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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Anna Dressed in Bloodby Kendare Blake
Genre: Young Adult | Supernatural Thriller
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares his life.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares his life.
Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story . . .
"This city smells like smoke and things that rot in the summer. It's more haunted than I though it would be, an entire layer of activity just under the dirt: whispers behind peoples' laughter or movement that you shouldn't see in the corner of your eye. Most of the them are harmless -- sad little cold spots or groans in the dark. Blurry patches of white that only show up in a Polaroid. I have no business with them.
But somewhere out there s one that matters. Somewhere out there is one that I came for, one who is strong enough to squeeze the breath out of living throats.
I think of her again. Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. I wonder what tricks she'll try. I wonder if she'll be clever. Will she float? Will she laugh or scream?
How will she try to kill me?"
[ Back-cover ]
Theseus Cassio: "I work in the dark, killing what should have stayed dead. If people knew what I was up to, they'd probably try to stop me. The idiots would take Casper's side, and then I have to kill Casper and them after Casper bit their throats out. I'm no superhero. If anything I'm Rorschach from Watchmen. I'm Grendel. I'm the survivor in Silent Hill." (pg. 22)
Cas hunts ghosts. Its a job that's been passed down in his family and on this new move to Canada, he is hunting one ghost in particular - Anna. This was an interesting read and though I highly enjoyed it during certain times (the spooky parts; especially the first time visiting Anna's house), there were other times that just were so-so for me and somewhat boring. I didn't really connect with some of the characters (example - Cas was quite cocky and not always in a good way) and, thus, it was hard for my to truly loss myself in the story since I wasn't a fan of the protagonist. Yet, the gore and scary factor of the story was fun and I would have loved more of it. So, if you're not afraid to read something dark that is all about what-goes-bump-in-the-night, check this out ---- you may be more of a fan than I.
Likes: This was surprisingly bloody and grim, something I was not at all expecting from a Young Adult story.
Dislikes: There was something about the story that was ultimately unappealing and drab for me, thus I don't think I'll be checking out book # 2 in this new series.
But somewhere out there s one that matters. Somewhere out there is one that I came for, one who is strong enough to squeeze the breath out of living throats.
I think of her again. Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. I wonder what tricks she'll try. I wonder if she'll be clever. Will she float? Will she laugh or scream?
How will she try to kill me?"
[ Back-cover ]
Theseus Cassio: "I work in the dark, killing what should have stayed dead. If people knew what I was up to, they'd probably try to stop me. The idiots would take Casper's side, and then I have to kill Casper and them after Casper bit their throats out. I'm no superhero. If anything I'm Rorschach from Watchmen. I'm Grendel. I'm the survivor in Silent Hill." (pg. 22)
Cas hunts ghosts. Its a job that's been passed down in his family and on this new move to Canada, he is hunting one ghost in particular - Anna. This was an interesting read and though I highly enjoyed it during certain times (the spooky parts; especially the first time visiting Anna's house), there were other times that just were so-so for me and somewhat boring. I didn't really connect with some of the characters (example - Cas was quite cocky and not always in a good way) and, thus, it was hard for my to truly loss myself in the story since I wasn't a fan of the protagonist. Yet, the gore and scary factor of the story was fun and I would have loved more of it. So, if you're not afraid to read something dark that is all about what-goes-bump-in-the-night, check this out ---- you may be more of a fan than I.
Likes: This was surprisingly bloody and grim, something I was not at all expecting from a Young Adult story.
Dislikes: There was something about the story that was ultimately unappealing and drab for me, thus I don't think I'll be checking out book # 2 in this new series.
Rating:
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
Persuade Me by Juliet Archer
Persuade Me(Darcy & Friends, Book #2)
by Juliet Archer
Genre: Contemporary Romance
When do you let your heart rule your head?
When it comes to love, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she gave up ten years ago at the insistence of her disapproving family. What if she’s missed her only chance for real happiness?
Since Anna broke his heart, Rick has moved on – or so he thinks. Out in Australia, he’s worked hard to build a successful career – and a solid wall around his feelings.
The words ‘forgive and forget’ aren’t in Rick's vocabulary. The word ‘regret’ is definitely in Anna’s. So, when they meet again on his book tour of England, it’s an opportunity for closure.
But memories intrude – the pure sensuality of what they once shared, the pain of parting … And she has to deal with another man from her past, while his celebrity status makes him the focus of unwanted attention.
With Anna’s image-obsessed family still ready to interfere and Rick poised to return to Australia, can she persuade him to risk his heart again?
Anna comes off easily as a down-to-earth college professor; she's got the education & great friends but is deeply anguished by past events. When her old flame, Rick Wentworth, now a famous author, comes to do a UK book tour, Anna is ready for all the discomforts & remorseful remembrance that his visit will bring. Yet, the long-ago heartache appears to still be fresh between both her and Rick and while there is much bitterness and distrust to overcome, both are determined to fight in their own way for second chances.
A contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen's last novel, Persuasion. Full of heated romance, painful regrets & intense attractions and though it follows closely to the original tale, the new twist of Wentworth's thought process adds much to the overall story. Persuasion is by far my favorite Austen book and this contemporary tale was a joy to read.
Likes: Rick was a great masculine character and his persistent actions toward Anna were wonderful proof that true love never fades!
Dislikes: You really cringe during many of Anna's families scenes, but then again, that ever-growing hatred toward their egotistical mannerism could be a perk for the book since it created a nice emotional aspect for the reader.
A contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen's last novel, Persuasion. Full of heated romance, painful regrets & intense attractions and though it follows closely to the original tale, the new twist of Wentworth's thought process adds much to the overall story. Persuasion is by far my favorite Austen book and this contemporary tale was a joy to read.
Likes: Rick was a great masculine character and his persistent actions toward Anna were wonderful proof that true love never fades!
Dislikes: You really cringe during many of Anna's families scenes, but then again, that ever-growing hatred toward their egotistical mannerism could be a perk for the book since it created a nice emotional aspect for the reader.
Rating:
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Friday, November 4, 2011
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Falling Underby Gwen Hayes
Genre: Young Adult | Paranormal Romance
In her dreams he's irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she's awake—and captivates her just the same—she's not sure which way is up and which is down.
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she's ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she's seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.
Theia doesn't understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she's ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she's seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.
Theia doesn't understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
Theia is a talented musician that is dedicated to school and her friends but lacking in a father/daughter relationship. One night, she dreams about a mysterious stranger and the next school day meets Haden, the same boy from her dreams/nightmares. As the two become closer and closer through her dark dreams, Theia eventually learns about the more sinister motives behind Haden's visits but is too far in love to let it stop her. Yet, someone even more deadly and devilish is on the hunt for Theia to take her "Under" for good.
** SPOILERS **
This was a "Meh!" read for me. I was intrigued about the grim parallel universe concept and how disturbing the ghoulish characters were in those eerie dreams/nightmares, but essentially the story's plot was drab, tiresome, and doleful overall. It took me over a week to finish, something that proves my distaste of Falling Under; especially near the end when I was skipping ahead full pages at a time to just finish and move on to a more entertaining book.
One would think Hayden, the main male lead, could add a lot of enchantment and masculine charm to keep the story alive, but he really didn't add enough interest for me to fully grasp that he was capable of a "loving" relationship to begin with. Theia's two best friends, Donny & Amelia, really kept the story going since Theia, herself, easily came off as lifeless, dull, and very tedious. Both of the friends really shared the book, in my opinion, with their own little love adventures going on throughout and I would have much rather followed Donny & Gabe's romantic tension than some of Theia's battles. All in all, this book bored me, was very dragged out and lacked that delightful spark that would peak my curiosity into reading more, but if you had another opinion than mine and wish to read more -- Dreaming Awake seems to be a similar story, if not continuation, of Falling Under and will be released early January 2012.
Likes: The mythological comparisons were easy to make within this book (Hayden=Hades & Theia=Persephone and yet, Theia's name seems a play off of "Lethe" since, in Greek mythology, Lethe was one of the five rivers of Hades), but what I liked best, since I'm a big fan of creepy characters, were the dancing faceless ghouls and stitched up hand-maids and all those other deliciously spooky creatures that made up "Under". . . fascinating!
Dislikes: I'm not sure if Varnie, the psychic, was to be there for comical relief, but he was just too daffy for me to enjoy.
** SPOILERS **
This was a "Meh!" read for me. I was intrigued about the grim parallel universe concept and how disturbing the ghoulish characters were in those eerie dreams/nightmares, but essentially the story's plot was drab, tiresome, and doleful overall. It took me over a week to finish, something that proves my distaste of Falling Under; especially near the end when I was skipping ahead full pages at a time to just finish and move on to a more entertaining book.
One would think Hayden, the main male lead, could add a lot of enchantment and masculine charm to keep the story alive, but he really didn't add enough interest for me to fully grasp that he was capable of a "loving" relationship to begin with. Theia's two best friends, Donny & Amelia, really kept the story going since Theia, herself, easily came off as lifeless, dull, and very tedious. Both of the friends really shared the book, in my opinion, with their own little love adventures going on throughout and I would have much rather followed Donny & Gabe's romantic tension than some of Theia's battles. All in all, this book bored me, was very dragged out and lacked that delightful spark that would peak my curiosity into reading more, but if you had another opinion than mine and wish to read more -- Dreaming Awake seems to be a similar story, if not continuation, of Falling Under and will be released early January 2012.
Likes: The mythological comparisons were easy to make within this book (Hayden=Hades & Theia=Persephone and yet, Theia's name seems a play off of "Lethe" since, in Greek mythology, Lethe was one of the five rivers of Hades), but what I liked best, since I'm a big fan of creepy characters, were the dancing faceless ghouls and stitched up hand-maids and all those other deliciously spooky creatures that made up "Under". . . fascinating!
Dislikes: I'm not sure if Varnie, the psychic, was to be there for comical relief, but he was just too daffy for me to enjoy.
Rating:
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Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Eternal Kiss by Laura Wright
Eternal Kiss(Mark of the Vampires Series, Book #2)
by Laura Wright
Genre: Paranormal Romance
His father unknown, his mother dead, Nicholas Roman was raised by the vampire Breed with one wish: to live as a normal vampire. But once he's transformed against his will into a gifted immortal, Nicholas now has one goal: to stop the Eternal Order of vampires from controlling his life and from transforming more males from his bloodline for their vicious reign. Then comes a beautiful stranger with a startling secret . . .
Vampire Kate Everborne claims she's sheltering Nicholas's long-lost son. If this is true, then who is the mother? And how endangered are they if, indeed, Nicholas does possess the bloodline so coveted by the Order? These are questions that with every seductive whisper, every silken touch, draw Nicholas and Kate intimately closer and nearer still to the truth. But aroused too are Nicholas's fears that this tantalizing woman has even more secrets -- both dangerous and provocative -- she has yet to share.
Vampire Kate Everborne claims she's sheltering Nicholas's long-lost son. If this is true, then who is the mother? And how endangered are they if, indeed, Nicholas does possess the bloodline so coveted by the Order? These are questions that with every seductive whisper, every silken touch, draw Nicholas and Kate intimately closer and nearer still to the truth. But aroused too are Nicholas's fears that this tantalizing woman has even more secrets -- both dangerous and provocative -- she has yet to share.
Raised by the Breed, Nicholas Roman wants to stop the Eternal Order of Vampires from controlling his life, and using other males from his bloodline -including possibly his son- for their vicious reign. Only a beautiful vampire stranger can help him, but what are her true motives?
Likes: Kate's joyful experiences of pop-corn and movies were cute since they were so new & exciting for her.
Dislikes: Just like the BDB series, there were parts I just skipped over because they bored me -- thus I skipped lots of Ethan Dare's story.
If you enjoyed the early years of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, then you'll easily get sucked into this story. It's almost shocking how similar the tales are, but regardless, this book was entertaining and intense. I enjoyed the heat between Kate & Nicholas the most, but also liked their competitive & silly banter throughout the book as well. Ladd was a delightful addition to the overall characters and really added a lot of sentimental value to many of Nicholas's actions. If you're looking for a hot story with lots of dark adventures, Eternal Kiss won't let you down. Now I'm on to reading Book #1 and Book #3, coming out early next year.
Likes: Kate's joyful experiences of pop-corn and movies were cute since they were so new & exciting for her.
Dislikes: Just like the BDB series, there were parts I just skipped over because they bored me -- thus I skipped lots of Ethan Dare's story.
Rating:
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Monday, October 24, 2011
I'll Be Slaying You by Cynthia Eden
I'll Be Slaying You(Night Watch Book #2)
by Cynthia Eden
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sandra “Dee” Daniels is a vampire’s worst nightmare. Sure, she couldn’t get up to five-six in the highest heels money can buy—not that she ever wears heels. But the monsters in her past and the stake in her boot are enough to keep most bloodsuckers interested in staying undead out of Baton Rouge.
But there are changes afoot on her turf. Rumors of a Born Master in town—a vampire so powerful he can make the streets run with blood. And a new face in Dee’s dive bars and alleyways—Simon Chase, a strong, sexy shadow with a haunted past of his own. Simon knows a lot about the dark side of Dee’s work. He knows even more about how to make her body spark with desire. But the hot lust shimmering between them is only the beginning. Because Simon also knows a secret that will change Dee’s life—if she can live long enough to uncover it.
Dee Daniels has a kick-ass job, she works on supernatural missions for Night Watch to track & take out vampires. Because of a dark past that haunts her daily, Dee becomes determined to destroy all evil vamps from her city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Yet, one night she runs into a dark stranger, Simon, who ends up being her back-up more than once. Things (ie. romance & danger) quickly get a little heated, in more ways than one, between them. When the darkness that Night Watch fights gets frighteningly personal, Dee must know face some harsh truths and a new mission that is a gruesome surprise to all.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book: the concept was intriguing, the characters sparked with chemistry, and the location was easy to enjoy as a fellow Louisiana resident! On the other hand, I really did not enjoy the ending since the story line dragged after half-way through the tale, the characters got a little flat, and the overall narrative became easily predicable. My main problem was that most of the character development was weak throughout and that always leaves me wishing for more in a book. I understand Dee, as the main female protagonist, went through a big transition, but all her side-characters were just so-so for me and none really stood out as memorable figures. Lastly, as much as I enjoy romance, the sex scenes in here became a little overkill for me by the end.
Likes: The intense appeal between Dee and Simon was very tempting and kept me eagerly reading . . . at first!Dislikes: I got a little bored near the end and that's never a good thing while reading!
Rating:
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