Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

The Hollows series has never let me down and I am happy to say it is still going strong and is still surprising me after 9 books.

In this ninth book of the series Rachel needs to get to the west coast to have her shunning rescinded and go to her brothers wedding. Trent also has to make it to the west coast on a tight lipped mission that he says he needs Rachels help with. What do you get when a witch, an elf and a pixy all get into a car with each other? A pixy swearin, elf anxsting, witch ass kickin, rip roarin hell of a good read!

Everyone grew in this book. Some together, others apart, but all well done. Rachel has come a long way since Dead Witch Walking. She is coming into her own and realizing who she wants to be.

I absolutely love Trent. We get to drool over him in this book and we get to see more than one side of him. All I can say is...Yum!

Al as always is one of the best characters in the series. I don't know how the series will end for him but I hope he gets a HEA.

It is always a pleasure to have Rachels mom in the series. And even though her part was small in this book, it's memorable.

And of course Rachel can't be without her business partners/friends/roommates Ivy and Jenks. Rachel and Ivy's relationship comes to an understanding in this book that I think is good for the both of them. And Jenks of course is always dependable for comic relief, although I wish just this once he had kept his mouth shut!

We are coming into the home stretch of this series with only a few more books to go. I am looking forward to the ride!

Visit the authors webpage @ www.kimharrison.net

Geist by Philippa Ballantine

Between the living and the dead is the Order of the Deacons, protectors of the Empire, guardians against possession, sentinels enlisted to ward off the malevolent haunting of the geists...

Among the most powerful of the Order is Sorcha, now thrust into partnership with the novice Deacon, Merrick Chambers. They have been dispatched to the isolated village of Ulrich to aide the Priory with a surge of violent geist activity. With them is Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect, and bearer of a terrible curse.

But what greets them in the strange settlement is something far more predatory and more horrifying than any mere haunting. And as she uncovers a tradition of twisted rituals passed down through the dark reaches of history, Sorcha will be forced to reconsider everything she thinks she knows.

And if she makes it out of Ulrich alive, what in Hell is she returning to?

Right off the bat this book is full of action and adventure. We barely get a chance to meet Sorcha and we are thrown into a battle. And the action doesn't stop until the book is over.

Sorcha is a wonderful lead character. She is independent, opinionated and used to getting her way. She is one of the most powerful Deacons, but what she has in power she lacks in control.

Her new partner, not her first or even second, is Merrick Chambers. Fresh out of the academy and eager to prove himself, for he is by no means lacking in power either.

Together they set out on a mission to a tiny village on the northern border. Along the way they meet some interesting characters, my favorite being the Pirate Raed Rossin, the Pretender to the Thrown. He is sarcastic, loyal and not afraid to make his opinion known.

Between all the action, plot and character development there is something for everyone in this book. I am looking forward to the second in the series, Spectyr, a book of the Order.

Visit the authors web page here.

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