Henry on the throne

Another great book by Philippa Gregory that brings to life the woman history seems to forget. Margaret Beaufort is not a woman I liked...she was a full of jealous, deceit and bitterness. But despite that (and knowing what happens) you find yourself cheering for the underdog Margaret. She never once wavers from what she sees as her destiny of being the mother to the future King.

These books remind us of the adage behind every great man is a great woman.


View all my reviews

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clary Fray is like any other teenager in New York with a slightly over protective mom until one night when she sees 3 teenagers kill a demon. Life as Clary knows it will never be the same. Now she can see things that others can not see, then her mom is kidnapped and now Clary is hiding from all the things that go bump in the night.  With the help of the Shadowhunters Clary is trying to unravel the secrets her mom keep hidden and find the key that will save them all.

I have read this book twice now.

The first time I loved and was determined to read the whole series. The second time I loved and I am still determined to read the whole series but now I own all the books and will start working my way through them.

What I like about the characters is that they are not your stereotypical teen story. These teens are smart strong and very strong headed. Clary her self is a strong independent girl who is not going to go along with anything just because some boy named Jace tells her whats what. She pushes back and is determined to fight right along her new companions to save herself.

The plot goes along a bit predictable and then a twist and then another twist and then a "did I read that correctly" twist. Then you stay up late to finish everything just to see what happens....I did this twice.

This is a great YA book. It has shades of Harry Potter, Rachel Morgan and just for fun Luke Skywalker all in one character.


View all my reviews

Happy Ever After

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Parker Brown is the force behind the wedding company Vows. With help from her 3 best friends she has turned a childhood game into a successful business. She has also watched her best friends fall in love and start planning their own weddings.

Although she thinks there is no one for her former stunt man and local mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh has different ideas. Parker is not about to give in to just any guy she has definite ideas about who she should date and Malcolm is not that guy. Mac knows Parker is wrong and is determined to win her over and change her life.

The best part about these books is the relationship between the 4 friends. While reading it you start relating to the characters as you remember similar (minus the charmed life) conversations you have had with your friends.  In this aspect Nora Roberts has created memorable characters that has you reading to late and proudly proclaiming yes I am reading a romance and yes it has a steamy sex scene.

If you are looking for a sweet romance that requires little from you as a reader then this is a great book to read.


View all my reviews

The Golden Lily

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Its not easy being Sydney Sage, an alchemist forced to live among Moroi. She has to help hide Moroi princess Jill among humans not always an easy task. Especially when she is suppose to dislike the race of people she is helping.

But her loyalties may be shifting. After everything she has seen she starts to question her alchemist teachings and beliefs. Living among them daily isn't helping her stay on the short and narrow path she was raised to belief. As her affection for Adrian grows and she finds her self more and more enmeshed in Moroi life she places herself in a dangerous position. How does she remain an Alchemist when she is questioning their beliefs.

And now there is a new threat to Sydney and her modge podge band of Moroi....Vampire Hunters are real and living in Palm Springs. In the end Sydney will risk her own life and freedom by not only risking her own life but by using some of the magic she

This is the second book in the Bloodlines series. Which is also a spin off of the 6 book Vampire Academy series (which is fabulous if you haven't read it). I don't always enjoy spin offs but this is the exception to the rule.

Richelle Mead has once again delivered a book that will have you staying up way past your bed time. Page by page she weaves a tale of intrigue and drama. Sydney is a character with a lot of depths and inner demons that you cant help but admire her always looking for the right path to follow even when it conflicts with her upbringing.

Full of a few twist that I didn't expect and a few I did. I was once again caught up in the world Mead created at when the book ended I was upset that I had to move on to another book. I wanted lots and lots more...I can hardly wait for The Indigo Spell that is set to be released February 12, 2013.


View all my reviews

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not an expert on Abraham Lincoln's life. I know he was the 16th President. That his election as President along with a few other events lead to the South seceding from the Union and the start of the Civil War. He emancipated the slaves, wrote the Gettysburg address and was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in the Ford Theater. I may know a fact or two more if I thinking about it. You may also think you know a lot about life but after reading this controversial biography you may be thinking how did they keep the exists of Vampires a secret all these years and how did we not know that Lincoln was a vampire hunter.

We discover that in addition to Lincolns disgust with slavery he begins to understand (with the help of another vampire) that the bigger threat slavery imposes is the easy access vampires have to a food supply and how this helps them gain a strangling foot hold in our young nation.

Focusing more on his earlier life rather than the years of his Presidency the book explores how Mr. Lincoln discovered that vampires exists and how the death of his mother at the hands of a vampire lead him on the journey that ended up with him being elected President.

Okay all joking aside....I truly enjoyed this book. Full of historical facts (with footnotes and historical pictures) about Lincoln you will find yourself questioning, “Was Lincoln really a vampire hunter and is that the reason behind the Civil War?” It just seems to make sense even if you don't believe in vampires. Which I don't. But recently when watching a documentary on the Civil War I keep saying to my boyfriend they are wrong Lincoln did that because of the vampires.

This book, written like a biography, is a quick easy read. And despite the title is surprisingly with out  gore. Yes vampires die by losing heads and in other gruesome ways it is all told rather matter fact with out to much detail to the blood and guts.


View all my reviews

Deadlocked

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The more things change in Bon Temps the more things stay the same in Sookie's life. It seems that everyone is moving forward and making changes except Sookie. Her best friend is about to give birth to twins, Her brother Jason is engaged, love is blooming all over Merlotts.

Sookie has stalled out with her relationship with Eric and a has been ordered to attended a party for the Vampire King of Louisiana, Nevada and Arkansas and despite warnings to stay away Sookie attends the party and it unleashes a series of events that changes things for Sookie....and things aren't going to be the same.

If you didnt know that Charlaine Harris was only writing one more Sookie Stackhouse book you would after this book. She does a great job of tying up some loose ends for a number of minor characters. And by the end of the book she moved Sookie is a direction that might include a future that doesn't include vampires.

i cant wait to see how she ends this series.


View all my reviews

The Next Always

The Next Always by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meet the Montgomery Brothers who are taking on an ambition project restoring an historic building and turning it in to a romantic bed and breakfast. The architect of the family, Beckett, is deeply contact to the project and the residential ghost Lizzy. But Beckett has another project besides restoring the Inn he wants to kiss single mom and book owner Claire. He kissed her once when he was 15 and hasn't been the same since.

I have mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of Nora Roberts books especially her love stories. I usually find them to be very predictable and not interesting but since I liked her series The Bride Quartet I thought I would give this series a try. And while I did find the love story to be the same as her other story, I still enjoyed the story.

Not because of the love story but because of the relationship between the Montgomery brothers. I felt like I was easy dropping on a real family not always perfect but loving.

If you are looking for a nice summer read then I recommend this book. be warned its part of a trilogy and only the first 2 books are out.


View all my reviews

Last Breath

Last Breath by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to Morganville, where if you are not on your guard 24/7 you may end up dead.

Things are never quite in Morganville but they do start to take on a routine that starts to make everyone relax...a little. But nothing stays that way for long. Morganville is a powder keg waiting to ignite over Michael and Eve's upcoming wedding and to make matters worse vampires are going missing.

There is a new entity in Morganville not quite sure if he is a vampire or something else Claire and friends must discover what he is up to before Morganville is truly lost for good.

What I liked about this book besides that its a Morganville Vampire book...I liked that we got to see the story from multiple points of view. In the past these books have all been from Claire's point of view. In this book we see it from Amelia, Michael Eve, Shane's point of view. Now we know what is going on behind the scenes and how those actions relate back to Glass House.

Definitively one of my favorites in the series so far.

View all my reviews

All Together Dead

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The vampire summit is finally occurring and Sookie is going as part of the Queen of Louisiana party, despite the warnings not to get involved with Vampire politics. The queen is not in a good position, her husband is dead and Hurricane Katrina has weakened the Queens vast holdings as well as killing a number of her "subjects".  With vampires being killed, bombs planted outside the Queens room and staff of the hotel avoiding Sookie and fellow telepath Bob, this is not your ordinary summit.

This is a reread for me and it is one of my favorite Sookie books. I think Sookie is at her best piecing together the puzzle. It must be all those mystery books she reads. It was a good booking for ending one part of Sookie's life (Bill) and starting another (Erik).

A great series.

View all my reviews

Trial of the Spellmans

Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things are changing in the Spellman family. Izzy is taking a more active role in the family business, David is married and a stay at home dad, and Rae is at college and concerned about the environment. On top of all that a Chinese wall has been evoked by the Senior Spellmans to keep overlapping investigations from becoming a conflict. But not everything is as nice as its seems. Izzy has really concerns with the way the business is being run and concerns about the cases they are working. David and Rae are fighting, Izzy is avoiding Henry, Oliva is enrolling in classes and taking up hobbies and then we meet Grandma Spellman!!!!!

As usual this was a laugh out loud read...few book are as funny as The Spellman books. I loved this one because you could see the family growing and changing. Especially Izzy, who makes some real changes towards maturity. And although I was not happy with all the choices she makes, especially her love life, it was fun watching Izzy out maneuver her family and resolve her problems. With each new page their is a new piece to the puzzle that Izzy is trying to solve.

If you are looking for a fun, outrageous alcoholic induced good read...run don't walk to get this one. Its well worth the read and

View all my reviews

A Perfect Blood

A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life has not been easy for Rachel Morgan since she acknowledge that she is a demon. No one will hire her and she can't even get her drivers licence. But now that mutilated bodies are popping up all over Cincinnati both the FIB and IS need Rachel's help. Or someone to blame. Rachel along with Ivy and Jenks are hot on the trail of the killers but they keep getting away. Someone on the inside is tipping them off. To keep everyone save Rachel will have to trust Trent and truly embrace the demon part of her.

I love Rachel Morgan has a character this time around Rachel is struggling with the fact that Ivy and Jenks are moving on in their lives. She is happy for them but also sad that she is stuck and unable to take that step herself. Especially now that her mom has moved away and she has cut herself off from the ley line magic. Not to mention that whole demon thing ostracizing her from the world.

Do you ever get the feeling when you are reading a book in a series and that series will soon end? That's how I felt reading this book. Jenks and Ivy moving on, Glenn leaving and Rachel coming to terms with her witch born demon life. All these things plus the weird relationship developing between Trent and Rachel give me the feeling that soon their will be no more Rachel Morgan books. I cant decide if Kim Harrison is taking us down a new path or if she will soon be ending the series. I hope its the latter.

I did miss Al in this book. I hope he is in the next one more.

I really enjoy this series.

View all my reviews

By a Thread

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After the fall out from killing Mab Monroe, Gin Blanco decides a vacation is in order. So she sets off to enjoy a weekend away with her sister Bria. But when you are the famous assassin The Spider, trouble follows you where ever you go. Bria's childhood friend is in trouble and when no one else is able to help her Gin decides that her vacation is over. But things are more complicated than she expects especially after her former love interest Detective Donovan Caine shows up engaged to the very person Gin is helping. Gin will have to put aside her personal feelings if she is going to survive.

Its rare that while I am reading a book I actually have to put it down because I am so stressed over what is going to happen next. I don't want to spoil what happens but at one point Gin is in a lot of trouble and you know what is going to happen next...and its not good. I was so stressed and wondering how Gin was going to get herself out of trouble that I had to put the book down and walk away for a few minutes. I had to do this even though I know there is a new book in the series coming out later this year.

This is a great series to read.

View all my reviews

Definitely Dead

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sookie Stackhouse does not want to become involved with Vampire politics but it seems it is unavoidable.  When Sookie travels to New Orleans to settle her cousins Hadley's estate she gets drawn into the Vampire Queen of Louisiana’s court. With her new boyfriend weretiger Quinn at her side Sookie tries to navigate court intrigue while someone is once again trying to kill her.

I don't know what it is about this series but you get sucked in and never what to leave.

Another recent reread. I think I liked it more the second time then I did the first time.

View all my reviews

Bossypants

Bossypants by Tina Fey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What can one say about Tina Fey? She is witty, talented and has a wonderful self deprecating sense of humor. She is a self proclaimed nerd that is lucky enough to write, produce and star in one of the funniest shows on TV. Tina Fey tells her story in such a way that you will find yourself saying hey I did that and that would so happen to me also. Its an amazing every girl story that I would love to have every teenage girl read.

I love reading biographies. I really enjoy reading about peoples lives and better understanding their journey. Tina Fey tells a great story that flows well from point A to point B. Its quirky and entertaining from beginning to end.  If you are expecting a tell all who slept with who book and who hated who...then go read Tommy Lees biography but if your looking for a fun quick read that will keep you laughing then this is the book for you.

View all my reviews

Spider's Revenge

Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Gin Blanco sister's Bria is in a lot of trouble. Their enemy Mab Monroe has placed a bounty on Bria's head to flush out the assassin the Spider. And every bounty hunter in 100 miles is in town to complete the job. But Gin, aka the Spider, isn't about to let anyone harm her sister and decides to finally kill Mab. But Mab is a powerful Fire Elemental and not that easy to kill. After two failed attempts Mab finally has her hands on Bria and she thinks on the Spider but Gin has friends that will do anything to help her including taking down Mab.

I love this series. Just when you are about to get tired of the feud between Gin and Mab, Gin kills Mab and your left wondering what next but you dont have to worry because Jennifer Estep tells you that trouble is not yet down with Gin and her friends.

I cant wait until the next book and luck for me it's coming out in a week.

View all my reviews

Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Katniss has been rescued from the 75th Hunger Games by rebels from District 13 and Capitol rebels. Now living under ground in District 13. Everyone wants Katniss to be the Mockingjay that sympolies the rebellion against the Capitol but Katniss is hesitate until she sees Peeta being held by the Capitol and forced to repeat their agenda. To save Peeta Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay despite reservation about the leaders of District 13. Katniss will once again risk everything to save the people she loves.

Half way through the book I was unhappy with the direction the author was leading us. I worried what would happen to Katniss and Peeta. I didn't like the leaders in District 13 I felt they were just as bad as President Snow manipulating and controlling everyone. And to be honest it was very slow and dull until Katniss and her team are in the capitol fighting their way to the Presidents palace. That was fast paced and often very sad.

I know a lot of people were angry at the ending which was not the fairy tale ending you would wish for Katniss. After all the pain and horrors she witnessed you just want her to live happily ever after. But you really cant have that ending. War is ugly and no matter how strong of a character you are you are bound to crack after being forced to live through what she lived through. And to be honest the ending was fairly anti-climatic but live is often anti-climatic.

View all my reviews

Much Ado About Vampires

Much Ado About Vampires by Katie MacAlister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Corazon and Alec were meant to be together for 100 of years but neither is willing to admit it. Corazon is the reincarnation of Alec's Beloved. Only Alec thinks he is doomed to be soul less since she died 100s of years ago and Corazon hates Vampires but fate has brought them together and Alec is determined to save Corazon from all the demons and power hunger freaks out there that want to use her for their own agenda. Corazon is determined to save herself no matter what.

This is book is part of Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones series. I really enjoy reading this series. It has a fun lighthearted feel with strong female characters and yummy male leads. Its a slightly unique spin on the over done paranormal romance genre. She often brings main characters from other books in as supporting characters so you can catch up on their lives. In this book she brings back Pia and Kristoff whos love story was so complicated that they got 2 books (Zen and the Art of Vampires and Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang) to cover everything. They just happen to be two of my favorite Dark ones books.

If you like Vampires this is a fun series to read.


View all my reviews