Review: Stalking the Others

Stalking the Others (H&W Investigation, Book 4) by Jess Haines

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Stalking the Others

Vampires, werewolves, mages–the Others are very real, and wreaking havoc in Shiarra Waynest’s life. But now, she’s returning the favor…

Once, she was one of the good guys–or as close as a New York P.I. can get. Then Shiarra Waynest was drawn into the world of the Others. Every faction has its own loyalties and agenda. And Shia’s recent betrayal by her ex-boyfriend means that she may be on the verge of becoming a rogue werewolf at the next full moon.

Of course, with all the threats against her, Shia’s not sure she’ll live long enough to find out. The enigmatic vampire Royce wants her back in his clutches, as do two powerful werewolf packs, along with the police. Instead of going into hiding, Shia is enlisting the aid of her enchanted hunter’s belt and every dirty P.I. trick she knows. If she’s going down, she’ll take out as many of her enemies as she can–and hope that in the process, she keeps whatever humanity she has left…(

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Review:

That's it! I can not in good conscious go on reading these books without stating that Shiarra is To Stupid To Live (AKA TSTL). From the first book I knew Shia was short a few brain cells, but I kept holding out. She had a lot of crazy stuff going on, and each book was a struggle. However, after having the leader of the White Hats, Royce (the vampire king of New York City), and so many other people say how clever, brave, and amazing she is I can't stand it any more. Over the course of these books, she's gone from dumb to . . . ugh, just plain annoying.

This book was hard to swallow because for the majority of it I kept going why the hell is she killing people on a whim. She has NO solid proof that the Sunstriker pack did all the evil things she thinks. Sure one of them scratched her, but she goes from never wanting to kill, to gleefully doing it. Not only that but one of the characters that I've been absolutely obsessed with turned out to be a dud. Much like this book. It felt like stepping off the cliff of this series’ development. She's basically being brainwashed, and the time when she's not being brainwashed she barely second guesses herself. For the majority of the book she doesn't even worry about poor Sarah, her best friend!

Royce is still amazing, however I can not honestly see what he sees in Shiarra. In fact, here's a little what he has to say about her:

"True, you are neither terribly wise nor clever--but your valor is what sets you apart."

For me that valor is the one good thing about her. Also, there still isn't enough here for me to believe that a guy like Royce would fall for someone like Shiarra. He basically idolizes Shiarra since she did not take advantage of him in the first book, turning him into a mindless slave. She showed him mercy, when for others he never did. Now that felt real. The immortal creature of power finding himself with the simple act of mercy.

Even after Shiarra gives into Royce, she continually doubts him. She switches her mind too much. "No Royce I need you, but I feel so ashamed." They had this amazing moment together, and she's still convinced that Royce is going to own her. That she'll be a mindless bonded blood slave. At this point I was practically throwing the book on the ground—if it hadn't been an eBook—over the fact that Royce has proved himself many times over. (And if the preview of the next book is any indication Shiarra's going to be hot and cold.) Her prejudices and fears are justified, but a lead who's strong enough to get over them should be strong enough to stick with her guns and not feel ashamed every other word.

This book is the turning point for me, no longer can I ignore those glaring character nesciences that Shiarra has been stirring in me. The next book is either going to save face, or it's over. (Or at least I hope I'll have the power to turn away.) This series has been a confusing addiction. There's many things that I don't like about it, and Shiarra being one of them is just not good. At this point I think my main reason for going on is Royce. Haines is a good enough author to take a character I never truly liked and make him the reason this series captivates me. If that isn't talent I don't know what is.

Sexual Content: Some sexual humor, there is a sex scene!

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Hunted by the Others (1) Taken by the Others (2) Deceived by the Others (3) Stalking the Others (4)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Hunted by the Others (1)Taken by the Others (2) Deceived by the Others (3) Stalking the Others (4)

Interview: E. Van Lowe

First off, big thanks to  Bewitching Book Tours for hooking me up with this tour and the giveaway blitz that will be happening later this month.

I’ve been curious about the Falling Angels saga for a while now and I’m excited to be able to do an interview with the author. As well as doing reviews of the books, which will be spread between now and December 26th! 

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Shera (Book Whispers): In your own words, introduce yourself.

E Van Lowe: Hi I’m E. I’m the fun loving author of The Falling Angels Saga.

BW: What inspired you to write the Falling Angels series?

E: When I started out, Boyfriend From Hell, was originally a one-off title. But my writing history is writing series for TV, so I knew as I transitioned into novel writing that I wanted to create an awesome series, but do it with books instead of television. About a third of the way through, I figured out that Boyfriend From Hell was actually the beginning of my first paranormal series. I’m glad I did.

BW: Is there one particular character that you like writing more, or have more fun with?

E: The character I have the most fun with is Maudrina’s aunt, Aunt Jaz. She’s a jovial southern woman who lives in a tiny apartment and loves to cook. She’s also a sage on all things occult, and dispenses her advice on dealing with demons and other nasties over a home-cooked southern meal or desert. I originally styled her after the Oracle in The Matrix, but once I started writing, she took on a life of her own.

BW: What makes Falling Angels stand out in the YA Angel genre?

E: For me, the series stands out because of how fast-paced it is and also because of the humor. Early in my TV writing career I wrote for Knightrider, the David Hasselhoff series with KITT the car. I was a new writer, and learned how to keep a story crackling along while I was there. I also have an outsized sense of humor, and even in my serious scenes it somehow manages to creep in. These two traits help distinguish the Falling Angels from others.

BW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

E: No, not really. I definitely reference other authors, but not at times like those. I’m always in a writing jam. I enjoy writing my characters into jams, and then I’ll sit around for an hour or so trying to figure their way out of it. In Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, I had protagonist Margot Jean Johnson in the gym, climbed to the top of the ropes, with hundreds of snarling zombies below waiting for her to fall. She was up there for two days before I figured my way out of that one. LOL.

BW: What are some of your favorite books?

E: My reading tastes are all over the place. But here goes: when I was young I was inspired by J.D. Salinger’s Nine Stories, so I LOVE him. I was also inspired by Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. I got my YA comedic chops reading Confessions of A Teenage Drama Queen over and over. For a plain old good read I have loved The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, anything by Sophie Kinsella and Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton… and about 50 others. LOL. The answer to this question will change from day to day.

BW: What titles would you suggest for readers that like your book?

E: I don’t know. My style is quite different for a YA paranormal author. I am currently reading Cassandra Clare. Her The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series are wonderful. Right now Clare is my favorite paranormal author. I think if you like her books you will like my books, but really, they are not similar at all.

BW: What can readers look forward to seeing from you? Are you writing more books to go along with Heaven Sent or are you working on a whole new concept?

E: I plan to write the fourth and final book in the Falling Angels Saga some time this year. I also have a middle grade boy’s adventure book I wrote two years ago that I need to polish and find a publisher for.

BW: For you personally, not your characters, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

E: I’m team vampire all the way. Is there really a choice?... I hope I don’t lose any readers answering that question. LOL.

BW: Now I have to ask this one! Are you Team Angel or Demon?

E: It’s not that simple in my series. Nothing is that black and white. The bible says that Satan and all the demons in hell are actually fallen angels. An angel today can be a demon tomorrow, hence, The Falling Angels Saga… Get it?

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important about your books.

E: Seriously, you know what’s on my mind—that on Friday turned in the last pass at the Heaven Sent manuscript for my editors, and now I am nervous as hell about reader response. Boyfriend From Hell and Earth Angel were so well received, I don’t want to let my readers down. I know, that’s not exactly funny. What can I tell ya, I can’t be a laugh a minute all the time ;-)

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About The Author
E. Van Lowe is an author, television writer, screen-writer, playwright and producer who has worked on such TV shows as "The Cosby Show," "Even Stevens," and "Homeboys In Outer Space." He has been nominated for both an Emmy and an Academy Award. His first YA Paranormal novel, "Never Slow Dance With A Zombie," was a selection of The Scholastic Book Club, and a nominee for an American Library Association Award. His Best Selling novels, “Boyfriend From Hell” and “Earth Angel,” are the first two books in the Falling Angels Saga. “The Zombie Always Knocks Twice” is the first book in his Hollyweird series.

E lives in Beverly Hills California with his
spouse, a werewolf, several zombies and a fairy godmother who grants him wishes
from time-to-time.

Fine E at his official website, blog, or Facebook!
Right now you can read an excerpt of Heaven Sent!

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Also keep a look out for December 26th for the Giveaway Blitz!

Review: The Renfield Syndrome

The Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon’s Law, Book 3) by J.A. Saare

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she’s about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her. When she’s faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she’ll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it’s all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

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Review:

Going into this one I was nervous. The first book blew me away, but the idea that this would turn into some kind of apocalyptic/futuristic read made me really nervous. The battle to read, or not to read, was tremendous. In the end I bit the bullet and went for it. Thank you book gods. Thank you! Bookshopaholic'n paid off!

This books is like a heady mix of the best of the X-men time travel episodes (original cartoon series), apocalyptic futures, and love triangles! Each turn had me at the edge of my seat and I kept wondering how things could possibly get worse, and how on earth Rhiannon could possibly get back to "present" time.

Paine's revelations and love for both Disco and Rhiannon are beautiful. I knew it was coming, but it's just awe inspiring to watch events unfold. Paine in my mind is the better man. Disco's actions really reined in my respect for him. Sure he's been betrayed before, but he basically ruins Rhiannon in the only place that she's been slightly safe. Her mind.

There were a few things that bugged the crap out of me. First off in the future Rhiannon has a werewolf "mate" and he gets handsy in the beginning. It would have been better if their relationship could have built up, instead of him seeing her and he's all into her. It's tacky, and I expected more from such an amazing author. Goose's role was very intriguing and it raises many questions on who's side he can truly ever be on, but he does prove himself as a friend to Rhiannon. Rhiannon doesn’t even get upset when she finds out who heads the vampire family’s, which in all honesty would have probably made her NOT want to become a vampire’s servant.

In the end I have to tell all readers to try this series out. It's ambitious and completely amazing. This book alone mixes dystopianish settings, time travel, demons, heaven, morality, and different kinds of love. It's great seeing someone as damaged as Rhiannon find love, the kind that she would finally set aside her trust issues and do everything to save him.

Sexual Content: You bet you, some sex scenes and a plenty of sexual humor. Also Rhiannon has a BAD past.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between(1) The Renfield Syndrome (2) The Ripple Effect (3) Edge of Darkness (4)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between(1) The Renfield Syndrome (2) The Ripple Effect (3) Edge of Darkness (4)

Book Whispers’ first tour!

 

Well it’s finally time! Everyone knows I’m a pretty laid back blogger, but I’ve always secretly wanted to throw a Tour, not just be a tour stop. The fabulous Jen from Eternally Books finally motivated me enough to actually do it! She even came up with the Winter Solstice theme, which I love. Because where I’m from we only observe it as the shortest day and longest night of the year. It was fantastic looking into how other cultures celebrate the Winter Solstice.

 

So now I’m asking all of my wonderful readers to help spread the word. There are some amazing authors who got on board for this and I want to give them as much exposure as possible! Not only have they agreed to interviews, but they’re giving away tons of goodies!

So grab the button to help spread the celebration! (Found in the side bar and bottom of this page!)

Solstice Celebrations with:

Date:	Author:	Blog:	Giveaway:
December 7th	-		Intro
December 8th	Lia Davis	EB	Click here.
December 9th	Andy Monk	BW	Click here.
December 10th	AC Warneke	EB	Click here.
December 11th	P.T. Michelle	BW	Click here.
December 12th	H.P. Mallory	EB	Click here.
December 13th	Willow Rose	BW	Click here.
December 14th	Suzanne McLeod	EB	Click here.
December 15th	S.B. Rodgers	BW	Click here.
December 16th	Celine Chatillon	EB	Click here.
December 17th	Chelsea Fine	BW	Click here.
December 18th	Liz Strange	EB	Click here.
December 19th	Amy Joy Lutchen	BW	Click here.
December 20th			Winners!
December 21th	All authors!		Celebrate

Share the love:

 

<center> <a href="http://shera-bookwhispers.blogspot.com/p/tours.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ll-US3-CpAINFz7vbqMBRBfUUG0h80ZUAFICM5dp-J3un_fg8ZtM6KBnJUcxI1kaEv0Ecw4MRoyJS2Bb7a7e_y2hH6QbYxUc3Yk6tQZPUqd7X2M8aBXdtJsWaXaJpXJE1eMUTOgwBiD-/s144/logo6.jpg" border="0" alt="Winter Solstice Tour hosted by Book Whispers & Eternally Books!" /></a></center>

Review: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (Rhiannon, Book 1) by J.A. Saare

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day.

No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy.

She left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her—until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire, Disco, knows her secret. When he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, Rhiannon discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no.

But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

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Review:

Completely and utterly a wonderful read!! No! My mind is running around in circles frantically trying to understand what happened to it. It feels funny. But a good funny. Something like perfect bliss. Yet, bliss doesn't even describe what happened. In fact, this is probably going to be one of the hardest reviews for me to write. This book was so amazing and I want to express how much I want everyone else to read it! There lies the problem since I don't have the right words to even explain this book.

Rhiannon had me at the first page with her crazy "Rhianon's Law #27", the fact that I can still remember that it's law #27, and it's about strippers, shoes, and fighting says it all. The whole book just sticks in your head. Rhiannon is a smart mouthed, pirate worthy swearer, and she's tough as nails. No she's not super woman, but she can handle herself. Unlike other super paranormal but kickers out there she knows when she's shit deep in it and can make the smart decision. Rhiannon is the queen of damaged and complicated characters. Her past is haunting, a nightmare into State Foster Care system. There is a reason she will not trust people and pushes them away from her. She's learned to live and survive. Rhia's sarcastic humor and running dialogue had me clutching my sides with giggles often enough, which was a great counter to the dark world and gore.

When a vampire named Disco approaches her Rhia soon discovers there's a name for what she is, Necromancer. She has an infinity for the dead, and the theory behind how Vampires and Necromancers connect is really brilliant! The world is believable and each new character is given such depth that I feel like if I went to New York I could find these characters and join them for a game of pool.

Two pages into the book if someone asked me if I would fall in love with a vampire named Disco, I would have snorted and said "Heck, no!" However, I am shamelessly Team Disco hands down. Saare creates a beautiful and touching romance. It was a pleasure to witness Rhia's healing. There's clearly going to be some love triangle rivalry in the future, but Saare has built up the other interest so well that I'd feel cheated if he didn't get a chance. (Even though Disco is easily in my top 10 fiction hotties!)

The plot focuses on Vampire murders as something is killing them, and stealing their hearts while they’re still alive. This book is dark, gritty, and harsh. Countered by compassion and tender emotions. It's complicated, but so simple. Many more creatures await to be discovered, especially since Disco owes a demon a favor. Even when you think the action is over and the mystery is solved a cliffhanger of EPIC proportions comes out and wallops me on the head! Saare, how could you do this to readers!? Oh, the total obsession is on!

Sexual Content: Rhiannon works in a bar, so sexual content is there. Dirty thoughts, humor, and sex scenes. Rhiannon, has a really dark, dark past. Child molestation and other horrors present.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (1) The Renfield Syndrome (2) The Ripple Effect (3) Edge of Darkness (4)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (1) The Renfield Syndrome (2) The Ripple Effect (3) Edge of Darkness (4)