ARC Review: Coveted

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars



COVETED is the first book in the Coveted series by Shawntelle Madison. COVETED was provided to me by Random House Publishing Group for an honest review.

Natalya is a lone wolf, ousted by her pack leader. Most pack members view Natalya as a liability that is a weak link for the pack. Natalya lives a solitary life with her only contact with the pack through her job and her family. Although the pack are aware of her mental illness, they are not aware of the extent it has gone. Contented to live on the fringes until the return of Natalya's ex-boyfriend. Natalya has decided that she needs to make a change to overcome the debilitating effects of her OCD. Her estranged pack is facing a possible overtaking and Natalya seems to be the target. With the help of friends old and new, she attempts to overcome her OCD and the threat of the infringing pack.

Overall I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read, but it wasn't very deep. I was expecting deep. I'm not sure why, but the description and cover seemed like the book would have a lot of meat to it. There was a lot going on and the premise of the story was good. I really liked the idea of an OCD werewolf. In most books they almost seem infallible. I also liked the idea that Natalya really isn't a kick ass heroine. She is a mentally ill individual dealing with the daily grind and all that it entails. I'm still kind-of unclear as to why she and Thorn are no longer together. The addition of Nick was a good move. Thorn didn't really seem to have a personality. He was just this mysterious guy watching and protecting from afar. We saw a lot about Nick and got a good picture of who he is and his relationship with Natalya. With all that being said, COVETED left me wanting more. I enjoyed the read overall.



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ARC Review: Serious Play

Serious Play by Bonnie Dee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



SERIOUS PLAY is a contemporary romance by Summer Devon & Bonnie Dee that was given to me by Carina Press for an honest review.

Bad boy, Luke Bailey, recently spent 5 years in prison for being involved in an armed robbery in which a store owner was shot. Mary Scott, themed bar owner, needs a bartender and agrees to do her Parole Officer friend a favor by interviewing Luke for the position. Although Mary is leery of hiring an ex-con, she trusts her friends judgement and her own gut feeling that Luke is the man for the job. Luke knows that by hiring him, Mary is putting her bar and perhaps her own job at risk if he should fail; therefore, he puts his best foot forward to start the new life he's been given a second chance to live. So Luke won't have to live in a half-way-house, Mary offers Luke a small room as part of his payment for working for her. Mary and Luke spend quite a lot of time together and get to know each other as more than boss and ex-con. Their attraction grows, but their new found relationship is threatened by an unexpected betrayal.

SERIOUS PLAY drew me in pretty quickly and made me want to stay up all night reading. I had to go to bed because work is supposed to be a priority and without my job, I could not buy new books. I was intrigued by the idea of an ex-con. The idea was a turn off originally, but the writers were able to develop Luke into a loveable character. I was charmed by the "My Parents Basement" idea and thought it would be a fruitful venture in real life.

SERIOUS PLAY is nice beach read. It was quick and effortless. I did not have to concentrate on reading and was able to imagine the interaction s of the characters as they were described.



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ATTENTION All Rachel Morgan/The Hollows fans Ever-After by Kim Harrison News

Everybody mark your calendars, Kim Harrison has announced on her blog the release date for Ever-After, the 11th book in the Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series, will be a month early!!!  To be exact January 22, 2013.  The Hollows is a great Urban Fantasy series and one of my favorites.  See my review on the most recent installment here.  Previous books in the series are the following:

1. Dead Witch Walking (2004)
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005)
3. Every Which Way But Dead (2005)
4. A Fistful of Charms (2006)
5. For a Few Demons More (2007)
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008)
     aka Where Demons Dare
7. White Witch, Black Curse (2009)
8. Black Magic Sanction (2010)
9. Pale Demon (2011)
10. A Perfect Blood (2012)

My Most Anticipated May 8 Book Releases

Book Release Eve's level of anticipation for me is equal to the level a anticipation a child has for Christmas Eve.  Fortunately for my pocket book, I HAVE NONE that I am looking forward to purchasing this week!!! This is a rarity for me. Soooooo, this is YOUR opportunity to let me know what you are anticipating to release tomorrow OR any other time in the future.  The genre doesn't matter, let me know by commenting below.

Franny's Pre-Birthday Giveaway Winner Announcement

My birthday celebration started with the much anticipated movie, The Avengers.  The kids and I were anxiously waiting for my husband, Tom, to return from his meeting so we could leave for the movie.  It started at 5:30p.m.  He arrived home at 4:44 p.m.  Then he laid down in the bed to rest before leaving. Much groaning and sighing ensued from me and the kiddos.  Athen and Drew literally stood over Tom, staring at him intently, looking for the slightest twitch indicating it was time to leave.  After much prodding, he finally arose to leave at 5:24 p.m.  The children and I were out the door and in the running van waiting... again.  I even threatened to leave without him if he didn't get a move on.  Thank goodness we lived relatively close.

We arrived at 5:29 p.m.  I noticed the young man that sold us the tickets, mark them with a number three.  When I spied theater number 3, The Avengers were not on the marquee or poster.  We found where is was playing in theater number 2.  It was PACKED.  My husband was receiving the Evil Eye from me because we had to sit in the front row in a reclined position.  The children LOVED it.  "Oh my goodness, the very front row.  Mom never lets us sit up here."  After his hair nearly burned off from the death-rays I was sending his way, he asked the proprietor about seeing a later movie.  That is when we found out that theater 3 was showing The Avengers as well.  It would have been nice if the young man with the marker had explained the reason for the big green 3 hastily written on the tickets.

This time around, our seats were much better and everyone was happy.  The Avengers was most excellent and laughter was had by all and I shed just a few tears.

Our dinner was much less eventful.  We arrived 30 minutes before close.  Waited 10 minutes before we were ever greeted.  The proprietor was reasonably apologetic and provided a free appetizer.  The service was great --- after the wait and apologies.  We went home with very full bellies and very tired children as they were up and out way past their bedtime on a school night.  All in all, it was worth the glares, time and effort for an enjoyable family night out.  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration.

Now that I made you all read about my wonderful night out (I don't get many.) I would like to say thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.  It was very successful.  The winner was posted on the 4th on the Rafflecopter and she was emailed shortly thereafter.  I will announce again for those who did not check back on the original giveaway post.

Dinique B, COME ON DOWN, you're the winner of a bright and shiny $25 USD Amazon Gift Card. 

If Dinique B. has not contacted me by noon EDT tomorrow, I will choose another winner and contact them.

Review: Deadlocked

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



DEADLOCKED is the 12th book in the Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampires) series written by Charlaine Harris.This review may contain spoilers.

It is hardest for me to write a review on a book I REALLY liked. I REALLY liked this book. I've sat on it and ruminated on what I should write. I have typed, then deleted many witty and thoughtful statements. The last couple of books were liked, yet a little disappointing, because I couldn't see the big picture. DEADLOCKED brought a lot of light on what had been happening and why. There was so much going on. There was the usual murder mystery. Niall's closing of the gates to Faery and leaving many Fae to fend for themselves in America. Merlotte's is recovering from the fire bombing. Sookie's responsibilities at Merlotte's has increased, whereas Sam's responsibilities have decreased. Sookie is getting settled in with Claude and Dermot as housemates. Dermot is settling in best. Mustafa has asked for Sookie's assistance. The cluviel dor may not be as much of a secret as Sookie first thought. Felipe has come to town to investigate the disappearance of Victor and all his flunkies. Freyda has come to press her suit with Eric. Tara and JB are anxiously awaiting the birth of their twins. Jason and Michele are getting serious. Sam and Jannalyn are dating and Jannalyn seems serious about Sam and jealous of his relationship with Sookie. Secrets. It seems as if everyone is getting married, are married and/or having babies. Except Sookie. Sookie and Eric's relationship is strained from his engagement to Freyda and secrets Eric is keeping from Sookie. The resilience of their relationship will be tested. NOt much was happening for about the first 50% of the book. It was mostly a lot of introspection on Sookie's part. Then BAM, the climax hit and left me... wow.

Charlaine Harris's writing was as good as ever. As I said before, there were quite a few things resolved and I think I know where the series as a whole is going. If I am correct in my suppositions, I will be more than pleased with the culmination of the series. I admire Charlaine Harris's storytelling abilities, Her writing elicits a movie real in my head and I am able to easily visualize what is happening. Her books make me wish movies were as good as Ms. Harris's and my imagination combined.



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My Most Anticipated May 1 Book Releases

For those of you who do not know, book release day is Tuesday.  I count down to Tuesday the way children count down to Saturday. This Tuesday there are 3 much anticipated books to be released:

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12)

by Charlaine Harris 

 

 It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires, Book 12)

by Rachel Caine

 

The hotly-anticipated twelfth instalment in the Morganville Vampires series

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House: Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever.

Lovers of Morganville, rejoice: Black Dawn takes the intrigue, romance and nail-biting suspense of the series to its highest level yet!

 

Sparks Fly (Light Dragons, Book 3)

by Katie MacAlister 

 

The First Dragon has Ysolde de Bouchier in his sights demanding that she right past wrongs. So, with the help of some familiar friends, Ysolde sets into motion an elaborate plan that will have repercussions throughout the mortal and immortal worlds. But when a member of her family is held hostage, no one is safe from the fire of her rage...