Showing posts with label Paranormal/Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal/Fantasy. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Seduce the Darkness (audio)

SHE HAS A BODY MADE FOR TEMPTATION...
AND A KISS TO DIE FOR.

The war between otherworlders and humans changed Earth beyond recognition. It also saved Bride McKells's life. Before, the gorgeous vampire was a target for every fanatic with a stake and a crucifix. Now, she's free to roam the streets -- and desperate to find others of her kind. One man claims to have the answers she seeks. Devyn, King of the Targons, is a warrior and a womanizer, and he makes no secret of how much he wants Bride -- and how dangerous he could be to her in every way.

An avid collector of women, Devyn easily seduces human and otherworlder alike. Until now. Not only does Bride resist him, but she leaves Devyn feeling something entirely new...a bone-deep need bordering on obsession. Her blood is the key to curing a vicious alien disease, but helping Bride uncover her origins will compel her to choose between electrifying passion and a destiny that could tear her from Devyn's side forever.

This is a futuristic, paranormal romance set in Chicago. I love it when an author can make me go from disliking a character to loving them. Devyn is that sort of character. It was Bride that could totally change him. Their banter was snarky, funny, and leads to mutual admiration and into love. This is the fourth book in the Alien Huntress series, I did feel I was missing a bit of the back story and quickly checked the website to get caught up. Justine Eyre does a fantastic job narrating. I will continue on with the series as well as catch up with the previous books.

Author: Gena Showalter
Published: 2009/2014
Narrator:  Justine Eyre
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Simon and Schuster Audio
Finished: 5/19/14

Nise '

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Lauren and Simon and Schuster Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Friday, March 14, 2014

One Lucky Vampire

Yes, Nicole Phillips has miraculously survived what appear to be three separate death threats from her ex-husband-to-be. But no, she does not need protection. At least that’s what she keeps telling everyone. But when her new housekeeper arrives complete with a sexy build and a no-nonsense attitude, she can’t help but feel a little safer. That is, until the passion between them heats up and she knows she’s really in trouble.

Jake Carlson never wanted to be immortal, or a vampire, in the first place. Turned during an emergency by Vincent Argeneau, he’s been living his new life away from the clan as a bodyguard for hire. That is, until Marguerite Argeneau reappears with a new job opportunity: undercover protection for a family friend…as a housekeeper. But when he discovers his beautiful new client is tougher than he first thought, Jake thinks he might be the one in need of protection. Just not the physical kind.

With two weeks until her divorce proceedings are final, Jake must do everything in his power to keep Nicole safe and happy… he just hopes he can keep ahold of his heart in the process!

Luck be a vampire tonight . . . When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all. . . . and every night Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

This is book 19 in a very popular Argeneau series, but my first book and thankfully it did not feel like I was missing out on information. There was quite a bit of action with lots of humor and a couple of twists. The family is very involved with each other, whether it is wanted or not, which adds to the humor. Jack Dupont did a great job of narrating.  I will listen/read to another book in this series.

Author: Lynsay Sands
Published: September
Genre:Paranormal
Source: HarperAudio
Finished: 3/5/14

Nise'
This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from HarperAudio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Black and Blue (audio)


Corbin Blue is a man of many talents. One of the most powerful otherworlders ever born, he is wealthy, a professional football star, and a legend in the bedroom. But only a select few know he is also a black ops agent...and there is no better killer. When he and his crew are attacked and separated, he’s forced to turn to his boss’s daughter for help―a woman with even more secrets than Blue.

Evangeline Black has always been wary, guarded. No man has ever breeched her walls. Until Blue. He has never been denied something he wants, and now, he’s decided he wants her. As he sweeps her into his double life of seduction, intrigue, and danger, he helps her see beyond the darkness of her past. But as an enemy closes in, Blue will have to let Evie go to keep her safe—even though he'd rather die than live without her…

Evangeline (Evie) is the bosses daughter and off limits to Blue.  When the black ops office is compromised, Blue can only trust Evie to help him figure out what happened. They are determined to work together despite their dislike for each other. Lots of action as they search for the missing member of the Otherworld Assassin team. Loved the snarky humor between these two characters.  George Newbern nailed their voices for me.

Author: Geno Showalter
Published: October 2013
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Source: Simon and Schuster Audio
Finished: 2/23/14

Nise'
This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Lauren and Simon and Schuster Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Paranormal/Fantasy Audios

Dead Set by Richard Kadrey

After her father’s funeral, Zoe moved to the big city with her mother to start over. But change always brings trials, and life in the city is not so easy. Money is tight, and Zoe’s only escape, as has always been the case, is in her dreams—a world apart from her troubled real life where can spend time with her closest companion: her lost brother, Valentine.

But something or someone has entered their dreamworld uninvited. And a chance encounter in a used record store, where the vinyl holds not music but lost souls, has opened up a portal to the world of the restless dead. It’s here that the shop’s strange proprietor offers Zoe the chance to commune with her dead father. The price? A lock of hair. Then a tooth. Then…

I choose this audio because I love the narrator.  Glad it turned out to be a great story as well!  Zoe is struggling with her grief and reaches out for connection, never thinking of the consequences. Once in Iphigene the story takes off and gets creepy good. Her father and brother warn her not to return, but in her grief, she just can't heed their warnings.  Kate Rudd did an exceptional job narrating.

Author:  Richard Kadrey
Published: October 2013
Genre: Paranormal
Source: HarperAudio
Finished: 1/30/14

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from HarperAudio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses.

The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret.

Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself

I wanted to listen to this book because I have liked this author's previous books.  Tana has been scratched by a vampire while rushing to get her friends out of the house of horror she woke up in.  She is no stranger to vampires as her mother was infected when she was younger.  Why the two boys survived is a mystery and Gavriel has dark secrets of his own, and Tana is inexplicably drawn to him.  Tana is hoping she can survive the infection without becoming a vampire. In the age of social network, Coldtown is glamorized.  Tana knows there is nothing glamorous about it, but goes anyway. Christine Lakin narrated this book brilliantly. She captured the horrors, darkness, secrets, romance and emotion brilliantly.

Author:  Holly Black
Published: September 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source:  Hachette Audio
Finished: 1/31/14

Nise'

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Mitch and Hachette Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Friday, October 4, 2013

A Seal Wolf Christmas

Navy SEAL Bjornolf Jorgenson and undercover operative Anna Johnson have a rocky beginning at their first meeting all to do with pantyhose and tying her to a bed after some heavy-duty sparring, and him declaring she has mighty fine killer knees. Christmas is coming but thoughts of sugar plum fairies and kissing under the mistletoe isn’t something these two gray werewolves have in mind when they're tasked to be the newlyweds preparing for Christmas while investigating a SEAL’s murder at a Christmas Tree farm.

Neither care about Christmas, sharing gifts, and all the traditions that go along with the season since neither enjoyed the holiday while growing up. But as they battle each other as to what makes for the perfect newly married couple’s first Christmas, they learn that a little Christmas cheer can become so much more, especially if they can take down a SEAL’s killer before they become his next target.

A great read while I was recovering with back issues. Both characters are strong, independent with scarred pasts and when they get together it is explosive.  The mystery is full of adventure with twists that keep the pages turning.  It was great to revisit with characters from previous books.

Author: Terry Spear
Published: October 2013
Pages: 282
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished: 9/25/13

Nise'
This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle and Sourcebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Last Kiss Goodnight

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION . . .

Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.

THE ULTIMATE PRICE . . .

Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different— he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him . . . and he’ll be put to a killer test.

I am new to Gena's books and I liked this book more than her dedicated readers.  It was hard to get immersed in this new world, and figure out all the characters.  Once I did, it flowed much better.   I liked that the story was told in Vika's and Solo's POVs.  George Newbern narrated.
 

Author:  Gena Showalter
Published: March 2013
Narrator: George Newberb
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source:  Simon & Schuster Audio
Finished: 8/24/13

Nise'

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Lauren and Simon & Schuster Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

A Highland Werewolf Wedding

On The Run...

After werewolves Elaine Hawthorn and Cearnach MacNeill almost have a head-on collision on a foggy Highland road, they're pretty well stuck with each other. It'll be hours before anyone can get there to pull his car out of the ditch and they both have better places to be.

And Nowhere to Hide From Each Other...

The sexy little American brings out all of Cearnach's big bag protective instincts. If she thought she was in trouble before, Elaine has no idea what kind of complications a hot Scot can cause...

What's not to love about a Highlander in a kilt?  Never mind that he's also a shape shifter!  This is Cernach's story.  Elaine is in Scotland to take care of some family business, little does she know that it involves the MacNeills as well.  Fast paced with plenty of heat and laugh out loud moments.  I look forward the the next MacNeill brother's story.

Author: Terry Spear
Published: May 2013
Pages: 342
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished:  5/6/13

Nise'

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle and Sourcebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Bite Me, Your Grace

England’s “vampire craze” causes much vexation for the Lord Vampire of London, Ian Ashton. To save his reputation, Ian enlists aspiring authoress Angelica Winthrop without realizing she has hidden plans of her own.

Angelica Winthrop’s life goal is to ruin her reputation, avoid marriage, and become a gothic authoress like her idol, Mary Shelley. To find inspiration for her new story, she breaks into the home of Ian Ashton, Duke of Burnrath, not knowing she will be coming up against the Lord Vampire of London. Romance sparks and reputations are at stake. But who knows the real difference between fact and fiction?

I am attracted to debut authors. I was not too sure about this one, but decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. Ian and Angelica are great characters and had immediate sizzling chemistry. There is a lot going on in the book with interesting characters which I hope means there are other stories to come.

Author:  Brooklyn Ann
Published: April 2013
Pages:346
Genre:  Historical Paranormal
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished: 4/30/13

Nise'


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Beth and Sourcebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Howl For A Highlander

A Highland Wolf on a Mission…

Duncan MacNeill is hell-bent on catching the thief who’s stolen the clan’s fortune and run off to Grand Cayman Island. Duncan has rarely left his homeland and he couldn’t care less about an island paradise. He never expected to find a beautiful distraction who will show him just how appealing paradise can be…

Meets a Dangerous Distraction…

Lone wolf and botanist Shelley Campbell headed to the island to study the old growth forests. She didn’t count on meeting a handsome Highlander who can’t keep his paws off her.
This was a quick read, predictable, but fun. I thought I would not like shifter novels, but they have been a surprise to me. I do save them for when I am in pain, as I don't have to concentrate too much and it helps pass the time. I wished there were more Highlanders in the book, but the setting was Grand Caymans! Near the end we were treated to Highlanders. This book is part of a series, but I did not feel I missed anything by not reading any of the previous books.
Author: Terry Spear
Published: February 2013
Pages:416
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished: 2/6/13

Nise'

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle and Sourcebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Savage Hunger


Army Officer Kathleen McKnight has never forgotten the mission to the Amazon take down a ruthless drug lord. Nor has she forgotten about the mysterious man who saved her twice when she was caught in crossfire. Back in South America to try to find him, Kathleen never expects to discover that the man that has intrigued her for so long has a surprising secret…

Connor Anderson is a jaguar shifter who is looking for a life mate, but can’t shake the memory of the tough Army officer he saved over a year ago. When he is unexpectedly reunited with Kathleen, Conner is ready to see if they could truly be together. But Kathleen has no idea he’s a jaguar—will she accept this, and make the change herself? And when Kathleen’s dangerous past is suddenly back in the picture, both she and Conner have to make life-changing decisions that will decide their fate…

 

Shape shifting novels are way out of my comfort zone, but Terry does an excellent job with the characters and setting that I enjoyed this read. I did not feel that the POV of the cats was cheesy or did I have to totally suspend belief. I liked the friendship between Maya and Kat as well as the chemistry between Connor and Kat. I hope Maya's story is next.  The action/suspense/romance was just enough to keep me turning the pages.
Author: Terry Spear
Published: October 2012
Pages: 352
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Sourcebooks
Finished: 9/12/11

Nise'

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Wanted: Undead or Alive

He's a vampire from the big city . . .

Phineas McKinney thought New York City was tough, until he was attacked by Malcontents—evil vampires who consider mortals to be snacks. Saved by the good vampires, Phin swore to devote his now undead life to stopping the Malcontents. He's got his job cut out for him when word comes that their enemy may be hiding in Wyoming. What does a city boy like him know about horses and campfires? Good thing he's got Brynley Jones with him . . . if only she didn't hate every vampire on earth.

She's a werewolf princess . . .

Bryn believes vampires are seductive and charming, and that makes them dangerous. So she's more than a little annoyed about teaming up with Phin, even if he is the only bloodsucker able to make her inner wolf purr. But as they hunt down the new leader of the Malcontents, danger threatens . . . and Phineas and Brynley discover a passion that will rock the foundation of their supernatural world.
Certain paranormal novels have slowly becoming a genre that will get a second look from me. This is my first Kerrelyn Sparks book. It was hilariously entertaining that I looked for reasons to listen to the audiobook! I did not know this was book 12 in the Love At Stake series, and I did feel at times that I was missing information.  P. J. Ochlan did a great job at narrating.
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Published: March 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source:  HarperAudio
Finished: 5/28/12
3 Bears

I listened to this audiobook on my iPod after downloading it from the Publisher.
Nise'

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Beth Harper and HarperAudio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Lover Reborn

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been unrecognizable from the vampire leader he once was. Physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair, he has been brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel. Now, fighting once again with ruthless vengeance, he is unprepared to face a new kind of tragedy.

When Tohr begins to see his beloved in his dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld far from the peace and tranquillity of the Fade—he turns to the angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. But because Lassiter tells him he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed....

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past and a very hot, passion-filled future…but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

At first I was against Thor and No'One (Autumn), but as the story unfolded, I was more open to the relationship. Thor brought out a lot of emotion from me (I love it when an author can draw it out of me). His grief, his anger and the Fade Ceremony! Grab the tissues!  The twist during the ceremony had me almost throwing the book. There was quite a bit of humor to balance the emotions. The BOB are a group of intriguing characters even though they are against the BDB. I like them more than the Lessers and hope we get a story or two out of them. This book exceeded my expectations! I loved Quinn's quote at the end of the book when he makes an important decision, "When you were young you thought time was a burden, something to be discharged as fast as possible so you could be a grown-up.  But it was such a bait-n-switch - when you were an adult, you came to realize that minutes and hours were the single most precious thing you had. No one got forever." So true.   This series is addicting.  Now that I am caught up, I may re-read or listen to a couple of my favorites while waiting for the next book.
Author: J.R.Ward
Published: March 27, 2012
Pages: 592
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Library
Finished: 3-29-12
4 Bears

Nise'

Friday, March 9, 2012

Black Dagger Brotherhood #5 and #6

Lover Unbound
Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her.
This series has been on quite a few blogger favorite lists, and I wondered why. I picked up the first book and figured out why! I quickly devoured the next three books to get to this one. Each brother intrigued me and I looked forward to each of their stories. This is Vishous and Jane's story, even though we get snippets of John Matthew before his transition and just after as well as a bit more about the Other Side. Not much happens with the battle between the Lessers in this installment.  It was all going so well, I loved everything about it UNTIL Vishous and Jane got their HEA. Just did not like how it came about, can't tell you as it is a huge spoiler.  I did like that Vishous's mother was involved, but still that did not sell me on the ending. I will, however, continue on with the series. Phury is next. 
2 Bears
Lover Enshrined
Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself- she sees the emotionally scarred male behind all his noble responsibility. But while the war with the Lessening Society grows more grim, and tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love.

This edition in the series redeemed itself in my eyes. Phury's story was heartbreaking and emotional. There was so much more going on in this book than just Phury and Cormia. We are treated to more of John Matthew and friends after their transition. Rhevenge figures prominently building up to the next book. The fight between the Brotherhood and the Lessers heats up with a huge twist.  Page turning suspense!
3 Bears

Nise'

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Seal in Wolf's Clothing

Meara Greymere is in charge of the cabin rentals on the rugged Oregon coastline, so her brother and his mate could take a delayed honeymoon. But while Hunter is away, the she-wolf intends to play—she just has to convince the right alpha male to rent one of the cabins, and she’ll take it from there. But when Finn Emerson arrives with every intention of pretending to be her lover, she's not going to take this lying down. She knows he'll tell her brother what she's up to and put an end to her game.

Finn Emerson is an ex-Navy SEAL, formerly one of Hunter Greymere’s team members, and now he's trying to track down a gray wolf, who's already made an attempt on one of their team member's lives. Finn believes Hunter will be targeted next, only to discover Hunter is off with his mate on a honeymoon, and he fears Hunter’s sister is in grave danger. But the former SEAL soon learns protecting the unpredictable sexy she-wolf is a mission and a half and protecting her isn’t all he wants to do.

I thought this book was going to be strictly a Navy Seal/Military story. I was so wrong, but pleasantly surprised. Paranormal is not my genre of choice, but I have to admit the few that I've read lately have been really good. This book is #9  of a series, and at times I did feel like I was missing some information, but not enough to take from the story. Finn and Meara are strong individuals and sparks fly when they are together.  There is suspense surrounding the mystery that kept me turning the pages.
Author: Terry Spear
Published: March 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Finished: 2/6/11

Nise'
3 Bears

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle at Sourcebooks Casablanca and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Fever Series

The first book, DarkFever, is reviewed here.

BloodFever
In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million year old book of deadly black magic, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by people she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two dangerous and powerful men, V’lane, a lethal Fae prince and the mysterious Jericho Barrons.

I was a bit frustrated with this  book  as I was hoping for more to take place.  The narrator, Joyce Bean, did a fantastic job. I am interested enough to continue with the series.

FaeFever


When Mac receives a page torn from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s words. Mac knows her sister’s killer is near. The sidhe-seer is on the hunt: for answers, for revenge. And for an ancient book of magic so twisted and dark that it corrupts anyone who touches it.

Mac’s quest takes her into the dark, riot-filled streets of Dublin with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into an uneasy alliance with a deadly Fae prince and the lethal Jericho Barrons, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind and soul.

Finally, the action, adventure and story progression that I was yearning for. Loved Mac's growth and acceptance of her special gifts.  Wondering just who (or what?)  Jericho Barrons is has me glued to the story.  

DreamFever

When the walls between Man and Fae come crashing down, freeing the immortal Unseelie from their icy prison, Mac is caught in a deadly trap. Trapped and tortured by the Fae Lord Master, Mac has no memory of who or what she is: the only sidhe-seer alive that can track the Sinsar Dubh, a book of black magic that holds the key to controlling both worlds.

Clawing her way back from oblivion is only the first step Mac must take down a perilous path, from the battle filled streets of Dublin to the treacherous politics of an ancient, secret sect, through the tangled lies of men who claim to be her allies into the illusory world of the Fae themselves where nothing is as it seems—and Mac is forced to face a soul-shattering truth.

Who do you trust when you can’t even trust yourself?
When I discovered the narrator had changed for this audio series, I was a bit concerned as I loved the previous narrator.  As soon as the narrator for Jerricho opens his mouth, I was hooked and settled into the new narrator(s).  The beginning was a bit hard to get through, but I stuck with it and things changed. Great action, suspense and romantic tension.  The cliffhanger at the end of this one was AWESOME, only because I had the next book to get right into.  I finished it on a walk and had to stop and yell out loud...."no, no, that is not the end!".  I did get a few looks!

ShadowFever

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister's murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals that have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief, while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh--a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King that contains the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac, and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.
Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman that haunts her dreams? More importantly, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master's penthouse, to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover, to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac's journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and make a choice that will either save the world...or destroy it.

This is one series that I am glad I did not know anything about until the final book was written.  Each book left you hanging, hungry for the next installment.  I finished the last book on a walk and rushed home to get this one going to find out...well, I don't want to ruin it for those who have not read it yet.  Our questions are answered with quite a few wonderful twists.  I want to know what happens to Dani, more books to come, I hope?

Nise'

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Radleys

Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have—for seventeen years—been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives.

One night, Clara finds herself driven to commit a shocking—and disturbingly satisfying—act of violence, and her parents are forced to explain their history of shadows and lies. A police investigation is launched that uncovers a richness of vampire history heretofore unknown to the general public. And when the malevolent and alluring Uncle Will, a practicing vampire, arrives to throw the police off Clara's trail, he winds up throwing the whole house into temptation and turmoil and unleashing a host of dark secrets that threaten the Radleys' marriage.

The Radleys is a moving, thrilling, and radiant domestic novel that explores with daring the lengths a parent will go to protect a child, what it costs you to deny your identity, the undeniable appeal of sin, and the everlasting, iridescent bonds of family love. Read it and ask what we grow into when we grow up, and what we gain—and lose—when we deny our appetites.

The title caught my attention and had me thinking of To Kill A Mockingbird. I did not read the blurb and had no idea what the book was about and was delightfully surprised. This is a believable, funny, fast-paced story. The blurbs from The Abstainer's Handbook were great.
Author: Matt Haig
Published: December 2010
Pages: 370
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Library
Finished: 5-15-11
3 Bears

Nise'

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Darkfever

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks... until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae...

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless V'lane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands...

So many bookies rave that this series is so good. In an effort to read books that are out of my comfort zone, I decided to listen when I saw that Joyce Bean narrated. While this was good, it felt like it was setting up the series as there was quite a bit left unresolved and it ends with a major cliffhanger. There are still mysteries to be uncovered.  At times Mac annoyed me, but I was hooked on Jericho. I liked it enough to continue with the next book, Faefever.  The cover of this audiobook gives the wrong impression.  It is not a "bodice ripper". 
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Published: October 2006
Narrator: Joyce Bean
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Source: Library
Finished: 5-15-11
3 Bears

Nise'

Friday, April 29, 2011

Awaken the Highland Warrior

Historian Bree Kirland has always been in love with the past, but when she accidentally wakes an ancient Scottish warrior who’s spent the past 150 years sleeping in her backyard, the past begins to tempt her in ways she never imagined.

Faelan has awakened from the time vault hungry and confused. He grieves for his lost family, wondering who sent the woman to wake him. If she’s a demon, Faelan will have to kill her. If she’s innocent, she’s unleashed the gates of hell in her backyard. He has nothing but his clothes, his dagger and his talisman, so he has no choice but accept this feisty modern-day woman’s offer to help. Even as they grow closer, Faelan and Bree know they only have one another to rely on… and to save their future…
This is book one in the Scottish Highlander series.  I like to read out of my comfort zone and paranormal is one that at times is too much for me as I have a harder time suspending belief to enjoy the story. This book intrigued me because of the time-travel aspect. It was a good one to take on vacation with me, but did not enjoy it enough to be looking for the next book in the series.
Author: Anita Clenney
Published: May 2011
Pages: 430
Genre: Paranormal/Time-Travel
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Finished: 4-13-11

Nise'
This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle and Sourcebooks Casablanca and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.”

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sapphique

The only one who escaped . . . And the one who could destroy them all.

Incarceron, the living prison, has lost one of its inmates to the outside world: Finn’s escaped, only to find that Outside is not at all what he expected. Used to the technologically advanced, if violently harsh, conditions of the prison, Finn is now forced to obey the rules of Protocol, which require all people to live without technology. To Finn, Outside is just a prison of another kind, especially when Claudia, the daughter of the prison’s warden, declares Finn the lost heir to the throne. When another claimant emerges, both Finn’s and Claudia’s very lives hang on Finn convincing the Court of something that even he doesn’t fully believe.

Meanwhile, Finn’s oathbrother Keiro and his friend Attia are still trapped inside Incarceron. They are searching for a magical glove, which legend says Sapphique used to escape. To find it, they must battle the prison itself, because Incarceron wants the glove too.

This is a complex book with so much going on. Incarceron, the first book, should be read in order to know what is going on as well as knowing the character's goals. While this was fast paced with a lot of action, it ended all of a sudden and I am not sure all was resolved for me. We are given more POVs than the first book, which at first can be confusing but does add to the story.  Overall a good read, but left me wanting more.
Author: Catherine Fisher
Published: December 2010 US (2008)
Pages: 462
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Library
3 Bears

Friday, February 11, 2011

Crescendo

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
I enjoyed this second book much more than the first one. It was not so "YA" as I thought the first one was, with a lot more action, suspense and mystery.  I liked it that Patch was not Nora's main focus, although she did have typical teenage behavior over him.  She had much more to deal with.. those issues and the secondary characters had me turning the pages to see if I guessed right.  I do look forward to the third book as this one ends with a major cliffhanger.
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Published: Oct. 2010
Pages: 427
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Library
3 Bears

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