Saturday, March 31, 2012

Read-to-Review: Broken by David H. Burton

I recently received a free copy if Broken by David H. Burton courtesy of Goodreads Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics reading group. I look forward to starting it tomorrow. The review deadline was set for April 21st. Once I finish it and process my thoughts and feelings, look for the review here!

Synopsis: Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine Gregory receives a letter from her deceased mother. It details a faery curse in which the eldest child in each generation will die in their twenty-fifth year.

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, a new love interest comes knocking, and her first love has returned – neither men are what they seem, and Katherine may have to choose between them.

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine must decide if this is all real, or if the strange visions she’s been having are just a figment of her imagination.

The race to unravel the mystery begins, and Katherine must solve it – for any day after her birthday could be her last.

More information about Broken and David H. Burton can be found at davidhburton.com

Friday, March 30, 2012

Staples Reading Speed Test - What speed do you read?

Compare your reading speed to the national average.  I read 6% faster than the average person.




Fun and interactive.  Enjoy!

Moning's first book in the Fever World Series Cover REVEAL!

I'm loving the cover to the first Dani O'Malley book, officially titled 'Iced: A Dani O’Malley Novel (Fever World #1).'  Karen Marie Moning is known by her MacKayla Lane (Fever) series that has taken the Urban Fantasy world by... FEVER.  There are currently 5 books in the Fever Series:

MacKayla Lane
1. Darkfever (2006)
2. Bloodfever (2007)
3. Faefever (2008)
4. Dreamfever (2009)
5. Shadowfever (2010)

Ms. Moning has also revealed she is planning on two additional Fever World novels AND... dum, dum, dum TWO more MacKayla Lane Fever novels.  See below for information from Ms. Moning herself:


Synopsis: I’m currently working on a trilogy that features Dani, Christian MacKeltar, Ryodan, and the mysterious ‘Dancer,’ set primarily in Fever-Dublin. Each installment in the trilogy is a stand-alone mystery, however there are larger plot arcs unfolding in the background…

..For those of you who have been worrying—the trilogy is not YA. If I had to categorize it, I would say it straddles the line between YA and adult uneasily. …Many of the questions I left unanswered in the FEVER series are addressed in this new series.

Exciting news: I’ve agreed to write two more books after that. Once the new trilogy is complete, I’m returning to the core story begun in the FEVER series, and will resume writing about Mac, Barrons, V’lane, Cruce, the Unseelie king, the concubine, the Song of Making.

I, personally, am eagerly awaiting Iced'd release in October 2012. Stay tuned for more updates as they are available.


Karen Marie Moning's website can be found here.
 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Review: Deceived


Deceived
Deceived by Stephanie Nelson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



DECEIVED is the second book in the Gwen Sparks series.  Gwen has been summoned to Moon by the NAWC to train for the possible war with the vampires. Witches are being murdered by vampires so the witches blood can be sold as a highly addictive drug to vampires called Brew. Although the NAWC has requested the Vampire Counsel take action against the offending vampires the VC has made no move to rectify the situation. The NAWC has no choice but to declare war against all vampires for the secret of the witches blood is out and could mean the end of their race as they know it. Gwen must learn to use her Spirit Walker powers so she can successfully be the NAWC's secret weapon. Secrets are uncovered. Hearts are broken. Friendships are lost. Those who trusted are betrayed.

***SPOILER ALERT***  About 75% of the way through, I figured a major plot twist that should have been revealed in the last 10% of the book. I kept hoping I was wrong and that there was a twist in the twist, but I wasn't. I knew something wasn't right with a love interest, but thank goodness I did not figure out the details. There were clues from some of the supporting characters that I really thought Gwen should have picked up on, but she was being very dense. Then there was a part, when the villain pointed out that Gwen was being obtuse, but I really didn't get it either. There were some questions unanswered, but I'm holding out hope that they are being held over to the next installment. I totally feel for Gwen because the whole spirit world was confusing to me, maybe I'm the one being dense this time. Another love interest seems to come out of nowhere. One minute he's her teacher, the next he is upset that Gwen doesn't see "what is right in front of her." Don't worry Gwen, I didn't see it either until he made mention of it. There is something off about Aidan's motivation for doing what he has done. It just doesn't ring true. The defeat of the main villain seemed anticlimactic. When it happened, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the read. It was a fast read. DECEIVED held my interest and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. I look forward to seeing how the love triangle will be resolved as well as how the loose ends will be tied up from book 2.



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FREEBIE ALERT: Past Due (Past Due Series)


 



Synopsis:  Francis ‘Frankie’ Wright thought she was an old hat at dealing with the supernatural, until she was reassigned to Edinburgh, the most haunted city in the world.
Her latest case soon takes a deadly turn. Young women are being slain in satanic rituals and it’s up to Frankie to find the murderer before he kills again.
Frankie must juggle vampires, shapeshifters, witches and zombies, all the while trying to keep the truth from her sceptical ex-boyfriend, Will Campbell, who just happens to be heading up the police investigation.
The clock is ticking and she soon finds herself forced to team up with the vampires and shapeshifters in order to stop the killer before he can literally unleash hell on earth.
___________________________
It sounded interesting and hey, it's free!

Friday, March 2, 2012

TODAY Reports About the "Fifty Shades of Grey" Storm That Has Hit The Reading World

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

***SPOILER ALERT***

Dr. Drew Pensky gives his opinion on the Fifty Shades trilogy stating that those who enjoy BDSM have been abused as children.  He further states that he has no interest in reading this book and states that it portrays violence against women.  This whole report is only speaking of the BDSM.  For those who have read this, please tell me you agree that it is more about Christian's growth ainto a loving healthy committed relationship.  He starts from being closed off emotionally to the extent he does not allow anyone to touch him.  His and Ana's love for each other transcends his past and she is able to help him deal with what hads happened.  This news article is very biased and does not get to the meat of the book.  Women can empathize with Christian.  He is so broken and I just want to hold him and make him feel better.  They see the little abused boy inside him and learn why he is the way he it.  This trilogy is about healing from a traumatic childhood. Furthermore, this is FICTION.

THE FIFTY SHADES TRILOGY is one of my all time favorite book series.   NOT because of the BDSM.  In fact,  had I known this book was labeled erotica with BDSM, I never would have read it. I have found a lot of erotica to be without a good plot or depth of characters.  This is not the case with Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

See the report here and tell me what you think.  I want to hear your opinion.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

March's 100 Kindle Books for $3.99 or Less


Each month Amazon unveils a new collection of 100 Kindle books for $3.99 or less. Deals expire on the last day of each month. They also offer the Kindle Daily Deal, a new Kindle book deal every day. Individual books may have additional territory restrictions, and not all deals are available in all territories. Amazon may modify the selection of books offered at any time.

Click March's 100 Kindle Books for $3.99 or Less to see those deals now. Happy Reading!

Review: A Perfect Blood

A Perfect Blood
A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A PERFECT BLOOD is the 10th book in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.  I recommend this book being read as part of the series as there will be some confusion if it were read as a stand alone. 

Rachel is a demon and now she has to deal with the consequences of the whole world knowing it. Because she is a demon, she is not a citizen; therefore, she has no rights. Her first goal is to get her car registered in her name and to get her drivers license back. The IS offers her the opportunity to reach that goal if she would just help them on a serial murder case. Rachel, Jenks and Ivy, along with Trent help in finding who is at the bottom of the mutilation and murder of multiple witches in the Cincinnati area. Rachel must do this without her demon powers and without her blood being able to invoke complex earth charms. Although the usual suspects are there to help, Rachel must come to terms with her demon abilities before it is too late.

This series just keeps getting better and better. By the 10th book in other series, I have already given up because the same stuff keeps getting regurgitated just to make a buck. I was so into this book that I didn't even take the time to update my Goodreads status. There wasn't just one instant that blew me away, the book had a grip on me and kept a tight hold. I found myself sneaking in reading while at work or visiting friends. Anything so I could just keep going.

Rachel seems to have grown. Ivy and Jenks are doing their thing and Rachel worries that they are going to grow apart as they all make a life for themselves. Rachel alleviates quite a few fears in this book. Her fear of being a demon, her fear of trusting Trent and her fear of losing her friends. The overall plot of the story is about the serial killings, but the meat of the story Rachel's growth and facing her fears.

When the book ended I felt bereft. What now? Now, I have to wait a year to find out what is next. I will be waiting eagerly for the next installment at the edge of my seat, fists clenched, teeth gritted in excitement.



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