Wednesday Wishes

This post just helps to show some of the books I want to add to my collection.

Queen of Shadows (Shadow World, book 1)by Dianne Sylvan

Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires that feeds off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman’s madness will drive her into a world that few people ever see–or even know exists…


Shortly after she picked up a guitar, Miranda Grey conquered the Austin music scene with a newfound ability to psychically manipulate her audience’s emotions. But as her powers outgrow her control, her mind is increasingly invaded by haunting secrets and overwhelming sadness. Unable to look anyone in the eye, Miranda is fast approaching the edge of insanity–with no one to catch her fall…


When he outlawed killing humans, David Solomon ignited a civil war among Austin’s vampires. As Prime of the South, his sympathy for mortals angered the old guard who refuse to control their violent urges. David has his hands full with the growing insurgency, but he takes in a broken-down woman, a musician in need of supernatural guidance. Little does he know that Miranda Grey has the power to change his world as well…

The Fallen Blade: Act One of the Assassini by Jon Courtenay Grimwood

In the depths of night, customs officers board a galley in a harbor and overpower its guards. In the hold they find oil and silver, and a naked boy chained to the bulkhead. Stunningly beautiful but half-starved, the boy has no name. The officers break the boy’s chains to rescue him, but he escapes. Venice is at the height of its power. In theory Duke Marco commands. But Marco is a simpleton so his aunt and uncle rule in his stead. They command the seas, tax the colonies, and, like those in power before them, fears assassins better than their own. In a side chapel, Marco’s fifteen-year old cousin prays for deliverance from her forced marriage. It is her bad fortune to be there when Mamluk pirates break in to steal a chalice, but it is the Mamluks’ good luck – they kidnap her. In the gardens beside the chapel, Atilo, the Duke’s chief assassin, prepares to kill his latest victim. Having cut the man’s throat, he turns back, having heard a noise, and finds a boy crouched over the dying man, drinking blood from the wound. The speed with which the boy dodges a dagger and scales a wall stuns Atilo. And the assassin knows he has to find the boy.


Not to kill him, but because he’s finally found what he thought he would never find. Someone fit to be his apprentice…

The Turning Book 1: What Curiosity Kills by Helen Ellis

Mary Richards is a normal sixteen-year-old girl living in Manhattan. Well, almost normal. She goes to private school on the Upper East Side, having been saved from a life of squalor by an adoptive family. But she’s also slowly transforming into a cat.


Struggling to hide her physical metamorphosis, Mary discovers that she isn’t alone. A whole race of cat people prowls the streets of Manhattan at night, including Mary’s long-time crush, Nick.


Aside from heightened feline senses, hanging out with Nick is the best thing about discovering her inner kitty. But Mary’s transformation is special and could decide the outcome of a citywide turf war. She must decide whether to embrace her powerful feline side and become a pack leader or go back to being a normal teenage girl. Can she land on her feet or will curiosity be her downfall?

Immortal Beloved (Immortal Beloved, book 1) by Cate Tiernan

New name, new town, new life. Nastasya has done it too often to count. And there’s no end in sight. Nothing ever really ends... when you’re immortal. But this time is different: Nastasya knows that this new town must hold her salvation—or her death.


Nastasya was born into darkness, and has embraced it her whole life. Four hundred years ago, a tragedy robbed her of her birthright, and she’s been living a lie ever since. Now, four centuries of exploring the depths and limits of dark power has left Nastasya feeling sickened unto death. If she continues down this road, she will end up as a very dark, twisted, evil thing—with unthinkable power. Or she can begin the long, painful road toward light, and reclaim the destiny that others tried to destroy.


They’re rare. You may have never met one, never sat next to one on a plane, never eaten in the same restaurant at the same time. But the Immortals are there. Have always been there. Will always be there. Moving among humans, playing out their own cursed fate. Sometimes subtly, sometimes with huge, sweeping implications for mankind. But no one will ever know. Except you.

All of the covers look so awesome!

Quoting on Monday

Welcome back to another beautiful work week, where I'm hoping to get some much needed vacation time!

So up first is a quote from Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep, I love this book Assassins just got cooler.


"Death was a release, in so many ways. An end to suffering. An end to something else. What that something else was, I didn't know. Maybe heaven. Maybe hell. Maybe nothing at all. But I doubted it could be any worse than some of the things I'd seen and done in my lifetime.


Or the ones I was going to have to do to make sure Finn and I survived the next few days." -Gin (Spider)

There's just a taste of the awesomeness in this book.

Sunday Sweets

This is fun meme hosted over at The Story Siren's.

I got some great books this week that I'm sooo excited to share!

First up the Borders purchases, yes I still stop here on occasion. I got a still on all of these with the Borders bucks and coupons.

This was one from my Wishlist this week, I was really curious and had to try it!

After much coveting it's finally mine! With all of the great reviews out there I just had to get it.

This one is another from this weeks Wishlist. I hadn't planned on buying it this week, I was just browsing checking out the books. Glad I did! Borders had it for sale for .02. That's right two pennies! Let's just say there was a lot of mad dashing as I frantically checked on other books on the shelves for this steal of a price. Sadly no dice, but I have had many pleasant dreams of .02 books.

Now on to the Wallmart purchases.

I saw this one on All Things Urban Fantasy, I just had to buy it when I saw it!

Dead and Gone

Another one is out! Time to get caught up, I just love the Sookie books. Not sure if this bugs anyone else, but that huge HBO stamp on the cover just gets one my nerves. They should make it as sticker, that way you've seen the notice now you can remove the eyesore form your book. Plus apparently if you buy it at Walmart you get a nasty blue circle stating that it was top read for the month. All that junk on my pretty cover!

The online updating for the USPS was really slow on updating. So for my Preordering Adventures Wings actually came this Monday. Too awesome! Borders is still stating they will not have it in until June.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Ok, those are all of my goodies this week! Can't wait to see what everyone else got.

Wednesday Wishes

I have a lot of books this week, so I'm not putting the book description by all of them. All of the covers are linked to goodreads so feel free to click for extra info.

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Swoon is one I have been dying to read for quite some time, and as you can tell by the side column is finally being released in paperback.

The Place by Shelena Shorts

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.



Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.



Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.


As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.


His life depends on it.

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

When Lenah Beaudonte, a 500-year-old vampire queen, wakes up a human teenager at an ultra-cliquey prep school, she must choose between embracing the humanity she’s always craved and saving her new friends from her vicious coven. The first in a sizzling new YA series.



Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.


Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?

Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.



But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.


Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.


It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

Stormwalker by Allyson James

This one has been on my wishlist for a while, but I haven't' officially added it yet. The cover looks awesome!

Once Bitten by Kalayna Price

This a Paranormal Romance title, sounds really good. I read a little excerpt that has me sold, I want to get it ASAP. Click here if you want to give the excerpt a try. This author also has a book they I had on my wishlist a while back, Grave Witch.

Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear

This one has a lot of author praise, it sounds pretty cool as well.

Their forbidden love may get them both killed.


Bella is a red werewolf, sole survivor of the fire that killed her entire pack.

Devlyn is a beta male werewolf in a pack of grays.

Forced to flee her adopted gray pack when the alpha male becomes a vicious threat, she struggles to live as a lone wolf, until Devlyn, the gray male who rescued her as a pup, comes to bring her home.


When a local red werewolf goes on a killing spree, Bella and Devlyn must flee the murderer, the police and their vengeful pack leader. With the full moon rising, and her heat upon her, Bella can't resist the pull to her destined mate, even if means Devlyn will have to face the wicked alpha male in a fight to the death...


A sizzling paranormal romance based on extensive research on how wolves live and behave in the wild, creating a fascinating world of nature and fantasy.

Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews

A sci/fi book from one on my fav UF authors.

When Darkness Comes by Alexandra Ivy

Antoher PNR has caught my eye. One of my goodread friends recommended it!


Phew! That's all for now!

Review: Wit'ch Fire

Wit'ch Fire by James Clemens

Wit'ch Fire grabs you in the first scene, and doesn't let go until the very end. This is the beginning of a new fantasy series--the Banned and the Banished--by first-time author James Clemens, but its sophistication and style are reminiscent of experienced fantasists such as Guy Gavriel Kay and George R.R. Martin. Elena is "the wit'ch of spirit and stone," born of a deadly alliance between three powerful mages in fulfillment of prophecy. But can she learn how to use her powers in time to resist the forces of the Dark Lord? She is joined in her battle by some unlikely allies, but the motley crew may be the only hope for a threatened world. Clemens handles plot and characterization deftly, but the addition of lots of un'neccesary apos'trophes to let you know you're reading a fantasy is a little distracting. Still, Wit'ch Fire is a fast-moving, entertaining read that's definitely worth your time.


Thoughts:

This book had a really fun beginning. Showing that the book we are about to read is a history of how the old world ended, and that it is nothing but lies. Promising, right? How many fantasy books start off like that? Not many so I was really excited to start out.

Within 20 pages, nothing big really popped out. The reader has read the prologue that gives us some history, and we're rushing on to meet our young heroine. Who is just coming into her powers and is now a hunted girl because of them.

I've read a lot of fantasy books, and it's only natural to hit the same story over and over again. The thing with good fantasy books if they don't have a new idea, then the author takes the same old tale and spices it up. Spices it up by the writing style, characters and how they interact, and so many little factors. This book didn't really have any of that.

After 175 pages I can confidently say this book has solid writing, really good and descriptive. However, after that many pages all of the characters introduced, and still being introduced, I just couldn't connect with them. I was not interested in them, I could profile all of them in to standard fantasy character catergories. For all of the great writing, the characters never developed. I know it takes time for you to connect to the characters especially when some are still be introduced. After 175 pages, there should be some characters you care about, the author should be able to make you want to know the new ones.

After 175 pages, nothing new was being added to the plot and I was bored. Book Boredom is a rare thing that I have rarely visited, and quite frankly don't like to stay in too long. So out of self preservation, I stopped.

Then picked it up again and tried last week to read it. Maybe I wasn't in the mood (which can some times happen with fantasy), maybe I just didn't read enough, and so many other excuses.

First off no matter the fantasy book, or how many times the same old tale is being told. It should still give you something to make it new.

175-200 pages should be more then enough time to connect with a book, if it takes more the author is not doing their job.


Bottom Line:

This book had a great beginning and fantastic writing. Swiftly it falls into the standard fantasy plot and it doesn't distinguish itself from the other books out there. I found myself not caring about the characters. After 175 pages Book Boredom set in hard, and trying to pick it up again after starting did not cure it. For long term fantasy fans, stay away from this one. New fantasy adventurers, there's better things out there.

Sexual Content:

Nothing within 175 pages, not even a kiss.

Rating:

1/5- I couldn't finish it or wish I hadn't

Review: Succubus Shadows

Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead

Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals—all child’s play to a succubus like her.



Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse—that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth.


And if that wasn't bad enough, she's started having dreams shadowy, dangerous but alluring dreams, dreams that don't want to let go. These dreams are created by the Oneroi, demons in the service of Nyx, a creature from Hell who's bent on revenge. These are dreams that can trap their chosen victim and drain their powers through nightmares. This mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, is trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And Georgina is powerless as she watches those in the real world try to find her, she comes to understand that her freedom her fate lies in the hands of the only one who can find her soul, who just happens to be the man who s about to marry someone else. She’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t—and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity…
 
Thoughts:

Is it me, or does Georgina get whiter and whiter with these covers. No, I'm not talking pale. White. As in clown white. Scratch that, this is mime white, I feel like she's going to put her hands up to imaginary glass and do that creepy thing mimes do.

The covers may be degenerating over time, but Succubus Shadows picked up nicely from the last one. After the affair, I wasn't sure how Mead would make me get sucked back in. She did though, and this is the big turning point in the series. That's right, the turning point, even more then the HUGE breakup(s).

Crazy entities are still after Georgina, this time she's wondering why. Things are interested in her—her and Seth, more questions are being raised(at last) and some answers given. Even if Georgina isn't grasping a couple of them just yet.

Georgina's love life is still in crisis. Roman's not out to kill her, he wants her back, and she's not sure where she stands with him. Seth is going forward with the wedding, and Georgina keeps getting pulled into the plans. She can't move on and blue moods persist, and things are preying on those moods promising her things she desperately needs right now. When she finally is sucked in, a new succubus is trying to bag and tag Seth pretending to be her.

When she gives into it at last, dreams of truth and lies onslaught her as some of Nyx's children are out for revenge. All of those dreams could have turned into a tiring page after page dream sequence, but Mead knows what she's doing. She takes readers to some important truths from her past, and gives the readers some answers to Seth and Georgina's more-then-meets-the-eye relationship. Some of the present lies where really interesting to watch, and the present truths, watching how Roman is set out to find her was great. They all balanced so well. So why we are trapped in dream land, the reader can still see the rescue unfold.

Roman developed a lot. So much so, I'm even more in love with him before. It hurt watching how much he went through to find Georgina and that he could let her go, because he could see where her heart was. Roman is one character I need to know where he is going to end up, it's now turned into an obsession for me.

This was a character development book. Georgina past was so great to explore, learning how time took it's tole on her hellish role. Georgina grew up a lot, and I loved watching it. Other peeks at lives and interactions were great for the other characters. Seth has changed a lot, in part because Georgina came in to his life, but these are steps he took. Even after Georgian was “not” a part of it, he continued to change, but those are his choices.

The drama cranks up at the end of Succubus Shadows, the dream man is revealed. And so much more, but I don't want to give it away. I did feel Georgina recovered a little too fast after her torture, this wasn't torture a strong person could have walked away from. I love Georgina, but she's not that strong.

Bottom Line:

This may not be one of the biggest plot bombshell in the series, but this is a huge turning point. This book is also the one for character development, every one grows. The reader loves the characters more and everything is starting to lead up to the why of Georgina and Seth's love. This book fuels my Roman addiction and pulls off what could have been a tiring tell of dreams and more dreams. In the end all I can say is, “Go Mead, go Mead!” (Picture really stupid cheering moves.)

Sexual Content:

Yes, it did seem to be a little more toned down after the last one. This is still a Succubus book, look out.

Rating:
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession.

Quoting on Monday

Welcome to a new work week. For me I had a sick week last week, so it's like returning from vacation, except for the sick part. (Although some vacations can make you sick too.) So to start things off here's a quote!

 "It's just not my kind of place. Maybe it's because I watched too many cheesy movies, but I always thought high school would be the time when I'd make a zillion friends and some out-of-my-league girl would spend three years ignoring me and then realize that I was the one she had loved all along. I guess you could say I'm still waiting."


 "For the girl to come to her senses?"


"More like the opening credits." -Conversation between Claire and Ian from Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling

 It just tickles me, don't we all expect some kind of cinematic moment when we're in high school? A team of TMNT was always supposed to rescue me from a dull life, oh well.

Sunday Sweets

This a fun meme hosted over at The Story Siren, In My Mailbox. Just check it out here.

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.--From publisher description.

Didn't realize that the paperback edition of The Host was releasing this week, so I managed to get a hold of a copy!

On the preordering front, Wings is still waiting to be shipped out. Borders is still stating they won 't have it in tell June. So Overstock is still in the lead. They have 10 shipping days down, and five remaining to make the 3-15 day shipping.

Can't wait to see what everyone else got this week!

Review: Some Girls Bite

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student’s introduction into a society of vampires.


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

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

Thoughts:
After reading Neill's first book in her Dark Elite series, I had high expectations for this series. Girls that Bite is her debut novel, for her Chicagoland Vampire series.

Unlike her YA book Spell Fire, the reader is instantly pulled into plot and intrigue. Merit is our little smarty pants who has a penchant for dancing, and sassy comebacks. Safe to say it was instant character appreciation. Watching Merit grow into her role as a vampire, even though she clearly didn't ask for it was great. Learning booty kicking moves is always fun, and a serial killer plot is always intriguing.
Considering that Vampires came “out of the closet” eight months before Merit is changed, I didn't really think Neill's world quite tapped into in this first book. The reader doesn't really get a heavy dose of how the world of humans is handling the vampire population. We get some explanations that people in the post Harry Potter era are curious about them and either worship, or are mildly leery and that's about it. There is a special devision that Merit's grandfather is head of in the police department, but they act as an information pass along.

Learning about the vampire world and how the politics and Houses work was really fun. Vampires and politics always go hand in hand, it's all the soul sucking. Other supernaturals start popping up in Merit's world, now that she's one of them she's privy to the other creatures who haven't come out of the closet. Shifters, sorcerers, and so much more. My personal favorite is the river Nymphs of Chicago, their little cat fights amused me greatly.

The whole cast of this book was really fun. The group of our special devision, is standard. The bad ass sorcerer with mad sword/fighting skills. The nerdy, witty, and cute computer genius. The loving grandfather of Merit, who she “worships” as he was the only true family she has. Merit's family shuns her choices in life and only wants any thing to do with her when it may benefit them. (Mainly that's coming from the power source daddy.) The slightly punk, really hot room mate, and sister figure. The second love interest (Morgan) in the book is charming, really charming. I for one am a Morgan fan, t-shirts should be made and past out. ^_-

Neill sets up the story with vampires who want to live in harmony with humans, and then the ones who want revenge taking their stances. Revenge for being hunted and killed, time for the vampires to move to the top of the food change. Political positions are made between vampire Houses, shifters, rouge vampires, and things are in swing for what could turn into a war. These events add in nicely to Merit's vampire discovery and the reasons behind her attack.

Pretty much this book swept me off my feet and carried me away on a really great ride. There was one thing that really took away from the book. Ethan.

Ethan is our green-eyed, blond god. He turns her and is soon to be Merit's liege. They lust after each other. Neither can justify why the lust each other, and they really hate each other. Merit however can't stay hating him, but spends a lot of what could have been character development to ranting about how she is attracted to him. Then the next half hating the fact, and how she's diluting herself with lies about how she “feels.” Then towards the end of the book the reader is expected to believe that Merit is falling in love with him. Even though Ethan sales her out for his on benefits, doesn't trust her no matter what she does, and is basically a jerk that we have learned nothing about.

I hope Neill fixes this. I don't care how. Merit realizes there is nothing here to justify it and realizes how stupid she is, AND GETS OVER IT. Ethan gets hit by a bus and dies. Either way I'm hoping the phase will move on. I really don't like it when authors do this, giving our beloved main character a guy she has to love/lust despite wanting to hate him. Then we learn nothing about the guy, keep getting stuff about how terrible he is, and then expect the reader to cheer the two on. Neill even goes so far as to have Merit be a peeping tom and watch Ethan and his consort have sex.

Alright, I'm annoyed.

Bottom Line:
This was a great debut novel. It was fantastic, the reader gets to watch Merit grow up and start to become a kick but vampire, I have very high hopes for this series. I want to see where Merit is going and where the rest of the characters are going. Please, just please, end the Ethan/Merit lust thing. She deserves better and the reader deserves better.

Sexaul Content:
Merit peeps in on Ethan and his consort, look out!

4/5- Great, really enjoyed it.

Wednesday Wishes

This post follows the meme hosted by Book Chick City, My Wishlist.

Hexbound (Dark Elite, #2)by Chloe Neill

Wolf Pact by Melissa de la Cruz


Wolf Pact is a spinoff in the Blue Bloods starring Bliss Llewellyn, a central character in the Blue Bloods novels, as she goes on a quest to find the legendary Hounds of Hell and convince them to join the Blue Blood vampires in their war against the Silver Bloods.

Alex Van Helsing by Jason Henderson

A descendant of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, fourteen-year-old Alex is stuck at boarding school near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, when he finds himself drawn into a web of paranormal intrigue. It turns out that Lake Geneva is also home to a secret school for vampires called the Scholomance—and now to a dangerous vampire clan lord known only as Icemaker, who’s using the Scholomance for his own dangerous endgame. With the help of his friends and of special agent Sangster, it’s up to Alex to fulfill his family destiny and stop Icemaker’s frightening plans once and for all.


Alex Van Helsing is a showstopping hero set to leap off the page—stake, naturally, in hand. Drawing from centuries of actual vampire lore and literature (and with a nod to zombies, too!), Jason Henderson delivers a breathlessly paced thriller that will captivate vampire fans as well as readers who loved Alex Rider.

So excited that the Dark Elite second book cover is so awesome! Melissa de la Cruz coming out with a new series, I'm really going to have to read her Blue Bloods series. I've got the first 3 books on my shelves, so no excuse.

Adventures of the Sick and Preorders

I'm under the weather today, and all last weekend, so I'm kind of shaking things up for this post. I was too lazy with my cold to write any favorite quotes down—I'll be honest, the books were to good to stop for silly little things like quotes. So today I'm continuing my pre-ordering adventure, and will share last weeks purchases. Sorry, for missing Sunday Sweets, again under the weather.


For last week I stopped (with my mom who found the place) at a used book store and got a lot of random books on Saturday. A bag full for $7, unfortunately I had a hard time filling that bag up. All of the good books were what they were selling on line, and I'm to lazy to look in the bag for the titles. So I'm just going share the ones I can remember, and I'm really excited for!

  

 

Just click on th book if you want more information on the title. The Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, I am really excited to read, luckily I did get book one. Sizzle and Burn is book 3 in the series, I think I'll read it with out the others. Deceived, just sounds too cool, and my second Silhouette title.

Now my first two preorder titles and the updates. Awakening and Wings, both released on April 6. Awakening had shipping info on April 6, but didn't officially ship until April 7. Official arrival date, April 12, today. (Which was nice because I took a sick day, and between naps devoured it.) Borders was sold out the day of, and will being getting more in next week. (Hopefully.)

Wings, however, had shipping info on April 6, but is a fair away dream. In fact, this is the message:

The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on April 9, 2010 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

Which just means it has not been shipped. Still beats Borders. When I called my local store about this paperback release, they gave me a faint answer saying maybe in May or June they would have it. However, I could order it in at full price. The discount on this title was nice, very nice on line beating even a 40% at Borders.

So far preorders (provided by Overstock) is winning over Borders, price, convince, and so far delivery.

Review: Succubus Heat

Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead

Book discription provided by goodreads.

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus...


...which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she's been so wicked that Seattle's über-demon Jerome, decides to "outsource" Georgina to a rival—and have her spy for him in the process.

Being exiled to the frozen north—okay, Vancouver—and leaving Seth in the cozy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there's nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth—nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who's been playing them—or all hell will break loose...

Before you read this there are slight spoilers so if you don't like them I'd advice staying away. If you don't mind a little then proceed. * Means the beginning and the end of a little more in depth spoiler. My friend read it and didn't think it was really a spoiler, but I am picky about them, and I felt the spoiler's where necessary for this review.

My thoughts:

Richelle Mead's Succubus series (or Georgina Kincaid series) has been one of my favorite series. My head practically explodes with excitement when ever a new book is released, a cover shown, or any thing! My love for this series knows no bounds.

So when I finally allowed myself to read this (cause the fifth book is out!!!) I was a little down that Georgina was still griping and festering in self pity over Seth. Sure the love of her long existence dumped her, but I thought she was old enough that after the initial heart break, she would realize why he did it. She was basically a drunk, extra slutty succubus working on auto pilot. Mead still had me though and I was set for the long ride of recovery and hopefully some growth from Georgina.

Things cruise a long at a normal pace for this series, action is not spilling from the pages, but character growth and humor. Jerome, the Archdemon, is summoned away and Georgina is the only one who cares enough to find and save him. The drama and plots don't end there, there's a Satanic Cult in Canada, Georgina is being “borrowed” out to help with the cult issue, all of the minor demon's have lost there demonic gifts until a new Archdemon is appointed, and a mysterious helper is protecting her. The plot was definitely full of intrigue, I figured the new boyfriend had to be behind the evil events (or at least helping it) and I was quite right. The real culprit though was harder to find. I'm not sure if because I liked the character that I couldn't see it, but I strongly believe that Mead's fine writing skills will take all the credit for this one.

Roman finally makes his appearance! Roman had been one of my favorite characters from the first book and I have been dying for Mead to bring him back. He's back and it wasn't quite enough Roman time for me, but I'm glad he's back, and here to stay! Very excited to see where things between Georgina and Roman go.

I had one major burning all consuming hatred dislike in this book. Which is such a strange experience for me, because I always love a Mead book. There is one topic that always gets me in a boil, affairs. I hate affairs, and I do not believe they can justified.

So when Georgina loses her succubus abilities and no longer needs the energy fix she gets from draining there life span, I thought, “Ooo, the plot thickens.” Then didn't ponder about it, I figured we'd get some sexual tension from Seth and Georgina, maybe an almost slept with each other moment. NO. I was bitterly disappointed.

*Spoiler Starts*Considering what got Georgina in her damned to Hell position I thought she would have had more since. Who I am kidding though, she indulges too much to say no, no matter how moral bound everyone thinks she is. It all came down to Seth, and he jumped in head first. (I mean the pun.) Things just kept killing me with this.

When we first meet Seth, the reader is basically told he is an extra clean soul with minty freshness. In this series, the persons moral code is what condemns the soul all the more, or less. So when Georgina no longer has to worry about draining Seth's life force away, not once does she think about his damnation. They broke up and he was in “love” and dating someone else. Take Seth's squeaky clean soul into account, he was doomed. Seth broke up to end what would only be a bad out come in his and Georgina undying love. Yet somehow he jumps at the opportunity to sleep with her, it was like no second thoughts happened. The instant he could, he did, and if the love hadn't been there from other books I would have said the whole thing had been lust.

Georgina never takes into account there damning Seth, in fact, until some one else pointed it out Georgina NEVER thought about it. Sure she had the occasional guilty thought about Maddie (Seth's girlfriend), which was not enough to be convincing. Georgina sold her soul to hell because of the effects of her cheating on her husband, if she really loved Seth that would have been the first thing on her mind. How they could not sleep together because he had a significant other and was moving on. She is a employee of Hell, she knows how these things work. (This is a topic I can go on and on about and I'm surprised I'm giving all of this so calm like.) *Spoiler Ends*

Really, I'm not sure whether Mead was putting across that they were so in love that they couldn't think about any more consequence. That all Consequences would be worth it just to have those few days together. The thing is Georgina was not kind to Seth until sex was suddenly a possibility. It almost makes me wonder if Mead is trying to put across that no relationship is enough with out sex. Georgina at the end of the book even seems to be able to finally move on now that she's had her sex.

Sure it seems like I'm being cruel, but I couldn't feel the love. Or at least I wasn't convinced that it was her, that any of it was just an animal need. There were some sweet and fuzzy feeling moments when they weren't having sex that I felt it. Even if they were ignoring reality. I strongly feel that if Seth could loose his morals for her and damn himself, they should have tried harder.

On another note, I love that “Running Up that Hill” by Kate Bush is referred to a couple of times in Succubus Heat. I love the song, though I prefer the re-due by Within Temptation. Click here for a taste.

Bottom line:

The affair thing shook me up, I even had to take a break from reading just to breath and calm down. I didn't feel that love drew them, just the animal need of lust and the fact that they never got any when they where together. Roman is back which was great and I loved the mystery surrounding this book. Even though the affair unsettled me, I still couldn't get enough of this book. I really am excited to read the next one. After all Nyx's dream is going to unfold more! However, I would be lying if I didn't say I jump on the next book with a little apprehension.

Sexual Content: It's there, affair, everywhere. And the increased sex feedings as well.

Rating:
4/5- Great, really enjoyed it.

Cover Crush (Kind of)

I'm not sure if I'm the last one to see this or not. I couldn't get it any clearer, sorry.

City of Fallen Angels by by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels takes place after the events of City of Glass. It splits its focus between Jace and Clary and Clary’s best friend, Simon, and how he adjusts to life as a vampire, but it’s still an ensemble-cast story, and all the characters from the Mortal Instruments series appear in it: Jace, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus, Luke, Jocelyn, Maia, and many more. (It even helps to have read The Clockwork Angel before you read CoFA, because some of the characters from the ID series do show up in it. However, it isn’t required.) In City of Fallen Angels, someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and leaving their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters. Internecine warfare among vampires is ripping the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Meanwhile Jace and Clary investigate a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Hmmm . . . I don't really like the cover. It has the basic elements from the others, it just doesn't click.

Wednesday Wishes

This post follows BCC's meme, My wishlist.

Rippleby Mandy Hubbard

Eighteen year old Lexi Wentworth is cursed. For as long as she can remember, she’s spent every night swimming. If she doesn’t, she’ll regret it—simply walking will be agony, as if she’s stepping on shattered glass. Her body craves the water, demands the water, until she can’t say no.


But it's not the swimming that troubles Lexi. It’s the singing that goes with it.When she turned sixteen, her siren song killed the only boy she's ever loved. Now, she avoids the popular shores of the Pacific in favor of a long forgotten lake up in the mountains, where she can swim and sing in peace, far from the population of her oceanside home.


Until, that is, Troy Mills discovers her lake. He’s new to Lincoln City High, and he doesn’t know about Lexi’s reputation as an ice queen—a reputation she’s carefully cultivated to keep everyone around her safe. He pushes her, talks to her, forces her to dream of what life could be like if she weren’t a siren.


Lexi can’t stop herself from warming to him, from falling for him. Soon, he’s demanding answers, following her to the lake, unknowingly risking his life. How can she keep him safe when the one thing she wants most--to hold him close-- will endanger his life?

Abandon by Meg Cabot

the first book in Meg's new paranormal romance series for young adult readers.

Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell

The first in a dark and gothic YA series in which a young girl is embroiled in a deadly game of blood lust and biblical myth,

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

According to Kelley Armstrong,

"I've been calling the next book "Darkest Powers 4" because it's the same overall series. It's new characters, though, in a new trilogy. I do something similar with my adult books--one series with changing narrators. My publisher may decide to give it a new title, but until then, I'm calling it all the Darkest Powers series, with the 1st 3 being the Project Genesis trilogy and the next 3 being the Project Phoenix trilogy."

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Nothing much happens in Tallow Beach. But when three mysterious teens enroll in the local high school, everything changes. Nobody knows the truth: that they are angels on a mission to save a world on the brink of destruction. When Beth, the youngest, falls for her classmate Xavier, she faces a frightening decision: will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize that they are not they only supernatural power in Tallow Beach. The unscrupulous Jack Thorn sees Beth as the easiest target to further his own dark ambitions. The angels and Xavier must use their powers to overcome darkness - but will Beth survive the battle?

These are some very scary awesome sounding books! Just wish I new what the covers looked like. Hope you all saw the wonderful news about Armstrong continueing her YA books/series. I can not wait to see what the new cast and story is like.

Books and Babbles: Lots of Babble and the World of Preorders

Borders has been one of my main shopping centers for books ever since they came in. I loved the 30-45 minute drive to get to the store and see nothing but books. Lately, though—as in the last two years, Borders and I have been having issues. The selection is down and they won't let me use coupons if I order the book to store. They no longer allow me to use two different coupons on two different books. Now they don't even get paperback releases until one to two months after the official release date.


So safe to say I've been trying to avoid them and purchase books online. Sadly, it's a book store, I'm a book shopaholic the addiction just can't be stopped.

So this adventure (yes, I have a purpose with this babble) begins with a new release coming out on April 6th. The Reckoning hits stores and I must have it. In an attempt to get it earlier, or at least put a reserve on a copy, I contacted my local Borders. My politeness was received with a firm “No we will not release that earlier, please utilize are online access to find out the release date.”

 I was fine with that, but then I asked about getting a copy reserved. This is a books store, they do that, have done it for me. So when I asked this is what met me, “We will not be reserving copies for anyone. We only get so many, because we are a small outlet, so first come first serve.” Then the lady had the gull to tell me I could special order a copy, but that I'd have to pay full price. Full price!?

So in anger I looked else where for the book, in my comfort zone online. Not only did Overstock have it (of course they would), but it kicked booty over Borders. With Borders I would have had a 25% off and a $5 Borders buck. Sure the shipping is $2, but it mails out on the release date and I would still get it faster then Borders. So that got me thinking, always a discount, on time releases, no gasping and chanting for paperback releases.

My experiment begins. All of Aprils releases have now been ordered via Overstock. I've never really preordered books, so I take my first steps into the scary world of preordering. Now apparently they like you to preorder, so bigger discounts to behold. I was really shocked by how much I saved, sure one had a 1% save (probably just to beat Amazon ^_-), but the shipping is one flat rate. So instead of driving to Borders calling, nagging, going into frantic hysterics. I will now have my books come to me as they are released.

So be prepared to see my Preordering Adventure, or misadventure (hope I'm not cursing myself there)! I will post the progress so if any of you are interested you can find out what all of this preordering is. Or maybe I'm just doing it for the ranting fulfillment?

Quoting on Monday

Richelle Mead is just too good, I'd probably end up quoting her whole book so I've decided to share just the first line of her Succubus Heat book.

"Sleeping with my therapist was a bad idea.

I new it too, but I really couldn't help it."  - Georgina Kinciad

I practically snorted half my coffee up my nose after that line. And it only gets better, by this I mean ridiculously funny. Mead, Mead, I wonder how I ever put of reading this book!

Sunday Sweets

This is post follows the The Story Sirens wonderful meme, In My Mailbox.

Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead

This is book five in the Richelle Meads popular Succubus series. I've been dying to get my hands on it so I can finally read the fourth book!!

The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) by Jaye Wells

I haven't read the first book yet, so I'm putting my faith on this series and assuming I'm going to worship love it.

Can't wait to see what everyone else got!

Review: Undead and Unwed

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

Book description provided by goodreads.

First Betsy Taylor loses her job, then she's killed in a car accident. But what really bites is that she can't seem to stay dead. And now her new friends have the ridiculous idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen, and they want her help in overthrowing the most obnoxious power-hungry vampire in five centuries.

Thoughts:

Every once in a while I need a little chick lit, not just any chic lit, but UF/paranormal chick lit. So far the few books I've tried out in this area have not been to good. In fact I had all but given up on the genre, until the wondrous light of The Accidental Demon Slayer shined down upon me with it's magical road kill. So maybe there was hope! Davidson's series was floating around the blogsphere and after reading her YA series I decided to give it a try.

Half way through the book I realized that something was happening. I was always smiling, giggling, or hysterically laughing when ever I was reading this book. This is a giggle book. The humor was great, I never felt like Davidson was trying to hard (which has been a problem in the chick lits). The main character is the lovely Betsy who never shuts up, rants on and on in her head about stupid things, and is pretty thick. Betsy even admits she is stupid, well at least not the sharpest crayon in the box. When she first comes back from the dead Betsy is bent on killing herself so that she will die again, she's convinced she's some type of evil Zombie. That's just a taste of some of the crazy stupid things she does.

The characters are pretty good in this book, all of them are well thought out and I grew attached to Betsy's friends. It was nice getting background on everyone and I felt that things went along smoothly with the plot and the build up in the book. The only character I felt didn't add up was the love interest, maybe because the love interest didn't get too much page time to develop. In fact he was irritating, I wasn't sure if it was because the character was actually irritating or if Betsy's constant dislike(denial) dominating the book that was irritating. That was probably one of my only beefs with this book.

Bottom Line:

This is a fun chick lit romp into the UF/paranormal side of things. If you haven't had much luck with these kinds of books or never tried chick lit this is the book to try. The plot is much deeper than an average chick lit and pretty cool action scenes. This is a giggler book with a fun plot and a you don't want to miss the new Queen of the vampires rise up.

Sexual Content:

Sexual jokes and content indeed. There is one in the pool sex scene at the end.

4/5- Great, really enjoyed it.