Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop Dec 17th-20th

It's that time again! This week's questions are...

What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?

For me it would have to be characters. If I really enjoy the characters, they could be chasing pink bunny rabbits through space for all I care. As long as I can identify with, or am at least entertained by the characters that is all that matters. Having a good plot does help though.






What did you study in college, or are currently studying, and did it lead to your current 9-5, or are you doing something completely different?

In college I studied Psychology and got my degree. It did lead to my current job working in a treatment center with dual focus of chemical dependency and mental health. I love characters in books that are slightly neurotic and a little crazy!


Have a good weekend!

Pink bunnies in space that gives me an idea....

The Hurog Series by Patricia Briggs

Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward, the new lord of Hurog, is sure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones could prove to be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possess them.

As the rebellion grows against High King Jakoven, Ward, ruler of Hurog, realizes he must join with the rebels. However, Jakoven can crush his enemies with dragon's blood. The very blood that courses through Ward's veins.

Patricia Briggs has now become one of my favorite Fantasy writers along with already being one of my favorite Paranormal authors. In her Hurog series we get to meet Ward, a doe eyed, slow talking, huge beast of a man that everyone thought was too dim to be of any use. After his father's death Ward learns his father planned to have him sent to the Asylum in the capital city. Ward has other ideas.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Ward was such an easy character to fall in love with. The secondary characters are just as appealing. My favorite being Tisala, daughter of an Oranstonian warrior and every bit as tough. And Oreg, servant to the ruler of Hurog. Fiercely loyal to Ward and handy in certain situations.

This series has everything a good fantasy novel should. Action and adventure, a hero worth cheering for, heartbreak, triumph and a well rounded cast of characters to ride the story with. If you haven't yet, definitely give this series a try.

Visit the author's webpage here.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

I love the Victorian time period. Put a spunky, no nonsense, give me my treacle tart woman in that setting and I am a happy camper.

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire. And then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

I really enjoyed this book. The era is fun, the steampunk elements are interesting, and the main character is instantly likable. Right away you feel for Alexia. In a time where the most marriagable women were fair skinned, light haired and quiet, Alexia is tan with dark hair and has a boisterous personality.

Now that she is firmly on the shelf and is settled into spinterhood Alexia has to take her younger half sisters to party's and gatherings in society. At one such occasion Alexia gets into a little trouble. Enter Lord Maccon (swoon), to clean up the mess, literally. The interaction between Alexia and Lord Maccon is one of the best aspects of the book. They vex one another to no end and can barely stand to be in each others company (smirk). And so the book starts on its rollercoaster ride of ups and downs.

The secondary characters are a real treat in this novel.
Ivy, Alexia's best friend and owner of many unfortunate hats, is prim and proper and would never put a foot out of line. The complete opposite of Alexia.
Professor Lyall is Lord Maccon's second in the pack. He is quiet and spends a good deal of his time reminding Lord Maccon about social etiquette.
And last is Lord Akeldama. He is a vampire and a friend of Alexia (quite scandulous). He is also an extravagant dresser and keeps a harram of young men.

All together these wonderful characters make one of the best reads I have ever had. Thoroughly enjoyable and a must add to the already toppling over To Be Read pile.

Visit the authors webpage at...
www.gailcarriger.com

Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs

For the last ten years, shapeshifting mercenary Aralorn has led a dangerous existence — a far cry from her noble upbringing. Now she must return home under the most unfortunate circumstances. Her father, the Lyon of Lambshold, has passed away. But when Aralorn and her companion Wolf arrive, the combination of their magic uncovers something wonderful yet alarming — her father is not actually dead, but only appears so. Yet a dark mist is also very much alive within him…

The Lyon of Lambshold has been ensorcelled by the ae’Magi, who’s using him as a conduit to finally destroy Aralorn and Wolf. With her father as the pawn, can Aralorn overcome this mysterious sorcery? Or will she finally fall to the blackest of magic, losing not only her one true companion but also her life…

Patricia Briggs first drew me in with her Mercy Thompson series. I am happy to report that Urban Fantasy is not her only genre. There are certain things you come to expect from Ms. Briggs. Excellent writing, thoroughly drawn out characters, and entertaining plot. Wolfsbane had it in spades.

Wolfsbane will satisfy long time readers of Patricia Briggs and those that love fantasy as much as I do. Aralorn may not be Mercy but she is worth the read.

Visit the author's website here.

Blogger Hops November 5th-8th

First...

What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?

It is never fun to log onto your blog and see that there are less followers than yesterday. But I figure it comes with the territory. It just makes you appreciate the ones you have. I actually have never stopped following any blogs. I may not be the most active in leaving comments but that doesn't mean I don't stop in to see new posts. If I were to stop following a blog there would have to be a good reason to stop showing support for the blogger.

And...

I recently started doing the Hop hosted by Parajunkee!

The question posed to the featured blogger (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) was...

Who are your favorite authors?

Well, my favorite authors are:

Kim Harrison

Patricia Briggs

Ilona Andrews

Lisa Kleypas

Lili St. Crow

Melissa De La Cruz

Jacqueline Carey

Terry Goodkind

and many more!

Have a good week, Happy Reading!!!

Masques by Patricia Briggs

Wow, it's been a while since I have posted. It's a good thing this book was so good.

After an upbringing of proper behavior and opressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy. Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi. But in a war with an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is- or where he will strike next?

Patricia Briggs soon became one of my favorite author's with her Mercy Thompson series. I had to see where all her writing prowess began.

In Masques we meet Aralorn, the daughter of a Lord of the realm of Reth, who should have been raised as a Lady, but but decided that wasn't for her. She travels to the country of Sianim and joins the mercenary guild and becomes a successful spy. The story starts with her on assignment and continues to follow her exploits. Along the way she meets "Wolf" who accompanies her on her journey's.

I have to say I really enjoyed reading the story of Aralorn. She is an accomplished spy, good with a staff, poor with a sword and can change her shape to look like anyone and a few choice animals. She is down to earth and has a good sense of humor. She takes others into consideration and loves finding new stories that she can share.

Her relationship with Wolf is sweet and it is fun to see the progression and interaction between the two.

The villian of the story is sufficiently evil. We get a good look at his deeds through Aralorns eyes and others. Even though we don't actually get to see much of him, he has a presence throughout the book that makes him feel like he is there.

As I said before, Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite author and more so since reading Masques. So much so I ran out after finishing to buy Wolfsbane, the second and last book in the duology.

Visit the author's website here.

Book Blogger Hop October 1st-4th

It's time for the hop! The question of the week is...

How do you spread the word about your blog?
I am a member of a few blogging websites and on facebook. But mostly by going around commenting on peoples blogs. Whenever someone leaves a comment on my blog I go to theirs and comment back. I really enjoy getting comments, so I return the favor.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

So here we are, at the end of one of the best series I have ever read. And what a wonderfully rocky, heartbreaking, beautiful road it has been.

Mockingjay was everything I was hoping for and more. Katniss is now at District 13. The rebellion has started and everyone is looking to Katniss to spearhead the movement. But Katniss is dealing with her own issues and isn't sure she can trust anyone. And the one person she trusts completely is in the hands of the Capitol.

Mockingjay was exciting, action packed, heartbreaking, suspenseful and sorrowful. After reading Catching Fire I imagined the way I wanted Mockingjay to be. Katniss would rescue Peeta in a big, daring, life threatening mission and they would take on the Capitol together. Well, it didn't exactly happen that way. I can't complain though, in the big scheme of things it ended realistically and believable.

I have never read any other series like this one before. I highly recommend it anyone and everyone I can. If this series is new to you start with The Hunger Games. If you are a long time fan you will not be disappointed.

Visit the authors web page here.

Book Blogger Hop, August 20-23rd

It's that time of the week again!

This weeks question is...

How many blogs do you follow?

Right now I follow 23 blogs. I add to them whenever I come across a blog that interests me. That is what makes the Book Blogger Hop so amazing, everyone that participates is showcasing how wonderful their blog is. So lets get hopping bloggers!

Wait for Dusk by Jocelynn Drake

There is no sanctuary in the night . . .

Feared even by her own kind for her mastery of fire, the nightwalker Mira is summoned by the coven to take her rightful place as Elder. But with this honor comes grave responsibility—a commitment to the annihilation of the unleashed naturi. For now the foul creatures walk the earth—and neither vampire nor human will survive their horrific onslaught.

A tide of blood is sweeping relentlessly across the European continent, as Mira is dispatched to Budapest for the most devastating test yet of her astonishing powers—and falls into a well-laid trap. With the dark secrets that haunt her growing darker by the hour, she must confront the terrible truth of her past and protect her fragile sanity in the face of unanticipated treachery—a betrayal by her trusted ally, her beloved enemy, the vampire slayer Danaus.

This is book five in the Dark Days series by Jocelynn Drake. Mira is back as narrator in this installment and I have to admit I missed her. She has such a wonderful narration voice.

This was a good addition to the series. It has all the action we as devoted fans of the series expect and character growth. This being the fifth in the series it is nice that it hasn't dwindled but kept exciting and I look forward to the next book.

Mira and Danaus's relationship continues to change and evolve and I have to say I am really looking forward to see how it grows.

If you are new to this series start by reading Nightwalker. This series needs to be read in order.

Visit the author's website here.

Book Blogger Hop, August 6th-9th

This weeks question is...

Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

Usually I don't listen to music while I read. I like to have it peaceful and quiet so I can focus one hundred percent on my book. But occasionally I will listen to music turned down low. I listen to anything, pop, rock, country. Whatever I am in the mood for at the time, and it also depends on what I am reading. If it is action packed and fast moving, rock. If I am reading YA then more likely pop music.

Jealousy by Lili St. Crow

It's a good thing Dru Anderson is fast. Because the sucker chasing her isn't slowing down--and he won't rest until he has tasted her blood and silenced her heart . . .

Dru's best friend, Graves, and her strange and handsome savior, Christophe, are ready to help her take on the ultimate evil. But will their battle for Dru's heart get in the way of her survival?

The Strange Angels series by Lili St. Crow is one of my favorite YA series. The writing is exciting and full of action and never gets boring.

Drew is a wonderful lead character. Strong, independent and knows how to kick some ass. She is also a loyal friend and is not afraid to stand up for herself and those she cares for.

In Jealousy, Drew is at the main Schola attending classes and going to council meetings. She has to figure out who in The Order is a traitor and wants her dead.

With her she has Graves and the two other werewolves Shanks and Dibs. While the werewolves are part of her guard to keep her safe Drew also gets a guard of Dhampir that follow her every move. My favorite being Leon. He has a sense of humor and doesn't treat Drew like a doll that may break at any moment. We don't see Christophe until the last quarter of the book, but when he shows up all hell breaks loose.

We get to see a little more romance in this book. The relationship between Drew and Graves has been building up since book one. The relationship between Drew and Christophe ever confusing for Drew gets a little more interesting also. Grrr, love triangles.

Jealousy was everything I was hoping for and then some. And now the wait for Defiance, coming out Spring 2011 begins.

If this series is new to you start with Strange Angels.

Visit the authors website here.

Book Blogger Hop, July 29th-August 2nd

The book Blogger Hop question of the week is...

Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

This year my favorite new to me author is Ilona Andrews. It is a husband and wife writing team that pen the Kate Daniels series (Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds). I have already ranted and raved about these books on my blog. If this series is new to you, I highly recommend them. They are wonderful!

My First Blog Award!!!

So now I have to follow the rules associated with this award and here they are...

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

I would like to thank Savannah @ http://www.bookswithbite.net/ for my award. She has an awesome site so please go visit her there.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

I am an Aries, I drive a 1992 Plymouth Duster and love it, I went to school and got my Bachelor Degree in Psychology, I have a dog and two cats all named after a Harry Potter character(Cats: Harry and Albus, Dog: Potter), I love the winter time, I wish a Barnes and Noble would come to my area so I could work part time there, I love nothing more than curling up in my favorite comfy chair with a good book.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!

http://bookmarkyourthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookwhoreblog.com/
http://findabookmark.blogspot.com/
http://www.scifiguy.ca/
http://trtbookclub.blogspot.com/
http://fayeflamereviews.blogspot.com/
http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/
http://shera-bookwhispers.blogspot.com/
http://brookesboxofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://darkfaerietales.com/
http://strangecandyreviews.blogspot.com/
http://lisettebes.blogspot.com/
http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogwithbite.com/
http://www.paranormalhaven.com/

All the blogs I have picked are fantastic and worth visiting, so check them out.

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award! I’m sure they’ll be thankful ;-)

So if I have given you an award, please follow the same rules and spread the blog love around!

Pray for Dawn by Jocelynn Drake

Pray for salvation . . .
Pray for daylight . . .
Murder has pulled Mira out of the shadows and back into the living world . . .
As the fire-wielding enforcer of the nightwalker coven wrestles with the mind-destroying ghosts of her dark past, the slaying of a senator's daughter in Savannah threatens to expose her kind to the brilliant light of day. The dawn of chaos has come. The naturi have broken free of their eternal prison to feed on the defenseless and unbelieving of an unprepared Earth.
Mira and Danaus—vampire and vampire slayer—must unite to prevent the annihilation of their separate races. But for Danaus the challenge is intensified, for he must also fight the bori who covets his soul. And Mira, the nightwalker he must protect—whose power is the Earth's last hope—is rapidly going insane.

I have been a fan of Jocelynn Drake ever since her first book Nightwalker came out. I really enjoyed Mira as a female lead. I also liked her as the narrator of the story. I think that is one reason it took me a little while to get into this book. Maybe I am a little slow but I didn't realize that Mira was not going to be the voice of the book. I started reading and it felt off. Soon I realized it was because Danaus was the voice of the book, not Mira. It took me a little while to get a feel for him. But I got there and it was Worth the short struggle I had.

After I got used to it, getting Danaus's side of the story was pretty interesting. He always seemed like a hard, cold guy that absolutely hated vampires. It was nice to see his internal struggle with his changing feelings towards Mira and the vampires in general. It was fun getting to see his asskickeriness from his point of view. His powers have always been a mystery to us readers, so it was nice to get a peek at them in this book.

Mira is of course in this book. She is struggling a little bit. Her fear of Aurora and the Naturi have led her to make some decisions that are probably not the best idea. Which lead to consequences she has to face. There are a couple scenes with her and Danaus that have been long awaited for and give me hope for the next book (so does the cover, oh boy!).

We get to meet some new characters in this book. My favorite being Lily. She is a young runaway living on the streets. She happens to be witness to a crime and unwittingly becomes the target of the villain. She is spunky and independent and is a good part of the story.

Overall it was a good addition to the series. It would have been nice to get a little warning that the narrator was changing, but hey, we readers just roll with what we are given. If you haven't read this series before I highly recommend it. Make sure you start with Nightwalker and follow the order from there and enjoy!

Visit the author's website here.

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

She harbors a secret yearning. As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man — just to avoid spinsterhood? He is a world-weary cynic. Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul — and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep…and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix’s innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love — and a passion that can’t be denied…

If I had to pick one historical romance author to be my favorite, it would have to be Lisa Kleypas. She hooked me with her Wallflowers series and I have been eagerly awaiting all those that follow. Love in the Afternoon is the final installment in the Hathaway's series.

We finally get to Beatrix. The light fingered, animal loving and apparently handy with a pen Hathaway sister. Because of her penmanship Bea has gotten herself into a pickle. She has fallen in love with a man that is in love with her friend, of which she has been corresponding in the guise of.

Out of all the partnerships in this series, this has to be my favorite. It happened completely by accident. It was so romantic and sweet. Bea has always been my favorite from the beginning. With her light fingers taking things from peoples houses and her love of animals.

Any man would have been lucky to have her. And of course that lucky man was Christopher Phelan. A decorated, yet wounded(in spirit) war hero. And of course he had to have an animal companion. Which there is a sketch of in the book, so cute.

A warm congratulations to Lisa Kleypas for wrapping up a truly wonderful series. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

You can visit the author's website here.

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start as soon as her junior year. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when she faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her. Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most trusted allies is actually a rogue double agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers — or even her own heart.

This is the fourth installment in the Galagher Girls series. Cammie is trying to come to terms with the events that occurred in the last installment. She is also trying to handle being the protected rather than the protector. The plot has twists and turns and hidden surprises.

All of our favorite characters are back in action, although some have different roles to play. Zach is of course back in the story. We get to learn some new things about Zach, which finally explain some of his weird behavior in previous books.
We get to meet Bex's parents in this book. We can see where Bex gets some of her awesome spyness from.

Overall it was a good edition to the series. It ended on a cliffhanger that I forsee taking us on a journey maybe beyond the Gallagher Academy's esteemed front gates and into the unknown.

Visit the author's website here.

Under Construction

You'll have to excuse the mess, I am redesigning the page. The background and color scheme might be different if you keep checking in. Hopefully soon I will come to a decision.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kayla

Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

I just finished reading the last two books in this series of four. I decided instead of writing a review of each I would glorify the entire series instead!

For those who might not have had the pleasure of reading this series, let me iterate how wonderful this series is.

First I would like to talk about the main character Kate Daniels.
Ah Kate, she has quickly become one of my favorite female protagonists. She has everything you could want:
- snarky, smart ass attitude (check)
- martial arts moves that can kick your face off (check)
- magical ability that will bring you to your knees, literally (check)
- a SWORD (check)
- overall bad assness (double check)
But that is not all. Kate is fiercely loyal, hard working, caring and puts other peoples needs before her own.

Lets move on to my other favorite character...Curran a.k.a. The Beast Lord, Grrrr!
Curran is Kate's perfect counterpart. Kate is spontaneous keep going at em till they're dead, while Curran is meticulously plan and take em out. I love the banter between these two. Most of the time I am laughing out loud like a lunatic while my husband rolls his eyes and shakes his head in wonder at me. Curran is also very protective of Kate, even though she can't stand it. I love how she is constantly telling him how she is going to kill him. But he is strong, protective, a good leader and can bench press 500 pounds. Like any good beast lord should.

The cast of supporting characters is good too:
Jim- Alpha of the werecats, head of pack security, former partner of Kate while with the Mercs, a little surly but likable.
Andrea- Knight of the Order of Merciful Aid, best friend to Kate, likes guns (a lot)
Saiman- helps Kate with information for investigations, for a fee, a big one
Derek- werewolf, worships the ground Curran walks on
Atlanta- no not a person, the backdrop of the story. With the Magic and Tech always competing with each other for dominance, Atlanta, the city of which they all live in is just as much a character as anybody.
Each bring their own special flavor to the books that is usually funny, sometimes maddening, rarely uneventful and always entertaining.

These books are action packed, full of humor, friendship and yes a little romance for good measure. For those that are lovers of Paranormal/Urban Fantasy it is a sure bet you will thoroughly enjoy this series. And for those that are still unsure if Para/Urban is for you, this series is a good starting ground. But be careful, once you fall, there is no going back.

Please visit the author's web page here.

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

Not so long ago I reviewed the first in this series, Magic Bites. The only thing I can say is that this book was just as good if not a little better. Kate and company are back and busy as ever, with the addition of a few new faces. My favorite being Bran. He is a slippery and oh so sexy thief that Kate has to chase down. One of my favorite and saddest scenes from the book involve him and Kate.

Curran, the beast lord himself is obviously back as well. I love the relationship between Kate and "His Majesty". I like that the author doesn't have them rushing into a relationship. It grows in this book taking Kate a little by surprise. The reader, not so much. But I find it entertaining when the reader can see where something is going before the character in the book. It was also nice to see a soft side to Kate. She and Curran had an open and honest moment that was really sweet. Two moments actually.

I enjoyed the plot in this installment. We get to see more about the witches and the types of gods they worship. Let me tell you, some of them, not so pretty. A little fishy you might say.

If you have not had the pleasure of reading this series I highly recommend it. It starts with Magic Bites.

You can visit the authors' web page here.

Daemon's Mark by Caitlin Kittredge

There isn't a description for this book because for whatever reason the synopsis online is not the right one. So I will come up with one of my own.

What do the Russian mob, a brothel and a dead teenage were have in common. It is up to Luna to find out. In this non-stop ride we follow Lieutenant Wilder around Nocturne City and as far as the Ukraine. We get to see familiar faces and meet some new and unexpected foes and allies alike.

I really like the Nocturne City series and have been a fan ever since it first came out. Daemon's Mark is just as good as the rest. Luna is a strong female lead that is flawed, a little bad tempered and doesn't quite know how to follow the rules. Things that always seem to get her into trouble. She is also loyal and caring, things that make her fellow officers trust her and her friends stick by her.

I have to say I missed a certain misty, glowy eyed hotty in this book, but I'll get over it. Luna and Will's relationship grows in this book and you can tell that Luna is feeling comfortable and safe with him. Something in my opinion she needs.
There is plenty of action in this book. It is pretty non-stop from beginning to end. So sit back, relax and enjoy.

Visit the authors web page here.

Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

Madison Avery is still trying to come to terms with her death and her role as the dark timekeeper (Once Dead, Twice Shy, 2009). With dark reaper Nakita and her mostly light counterpart Barnabas at her side, Madison is determined to prove that, given the choice, those who might be doomed in the afterlife due to their bad choices can in fact be convinced to see the error of their ways in time to save their souls. Her test case involves two teen boys and a computer virus that she knows will be responsible for deaths in a hospital. As she races against time and her nemesis, Ron, she develops new, frightening powers.

What to say about this book. Well first of all let me say I enjoyed reading it and happily put it on my book shelf next to the first in the series. Having said that, I wish there would have been a few more things in the book. Such as, Josh, he was only in the beginning and then a little bit in the middle and that was it. I missed him. It would also have been nice to see Madison learn more about being the Dark Timekeeper. She all of a sudden new how to do some things because she learned off screen between the last book and this one. Which is kind of weird seeing as how the book picks up right where the last left off and only covered a day in total. All well.

The book was enjoyable and I look forward to reading the next one. Lets just hope it covers a little more ground that this one did.

Visit the authors web page here.

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

A new chapter in the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires saga. Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

I really enjoy the Morganville Vampires series. My favorite part has been watching the growing relationship between Claire and Shane. They are just so darn cute!

This book was exciting because we get to step outside of Morganville and hit the road. Too bad the road hit back. It was a pretty exciting book, full of seedy hotel rooms and backwords country folk. Vampires are not the only bad things out there.

My favorite charcter out of this book was Linda. She's rough and tough and can bake one mean chocolate chip cookie.

It was fun getting to know a new cast of charcters but I have to admit I missed being in Morganville with Myrnin and his flip flops. But a vacation is nice every once and a while.

Visit the author's webpage here.

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

I have a short list of authors that are an automatic buy as soon as they hit the shelves. Charlaine Harris is one of them. And let me say it has been a long year between books.

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...

I love Sookie. She is quirky and fun and won't take no bad language said in her presence(something I find entertaining). Pretty much everyone is back in this book, it's always nice to catch up on familiar faces. I won't get too into the plot, lets just say: the were's have issues, the vamps have issues, and Sookie is trying to work through her issues.

My favorite part of this book is the time we get to spend with a certain young man, yes we get to spend time with Hunter. My favorite character from this book is Claude. Normally he is rude and self absorbed, but in this book we get to see another side. Although, I wouldn't mind seeing any side of Claude.

All together it was an enjoyable book. I have to say I love Eric and Sookie together and can only hope it lasts.
And now the long wait begins.
Visit the authors web page here.

Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs, Lawrence, Tsai, Woo

I have never read a graphic novel before, never had any interest. Until one of my favorite authors decided to make one.

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.The thrilling adventures of Mercy Thompson–Moon Called, Blood Bound, and Iron Kissed–have topped the New York Times bestseller list. Now Mercy makes her comics debut in an exclusive new story created by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming is sure to please longtime fans and capture new ones with its mix of unforgettable characters and thrilling supernatural intrigue.

For my first foray into graphic novels I am impressed. I thought the artwork was amazing. I thought Mercy was represented nicely and I thought Adam looked good ;) My favorites have to be Zee, he looks like a crazy old man, and Stefen. Stefen's portrayal in the graphic novel is not exactly how I picture him in my head from the books, which is just fine.

The story was good. We get a nice glimpse of how Mercy came to the Tri-cities, how she gets her job working at the shop, and how she meets everyone in the area. We also get to see a whole lotta naked Mercy, which makes sense, she isn't ashamed about being naked in the novels so why shouldn't she be portrayed true to character in the graphic novel.

My only complaint about the graphic novel is a small one. In the story there are flashbacks. Between the present and thinking back to the past it sometimes got a little confusing. The transition between the two were not exactly clear. We were cruising along in the story one moment and all of a sudden it completely changed. Maybe it was just me being a little slow in realizing what was going on, very high possibility.

I highly recommend reading this graphic novel. I know the die hard fans of Patricia Briggs will enjoy getting to know Mercy on a whole new level. And for those that have not had a taste of the Mercy world, go out and get acquainted with our girl Mercy and all her friends from the Tri-cities, you won't be disappointed.

Visit the author's webpage here.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Atlanta is a city immersed in magic. Like the tides, when the magic is up, modern technology fails (guns don't fire, cars don't start, etc.) and magicians and other supernatural beings rule the world. In the midst of all this are organizations like the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid whose mission it is to keep the peace. But when knight-diviner Greg Feldman -- the guardian of Daniels -- is ripped to shreds by some unknown monstrosity, the butt-kicking heroine vows to avenge his murder at any cost. Her investigation, however, places her directly between the Pack, a powerful clan of shape-changers, and the Masters of the Dead, a group of necromancers who control a virtual army of vampires…

My favorite thing about this book was the slight differences between it and others in the genre. I liked that the vampires weren't overly beautiful versions of humans (not that there is anything wrong with that). They are grotesque shells, controlled by Necromancers, pretty cool and slightly creepy idea. The other difference I liked had to do with the pack. Most times when a pack is involved, there is only one animal form. Not so in this book, they all come together to form a pack, there are leaders per each grouping of animal, but they form one pack with one Beast Lord. I have one word to describe him, YUMMY! And he is not a wolf.

And now on to the main character. I liked Kate as a main character, it was easy to follow her story and become encased in her world. And what a world it is. Magic runs amok and technology is finding it hard to keep up. I like the world that Andrews has created, and having a sword wielding heroine is never a bad thing.

Visit the author's web page here.

Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance

Here is another book that has been sitting on my book shelf for a while. And yet again, I find that I put off another great book for far too long.

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Unlike most dhampirs, though, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity. Now Dory's vampire father has come to her for help— again. Her Uncle Dracula (yes, the Dracula), cruelest among vampires, has escaped his prison. And her father wants Dory to work with gorgeous master vampire Louis-Cesare to put him back there.Although Dory prefers to work alone, Dracula is the only thing that truly scares her—and when she has to face him, she'll take all the help she can get...

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I instantly took a liking to Dorina. She is fun and feisty. There was plenty of action in this book, whether it is Dory trying to avoid trouble or making it for herself.
I also really liked the "love interest" put in place for Dory, Louis-Cesare. He's stubborn and likes to have his commands obeyed. Their interaction is hilarious.
One of my favorite characters was Olga. She isn't a main character, and is only in the book for a little while, but she is memorable.

I am looking forward to reading book #2, Death's Mistress. She also has another series, The Cassie Palmer series. Some of the characters from the series make appearances in both.

Visit the author's website here.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

I am a big fan of young adult books, and The Darkest Powers series is one of my favorites. The Reckoning, is the third installment in the series. If you haven't read them, start with The Summoning.

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.
But normal is one thing I'm not. For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf. Not normal.
My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently. Definitely not normal.
And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying. As far away from normal as it gets.

I like how the characters don't have control of their powers. They come together, this rag tag bunch of kids, and have to take care of each other while trying to learn how to control the new, and sometimes scary, powers they possess and stay away from the group of supernatural/scientists that tinkered with them.

My favorite character has to be Derek. He is bossy and pushy and doesn't like to have his orders second guessed. But he is also sweet and caring and puts others safety before his own. I really like how Armstrong makes him vulnerable as well. She created this big bad werewolf, but made him not in control of his powers, so we get to see the fear and uncertainty right along with him. I love the interaction between him and Chloe. I have been rooting for them since the first book.

Each character in this series has grown and developed. I am happy with the outcome of the series and only wish it wasn't the end for Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori.

Visit the authors' website here

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

I love, love, love the Mercy Thompson series. Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite authors.

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.
It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.
All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

So here we are at the fifth book in the series. Most books by this time are getting a littel weird the characters are starting to act differently, the plot points run flat and the reader loses interest. Not so for Mercy Thompson.

In this installment we get to see more of what it is like to be a part of a pack (which I personally have been looking forward to). Sam starts acting a little off kilter, and Mercy is being, well Mercy.

My favorite character from this book is Ben. I have been a fan of Ben ever since he took a bullet for Adam. And in my opinion he has gotten better with every book.

My only real dissappointment with this book is that we don't see Stephen. I am not one of those readers that think Stephen and Mercy should be together (it's ok if you do), but I do enjoy his character. And after the last book being so heavy with him, this book felt like there was a little something missing.

But don't worry. This book is full of drama, excitement, joy, romance and some scary characters. Plenty to keep us all happy and eagerly looking forward to the next installment.

Check out the authors website here.

Heartless by Sara Shepard

In picturesque Rosewood, Pennsylvania, neighbors gossip over picket fences, and gleaming SUVs sit in every crushed-granite driveway. But recently, friendly smiles have been replaced with suspicious glares and accusatory whispers—and it's all because Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer just can't keep their mouths shut. . . .
First they claimed they found a dead body in the woods behind Spencer's house, only to have it vanish without a trace. Then when the same woods went up in flames, they swore they saw someone who's supposed to be dead rise from the ashes. And even after all that, the pretty little liars are still playing with fire.
Hanna's trading in her Dior trench for a straitjacket. Aria's trying to contact the dead. Emily's dumped her boyfriend and is skipping town . . . again. And Spencer thinks someone in her family has gotten away with murder.
The friends insist they're telling the truth about what they saw, but all of Rosewood thinks they're simply out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after the girls, will anyone believe them . . . or will they be the next to disappear?

This series I read for pure silly entertainment. Is it a great piece of literature? No. Is it entertaining and a good way to escape the everyday workings of life? YES!!!

The lives of these four girls may not be completely believable but Shepard does a very good job of getting the reader involved with them. And "A" is a good villain, keeping the protagonists on their toes.

The Pretty Little Liars is a perfect piece of escapism!

Kim Harrison Book Signing!!!

I have never been to a book signing and I am proud to say that Kim Harrison was my first. It was a joy and a pleasure to meet Kim and her husband. The question and answer portion gave just enough hint to the future and some insight into her writing style and Hollow's history. It was a lot of fun and I got all my books signed. It was a great night!

Here is the link to her website to see more pictures of the book signing!!!

http://www.kimharrison.net/EventPages/Events2010/BarnesAndNobelMinneapolis10.html

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

It is always a long wait between Kim Harrison books, actually it's only a year, but well worth it.

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle—mind, body, and soul

Black Magic Sanction

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

I just want to say that Kim Harrison is one of my all time favorite authors. I laugh, cry, mourn, and love right along side her characters. And Black Magic Sanction keeps with all the rest.

There are three things you can always expect from a Kim Harrison novel:
1. Action
2. Humor
3. Character Development
Black Magic Sanction had them in spades. There is plenty of action as Rachel has to deal with the Coven of Moral and Ethical standards (or whatever it is called), Trent, Big Al, and a blast from the past Nick.
The humor is always abundant in the Hollows. One minute it's Jenks calling Nick "Crap for brains" and the next it's Rachel going off on someone because they "made" her do something. I love when books make me laugh out loud. And I am proud to get the funny looks from my husband every time I read a book from the Hollows.
One of the best things about this latest book is the character development. Rachel grows so much in this book, I can honestly say I am proud of her. And oddly enough, my favorite character in this installment was Al. We get to see a different side to our favorite demon, and a whole lot more.

Black Magic Sanction was a joyride from start to finish. For long time fans of the series it is a superb addition to the already stellar series. And for those just starting, make sure you start at the beginning, Dead Witch Walking, you don't want to miss a single sentence of this fascinating and beautifully told series.

For series information, and details on how to receive freebies visit her website here

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

This is one of those books I found by trolling around amazon. I read some of the reviews, and lets just say some were not good. But I have never let that stop me before. And I am glad I bought this book any way.

Love can be a dangerous thing....
Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.
But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

Where do I begin with this book. Let me first say that I really liked this book. It was imaginative and well written, but to sum it up in one word I would have to say it was "crazy." But in a good way. The story and the characters were something else.

The story follows a sixteen year old girl that has been diagnosed with manic depression and bipolar disorder. She has run away to this town that is not normal, full of residents that are unique (they only wear black, except for a few that wear green).

It was such a joy to read this book. Please give it a chance. Go into it with an open mind and enjoy it for what it is. A well written escape from the norm!

Here is a link to the authors webpage http://www.diareeves.com/

Homeland by R.A. Salvatore

Whenever I am in a discussion about favorite Sci-fiction/fantasy characters one name always comes up, Drizzt Do'Urden. I had never read a book by Salvatore before and decided it was time to pick one up.

Travel back to strange and exotic Menzoberranzan, the vast city of the drow and homeland to Icewind Dale hero Drizzt Do'Urden. The young prince of a royal house, Drizzt grows to maturity in the vile world of his dark kin. Possessing honor beyond the scope of his unprincipled society, young Drizzt faces an inevitable dilemma. Can he live in a world that rejects integrity?

Being a huge fan of science fiction/fantasy I was really looking forward to reading a book by one of the best writers of the genre there is. I was not disappointed.
Salvatore has created a world that is dark and savage. The Drow elves live deep underground in a land called the Underdark. It is a hard life, survival of the fittest. If you can get away with it, it never happened, especially murder.
Drizzt Do'Urden was a pleasure to read about. In a society where cruelty and deception prevails, he realizes that it is not the way he wishes to live. Throughout his childhood, adolescents and further onto school and then his career he tries to come to terms with his own perceptions and those of the society he is supposed to live by.
Homeland was a wonderful read. The world of the Underdark was built so well I could see it clearly in my mind. The characters were well written and the plot flowed nicely. It was a story full of action, heartache and self discovery.
I look forward to reading more about Drizzt Do'Urden!

Here is a link to the authors website http://www.rasalvatore.com/

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

This is the sequel to My Soul to Take

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….

This book was so good. It picks up pretty much where My Soul to Take leaves off. I won't get into the plot for those that haven't read the first book. But it was exciting and I read the book in one sitting.

You don't have to read the first in order to enjoy this one, but I recommend it. It will make more sense if you do. I also recommend reading the short story on the autors website that starts everything off. It is called My Soul to Lose and you can find it here http://rachelvincent.com/MSTL.html

2010!!!

Wow, where have I been. It's been a pretty busy new year. I am looking forward to all the wonderful new releases we will be able to devour. The ones I am most looking forward to are Kim Harrison's Black Magic Sanction and Patricia Briggs's Silver Borne. Young adult have some to look forward to as well: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong and Gone by Lisa McMann are two I am excited about.

2010 is shaping up to be a really good year for reading. So snuggle in and enjoy!