The Devil You Know: Jenna Black

The heroine of The Devil You Know is a classic Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance heroine; tough, smart, and a smart-ass. She also has several issues to deal with in the course of the novel and series. I liked development of the heroine, Morgan, I feel that it contributed to the story. I found her to be a likable character in the first book, and in the second.  I think that her character has stayed true to the original plan and that makes me want to see what comes next for her.

This series skirts real close to the Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy boundary.  There is sex and I can see the romantic elements developing in the storyline, but I can also see where the heroine could go solo. It’s anyone’s game at this point.

The fresh perspective that the author presents on demons and demon culture is intriguing. It will be interesting to see how it develops in the next book.

If you like Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy you will like this series. Give it a try!

Product Description (Amazon)
The beautiful. The bad. The possessed.
Some people worship them. Some people fear them. And some people—like Morgan Kingsley—go up against them toe-to-toe, flesh to flesh, and power against power. An exorcist by trade, Morgan is one of the few humans with an aura stronger than her possessor, even though her demon can tease her body senseless. She’s also a woman who has just discovered a shocking truth: everything she once believed about her past, her identity, may have been a lie.
With a family secret exploding around her and a full-scale demon war igniting, Morgan is a key player in an unsettled world. Then a rogue sociopathic demon enters her life with a bang. His name is The Hunter. And since she is the prey, Morgan has only one choice: to hunt The Hunter down—no matter what heartbreaking truths she uncovers along the way….

Book 1: The Devil Inside

Book 2: The Devil You Know

Book 3: The Devil’s Due

 

Website: http://www.jennablack.com/

The design of the author’s web site follows the mood of her books incorporating a dark theme. You can access standard picks: Books, Bio, Mailing List, Fun Stuff, Free Reads, and Links.

The layout of the home page needs a little work, it seems that there has been stuff added to the bottom of the content with out regard to the overall layout. It comes off as an afterthought.

I think that the author made a very wise decision on her Free Reads page by posting the content as PDF. That is the most readable option on a dark web site.

Overall I think that this site is a good author site that reflects the tone of the books and offers the users/readers many options.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

I found this on Book Binge today and I think it’s a great idea. If you are a reader or a book blogger join in an participate, it should be a blast!

Here is the content from the original post.

Book Bloggers: You work hard. You read books, you write reviews, you maintain relationships with your readers, publicists, and authors. You are constantly running to the post office to mail your giveaways and participating in carnivals to help boost traffic. You sometimes want to faint when you see the size of your TBR pile, but faithfully you read. And you do it because you love it. Book blogging is for most a hobby. But it’s a hobby that takes a lot of work and time. It’s a labor of love.

I’ve been blogging for three years but only really got into book blogging in the last year. I have found, without a doubt, that book bloggers are the kindest, most open minded, and supportive group of bloggers on the internet. With book blogging, it’s about community and a love for the written word.

The Readers: We love you! You don’t have a blog, but you read our reviews and share your thoughts with us. You enter our giveaways and click on our Amazon associates link. We do this for you and appreciate your readership. We hope you’ll join in the fun and festivities of BBAW! (we’ll have a special contest just for you!)

Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Acknowledging the hard work of book bloggers and their growing impact on book marketing and their essential contribution to book buzz in general, I am excited to announce the first Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Think of it as a retreat for book bloggers and a chance for us to totally nerd out over books together. And of course, shower each other with love and appreciation.

Register: In order to experience the maximum impact of the week, I invite you to register your participation (just like a retreat)!
To register, just send an email to bookbloggerappreciationweekATgmailDOTcom with your blog url and what you consider your niche…i.e, general book blog, classics blog, personal blog with a healthy dose of books, YA books blog, etc. Then, add one of the two buttons at the bottom of this post to your sidebar. If you are a reader (no blog) just send an email announcing your plans to follow along.
Why bother? If you register, you will be added to a book blog directory which will exist long after this week is over. Additionally, you will receive one raffle entry into the daily giveaways during BBAW here at My Friend Amy.

Awards: Oh yes, there will be awards. The Oscars of Book Blogging. Nominations start next week.
Spread the Word: If you are excited about this idea like I am and the other book bloggers who are helping, please consider writing a post on your blog announcing this event and inviting other book bloggers and readers to join.

Help Wanted: If you have a talent for designing buttons (like those below) and would like to donate some of your time and skill to me, please email me personally at mypalamyATgmailDOTcom.
You can use these nifty little buttons to promote the cause as well:

Kiss if Fury: Deborah Cooke

Kiss of Fury was a very quick read for me, I think I put it down once… I thought this book was a great paranormal romance. Dragon shifters, civil war, zombie(ish) evil dragons, magic, clean energy and much more…

Seriously, I was impressed with the idea that the author used for the combustion engine. In the author’s not in the back of the book she spoke about how she was bouncing around ideas for the Green Machine when the news of John Kanzius’ accidental discovery made news. I had seen the video and the news report when it aired and I was thrilled to see his idea translated into popular fiction. I hope that it one day becomes reality (affordable reality…).

Here is a link to a blog post about John Kanzius’ and his idea: http://onemansblog.com/2007/05/31/machine-literally-burns-saltwater-and-cures-cancer/

Product Description (Amazon)
Alexandra Madison has discovered an invention that could change the world. When her partner is murdered and their lab destroyed, Alex knows she has to rebuild her prototype in time…
Donovan Shea knows the Madison project is of dire importance to the ongoing Pyr/Slayer war. So when he sees Alex being followed by a Slayer, he reacts and defends her, never imagining that she’s his destined mate…
As Slayers close in on their prey, Donovan knows he’ll surrender his life to protect Alex—and lose his heart to possess her…

Web site: http://www.deborahcooke.com/

Kiss of Fury on Amazon

The Remains of the Dead (Ghost Dusters Mysteries, No. 1): Wendy Roberts

The first book in the Ghost Dusters series was a fun read. the characters were interesting enough that I want to know more about them. After I finished the book I realized that I am looking forward to the next book in the series. The paranormal aspects of the book are not over the top. I really like the profession that they are in, Crime Scene Cleaning Crew is very unusual and it intrigues me.

If you like Victoria Laurie or Shirley Damsgaard’s work there is a good chance that you will enjoy the Ghost Dusters series.

Product Description (Amazon)
The first book in a new paranormal mystery series featuring Sadie Novak, a professional crime scene cleaner and amateur  medium.

 

Book 2 in the Ghost Dusters Series “Devil May Ride“

Free eBook

Technorati Tags: Free eBook

Today’s free eBook is Giving Chase by Lauren Dane. Available over at Amazon.

Description (Samhain Publishing)

Together they find a special love—can it survive the threat stalking her?

Some small towns grow really good looking men! This is the case with the four Chase brothers. The home grown hotties are on the wishlist of every single woman in town and Maggie Wright is no exception.

Maggie has finally had it with the men she’s been dating but a spilled plate of chili cheese fries drops Shane Chase right into her lap. The sheriff is hot stuff but was burned by a former fiancée and is quite happy to play the field.

After Shane’s skittishness sends him out the door, Maggie realizes that Kyle Chase has had his eye on her from the start. Now that Shane has messed up, Kyle has no intention of letting anything stop him from wooing her right into his bed.

Despite Maggie’s happiness and growing love with Kyle, a dark shadow threatens everything—she’s got a stalker and he’s not happy at all. In the end, Maggie will need her wits, strength and the love of her man to get her out alive.

Dragon Wytch: Yasmine Galenorn

Dragon Wytch continues the ongoing tale of the Otherworld guardians with style. The action is quick and the sex is steamy. Beyond the sex and action is a story line that pulls you in and does not let you go…

With each book the point of view switches to one of the sisters. The cycle is on it’s second turn and I think that Camille’s voice is my favorite.

Product Description (Amazon) The D’Artigo sisters are half-human, half-Fae operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. Camille is doing her best to juggle magic, men, and the demonic war into which they’ve been thrust—until she discovers a secret that could change all their lives.

Dragon Wytch on Amazon

Web site: http://www.galenorn.com/

Old Blog: http://yasmine-galenorn.blogspot.com/

New Blog: http://www.galenorn.com/blog/

Replacement & M-Edge Cover

Technorati Tags: Kindle,Cover

Last night I received my replacement Kindle and the M-Edge cover that I ordered. The cover is nice and stiff with a bit of give. I like the new cover it has a good fit with the Kindle. I chucked it into my bag this morning and it has not slipped out yet, which is the entire reason that I ordered it.   

All four corners have a holder and the corner next to the power switch has an elastic band. there are slim pockets for paper and a pen holder. I am quite pleased with my order.

Here is the “M-edge Executive Case for Amazon Kindle” cover that I ordered, but it looks like they are out of stock right now. So here is a link to their “M-edge Amazon Kindle Leisure Jacket”.

Sunshine: Robin McKinley

It looks like Robin McKinley’s Sunshine will be re-released in October 2008. This makes me wonder if this is a standard re-release or is a prelude to a second book? I hope there is a second, but I would not be surprised if Sunshine was it. I once read (somewhere) that Robin McKinley was not going to do another book in the Sunshine universe, because the characters had no more to say. I would love another Sunshine book, but there does not need to be one this story holds it’s own as a standalone.

Sunshine is one of my favorite books, I have read it numerous times and still am not bored with it. I love the post apocalyptic mage wars universe with the bad patches. I think that the characters are well drawn and have a depth that intrigues me.  One of my favorite scenes is with the landlady (Miss Yelna?), I love the reveal of her nature. I also like the imagery during one of the battles of the family and boyfriend offering power/support to the heroine.

If you have not had a chance to read Sunshine, I recommend that you get a copy and read it. It really is one of the best vampire books that I have read.

Description (Barnes & Noble)

There are places in the world where darkness rules, where it’s unwise to walk. But there hadn’t been any trouble out at the lake for years, and Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts. Vampires never entered her mind.

Excerpt from Robin McKinley’s site

Website: http://www.robinmckinley.com

Blog: http://robinmckinleysblog.com/

Sunshine on Amazon

Bound By Shadow: Anna Windsor

I got this book on Sunday during my book store trip to console myself about my busted Kindle. I just wanted a couple of paranormals to keep me occupied until my replacement arrived.

Well, I didn’t get around to starting Bound by Shadow until yesterday…and I really enjoyed it. The concept of demon fighting sister triads took me back to my Charmed days (total guilty pleasure). I loved the bit about the sisters not considering guns then almost getting toasted by gun wielding baddies. Tickled my funny bone…

What I really liked was the hero, he was lost for most of the story. He had this problem that he had no way to solve and had dealt with it for most of his life. It was nice to see a hero that has a fatal flaw that wasn’t resolved immediately by the heroine. I am not going to tell you if he does resolve it or how (but you know he will, it’s a romance for cripes sake!), but I will say that this facet of the hero made him endearing for me. 

This was enjoyable for me and I will definitely get the next in the series.

Product Description (Amazon)
Falling for a demon can be hazardous to your heart.
Riana Dumain is a fully trained Sybil, a warrior priestess battling evil whose practical magic keeps her grounded in earthly science–and desires. She knows that gorgeous NYPD detective Creed Lowell is dangerous, and possibly a foot soldier of the evil Legion cult, using his badge and drop-dead looks to consolidate demonic power.
Creed’s low-profile Occult Crimes Unit pulls Riana and her two sister Sybils into the case of a politician’s son, murdered in a ritualistic sacrifice. Soon, Riana’s instincts prove true. Creed, the hottest half-human she’s ever known, a demon in bed and out, is guarding a trapdoor to hell. And unless Riana can find a way to tame her mystery man’s treacherous inner self (and her heart), all of Manhattan may be enveloped by darkness.
Look for more sex, sorcery, and seduction in these novels by Anna Windsor

The Wild Road: Marjorie M. Liu

This book was a good read for me, I enjoyed the what that the story was built. Because the heroine has no memories, she is not given a name until midway though the book. This was interesting for me because I didn’t develop an emotional attachment to the heroine, I developed an attachment to the hero. I liked the heroine and wanted her to succeed in the story. I came to know her better later in the book, right along with her knowing herself.

I loved learning more of the  history of Dirk & Steel, it rounds out the series.

 Description (Dorchester)

Lannes Hannelore is one of a dying race born to protect mankind against demonic forces. And while those who look upon him see a beautiful man, this illusion is nothing but a prison. His existence is one of pure isolation, hiding in plain sight, with brief solace found in simple pleasures: stretching his wings on a stormy night, long late drives on empty highways, the deep soul of sad songs. But when Lannes finds a young woman covered in blood—desperate and alone, with no memory or past—he will be drawn into a mystery that makes him question all he knows. And though it goes against his nature and everything he fears, Lannes will risk his heart, his secrets, and his very soul, in order to save someone who could be the love of his life…or the end of it.

Go to Amazon to purchase The Wild Road