The Darkest Night: Gena Showalter

This is going to be a guilty pleasure series for me. I enjoyed the novel, it was fast paced and fun. The author took a classic tale and twisted it to fit into her setting. I would like to see what happens to all of the players involved. I will defiantly get the next in the series.

If there was one thing that I could complain about it would be that the heroine was kind of flat at times, by flat I mean submissive or a wuss. Why would a person raised in a controlled environment not rebel? But I can say with a strong hero that has the violence demon as passenger, the heroine is the perfect foil.

Description

An immortal warrior cursed to die every night, only to awaken the next morning knowing he has to die again. A mortal woman with a power beyond imagining…

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she’ll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member – a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments. . .and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction—and a soul-shattering test of love…

 
 

Website

http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/

Series Website

http://www.lordsoftheunderworld.net/

Blog

http://genashowalter.blogspot.com/

Angel of Mercy: Toni Andrews

I enjoyed the second in the Mercy series (Beg for Mercy, Angel of Mercy). The heroine is a flawed person trying to do right in her world and I find that appealing. The heroine is on a quest to find out her origin and the depth of her powers. The quest is not in the limelight in this novel, but more of a sub-plot. In Angel of Mercy, there is a mystery that the heroine and her Scooby Gang are out to resolve. The reader follows the heroine on a journey that brushes the boundaries of morality.

How far would you go to save a child in need?

 

Description

Last month I killed a man… and now I’m afraid what I might do next

As a hypnotherapist with a special talent, I’m very good at getting people to overcome their problems. My own problem, however, is that my talent comes from a dark place. If I tell you to do something, trust me: you will do it. Most of the time I can keep things from getting out of hand, but when my emotions interfere, I lose control. That’s when people get hurt, sometimes even killed.

The only ones who know I’ve got a secret are my best friend Sukey and my boyfriend Sam. So far I’ve been able to keep them safe from the psychic cross fire, but what if one day I can’t? Like now. Because now I find myself in the shadowy world of battered women and children, where I’ve met a little girl who’s been violated in the worst possible way. As you can imagine, my emotions are about to interfere.…

Website

http://www.toniandrews.com/

http://toniandrews.bravejournal.com/

Howling at the Moon: Karen Macinerney

I had some fun with this novel; it was a light and fluffy read. What I mean by light and fluffy is that the book is an escape novel after a long day. I can sit down and read to be entertained, I don’t have to think about every detail and ponder what the author is saying. The story had a good pace and some truly funny moments. This is a lighthearted were novel and it does not pretend to be anything else.

I liked the idea of an auditor werewolf, it is amusing. I will probably pick up the next book in the series to see where the author takes the characters.

Description

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.

 

Website

www.karenmacinerney.com

http://karenmacinerney.blogspot.com/

House of Whispers: Margaret Lucke

This was a very quick read for me, overall an enjoyable read. It is a blend of romance, mystery, and paranormal. While reading “House of Whispers” I was wishing that it would get spookier, but I was happy with the romantic mystery.

I will probably pick up the next in the series for a quick read.

Description

Claire Scanlan is launching a new career in real estate and has a chance to sell a spectacular oceanview home designed by a world-renowned architect. But the home has a problem that frightens off buyers - it was the site of a vicious mass murder. As Ben Grant, the handsome, successful brother of one of the murder victims, shows Claire and a real estate rival the empty house, Claire experiences strange sensations. The unexplainable experiences continue and the idea that the place might be haunted both fascinates and repels her. Claire is also fascinated, and not at all repelled, by Ben Grant. Claire realizes the psychic experiences are real and must solve the mystery of the bloody tragedy - even though Ben seems to be a suspect.

Emissaries from the Dead: Adam-Troy Castro

“Emissaries from the Dead” by Adam-Troy Castro is a first for me, I have not read any of his other work. After surfing Amazon, I agree with other reviewers that the world building is great and the mystery elements are done well.

There are some unique elements to the storyline that I would have liked to be flushed out more, the blended partners for one. That is a concept that I have never run across before, it would be nice to know more about that character’s back-story. There are several other interesting characters in the story that I would like to know more about, I hope that their stories come out in future novels.

As much as I appreciated the book, I really have to say that I didn’t care for the main character. The reader gets some of the history of the main character to explain why she is emotionally stunted, but it does not help me like her. When I read a novel, I find that I care about the characters and wonder what will happen next in the story line. If I don’t care about the character then I won’t want to invest the time in continuing the story line. I wanted to like this book, I thought the premise was good but I just could not connect with the heroine. Because of my ambivalence for the focal character, I really can’t work up any interest for the next book in this series. I wish I could because the author has a real talent for building worlds and going down roads less traveled.

Description

Two murders have occurred on One One One, an artificial ecosystem created by the universe’s dominant AIs to house several engineered species, including a violent, sentient race of sloth-like creatures. Under order from the Diplomatic Corps, Counselor Andrea Cort has come to this cylinder world where an indentured human community hangs suspended high above a poisoned, acid atmosphere. Her assignment is to choose a suitable homicide suspect from among those who have sold their futures to escape existences even worse than this one. And no matter where the trail leads her she must do nothing to implicate the hosts, who hold the power to obliterate humankind in an instant.

But Andrea Cort is not about to hold back in her hunt for a killer. For she has nothing to lose and harbors no love for her masters or fellow indentures. And she herself has felt the terrible exhilaration of taking life . . . .

Website

http://www.sff.net/people/adam-troy/index.html

TBR Day: REVIEW: Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper - Diablo Cody

Title:
Candy Girl : A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper

Author: Diablo Cody

Year published: 2006

Genre: Memoir

Blurb: This is a story of a 24 year old woman who dared to bare it all as a stripper. After working as a copy editor at an Advertising agency Diablo Cody decided that there was more to life than the 9 to 5 grind of the cubicle maze and became a stripper.

Why did you get this book? I saw it at the used book store and the title grabbed me. At the time I had not heard of Diablo Cody, but the book looked like an interesting diversion.

Did you enjoy the book? Actually, I did. It was an interesting look into life as a sex industry. Her observations and writing style was entertaining.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Yes, this author is a new author for me. I would have to be in the right mood and the book would have to have an interesting hook to draw me in…

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I will recycle this to the used bookstore that I got it from. I have no desire to put this in the re-read pile. While interesting and well written, the subject matter is not the stuff of a comfort read for me.

Why did you wait so long to read it? It was an impulse purchase and there always seemed to be something more suited to my mood.

Anything else? I really did enjoy this book. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to read a memoir of a Minnesota stripper.

La Vida Vampire: Nancy Haddock

La Vida Vampire was a very enjoyable read. I was thoroughly entertained by the non-traditional vampire heroine. The story was an interesting paranormal mystery and the main character was well drawn and likeable. The mystery was a fast-paced whodunit with some romantic elements. I will definitely pick up the next in the series.

Description:

First in a delightfully irreverent new series-and second to none when it comes to beautiful 227-year-old career women.

Being dead isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Take it from Francesca Marinelli, trapped underground for over 200 years and rediscovered during the renovation of a Victorian mansion in historic St. Augustine. A tourist attraction herself, she’s well suited for a job as an Old Ghost Town Tour guide. Francesca’s due for a new lease on afterlife-and with enough sunblock, she can finally live it.

Unfortunately, everything she learned about men is a little dated. And when people in her tour group turn up dead, naturally the police suspect her. After all, she is a vampire. Which is why a crazed vampire-hunting vigilante squad is out to get her as well. Between the dead bodies, the stalkers, and a seriously non-existent love life, she’s starting to wish she was dead. Or at least buried, where she was safe.

Cover: I think that the art department did a great job on this cover, not only does it fit my mental image of Cesca but it blends the Gidget-ness of her personality with the typical dark and brooding Vamp in the swap theme.

Website: http://www.nancyhaddock.com/

Yikes. The design is not to my taste, and the Images need some work.

Even if the site offends my web-snob tastes, there is a lot of content on this site. The content well thought out and reminiscent of the author’s writing style. I do believe that the author would generate quite a fan base with a blog, since the LVV is the first in the series.

BN order & Last Lecture

On Friday I broke down and put in an order for a few books that I have been wanting .

Three fiction and one non – fiction (Griffin’s Daughter, Frostbite, House of Whispers, Last Lecture). I am not usually a non-fiction reader, but the Last Lecture is special.

 

The Last Lecture: Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University until recently, he left his position due to health reasons. There is a custom at Carnegie Mellon of giving a last lecture. This book is a transcript of his last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” delivered on September 18, 1007.  Randy Pausch’s last lecture is not about his condition or that this will be his very last lecture, it’s about his journey through life and the amazing things that he has accomplished. He is looking to inspire others to go for the gold, because you really never know what will happen.

The video of Randy Paucsh’s last lecture has been an internet sensation since its airing. I think that it is so popular not because he is dying but because he is an extraordinary man. The lecture is not a good bye, but a celebration of all that he has accomplished and what it means to realize your dream.

I have recommended this lecture to many people and I hope that many more will view it. This is an excellent lecture and I am sorry that it was his last. I think that the people that were in Randy’s life are very fortunate to have known him, and I feel privileged to have been able to view a small part of his work. I hope that you get a chance to view the video of his last lecture or read it in the book.

Last Lecture on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Randy Pausch’s home page at Carnegie Mellon: http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

Randy Pausch’s home page: http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/Randy/oldRandyPage.html

The Last Lecture Home Page: http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Clockwork Heart: Dru Pagliassotti

Clockwork Heart was an enjoyable book for me and I had a good time reading it. The universe reminded me of the movie Brazil, but in a warm and fuzzy way. I liked that the main characters were not perfect and had some very human foibles. The hero had a Heathcliff quality that was endearing, in an odd sort of way.

I can wholly recommend Clockwork Heart for someone looking for a good read, I think that I will look forward to reading more from Dru Pagliassotti.

Cover: I really loved this cover, it conveys the steam-punk tone of the book very well. Although, I would have to say that the placement of the heart is misleading. But with artistic license it all works out.

Website:
http://ashenwings.com/marks/ is s standard word press blog with quite a bit of information. I love it when authors have blogs, I feel that it builds a relationship with the user base that the author needs in the process of self-promotion.

Journal page: Ok, here is the journal page that I did for the Clockwork Heart. I think I need to do it again, because there are some bits that seriously annoy me about it. But I’ll say that about any of my sketches. It’s been a very long time since I have been sketching regularly…or at all. Sigh.

My Wish List