Book recommendations

Buna Unleeshed auction

2012-03-01T20:12:00.001+01:00

Maya Banks is raising money for her daughters softball team to go to Florida ( I think) and participate in a large tournament. She is doing that buy auctioning off a lot of signed books, Arcs and meetings with authors on ebay. Honestly, if I wasn't so broke I would bid on several things, especially ARCs.

Indie bargains

2012-03-01T14:10:00.002+01:00

I reviewed Book of Shadows earlier this year, and loved it. If you haven't read it, now you have your chance. It is available for free for non US readers on Kindle, for a limited time. So go and get it.
Alexandra Sokoloff also offers her YA novel Spaces in between for free. Worldwide.
Doesn't that cover make you want to pick it up?While you are over at Kindle, also pick up Killer instinct by Zoe Sharp. This is one of the books that have been on my To check out list for awhile, but I avoid buying from Amazon if I can. Which means I am happy right now :).

That is the crime novels. Next up is the romance novels.
Christie Craig offers Divorced Desperate and Delicious for free on both Amazon and Smashwords.
Julie Ortolon offers Falling for You for free at Amazon and Smashwords. I enjoyed Almost Perfect, and Dear Cupid is in my TBR pile. ( If an e-reader can have a tbr pile).

And a couple of traditional publishing bargains.Harlequin have discounted For Love or Money to 0.99 at all major stores. This is a bundle containing three books by Sarah Morgan, Jane Porter and Trish Morey. I haven't read it, but at that price I am willing to take a gamble. Especially since Dear Author recommend Sarah Morgan.

And last, but not the least: This month's free read from Samhain is Private Protection by Leah Braemel. Available at Amazon, BN and Sony.

Review: Becoming Miss Becky by Shannon Stacey

2012-02-29T11:10:00.001+01:00

The particulars: Historical Romance, Samhain, available as e-book and in print.
The Source: Purchased, but cannot remember were.
The Grade: B

Blurb:
A sheriff with a stone-cold reputation. An innocent madam hell-bent on disturbing his peace. Who will be the first to give in?
Rebecca Hamilton passed through life as bland as biscuits—until the day she buried her father and fled out West with a fortune in stolen jewelry. She arrives in Gardiner, Texas to find her aunt has bequeathed to her the only whorehouse in town.
With no other prospects except a proposal from a tall, dark stranger wearing a badge, Rebecca decides to embrace her vibrant aunt’s legacy and never again live under the thumb of an overbearing man.
After years of cultivating a reputation as a ruthless lawman, Adam Caldwell can’t believe he’s offered to marry the quiet, rather plain new madam. Even more perplexing is the fact she turns him down, choosing instead to become a sass-talkin’, sashay-walkin’ vision in feathers and lace.
With an innocent madam wanting him to teach her to be as wicked as she looks and rowdy townsfolk split over the scandal, the sheriff figures his cup of troubles is about full. But a man from Rebecca’s past catches up with her, and Adam has to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the woman who refuses to give up on becoming Miss Becky.

The Review:

I read and enjoyed the Kowalski books by Shannon Stacey, so when I discovered that she had written historicals, I decided to buy one of them. It took awhile before I read it, but in the end I am glad I did. This was an fun read. It was fascinating to follow Adam's and Becky's relationship. From the start, when she is a bland mouse, through her determination to rule her own life, to their HEA.
I loved the characters. Becky might look like a mouse, but she have a lot of courage. Both when it comes to travelling alone all the way to Texas, and the way she refused to give in. I admired the way she refused to let anyone decide how she should dress and behave. It made sense. She had blended in all her life, and now she didn't have to. And then there is the fact that she is living in a whorehouse. Even if she isn't a whore.

And Adam. He was a fascinating mix of stubbornness, jealousy and honor. He was ruthless when it comes to keep order in town. And keeping order was a part of the plot. Since Becky's arrival split the town in two. Some liked her, some didn't.

All this took place in the town of Gardiner ( the name made me giggle, since it mean curtains in Swedish). The setting felt realistic, from the biblethumping characters ( some of them) to the Mercantile and the horsetrough. I could sometimes smell the horses, and the dust in the air.

So what I didn't like. Sometimes, it felt... shallow. I don't expect to read a philosophic essay when I open an e-book, but I do expect to feel some sort of connection to the characters.
Yes, I enjoyed the book, the banter, the setting. But I didn't feel a tug at my heart. Still, it was a fun read, and what I needed right now.

An update on my reading challenges

2012-02-28T07:17:00.001+01:00

The Steampunk challenge:
I have tried to read Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, but I haven't finished it. I started Viridis, but I haven't finished that one either.
The Urban Fantasy challenge:
I have read Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn, Summer Storm by Lizette Gifford and Raven Calls by C.E Murphy. I will probably post reviews of them, sometime this year.

Here is the thing: I have gradually come to the insight that I am burned out on Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I feel meh about books, even by authors I like. For example: I should be excited that the next Patricia Briggs novel is out soon, instead I'm not sure I'll buy it. I have no idea if I'll buy it. All right. I probably will, since it is Patricia Briggs after all.

So what am I doing to recover? I am reading other genres. I have a bunch of historical fiction that is unread, and also some Romantic Suspense. But most of all, I try to shake off the feeling that I have to review every book. That I can read a book just for fun.

But there is one review coming next week: Hunter's Prey by Moira Rogers. It will be the last one with a paranormal element for awhile. Unless I stumble upon a really good book that I want to spread the word about.

Giveaway winners

2012-02-24T11:10:00.000+01:00

You get twofer this time.
First the winners of Demon Bait by Moira Rogers is Thalia, Crystal GB, and divavixenqueen.

The winners of One More Summer by Liz Flaherty is Crystal ( comment no.6) and Linda Kish

I'll gift the books as soon as Allromance is up and running again.

Book recommendation: Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison

2012-02-18T15:31:00.002+01:00

Oracle's Moon

As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra's husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister's two young children - neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid - driven by his genuine caring for the children - has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace's impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace's life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her - and offer her more than a mortal man...

Release date: March 6th. Which feels so far away right now. sigh. I love, love Thea Harrison's books, and this one is definitely on the to buy list.

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop

2012-02-17T05:57:00.001+01:00

Random acts of kindness giveaway:

Welcome to my part of the giveaway. I am giving away two copies of One more Summer by Liz Flaherty ( e-book).

Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father's prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.
But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace's best friend since kindergarten, who's fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn't lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.
And Dillon, Grace's brother's best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace's guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he'll have to convince Grace that she's worth loving...

To enter, just leave a comment with your name and e-mail, and if you prefer mobi or epub. I'll use All romance e-books for this giveaway, so make sure you have an account!

Review: One More Summer by Liz Flaherty:

2012-02-15T08:43:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Carina Press, ebook.
The source: Purchased at Books on board
The Grade: A.
The blurb:
Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father's prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.
But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace's best friend since kindergarten, who's fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn't lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.
And Dillon, Grace's brother's best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace's guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he'll have to convince Grace that she's worth loving.

The review:

This book... I am not sure how to describe it. According to Carina Press, it is a contemporary romance. Which is true, there are romance, several in fact, but there are so much more in it.
There are the old hurts between Dillon and Gwen. There are the on and off again relationship between Promise and Stephen. There are the mature love between Jonah and Maxie. The relationships are shadowed by old hurts, guilt, and secrets.

I'll admit it. I went teary eyed several times when I read this book.
My heart went soft when Dillon and Gwen started to rebuild their relationship. I wept when the secrets were revealed, all of them. But most of all, I cheered when Gwen started to regain her confidence, and believe that maybe, just maybe, her father had been wrong.
I understood Dillon's fury. I wanted to strangle her father too, for being a cruel insensitive bastard. Yet, during the book it was explained why he hated Gwen so much.

The novel takes place in a small town. The sense of community were a red thread through the book, both through happy and sad times. I loved the story telling times, especially the Magpie stories. Just.. aw. Sometimes, the setting felt so real that I could feel the sweltering summer of Tennessee. I could almost see the Elliot House in front of me.

I cannot find anything to pick on when it comes to this book. Except for one thing. I regret that this book is published by Carina Press since it deserve to be read a wide audience, no matter if they read e-books or not. I am crossing my fingers that I'll read a similar announcement for this book, as the one I read for Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series.

Review: What Ho, Automaton! by Chris Dolley

2012-02-14T13:12:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Steampunk, Bookview Cafe, available as e-book.
The Source: Purchased at Bookview Cafe
The Grade: B+
The Blurb:

Wodehouse Steampunk! Reggie Worcester and Reeves, his gentleman’s personal gentle-automaton, are consulting detectives in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs. Humour, Mystery, Aunts and Zeppelins!

The Review:
Two words sums up this collection: Wodehouse Steampunk.
The first one is about how Reggie and Reeves met, and the second they search for missing debutantes.
Both stories were fun to read. Reggie acts like an bored young noble man should act. Reeves is the one with brains. Emmeline is a debutante with a spine. They join up and search for the missing debutantes, and hilarity ensues. Reggie had a lot of wild ideas, Reeves managed to stop some of them. And oh my. I laughed a lot. They fumbled around, while searching for the debutantes, but in the end they managed to find all of them.

When it comes to the setting, it felt very realistic, from the pressure to marry and behave properly, to the Victorians fascination with inventions. The 1900's were a time with a lot of experimenting, and this shows in the story. It was nice that there were no zombies, or other paranormal aspects. Instead the steampunk element came from the automatons, and the Promotheans.

The book was well written, and I laughed a lot. But when I can to page 100 or so, I started to get a bit tired of the over the top humor. Also, it didn't feel like Reggie grew as a character. He was the same person at the end as he had been in the beginning.
Still, I'll definitely read more by Chris Dolley.

Bargains

2012-02-13T10:34:00.000+01:00

Here is some on going bargains that I have found :).

Coupon codes:
Fictionwise have a new 60% off coupon code: 021012. Expires Feb 14, but will probably work for a couple of days longer.
Booksonboards offer 25% off on Harlequin and Carina press books. BoxOChocs
Carina Press have one 10% code (EX10CPB) and one 15% code ( EX15CPB)

Discounted books:
Maid for Love by Marie Force is available for 0.99
The Assassins Lover by Emma Holly is available for 1.99 at Smashwords. (With this Coupon: VZ88X)
Under her skin by Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook and Jeaniene Frost is available for 0.99

Dangerous Race by Dee J Adams are discounted to 1.99 at Carina Press webpage

Review: If you hear her by Shiloh Walker

2012-02-08T11:51:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Romantic Suspense, Ballantine, available in print and as e-book
The Source: Purchased at Booksonboard
The Grade: A
The Blurb:
A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

The Review:
If you hear her have been on my To Buy list since it was released, but for a number of reasons I didn't buy it until last week. And I am glad I waited. Oh, don't get me wrong. I loved this book in so many ways but let's start with the characters. I loved the relationship between Ezra and Lena. The attraction between Ezra and Lena is evident from the first time they meet.. I'll admit that for a couple of chapters I wondered if they would end up together or not, since Ezra resisted the urge to call Lena.   His reasons for not calling her made sense.   Believe me. Then there are Law, with all his secrets. Which gives him trouble. And Hope.. My heart went out for her. She has been through so many things.
I also liked that not all characters were pleasant. Some were just annoying ( like a certain deputy.). And the murderer? Burr. Honestly.   I get goosebumps just thinking about him.

Then there are the suspense. The suspense is there from page one. And it just increased. There isn't that many murders in the book, but Ms. Walker uses a lot of small touches to ramp up the suspense. And keep it there. I liked how the murders affected the town. The paranoia affect the whole city. The demands for an arrest. Kudos for the Sheriff department for not caving to the demands.    ( I could go on and on about it, but I wont, since that would stray into spoiler territory).

So.. What I didn't like. This book is the first book in a trilogy. As in, the story arc spans over three books. Which means that even if Ezra and Lena get their happy ending, the suspense part isn't tied up.    No one in the book have an inkling who the killer is. Since book 2 is already out, and book 3 is coming soon this isn't a big thing. But if I had bought it in November? I would have been really mad at Shiloh Walker.

Charity Sunday: Worldbuilders 2011

2012-02-05T13:20:00.000+01:00

Charity Sunday is back, and this time the limelight is on Pat Rothfuss Worldbuilder campaign. Every year, Pat Rothfuss raises money for Heifer, by running the Worldbuilder campaign.
There are three ways to donate:
1.The lottery. Which is simple. Go to his page on Heifer.com. Donate 10 dollar by clicking the Give to this team button, and you can win a lot of books and other cool things.
Also, Worldbuilders match 50% of your donation.

2.Buy something from his store.

3. Bid on an auction.

The lottery ends FEB 7 so hurry up and the auctions FEB 6.

More info about Worldbuilders, and a list on the books you can win, can be found here.

Review: Warrior by Zoe Archer

2012-02-04T15:35:00.001+01:00

The Particulars: Adventure Romance, Zebra, available in print and e-book
The Source: Purchased at Kobo.
The Grade: A-
The Blurb:

IN HOT PURSUIT…
The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…
Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…

The Review:
I purchased this book when it was released, and I started reading it but for a number of reasons I never finished it. Until now. And oh my. This is the perfect mix of adventure, magic and love.
This story begins in Southampton, but most of the action takes place on the Mongolian steppes and in China. At times, it felt like I could feel the wind blowing in my hair, as I read about their adventure. The setting felt realistic, from the ride through the steppes through the time they spent with the Mongolian tribe. The journey through Mongolia felt realistic, from the fact that Thalia steered away from the settlements. I liked at the clues to the next part wasn't easy, nor obvious, and that they had to figure it out on they own. And let me tell you, there were unexpected twists.

But an solid worldbuilding and a good plot isn't enough for me. Nope. I have to love the characters as well. Which I did. Gabriel is an ex-soldier, but he has a sense of honor that makes him stick by Thalia's side. And Thalia.. Raised in Mongolia, she is hardy, and used to travel. I must admit that she is the perfect woman for Gabriel.
Even if they feel an instant attraction, they fight it for a long time. I loved that, since it felt like a realistic reaction, since Victorians would have considered it unseemly if they had made love too soon. When they give in? Sizzling. That is all I am saying.

Despite all the good things about it, it sometimes that potential enemies turned out to be allies a bit too easily. Still, I was able to brush it away and focus on the story.

Review: HeartMate by Robin D Owens

2012-02-02T11:29:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Futuristic Romance, Berkley, available as e-book and in print
The Source: My bookshelf
The Grade: B+

The blurb:

All his life, Rand T'Ash looked forward to meeting his HeartMate, with whom he could begin a family. Once a street tough but now a respected nobleman and artisan, he has crafted the perfected HeartGift, which, in the custom of the psychically-gifted population of the planet Celta, is the way a man finds--and attracts--his wife...

Danith Mallow is irresistibly drawn to the magnificent necklace on display in T'Ash's shop, but she is wary of its creator, despite an overpowering attraction. In a world where everyone is defined by their psychic ability, Danith has little, and thus is at the opposite end of the social specturm from T'Ash. But T'Ash refuses to accept her rejection, and sees it as a challenge instead. They ARE HeartMates, but can T'ash persuade his beloved to accept her destiny by his side?

The review:

This is a fast paced read, filled with romance, action, and Zanth of course.   No Celta book would be complete without a Fam.    The setting is a refreshing mix of regency customs and magic. Every part of the world feels solid. From the nobles to the Downwind gangs. But what made the book so good were the romance between Danith and T'Ash.
I loved reading about T'Ash and Danith's romance.   Everything went wrong from the start for T'ash. Danith rejects him. But their romance shouldn't be an easy one.   T'Ash is a powerful GreatLord, with a large dose of inborn arrogance. Danith is a commoner, an orphan, with very little Flair.

Meeting T'Ash turns Danith's life upside down. Suddenly she is showered with gifts, since T'Ash is determinded to follow every step in the etiquette book. ( That scene made me smile)     It isn't just the gift that affect her. She finds out she isn't as Flairless as she thought.    With every change, she clings harder to the familiar.
I loved how Mitchella stuck by her friend, even if her help might have caused problems between T'Ash and Danith.
But the romance plot were intertwined with so many other things. From T'Ash past, to HollyHeir's request that he honor a blood debt, to events unfolding in the background. All of the action and danger stems from this part of the plot.

So for what I didn't like. It felt like everything happend too fast. For example,   Danith went from being flairless, to having a unique Flair.   Yes, it is spread out during the book, but I wish it had taken a bit more time. But, on the other hand it wouldn't have been the same story without it.   Also, I didn't feel that tugging that I get from really good Robin D Owens novels.

January sponors

2012-01-31T14:05:00.004+01:00

This is inspired by Dear Author's Advertiser posts. It is a bit tongue in cheek, since I don't have paid sponsors..

Thank you to Singapore National library for buying Cassandra Clare, Dakota Cassidy, Harry Connelly and Allison Brennan.
Thank you to the publishers who allow libraries to buy e-books. ( Which is fewer and fewer. sigh)
Thank you to Amazon, for offering so many free ebooks. ( So far I have downloaded 40 free ebooks. And yes I am picky. Mostly by authors I like or are on my To check out list.)
Thank you to Smashwords for offering so many cheap ebooks
Thank you to Debra Webb, Mindy Klasky, Eve Langlais and many, many other authors for offering cheap e-books.
Thank you to Fictionwise for offering regular discounts.

Together you have helped me discovering new authors that I wouldn't have discovered otherwise. So Thank you! :)

Review: Because of You by Jessica Scott:

2012-01-27T22:21:00.001+01:00

The Particulars: Military Romance, Lovespell, ebook.
The Source: Purchased Kobo.
The Grade: A-
The Blurb:
Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire

The Review:
I bought this book because it got a lot of positive reviews, but it took awhile before I got around to read it. In fact, when I opened the book I almost deleted it. ( More about that later in the review).

I must say I am glad that I decided to read it. This book is filled with strong characters, and important themes. I loved Jen. How she struggled with her self-esteem, to believe that someone like Shane really is interested in her. Shane.. I'll admit it. I loved him too. I loved how he really cared about his troop.
In fact, I loved all the Characters. From Laura who have kept her family together, to Carponti who hide his issues behind a lot of jokes. No. Wait. I didn't love all of the characters. I wanted to strangle Randall, and I thought Captain Trent Davila was a jerk.
What made the book for me wasn't just the book. No, it was the blunt, and sobering way Jessica Scott described Iraq. She clearly shows how everything can go wrong.From important parts being misplaced, to intel being wrong. Together, it enchanced the danger they were surrounded by.   The there is the contrast, how the wives are battling fear and worry back in the US.
But, the most heartwrenching parts of the book were when they had returned home, injured.   Shane's struggle with adjusting to his new life with PT.   And yes, he acts like a jerk sometimes, but he realise it.   And apologize.

So what I didn't like. The main issue I had was with the font size. I am not sure if it was my e-reader, or something in the style sheet but it showed up as large, and 1.5 spacing. But I decided to ignore it, and read the book anyway. After I had finished the book , I fixed the fontsize.

WWW Wednesdays

2012-01-25T16:01:00.002+01:00

I found this one at Patricia Burroughs blog, and decided to play along.
• What are you currently reading?
The Illiad by Homer. It is definitely not what I usually read, but so far I like it. Yes, I know it will be gory ( I haven't gotten that far), but I like it. It suits my mood right now. The writing is a bit wordy, but I can understand why it is considered a classic. But I think it was good that I didn't read it earlier, since I can appreciate the story now
• What did you recently finish reading?
Fear No Evil by Allison Brennan. It wasn't one of my favorites, but I enjoyed it.
• What do you think you’ll read next?
I have no idea, but I think I'll either read The Epic of Gilgamesh or Hollowland by Amanda Hocking. What can I say, I have an eccletic taste. *grins*

Jennifer Ashley/ Ashley Gardner bargains

2012-01-18T15:10:00.001+01:00

crossposted to Mobileread:

While checking out one of the books AT Drake linked to over at Mobileread, I discovered that Jennifer Ashley is self publishing her historical mysteries backlist written as Ashley Gardner. I haven’t read any of them, but they sounds interesting, plus they only cost between 0.99 and 2.99. ( Book 5-7 costs 2.99, but I am not posting those blurbs, since I figure this post gets long enough).
The Hanover Square Affair (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries #1) ( Novel length. 0.99 atAmazon, Smashwords and BN):

London, 1816 Cavalry captain Gabriel Lacey returns to Regency London from the Napoleonic wars, his career ignominiously over. He stumbles onto the case of a kidnapping, the accused a prominent MP. Lacey's search for the girl leads to the discovery of murder, corruption, and dealings with a leader of the underworld. At the same time, Lacey must face the everyday troubles of his own life.

A Regimental Murder (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries #2)Novel length. 1.99 at Amazon,Smashwords and
BN):
London 1816 After rescuing a lovely woman from an attempted robbery, Captain Lacey discovers that she's the widow of a colonel who had been accused of murdering an English officer during the recent war. Lydia declares that her husband was innocent and that she knows the true culprits' identities. Intrigued, Lacey begins to investigate, and soon finds himself mired in scandals past and present.
The Glass House (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries #3)Novel length. 1.99 at Amazon, Smashwordsand BN( Also 2.99 at BN. Hmm..)):

On a January night in 1817, former cavalry officer Captain Gabriel Lacey is summoned to the banks of the Thames to identify a body. When Lacey looks down at the pretty young woman, cut down too soon, he vows to find her murderer. His search takes him from the seamy streets of the East End, to gatherings of the London ton in Mayfair, to the chambers of respectable Middle Temple barristers.

The Sudbury School Murders (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries #4) ( 1.99 at Amazon, andSmashwords. 2.99(!) at BN)

In 1817, Captain Lacey takes a post as a secretary at the Sudbury School in Berkshire. He soon finds that the headmaster expects him to discover the source of disturbing pranks that have kept the school in an uproar. The problems intensify when a stableman turns up dead in a lock of the nearby canal. A Romany is arrested for the murder, and Lacey is the only person who believes him innocent.

I have no idea what is going on with the prices. Either she is lowering the price to 1.99, or raising it to 2.99 My advice is to purchase them from Smashwords.

That’s the historical mysteries. Jennifer Ashley is also self publishing a couple of paranormal romances, both part of her Shifters Unbound series.

Bodyguard (Shifters Unbound #2.5) ( Novel, 0.99 at Amazon[/URL],Smashwords, BN)
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully naked human male. Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown for safety, but will only let Elizabeth leave if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.

Shifter Made ( Prequel Short story, 0.99 at Amazon, Smashwords, BN)
Alanna, sister to a Fae prince, returns to medieval Ireland to coerce a Shifter to craft an incredible sword. Niall O’Connell, wildcat Shifter and master sword maker, hates all Fae, but Alanna's heartbreaking story and beauty are difficult to resist. Together, she and Niall forge a sword that changes Shifter history, at the same time forging an unbreakable bond between their hearts.

__________________

Review: See no evil by Allison Brennan

2012-01-17T13:50:00.003+01:00

The Particulars: Romantic Suspense, Ballantine, available as ebook and print

The source: The library
The Grade: A-
The Blurb: A troubled teenage girl has been charged with the grisly murder of her stepfather. The evidence is damning: Emily was found alone at the scene with blood on her hands, and an incriminating e-mail she wrote outlines a murder plot identical to the method of the brutal slaying. But deputy district attorney Julia Chandler believes her niece is innocent, and she’s determined to keep the promise she made to protect her dead brother’s daughter–even if it means hiring private eye Connor Kincaid . . . the man who blames her for forcing his resignation from the police department.

Together Julia and Connor uncover a chain of unsolved violent crimes tied to an unorthodox therapist whose anonymous online patients purge their anger by posting lethal fantasies. But someone in the group has turned vigilante, turning the game of virtual murder into a flesh-and-blood vendetta.

The review:
This is the second book in Allison Brennan’s Evil Trilogy. This series circles around the Kincaid family. In this book the hero is Connor Kincaid and the heroine Julia Chandler. They have a past, but when Julia’s niece Emily is accused of murdering her stepfather, Julia vows to protect her. With the aid of Connor and his brother Dillon, she starts an parallel investigation. Soon, they are are starting to unravel an chilling web of murders. For me, the most chilling part was the age of the murderers. So young, and so damaged. Much of the plot was in a legal, and moral gray zone. From Julia’s parallel investigation to some of Dr Bowens action. But that gray zone is what makes the story so chilling. Without it the story would have been more predictable. As it was, I kept guessing who He was, the man mentioned by both Faye and Cami.

This book proved that money do not equal happiness. In fact, most of the characters that are rich are scarred by the past. Some of them are festering, some of them are expurged, and some of them will be healing with the right help. My heart went out Emily when she told Julia the reasons behind her behaviour. And Julia... Her pain was tangible. For the loss of her brother. For not fighting harder to gain custody.

Through a big part of the book, Connor and Julia struggles to reconcile their past actions. I liked that it took so long. Their action hurt both of them, but there were no other choice. The attraction between Julia and Connor was there from the beginning, but it took awhile before they admitted it. Which is as it should be, considering their past.
What I liked was that the past between Connor and Julia actually affects the plot. Not just their relationship which each other but also when it comes to the attitude of other cops.

What I didn’t like with this book was the blurb. It is a bit wrong, since Emily is never charged for murder. She is *suspected* to be involved in the murder, but nothing else.

What am I reading

2012-01-14T13:02:00.000+01:00

Normally, this list would contain a lot of authors, but right now there is only one: Allison Brennan. It all started with that I got Love Me to death from the library, which was good. But I realised that it would be better if I had read the backlist first. So that is what I doing right now. Glomping on an author isn't uncommon behaviour for me. If I discover an author I like, I tend to gobble up the backlist.

Right now, I am about to start Fear No Evil.

And yes, there will probably be reviews sometime next week :).

Recommended Series: The Ash Triology by Shiloh Walker

2012-01-11T12:39:00.001+01:00

This is a new feature, and first up is Shiloh Walker's chilling suspense series.

IF YOU HEAR HER:
Released in Oct -11

A CRY IN THE WOODS
The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.
Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

IF YOU SEE HER (Releases 01/31/2012)
A FACE IN THE MIRROR
Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assault. Now she endures the painful memories and suspicious rumors surrounding her involvement in the attack. Her ex is a cop, so the last people she trusts are law enforcement officials—and she certainly doesn’t trust how the local DA makes her feel inside.
Remy Jennings should know better. He has no business falling for a woman who he suspects may have a deeply troubled mind. And even if he did make a move, she’d bolt like a frightened rabbit. But how can he deny a burning desire that threatens to consume him? As Hope’s past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust, and keep her safe in his arms—before it’s too late.

IF YOU KNOW HER
Releases 2/28/2012

A SHADOW IN THE WINDOW
Nia Hollister doesn’t scare easily. Come hell or high water, she intends to find her cousin’s killer. She returns to Ash, Kentucky, for answers. What she doesn’t expect is to ache with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for a while, it’s him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when a murderer still roams free?
Unknown to Nia, as she quietly slips into Law Reilly’s home, is that she’s being watched—by someone who is waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Timing is everything, though he can’t wait forever. If she’s not frightened, she soon will be. Nia has made a vow to find her cousin’s killer. She should be careful what she wishes for.

Excerpts from the books are available here

The Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff:

2012-01-10T20:18:00.002+01:00

The Particulars: Horror, St Martin's, available as e-book and in print
The Source: Purchased at Kobo
The grade: B-
The Blurb:
Homicide detective Adam Garrett is already a rising star in the Boston police department when he and his cynical partner, Carl Landauer, catch a horrifying case that could make their careers: the ritualistic murder of a wealthy college girl that appears to have Satanic elements.

The partners make a quick arrest when all evidence points to another student, a troubled musician in a Goth band who was either dating or stalking the murdered girl. But Garrett’s case is turned upside down when beautiful, mysterious Tanith Cabarrus, a practicing witch from nearby Salem, walks into the homicide bureau and insists that the real perpetrator is still at large. Tanith claims to have had psychic visions that the killer has ritually sacrificed other teenagers in his attempts to summon a powerful, ancient demon.

All Garrett's beliefs about the nature of reality will be tested as he is forced to team up with a woman he is fiercely attracted to but cannot trust, in a race to uncover a psychotic killer before he strikes again.

The Review:

I bought this a month ago, spurred by the fact that Alexandra Sokoloff blogged about her self-published UK version. I bought it from Booksonboard, though. Or was it Kobo? Anyway. I started reading it, and I was hooked. The book has everything I want in a good novel. A gruesome murder, a healthy dose of suspense and interesting plot. I loved Garrett for the fact that he is ambitious, and he doesn't hide it. He is dating a DA with connection, he relish tough cases. ( And this is definitely one). I like that his partner is so different. In many ways his partner is a cliche. Old, chain smoking male detective. He is a good contrast to Garrett, though. And Tanith. Yepp, she is a witch. But she is a strong character, without being bitchy. Also, she has learned from her mistakes.

The plot is solid, and moves fast. But not too fast. They makes progress, and the decisions they make fits with the evidence. The supernatural was woven into the plot from the start. And the supernatural part only grew. Which I gobbled up. It was fascinating how Garrett kept having to talk with Tanith, despite the mistakes he made. And he made mistakes. A lot. But that was what I liked about him. He dares to think outside the box, no matter if it gives him trouble with his boss. He doesn't give up. He just continues, determinded to get justice for the victims.

What I liked about this book, was that Garrett is forced to think about the box. To step into the supernatural. He have a choice: start believing, or don't find the killer.

So, what I didn't like about this book. I didn't like the sex scenes with his girlfriend. It felt like they didn't add anything to the plot. Also, sometimes Garrett felt a bit.. dense. No, that's wrong. It felt like he was too arrogant, and didn't really think about what consequences everything would have.

Still, the book was enjoyable and I will probably purchase more of Alexandra Sokoloff's books in the future.

Free read: Kamikaze by Moira Rogers

2012-01-10T20:00:00.000+01:00

Zoe Bennett is an inexperienced werewolf in the grip of her mating cycle. With no pack and no mate, Zoe must brave the supernatural crowds of Last Call, the bar where your drink order tells everyone what you need.

Kamikaze: Werewolf in heat, looking for a temporary mate

The chase is on, and security specialist Connor O’Malley intends to win, if only because the sweet young woman at the bar looks unprepared for what the night might bring, in and out of the bedroom. Little does he know that, when he catches her, he may not be satisfied being just a temporary mate.

This week Moira Rogers offer their reissued short story for free at Allromance.

Another Giveaway

2012-01-09T15:33:00.000+01:00

Shiloh Walker is giving away a Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet or bookmoney. More information here.

Various bargains

2012-01-09T11:18:00.002+01:00

I have a coupon code from Harlequin that I haven't posted before, and bunch of e-book deals.

SPEND4E11 to Save $4 on ebooks at Harlequin.com

Valid until 1/31/12
Must spend a minimum of $4 to qualify.

This puts most of their e-books ( with the exception of Luna and Harlequin Teen) at a price range between 0.05-3 dollar. However, you must buy the books one at a time. Otherwise, Harlequin discounts the total price. Which is still a nice discount, but not as good deal as if you buy the books one at a time.

Oh, and this code will be the only main exception to my decision to not buy e-books. I have several authors that I intend to buy.

So, the e-books.
Let's first start with Katie Macalister's fun historical romps. Right now, they are available for 0.99 each, which is a bargain.
Amazon BN Smashwords
Noble Intentions:

Quote:

Noble Britton suffered greatly at the hands of his first wife, and he refuses to fall into the same trap again. This time he intends to marry a quiet, biddable woman who will not draw attention to herself or cause scandal. Gillian Leigh’s honest manner and spontaneous laughter attract him immediately. It matters little that she is accident-prone; he can provide the structure necessary to guide her.

But unconventional to the tips of her half-American toes, his new bride turns the tables on him, wreaking havoc on his orderly life. Perpetually one step behind his beguiling spouse, Noble suffers a banged-up head, a black eye, and a broken nose before he realizes Gillian has healed his soul and proven that their union is no heedless tumble, but the swoon of true love.

I loved Noble intentions. It made me giggle. It is a bit over the top, but sometimes you need over the top.

Noble Destiny:

Quote:

A poor widow, Lady Charlotte Collins returns to England eager to take her place in the ton, only to find herself shunned by all. Her one choice is to marry a groom with wealth, a title, and good looks, but Alasdair McGregor cruelly refuses to be the answer to her problems. In fact, she is forced by Dare’s obstinacy to take extreme action: the faulty codpiece that leads to this marriage, the wedding that is literally a circus. But nothing can stand between Charlotte and what she wants most: the love of her husband.

I must admit, that I never finished reading this one. The heroine annoyed me. Maybe it was my mood.

The Trouble with Harry:

1. He is Plum’s new husband. Not normally a problem, but when you consider that Harry advertised for a wife, and Plum was set to marry his secretary, there was cause for a bit of confusion.

2. He has a title. Plum has spent the last twenty years hiding from the ton, and now Harry wants her to shine in society? Horrors!

3. He doesn’t know about her shocking secret. How is she going to explain about the dead husband who isn’t a husband…and who now seems to be alive again?

4. He’s fallen in love with her. And yet, the maddening man refuses to confide in her. For Plum knows the real trouble with Harry is that he’s stolen her heart.

I loved this one. A lot. Like Noble Intentions, it was hilarious.

So for the indie bargains:
Indie phenomen Amanda Hocking offers Hollowland for free at Smashwords and Amazon ( most likely also free at BN). I downloaded this one, primarily since I want to see what all the buzz is about.

Mindy Klasky have re-issued her paranormal romance backlist novel. How to Not Make a Wish is the first book in the Wish series about a genie. It is a funny paranormal romance that is available for 0.99 at Smashwords and Amazon.
She also offers the first book in her Jane Madison series, Girl's Guide to Witchcraft, for 0.99. This is a paranormal chicklit. I have it in paper somewhere, but I haven't re-read it in years.
Eve Langlais has discounted The Geek Job to 0.99, also at Smashwords. It is 2.99 at Amazon, and Allromance, which makes me suspect the price will go up soon.
Debra Webb have a lot of backlist available for 0.99 at Smashwords.
The one I plan to buy is Obession.

And for the Fantasy fans: A.A. Attanasio's Arthur Series is free at Kobo. Since the author have signed up for KDP Select, they will be gone very, very soon. So if you want it, pick it up. ( I haven't read it, but I downloaded it since they sounded good).

The big challenge: Conquering the TBR pile

2012-01-09T11:10:00.000+01:00

I am sure you have noticed the reading challenges I am participating in this year. There are a reason for them. I discovered in December that I had a lot unread books in Calibre. We aren't talking 20, but rather 220. So the big aim this year is to slice it down to 50.
Do I think it is managable? Yes. I do. I read fast. I can easily read one book in a night. Another reason is that a lot of them is shorter than 200 pages. I wont review all of the books, though. I'll review the novellas but not the short stories. Still, it means a lot of saved money since I am determined to not buy a new e-book until I have read the ones I have already bought.

The Zero Dog War by Keith Melton

2012-01-07T12:12:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as e-book.

The Source: Purchased at Allromance

The Grade: B-

The blurb:

After accidentally blowing up both a client facility and a cushy city contract in the same day, pyromancer and mercenary captain Andrea Walker is scrambling to save her Zero Dogs. A team including (but not limited to) a sexually repressed succubus, a werewolf with a thing for health food, a sarcastic tank driver/aspiring romance novelist, a three-hundred-pound calico cat, and a massive demon who really loves to blow stuff up.
With the bankruptcy vultures circling, Homeland Security throws her a high-paying, short-term contract even the Zero Dogs can’t screw up: destroy a capitalist necromancer bent on dominating the gelatin industry with an all-zombie workforce. The catch? She has to take on Special Forces Captain Jake Sanders, a man who threatens both the existence of the team and Andrea’s deliberate avoidance of romantic entanglements.
As Andrea strains to hold her dysfunctional team together long enough to derail the corporate zombie apocalypse, the prospect of getting her heart run over by a tank tread is the least of her worries. The government never does anything without an ulterior motive. Jake could be the key to success…or just another bad day at the office for the Zeroes.

The review:

I had heard good things about Keith Melton, so when Allromance offered a 50% discount on Samhain books, I bought it. The story starts with a bang, and everything wents down hill from there. The plot twisted and turned. I liked how they only had partial success, never a total victory, when they faced the villain. I enjoyed the misfits of The Zero Dog Mercenaries. From Rafe, the werewolf, to Mai with her undead pets. I enjoyed how the author played with the prejudices, and turned them into something new.

This story has a large dose of humor with the action, and I loved the snark, and the way Andrea couldn’t stop mouthing off with Jake. However, at times it felt like the author focused to much on the humor.

This especially shows when it comes to the villain, which is a heap of clichés. In fact, it felt like the author had piled on every cliché he could think off. So, will I buy another book by Keith Melton? Probably. It was a fun, fast paced read and I enjoyed it.

Book Chick City's Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge

2012-01-04T12:50:00.007+01:00

I decided to sign up to this challenge too:

From the challenge page:

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

• There are two levels:

- Read TWENTY FOUR (24) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012
- Read FORTY EIGHT (48) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join the challenge at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• No non-fiction - only fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You DO NOT have to write reviews of the books you read, but if you decide you would like to then Mr Linky will be available each month so you can link up your reviews.

• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don't have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link:

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-horror-urban-fantasy-reading.html

Please add your DIRECT URL link, not just your blog link. If you have trouble adding your URL link below, just drop me an email.

My goal is to read 48 novels. It will be mixture of UF and Horror, new books and PD books. And re-reads. :).

Tentiative reading list:

Child of Fire by Harry Connelly ( library book)
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter ( Unread)
Zero Dog War by Keith Mellon.
Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent (Unread)
Hot trick by Patricia Rosemoor ( Unread)
Aberswyth Mon Amour by Malcolm Price ( Unread)
Faerie Blood by Angela Korra'ti ( Unread)
Convent of the pure by Sara M Harvey ( Unread)
The Wyvern Mystery by Joseph Sheridan ( PD)
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde ( PD)
Run by Blake Crouch ( Amazon freebie)
The Wedding Gift by Kathleen McKenna( Amazon freebie)
Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff
Shadow City by Diana Pharaoh Francis (Unread)
Fair Game by Patricia Briggs ( TBR list)
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews ( TBR)
Demon Marked by Meljean Brook ( TBR)
No Dominion by C.E Murphy ( plus assorted novellas)( April 2012)
. Raven Calls by CE Murphy. ( TBR)
Dragon Justice by Laura Anne Gilman ( TBB)
The Negotiator triology by CE Murphy. ( Re-read)

All these books have one thing in common: They are either among the 200 e-books I have marked as unread in Calibre or on my TBR list. O_o.

Dark Faerie Tales Steampunk reading Challenge 2012

2012-01-04T12:07:00.003+01:00

I wanted to join Dark Faerie tales UF challenge last year, but since I discovered it in september I decided to wait. So when I spotted the Steampunk Challenge, I decided to join it. I view it as a good way to get introduced to the genre. The challenge runs from Jan 2012 to Dec 2012. My plan is to post one review each month.

The tentiative reading list is:
1. Bone Shaker by Cherie Priest
2. New Blood by Gail Dayton.
3. Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook
4. Tin Swift by Devon Monk
5. Soulless by Gail Carriger
6. Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
7. Viridis by Claire Taylor
8. The Grey Friar by Clay and Susan Griffith
9. Clockwork angel by Cassandra Clare
10. Wicked as the come by Delilah Lawson
11. The Iron duke by Meljean Brook
12. The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

Review: Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais

2012-01-03T21:54:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, indie, available as e-book

The Source: Free read during downloaded during AllRomance 12 days of Christmas

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

Naomi doesn’t want to follow tradition and settle down with a violence-loving, chest thumping shapeshifter. She grew up in a household with five, testosterone laden brothers where none of the dishes ever matched, the ugly-as-sin furniture could withstand any catastrophe, and where crazy glue was bought by the case.

When fate—with a snicker—makes her meet not one, but two mates, Naomi digs her heels in and refuses to do what her wolf—and her body—demands. No way is she voluntarily allowing herself to get hitched to a pair of dumbass—totally hot and muscled—lacrosse players.

Can Ethan, the towering Kodiak bear, and Javier, the sexy, tanned jaguar convince this she-wolf that life with them won’t be all chaos? And can this delicate freakn’ flower unbend her prejudices enough to recognize she needs a pair of men who can handle her thorns—and her passion?

The Review:

I noticed this one when it was released, but I never bought it, so when it was offered as a free read I downloaded it. And I am glad I did. I loved this book in so many ways. It was funny, filled with snark and snappy comebacks. I loved Naomi, Her snarkiness, her determination to keep her independence. She was scarred by the past, and her reasoning made sense. She knew exactly what she wanted- which was to not mate with a shifter. Thank you very much. Ethan and Jared are determined to show her she is wrong. And how they do it. They start a sensual feast. A long courtship, that lasts until they have convinced Nicole that she needs a shifter.

But now for the things I didn't like. When it comes to the plot, the suspense subplot felt tacked on and unnecessary. I didn't feel that it added anything to the story. There were a few minor typos, but the thing that annoyed me most was the formatting... I have no idea why, but the spacing was 1,5 lines Why? Since it gives an unprofessional impression.

Will I get more books? Oh definitely. I loved this book, and the major flaw is fixable.

Moira Rogers’s Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown:Team Trucker!

2012-01-02T11:33:00.002+01:00

Contest is over. Winners will be posted soon.
This post is part of Moira Rogers’s Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown. A comment on this post will enter you to win your choice of a NOOK Simple Touch, or a Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch with special offers. For rules, details on more ways to enter or information on how to pick your own side, visit the contest page at Moira Rogers’s website.

Ah truckers. What's not to like about them? Demons are interesting I suppose, but I'd never to be able to trust them fully. Truckers, now... There are something with them that appeals to me.
Maybe it is the fact that I admire their independence. Maybe it is the fact that I cannot drive myself, and dreams on climbing up into a vehicle and just driving. Seeing the road stretching out in front of me. Or maybe it is just the fact that I am odd. LOL.

Additional Giveaway, hosted by me:

I am giving away 3 copies of Demon Bait, the prequel novella. Leave a comment, with your e-mail address, also tell me if you want epub or mobi ( kindle). For epub I use Allromance ( so make sure that you have an account), and for mobi I use Amazon.

Review: The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson

2012-01-01T20:13:00.000+01:00

The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson

The Particular: Fantasy, Amazon, available as e-book

The Source: Free read from Amazon ( sometime during 2011)

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

What are dreams? Some think they are figments of our mind. But what if they were wisps of a distant, magical world... a world you could visit?

Twins Cade and Tasha discover Dream, the land dreams come from. It is a realm of misty forests, of verdant mountains, of mysterious gods who send dreams into our sleep. Cade and Tasha seek solace there; they are refugees, scarred and haunted with memories of war. In Dream, they can forget their past, escape the world, and find joy.

Phobetor, the god of Nightmare, was outcast from Dream. Now he seeks to destroy it. He sends his monsters into Dream, and Cade and Tasha find their sanctuary threatened, dying. To save it, the twins must overcome their past, journey into the heart of Nightmare, and face Phobetor himself.

The Review:

The blurb caught my attention, and when the author offered it as a free read on Amazon, I decided to take the chance. I am leery when it comes to indie books, since you never know what you get. I am glad I took the chance.

To me, this book felt like one of the old sagas, set in the unique world of Dream. Dream are filled with gods, speaking animals, and magical beings like the Pegacats. Dream is lush and sunny.

If Dream is sunny, Nightmare is dark and bleak. Nightmare is home to demons, and other monsters.

The contrast is stark, but it felt right. I liked how the bleakness of Nightmare affected Cade and Tasha.

I loved how all the characters, both gods, Elorians, and animals were prepared to fight for Dream. I liked how Moonmist, which was a protected princess, took charge of a large group of soldiers.

The book was good, but after awhile I started to wonder if Cade and Tasha would ever reach their goal. On the other hand, I don't think the book could have been that much shorter.

Will I buy another book by Daniel Arenson? Yes. The price is decent, I liked it. But, not the coming three months.

So it is 2012

2012-01-01T16:36:00.000+01:00

I am not much for to make New Year Resolutions, but this year I have one. I want to keep my e-book purchases to a minimum. The main reason is that I have 200+ unread e-books. It is a mixture of novels, novellas and short stories. There are some months I know I'll fail. I can say that I'll fail in January. Why? Maya Banks, Faith Hunter, Moira Rogers and Vivian Arend have releases. I'll fail in March too, since Patricia Briggs,CE Murphy, Thea Harrison and Vivian Arend have books that are released then.
August too, since both Ilona Andrews and LA Gilman have new novels out.
Oh, yes. Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook have releases during the year. Not sure when, though.
There are probably a lot of books that I am forgetting, but these are the ones that are on my Auto buy list.

Except for them, I plan to keep the credit card OFF. Will I succeed? Well, I'll try.

Review: Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L Wilson

2011-12-29T16:06:00.000+01:00

The Particulars: Fantasy Romance, Avon, available as e-book and in print

The Source: The Library

The Grade: A-

The Blurb:

Once he had scorched the world.

Once he had driven back overwhelming darkness.
Once he had loved with such passion, his name was legend...
TAIREN SOUL
Now a thousand years later, a new threat calls him from the Fading Lands, back into the world that had cost him so dearly. Now an ancient, familiar evil is regaining its strength, and a new voice beckons him--more compelling, more seductive, more maddening than any before.
As the power of his most bitter enemy grows and ancient alliances crumble, the wildness in his blood will not be denied. The tairen must claim his truemate and embrace the destiny woven for him in the mists of time.

The Review:

When this book was released, it got raving reviews. It sounded good, but I never got around to read it. Until now. This book blew me away. I loved how the author took the standard tropes, and turned them into something new. Soul mates are common in Paranormal Romance, but what I liked was how they affected the characters. It was especially intresting to follow Rain's struggle with the mate bond, since it gnawed at his control.. Ellie struggled with self confidence, and the shock that Rain is interested in her. I liked that path wasn't smooth, that there are culture clashes through the book, and that they grow.

The villains gave me creeps. No, honestly. They are evil, but they aren't over the top.

What I didn't like in this book was the ending. I know that it is the first book in a series, but the ending felt too abrupt.

But I loved the book, and I intend to buy the whole series.

Authors I discovered in 2011:

2011-12-28T17:32:00.001+01:00

Allyson James: I am currently reading The Black Dragon, and so far I like it.

J.N Duncan :

I just finished Deadworld, and I loved it. I fully intend to check out the rest of her books.

Lazette Giffod:

Lazette Gifford have quickly become one of my new auto-buy authors. Well written books, filled with action, set in interesting worlds.

Dana Marie Bell:

I just love her books. I love the setting, the humor, and the romance. Good thing she has a big backlist.

CL Wilson: I just want to know what happens next :).

Thea Harrison: Not the most wellwritten books, but I love her voice, the world, and the characters.

Grace Burrowes: Just love her books. Which is a bit odd, since they border on 100 k long viginettes, but she somehow manage to avoid that trap.

Review: Mating Call by Emily Ryan-Davis

2011-12-27T19:02:00.003+01:00

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Freya's Bower, ebook

The Grade: B-

Source: Purchased at Fictionwise

The Blurb

Cora Phillips has witchcraft in her blood, but she's convinced she inherited the recessive rather than the dominant trait. Her mother and sister are the real heiresses to the Lune tradition; Cora has neither the interest nor the inclination to take up the Dragonkeeper mantle. Years ago, she left the New York City Witch lifestyle to the other women in her family, and said goodbye to all the velvet and lace. However, during a moment of insomnia-induced insanity, she agrees to come back to celebrate Christmas/Winter Solstice with her family.

It comes as a shock to all three women when Cora, through clumsy fumblings to "get in touch with her goddess" at her sister's urging, calls a pair of ancient dragons into her meditation circle.

Cora swears it's a mistake. Her mother swears it's the correct course of events. Eventually, every Dragonkeeper issues the call to mate. Problem is, nobody expected Cora to summon even a single dragon, let alone two.

Before long, the dragons' guardians come knocking, literally, and ruin any hope of politely apologizing and returning the creatures.

The review:

This is another book that I have wanted to read for years, but never got around to. I purchased it at Fictionwise a couple of months ago.

I enjoyed the story. It was interesting to read about Cora and her adamant disbelief in magic, while her mother and sister didn't hide the fact that they are witches. It took a couple of pages before the story hooked me, but once I was hooked I kept on reading. The worldbuilding was intriguing, with witches and Dragons and Shamans. I liked the characters. From Cora's skepticism, to Diane's cheerfulness. I smiled when Diane told Cora to stay away from Salim, but didn't explain why. I liked the way the hints to the characters secrets were scattered through the story.

I felt that the story had a lot of potential, but that due its length, it felt a bit short. Maybe it was because of the length, but I didn't feel that the characters grew emotionally. A bit more worrying was the fact that I didn't feel that there was an romantic subplot until the end of the book. This might be because of the fact it is the first book in a triology, though.

Will I get the rest of the books in the series?

Probably. I think the story would have benefitted from being published in an omnibus with the other stories.

The Most popular posts 2011

2011-12-26T19:41:00.001+01:00

Excluding the Blog Hop Giveaways, I compiled the most popular posts this year.

1. Kat Among Pigeons by Lazette Gifford
2 Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks
3. Spirit Dances by CE Murphy
4. A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

Holiday Bargains

2011-12-25T19:33:00.000+01:00

With e-readers being so cheap in the US, a lot of people got them for Christmas. Which shows in the number of Sales.

Allromance offers 50% rebate today and tomorrow.
Fictionwise has a 55% off code:122311.
Booksonboard has a 26 % discount code. ChristmasOnBoard.
Sourcebooks and Avon have large sales that ends soonish. I wouldn't be surprised if other publishers have sales too.

Amazon offers a number of titles as free reads, among them are JA Konrath, Alison Kent and Marie Force. Hurry! These offers expires today or tomorrow.

A christmas present from Ilona Andrews

2011-12-24T22:54:00.000+01:00

Go here, to download a free Kate and Curran novella, courtesy of Ilona Andrews. It is only available for a couple of weeks, so hurry. ( If you don't like e-books, don't worry. It will be available as a bonus in Gunmetal Magic next year.)

Merry Christmas!

Cleaning out my closet sale, take two

2011-12-20T13:19:00.000+01:00

Well, the Cleaning out my Closet sale through Alibris didn't work at all. I gave up a couple of months ago, after selling zero books. I am not surprised, honestly. My prices were realistic at around 2-5 dollar, but then Alibris added 12 dollar shipping. Yes, I know that the Shipping costs are realistic. I am not surprised that shoppers opted to go with US sellers, though.

Anyway. This time around I am making an attempt at selling them from here. The plan is to create bundles of paperbacks. Either from books of the same series, or different series. Sometimes, I might add mystery bundles.
The prices will range between 15-25 dollars, including Shipping and Handling. ( Considering that a intl. shipping starts at 10 dollar...)

Does this sounds like a good idea?

Review: Understood by Maya Banks

2011-12-19T11:20:00.002+01:00

The particulars: Contemporary Romace, Samhain, available in print( Anthology) and as e-book

The Grade: A

The Source: Purchased at All Romance

The Blurb:

Jake Turner committed the ultimate mistake of falling in love with his best friend's wife. The distance he puts between them costs both him and Ellie Matthews dearly. Jake will never forgive himself for not seeing what a bastard his friend was. Now that Ellie is free from her nightmare, Jake waits, needing and wanting. He'll be there when Ellie is ready to spread her wings.

The review:

This is one of the first Maya Banks stories I read, and it is still one of my favorites. It is a poignant tale about moving forward. Like all Maya Banks stories, it is filled with pain, hope, fear. And love. Jake have waited for a long time for Ellie to take the first step. The book follows their path their HEA. It is rocky. A lot of the conflict came from Ellies struggles with her past, and with believing that she is worth a man like Jake. I loved how Jake was always there, keeping her a float in a way. The other part of the conflict comes from Ellies ex. I must say, I loved how Ms. Banks used him to create additional conflict.

Through the story, Christmas is a background element, that plays a part of the plot but it is very subtle.

This is a short story, and the greedy part of me wish it had been longer. But the story doesn't need to be longer. Another thing I missed was the fact that she didn't name the town. It is just a small town, located somewere in Texas. But it felt odd that the town name wasn't mentioned at all. But that is just a nit pickity.

Review: Dead Iron by Devon Monk

2011-12-09T12:32:00.000+01:00

The particulars: Steampunk, ROC, available in print and as e-book

The Grade: A

The source: The Library

The Blurb: In some ways, Cedar Hunt seems to have been created for America's steam age. This hard-working bounty hunter possesses the guns, the savvy, and the grit to survive in this power-driven world; but he also has a major chip on his shoulder: He's a werewolf and, even worse, he's burning with guilt about the death of his brother. When he receives word that his sibling may yet survive, Cedar pulls out all the stops to get to the truth.

The Review:

This book had been on my TBR list for ages, but I couldn't afford it.So when I discovered that the library had it, I downloaded it. I didn't know until I had started reading it how much I needed to read a book without any romance. The book hooked me from the start. I am not sure what I feel in love with the most, The gritty, Western Steampunk world filled with prejudices and inventions, or the characters with their flawsand determination. I could almost hear the sound of the railroad coming closer, and the hope that the town clung to. And the Strange. I loved how the fear of the Strange were a part of the world.

I loved how Cedar struggled with his wolfside, how Rose dreamed on getting away from the small town of Halleluljah. And the Villain. Honestly, Lefel is one of the creepiest villains I have read in a long time. I think part of it is his ruthlessness, that he has a goal, and will make everything to reach it.

Normally I can find things that I didn't like, even if it are just picky things like grammar and so. But I couldn't find anything in Dead Iron.

Oh, and this book got added to my Christmas Wishlist. I will buy it, and I am seriously considering pre-ordering the sequel.

The major e-bookstores from an international reader’s perspective:

2011-12-08T19:19:00.002+01:00

Amazon: Amazon is the gigant in the e-book business ( with all the good and bad things that comes with it). For some countries they are the best source for e-books. Best prices, and the biggest sortiment. I’ll admit that I download free reads to Kindle for PC, and then transfer them to Calibre ( thanks to third party plugins, I am able to open up the encryption), and the convert them to epub. The thing that stops me from buying books is the fact that Amazon adds 3 dollar to the price, supposedly tax but honestly 2 dollars tax on an 0.99 e-book? Uh. No. I know that VATin most European Countries is 20%, and 20 of 0.99 isn't 2 dollar. Also, Amazon are inconsistent, sometimes they add the fee, some times they don't.

BN: BN, unfortunately, is US only. Which annoys me, but I accept it. Until recently, I used to be able to download free e-books from them, but that stopped. Interestingly, about the same time I read that Barnes and Noble is about to launch Nook internationally. Uh-uh. If so, it is good if the new Nook owners are available to buy from BN.

Kobo: Kobo is Canadian, and I used to shop there a lot. They frequently offers coupons, and discounts. What made me stop using them were several things. They started to add taxes to the prices. ( I understand the reasons behind them, but I don’t have to like it) There were also other things, like the fact that their search function is bad, they don’t have a cart or a wishlist. Minor, but it get annoying after awhile. It does happen that they have a book that I want, for a good price.

Booksonboard: I switched to Booksonboard from Kobo, and I must say that I am happy. Their prices includes tax, the sortiment is good and so are the prices. Oh, and they have a cart and wishlist function too. The only thing that annoys me is the fact that some of the older e-books only are available as pdfs and Ms Reader. Beyond that I am happy with them.

Review; Changes by Mercedes Lackey

2011-12-05T13:42:00.002+01:00

The particulars: Fantasy, Daw, available as e-book and in print

The Grade: C

Source: The Library

The Blurb: In Mercedes Lackey's classic coming-of-age story, the orphan Magpie pursues his quest for his parent's identity with burning urgency-while also discovering another hidden talent and being trained by the King's Own Herald as an undercover agent for Valdemar. Shy Bardic Trainee Lena has to face her famous but uncaring father, one of Valdemar's most renowned Bards. And Healing Trainee Bear must struggle against his disapproving parents, who are pressuring Bear to quit the Healers' Collegium because he lacks the magical Healing Gift.
Each of the three friends must face his or her demons and find their true strength as they seek to become the full Heralds, Bards, and Healers of Valdemar.

The review:

Originally I intended to buy this, but I balked at paying the hardcover price. So when I discovered that the library had it, I decided to borrow it instead. After reading it I am glad I did. This book… it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. One reason it disappointed me could be that I thought it was the final book in the triology, which meant that I expected more action. Judging from the loose plot threads at the end, I suspect that there is at least one more book in the series. A lot of things happens in the book, both to Mags, Amity, Lena and Bear. One subplot was Mags gradual realization about the kind of Herald he will be, and his wrangling with the ethics of the decisions he has to make. It was fascinating, and one of the things that kept me reading. This book is solely focused on Mags. Must admit that I missed the point of views of his friends, since a lot of the subplots involved them. It would have been nice to follow them too, instead of hearing second hand what had happened to them.
The thing that frustrated me the most is the fact that Mags speak an dialect that is full with invented words. Dialects are one thing that really can turn me off a book. I can understand the reason why he does it, but I don't like it.

So will I buy it when it is out in paperback? I am not sure. Maybe. And that’s a big Maybe.

Harlequin Bargains

2011-12-04T13:15:00.000+01:00

Harlequin is running a christmas calendar, and today's bargain is 50% off ebooks. Which includes titles from Luna, so if you have a title you want to read this is a good time to stock up.
They also offer an additional 15 % off during December on ebook exclusives
Carina Press offers 40% of on selected e-books during December

Harlequin also offers a collection of holiday novellas for free at all major bookstores.

This month's book in Smart Bitches Sarah's Book Club is Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt.

On Hiatus until December

2011-11-10T20:55:00.000+01:00

Right now I am to busy to read anything except scientific papers, so I am putting this blog on Hiatus until December.

I do have plans for December, so check back then :).

November Bargains

2011-11-09T17:56:00.000+01:00

Michele Hauf offers her short story the Sin Eater’s promise for free at Smashwords,Amazon and BN.

Ellora’s Cave offers Triad by Lauren Dane for free at Amazon, BN and Are*.

Come Monday by Mari Carr is also free from Ellora’s Cave at Amazon, BN and Are*.

Lynda’s Heat by Lacey Alexander is also free from Ellora’s Cave at Amazon, BN and Are*.

Lyric's Cop by Jory Strong is also free from Ellora's Cave at Amazon, BN, and ARe.*

Carina Press offers 15 novellas for 1.99 each during November ( several of them have been offered as freebies earlier)

Habitation of The Blessed by Cathrynne M Valente is currently free at Amazon ( US only.)

Sourcebooks offers the following books for 0.99 at all major retailers( If you live outside the US, get them from Kobo):

Merely Magic by Patricia Rice

Wicked by any other name by Linda Wisdom

Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare

Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary

* A heads up: ARe have changed their way of counting free reads towards the Buy 10 get one free discount. Instead of having them not count, they now add the book. So, say if you download 3 freebies, you now need to buy 13 books to get discount.

Kickstarter: No Dominion by C.E Murphy

2011-11-07T18:21:00.000+01:00

CE Murphy has an ongoing Kickstarter campain for a Walker Paper novella. You can read the teaser here, and pitch in here. ( My recommendation is to pitch in 10 dollar since you get a lot of story for it)

Recently widowed after nearly fifty years of marriage, Gary Muldoon had given up on adventure. Then shaman Joanne Walker climbed into the back seat of his cab, and since then, Gary has trifled with gods, met mystics, slain zombies and ridden with the Wild Hunt.
But now he must leave Joanne’s side to face a battle only he can win. Because as their long battle against a dark magic-user races toward its climax, it becomes clear that it was not illness that took Annie’s life, but their enemy’s long and deadly touch.
Though lovers be lost, love shall not…
…AND DEATH SHALL HAVE NO DOMINION.

Winners!

2011-11-07T17:02:00.000+01:00

Ack! Blogger screwed up and saved my post as draft instead of posting it. I am so sorry for the delay!
Anyway here are the winners of the Spooktacular Giveaway is Library Lady and Krystal Larson!

Congratulations to both of you, and a huge thank you to everyone that entered the Giveaway!

Review: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart

2011-10-28T18:11:00.000+02:00

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, St Martins, available as e-book and in print

The Source: Picked from the Bookstack

The Grade: C-

The Blurb:

You're invited to spend the weekend with three extraordinary sisters…

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she's still trying to control her shape-shifting power--no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.
Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday--annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart. . . .
The youngest Miss Fortune, Mare, towers above her sisters but her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video!! and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video!! VP and Mare's long lost love turn up. . .and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

The Review:

What I liked:

I bought this one 2009 I think, and devored it. It is a charming book, filled with magic and love. I wanted to love this book, but in the end I cannot. The sisters banters and argues, but they are loyal to each other. I liked Xan, she was ruthless and ambitious. Which was a relief compared to the other characters.

It was fun to watch their reactions when they met the heroes. Xan kept on throwing wrenches in their wheels, but they managed to dodge them.

What I didn’t like:

I had a lot of trouble connecting with the characters. Yes, they were funny and witty, but I didn’t care about them. I think part of the reason was that the authors tried too hard. I love Jennifer Crusie, but I didn’t like this one. It felt clichéd, and bland.

Review: Night Echoes by Holly Lisle

2011-10-27T14:57:00.000+02:00

Night Echoes by Holly Lisle:

The Particulars: Romantic Suspense, Onyx, out of print *

The Source: The Bookshelf

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

Artist Emma Beck returns to her southern hometown to discover the truth about her secret family history. With the help of Mike Ruhl, the contractor she's falling in love with, Emma finds that her legacy is more chilling and unexpected than she ever dreamed. Especially when she starts hearing the whispers late at night.

The Review:

What I liked about it:

I love Holly Lisle’s Suspense novels. I think it is because This one is the best in my opinion. It is a chilling tale about love, and reincarnation. I was hooked from the prologue. Emma’s search to find out who her father was is intertwined with her search for what happened at the house. Bit by bit, the suspense increased and so did the sense of tragedy in the air. Even though both Matt and Emma were attracted to each other, they fought it at a long time before giving in. I loved that they both thought their reactions to the other one were insane.

The setting fitted the story, and I liked the way Ms Lisle used the setting to ramp up the suspense. The end fit the story, and the two subplots were tied up with out any lose threads dangling.

What I didn’t like:

I didn't like the fact that sometimes it felt like misunderstandings were solved too fast, without causing any troubles between the hero and the heroine.

*Holly Lisle is working on re-issuing them as e-books on Amazon and Kindle

Review: The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

2011-10-27T11:56:00.002+02:00

The particulars: Paranormal Romance, Silhouette Nocturne, available as e-book and in print
Source: The Library
The Grade: B
The Blurb:

Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, has slain scores of demons with a razor-lined whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon shadow inside him—who has cursed him with immortality and stole all sensual pleasures—Max needs a witch's familiar, the one creature he's made a career of killing.

But the Highwayman isn't prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon realm sees past his nightmarish shadow as easily as he scales the walls she's erected to protect herself. Max needs Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needs to slay her. But how can he destroy the only creature he's desired in centuries?

The Review:

What I liked:

I loved that the main characters wasn’t one of the standard vampire/witch/ werewolf. I am a bit tired of those. Instead, Aby is a cat Familiar and determined to keep her new won independent. Max is equally determined to make change her mind. Both positions made sense, but it was fun to follow their struggle with the attraction. There were a couple of testosterone laden meetings between Max and Severo that was fun to read.

I liked how Ms Hauf used the belief that cat's have nine lives in the story. The flashback fitted nicely into the plot, and gave a glimpse in what had happened when Max got his demon. Normally I don’t like flashbacks, since when they are done wrong they often drag down the plot. In general, the plot was focused on Max and his search to get rid of the demon. The twists took me by surprise, but they made sense.

What I didn’t like:
This might be picky, but I didn’t like Aby’s name. I wanted to add a b while I read. On the other hand, she shifts into an Abyssinian cat.

Summary:

This was a wellwritten novel, set in an intresting world. It is a bit short, but perfect when you want something to read during a lazy day.

Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne:

2011-10-26T15:08:00.002+02:00

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Del Rey, available in print and as e-book.
Source: The Library
The Grade: C-
The Blurb:
Tempe, Arizona is as far removed from paranormal activity as is possible. And that's where Atticus O'Sullivan, rare book salesman, herb peddler, and 2,000 year old Druid - the last of his kind - has decided to set up shop. He's been on the run, guarding a very powerful sword from a very angry ancient Celtic god for over two millennia now.

But while these years have been good to him - Atticus has become more powerful than he could have possibly imagined - The Morrigan, a very old god of death, has predicted death and doom for our hero, and it's up to Atticus, with help from a pride of werewolves, and a gorgeous bartender with a secret of her own, to stay alive, hopefully for another thousand years.

The Review:

What I liked:

The premise is what hooked my interest, and I am glad that I downloaded it.

This is the first book in the Iron Druid series. It is a funny and fast paced Urban Fantasy, with a solid base in Celtic Mythology. I liked the druidic magic Atticus use, how he has developed it in ways that even the gods haven’t thought of. I must admit that I liked the Celtic gods that appeared regularly. It was fun to watch them trying interact with the modern world. Atticus was wise enough to not mouth off to them.

It is clear from the start who the villain is, but the element of uncertainty comes from the fact that Atticus doesn’t know if the other deities will tell Aengus Og were he is, or not.

What I didn’t like:

I had a couple of issues with the plot. The plot felt, well, a bit pat as if there were no real surprises. Yes, there was some uncertainty, but none of the totally unexpected twists that the best Urban Fantasy novels have. That might be because Atticus is so old, and because he knows how Aengus Og thinks.

Summary:

A fun read, with a lot of promise.

Cover love: Demon bait by Moira Rogers.

2011-10-25T21:17:00.002+02:00

The Blurb

Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity's underground cities, and access to their virtual world. After all, her chances of avoiding the genetic-testing lotto are better than her chances of surviving topside.

The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe's blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset--a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.

Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lockdown to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can't resist Gabe's offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.

If only she could be sure Gabe's telling her the whole truth...

Out in November 2011 from Samhain Publishing.

Black Gold by Vivian Arend

2011-10-25T12:03:00.002+02:00

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available as e-book
The Source: Purchased at Books on Board
The Grade: B+
The Blurb:

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin. When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her caribou research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts. Lone wolf Shaun Stevens’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap. Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.
It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

The Review:
What I liked:
I liked the Granite Wolves shortstories, so when I saw that Vivian Arend was working on a fulllength novel set in the same world, I pre-ordered it. This was a fun read. Gem and Shaun is each other opposites. Gem is a southern belle that has had a sheltered life until now. Shaun is more experienced. I liked that both acknowledged their mate bond, but they knew it would require work. It was fun to read about their struggles to adapt. I loved that Gem refused to change her plans, no matter how hard Shaun tried to convince her. It was fascinating to see Gem shake off the restrictions she was used too, and bloom in the wilderness.

What I didn't like:

This didn't affect the story, but the fact that Gem's college professor and the rest of the students came to her HOUSE to hold the laborations baffles me. Wouldn't it have been cheaper for Gem to attend with a bodyguard in tow? Also, safety reasons. I suspect if something had happened during the laboration, it would have been Gem's father that was responsible not the university.
I also felt that the subplot between Caroline and Evan didn't add anything too the story, but was there solely to add length.

Spooktacular Giveaway: The Granite Lake Wolves series by Vivian Arend

2011-10-24T02:27:00.010+02:00

CONTEST OVER. Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Welcome to my part of the hop. I am in a generous mood, so I am giving two winners the chance to win the Granite Wolves series in print. To Enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail.

Under the Northern Lights contains the following stories:

Wolf Signs
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Talk about getting your signals crossed…
Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Wolf Flight
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

An untriggered werewolf. A runaway Omega. It’s not easy fighting destiny.
Tad Maxwell’s workaholism serves to keep his bush pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. In the two years since he discovered his heritage, he’s resisted the longing to test the power of his wolf side. It would mean compromising his human principles.

Under the Midnight Sun contains the last two stories:

Wolf Games
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

True love’s path never did run smooth.
After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Wolf Tracks
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 4

Score one for the underdog … er … wolf.
TJ Lynus is a legend in Granite Lake, both for his easygoing demeanor—and his clumsiness. His carefree acceptance of his lot vanishes, though, when his position as best man brings him face to face with someone he didn’t expect. His mate. His very human mate. Suddenly, one thing is crystal clear: if he intends to claim her, his usual laid-back attitude isn’t going to cut it.

Note: These are novellas, so the Print version will look different. Still contains the same stories, though.

Charity Sunday: Worldreader.org

2011-10-23T13:35:00.000+02:00

There are several charities that distribute paper books to children in Africa ( Books for Africa is one example), but Worldreader has taken it to the next step. They distribute e-readers and e-books to children in Africa. They don't do it alone, both USAID, Amazon, and several publishers are involved, as well as the Goverment of Ghana.

When I first read about it, I was a bit surprised but it fit. In many African countries they jumped directly to cellphones, so why not e-readers?

You can read more about Worldreader here.

Review: Brighid's Quest by PC Cast

2011-10-19T20:42:00.000+02:00

The Particulars: Fantasy, Harlequin Teen, available as e-book and in print
Source: The Library.
Grade: C

The Blurb:

Fleeing her centaur clan's increasingly militant beliefs, Brighid Dhianna has begun to find peace and acceptance among the humans of Clan MacCallan. Still, she agrees to leave her newly formed friendships to guide her clan chieftain's grieving brother home.
As she journeys, Brighid discovers that the long-dormant Shaman blood that runs so thickly in her veins will no longer be silenced. As seductive new powers begin to beckon, Brighid glimpses a future that is more impossible -- and more magical -- than any she could have dared to imagine.
But when tragedy summons her back to the Centaur Plains, Brighid must make a decision that will affect not only her friendship with the humans, but the centaur herd and indeed the world. For the Great Goddess Epona has set her on a new path that demands everything she has to give.
When the whole world is turning to her for help, healing the heart of a warrior doesn't sound so daunting . . .

The Review:

What I liked:
I read the first book in this series when it was released, but I never picked up the second book in the series. I spotted this on the library, and decided to read it. And I am glad I did. The world fascinated me. I liked that there was prejudices, and that they played a part in the plot. It was a delight to read follow Brighid’s journey, both spiritual and physical. She is reluctant too use her gifts, but it made sense. She uses her gift, though, but it is always to help other people. From helping Cu heal the wounds in his soul, too making the choice to return to the Centaur Plains. I must admit, I loved the New Fomorians, and the hope they radiated. It was fascinating to read how Brighid gradually warmed up towards Liam, a new Fomorian boy that convice her to let him become her apprentice. Despite being male, and not Centaur.

What I didn’t like:

Mostly I enjoyed the book, but there was a few things that irked me. I felt that the time between Cu’s soul healing and the realisiation that he loved Brighid was too short. The other thing was the fact that this book is fantasy for adults reissued as an YA. I can understand it, since it has themes that is suitable for YA but it also have things that clearly makes it adult. The last thing: If they decided to re-issue the first two books, why didn’t they make the third book a part of the deal? ( With that epilogue, there had to be plans for a third book)

Review: Magic lost, Trouble found by Lisa Shearin:

2011-10-18T09:34:00.002+02:00

The Particulars: Fantasy, Ace, available as e-book and in print

The Source: Purchased at Kobo

The Grade: A-

The Blurb:

My name is Raine Benares. I'm a seeker. The people who hire me are usually happy when I find things. But some things are better left unfound. I'm a sorceress of moderate powers, from an extended family of smugglers and thieves. With a mix of street smarts and magic spells, I can usually take care of myself. But when my friend Quentin, a not-quite-reformed thief, steals an amulet from the home of a powerful necromancer, I find myself wrapped up in more trouble than I care for. I like attention as much as the next girl, but having an army of militant goblins hunting me down is not my idea of a good time. The amulet they're after holds limitless power, derived from an ancient, soul-stealing stone. And when I take possession of the item, it takes possession of me. Now my moderate powers are increasing beyond anything I can imagine-but is the résumé enhancement worth my soul?

The Review:

What I liked:

For a long time, I thought that this was a YA series. I am not sure why I got that misconception. I am glad that I decided to buy the first book early 2010. I was hooked after I have forgotten how many times I have re-read it. This book is a delightful mix of Epic Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy. The setting is the city of Mermeia, filled with merchants, sorcerers, elves and goblins. It was fascinating to read about the various districts, and the familiar problems that the various characters had. But what made the book for me was Raine. I loved her snarky opinions about everything from Goblins to the various districts. The plot is fast paced, and at times I felt for Raine. A lot happens in the book, she is chased by a goblin nutcase, the Guardians would love to get their hands on her. And a lot more.

What I didn’t like:

It might be picky, but I wish I had a map. Not of the world, but of the city. Why? They move through a lot of districts in the book, and it would have been nice to follow it on a map. But that is just a minor pickiness. The major pickiness is that it took me awhile to get into the story. But that was probably more because of my mood.

Review :Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

2011-10-17T18:13:00.000+02:00

The Particulars: Science Fiction, Ace, available in print and as e-book.

Source: Library book

The Grade: C+

The Blurb:

By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago…

As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herself: she has no memory of the crash.

Now imprisoned and the subject of a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom—for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on interstellar travel—and establish a new breed of jumper.

Jax is only good at one thing—grimspace—and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime…

The Review:

What I liked:

I had heard a lot of good things about Ann Aguirre, but I had never read any of her books. When I discovered that the library had it, I decided to take a chance. I rarely read Science Fiction, but the book hooked me. It was a mix between a compelling plot, and a rich worldbuilding that made me like it. The plot starts with a bang, and it doesn’t slow down. I liked how Jax had second thoughts several times, and that the others accepted it, and didn’t push her. During the novel Jax grows a lot, and I must admit that I like the woman she is at the end better than the woman she is at the beginning of the novel. I also liked how all the characters had flaws and scars that they struggled with.

Over the whole story was a layer of desperation, which had several sources. From Jax fear that she was close to burning out to the need to escape the bad guys, this enchanced the story for me.

What I didn’t like:

Even though the story had a lot of things that I liked, there were a few things I didn’t like. I didn’t like March, he felt cold too me. The reasons were explained in the books, but I didn’t like him. Also, I didn’t like the romantic subplot between Jax and March. I do understand that Jumpers crave touch, but the whole subplot felt tacked on.

Charity Sunday: Read On

2011-10-16T09:30:00.004+02:00

Join The Challenge

We have started a $10 Million Dollar Fund to support and promote reading. For every 10 Million minutes read with Kobo up to 1 Trillion Minutes, we will support a school, group or organization that focuses on literacy and a passion for reading. Let us know who you think demonstrates a passion and commitment to reading in your community and they might just be the recipient of an eReading program from Kobo including eReaders and eBooks.

WE CHALLENGE YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SCHOOLS, YOUR COMMUNITY TO JOIN OUR EPIC CHALLENGE — TO READ ONE TRILLION MINUTES TOGETHER!

You can sign up here.

Halloween treats from Pocket Books

2011-10-11T12:39:00.002+02:00

Pocket Books offers the following books for 3.99 for the rest of the month. Unfortunately, I think the offers are US only, but I'll keep an eye on Kobo and Books on board to see if the prices drop.

Dark Warrior Unleashed by Alexis Morgan. ( Amazon. BN)

Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan. (Amazon, BN)

Darkness on Fire by Alexis Morgan ( Amazon, BN)

Dark Stranger by Susan Sizemore ( Amazon, BN)

I Burn for you by Susan Sizemore ( Amazon, BN)

Masked by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon. ( Amazon, BN)

Thirty nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue ( Amazon, BN)

A Hunger like no other by Kresley Cole ( Amazon, BN)

Awaken me Darkly by Gena Showalter ( Amazon, BN)

Raziel by Kristina Douglas ( Amazon, BN)

Tempting the Highlander by Janet Chapman ( Amazon, BN)

Moonlight Warrior by Janet Chapman ( Amazon, BN)

Tempt me with Darkness by Shayla Black ( Amazon, BN)

Hush by Cherry Adair ( Amazon, BN)

How to flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper ( Amazon, BN)

Gentlemen prefer Succubi by Jill Myles ( Amazon, BN)

Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow ( Amazon, BN)

Earl of Darkness by Alix Rickloff ( Amazon, BN)

Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love ( Amazon, BN)

Review: Cast in Shadows by Michelle Sagara:

2011-10-10T06:29:00.001+02:00

The particulars: Fantasy, Luna, available as ebook and in print.

The Grade: B-

The Blurb:

Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered -- and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin . . .

Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers -- powers that no other human has. Her task is simple -- find the killer, stop the murders . . . and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!

The review:

What I liked about it:

I picked up this one on Fictionwise, since I had wanted to read it for a long time. I am glad I bought it. It is a fast paced read, that at times feels like it is an Urban Fantasy. It hooked me from the start. From the opening scene, with Kaylin being awakened by the mirror. If the day started bad, it gets worse when she is told that she has to go back to Nightshade, the fief she grew up in To make things worse, she has two partners that she cannot quite trust. ( I loved that Kaylin makes no secret about the fact she would love to kill Severn.) But then Kaylin is courageous, sometimes bordering on reckless. She faces Lord Nightshade several times, alone. ( Lord Nightshade gave me goosebumps.) She faces her own memories again, albeit reluctantly. Kaylin is loyal, and would do anything for a child. And that is what really puts her in trouble.

Through the book, it feel as if everyone knows more about the reasons, and about the probable source about Kaylin’s power. This causes a layer of suspense that give the book another layer.

What I didn’t like about it:

What kicked this down from A to B-, was that Kaylin failed all classes, except Barrani. Despite this, she was allowed to become a hawk. Yes, I know it is fantasy but there should be some classes that are required to pass.

Summary:

A fast paced fantasy, with a tone of Urban Fantasy. Will I pick up the next book? Probably.

Charity Sunday: Kiss Me, Kill me

2011-10-09T10:06:00.002+02:00

Voyage into the realm of the paranormal with this nine author short story anthology. Sink your teeth into:

A Ghoulish Valentine by H.P. Mallory:
Dulcie O'Neil can't help her attraction to Knight Vander, much though she tries to fight her feelings. When she begrudgingly accepts his invitation to dinner and a movie, the last thing she expects is that she'll be defending herself against a cemetery full of hungry ghouls and one incredibly sexy man.

Cat Fight by Zoe Winters:
Cat Fight takes place in Zoe Winters' "PretVerse". Greta is a cat therian (shifter). She's been involved with Dayne, a local sorcerer since she sought his protection from her murderous tribe. After a fight, Greta shifts into cat form and refuses to come back out.

Impulse Control by Susan Bischoff:
In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a group of Talents must work together to stop a dangerous experiment that’s already killed two of their peers and threatens others. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning.

Wild Passion by Lori Brighton:
James is a treasure hunter intent on collecting a deadly, priceless statue. Then he meets Adelaide, a stubbornly beautiful and mysterious woman who knows more about the statue than she admits. Suddenly, James is tempted to give up everything for the one treasure he can’t seem to own … Adelaide.

A Fairytale Ending by M.T. Murphy:
An unlucky actress discovers that there is no good and bad when it comes to vampires and werewolves, only bad and worse.

Blind Sight by Kait Nolan:
Isla’s ability as a Seer has made her a life-long captive of a paranormal crime lord. Fae assassin, Ransom, offers her a chance at escape, but when she touches his hand she sees only blood, horror, apocalypse. What reason can Ransom have for wanting to rescue her, and can she possibly trust a man who deals in death?

The Sacrifice by Toni LoTempio:
After a chance meeting with the mysterious Alfred Barstow, Jennifer is swept off her feet by his whirlwind courtship of her, so much so that she accepts his proposal of marriage. Leaving her boyfriend Peter behind, she heads off to start a new life in California, unaware there’s more to Alfred than meets the eye – and a sinister plot behind his proposal. The Sacrifice is a story about what happens when the man of your dreams turns out to be your worst nightmare…and then some!

Until the Breaking of the Day by Daniel Arenson:
The Underground. A realm of flame, blood, and knives in the dark.When its prince returns from exile, a young demon girl will learn his secrets.

If You Leave by Stacey Wallace Benefiel:
Despite their devotion to one another, Gabrielle and Jorge have been living separate lives. That is, until Gabrielle's life ends. Reunited and it feels so...complicated?

All proceeds from this anthology is donated to GreaterGood.Org

Book recommendation: Declan and Tori by Shiloh Hunter

2011-10-05T09:26:00.002+02:00

Book 1

Tori McAdams was a sensible woman. She didn't believe in hocus-pocus, she didn’t believe in ghosts, and she definitely didn’t believe in vampires…not until the night she was attacked by one. Alone, starving and afraid, she doesn’t know what’s happening but at least she had somebody to turn to…

Declan Reilly was normally the last person she’d go to for help, but now he was the first on her list. He can help; she knows he can. She never could have planned on what happens next, though…the sexy detective is so much more than he appears.

Warning: This book contains violence, sex, more violence, a maniacal murderer, sex, more violence, and a menage or two thrown in for good measure. There are also sighs, happy endings, a romance, a hero, a heroine, and a little bit of falling in love.

**Please note this work has been previously published. While it's been edited, no new material has been added.

Read an excerpt

Book recommendations

Buna Unleeshed auction

Indie bargains

Review: Becoming Miss Becky by Shannon Stacey

An update on my reading challenges

Giveaway winners

Book recommendation: Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison

Oracle's Moon

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop

Review: One More Summer by Liz Flaherty:

Review: What Ho, Automaton! by Chris Dolley

Bargains

Review: If you hear her by Shiloh Walker

Charity Sunday: Worldbuilders 2011

Review: Warrior by Zoe Archer

Review: HeartMate by Robin D Owens

January sponors

Review: Because of You by Jessica Scott:

WWW Wednesdays

Jennifer Ashley/ Ashley Gardner bargains

Review: See no evil by Allison Brennan

What am I reading

Recommended Series: The Ash Triology by Shiloh Walker

The Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff:

Free read: Kamikaze by Moira Rogers

Another Giveaway

Various bargains

The big challenge: Conquering the TBR pile

The Zero Dog War by Keith Melton

Book Chick City's Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge

Dark Faerie Tales Steampunk reading Challenge 2012

Review: Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais

Moira Rogers’s Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown:Team Trucker!

Review: The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson

So it is 2012

Review: Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L Wilson

Authors I discovered in 2011:

Review: Mating Call by Emily Ryan-Davis

The Most popular posts 2011

Holiday Bargains

A christmas present from Ilona Andrews

Cleaning out my closet sale, take two

Review: Understood by Maya Banks

Review: Dead Iron by Devon Monk

The major e-bookstores from an international reader’s perspective:

Review; Changes by Mercedes Lackey

Harlequin Bargains

On Hiatus until December

November Bargains

Kickstarter: No Dominion by C.E Murphy

Winners!

Review: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart

Review: Night Echoes by Holly Lisle

Review: The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne:

Cover love: Demon bait by Moira Rogers.

Black Gold by Vivian Arend

Spooktacular Giveaway: The Granite Lake Wolves series by Vivian Arend

Wolf SignsGranite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Wolf FlightGranite Lake Wolves, Book 2

Wolf GamesGranite Lake Wolves, Book 3

Wolf TracksGranite Lake Wolves, Book 4

Charity Sunday: Worldreader.org

Review: Brighid's Quest by PC Cast

Review: Magic lost, Trouble found by Lisa Shearin:

Review :Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Charity Sunday: Read On

WE CHALLENGE YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SCHOOLS, YOUR COMMUNITY TO JOIN OUR EPIC CHALLENGE — TO READ ONE TRILLION MINUTES TOGETHER!

Halloween treats from Pocket Books

Review: Cast in Shadows by Michelle Sagara:

Charity Sunday: Kiss Me, Kill me

Book recommendation: Declan and Tori by Shiloh Hunter

Wolf Signs
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Wolf Flight
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

Wolf Games
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

Wolf Tracks
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 4