Roped Into Romance by Alison Kent

Roped Into Romance by Alison Kent

Year Published: 2002

My Rating: 4 stars

53 pages (on Sony Reader)

Lauren and Macy are looking for a place to buy. Anton Neville has a loft to sell. When he meets them to show them the place, Lauren is spellbound.
So now what Lauren wants is Anton and she will do anything to get him.

A very fast fun read which I enjoyed very much .. It was light and full of humor. The first for me by this author and definitely will be the beginning of a lot more TBR's. I will check her other books soon!

Quotes I enjoyed from the book:

Her eyes grew both wide and bright and Anton felt a strange stirring in his gut. An unease that told him he was asking for the sort of trouble that had a good chance of turning his well-ordered life upside down.

"This is so great! Can you imagine a little candlelight, a little wine? A lotta lovin' under the stars? Listening to the traffic below and trying not to get caught?" Lauren hugged her arms around her middle, whirled back to Macy, and said, "I can't wait to try it out!" Only it wasn't Macy standing in the open doorway behind Lauren. It was Anton Neville. And he said, "Neither can I."

Vampire Nights by G.A. Hauser

Vampire Nights by G.A. Hauser

Year Published: 2009

My Rating: 3 stars

355 pages (on my Sony Reader)

Vivienne Starr is an editor of a glamour magazine, when she goes to her 20 year high school reunion to meet with her girlfriends, she is shocked to find her high school sweetheart RJ who left her with 20 years ago without a word and a broken heart.
He tries to rekindle what they had but she meets a guy who comes to work for her magazine Daniel Dillon and they hit it off from day one!
Then RJ seems to be everywhere she is, stalking her and creeping her out.. Every time she meets with him she loses chunks of time and wakes up drained and disoriented.. what exactly is he doing to her and will her relationship with Danny stand the strain?!

I enjoyed the story of the book and thought it was very good, but the telling of the story in my opinion was a bit weak.. the storyline was great and would have turned out to be a 5 star but the dialogue and the telling was not that great.. I would read another book by this author just because I enjoyed the story! I kept reading it wanting to know what happens in the end :) Although his explanation of his disappearance was not that convincing :)

Quotes I enjoyed from the book:
It would be so easy. Just allow this to happen. Bring back the memories like a tsunami and let it drown me.

When he kissed her lips again, she felt herself go into that meltdown phase. Liquid, spineless, she floated over the wood floor as he held her up effortlessly. And in a waltz-like dance, they moved across the room, spinning and hovering in the air.

"When I'm good, I'm very good, when I'm bad, I'm even better,” she purred.

"Check this out. The gourmet market had these elephant garlic cloves. The grocer said they roast up really sweet."
"Holy shit.” He inspected the giant head of garlic. “That'll keep the vampires away!"
"Christ! It'll keep everyone away!” She laughed as he tossed it to her and she stuck it on the counter.

The Prey by Allison Brennan

The Prey by Allison Brennan

Year Published: 2005

My Rating: 5 stars

416 pages

This is the first book in The Predator trilogy.

First, she imagined it. Then a killer made it real.

Rowan Smith is an ex-FBI agent who had a traumatic past. When she was faced with a crime that hit very close to home a couple of years ago she quit her job and started writing crime novels.. Four published and the fifth coming out soon!

Then the murders begin!! The first one taken from her first novel.. exactly the same.. then from the second book.. and the next .. so she knows it no coincidence!!

Her ex-boss hires a security company to protect her, so she has a bodyguard "Michael" at all times. Then her bodyguard's brother and partner in the security company "John" shows up and the attraction is almost instantaneous!! Now the two brothers are trying to protect her in addition to competing for her attention. But john knows that Rowan is keeping a secret that could help them solve this case before more murders happen.. something from her past.. and he tries to make her talk.. for a price!

This was an amazing book!! The murders are so gruesome, the murderer is merciless and the characters and so real!!
I was so captivated by this book, it kept me on the edge with unexpected twists and turns..

Very highly recommended book for crime/thriller readers :)

Quotes I enjoyed in the book:

“He found a woman with the same name and occupation as one of my characters and killed her in the same manner in a similar location. Did a lot of planning and research to get all the details just right. Perfection. Next, he leaves my book with her body. Arrogance. He’s smart, but he thinks everyone else is stupid and he has to give you the why or you’d never figure it out. This wasn’t a crime of passion or a crime for money… it was a crime of opportunity.” She realized, as she spoke, it was the name of her book.

Her face was as blank as when she’d pointed that damn gun at him. But her stormy eyes stopped him from walking out the door. He finally understood the phrase “eyes are windows to the soul.” Rowan Smith’s eyes told him she was scared but strong, troubled but defiant. A captivating combination.

The book. Rowan. Shit, he’d fucked up. I’m sorry, John. You were right.
A flash of light-a camera? Maybe it was a tunnel. Yes, a bright tunnel.
Then the world was gone.

She stared at him, her face firm, a slight frown pulling down the corners of her lips. “I can’t live with another death on my conscience.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me.” He took her by the shoulders. He didn’t mean to shake her so hard, just give her a little jolt so she’d know he was serious. But her head jerked forward and he saw some of the fire back in her eyes.

A knife twisted in his heart. Don’t worry about me. She said it as if she suspected he wasn’t worried. And the irony was, when he set this up, he hadn’t been. He hadn’t cared what it would do to her.
Now he did.

Her inner strength began to melt. The carefully constructed wall that had protected her for so long crumbled at her feet. She was a trapped animal, pacing, pacing, pacing. Waiting for someone to come and shoot her. A mouse being toyed with by a cat. As soon as the mouse lost hope and cowered, the cat killed its prey.

He stared at her for a long time and she couldn’t read his expression. Was he angry? Upset? She didn’t want to hurt him, but it would hurt more if she lost him. Yes, she was being selfish. But the great strides she’d made at putting the past behind her would be shattered if she cared too much and the worst happened. No plans for the future, nothing to wrap her heart around, not now. Maybe not ever.
In the back of her mind, a whispered thought murmured It’s too late. You care. You love him. But she didn’t-couldn’t-acknowledge it.

“Typical spring wedding for a boring couple. He had a future, could have gone places and done things with his life, but the bitch kept him tied to home with a bunch of brats.”

“No buts, I said.” He leaned over and lightly kissed her. “Together, Rowan. We’ve been loners for so long, both of us. But together we’re stronger.”
Together we’re stronger. She smiled weakly. “Yes, we are.”

From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

Year Published: 2008

My Raring: 5 stars

336 pages

This is the 8th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series.
After the devastation of the vampire summit and hurricane Katrina things were not stable in the supernatural world. Some were's were being picked out and murdered and the new packleader is the suspect.
The vampire queen of Louisiana is not doing very well and other vampires are trying to take advantage of the situation!
Sookie is in the middle of all this plus some family problems with Jason she has to deal with.
Plus Sookie's boyfriend Quinn has disappeared since after the bombing of the Giza Hotel!
She gets introduced to new family members ;)

I loved this book as I have loved the previous books and since it does not have any hanky panky scenes with Quinn I am very happy :) Sookie is sucked in the problems of the supernatural world and she keeps trying to help as much as she could..
Some bittersweet scenes with Bill, Eric is adorable as usual, Sam is his sweet self, Alcide the good buddy and Amelia the perfect roomie!

I don't want to give too much away but action is high in this book, and as usual I highly recommend this book.. well actually this whole series :D


Quotes I enjoyed from the book: WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!

From his chair, Bill caught my eye and silently put his hand over his heart. It was a romantic and totally unexpected gesture, and for a moment I softened toward him.

"When you were the one who came to my aid, I decided it was fate. I did what I had been told to do by my queen. In so doing, I fell into a trap I couldn’t escape. I still can’t.” The trap of LUUUUVVVV, I thought sarcastically. But he was too serious, too calm, to mock. I was simply defending my own heart with the weapon of bitchiness.

“I would give anything to lie with you again,” he said.

He gave me a huge tip, and I glanced down to see that in my hurry to get downstairs I’d skipped a button. I was showing a little extra cleavage. I was momentarily embarrassed, but it wasn’t a slutty button, just a “Hey, I’ve got boobs” button. So I let it be.

“Hey,” I said. “How come Eric fetched me for you? You’re fairy, after all. Vampires go nuts when they smell fairies.” In fact, most vampires lost their self-control when they were around fairies. Only a very disciplined vampire could behave when a fairy got within smelling distance.

Niall had been able to mask the fairy odor from Eric in the restaurant, but I saw from the flare of Eric’s nostrils that the intoxicating scent clung to me. Eric’s eyes closed in ecstasy, and he actually licked his lips. I felt like a T-bone just out of reach of a hungry dog. “Snap out of it,” I said. I wasn’t in the mood. With a huge effort, Eric reined himself in. “When you smell like that,” he said, “I just want to f*** you and bite you and rub myself all over you.”

“I am woman, hear me roar,” I said.

“Bring it on, fur-ass!” she shrieked, beckoning with both hands to a Were who was slinking up on her from behind.

“Know this: I will die for her. If you harm her, I’ll kill you.” Bill turned his dark eyes on Eric. “Can you say the same?”

Bill knelt by my feet, his white face turned up to me. “I hope someday you’ll turn to me,” he said. “I’ll never force myself or my company on you.”

“Sitting here on your bed, smelling your scent,” he said in a voice so low I had to strain to hear it. “Sookie… I remember everything.”
“I want to be first. I know that’s selfish, and maybe unattainable, and maybe shallow. But I just want to come first with someone. If that’s wrong of me, so be it. I’ll be wrong. But that’s the way I feel.”

“I wonder if she even waited till they were in the ground before she activated the Aggravate Sookie to Death plan,” I said.

“I lay in front of your fire and talked to you about your life,” he said. Okay, way out of left field. “Uh. Yeah. We did that.” “I remember our shower together.” “We did that, too.” “We did so many things.” “Ah… yeah. Okay.” “In fact, if I didn’t have so much to do here in Shreveport, I would be tempted to visit you all by myself to remind you how much you enjoyed those things.” “If memory serves,” I said sharply, “you kind of enjoyed them, too.” “Oh, yes.”

“I’ll take your eye ahead of time, just in case you want mine.”

“I was not her first. And I always knew it was the vampire in me that attracted her, not the person who was a vampire.”

“I’m only telling you the truth. There has been only one you.”

If this was retaliation for the damn cheeseburger, I’d say she’d gotten a steak-size vengeance.

This was definitely an Oh, shit! moment. (An OSM, as I called them to myself.)

I’d straightened up and I was staring again. But when I glanced at Eric, I saw he was still bowing. Ah-oh. Well, I wasn’t one of his subjects and I wasn’t going to do that again. It had gone against my Americanness to do it once.

When he let go of me, I did an awkward sort of dip in the king’s direction (American! Not used to bowing!) and hopped into my car before either vampire could change his mind about my departure.


These are my reviews for the books I read from this series in order:
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
2. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
4. Dead To The World By Charlaine Harris
5. Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris
6. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
7. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

Other reviews:
Ashley @ Ashley's Bookshelves

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

Year Published: 2009

My Rating: 5 stars

416 pages

This is the second book in the Demonica series.

This time it's the story of the second brother the paramedic Shade. When he wakes up chained in a dark dungeoen with his human ex-girlfriend Runa he thinks he is dreaming.. Since she discovered his betrayal almost a year ago and ran away from the scene broken hearted and hurt she encountered a life altering situation which almost kills her. Now almost a year later she comes back to seek revenge only to be caught by a nightmare in disguise.

Now she is mad as hell with him and the situation that she is in because of him, plus this emprisonment!!

When they are forced to life-bond by their crazy captor that is seeking revenge on the most highest level. They are faced with a bond that seals their fates and emotions they can't seem to help avoid, Shade is forced to endure a curse that will fade him away! But will Runa help him or avenge her shattered heart.

This was such a book that was hard to put down.. Shade is so adorable in that hunky hot kind of way..

It was so action filled that it was amazing.. twists and turns when you least expect it.. I loved it.. Every time I think ok it's everything is fine now something turns up that makes me sitting on the edge of my seat!! I would highly recommend this book to any paranormal/romance reader .. it is so passionate that it leaves you smiling..

I'll be picking up the third book soon to see what happens with the third brother Wraith :) God they are so hot!! I just can't wait :)

Quotes I liked from the book..

“There’s so much evil in him, Paleshadow,” she’d told Shade once, using the nickname he’d never hear again.

Wraith snorted. “Cowards. Seriously. Who brings a gun to a knife fight? That’s cheating.”

God, this felt good. He slid Wraith a glance. “This isn’t like, vampire gay, is it?”Wraith snorted and shot him the finger.

“You hated me so much that you wanted to bring down me and the hospital.” The tone of his voice became gentler. “Not that I blame you.”

He might be a demon, but he was also a paramedic, and the desire to save lives was almost as strong as his drive to have sex.With Runa. His mate.Fuck.

Shade?”

“What? I didn’t cuss.” Way to sound guilty, idiot.

“For the love of all that’s unholy, stop it. Stop being so fucking nice. You should hate me.”

You can’t truly hate someone you’ve loved. You can only hurt.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice… I end up dead.

“I will bear this pain for you,” he swore. “If one of us has to bleed, it will be me. It’ll always be me.” There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, he knew that now.

The angel wheeled away, and when Runa made to give chase, Shade grabbed her by the scruff. “Down, girl. They’re almost impossible to kill. Let him go.”

Wraith jerked Kynan closer, taking long, powerful pulls as though trying to ingest as much nourishment as possible before his meal was taken away.

Wraith sat forward in his chair, propping his forearms on his spread knees. “’Sup, buddy.”Buddy? Kynan blinked again. He wasn’t at UG. He was in the Twilight Zone.

The first book was Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Other reviews:

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Year Published: 1995

My Rating: 3 stars

224 pages

Distance: New York, New York = 6383.1 miles/ 10272.5 kilometers

First of all this is an Oprah book for those who don't know! I didn't realize it when I started it, but while I was already in the middle of the book.

The story is set in Germany post WWII. It starts with Michael Berg a 15 year old boy getting sick while on his way home, a lady sees him, cleans him up and takes him home. When he is better his mom tells him to go thank the lady so he does.. Only to see her in an unappropraite position. When Hanna sees him, he runs away, only to visit her again a couple of days later. He helps her bring up coal to her apartment and gets dirty in the process so she offers him a bath.. Then they kind of fall for each other and begin an affair for a while. He started reading to her before their ritual bath and roll in the hay!

Then one day she disappears with absolutly no trace!

Eight years later, he is attending a trial since he is studying law and one of the defendants is no other than Hanna!

He attended every single day of the trial.. trying to understand what has happened.. and happening in his life.. and during this time he discovers a secret she has been trying to hide from him and the whole world even if hiding it would give her a harder prison sentence.

When she is sentenced, he starts to read to her as he used to but through tapes he sends to her..

If I write more than that I will spoil the story so I'll stop here..

It took me awhile to write this review because of my mixed opinions about it, I liked the first part of it but the trial was boring, with too much details that didn't seem to add to the story.. The "Kid's" emotions were quite explainable, since she was his first love and the affair kind of "scarred" him for any other relationships because he was always comparing the other women with her.. but I didn't understand why he did not reveal her secret to help her or even talk her into revealing it herself!

The end was ok but I wanted a better ending! I can't say I hated the book, I liked it but that was it.. not a favorite nor a recommendation to anyone.. but I want to see the movie to compare ..

It's right there with Beloved and Atonement for me..! Well maybe a teeny bit better :)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Year Published: 1921

My Rating: 4 stars

64 pages

Distance:

This was an amazing story, the idea was so unique I just loved it.. plus it was the first book I read on my IPhone :)

Benjamin Button was born in 1860 an old worn and withered man, and as he grew "older" he was growing younger.. From having conversations with his grandfather and smoking cigars to playing with his grandchild and attending Kindergarten with him..

He became a successful business man, fell in love, married, had children, went to war, attended Harvard, prep school, kindergarten and ending with his nurse to take care of him..

Very interesting and inspiring, shows how the aging process effects the person and those around him, the respect he gets at certain phases in his life..

But it does keep me wondering HOW he was born? I mean he was the size of a grown man, surely his mom had a C-Section ;)

Now I need to check out the movie, I know Brad Pitt is in it, so I'm assuming he played the part well :)

Another review @ R. is for Reading

And Another @ Lost in Books

>

Fear No Evil by Allison Brennan

Fear No Evil by Allison Brennan

Year Published: 2007

My Rating: 5 stars

416 pages

Distance: Sacramento, California = 8112.5 miles / 13055.8 kilometers

This is the third book in this series and unfortunatly the last.. I would really love to read a book about each of the Kincaid siblings :)

Lucy Kincaid, the youngest of the Kincaid breed has been kidnapped on her graduation day by an online predator and made her family frantic.

Then they discover that she is being broadcasted live on the Internet via a live feed somewhere anonymous, with less than 48 hours to live and a vote to which way the viewers wish she meets her end!

Kate Donovan is a former FBI agent who has been tracking this kidnapper/murderer "Trask" for over 5 years with no luck. After a sting going bad ending up with her lover Evan and her partner Paige dead, she went into hiding.. But the Kincaids find her and ask her cooperation to catch this so-called Trask. All they know him by is by the nickname .. he seems not to exist anywhere!

Dillon Kincaid the forensic phsycologist is trying hard to understand the motives of Trask, so he digs into Trask's background and childhood to try to find out who he really is.. trying to think like Trask to know what he might or might not do.. to understand his way of thinking and his motives, to try to save his sister's life!

Will they be able to catch him before Lucy's time is up? Is she really his goal or does he want more? Could Kate fight her own demons and find peace again?

This book was a roller coaster from the beginning, true that it took me a while to read but that was because I was very busy.. it was so hard to put down but I just had to do it.. Everytime I think everything is going to be fine, something happens and changes everything..

I really wish Ms. Brennan would consider more books in this series.. I really need to know what happens to Patrick :)

Quotes I liked from the book..

His head was bandaged, and for some reason that bothered her more than anything. It made everything more real. That he'd had brain surgery because of the explosion that nearly killed him. That he was in a coma and might not survive.

He couldn't look at her with pity, he wouldn't tell her everything would be all right. He wouldn't offer her food or suggest that she get some sleep.

"It just proves that it doesn't matter how smart or careful you are; if a predator wants you he'll find a way."

Speak No Evil Review (Book #1)

See No Evil Review (Book #2)

.

See No Evil by Allison Brennan

See No Evil by Allison Brennan

Year Published: 2007

My Rating: 5 stars

432 pages

Distance: Sacramento, California = 8112.5 miles / 13055.8 kilometers

This is the second book in the No Evil series, and as I have said before I'm a fan!! What a book!!

Conner Kincaid is an ex-cop turned Private Investigator, he is hired by Assistant District Attorney Julia Chandler who ruined his career and was behind him losing his beloved job five years ago!

Why did she hire him? because he is the best and he cares for her niece Emily who is accused of murdering her step-father in the most grusome manner imaginable!

Julia believes Emily is innocent, so does Conner, and with the help of Conner's brother Dillon a phycologist they try to unravel the mystery of this almost perfect crime.

While trying to solve the mystery thay discover a series of violent crimes that seem to revolve around an individual and then surprises start happening..

And the history between Conner and Julia, will they be able to overcome the hurt and bypass it to start out fresh?!

Every time I say I know who the killer is.. the story moves around and surprises me..

I loved this book from cover to cover.. it's great for any mystery/crime reader.. just perfect!

Quotes I enjoyed from the book:

He knew why they made their choices, what motivated them, how to defeat them. He was the chess master.He reached for his cell phone and dialed Cami. Time to give her a bone and make her perform. Time for the next move.

It was on his orders, his command, who would live and who would die. The thrill of the hunt, of marking the sinners, elated him, kept him focused. He would fix the world one death at a time.

"People believe what they want to believe. They see no evil because they don't want to. But evil is out there, and this is the result." The holy man gestured to the dead girls. "You might not see the evil, Officer Kincaid, but you can see its handiwork right here."

"I'm a firm believer that no crime is perfect. Evidence always talks. Sometimes we don't hear it right away, but it's there whispering."

Speak No Evil Review (Book #1)

.

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Year Published: 2008

My Rating: 5 stars

416 pages

Distance: Williamsburg, Virginia = 6632.4 miles / 10673.8 kilometers

This is the first book in the Demonica series.

Tayla is a demon slayer, trained and deadly. When she got wounded and her partner killed when engaged in battle, she was admitted to Underground General or UG for short. A hospital specializing on treating demons and underground creatures.

Then she meets Eidolon who is her treating doctor and also a demon, she is torn by her forever hatred of demons and all her beliefs, but she can't seem to stay away from him. Well neither could he, since he is going through a very critical stage in his life.

While fighting their emotions and their physical bounderies they are faced by yet another enemy threatening both their worlds. Will they unite body and soul??

The tension between Eidolon and Tayla is perfect, and the sibling quabbles between Eidolon and his brothers Shade and Wraith are just great! Plus there were surprises that took me off guard!

Although the book was a bit hard for me to get into, because of the new terminology of some things like the Aegis, Seminus and the S'genesis as soon as I got the hang of it, it felt like second nature.. well I know that sounds creepy.. but hey maybe I'm a half-breed :) BTW I just love the word Incubi ;)

Anyways, after that I was so engrossed in the story, the pages flew and I was sucked in their world.. it was such a good book that I would highly recommend it to any paranormal lover like me, specially if you are into Angel, Buffy or ER, because it's kind of a mixture of them all.. just WONDERFUL!!!

And believe it or not, not all demons are evil ;)

Quotes I enjoyed from the book ..

“You wouldn’t want to get blood all over that shiny rubber floor.”

“It hoses off.”

“Because that species comes out at Halloween and eats-"

“Vegetables.”

“What?”

“Her particular breed. They’re vegetarians. They mainly raid farmers’ fields in the fall because they like gourds.” Still holding her phone in one hand, he dumped his tray of bloodied tools into a nearby container with the other. “Your Aegis buddies slaughtered innocent younglings that would have grown up to do nothing worse than suck the guts out of a few pumpkins.”

“Oh, gag. I drank your blood. Why did I do that? And why do you keep a scalpel in your drawer?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Most guys keep condoms there.”

“What’s your true form?”

“This is it.”

She gaped. “Your species looks like Playgirl models? It’s not fair.”

“What’s not?”

“You. You’re a demon. Evil should look… evil. Ugly. Wouldn’t hurt if you smelled bad, either.” Heck, she’d be happy if he just didn’t smell good. The air around him smelled faintly of spiced dark chocolate and man, making her mouth water and her libido kick into high gear.

The air-headed twit shook her head as if Tay had been serious. “Nurse Allen. I brought food, but you can’t eat until Dr. Eidolon removes the restraints.” She smiled, revealing shiny fangs. “Obviously, the restraints are necessary, seeing how your kind are merciless murderers and all.”Tayla stared.

“Pot, meet kettle.”

“Thanks, Nancy. I’ve got it. Go home. We’ll see you tomorrow.” The masculine voice shivered through Tayla like a forbidden pleasure. Vodka for the alcoholic. Cheesecake for the dieter. Orgasm for the monk. “Hello, Tayla.”

“Hey, Dr. Evil.” She didn’t look. What if she’d dreamed up his good looks? What if he had horns, hooves, and porcupine quills?

Other reviews..

Kasey or Karen @ Kesey's View

Joely @ Joely Sue Burkhart

Virginia @ Bitten By Books

Vicky @ Vampire Genre

Better Off Read


.

The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter

Year Published: 2008

My Rating: 2 stars

83 pages

Distance: Oklahoma School, Oklahoma = 7600.8 miles / 12232.2 kilometers

This is a prequel to the Lords of the Underworld series, so I thought I'll start the series with reading this short book to see if it grabs my attention..

Kadence is a goddess, who is some kind of warden to hell and Geryon is the Gaurdian of hell.. For hundreds of years he has been guarding it not leaving his post, while she visits daily to check that everything is ok.

They secretly fall in love with each other, then are forced to test that love if it's true or just some infatuation.

Nice love story but I wasn't really excited about demons and lucifer and gods/godesses.. Vampires and Werewolves are fine by me but this was just too much.. there love for each other was sweet but the rest of the story was not really likeable .. I just felt guilty reading it! Can't really put my finger on the exact reason but in general.. So I was not really comfortable, but I wanted to see what happens in the end. The end was not what I expected so that was another letdown.

I was feeling like some curse will fall on me anytime while reading it.. too dark :)

Now I'm skeptical about even reading the next book! I might check some more reviews to see if it's somewhat different, hopefully better!

Quotes from the book ..

"He shook his head, positive he had merely imagined the words. In all their centuries together, they had never spoken, never deviated from their routine. As the Guardian of Hell, he ensured the gate remained closed until a spirit needed to be cast inside. That way, no one and nothing escaped-and if they tried, he rendered punishment. As the goddess of Oppression, she fortified the physical barrier with only a touch. Silence was never breeched."

His gaze bore into her. “I once swore that were I ever lucky enough to regain my soul, I would never, for any reason, trade it again. I have just realized that I would willingly trade it for you, Kadence. So yes, I want to do this.”

Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan

Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan

Year Published: 2007

My Rating: 5 stars

432 pages

Distance: Sacramento, California = 8112.5 miles / 13055.8 kilometers

This is the first book of the No Evil series and it's the first book I read for this author. I'm a definite fan now!! WOW this lady sure can write mysteries!!

Detective Carina Kincaid is called to a murder scene of a young girl, all the circumstantial evidence points to Steve Thomas, so Steve calls his sheriff brother from Montana Nick to come and help him.

The killer does not seem to be satisfied with one girl and soon starts on a raping-killing spree..

Will the detective and her brothers along with the sheriff catch him before he hits yet again?! And will the feelings between Carina and Nick develop into something more serious ?!

It's a very gripping, page-turning book. The murders are intense and horrifying but I loved the details and the flow of the story. Very recommended book for crime/mystery readers!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Year Published: 2002

My Rating: 4 stars

224 pages

Distance: Minneapolis, Minnesota = 6967.6 miles / 11213.2 kilometers

This is the story of Coraline, yeah not Caroline but Coraline :)

She moves with her parents to a new house that is divided to four apartments. She loves to explore, so one day she finds a door in their house that opens to a brick wall.. on the other side is the empty apartment that is not rented yet.. When she comes to explore a second time.. she finds the door having no bricks anymore instaed it leads to the other apartment so she goes it to discover a whole new world.

Then her parents go missing and she tries to find them by being brave and explorative with the help of a cute black cat..

I loved this story, it was fun, cute and just down right entertaining.. Coraline is a very brave intelligent child who loves exploring.. I adored the cat the most.. I want one :)

According to Wikipedia this book was awarded the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella, the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella, and the 2002 Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. It has been compared to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland because of its surrealism and plot based on an alternate-reality, and has been adapted into a 2009 stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick.

BTW.. this is the first time I read for this author and I truly liked his style.. I'm planning on checking The Graveyard Book !

Jes at Shelfari posted this link for an interview with the author on the Colbert Report, it is hillarious :)

A quote I liked in the book ..

“She left us here,” said one of the voices. “She stole our hearts, and she stole our souls, and she took our lives away, and she left us here, and she forgot about us in the dark.”

Other points of view about this book:

Nymeth at Thing Mean A Lot

Bold Blue Adventure

Booknotes by Lisa

Melody's Reading Corner

The Hidden Side of a Leaf

Tip of the Iceberg

Bombastic Bagman

Becky's Book Reviews

Stainless Steel Droppings

Once Upon a Bookshelf

Out of the Blue

Book-a-rama

Rhinoa's Ramblings

Biblio Addict

Valentina's Room

Trish' Reading Nook

Bart's Bookshelf

Peeking Between the Pages

Fizzy Thoughts

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

Year Published: 2007

My Rating: 5 stars

352 pages

Distance: Magnolia, Arkansas = 7536.1 miles / 12128.1 kilometers

This is the seventh book in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

This is the book where the Vampire convention really happens.. and boy are there surprises..

The surprises keep going on till the end of the book, one after the other.. this is a book I would definetly call a mystery, because you keep guessing whodoneit all the time!!

It's starts with Sookie flying with the Queen's party to Rhodes for the summit, they stay at the Pyramid of Gizah hotel, where she finds Barry the telepath and they get reaquianted.

The trial for the Queen is supposed to be one of the attractions of the summit.. can't say more!

Quinn is there for organizing some events :)

Some action with Eric, then the whole summit is in action.. This book was a BLAST :)

Quotes I liked from the book ..

“Being married here”-and Calvin waved a hand to indicate the little Hotshot community-“means being faithful to your mate, unless the mate has to breed to keep the group up. Since Crystal’s pretty much out of the running on that, Jason, that means she has to be faithful to you, and you to her. You don’t have mating obligations like the purebloods do.” Jason flushed at this reminder that his status was lesser since he was only a shifter because he’d been bitten by one, not because he’d been born with the gene. “So if Crystal runs around on you and a member of the community can attest to it, and if she can’t pay the price for some reason-pregnancy, or illness, or a kid to raise-I have to do it. We’re not talking money here, you understand?”

Jason nodded. “You’re talking physical punishment,” he said.

“Yes,” Calvin said. “Not only are you promising to be faithful, you’re also swearing to keep our secret.”

“Clovache,” she said. “Unknown device on four. I’m bringing the king back down.”

Clovache’s voice said, “How large is the device?” Her accent was sort of like Russian, at least to my untravelled ears. (“Hau larch…?”)

"The size of one of those cans of sweetened syrup,” Batanya answered.

“Ah, the burping drinks,” Clovache said.

Just then a tap on the music stand drew everyone’s attention to the band. It was all vampire, I noticed with a start. The slick-haired guy at the podium said, “If all you hot vamps and vampesses are ready to rumble, we’re ready to play! I’m Rick Clark, and this is…the Dead Man Dance Band!”

These are my reviews for the books I read from this series in order:
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
2. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
4. Dead To The World By Charlaine Harris
5. Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris
6. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Other reviews:
Alaine @ Alaine's Reading Blog

Retroredux @ Retroredux's Reviews

Ashley @ Ashley's Bookshelves

.

Tunnels Of Blood by Darren Shan

Year Published: 2000

My Rating: 4 stars

256 pages

Distance: Limerick, Ireland = 3223.5 miles / 5187.8 kilometers

This is the third book of the Cirque Du Freak series (Vampire Blood trilogy) from the Darren Shan Saga.

It starts with a friend of Mr. Crepsley visiting the Cirque and then he decides to leave the cirque for a while, taking Darren with him.
Darren feeling he will be lonely is sad, so Mr. Crepsley advises him to take a friend along.. Evra Von !

The stay at a hotel where Darren and Evra have fun all day, till Mr. Crepsley wakes up after sunset and leaves till almost sunrise..
No one knows where he goes to or what he does, and Darren and Evra are not really interested.. until.. some body are discovered drained entirely of blood!!
Is Mr. Crepsley responsible?! That is what we are to find out in this book!
Plus Darren gets a girlfriend :)

Nice, fast and interesting read!

A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan

Year Published: 2001

My Rating: 5 stars

272 pages

Weight: 9.4 ounces = 0.5875 lb.

This is the first book in the Cirque Du Freak series. It is a young adult fiction.

I have heard quite a bit about this series but was kind of skeptic to start it, I was imagining something like a horror movie!

But was I wrong!!

It's a very fast read and so enjoyable, I couldn't imagine how it flew.. It's about this boy called Darren Shan (the author) who is telling his story.. his TRUE story that is..
Darren is a kid in school with a lot of friends but the closest are 3 and from those three is his best friend Steve.

One day they find a flyer about a circus for freaks and are very interested in going, they pool their money and get ticket..
The show was great but their problems start after the show.. very exciting and fun to read..

Very recommended series for vampire lovers like me :)

Stalked by Brian Freeman

Year Published: 2007

My Rating: 5 stars

432 pages

Weight: 7 ounces = 0.4375 lb.

(Serial Killer Thriller)

This is a first for me by this author and surely it will not be the last.. I will hunt his other books as soon as I can.

Maggie is a cop and a partner to Stride for over 10 years, when her husband Eric turns out murdered in her house with her own gun with her in the house with him, all the evidence points at her.Stride is at the scene first, and although he thinks she might be innocent, he knows she is hiding something from him..Then he discovers that it's more than just simple domestic secrets that Maggie and some others are hiding.Then other bodies start to surface and other crimes reveal themselves.. Filled with murder, deceit, blackmail and betrayal what a book!!!

It is a fast action packed read, with a lot of surprises, just when you thought you solved the crime something turns up!

I loved it and would highly recommend it to any mystery/crime reader and will be looking for more of Freeman's books!

Acting Like Family by J.J. Massa

Year Published: 2005

My Rating: 2 stars

164 pages

Weight: 6.4 ounces = 0.4 lb.

This book is the first in the Montgomery Family Legacies, it was recommended to me by my blogger friend Erotic Horizon.

I really had trouble remembering the name of the book, I keep thinking it's All in the Family, no it's Always a Family.. then I go back to look at the book to remember the name.. don't know why?!

It's the story of actor Riker Montgomery who happens to have trouble keeping young fans out of his bed, till one night he finds Bet there sleeping.. Right away he knows she is the one and they live a night of bliss..

In the morning Bet is afraid he might think her a loose woman, she disappears, only to realize her mistake when she realizes her love for him. So she tries to contact him and fails, then she discovers she is pregnant so she tries again, but his lawyer tells he that Riker wants nothing to do with her and her baby!!

Then after she delivers the action starts, and she is chased around the country by people who want her and her offspring!! Will she find Riker and will he save her? Or will he just turn his back on his family?

True that it was a reasonably short book and reads fast but so is the details.. The main idea is good but the writing is just not my style.. The plot was also good but really needs some more developing, the information is given in bits and pieces, the way she accepted that Riker is a werewolf was actually no reaction at all.. I did like the sibling joking between Riker and Lakon.. it should have been more.. I guess if the same story was extended another 100 pages it would have worked better for me..

As for the rest of the series, I might and I might not continue.. It really depends on my mood, but for now I'm going to go read something quite different.. Although I do want to know what happens with Lakon, he was really cute!!

It was supposed to be erotic and I don't mind that but it was not my kind of erotic it was more on the mild side :)

Other points of view about this book :)

Erotic Horizon

Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris

Year Published: 2005

My Rating: 4 stars

320 pages

Weight: 4 ounces = 0.25 lb.

This is the 5th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series (Southern Vampires).

It's the full moon and Jason joins the shifters in Hotshot, then the shootings start!!

A girl shifter is shot dead, then Calvin Norris, the Sam! So it seems that a serial killer is on the loose and looking for shifters in specific.

The shifters in Hotshot suspect Jason, and Sookie is afraid for his life..

Now Merlotte's has no bouncer with Sam being injured so he asks Sookie to ask for Eric's help as a favor, so Eric sends them a vampire bouncer/bartender.

Then Sookie's life becomes endangered and trouble seems to look for her in every corner, as usual!

The were's have an important ceromony that Sookie is asked to attend and is dragged in to were politics unintentionally!

Then she meets a new kind of supe that intrigues her like no other!

A lot of action and events take place in this book, although it seems that every supe that lays eyes on Sookie goes nuts over her, she gets kissed by most of them too!

I mostly liked this book like I liked the whole series, Sookie has become really familiar to me, and she kinda grew on me.. I got addicted.. I already started book 6.. although this is not my favorite book of the series it has it's good moments.. what I didn't like was Quinn.. I mean the way he looks (I mean the way he is described), over 6 feet tall, bare chested bald guy.. come on I can't shake the vision of a genie or Mr. Clean from my head.. he just needs a gold earring!! YUCK!

I don't know why he shaves everyday and sometimes twice a day!! Does that mean he is not really bald just shaving his head!! I hope so.. I mean this is fiction why not make guys perfect :)

This is what ended me giving the book 4 stars instead of 5..

The 6th books starts with Quinn.. God help me!

A quote I liked by Eric.. it just made me laugh..

"Sookie, you have to understand that for hundreds, thousands, of years we have considered ourselves better than humans, separate from humans.” He thought for a second. “Very much in the same relationship to humans as humans have to, say, cows. Edible like cows, but cute, too.”

These are my reviews for the books I read from this series in order:
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
2. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
4. Dead To The World By Charlaine Harris

Other Reviews ..
Alaine @ Queen Of Happy Endings

A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Year Published: 2003

My Rating: 5 stars

384 pages

Weight: 7 ounces = 0.4375 lb.

This is the first book in the Dark Ones series.

Joy Randall's Top 5 Tips for Vampire Hunters:

1. Location, location, location. Remember, if you wouldn't be there, neither would a bloodsucker.
2. Trust your eyes. You know the handsome, annoyingly arrogant, self-assured man in the shadows with long hair and a cleft in his chin? He's your vampire.
3. No matter how tempting it might be, do not "accidentally" acquire a paper cut and suggest YOUR VAMPIRE kiss your finger to make it better.
4. From here on out, play it cool. Don't offer to accompany your prince of the night on the talk show circuit and whatever you do, don't offer him your heart.
5. And most of all, remember?being a vampire is nothing to laugh about.

Joy and Roxy and two American best friends, planning on going on a dream vacation to Europe together and hoping to find their soul mates on the way.

Before leaving for the trip they meet up with the witch Miranda to ask for the help of the goddess to find their soul mates.. Skeptic as she is Joy doesn't believe any of what Minanda has to say about finding a Dark One in her path that could be her soul mate.. since she does not believe in vampires as Roxy does..

So of they go to the Czech Republic, where they find the castle of their favorite Moravian Vampire series author CJ Dante next to the hotel they are staying in and plan to meet with him. Meanwhile a vampire fair is to start and they get to meet some of the fair people including Raphael the head of security, Christian who becomes a close friend, Arialle, Tanya, Dominic and Milos.

Then the visions start, so joy tries to blame them on the beer but they become more vivid and disturbing. Not knowing who is sending her these images and starting to believe there really might be a Dark One doing this to her, she starts investigating. Could it be the sexy gorgeous Raphael or the cool smooth Christian or fang face Dominic?

While doing so, a murder occurs on the fair grounds and Joy and the love of her life are on the list of prime suspects. But she knows who the murderer is so she is determined to prove to the police who he is and prove her lover innocent!

Although I read this book out of order since I read the second book in the series first I kinda knew who would be with who in the end, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

The friendship between Joy and Roxy is so adorable and lovable! The love scenes are HOT! The guys are GORGEOUS! I LOVED it!!

I will be continueing in this series very soon!