Some Girls Bite: Chloe Neill

I had a lot of fun reading this one and I hope to read more in the series. The main character is likable, hip, and strong. Along with the action there is quite a bit if humor throughout the book. It’s a great read.

Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: April 2009
Format: Paper (Library)
Author Web Site: http://www.chloeneill.com/
Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue

Description (Amazon)
Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.

Bitten to Death & One More Bite : Jennifer Rardin

Jaz Parks is a fun character. I really enjoy reading about her antics and adventures. I think the thing that I love the most about this series is that main couple isn’t on the fast track to the bedroom. It’s not all about the sex with a Jaz Parks story, and that is great. Because the other elements to these books are terrific… humor, adventure, sarcasm, etc…

Description
Jaz Parks here. My latest mission has taken me to the ancient Greek city of Patras; but instead of soaking up its splendor, I’m here to infiltrate a Vampere Trust. Only two vamps have ever escaped the tightly bound communities and lived to tell the tale: Edward "The Raptor"Samos, the most reviled criminal mastermind in recent memory, and Vayl, the CIA’s number one assassin who also happens to be my boss.
The Raptor is trying to take over Vayl’s former Trust. Unfortunately the Trust’s new leader has her own plans.
This job is going to be the death of me.

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Description (Amazon)
It’s Jaz Parks. I’ve already smoked the guy who was the pain in the CIA’s you-know-what for the past few years. But now, in the power vacuum left by the death of Edward "The Raptor"Samos, a struggle for supremacy has begun between his former allies.
The CIA feels the balance must be maintained. So when an agent planted among the Weres discovers a plot to assassinate the Coven’s leader, my vampire boss and I are brought in to take out the woman hired to do the deed, a killer who might be as wily and Gifted as ourselves.
So it’s off to the Scottish Highlands for some twisted fun among murderers, demons and half-crazed relatives. Sometimes being a top-secret CIA assassin isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

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Lord of Misrule: Rachel Caine

I requested Lord of Misrule from the library shortly after it’s release. It finally came in about a week ago.

The latest in the Morganville saga delivers another action packed volume. Readers will enjoy the latest installation in the series. Although it’s clear that there will be several more in this series. This volume does not offer resolution to the main conflict, but gives the next step in the sequence of events.

If you liked the previous Morganville books, you will enjoy this one. On a side note, there is a short Morganville story in Immortal: Love Stories With Bite (available from Borders) that was very good.

Things enjoyed: Myrnin, he is just buggy crazy. It’s delightful.

Things I didn’t enjoy: I wish that there was a bit more relationship development between the characters.

Reason for reading:

Rating: Series Read Continue, Recommend

Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: January 09 
Format: Print
Genre: Young Adult, Vampire 
Series: Yes – Morganville Vampires Book 5  
Author Web Site: http://www.rachelcaine.com/Home.html

Description (Amazon) 
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.
Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

Dayhunter: Jocelynn Drake

The Dark Days series is a real treat for the UF/Vampire reader. It’s got intrigue and danger with some tension mixed in for fun. I really enjoyed reading the second in the series and am looking forward to more.

If you enjoy vampire books and urban fantasy, give this series a try. I am sure that you will enjoy it.

Things enjoyed: I enjoyed the tension between Mira and Danaus. I think that there is a lot more story in there and I am excited about seeing it unfold.

Things I didn’t enjoy:  Nothing…

Reason for reading: I received this as an ARC from the Author. (Thanks!!)

Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue,

Publisher: Eos
Publication Date:  April 09
Format: Print
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Vampire
Series:  Yes
Author Web Site: http://www.jocelynndrake.com/

 

Description (Amazon)

A new day dawns blood red

A master of fire, Mira is the last hope for the world. For centuries she has secretly enforced the history-altering edicts of the Triad. Now she and her unlikely ally—the human vampire hunter, Danaus—have come to Venice, home of the nightwalker rulers. But there is no safety in the ancient city, for the threat of conflict is in the wind . . . with unholy alliances and earth-shattering betrayals taking hideous form in the shadows.

Banished for eons beyond the world’s boundaries, the malevolent naturi prepare to feed once again upon a vulnerable earth—and treachery is opening wide the portal that will enable their dread re-emergence. The great battle that has always been Mira’s destiny is looming, and she must remain powerful in the face of a shocking revelation: that Danaus, the only creature she dares to trust, is something more than the man he claims to be . . .

White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows, Book 7): Kim Harrison

This book wasn’t a great read for me, I finished it and I did consider it entertainment. But the overall read for me was Ho-Humm, I was glad that I got this book from the library instead of purchasing it.

Things enjoyed: I like the characters in the Hollows, and this was a change to get re-acquainted with them. The banshees are interesting characters, but we didn’t see enough of them.

Things I didn’t enjoy:  The lack of movement in the main character’s life bothered me. The reader doesn’t get a sense that she is developing as a character in this book. It feels like the same circumstances as the other books in the series. 

Reason for reading: I have read the others in the series.

Rating: Ho-Humm

Publisher: Eos
Publication Date: February 09
Format: Print
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Series: Yes – The Hollows
Author Web Site: http://www.kimharrison.net/

Description (Amazon)

Some wounds take time to heal . . . and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won’t rest until his death is solved . . . and avenged. Whatever the cost.

Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderlander food chain, Rachel’s past comes back to haunt her.

Literally.

Purchase from Amazon in Print or Kindle

Angel’s Blood: Nalini Singh

I picked this up at B&N on an impulse buy, during an outing with a friend. I should have waited for the Kindle edition, but I was in the mood to purchase a book or 3.

I like this new series, the angels remind me of the angels in Faith Hunter’s world….not nice. I love the idea that the vampires are not the top of the food chain. Considering how many paranormals that I read, it’s a nice change.

This is a departure from the Psy series, but I think that it’s a good start to another strong series for Nalini Singh. I hope that she keeps it strong through subsequent books.

If there is one thing that I could complain about it would be the reversal of the heroine’s stance on sex with hero. It seems like an abrupt change. I think that it falls within the heroine’s “awww f*&@!k it” mentality, but it just seems a bit rushed.

If you like the Psy series or paranormal romance, you will enjoy Angel’s Blood.

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: March 09

Format: Print

Description (Amazon)
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

Purchase at Amazon in Print or Kindle

Rating: Series Read Continue, Recommend

Ravenous – The Dark Forgotten: Sharon Ashwood

Once in a while a book comes a long that you really enjoy. This was the case when I read Ravenous on Sunday. I had a great time reading it and I am planning on reading it again (soon).  I enjoyed that the heroine had day to day concerns as well as the paranormal baddies that she had to face. The story was fast paced and fun, the characters were interesting. I loved that the vampire queen had visible flaws, usually when you read a vampire novel the queen/king/nobility are untouchable. So, this is a nice change.

Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: February 2009
Format: Print

Author Web Site

Description (Amazon)
A dark AND sexy paranormal romance— 

from an exciting debut author

Vampires, Werewolves, and other creatures have emerged from the shadows. And some of them have sinister THINGS on their minds…

Holly Carver is a witch who sometimes relies on the help of Alessandro Caravelli for her family’s preternatural investigations business. Alessandro is the oldest and strongest vampire in Fairview—and he’s made no secret of his desire for Holly. But while she aches to succumb to his suggestive wiles, she knows it would be an invitation to trouble.

Then Alessandro’s queen, Omara, complicates matters when she turns up in Fairview to enlist his help. Sultry and manipulative, she is jealous of Alessandro’s feelings for Holly, and demands he use Holly to trap Geneva—the most evil demon of all.

Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue, Re-read

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Evermore: Alyson Noel

I read this book a few weeks ago and I am struggling with my feelings about it. I enjoyed it, but not as a vampire book. I enjoyed the struggle that the heroine had with the loss of her family and the morality of keeping her sister’s ghost with her instead of letting go.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: February 2009
Format: Print

Author Web Site
Author Blog

Description (Amazon)

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

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Rating:  Recommend

 

Rating

I’ve been reading, really…

Really, truly…I have been reading, not a lot but still reading. I just got wrapped up in a head cold and feeling seriously icky. So there wasn’t so much posting to go with my reading. 

I think that I’ll do a lump post of the books that I have read while sick and then I’ll start doing individual posts again. I sort of feel like I am cheating, but I know if I don’t get it done now I’ll never get these books documented. (Yes, I am that lazy)

Anyway here are the latest books that I have read:

	Evil Ways: Justin Gustainis
	This is the second in the series and it’s well worth the read.
	Spiral hunt: Margaret Ronald
	This is a great start to a new series. I really enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
	Revelations – A Blue Bloods Novel: Melissa De La Cruz
	I think that I need to re-read the entire series, because I did enjoy this book I think that I would have enjoyed it more. Some of the storyline I forgot, I think that I’ll go back and re-read the entire series
	Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home: Michele Bardsley
	Light fluffy and fun, that is what I thought about this book. I had a great time with this one.
	Kiss of Fate: Deborah Cooke
	Dragon shifters are great, I am enjoying the struggle of the Pyr and the Slayers. Reading about the firestrom of the leader of the Pyr was great. I liked the interaction of the characters.

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side: Beth Fantaskey

Hmm… not a favorite, but still entertaining. As I read the book, I found that I really didn’t care for the main characters. Jessica was a bit whiny and Lucius came of as an elitist pain in the butt.

The ending gave the book a dark and brooding romance feel. Simialr to the romances of the 80’s with the brutish wounded hero (almost Heathcliff, but not quite).

Product Description (Amazon)
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.
But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction

Amazon

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Author Web Site

http://bethfantaskey.com/