Review: Soulstice by Simon Holt

Soulstice (The Devouring, book 2)
Simon Holt
Little Brown Young Readers
September 1, 2009
ISBN-10: 0316035718

The terrifying, nail-biting, and grossly intriguing sequel toThe Devouring.

It's been six months since Reggie first discovered and fought against the Vours, malicious and demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on the eve of the Winter Solstice.

The Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in her dreams-until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality.

The battle against evil continues in Soulstice, the second book in the thrilling The Devouring series, which School Library Journal called, "Comparable to books by R. L. Stine and Stephen King....A must-have for horror fans."

I had not read the previous book, the Devouring, before and I was a bit wary of reading this one because I didn't want to be completely lost but what the hell, why not try? And I'm so glad I did! I wasn't lost at all because there was enough back story for things to make sense, the plot is simple yet it's deliciously misleading and the ending rocked. It left me wanted to read the next book right now! Reggie and Aaron are great characters. They're best friends trying to fight the Vours, which are demonic beings that steal people's bodies on Sorry Night.

Although I really did like the good guys, I was totally smitten by the "bad" guy Mitch. Hello, cutie! In a horribly-disfigured-evil-demonic-possessed kind of way. Yeah. He totally stole the story for me and I really, really hope the future books in the wonderfully original series feature him because I will certainly be reading them!

I devoured Soulstice in one setting. It's a great horror YA story, although I can't really say it scared me. Maybe some parts made me go Ooooh (one of which was the Mitch and Reggie part. Heh heh) but didn't make me be scare of the dark. It's still a great story that everyone who's looking for a very good plot with some great characters, including a very awesome bad guy, should read!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Hosted by J. Kaye

Oh, boy. It's been a mild reading week and that's putting it.. mildly.

Read:

Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas. (Or at least, tried to. Read my thoughts here)

Soulstice (The Devouring, book 2) by Simon Holt. (Which I'll be posting a review of later today)

Currently Reading:

How to Score by Robin Wells.

Upcoming:


I'm honestly not sure, although I'm leaning towards The Man with the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green because he's one of my favorite authors.

In My Mailbox (2)

I was going to post actual pictures but considering I can't find my flipping usb cable, that's out the window.

So. IMM is hosted by Kristi & this week was much better than last mail-wise, woo!

Soultice: The Devouring, book 2 by Simon Holt.

The terrifying, nail-biting, and grossly intriguing sequel to The Devouring.

It's been six months since Reggie first discovered and fought against the Vours, malicious and demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on the eve of the Winter Solstice.

The Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in her dreams-until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality.

The battle against evil continues in Soulstice, the second book in the thrilling The Devouring series, which School Library Journal called, "Comparable to books by R. L. Stine and Stephen King....A must-have for horror fans."

Thanks to Janicu! I haven't read the first book not that that stopped me from well, devouring this one! I'll post my review tomorrow.

Divorced, Desperate and Dating by Christie Craig

GOOD COP

Sue Finley murdered people…on paper. As a mystery writer, she knew all the angles, who did what and why. The only thing she couldn't explain was…well, men. Dating was like diving into a box of chocolates: sometimes the sweetest-looking specimens were candy coated poison. After a breakup with a bank robber and a divorce from a cross dresser, she gave it up for good. Then came Detective Jason Dodd.

BAD BOY

Raised in foster homes, Jason swore never to need anyone as much as the parent who abandoned him. That was why he failed to follow up after experiencing the best kiss of his life: real passion was addictive. But when Sue Finley started getting death threats, all bets were off. The blonde spitfire was everything he'd ever wanted—and she needed him. And though this novel situation had a quirky cast of characters and an unquestionable bad guy, he was going to make sure it had a happy ending.

I love her other books so I can't wait to read this one! She also sent me the cutest swag. Including a bobbing-head pen that's so freaking awesome.

And that's all for this week. Small but really good.

Thoughts on Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas.

I started Dancing with Werewolves with high hopes. The premise sounded really good:

It was the revelation of the millennium: witches, werewolves, vampires and other supernaturals are real. Fast-forward 13 years: TV reporter Delilah Street used to cover the small-town bogeyman beat back in Kansas, but now, in high-octane Las Vegas - which is run by a werewolf mob - she finds herself holding back the gates of Hell itself. But at least she has a hot new guy and one big bad wolfhound to help her out...

I'm a big Urban Fantasy fan so it all seem to click. Yet, from the beginning, there was just something about the main character that didn't click with me. I don't know how to describe it. Sure, there were parts that I liked but I still didn't found myself caring about what was going on at all. There are some interesting secondary characters, but when, the dog in the story is more interesting than the main character, that's a bit of a problem. The whole thing behind the movie stars "coming back to life" is interesting - if only, it was explained a bit more in depth - but I kept having this "meh" feeling over the story. I made through more than a third of the story before I just put it aside.

I'm not sure if I'm going to back to it and finish it. Thing is, I hate not finishing a story because it's like I'm not giving it a chance but really, about a quarter left and I'm still "meh" over it? Not a good sign.

I thought it was me in a reading funk but then I had no trouble starting - and devouring! - another book so it's not me being picky. I'll probably give it another chance, though. I mean, if I read most of it, I might as well finish it, right?

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is presented by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

There's no blurb but I don't care because I'm so reading this book and I've made a list why. (I like making lists.)

1. It's about angels. SCARY angels.

2. The main character - Elena - is the epitome of kick ass, don't-take-shit character and I kinda love her.

3. The other main character - Raphael - is the Archangel who rules New York and he is SCARY. But oooh, boy, is he hot. So I kinda love him, too.

4. There's other angels and vampires and crazy-old, SCARY Archangels.

5. I can't say no. 5 without spoiling the first Guild Hunter book, Angels' Blood, for you and that is unacceptable. But if you have read it - it's about the surprising you-know-what Elena gets at the end of the book. How cool is that?!

6. Did I mention Raphael? Yes? Oh, okay.

7. The covers are awesome.

I could keep going but here's the gist of it: I need to read this book ASAP. Comes out February 2010 (According to Goodreads) although I wish it was coming out tomorrow!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Meme hosted by J.Kaye


Read this past week


(Review)


(Loved both!)


Currently Reading:

(More weres, yay!)

Upcoming Reads:

Whatever the guys on Twitter decide for me!

Review: Bound by Amy Lane

Bound (Little Goddess Series, book 3)
Amy Lane
iUniverse, Inc
February 19, 2007
ISBN-10: 0595424236

Humans have the option of separation, divorce, and heartbreak—for Corinne Carol-Anne Kirkpatrick, sorceress and queen of the vampires, the choices are limited to love or death. Now that she is back at Green’s hill and assuming her duties as leader, her life is, at best, complicated. Bracken and Nicky are rivalling for her affections, Green is gone taking care of his people, and a new supernatural enemy is threatening the sanctity of all she has come to love. Throw in a family reunion gone bad, a supernatural psychiatrist and a killer physics class, and Cory’s life isn’t just complex, it’s psychotic.

Cory needs to get her act and her identity together, and soon, because the enemy she and her lovers are facing is a nightmare that doesn’t just kill people, it unmakes them. If she doesn’t figure out who she is and what her place is on Green’s hill, it’s not just her life on the line. She knows from hard experience that the only thing worse than facing death is facing the death of someone she loves.

Because loving people is easy—living with them is what takes the real work, and it’s even harder if you’re BOUND.

Cory's back home to Green's Hill. She's still dealing with Adrian's death and now, she's married to Bracken, an elf red-cap and Nicky, who can turn into a bird, due to unfortunate circumstances but she's willing to make it work. There's no other choice, she can't get a divorce like any other human would because it's either make it work or death and that's not even an option. It's not that she doesn't love them. She adores Bracken and she does love Nicky, but not in the way that he wants and needs. And there's of course, Green. Her lover, their leader, and the one she wishes she was bound to the most. However, that can't be possible because as a sidhe leader, Green just can't make that kind of promise to her.

Apart from juggling a pretty unconventional love life, she's also now queen of the vampires, thanks to being marked by Adrian before he died. And now more than ever, they need a leader. But she's still trying to come to term with her new goddess powers and she has to get her act together and quick because people are being literally drained out of their essence, and she has to figure out who it is and stop them because its next target might just be someone close to her.

To make things even more hellish, she's back in school. And if Physics class doesn't make anyone want to pull their hair out, I don't know what does.

Bound is the third installment in the Little Goddess series and wow, it is awesome! One of my biggest requirements in a good book is character development and Mrs. Lane more than delivered. Cory's grown up a lot, she's gone through very hard things and it shows. I absolutely love Bracken, he's my favorite character. When I read the previous book, Wounded, I said I didn't want some kind of three-people marriage between Cory, Bracken and Nicky because I wanted Bracken to just be with Cory but in Bound, we find out more about Nicky and I couldn't help but love him a little. It's not his fault that he's practically trapped in this marriage because he would die otherwise. The story is not in only Cory's point of view, there's multiple ones: Green's, Bracken's, Nicky's, even Arturo's! And while that might sound confusing, it enhances the story.

Something I love about the Little Goddess series is that yes, while there is a plot, like in this case, there's something who can literally unmake a person and Cory has to stop it, Mrs. Lane managed to balance the plot out with Cory's personal life which is a major point in the story. Neither outshines the other and I really like that. This story is emotionally charged, with wonderful characters you can't help but love (especially Bracken!) and a great plot. Needless to say, I'm totally a junkie now and looking forward to the next installment.

[Original review on NOR]

Intertwined Sweepstakes

I didn't get any new books this week so no IMM post from me! Sorry. I'm starting to love those but unless you like to hear about oh-so-fun bills then it's a no-go for this week. Let's hope next one is better!

Quick Review: Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

Lipstick Apology
Jennifer Jabaley
Razorbill
August 6, 2009
ISBN-10: 1595142312

Four Little Words Written in Lipstick... mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick—her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media—and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family—one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen model, and a wacky hairdresser—Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Sometimes goodbye is just the beginning.

Oh, wow. I loved this book. I laughed uproariously - like at times, I had to stop reading because I was laughing so hard. The pillow-kissing scene? PRICELESS. And I might have snorted a few times too. But I'm not admitting anything - and there were so many funny moments. But this story was also very heartfelt and wonderful. Emily's dealing with the grief of losing her parents, moving to a strange new city, leaving her friends, her school, her childhood behind.

The ending was lovely. I'm fairly certain that for the last 3 chapters or so, I cried and cried. The writing is fresh and just plain awesome. Lipstick Apology is a wonderful first novel, and while I laughed and cried, I fell in love with each character.

Review: Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding.

Three Days to Dead
Kelly Meding
Dell
November 24, 2009
ISBN-10: 0553592866

She's young, deadly, and hunted—with only three days to solve her own murder…

When Evangeline Stone wakes up naked and bruised on a cold slab at the morgue – in a stranger’s body, with no memory of who she is and how she got there – her troubles are only just beginning. Before that night, she and the other two members of her Triad were star bounty hunters -- mercilessly cleansing the city of the murderous creatures living in the shadows, from vampires to shape-shifters to trolls. Then something terrible happened that not only cost all three of them their lives, but also convinced the city’s other Hunters that Evy was a traitor . . . and she can’t even remember what it was.

Now she’s a fugitive, piecing together her memory, trying to deal some serious justice – and discovering that she has only three days to solve her own murder before the reincarnation spell wears off. Because in three days, Evy will die again – but this time, there’s no second chance…

One day, you're happily working as a Dreg Bounty Hunter killing supernatural rogues - trolls, vampires, goblins, etc - next thing you know you're waking up in someone else's body after being reborn again!

No, wait. That's only Evangeline - or, Evy - Stone's case.

After waking up in a cold slab on a morgue, almost giving the technician a heart attack, Evy is ready for some answers - and fast! What's going on? Why is she back in some stranger's body and why? Who did this? But before she can hunt for some answers - er, she needs clothes.

And so begins the awesomeness. Evy needs help and after her whole Triad - a three-people group that hunt together - was murdered, there's only one person she's willing to trust: Wyatt, her Handler. He's her boss, the guy who gets the orders from the higher-ups to the Triad. But even though she certainly needs help, she's not sure who to trust.

Evy soon founds out that it was Wyatt who brought her back from the dead. He tells her that before she died - after being horrible tortured for two days - she knew a big secret about a possible alliance between the Bloods (what the vampires are called) and the Goblins. An alliance that would sign humanity's death contract and that has to be stopped at all costs. However, she can't remember a thing and they only have 72 hours to help her get her memories back, found out who's behind the murders of her Triad and if the rumor that the Bloods and Goblins are allying together is true, to do anything to stop them.

Three Days to Dead is the debut novel by Kelly Meding. It took me longer than normal to read this book. Not because I wasn't liking it but actually, the complete opposite. I wanted to savor each word. From beginning to end, I was completely absorbed in Evy's story. I believe that a book's beginning can make or break that book and Three Days to Dead's is one of the best I've read all year.

Everything, from the plot to the description and fabulous action scenes, is sharp and original. The story kept me on my feet, cursing when something got in the way of Evy and Wyatt's hunt for answers and laughing because both got a wicked sense of humor. Three Days to Dead is a gritty, action-packed, fabulous Urban Fantasy novel by an author that has become an absolutely auto-buy for me! Ms. Meding has outdone herself and I anxiously await for the next book, As Lie the Dead, out Spring/Summer 2010.

And I can't believe I have to wait that long!

P.S.: And did I mention - the cover? Absolutely rocks!

Waiting On Wednesday (2)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

It's hard for me to choose one book that I'm really looking forward to - there's so many! But especially..

Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

Once a devoted children's librarian, Jane Jameson now works at a rundown occult bookstore. Once a regular gal, she's now a vampire. And instead of a bride, she's an eternal bridesmaid — which leads her to question where exactly her relationship with her irresistibly sexy sire, Gabriel, is headed. Mercurial, enigmatic, apparently commitment-phobic vampires are nothing if not hard to read. While Jane is trying to master undead dating, she is also donning the ugliest bridesmaid's dress in history at her best friend Zeb's Titanic-themed wedding. Between a freaked-out groom-to-be, his hostile werewolf in-laws, and Zeb's mother, hell-bent on seeing Jane walk the aisle with Zeb, Jane's got the feeling she's just rearranging the proverbial deck chairs.

Meanwhile, Half Moon Hollow's own Black Widow, Jane's Grandma Ruthie, has met her match in her latest fiancé. He smells like bad cheese and has a suspicious history of dead spouses. But Jane's biting her tongue. After all, would a nice girl really think she has a future with a vampire?

Comes out August 25th and I can't wait! It follows Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs which was a really funny, cute read so! Totally looking forward to reading this one.

Plus I love the pink cardigan on the cover.

Review: Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher

Burning Alive (The Sentinel Wars, book 1)
Shannon K. Butcher
Penguin Group
May 5, 2009
ISBN-10: 0451412710

They are the Sentinels...

Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes—the Synestryn. Now, one warrior must fight his own desire if he is to discover the power that lies within his one true love...

Helen Day is haunted by visions of herself surrounded by flames, as a dark-haired man watches her burn. So when she sees the man of her nightmares staring at her from across a diner, she attempts to flee—but instead ends up in the man's arms. There, she awakens a force more powerful and enticing than she could ever imagine. For the man is actually Theronai warrior Drake, whose own pain is driven away by Helen's presence.

Together, they may become more than lovers—they may become a weapon of light that could tip the balance of the war and save Drake's people...

For as long as she could remember, Helen Day has been hunted by visions of her death. In this vision, she's enveloped in flames as a dark-haired man just watches her burn to death without doing anything to help her. Helen lives in constant vigilance for him, knowing that when they finally meet, it will signal her death is coming soon. So when one day, while having lunch with one the old ladies whom she brings food to, she sees the same stranger from her vision and understandably, completely freaks out.

Drake notices this strange woman across the diner trying her best to hide from him behind her menu. He can't help but be intrigued and goes to approach her. When Helen sees the imposing man coming, the same man who in her vision watches her burn to death with a smile on his face, she tries to run. The instant that Drake touches Helen, all his pain evaporates. As a Theronai warrior, every year that passes, his power grows and grows and it has become unbearable. It's a constant pain and anguish but so far, he's managed to live with it. Touching Helen literally makes it go away, there's no trace of this horrible feeling that eats at his stomach every second of the day.

Now, more than ever, Drake is determined to get to know Helen and find out what it is about her that makes his powerful agony go away. What neither of them know is that the answers to their questions lie in each other and how their destinies are more than intertwined together, they could be the weapons that tips this secret war to their favor against an ancient evil.

Burning Alive is the first in the new series the Sentinel Wars by Shannon K. Butcher. The reader is thrown into the story much as Helen is. She doesn't know this scary, hidden world and we see how she has to come to term with it through her eyes. As the story progresses, Butcher does start to explain things and we start to find out more. Helen has been living for years in fear that one day, her vision will come to pass. She actually has sort of made her peace with it because she thinks its inevitable and there's nothing she can do to stop it from coming true. Drake has lived hundred of years waiting for the woman who would be his salvation and when he sees Helen, he immediately knows there's something special about her. His belief is only proved when he touches her and he’s painless for the first time in centuries. Their attraction to each other is undeniable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Burning Alive. While, at the beginning, I was a little lost because there wasn't enough background for things to make sense, that was easily fixed as I continued reading and Mrs. Butcher started filling in the blanks. All-in-all, Burning Alive is a fast-paced story with lots action, really gross bad guys and two main characters who are explosive together.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Books I read this week:

Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Lucinda, Dangerously by Sunny



Book I'm currently reading:

Bound by Amy Lane
Neck & Neck by Elizabeth Bevarly
Final Exists: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die by Michael Largo



Books I will be reading next:

Three Days to Dead by Kelly Medding
Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

In My Mailbox! (1)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at the Story Siren. It's when you post the books you've received that week - brought/won/from a library, etc.

So! My turn:

Pitch Black by Leslie Parrish

Former profiler Alec Lambert would give anything to catch The Professor, a serial killer who lures his victims with Internet scams.

Now working with reclusive scam expert Samantha Dalton, he finally has his chance. But as they draw ever closer to discovering The Professor's identity and stopping his murderous rampage, they realize Sam is the psychotic killer's new obsession—and possibly his next target...

Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding

They’ll never see her coming. . . .

When Evangeline Stone wakes up naked and bruised on a cold slab at the morgue—in a stranger’s body, with no memory of who she is and how she got there—her troubles are only just beginning. Before that night she and the two other members of her Triad were the city’s star bounty hunters, mercilessly cleansing the city of the murderous creatures living in the shadows, from vampires to shape-shifters to trolls. Then something terrible happened that not only cost all three of them their lives but also convinced the city’s other Hunters that Evy was a traitor—and she can’t even remember what it was.

Now she’s a fugitive, piecing together her memory, trying to deal some serious justice—and discovering that she has only three days to solve her own murder before the reincarnation spell wears off. Because in three days Evy will die again—but this time there’s no second chance. . . .


Only two books but I'm super happy with them and I'm really looking forward to reading both, especially Three Days after Dead after reading Rachael's review and she totally loved it!

I think I will, too.

And I've read great things about Pitch Black so hello! WIN.


Edited to add:

This morning I got Bound by Amy Lane! Really looking forward to reading it considering I loved the previous books.

Humans have the option of separation, divorce, and heartbreak—for Corinne Carol-Anne Kirkpatrick, sorceress and queen of the vampires, the choices are limited to love or death. Now that she is back at Green’s hill and assuming her duties as leader, her life is, at best, complicated. Bracken and Nicky are rivalling for her affections, Green is gone taking care of his people, and a new supernatural enemy is threatening the sanctity of all she has come to love. Throw in a family reunion gone bad, a supernatural psychiatrist and a killer physics class, and Cory’s life isn’t just complex, it’s psychotic.

Cory needs to get her act and her identity together, and soon, because the enemy she and her lovers are facing is a nightmare that doesn’t just kill people, it unmakes them. If she doesn’t figure out who she is and what her place is on Green’s hill, it’s not just her life on the line. She knows from hard experience that the only thing worse than facing death is facing the death of someone she loves.

Because loving people is easy—living with them is what takes the real work, and it’s even harder if you’re BOUND.

Review: Lucinda, Dangerously by Sunny

Lucinda, Dangerously (Demon Princess Chronicles, book 2)
Sunny
Berkley
October, 2009
ISBN-10: 0425228983

Intimately bonded to both a Monére warrior and a black creature from Hell, demon princess Lucinda has gained powers no demon dead has ever possessed. Now returned to the world of the living with her two bondmates, her lover, Stefan, and his ward, Jonnie, she hopes to carve out a new life for herself and her small mixed family.

But soon after returning to her territory, Lucinda is kidnapped and imprisoned by her demon enemy, Derek. He takes her to a hidden outland in Hell, a bleak and desolate landscape riddled with disfigured rejects. At first enraged by Lucinda’s new abilities, Derek soon realizes that he may have stumbled upon a way to regain his power—and Lucinda’s new life is the sacrifice...

Lucinda is a Demon Princess who's gained massive powers that no one has ever heard of before. Because of that, she's made new enemies but she's also made new life-long relationships. She has recently bonded to a Monére warrior and a creature from hell called flowers of darkness. They are literally all black and can travel through plants' roots and heal a person. Along with her lover, Stefan, his ward, Jonnie, and two bodyguards sent by her father, their little group just wants to make a new life together.

Unfortunately, soon after she's returned from hell, Lucinda is kidnapped and imprisoned by her biggest enemy, Derek, who's also a demon. He takes her to the outskirts of hell where only beings called the Bandits exist in the place. They are disfigured rejects living in a bleak and empty landscape with no salvation in sight. Derek's one goal is to regain his powers and he's willing to do anything - even sacrifice Lucinda to a horrible fate - to get them back.

Lucinda, Dangerously is the second book in the Demon Princess Series, following Lucinda, Darkly. Lucinda never thought she would end up with two bondmates, and a lover and now that she has them, she's determined to do anything to make sure they're safe and well cared for. However, she's never cared for someone else before and it's taking her a bit to get used to it. Even though the story is in mostly Lucinda's point of view, each character is nicely developed and it doesn't feel like it's just about her.

I felt that the story between Ruric, one of her bodyguards, and Mary, who's a blind human girl, sort of stole the story. I completely was fascinated with what was going on with them and I really wish their part had been longer. Not to say that Lucinda's own plot line wasn't great to read. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. Hari, her other bodyguard, is an awesome character. At first, he seems like a thoughtless bastard but as I continue reading, unexpected sides of him are shown and he soon became one of my favorite characters.

Needless to say, this is a very erotic romance story and it more than delivers. The chemistry between Lucinda and Stefan is super hot and while she is sleeping with more than one man, it feels as if each relationship is different and special in its own way. The attraction between her and Talon, the "flower of darkness" is exceptionally sweet and I really enjoyed reading about it.

Lucinda, Dangerously is a great story with a kick-ass heroine. The writing is lovely, the characters are endearing and sexy and the plot fleshed out and wonderful. I absolutely enjoyed myself reading this story and I eagerly await the next installment in this series.

[original review posted on NOR]

Review: On The Prowl by Karen MacInerney

On the Prowl (Tales of an Urban Werewolf, book 2)
Karen MacInerney
Ballantine Books
November 25, 2008
ISBN-10: 0345496264

Talk about a bad-hair day!

Sophie Garou is a master at taming her inner beast, which comes in handy since she’s a werewolf. With a big promotion at work and a supersexy boyfriend, Heath (whom she recently spotted leaving a jewelry store with a beguiling ring box), she’s one happy girl.

But when Heath starts spending long nights at the office with his new associate–a dead-ringer for Career Day Barbie–Sophie smells trouble. And when her professional relationship with her big new client–who also happens to be Texas’s brilliantly blue-eyed most eligible bachelor–begins to sizzle, she wonders if her animal instincts are leading her in the wrong direction. Just when it seems that things can’t get any more complicated, they do. The Houston werewolf pack has sniffed Sophie out, and their message is chillingly clear: you’re either with us or against us. And unless she can prove that she’s with them, the next full moon may just be her last.

The only thing Sophie Garou has always wanted is to live her normal, human life. So far, so good. She just recently got a big promotion at her job, she's fairly certain her boyfriend of more than one year is about to pop the big question and overall, things couldn't be any better. That is, until she receives an email from the alphas of Houston ordering her to go to a meeting with them. Or else. The Houston pack is not happy at all that she's managed to live under their noses all these years and they're not about to let it continue on.

She doesn't have much of a choice: either she joins the pack or she dies. And she'll be damned if some pushy alpha makes her leave the home she's know for the last twenty-eight years.

To only make matters worse, her boyfriend, Heath, seems to be spending a little too much time with his new associate, who is, unfortunately, gorgeous and her relationship with her biggest client, Mark Sydney, is crossing lines into down-right intimate. Sophie has to decide whether she's going to join the Houston pack or not, because if she doesn't join them, and fast, then she might just end up dead.

On the Prowl is a great sequel to Howling at the Moon, the first of the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series. Ms. MacInerney has written a greatly entertaining, hugely funny story. Sophie's definitely in the some hot waters and she has to found a way to come out unscathed. The super sexy werewolf, Tom, is back into town and their chemistry is more explosive than ever. I was a little bit confused at the end with some of the Aztec plot but it didn't dampen how much I enjoyed On the Prowl. It's a delightfully funny story and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Review: Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney

Howling at the Moon (Tales of an Urban Werewolf, book 1)
Karen MacInerney
Ballantine Books
February 26, 2008
ISBN-10: 0345496256

Romance is about to get a little hairy.

Sophie Garou seems to have it all: a great job at a prestigious accounting firm, a closet that rivals a Nordstrom showroom, and a terrific boyfriend who isn’t afraid to use the “M” word. There’s just one little itty-bitty problem: Sophie is a werewolf–and her time of month has a whole new meaning.

Needless to say, life among yummy flesh-and-blood humans is no piece of steak . . . er, cake!, but regular doses of wolfsbane tea and a mother who runs a magic shop have helped Sophie keep her paranormal pedigree under wraps. Still, when a sexy, golden-eyed werewolf prowls into town, Sophie finds herself struggling to keep her animal impulses in check–not to mention trying to keep things on track with her super hot (and super human) lawyer boyfriend. What’s more, someone is threatening to expose Sophie for what she really is. And when her mother is accused of selling a poison-laced potion, Sophie must sniff out a culprit before the fur hits the fan.

Sophie Garou thinks she's the only werewolf in Austin, Texas. After spending the first eighteen years of her life going from one place to another with her mom because her furry side kept popping up and getting her in trouble, they finally settled down in Austin. She has a great job as an auditor, an amazing boyfriend, and of course, a fabulous closet. These are all the trappings of a fantastic life.

That is, until her mom is accused of poisoning a politician with a love potion! Which isn't that far fetched considering Sophie's mom is a psychic witch running a magic shop called “Sit A Spell”. So Sophie's determined to do anything to prove her mom innocent but when a sexy werewolf rolls into town, she's having quite a hard time keeping her animal side down and not jumping him, amazing boyfriend or no.

Sophie's life is about to be turned over and things might get a little hairy.

Howling at the Moon is the first book of the Tales of an Urban Werewolf and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sophie has spent the last twenty-something years of her life fighting her werewolf side, thanks to her dad's gene. She wants a human life, but no matter how much wolfsbane tea she drinks, she can't deny her animal side. The plot got me going until the very end. Reading Sophie and her best friend, Lindsey, play detectives and try to find who murdered the late Mr. Brewster was hilarious. Clearly, they shouldn't change their day jobs.

Sophie's illusions that she's the only werewolf in Austin, except a few homeless ones, is sadly broken when Tom, the golden-eyed werewolf who has Sophie's panties in such a twist, comes into town. He's there to fix the Austin's pack's little problem: a few made werewolves have been causing trouble and he's there to "unmake" them. They have an exploding attraction to each other that Sophie can't help but feel and that only complicates things.

Howling at the Moon is an insanely funny, sexy story with some great characters. While at times, the writing seems repetitive and Ms. MacInerney should definitely research her Spanish better next time, the story had me laughing out loud at times and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, On the Prowl.

[Original review posted from NOR]

Hi, I'm alive.

After working 4 12-hour (actually 3 1/2) shifts in a row, I'm crazy tired and I haven't had a chance to read.

Let's remedy that today!

Reviews coming soon.

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

(I love this cover!)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.
October 13, 2009

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

(from author's site)

Must have - Definitely!

Snippet from Last night's reading.

Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney
page 36-37.
Spoiler Alert: Minimal.

A low growl erupted from my throat as I padded around a rosebush and prepared to spring. I wouldn't do too much damage, I decided --just enough to scare the bejesus out of him. And get my purse back, of course.

Unfortunately, the creep chose that moment to pull something out his pocket. A second later, something twanged off the mailbox two feet away from me.

The little bugger had a gun!

Odds were in my favor that he wasn't packing silver bullets but I still wasn't too jazzed about being shot at. Lead bullets couldn't kill me, but they could leave nasty scars. There would be hospital visits, plastic surgery.. and I had enough to explain to Heath as it was.

Well, if Jerk-Off wanted to play hardball, I would too. A growl rose in my throat. I huddled down into a crouch... and sprang.

And hit the sidewalk snout-first.

My Sheer Night panty hose were caught on the rosebush.

I scrabbled backward, grabbing the nylon with my teeth --what the hell did Nordstrom put into this stuff? As I tugged at it, Jerk-Off took another shot, and a rose exploded next to my left ear. This was ridiculous. A guy without Playboy bunnies tattooed all over his body was shooting at me, and I was stuck on a panty-hose leash.

Such a funny scene! So far, only 44 pages into the book but really enjoying it.

Review: Wounded by Amy Lane

Wounded (Little Goddess, book 2)
Amy Lane
iUniverse
January 26, 2006
ISBN: 0595379141

Green: "If someone gives their life for you, it is because they can not bear to live in a world without you. This is a great gift and a terrible burden, and if you are going to live, you need to be grateful for the gift and prepared to bear the burden."

Cory: "I do fearsome things, when I'm touching people who love me..."

Cory fled the foothills to deal with the pain of losing Adrian, and Green watched her go. Separately, they could easily grieve themselves to death, but when an enemy brings them together, they find out what a great and terrible force love can be.

Cory's now a college student in San Francisco. She goes to class, she eats, sleeps, hangs out with Renny, her roommate, and her new friend, Nicky, but she isn't really living. Ever since she escaped home after painfully losing Adrian, she's been going through the motions but not really caring. She's always wanted to go to college but losing him changed everything.

The only time that she feels okay is when she's with her elf love, Green. They both need time to grief their loss but when Cory's horribly attacked by someone who she considered a friend and Green hears her call for help, he can't help but to answer. That sets off a series of events that will forever changed both their lives. A new enemy is rising but so are new alliances and Cory and Green are right in the middle of it.

It's hard to describe how Wounded made me feel. I actually cried a lot more than I did with Vulnerable. In this book, Cory's a completely new person, it seems. Her grief has shaped her in such a way that physically and emotionally, that's all she is. And while she's still dealing with her pain, all these things start occurring that causes a whirlwind of emotions in her. While she finds new love in a unlikely friend, she finds herself and I think that was the most important aspect of the book. She's grown in a lot because she has gone through a lot but in Wounded, she finds a way to move on and like I said, finds herself again.

Bracken's my absolutely favorite character. He's insanely protective of Cory and what I loved most about him is he is just hers. He's her rock. And it would have been great to be able to read his point of view but the story focuses on either Cory's or Green's. I'm still not sure how I feel about Green. He's their protector, their leader but it's painfully obvious that he wants Cory to himself and he just can't have that. I felt that the matter with Nicky was really not okay at all. That's the one thing that I did not like about Wounded. He's so young and he's basically trapped in a loveless marriage now. And I'm torn between thinking that while this definitely could have been avoided, I'm really hoping that it doesn't turn into some kind of three-people marriage.

Much of the storyline takes place in San Francisco, mostly centered on the war that is going on between the elves that live there and the new evil guy trying to take over that area. While there's plenty of action and great fights, Wounded is mostly focused on Cory's relationships but it doesn't completely eclipsed the plot at all. There's a nicely written balance between these two aspects that make Wounded a great read. As always, I'd like to mention that Mrs. Lane is a self-published author and as such, there's a number of grammatical errors in the story. But I'd also like to mention to mention that while they're noticeable, they, in no way, take anything away from this wonderful story. I absolutely enjoyed this rollercoaster of events and emotions with Cory, especially with Bracken, and I'm so looking forward to see what the future brings for these two in Bound, the third book in the Little Goddess series.

The Little Bookshelf.

I found this through I ♥ Book Gossip's blog, it's "Post a Picture of your Bookshelf." And because I love pictures, I decided to join in the fun! Then I remembered months ago, I had to put down my entire bookshelf because my parents were renovating so about 90% of all my books are in boxes and totes bag under my desk. Sad, but true.

But, my mom and I installed my first ever bookshelf in one corner of my room, it's a measly two-shelf thing but I love it and it, at least, lets me have my TBR pile close by. Win! Here it is:

Top shelf: Random school/work stuff. Only two books. My kickass TRUST ME, I'm A Nurse mug.

Bottom shelf: Where the money's at! My complete TBR pile.
Nom nom nom.

So there you go - small but mighty.