Review ~ The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Sorry guys I was sick over the weekend and I am finally back to work which mean access to a computer YAY. So here is that long awaited review!!!

TITLE: The Heir

AUTHOR: Grace Burrowes

COPYRIGHT: 12/7/2010

TYPE: Historical Romance

PAGES: 384

SERIES: yes

From Grace herself: Devlin's story, "The Soldier," will come out in June 2011, Val's story, "The Virtuoso," will come out in October 2011, and we start with their five sisters with, "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish."

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook sent me an ARC to review

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In The Heir, the first in the series, the Earl of Wyndham, weighed down by responsibilities and determined to avoid the rounds of country houses of and matchmaking mamas, decides to summer in London. There he discovers a potentially perfect duchess in his lovely, mysterious housekeeper...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed reading this book it took me back to the days when I first discovered romance and why I fell in love with this genre. The characters are done in such a way you can't help but fall in love with them. This includes the siblings. Usually when siblings are involved I know there is going to be a series and with this book I can't help but be glad for that (this is usually far from the case.) I have to admit I am very curious about the sisters to learn more about them.
THINGS I LIKED:
well to simplify here's a list of 10 reason I love this book

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I have to admit if there was a flaw in this book at all it was the current Duke. He is constantly meddling in his son's life making Gayle miserable. I absolutely hated that he convinced Gayle's mistress to get with child by another man, thinking that this would convince him to marry her, and claim the other man's baby as his own thinking that he had done this and take responsibility. Thank God Val warned him and let me be honest it really bugged me that a father would do this even though I understood that he wanted Gayle to get marry and have heirs you can't trick or lie to your son to make it happen and expect you won't fight about it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This is a keeper for me

Would you recommend this book? Um yeah in fact I think I have recommended it a bit much LOL!

Challenges:
100+ book challenge
Historical Romance
Romance Reading Challenge

Reviewing Next:
Eventually I need to review my HP books and I am thinking I might do that when I review the movie.

Quick review ~ Tempt Me with Darkness by Shayla Black

Title: Tempt Me with Darknessw

Author: Shayla Black

Type: Paranormal Romance?/Urban Fantasy Romance... or a mix up to you

Published: 8/26/2008 (Shit maybe the others are out I might have to find out...)

Pages: 359

Format: Ebook

Ever read her before: Nope this was my first one

Reason for reading: Pocket After Dark had it as a free read 

Thoughts:

While not the best book I've read all year it isn't the worst and my interest is peaked if there should happen to be another. The problem I had was the accent that the Hero had. OMG I wanted to strangle him half the time the other half when spoke without the accent I loved him. Example: 'Twould be more accurate to ask why I could achieve it with you methinks. The answer is, I know not. pg 113 SERIOUSLY? but then your normal later on.

The only other issue is Oliva's acceptance of magic was pretty smooth and easy. NOT SO MUCH if it happened to me. While I would love to be magically there is no way in hell I would be cool with it that fast. Nor would I believe I was just b/c the guy who I believe raped me even though he didn't said I was...

PS to clear it up there was NO RAPE scene that was witnessed or experienced that we had to read through. There is a rape but in a it happened by the bad guy we just learn about it afterward...er... well actually we know its going to happen but anyway different story and kind of important to the story so I won't go there.

Either way I enjoyed it enough to pick up the next in the series especially if the next deals with Bram

And there you go a quickie review from me on an ebook.

Edited note: Apparently this is a series and there are 4 total with the 5th coming out...
Fated #1.5 ~ Ronin and Kari's story (no idea who they are)
Seduce Me in the Shadow #2 ~ Caden and Sydney's story
Possess Me at Midnight #3 ~ Ice and Sabelle's story (OMG I might have to get this one I love Sabelle!)
Entice Me at Twilight #4 ~ Duke and Felicia's story (no clue who Felicia is but I heart Duke)
Embrace Me at Daw #5 ~ Lucan and Anka's Story (since they are already mated in the first book I think this is a prequel...)

No idea when Bram gets his story to which I am very upset *pouts* but I guess I should pay more attention to future releases!

Review ~ Beneath the Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy

TITLE: Beneath the Thirteen Moons

AUTHOR: Kathryne Kennedy
COPYRIGHT: re-release 12/7/2010 original: 12/5/2003
TYPE: Fantasy/Romance
PAGES: 384
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook sent me an ARC to review

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Kathryne Kennedy's award-winning first book, now available for the first time to the trade market, features a magical, watery world in which mammoth trees grow up from the ocean floor, supporting all life within their canopy. In spite of the beauty and abundance, the world is harshly divided into two classes: pampered royalty and struggling have-nots. In search of a Healer for her swampland village, smuggler Mahri Zin inadvertently kidnaps the heir to the throne, Korl Com'nder. As the two become lovers, they discover that not only are their fates intertwined, but the very survival of their peoples depends on them...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I was mixed on this book while I loved the world building, the rules, the magic, the creation of plant life and creatures. I didn't enjoy the H/H I thought they were immature, rude, and complained a lot. I was okay with buying into the whole mating thing but after awhile I even grew frustrated with that.
THINGS I LIKED:
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the world building it was awesome and inspiring. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics. It was just awesome to read just the ecosystem alone she created would keep anyone interested. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics.Then add to magical/power the people have through root they chew and you have a fantastic world that you either want to live in or visit.
- Jaja the pet who chose to live with Mahri is wonderful makes me want to have an animal that is more intelligent then me but still loves to be with me.
-I did enjoy the fact that even though Mahri had to be independent that she was willing to give all of that up in order to save her niece I think that spoke very highly of Mahri.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I hated the whole "I hate you so I am going to constantly tell you that you won't like me b/c I'm just a river rat and I will resent you for thinking that but everytime you look at me I want to rip my clothes off and make mad passionate love to you" The sad part is I actually understood the rip your clothes off but I hated how long Mahri kept going on and on about hating the Prince b/c he was a Prince she didn't even try to get to know him.
- I also didn't get the whole immature act I felt that Mahri gave us. For being a powerful magical person who has lost a loved one and son she just seemed to carry herself in the oh I am happy to be free but guilty for feeling that way but hate Korl but I love him and why is everyone making me do something I don't want to do...

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Because I loved the world building I will be keeping this book.

Would you recommend this book? This book is classified as a paranormal romance but I see it more as a fantasy romance. Either way I would recommend it if you are looking for a wonderful world with some romance.

Challenges:
100+ book challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

Reviewing Next:
Harry Potter 5

Review ~ Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

TITLE: Devil’s Desire

AUTHOR: Laurie McBain
COPYRIGHT: re-release 11/2010 original: 9/1975
TYPE: Historical Romance
PAGES: 325 pages
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook sent me an ARC to review

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In a rousing, unforgettable saga that sweeps across the valleys and peaks of human destiny, the stormy alliance of beautiful young Lady Elysia Demarice and Lord Alex Trevegne plumbs the depths of raw human emotion -- lust, jealousy and hate -- for though Lord Alex has married Elysia, he cannot possess her in flesh or spirit. Out of the turbulence of their clashing wills comes one of the greatest love stories ever written, as their twin passions mingle at last, in a rippling tide of liquid fire!

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This book was hard to really get into at first. I found that I was constantly reminding myself that this was originally written in 1975 and that comes across perfectly clear. There are a lot of things that were great but others weren’t so great. The fact that Alex takes Elysia by force the first time and she’s okay with it because her passions gave her away. The different little twist that you could see coming at the end was there. But all in all this is the book that started a lot of people’s love for romance out.

THINGS I LIKED:
- Elysia did stand up for herself to Alex she rarely backed down and when she did it was due to picking her battles. This led was a well rounded character and I liked that she wasn’t what was considered a traditional beauty.
- I liked that when Alex made a mistake at least he would admit it. Was it done in a matter I would’ve liked NO but at least he did admit and apology for when he was wrong.
- The brother of Alex was very interesting. It made me wonder what Alex would’ve been like if he wasn’t the eldest. Would he and Elysia have had it easier?

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I mentioned a few above the forced romance that she gave into b/c she couldn’t help herself.
- I didn’t like the twist towards the end you could so see it coming and at times I found myself rolling my eyes at the writing.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This isn’t my favorite so I will pass

Would you recommend this book? If you want to read what started the romance genre out then yes read it.

Challenges:
100+ book challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Historical Challenge

Reviewing Next:
Harry Potter 5
Or Moonshine by Rob Thurman

Review ~ Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine

TITLE: Lady of Hay
AUTHOR: Barbara Erskine
COPYRIGHT: Republished in October 2010
TYPE: Historical Fiction
PAGES: 576
SERIES: No

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook asked if I would be interested in reviewing this ARC and I said yes. It sounded fantastic.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
So well researched and so well written that it is almost impossible to put down. The novel has everything that readers of racy fiction could ask for: beautiful characters, exotic settings, passion...and situations and characters that are so completely convincing that they come to life.

With a mesmerizing, wrenching story set both in the present day and the 12th century, Lady of Hay explores how Joanna, a journalist investigating hypnotic regression, plunges into the life of Matilda, Lady of Hay—who lived 800 years earlier. As she learns of Matilda’s unhappy marriage, her love for Richard de Clare, and the brutal treatment she receives from King John, it seems that Jo’s past and present are hopelessly entwined and that, centuries later, a story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to begin again—and she has no choice but to brave both lives if she wants to shake the iron grip of history.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Joanna AKA Jo is a journalist who wants to right a story about hypnosis and regression through time. However, Jo soon discovers

THINGS I LIKED:
- I enjoyed learning about Matilda and her life. Learning how she lived in the past and what life was like for a lady back then. I didn’t enjoy the violence but I took it into account that this was the norm back then. Matilda was a wonderfully drawn out character and I found I enjoyed reading about her parts in the book the most.
- Jo was an interesting woman who seem to go back and forth. One moment she was a hard journalist the next she was a woman and strangely enough I really appreciated that from. I also liked that she did freak out about things that would freak anyone out.

THINGS I DIDN'T CARE FOR:
- There are some violent scenes in this book. Oh and heads up a possible rape scene and an actual rape scene do occur in this book. I don’t handle the rape scenes well and hate reading about them. I did keep in mind that this was the time period but I hated it when Sam was being manipulative towards Jo and I don’t care what you say that was attempted rape.
- I hated the constant back and forth with Nick. COME ON seriously either leave him or stay with him.

Would you recommend this book? I would recommend this book if you want an in-depth historical fiction novel with a hint of forbidden love. However, be warned the time period being wrote about women are objects and Matilda is treated as such.

Review ~ Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson

TITLE: Emma and the Vampires
AUTHOR: Wayne Josephson
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: classic match up with vampires ?
PAGES: 304
SERIES: Not that I’m aware of.

REASON FOR READ:
Rec’d this from Source book as ARC

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she's the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart-his (literal) undying love for her... A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit during most if not all of this book I was highly confused. I couldn’t tell if Emma knew Mr. Knightley was a vampire or not. Or for that matter did she know that all the men in the country were? I mean she knew that there were rogues running wild but she acted as if she didn’t know the “gentlemen” were. But they were always making comments that should’ve clued her in.
Also keep in mind I’ve never read the Original all the way through.

THINGS I LIKED:
- I did like the writing. It was light and fun nothing too hard or serious. Plus for some reason this was really easy to understand while the Original wasn’t.
- I did enjoy Emma. She is a strong character that knows her mind and knows what she wants. I enjoyed that she wasn't running around trying to get married in fact she was trying to avoid it.
- Overall it was a cute story of love and finding your love.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:- While I enjoyed the Emma's strong character I really didn't like how flaky she comes across and having no back ground in the original I am not sure if she is like that or not. It just didn't fit with her.


Are you keeping it or passing it on? While enjoyable not a favorite of mine so I will pass on this one.

Would you recommend this book? Actually I would if you enjoy the Original I think you might enjoy seeing a lighter side. It did have some moments I caught myself smiling over. Also the vampire twist is fun as well.

Challenges:
100+ book Challenge

Review ~ Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

TITLE: Hunting Ground
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: paranormal romance
PAGES: 286
SERIES:
1. Short Story
2. Cry Wolf
3. Hunting Ground


REASON FOR READ:Read book 1 and loved it saw this in TBR and thought I had to read next.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son -and enforcer -of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer -or Charles will take the fall.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I still heart Charles and Anna. I love their story and I love reading about their growing relationship. This had yet another plot that I could’ve lived without but b/c of it made them stronger as a couple and helped Anna come into her own.

THINGS I LIKED:- That they are both working hard to get the other to understand, feel comfortable, and love them. They both have issues and they are trying to work them out.
- Anna keeps getting stronger and stronger. She’s not so strong after her horrible ordeal that she can go out and take over the world. But she is working through her fears and refuses to let them rule her any longer.
- Charles loves her and is working as hard as he can to prove to her his love without hurting her. I also like that Charles is worried that he won’t be the person she needs.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I didn’t like the whole bring in other species part but it had a fun little plot twist connected with it.
- I didn’t like the Vampires they seemed pointless and unnecessary


Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping b/c I heart Anna and Charles

Would you recommend this book? Yes but only if you’ve read them all in order. Not a series you can skip around on.

Favorite Quotes:
I can’t recall the particular quote but I love when she is commenting on what color of shirt he “magically” wears never red.

Challenges:100+ Book Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

Reviewing Next:
One I forgot about:
White Cat by Holly Black

Review ~ Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

TITLE: Cry Wolf
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: paranormal romance
PAGES: 294
SERIES:
First full novel but a short story before
1. Short story
2. Cry Wolf
3. Hunting Ground

REASON FOR READ:
Loved the short story with these two so of course I had to read the next one in the series.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This book takes off right where the short story left and I couldn’t be happier for it. I am glad that we had to see Anna cope with being sent to Montana and it was nice seeing Charles cope with Anna while injured. It made things very interesting.

THINGS I LIKED:
- I loved watching Anna come into her own. She was victimized beyond belief and yet still didn’t bring and has grown in character. Watching her fight for her mate and her life was refreshing. Yet being able to see her weakness and how people make her still coward was also refreshing. She was healed instantly it will still take time for her.
- Anna is a wonderful person and I loved watching her realize how much of a wonderful person she was. I also enjoyed her slow realization of Charles and his love for her.
- Charles is yet another character that I enjoyed watching grow. Anna throws off his whole world and yet he still does everything he can to protect her even injured.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I think I just didn’t like the witch. Not sure why I mean I understand why she was key in the plot but I just didn’t like her part.
- The fact that Anna still can’t understand that what is Charles is hers and vise versa.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

Would you recommend this book? I think this series is wonderfully sweet and yet brutal

Favorite Quotes:
Things that might have made him question his earlier assessment that as long as he didn’t die he’d be fine. ~ page 258

Challenges:Romance Reading
TBR
100+ Books

Reviewing Next:Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs.

Review ~ Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

TITLE: Grimspace
AUTHOR: Ann Aguirre
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Science Fiction/Fantasy
PAGES: 312
SERIES: Yes first in the series

REASON FOR READ:.
All my friends kept raving about this series and well book 4 comes out in a few weeks so I thought I would give it a go

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
As the carrier of a rare gene, Sirantha Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. Then a crash landing kills everyone on board, leaving Jax in a jail cell with no memory of the crash. But her fun's not over. A group of rogue fighters frees her…for a price: her help in overthrowing the established order



THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to say I am truly disappointed in myself for not picking up this book sooner. This blew my expectations out of the water. I enjoyed Jax I liked how flawed she was, how selfish she was, and how much of a coward she was. But and here's the major kicker that sold me... she GREW as a person and a character. She FREAKING grew and matured in one book PRAISE GOD someone got it right when it comes to flawed characters.

THINGS I LIKED:
- Jax she was flawed and still is but you could see her actually growing throughout the story which was refreshing.
- I liked that March and his crew didn't like Jax they did what they did b/c they had to save people. Not because they liked her and it took her a while to really fit in a lot of her fitting in had to do with her actually maturing.
- I liked learning about the crew and not all at once. The crew was the most enjoyable part
- The worlds Ann created were amazing each one different, each one had different spieces that didn't all talk the same language, they all looked different and had different cultures.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- There honestly isn't much and that says a lot b/c let's be honest I can find something wrong with most things.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

Would you recommend this book? Yes I highly recommend this book and I hope that I can recommend the next couple.

Favorite Quotes:I can see why that’d be a particular concern for him, seeing as he can’t fight at al. Not even monster. He’s reliant on me now for his protection. And if that’s not the shitest twist of fate ever, I don’t know what is. ~ page 66

Nodding I fall in behind March not b/c I acknowledge his authority in any fashion but b/c if by some chance we were wrong and there’s something big and ugly left in these wetlands I really prefer it eats him first. Give me a chance to run.
“Nice,” he says, spearing a glance over his shoulder. “Really nice.”
Oh sure, that he hears. ~ page 112

Challenges:
TBR
Romance Reading
100+ Book

Reviewing Next:
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Review ~ Sins of the Night by Serrilyn Kenyon

TITLE: Sins of the Night
AUTHOR: Sherrilyn Kenyon
COPYRIGHT: 2005
TYPE: paranormal romance
PAGES: 384
SERIES: yes and no I am not writing this out.

REASON FOR READ:
I’ve read them up to this point I figured I should continue

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In the realm of the Dark-Hunters there is a code of honor that even immortal bad boys must follow: Harm no human. Drink no blood. Never fall in love. But every now and again a Dark-Hunter thinks himself above the Code. That's when I'm summoned. Who am I?



THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I thought I would like this one more than I did but for some reason I just couldn’t get into it.

THINGS I LIKED:
- I liked learning more about Ash and his home and getting to see Simi again.
- Learning that Simi has a sister was pretty cool and I loved how she bonded with Alex so that she could be near her Simi (love the way they talk LOL)

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I can’t place my finger on it but something about this book just wasn’t doing it for me. I didn’t like Alex I didn’t care for Danger and well that in itself was the probably.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I seriously would pass on it but I have the WHOLE series.

Would you recommend this book? No the only good thing was learning about Ash

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
TBR challenge

Reviewing Next:
The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks by Josh Lanyon

Review ~ The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

TITLE: The Body Finder
AUTHOR: Kimberly Derting
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: YA
PAGES: 327
SERIES: Yes first in the series

REASON FOR READ: The story sounded interesting.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself



THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed this book. Usually I can’t stand YA books but this one was not only rich in story the “love” story was awesome. I love the BFF love story line and this one had a totally sweet and honest love story. The mystery was different and I have to say her “Gift” was weird but I still liked the way she handled it and dealt with life.

THINGS I LIKED:
- Violet she was surprisingly a good strong YA character. She is one character that I could relate to if I were younger and one that used good sense. When she didn’t use good sense she admitted it and learned from her mistakes. Considering what she has to deal with (sensing dead people/animals and what not) she is very well rounded.
- Jay he was SUPER sweet as a love interest and even though he had “blossomed” over the summer he still really liked Violet and didn’t change into an ego chasing manic. Not only that be he really, really loved/liked Violet and was sweet about it plus he knew her secret and looked out for added bonus
- I liked the special “gift” she had it was unique and wore her out it was as if she could find a body and poof she was fine but she actually had to do something about them in order to stop the noise.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I didn’t like the twist at the end but I will let you figure it out. I thought one was enough
- I have to admit I skipped the killers thoughts just b/c I didn’t feel they were needed. That being said I don’t normally read these types of books so that may be typical and just a personal preference.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? It was a library book so I am passing. If the second is as good I might pick up the whole series

Would you recommend this book? Yes I highly recommend this YA book

Challenges:100+ Book Challenge
Romance Reading challenge

Reviewing Next:
Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Review ~ Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

TITLE: Size the Night
AUTHOR: Sherrilyn Kenyon
COPYRIGHT: 2004
TYPE: paranormal romance
PAGES: 325
SERIES: Uh yes and please don’t make me write them out

REASON FOR READ: Read up to this book last year and a co-worker convinced me I needed to catch up

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Hail Glorious Reader:

I was born the noble son of a legendary Roman senator. I walked through the ancient world as a general, admired and supreme until a brutal betrayal caused me to bargain my soul. Now I'm an immortal Dark-Hunter, bound to protect mankind from the evil scourge that haunts it. Over the centuries, I've seen many frightening things: plagues, pestilence, disco music...

And now Tabitha Devereaux. A human, she has trained herself to fight vampires every bit as capably as any Dark-Hunter. Idiosyncratic and off-beat, she is my personal bane-and yet she beguiles me. There are only two small problems. She happens to be the twin of my mortal enemy's wife. More than that, Tabitha and her sister are being stalked by a power that will not rest until everyone she holds dear is dead.

Unlike my Dark-Hunter brethren, I rely on no one but myself. They spurned me and I turned my back on them. But the only way to save Tabitha and her family is to find some way to bridge a two thousand-year-old feud.

They say opposites attract, but can they stay together when even the Fates conspire to keep them apart? Then again, the Fates have never dealt with the likes of Tabitha Devereaux before. They're going to be in for quite a fight...

--Valerius Magnus
THOUGHTS/OPINION:.
Everyone warned me that after the last book they only get worse. That being said however, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I really enjoyed it and I recommend it. There were of course parts that annoyed me but I liked Valerius and realized a lot more about him then you do in Dance with the Devil. This one happened to be my favorite book so far of the series.

THINGS I LIKED:
- I like that Amanda was very strong and loved life. The fact that she liked who she was and didn’t doubt it was refreshing. She is definitely the take me or leave me kind of girl who really means it.
- I love that Amanda could hold her own but knew when she should ask for help and when she was in over her head.
- I loved watching Valerius fall in love with Amanda and realized that she wasn’t going to leave him no matter how horrible his past.
- I liked that even though they didn’t respect him Valerius still took his job serious and fought as good as he could. I also appreciate that while he was being picked on by the others and hated he didn’t whine about it.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- Man hatred last forever in these novels. I mean it took Ash to show Zarek the truth for him to understand and even then he still gave the cold shoulder.
-The men in these books can hold a grudge FOREVER.
- The ending was nicely wrapped up and at first I didn’t like how easy it was but I have grown to appreciate it since.
- The bad guy not so bad and I ended up skipping over half of his story line.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping b/c I have the whole series

Would you recommend this book? Yeah it was a good story

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
TBR Challenge
Name Challenge

Reviewing Next: Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Review ~ The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn

TITLE: The Lost Duke of Wyndham
AUTHOR: Julia Quinn
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Historical Romance
PAGES; 371
SERIES: Yeah first in a 2 book series

REASON FOR READING: Was in the TBR pile and I needed a historical for a challenge

SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
Jack Audley has been a highwayman.
A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine . . . until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have . . .

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit this book was less fluff then I actually thought it would be. For some reason these two characters were very interesting to read and I enjoyed watching their romance come to fruitation. I didn't like the grandmother but that was something that no one was suppose to like. Plus Ms. Quinn did an excellent job at setting up the 2nd book so that you want to know what happens to the other man and woman that were introduced LOL.

Things I enjoyed:
Again I really liked Jack I thought he was a well rounded character that had both a serious side and fun side. I also really liked that once he made up his mind about Grace (which by the way didn't take very long unlike some heroes) he didn't change it and he didn't let her talk him out of it. Once he knew she was the one nothing she said would change his mind.

I also liked Grace which was different for me. She knew her place and while she dreamed of love she didn't wish to step above she wasn't out to make better for herself.

Things I didn't care for:
To be honest and I know a lot of people here are not going to like this but I didn't like the "extra" secret Jack had and hid until the very end. I didn't understand how that really mattered to much in the story and it really felt like a filler. I did like he had a fault but this just seemed pointless.
Also I'm not a fan of the Epilogue (sp?) I don't care for them never had and really it kind of irks me to have that in the first book of a series b/c even though you know where the second book will end up and no it didn't give anything away I still felt like it was again pointless.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I am actually going to pass on it. While I thought it was a quick fun read it isn't going to be one I would re-read.

Review ~ Shalador's Lady by Anne Bishop

TITLE: Shalador's Lady
AUTHOR: Anne Bishop
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: Fantasy
PAGES; 448
SERIES: oh yeah
1. Daughter of the Blood
2. Heir to the Shadow
3. Queen of Darkness
4. The Invisible Ring

5. Tangled Web
6. Dreams Made Flesh (read 2 of the 4 in this anthology)
7. The Shadow Queen
8. Shalador's Lady

REASON FOR READING: I fell in love with the trilogy and had to read everything that has to do with the characters I’ve grown to love

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}
For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. And even though the refugees found sanctuary in Dena Nehele, they have never been able to call it home. Now that Dena Nehele has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore the land and prove her ability to rule. She knows that undertaking this task will require all her heart and courage as she summons the untested power within her, a power capable of consuming her if she cannot control it. And even if Lady Cassidy survives her trial by fire, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land—and Lady Cassidy—forever…

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Okay first off let me just say I started this book at midnight and did not put it down until 7am I was so enthralled I literally got no sleep b/c I could not put it down. I loved this book it let me get a glimpse of the main characters in this book as well as the older characters.

Things I enjoyed:
Let me just say I love how Cassie's has grown and matured in this book. I love that she finally became the woman and queen she needed to be to rule the Shalador people and all of the people who needed her. I also like that my least favorite character got his come upins if you will.

The first court in Cassie's circle is great and they really surrounded her and made sure that she was taken care of. I love that she had to learn to heal from mental and verbal scars as her men did.

And I have to say that Grey's growth is fantastic he did a wonderful job.

Things I didn’t care for:

I didn't like Theran in the first book and I have to say that I am so happy he finally got what he needed. However, I really didn't like the way he treated Cassie for as long as he did. I still think Cassie should've fried him on the spot and I wish that Deamon would've taken care of him like he deserved. However, without giving away any of the book I will say I am statisfied on the results.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

Review ~ On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

TITLE: On the Edge
AUTHOR: Ilona Andrews
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: Fantasy
PAGES; 309
SERIES: yes I believe it will be

REASON FOR READING: I absolutely love Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels Series so I had to see what this one was about.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}
Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.

Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn't turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).

But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them, or the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it . . .

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard for me at first due to Rose and her hard external shell. I just couldn't get past her rough edges through half the book until things started becoming apparent as to why she acted the way she did. I did love that Rose managed to grow throughout the entire book.

Things I enjoyed:
I love that both characters grew through out the book. I hate when I read a series and the characters remain the same book after book. In this book both Declan and Rose grew to be the people they needed to be in order to survive and love each other.

I love that the romance happened very slowly just like in real life. I actually feel as if this story could've happened in real life in the right amount of time (minus the whole magic thing)

I love how Ilona and her husband really think about the advantages of magic and the disadvantages. The rules are clearly drawn in this world and they don't wavier to make it easy for the characters.

The world that was created here was just simply fanastic I couldn't have asked for more details. Things were explained just enough to know where you where and what you needed without extra. Very nice

Things I didn’t care for:Just b/c I feel like I'm beating a dead horse I will not talk about Rose. I didn't like the villian for some reason it just didn't feel good enough or I guess evil enough for what he was doing. And honestly I didn't understand why he unleashed the hounds on the edge and not in the weird but I think that could be b/c I rushed through the book so quickly when reading.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This will be a keeper

Review ~ The Invisible Ring by Anne Bishop

TITLE: The Invisible Ring
AUTHOR: Anne Bishop
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: fantasy
PAGES; 352
SERIES: uh duh

1. Daughter of the Blood

2. Heir to the Shadows

3. Queen of the Darkness

4. The Invisible Ring

REASON FOR READING: A co-worker thought I would like to read it.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}
In this engaging story of Jared, a Red-Jeweled Warlord and unwilling pleasure slave, Bishop returns to the world of her Black Jewels trilogy (Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, and Queen of the Darkness). Jared, who has murdered his owner and attempted escape, is recaptured and sold to the mysterious Gray Lady. It soon becomes clear that Jared's new queen is not what she seems to be, and he joins with his fellow slaves--all of whom hide their own secrets--to protect the Gray Lady. During her desperate flight from Dorothea SaDiablo, the Black Widow intent on destroying her and claiming her territory, Jared comes to terms with his own demons and discovers what it means to be truly bonded to a queen.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I am in love with this series, the world that she has created is amazing! I love everything about this series and I really like seeing the characters before the story line actually takes place. This book happens before Daughter of the blood but it took a while for me to figure that out. If you follow this series I do believe you would like this book. However, you do not want to start with just this book read it in order.

Things I enjoyed:
I loved seeing the Sadiest involved before he became connected to Janelle I love watching him grow and protect those he feels deserve it. I loved learning more about the jewels and how they work. Again this series made me laugh and cry and I love how the males and females support and work together. When it goes wrong it goes very wrong but when the males follows the rules and the women do to it is a special relationship.

Things I didn’t care for:
While I love this series I hate how violent it is I realize the violence is needed but the sick twisted minds of those who want to destroy is very evil. VERY EVIL and at times hard to read.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping and want in hardback b/c I will re-read.

Review ~ A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

TITLE: The Reliable Wife
AUTHOR: Robert Goolrick
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: historical fiction
PAGES; 304
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READING: A co-worker thought I would like to read it.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}
Abandoning her worldly life, traveling to a remote Wisconsin town in the dead of winter, trusting her future to a man she had never met - such was Catherine Land's new beginning. But there was an ending in sight as well, an ending that would redeem the treachery ahead, justify the sacrifice, and allow her to start over yet again. That was her plan." "For Ralph Truitt, the wealthy businessman who had advertised for "a reliable wife," this was also to be a new beginning. Years of solitude, denial, and remorse would be erased, and Catherine Land, whoever she might be, would be the vessel of his desires, the keeper of his secrets, the means to recover what was lost. That was his plan." Set just after the turn of the twentieth century, A Reliable Wife is the story of these two people, each plagued by a heart filled with anger and guilt, each with a destiny in mind. But neither anticipates what develops between them - the pent-up longings that Catherine discovers in this enigmatic man and the depth of her own emotional response; the joy Ralph experiences in giving Catherine the luxuries she has never known, his growing need for her, and a desire that he thought was long buried

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I am not sure what I thought about this book. It wasn't a winner nor a loser. Is not one I would suggest to anyone in particular. In fact I could've done without reading it and not missed much but I'm not upset that I lost the time reading it though.

Things I enjoyed:
I enjoyed the setting even though it was the harsh winter of Wisconsin and I enjoyed learning the past of the main characters even though they weren't very loveable nor were they very likeable. I think they were both very hard on theirselves. I think the main heroine finally found what she wanted but would never know how to be satisfied with it. I think Truitt finally found what he needed but would never appreciate it to the fullest.


Things I didn’t care for:
I didn't care for how they thought about SEX all the freakin time. All the ways they had sex all the ways the wanted sex, all the ways that could've been, all the ways that had been, and all the ways they were doing it. I swear if you took out those parts the book would only be 150 or so pages it blows my mind. I also didn't think the "twist" was all that it wasn't hard to figure out and really I just didn't care. I think I didn't care b/c I just didn't care for the characters at all so there was no OMG she did that with him?

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing

Challenges it qualifies for
100+ Book Challenge 3/100
Year of the Historical 2/12
Romance Book Challenge 2/20

DIK Review :)

I have to admit that when reading the first 2 in this series I really didn't pay that much attention to Poppy and I now regret that. What a wonderful heroine she turned out to be! I loved her story. She just turned out to be one of those characters you can't help but love. Even when she was wrong or wronged she still maintained a calm around her.

The hero was good and I love that Kleypas always makes them both say their sorry for acting a certain way! Especially in this situation where both were at fault. The background story and the twist involving Marks was wonderful.

If I had to give one complaint about this story it would be all the back story that she kept giving us. I understand that some people will just pick up this book and not have read the story but seriously I don't think its needed we would have been fine without it even if we hadn't read the entire series.

I did love that the original wallflowers were not mentioned this time it was solely based on the Hathaways
Can't wait for Leo's story!

Has anyone else read this story? What did you think?

Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister

I finished Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister!
Of course it happened to be a book I didn't like so that doesn't bode well for the start of the reading year. Let me see I did enjoy seeing the old cast from previous books but for some reason this new spin off series just struck me wrong. I hated that the main character had no backbone until the end when she knew she shouldn't do but OMG what else can I do. Let's not listen to anyone nor let them try to help me b/c I am right. Which you may or maynot be aware of this but I hate those types of females.

Then when you add to it that she can't keep herself from screwing him every time she sees him b/c of that attraction even though she is "so worried" about her twin being kidnapped and the trail running short but wait we have pleanty of time to screw before looking for it.
IDK this book just did absolutely nothing for me. I pushed through it b/c I thought that maybe just maybe it would get better or back to the writing style that I love from this author but instead it just got worse and then ended in a cliff hanger which I assume is so you will buy the next in the series. Which I did before even reading this. I now regret that purchase. So I'm thinking of a contest not sure what kind but I'm thinking of one to get rid of this series and to see if others agree or disagree with me.

Final Grade: C