Christmas Review: Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes

Book Description

A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All She Wants is Peace and Anonymity...

Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie's Holiday is About to Heat Up...

With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits-but when Sophie's brothers whisk her away, Vim's most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie's been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true...
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Romance, Historical Romance

Series: Windham #4, Duke's Daughters #1
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Review

Liked
• Our hero and heroine meet over an abandoned infant, and even though I'm not a huge kid person, I found the whole setup to be adorable and heartwarming without tipping over into saccharine toothache territory.
• Sophie and Vim are great characters though oddly enough I felt that the hero was more fleshed out than the heroine in this novel. That's unusual for a romance novel, but I liked it.
• I enjoyed the kind-hearted meddling of Sophie and Vim's families. It sometimes verged on annoying but for the most part, it was fun.
• This book wasn't as heavy on the Christmas as The First Love Cookie Club, but I don't think it could be put at another time of year either. The holiday was well-integrated in the plot.

Liked Less
• I was a little confused toward the middle of the book because I didn't understand why Sophie was behaving the way she was. Her behavior is partially explained later by one of her brothers, but that didn't provide a complete resolution to my bewilderment. It's frustrating to not have a better view of what's going on inside the heroine's head. I would have liked to have known more about her and especially her motivations.
• Sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who among Sophie's brothers. The three who were traveling together were referred to by both name and title so it took a few scenes for me to sort everyone out.
• The trauma that kept Vim from visiting his family home was rather silly. His response was a complete overreaction.

TL; DR

A heartwarming Christmas read for historical romance fans though it could have used a little more of the heroine's point of view.

Rating

Knight of Swords
A decent read. I will likely read other books in this series.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N | Book Depository

Christmas Review: The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde

Book Description

"On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny."

The townsfolk of Twilight, Texas, believe the legend, but not Sarah Collier--not since she was a pudgy teenager, running down the church aisle on Christmas Day in a jingle bell sweater and reindeer antlers, trying to stop Travis Walker from marrying someone else. She may be grown-up, slimmed-down, bestselling children's book author "Sadie Cool"now, but Sarah will never forget that day. And she'll never fall foolishly in love again

But when a letter from a sick fan brings Sarah back to Twilight, she's shocked to discover that Travis is the little girl's father--unattached and hotter than ever. His smile still makes her melt, but Sarah knows that ship has sailed. Travis, however, might have different ideas.
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance

Series: Twilight, Texas #3
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Review

Liked
• The kismet cookie tradition is really cute. I wish the author had included a recipe in the book. I'd like to dream of my true love, but then again, I don't think I could deal with crumbs in my bed. Would a baggie interfere with the magic?
• Do not read this book if you are not in or do not want to be in the holiday spirit. It's a giant Christmas cheeseball. I was in a holiday mood so I ate it up.
• I really loved how Travis is such a devoted dad even to the point of almost screwing things up with Sarah.
• Sarah and Travis had good chemistry and their backstory was great. I love how they were both knit up in the community even though Sarah didn't really want to be.
• Twilight, TX (the setting) is as much a character as the people are. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the town, her people, and her history. The sense of place was very well-crafted.

Liked Less
• I didn't buy Sarah's relationship with Jazzy because we didn't get to see enough of their interactions. I can understand feeling protective of a seriously sick child, but the depth of love she is said to feel is out of proportion to the circumstances that we're shown.
• The Raylene plotline was clumsily handled. Although the book is all in third person, there was still a notable switch in tone for the parts focusing on Raylene. Although that subplot later re-integrates into the main Sarah/Travis storyline, the shifts are jolting. I think that particular plotline could have been integrated in a way that didn't pull the reader out of the story.
• The sex scenes were kind of weird to me. They came across as somewhat awkward.

I managed to find the kismet cookie recipe!

TL; DR

A fun, delicious Christmas cheese-fest; only to be read if you're in the holiday spirit.

Rating

Knight of Swords
An average read. I may or may not read other books in the series.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Christmas Review: Season for Surrender by Theresa Romain

Book Description

Honor Among Rogues

Alexander Edgeware, Lord Xavier, has quite a reputation—for daring, wagering, and wickedness in all its delightful forms. But the wager before him is hardly his preferred sport: Xavier must persuade a proper young lady to attend his famously naughty Christmas house party—and stay the full, ruinous two weeks. Worse, the lady is Louisa Oliver, a doe-eyed bookworm Xavier finds quite charming. Yet to refuse the challenge is impossible—he will simply have to appoint himself Miss Oliver’s protector…

Mischief Among Misses

Louisa knows her chance for a husband has passed. But she has no desire to retire into spinsterhood without enjoying a few grand adventures first. When Lord Xavier’s invitation arrives, Louisa is more intrigued than insulted. And once inside the rogues’ gallery, she just may have a thing or two to teach her gentlemen friends about daring…
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance

Series: Seasons #2
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Review

I did not finish this book. I personally don't see the point in slogging my way through something I'm not enjoying. That being said, I do see value in a DNF book review as long as the reviewer explains why they quit.

Why I DNFed:
• I felt that this novel could have taken place at any time of year. The Christmas element was very tangential to the story and could have been replaced with any other kind of event.
• I didn't feel the chemistry between the hero and heroine.
• The reader is repeatedly told that Lord Xavier is a scoundrel and a rake. Apparently, he likes to make weird bets with his cousin which doesn't really peg my Scoundrel-O-Meter. We are never really shown his scandalous doings so his supposed reformation lost a lot of impact. There were no prior misdeeds with which to compare his good behavior.
• I didn't buy Louisa's amazing insight into Xavier's character. After a few days of observing and interacting with him in a limited context, she knows that he's really using his rake/scoundrel image to cover up his soft creamy center. The author does show Louisa's keen observation in another context, but to me, at least in Xavier's case, it still felt like she was making assumptions instead of gaining insight. I hate when people make assumptions about my character whether they're true or not, and I really can't understand how Xavier was be okay with it.
• The plot moves along slowly. Even when things started to spice up a little bit between Louisa and Xavier, it was too late and still too slow to keep my attention.

TL; DR

The hero and heroine didn't have enough chemistry to make up for a slow-moving plot and the hero's unconvincing personal transformation.

Rating

Three of Swords
DNF (Did Not Finish)

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Pics: Kobo Mini

I recently picked up a Kobo Mini because it was only $50 for Cyber Monday. I was fortunate enough to have a $10 coupon so I got it for $40. Even $50 is really good for a fully featured ereader. For $40, I couldn't pass it up, and I'm glad I didn't! It's got to be the cutest gadget I own. If it had chubby cheeks, I'd pinch them. But I digress...

Hopefully I'll find some time to do a detailed review of the Kobo Mini because I love it!

Here are some pictures that show the size of the Mini:

This is the Mini next to an audiobook case, which is basically a DVD case.

Kobo Mini next to a mass market paperback.

Steals & Deals: Harlequin Coupon & Bargain Stephanie Laurens

TODAY ONLY (12/2/12) get 50% off ebooks at Harlequin with coupon code 50OFFEBOOK12. Coupon can only be used once but thankfully Harlequin's bookstore has a cart system so you can still get multiple books with the discount.

There are a handful of Stephanie Laurens ebooks for less than a dollar. Amazon has them priced at $0.99 and Books on Board (DRM epub which doesn't work on Kindle) has them for $0.72. I have provided links for both stores and indicated which are pre-orders and which are currently available.

Currently Available:
• The Untamed Bride with Bonus Material - Amazon | Books On Board
• The Lady Chosen with Bonus Material - Amazon | Books On Board

Pre-orders:
• A Fine Passion with Bonus Material - Amazon | not available at Books On Board
• A Gentleman's Honor with Bonus Material - Amazon | Books On Board
• The Elusive Bride with Bonus Material - Amazon | Books On Board
• A Rake's Vow with Bonus Material - Amazon | Books On Board

Review: Lust for Life by Jeri Smith-Ready

Book Description

EVERYONE’S OUT FOR BLOOD—HERS Ciara’s con-artist parents taught her three keys to survival: keep low, keep quiet, and most of all, keep moving. But managing WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll—not to mention becoming a vampire herself—has kept her in one place long enough to fall madly in love, adopt an undead dog . . .

. . . and make more enemies than she can shake a stake at.

A psychotic DJ, a wanna-be necromancer, and a posse of vengeful hippies would all love to see Ciara get her day in the sun—literally. To protect Ciara, her fiancé, Shane, has traded his flannel shirt and guitar for a flak jacket and crossbow. If she survives to walk down the aisle, will she recognize the man waiting at the altar?

In this final chapter of the award-winning WVMP RADIO series, Ciara must decide who to trust, whom to love—and whom to kill.
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Series: WVMP #4
Does the series need to be read in order? Yes. You should start the series with book 1, Wicked Game.

Quick Synopsis

Ciara has to deal with being a vampire, repercussions of her conflict with Jim (psycho DJ), and her obligations to Control all while planning a wedding.

Review

Liked
• I love the writing style. The author often manages to add humor without pulling you out of the story and the other emotions evoked by the scene.
• It's nice for an urban fantasy to deal with the downsides of being a vampire and not in an overly-brooding "woe is me" kind of way. I really loved Shane and Ciara's talk about what foods they missed the most.
• Shane and Ciara are a great leading couple. They balance each other out well, and you can tell that they have a genuine respect for another.
• Shane gets a little more alpha-male in this book and it's kinda hot.
• The supporting characters are wonderful. I especially enjoyed seeing more of Ciara and Monroe's interactions. Maybe someday there can be a story exploring Monroe's origins? *hint hint*
• The world-building is excellent. I especially like the variety and creativity of the different powers people possess. Ciara's power of non-belief is expanded in a lot of unique ways that I didn't expect. Also, Shane's power? Way cool!

Liked Less
• There was almost no buildup to the showdown with Jim's progeny. The potential attack was discussed and planned for but there was no real sense of urgency. Events do eventually pick up but I wanted more tension beforehand.
• I didn't want it to end! Lust for Life is a great ending to a series that I love. While I'm glad that the series won't get dragged out until it sucks, I'm greedy and I want more of the WVMP gang.

Rating

King of Swords
A very enjoyable read with a couple of minor issues. Recommended as are the other books in the series.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Review: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

Book Description

Anderson Lake is a company man, AgriGen's Calorie Man in Thailand. Under cover as a factory manager, Anderson combs Bangkok's street markets in search of foodstuffs thought to be extinct, hoping to reap the bounty of history's lost calories. There, he encounters Emiko...

Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. One of the New People, Emiko is not human; instead, she is an engineered being, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the decadent whims of a Kyoto businessman, but now abandoned to the streets of Bangkok. Regarded as soulless beings by some, devils by others, New People are slaves, soldiers, and toys of the rich in a chilling near future in which calorie companies rule the world, the oil age has passed, and the side effects of bio-engineered plagues run rampant across the globe.

What Happens when calories become currency? What happens when bio-terrorism becomes a tool for corporate profits, when said bio-terrorism's genetic drift forces mankind to the cusp of post-human evolution? Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers one of the most highly acclaimed science fiction novels of the twenty-first century.
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia

Series: N/A

Quick Synopsis

In a post-fossil-fuel world where genetic modification has run rampant, many different people fight to choose the direction of Thailand's future or just to survive the machinations of others.

Review

Liked
• It's very refreshing to have a book set in a non-Western country with plenty of non-Western characters.
• The world-building was well done. Windup Girl shows a future plagued (often literally) with the bad effects of gene manipulation and rampant corporations. This vision of the future is compelling because it's believable.
• I loved the exploration of the varied outcomes of genetic manipulation. The author manages to cover the issue fairly even-handedly, at least in regard to mammals (New People/Windups, Cheshires). It's incredibly imaginative.
• The tale reads a lot like a Neal Stephenson book with each chapter being told from a different character's perspective. Mr. Bacigalupi packs a lot of information about the characters into the relatively small spaces devoted to them, and as a result, the players seem real.

Liked Less
• Though I felt that the coverage of mammal gene manipulation was covered in a balanced way, I thought that the author tipped into preachiness when discussing the genetic modification of food crops.
• I felt like Gibson was kind of just thrown in there. I couldn't really get a feel for him at all, and I think he could have been cut out entirely without changing the plot.
• Though the style is similar to Neal Stephenson, it's missing the punch. With Stephenson, I get moments of sheer "OMGWTFBBQ that just happened!" Bacigalupi delivers more of a "They really did that?!"

Rating

Knight of Swords
An average read. The good and bad points balance each other out.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Steals & Deals: All Tantor Digital Downloads $4.99 TODAY ONLY

The title says it all, folks. All digital downloads at Tantor are only $4.99 for Cyber Monday only.

Steals & Deals: Kurt Vonnegut ebooks

Today's Kindle Daily Deal is a selection of 14 books by Kurt Vonnegut. If you haven't read Kurt Vonnegut, you need to. Period. He is a master of exposing the darker side of humanity through strange humor. His best-known work is probably Slaughterhouse-Five, which is unfortunately not a part of the sale. I started out with Slapstick and really enjoyed it. Be warned though; you do need a healthy tolerance of the absurd to read most of his books.

Audiobook Review: Jane Eyre

Book Description

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity.

She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.

With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers ...
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Classics, Romance, Gothic Romance

Series: No

Quick Synopsis

Jane takes a position as governess at Thornfield and finds both love and a mystery that will tear her apart.

Review

Liked
• For a novel that is over 100 years old, Jane Eyre reads almost like a modern book. I guess that's why it's a classic.
• Jane is a well-developed character. She lays her own strengths and weaknesses out for the reader to create a very detailed picture. Although she is from a different time, I noticed many things that Jane and I had in common, and it added a nice sense of connection.
• The romance between Jane and Mr. Rochester is epic. The relationship is slow to build but explosive when they confess their feelings for one another. The obstacles in their path are many but by the Happily Ever After, you just know that it was meant to be. After all, it's a little bit of magic that facilitates their reunion.
• Even though he's a bit Alpha, I like Mr. Rochester because he does bend for Jane.

Liked Less
• Although the book as a whole isn't dated, there are some elements that are. For example, there are long soliloquies, sometimes religious ones, that bored me. Also, I found the denigration of any other nation besides England to be pretty unintentionally comical.
• Parts of the book dragged a little. I think this is more a difference in style between when the book was written and now rather than a lack of writing skill.

Audiobook Notes

• Clarity - 5/5 - Words and names were very easy to understand, even with differing accents.
• Differentiation Between Characters - 4/5 - It was fairly easy to tell the difference between characters speaking in conversations. There were a couple rare moments of confusion.
• Sound Levels - 4/5 - I only had to adjust the volume once or twice because the sound levels were too different i.e. suddenly too loud or too quiet.
• Overall Performance - 3.5/5 - Good voice acting. Sometimes it sounded like the narrator almost flubbed a word/line. She recovered and didn't actually make a mistake but I don't know why this wasn't re-recorded.
• Audio Version Recommended? Yes

Note: this is the Brilliance Audio recording of Jane Eyre with Susan Ericksen as narrator.

Rating

King of Swords
A very enjoyable read with a couple of minor issues. Recommended.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Buy the audiobook at: Audible

Review: The Way to a Duke's Heart by Caroline Linden

Book Description

Charles de Lacey, Lord Gresham, is running out of time, running from his responsibilities, and running from love.

Destined to be a duke, Charles de Lacey has led a life of decadent pleasure, free of any care for propriety or responsibility. It comes as a terrible shock to learn that he might be stripped of everything, thanks to his father's scandalous past. He has no choice but to find the blackmailer who would ruin him—and his only link to the villain is a woman who may be part of the plot…

To save his fortune and title, he vows he'll stop at nothing—in fact, he's all too eager to unravel the beautiful, tart-tongued Tessa Neville. She intrigues him and tempts him like no other lady ever has. With only his heart to guide him, and keenly aware that his entire future is at stake, Charles must decide: is she the woman of his dreams, or an enemy in disguise?
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: The Truth About the Duke #3
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Quick Synopsis

Tessa is in Bath to investigate a possible investment for her brother. Charlie is in Bath to uncover a blackmailer who threatens his wealth and title. Their paths merge as Charlie realizes that Tessa might lead him right to the answers he's searching for.

Review

Liked
• Tessa has a dark past but not super-dark. Her actions and interactions are proportionate to the level of her trauma. I find this a refreshing change from heroines who make really dumb outlandish decisions or put up insurmountable barriers based on something that should not haunt them that long. "OMG I can't ever love anyone because I peed my pants in front of my third grade class and I was so embarassed!!! Alas, although you are perfect for me, I can't ever share my life with another because... PEE!" Tessa's not like that. She lets down her walls when it's appropriate for a strong person to do so.
• Charlie is a fun hero. I really enjoyed his relationship with his father and his realization that they are much more alike than either of them wanted to admit.
• The progression of Tessa and Charlie's romance was realistic and fun to read. No insta-lust here but there was also just the right amount of them losing control when they admitted their feelings. I liked the balance.
• There was more to Mrs. Bates than I first thought and the sly revelation of more of her character made me smile.
• The blackmail plot was well-paced and handled though I didn't really feel as much suspense about it as I thought I should. This is probably because I haven't read the previous books and am coming in at the end of that particular arc.

Liked Less
• I thought Charlie's turnaround from indolent rake to efficient committed dude might have been a little too fast. I think that hearing more of his point of view regarding that change might have made it seem less precipitous.
• Tessa's whole "I'm not cool-kid enough to be a duchess" hangup was a bit silly. That being said, it thankfully didn't take too much to get her to set that crap aside.

Rating

King of Swords
A very enjoyable read that I feel happy recommending to other readers. I will likely read the other books in the series.

Amazon | B & N

Disclosure: I won this book in a contest. A positive review was not a requirement of winning. No compensation was offered or received in exchange for a review.

Contest Shoutouts

Enter to win:

• Kept by Shawntelle Madison over at All Things Urban Fantasy
• Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone at Dark Faerie Tales

Review: Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

Book Description

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…

Before she met Dragos, half-human/half-Wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyrs’ frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners—in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the Games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear…
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Series: Elder Races #5
Does the series need to be read in order? No. I jumped right in without having read the previous books, but as with most series, I think you'll get a little extra if you've read the other installments.

Quick Synopsis

Pia and Dragos are separated for the first time since they've been together as a couple. The distance is hard on them but duty calls each of them. The couple soon reunites when an old force resurfaces and puts the Elves in terrible danger. Pia, Drago and the rest of the Wyr must work with the Elves before the peril spreads beyond their demesne.

Review

Liked
• The world-building is pretty solid. I enjoy the wide variety of magical beings - shapeshifters, vampires, elves - and the interactions between them. The relationships between the groups are not always easy and that gives it a nice realism. I also loved the larger mythology of the God Machines. It's an intriguing concept.
• Pia and Dragos definitely have a passionate relationship, but it's also a maturing one. At this stage they are learning to work together, trust one another's abilities and compromise. It's rare to see this stage of a relationship in romance or even a book with romantic elements. It's refreshing to watch a couple progress beyond the new love glow (and lust).
• Pia and Eva's relationship was fun.
• The plot was well-paced right up until the end (more on that below). Once the craziness got going in the Elven lands, I was completely sucked in.

Liked Less
• Nothing to do with the writing, but the print in this paperback was tiny. It made it a little difficult to read. Maybe I'm just getting old.
• Sometimes there were so many people involved in a scene that I lost track of who was who. The confusion didn't detract from the overall story arc, but it sometimes pulled me out of the story a bit until I figured out the significance of a particular character. It might be easier for someone who has read the previous books in the series.
• The disposal of the main villain was too easy. (Spoiler-avoiding vagueness follows.) There were explanations as to why that solution was not used earlier but I didn't buy it. Everything could have been settled a lot sooner and with less damage. Also, after all the buildup, the villain's easy defeat was kind of a letdown.

Rating

King of Swords
A very enjoyable read that I feel happy recommending to other readers. I will likely read the other books in the series.

Disclosure: I won this book in a contest. A positive review was not required nor was any compensation offered or received for a review.

Amazon | B & N

Steals & Deals: 2 Free eBooks from Harlequin

In celebration of reaching 100,000 Facebook fans, Harlequin is giving away 2 free ebooks. The books are Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry and The Wrangler by Lindsay McKenna. I haven't read any books by McKenna before but I can highly recommend Sarah Mayberry. She writes wonderful contemporary romances.

The ebooks are in Adobe DRMed epub format, which means that they can be read on Nook, Kobo, Sony or any reader app on iPhone or Android that allows DRMed epubs. Unfortunately, Kindle cannot read the epub format.

Click here to access the free downloads. And enjoy!

Contest Shoutouts

Enter to win some great books over at these blogs:

• Enter to win all 3 books in the Abby Sinclair series by Allison Pang over at Paranormal Haven
• Another series contest at Paranormal Haven: this one is for the Lords of Deliverance series by Larissa Ione
• Want to read Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta? Enter the contest at All Things Urban Fantasy or The Book Tart
• For Gothic fans, check out the giveaway of Leanna Renee Hieber's The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart at All Things Urban Fantasy

Steals & Deals: Dreg City Audiobooks

The Dreg City series by Kelly Meding is one of my favorite urban fantasy series. It has all the elements I love - a unique well-built world, amazing characters, fantastic supernatural creatures. Evy, the heroine, goes through hell and back and comes out snarking. And Wyatt? *sigh* Where do I get me one of those?

Why am I gushing? Because Tantor Audio has the first three Dreg City audiobooks (digital download version) on sale for $6.99 each! This is a great price for books that I highly recommend for any urban fantasy fan. I also really like the narrator, Xe Sands. She gives wonderful performances.

You can get your downloads at Tantor Audio.

* Prices were current at the time of this posting. Please check prices before buying as they can change.

Review: Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Book Description

Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals...a used hangman's noose...a snuff film. An aging death-metal rock god, his taste for the unnatural is as widely known to his legions of fans as the notorious excesses of his youth. But nothing he possesses is as unlikely or as dreadful as his latest discovery, an item for sale on the Internet, a thing so terribly strange, Jude cant help but reach for his wallet.

I will "sell" my stepfather's ghost to the highest bidder...

For a thousand dollars, Jude will become the proud owner of a dead man's suit, said to be haunted by a restless spirit. He isn't afraid. he has spent a lifetime coping with ghosts--of an abusive father, of the lovers he callously abandoned, of the band-mates he betrayed. What's one more?

But what UPS delivers to his door in a black heart-shaped box is no imaginary or metaphorical ghost, no benign conversation piece. It's the real thing. And suddenly the suit's previous owner is everywhere: behind the bedroom door...seated in Jude's restored vintage Mustang...standing outside his window...staring out from his widescreen TV. Waiting--with a gleaming razor blade on a chain dangling from one bony hand...
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Horror

Series: No

Quick Synopsis

Jude buys a ghost from the internet, and it turns out to be a real ghost with a murderous agenda. Now his life is in danger and his salvation lies in the secrets of his past.

Review

Liked
• This book was really spooky! The night I started reading it I had to sleep with the lights on. The suspense and scare-factor are masterfully maintained throughout the book.
• Jude and Georgia start out as complete stereotypes. Jude is the aging, jaded heavy metal rockstar and Georgia is his Goth stripper groupie girlfriend. As the book progresses, more of them is bared for the reader's view through the immediate danger the ghost presents and the more insidious danger of their pasts catching up to them. By the end of the book, I really knew and loved the characters. While I didn't always agree with their decisions past and present, I at least felt like I understood them.
• The presentation of a "dark past" for a character can be grossly overdone and ultimately condescending to the reader. I am very happy to say that Mr. Hill does not fall into this trap. The details of Jude and Georgia's prior lives are painted with a subtle hand and blend in well with whatever present-day action is occurring.

Liked Less
• I was able to figure out some of the elements of Florida's storyline ahead of time though I still enjoyed the ride.

Rating

Queen of Swords
Amazing! Why aren't you buying this book right now?

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Steals & Deals: eBook Bargains

* Prices were current at the time of this posting. Please check prices before buying as they can change.

99 cents
• Desire Untamed with Bonus Material by Pamela Palmer - Book 1 of the Feral Warriors series, which is paranormal romance. Reviews are generally good on GoodReads though some reviewers mention cheese factor and a high steam factor in the love scenes. If you don't like your romance at the more erotic end of the spectrum, you might want to skip this one.
  Amazon | B & N
• Wicked Road to Hell by Juliana Stone - Book 1 of the League of Guardians series, which is also paranormal romance. Can you tell what genres I like yet? ;-) Another with generally good reviews on GoodReads.
  Amazon | B & N
• Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks - Book 2 of Love At Stake. I don't see any indicators that the series has to be read in order. Another paranormal romance with generally good GR reviews. Seems to be more standard paranormal romance fare with some comedy.
  Amazon | B & N
• Plum Island by Nelson DeMille - And now for something completely different... a thriller! Fairly well-reviewed but some folks disliked the sarcastic/arrogant main character.
  Amazon | B & N
• Hide Me Among the Graves by Tim Powers - A paranormal fantasy/horror set in Victorian London. Since I am a fan of all things supernatural and all things Victorian, I naturally had to pick it up for the low price. Reviewers recommend checking out The Stress of Her Regard (also by Powers) first but I don't think I will unless it's also bargain-priced.
  Amazon | B & N

Stephanie Laurens Pre-Orders for 99 cents
• The following books are all historical romances and as I understand it, on the steamy side. Most of Laurens's books have a rating of 4 (or close to) on GoodReads. The Bonus Material usually consists of excerpts from other novels by the same author.
• Devil's Bride with Bonus Material - Book 1 of Cynsters
  Amazon | B & N
• A Fine Passion with Bonus Material - Book 4 of Bastion Club
  Amazon | B & N
• The Lady Chosen with Bonus Material - Book 1 of Bastion Club
  Amazon | B & N
• The Untamed Bride with Bonus Material - Book 1 of the Black Cobra Quartet
  Amazon | B & N

Have you already read any of these bargain books? Feel free to recommend (to read or to avoid) in the comments!

Review: The Warlock's Curse by M.K. Hobson

Book Description

THE YEAR IS 1910. Eighteen-year-old Will Edwards has landed a prestigious apprenticeship at Detroit’s Tesla Industries, the most advanced scientific research center in the United States. It’s a plum prize for a young man who dreams of a career in the new science of Otherwhere Engineering.

But his father doesn’t want him to go. And he won’t tell him why.

Determined to get there by any means necessary, Will finds unexpected support along the way. His old friend Jenny Hansen—daughter of a San Francisco timber baron—is eager to help him for reasons of her own. And so is his estranged brother Ben, who he hasn’t seen in over ten years.

But running away turns out to be the easy part. On the first full moon after his eighteenth birthday, Will is stricken by a powerful magic—a devastating curse laid upon his ancestors by the malevolent sangrimancer Aebedel Cowdray. Will must find a way to control the magic that possesses him—or the vengeful warlock’s spirit will destroy everything and everyone he loves.
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk, Family Saga

Series: Veneficas Americana #3
Does the series need to be read in order? It's complicated. Books 1 & 2 are a duology exploring the life of Will's parents. Although The Warlock's Curse is listed as number 3, it's the first in a duology focusing on the next generation generally and Will specifically. You can read The Warlock's Curse without having read the previous books (The Native Star and The Hidden Goddess) and you won't be missing anything major that would stop you from enjoying it. However, you would probably get a little more out of the book with the prior ones under your belt.

Quick Synopsis

Will and Jenny conspire to get him to his apprenticeship at Tesla Industries where Will's father is determined he should not go. Things seem to be coming up roses for the conspirators until family secrets catch Will in their dark grip.

Review

Liked
• The world-building is amazing. This is real American history with a very large twist. A couple of times I found myself wanting to research some of the events mentioned in the story to see if they were real or only in this alternate reality.
• The book does have a large steampunk component to it though the gadgets are by no means at the center of the story. I thought the devices were neat and well-integrated into the world.
• The magic system is unique, well-developed and consistent.
• Jenny and Will are great characters that I really connected with.
• Ms. Hobson doesn't pull any punches. Some of the events in this book are absolutely heartbreaking. At the same time that I'm sad for the characters, I also respect that the author is willing to follow her vision wherever it will go.
• I was really happy to see Emily and Dreadnought again. I love family sagas because you can experience the warm joy of old friends and the freshness and hope of new generations simultaneously.

Liked Less
• The book focused mostly on Will, and the readers get a decent picture of Jenny through his interactions with her. While I understand why the author made that choice, I still wish that we had seen more of Jenny outside her relationship with Will. Hopefully the next book will remedy that. She's wonderful and I want more!

Rating

Queen of Swords
Amazing! Why aren't you buying this book right now? I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Disclosure: I helped fund this book through Kickstarter because I loved the first two books in the series. A positive review was not required. My opinion is 100% my own.

Amazon | B & N

Review: Blade Song by J.C. Daniels

Book Description

Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.

So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.

Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead.

If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee…

(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Fantasy

Series: Colbana Files #1
Does the series need to be read in order? N/A, first in series

Quick Synopsis

Kit gets hired to find a missing kid and is stuck with Damon, a sexy shifter, for the duration of the project. She also has to deal with a vampire stalker named Jude.

Review

Liked
• Kit is a great character. She has a traumatic past and though she copes really well, she still experiences echoes of her abuse. She can never shove it completely down and just keep blithely going every time. Her trauma is given its due without taking over her life completely. The author keeps it nicely balanced.
• The world of the book has the typical vampires, shifters and witches. I found the paranormal races to be fairly typical for UF but I found the interactions between the races to be interesting.
• Kit is something different - aneira. Aneira are a paranormal race similar to Amazons but different enough to keep it fresh. I like the set of powers that Kit has and how accepting she is that she is weaker because she’s half-human. She works with what she has.
• Damon starts out as a total asshole. At first I was pretty annoyed with him (as Kit was), but then he grew on me. I think his finally starting to trust Kit made the difference to me.
• The Walgreens scene is comedy gold.

Liked Less
• There were a few typos in this book. The mistakes were not enough to throw me out of the story, but they definitely shouldn’t have been there.
• I really wish that more had been explained about Jude’s business venture (to explain more would spoil). Why did he set something like that up in the first place? I also thought that his business was very cliched and I was a little disappointed because of it.

Rating

King of Swords
A very enjoyable read that I feel happy recommending to other readers. I will likely read the next in the series.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Steals & Deals: eBook Bargains

Here are a couple of bargains that caught my eye tonight when I decided to take a break from storm coverage. Luckily I still have electricity.

Prices were current at the time of this posting. Please check prices before buying as they can change.

99 cents
• Ghosts by Gaslight - An anthology of supernatural stories set in Victorian times. Reviewers' chief complaint is that the stories contain little steampunk though the book is marketed as such. Still, for $0.99 it's tough to go wrong and you might find a spooky story you like for Halloween.
  Amazon | B & N

$1.99
• Updated to add: Firelight by Kristen Callihan - If you are a fan of urban fantasy/paranormal romance, this is a must-read especially at this price. I definitely one-clicked. All the reviews I've read say it's amazing.
  Amazon | B & N
• The Look of Love by Bella Andre - This is Book 1 of the Sullivans contemporary romance series. I haven't read any of Andre's books myself but I've heard many people say they enjoy them. Also, if you like Amazon's Whispersync for Voice, the audiobook is also $1.99 when you purchase the ebook.
  Amazon | B & N
• A Night Like This by Julia Quinn - Quinn is a very well-known author of historical romance. This book has decent reviews.
  Amazon | B & N
• Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt - A historical romance with mostly rave reviews on GoodReads.
  Amazon | B & N

$2.99
• Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione - A paranormal romance featuring the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. While I have not started this series yet, I love Ione's Demonica series and hope this is just as good.
  Amazon | B & N

Hope you find something that you like!

Audiobook Review: Riveted by Meljean Brook

Book Description

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland's inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical—and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika's secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them—and generating lots of steam . . .
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Steampunk

Series: Iron Seas #3
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Quick Synopsis

David and Annika meet and their relationship starts to bloom aboard the airship Annika works on. Then some crazy awesome action stuff happens (don't want to spoil) and Annika and David are in a fight for their lives. Along the way, there's plenty of airships, clockwork devices and other neat steampunk tech.

Review

Liked
• The world-building is amazing. You can tell that the author has the world completely sculpted in her head. Each place has its own feel and history and people. It's a cornucopia of stories to be told, and I want to read them all.
• There are plenty of steampunk devices - airships, clockwork dogs, nano-agents, mechanical prosthetic limbs, and much more. The technology is neatly integrated into the story so I never felt like it was a collection of "look at the cool things my brain invented."
• Annika and David are fascinating, layered characters. I loved getting to know them almost as much as they loved getting to know each other.
• There is no insta-lust. I don't always mind insta-lust but I very much appreciated the slow-developing romance between David and Annika. Many times I found myself grinning like a fool as things progressed so sweetly.
• The sexy scenes are hot and well-written. Ms. Brooks doesn't fall into any over-used phrases typical to romances (flat, male nipples anyone?). As with everything else, the sex is well-integrated into the plot.
• About 50% of the way through the book, shit gets real. I was already enjoying the story immensely, but then the action really got ratcheted up and I loved it even more.

Liked Less
• I wish we'd seen Annika's home. Maybe in another book in the series?

Audiobook Notes

• Clarity - 5/5 - Words and names were very easy to understand, even with differing accents.
• Differentiation Between Characters - 4/5 - It was fairly easy to tell the difference between characters speaking in conversations. There were a couple rare moments of confusion.
• Sound Levels - 5/5 - I never had to adjust the volume because the sound levels were too different i.e. suddenly too loud or too quiet.
• Overall Performance - 4.5/5 - Excellent voice acting.
• Audio Version Recommended? Yes

Rating

Queen of Swords
Amazing! Why aren't you buying this book right now?
I will be buying up this author's entire backlist.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Buy the audiobook at: Tantor | Amazon | B & N
**Currently the digital download is on sale at Tantor for only $6.99!**

Buy other editions at: Amazon | B & N

Contest Shoutout: Win The Fever Series - Ends Today!

Contest has ended!

Click here to enter the contest at All Things Urban Fantasy. Contest ends tonight!

Review: Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Book Description

From the author of Because of You comes an all-new contemporary eBook romance. Though he plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed military leaders will prove that opposites attract . . . even under fire.

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. Since that brief lapse in judgment, Evan has been at odds with her. But when he is asked to train a combat team alongside Claire, battle-hardened Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to achieve her high military rank. In Evan Loehr, Claire sees a spoiled commander who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. Army orders force them together and Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He too has dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.
(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military Romance

Series: Coming Home #2
Does the series need to be read in order? No

Quick Synopsis

Evan follows the rules; Claire doesn't. They argue a lot and lust after each other a lot, all while trying to ready other soldiers for deployment. They also deal with their friend and fellow soldier, Reza, being a raging alcoholic.

Review

Liked
• I enjoyed the glimpse of military life from a woman's perspective. I wanted to see more of it.
• Claire's friendship with Reza was solid and interesting. I also liked her changing interactions with Engle. At first Claire wants nothing to do with Engle but their relationship evolves as Engle tries to step up to the plate and get her unit ready in time for deployment.

Liked Less
• So much lusting. It all started with insta-lust and would not die. I'm ok with lusting, really. I do expect it in my romance novels, but there was way too much in this book. It actually interrupted good conversations and plot developments and made me roll my eyes.
• The hero and heroine were very one-dimensional. We get told that Claire is some kind of maverick who breaks the rules all the time and Evan is the rule follower. We get told that they discovered this about each other when they were deployed. Then the lusting and arguing start. It feels like I got dropped right into the middle of something with no preparation. I wanted more backstory about their interactions when they were deployed. I wanted more actual interaction instead of lust, lust, lust. I also wanted to know more about Claire's damage than just "oh, everybody leaves me so I can't connect." I was the one who couldn't connect.
• The sexy scenes were ok but there were too many in a row with too little plot development between them toward the end of the book. I found myself skimming.

Rating

Page of Swords
Has some good points that are unfortunately overwhelmed by bad points/flaws.

Disclosure: I won an ARC of this book in a contest. My opinions are, as always, 100% my own.

Amazon | B & N

Review: Dying Bites by D.D. Barant

Book Description

Her job description is the “tracking and apprehension of mentally-fractured killers.” What this really means in FBI profiler Jace Valchek’s brave new world—one in which only one percent of the population is human—is that a woman’s work is never done. And real is getting stranger every day…

Jace has been ripped from her reality by David Cassius, the vampire head of the NSA. He knows that she’s the best there in the business, and David needs her help in solving a series of gruesome murders of vampires and werewolves. David’s world—one that also includes lycanthropes and golems—is one with little knowledge of mental illness. An insane serial killer is a threat the NSA has no experience with. But Jace does. Stranded in a reality where Bela Lugosi is a bigger box office draw than Bruce Willis and every full moon is Mardi Gras, Jace must now hunt down a fellow human before he brings the entire planet to the brink of madness. Or she may never see her own world again…

(Description from Goodreads)

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Series: Bloodhound Files #1

Review

Dying Bites has your standard urban fantasy helping of vampires and werewolves, but there's a unique twist. These creatures exist in a parallel universe where humans are in the minority. Jace Valchek is a (human) FBI profiler from our world who gets pulled into the alternate universe by their NSA. They need help tracking a human who's killing vampires and werewolves.

The alternate world that Jace is pulled into is pretty neat. It's a lot like our world but a step to the side. There are vampires and werewolves, and golems, the animated sand/clay of Jewish legend. I found the golems to be a refreshing addition because they're not seen often in stories. As mentioned previously, there are humans as well though considerably less of them than the other races. The history of this universe is explained to Jace (and the reader) as she acclimates to her new situation. I was really enjoying my tour of this world at Jace's shoulder until I thought about it a little more. That's when I noticed the logic problems.

As a reader of paranormal fantasy, I have no problems suspending disbelief to a point, but Dying Bites lacked the internal consistency that makes other urban fantasy worlds easier to swallow. The entire premise for bringing Jace to the other universe is flawed. Apparently, in that world, vampires and werewolves are immune to mental disorders so humans are the only ones who can be insane. I could buy this if vampires and werewolves were distinct races, but alternate universe humans can be turned into either one. So does the mind change so completely during the transformation that they're no longer like humans at all? I saw no evidence of that. In fact, the author seems to go to a lot of trouble to show that vampires and werewolves can be pretty "normal." So why is it that they can feel emotions and interact like humans but not be crazy? I don't get it. Not to mention, a werewolf does some weird stalkery things toward Jace but nobody thinks that's maybe a little nuts, especially Jace who's supposed to be an expert? And that's not the only sign of Jace's apparent lack of skill. It seemed to me like every conclusion that she drew was due more to detective work than to any special insight into the criminal mind. I was expecting decent psychiatric analysis, but instead I was told that the killer is insane. Well, duh. That's why you were brought to this world in the first place, Jace. This is not a character that I can respect.

Perhaps I would have like Jace more if I'd been able to understand why she acted the way she did. Unfortunately, this book is full of tell instead of show so I never really got a feel for her. For example, we're told that Jace likes Gretchen and that she's probably the closest to a friend that Jace has in this world, but there's no real evidence of that. The friendship isn't actually shown developing or existing. There are also several times where she notes that a man is attracted to her that left me scratching my head. Once again, there are no signs of this attraction other than Jace just telling us it's there. She doesn't even really elaborate on her own feelings/attractions. This disconnect leads to many of Jace's conclusions looking like stunning leaps of non-logic.

Overall, I liked the idea of an alternate universe with supernatural creatures but the logic holes and the distant heroine left me wanting.

Rating

Page of Swords

Has some good points that are unfortunately overwhelmed by bad points/flaws.
I will not be continuing with the series.

Disclosure: I purchased this book.

Amazon | B & N

Contest Shoutout: Win the Fever Series @All Things Urban Fantasy

Contest has ended!

Enter to win the Fever series (5 books) by Karen Marie Moning over at All Things Urban Fantasy.

Hey Howdy

I thought I'd like to start a blog specifically for my book reviews. Why? I can't really say. I have been posting my reviews to GoodReads but GR doesn't leave a lot of room for such things as challenges and explanations of reading-related things that aren't specific to a certain book. So here she is.

I'm not 100% up and ready to be posting reviews. I'm still deciding on what format I'd like to use and setting up my review system. For now, I'll mostly be posting links to contests on other blogs I enjoy.

Things will be added slowly. Stay tuned!