Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson

Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson

Year Published: 2001

My Rating: 5 stars

461 pages

Dr. Samantha Leeds is a psychiatrist that gives consultation to people through the radio waves. Then she starts getting threatening prank calls and messages threatening to reveal her darkest secret, the secret that was the reason she left Houston.
At the same time, a serial killer is on the loose, leaving weird clues behind.
Are the two connected? Is the killer out to get Samantha? Or is it just plain coincidence?

This was such an interesting book, twists and turns and surprises all the way.
It was the first time I read for Lisa Jackson and it will be the first in many, I loved her story-telling it was so gripping you just have to know what's going to happen next.
I will schedule Cold Blooded, the sequel for this book to be read soon :)

For all those crime/serial killer/murder fans.. This is highly recommended ;)

Quotes I enjoyed from the book:

Wonderful, he thought sarcastically, as the fan blew hot air against the back of his neck, just what this city needs: a serial killer.

Now I know why she's such a bargain. Bright Angel, my ass. More like Satan's Revenge. Maybe I'll rename her if I decide to buy.

Dr. Sam's voice was farther away now, muffled by the static on the radio and the buzz in his mind, but soon, oh, so soon, Samantha Leeds would understand.
About forgiveness and retribution.
About atonement and punishment.
About paying.
For her sins.
All of them.
He'd make her.
Just you wait, Doctor. Your time is coming. Then we'll see what you think about forgiveness, he thought, stroking himself.
Then we'll hear you beg.

Her Heart His Soul by Kari Thomas

Her Heart His Soul by Kari Thomas

Year Published: 2009

My Rating: 4 stars

452 pages (on Sony Reader)

I got this book through Debra @ Review Your Book, if you are interested in reviewing books you could contact her :) She is such a sweet lady!!

Sara Winters is an antique book collector, searching for a rare book that may or may not exist. While looking for it in France she encounters visions of her father being brutally murdered back home! But it was too late to rescue him.. the problem is the company he is working for PFI insists it was a car accident and he has the bruises to prove it.

Determined to look for answers and uncover her father's murderer, she goes looking for his acquaintances.. but before getting a chance to talk to them.. they seem to die naturally!!

Drake Domitaine is a half-angel half-demon warrior, also looking for the book because within it is his salvation.. with it he would be able to turn back to his angel warrior self and redeem his soul..

I don't want to give more about the story so as not to spoil the twists and turns, but it was a great read.. I loved Sara, she is such a character, determined to save all the people she cares about no matter what the outcome.. and Drake.. the magnificent Drake .. he is so demonly handsome in an angelic way :)

The book kept me turning pages as fast as time would allow me, because I just NEEDED to know what will happen next.. filled with action and romantic moments!

Quotes I liked from the book..

The remaining scenes of her vision came flooding back into her mind before she could stop the rush of the too vivid images; the splattering of blood onto the white walls and spotless floors, the horrified shrieks of terror, the encompassing black void sweeping into the room to swallow all sights and sounds.

No matter what I have to do, I’m going to find the truth.

“Ah, Venetrix, you are a contradiction I didn’t expect.”

When he suddenly raised his brows and then grinned sexily at her, Sara nearly choked on her embarrassment. “I said wow aloud, didn’t I?”“Yeah.”

That sexy, teasing smile that could make her heart flip-flop returned to his mouth. “I am forty three hundred years old.” He grinned boyishly and she bit back a soft sigh. “My kind age gracefully.”

“Don’t ever doubt that both sides of my nature are dangerous, Somsemoh,” he murmured silkily. “One side can kill you, the other can destroy your soul.”

He knew he would remember her expression for the rest of his eternity. The shock and horror on her face and in her eyes would haunt him forever. It ripped away a little piece of his soul he couldn’t afford to lose.

He had given her his protection. The least she could do was to give him her respect.

"The supernatural world isn’t as secretive as it once was. Every government in the world knows of the existence of demons and all other beings out there. Haven’t you noticed the increased interest in the paranormal, in books, movies, in discussions? It’s eventually becoming an accepted fact.”

He finally spoke. “Sara, you have to look at me some time or another.”She sighed without turning around to face him. “I’m afraid to see the anger on your face.”

“I care, Somsemoh. I care to the very depths of my soul."

“That really was Lance, wasn’t it? The very same I-would-rather-eat-you-than-look-at-you Lance?”

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

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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


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Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Year Published: 2006

My Rating: 4 stars

352 pages

Weight: 13.6 ounces = 0.85 lb

This is the 6th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series (Southern Vampires).

It starts with Quinn paying a visit to Sookie in her house for two reasons.. the first is to ask her to go out with him and the second to inform her of the Queen's wish that she goes to the vampire conference with her.. Then she is requested to go to New Orleans to close down her former cousin Hadley's apartment who has been murdered weeks before by a fellow vampire..

She is attacked twice, both times with Quinn with her!! Making her wonder who the target for the attack is.. her or Quinn or both? Or is Quinn behind these attacks?!A lot of action and bloodshed occurs..

I liked this book although I didn't like Quinn in the beginning then I kinda got used to him.. he seems sweet.. or is he?!

The tiger thing started to appeal to me.. creepy eh..?!

Bill turns out an even worse JERK than he was before.. if that is even possible!! You just want to light him up for hurting Sookie!

A lot of action happens, with some surprises here and there ..

I'll be starting the 7th book very very soon :)

BTW, I really like this cover of the book, it describes my imagination for the story and I just adore the tiger :)

A favorite quote from the book..
Quinn was drying himself off, and he turned around to show me his muscular derriere. "Fur-free," he said. "Can I share the bed?"

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

Other Reviews .. :)
Alaine at Alaine's Reading Blog


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High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Year Published: 1995

My Rating: 5 stars

336 pages

Weight: 14.1 ounces = 0.88125 lb.

I only picked this book up because it was tagged on Shelfari as a music book and the monthly tag for the (Play Book Tag) group for January is music, so I thought I could at least read one music related book!

I started this book planning on reading a couple of pages and then declaring that it's a boring WTF book and throw it aside.. I had every intention to HATE this book, I don't know why!! .. but once I started it I just couldn't put it down!!

It's the story of Rob, a thirty-ish record store owner who was just dumped by his girlfriend Laura.. so he starts the book by listing the five top breakup in his life (his ex-girlfriend is not in those five) !!

He is a very believable guy, flawed, self centered and hopeless! Not to mention a bit scared :)

You just hate to love him but you end up adoring him ;)

The book goes like he is really talking to you, like he is a true down to earth guy who is spilling his guts! It also talks about compilation tapes that were very famous in the 80's which I guess the new generation does not really understand :) this is before the cd's and dvd's!

Boy did I love those tapes !!!

He loves to make top five lists of almost everything imaginable, from best movies, to his parents best movies, to best records, to best club records, just name it!

For those who are into music or even are in the sidelines but were there in the 80's (like me), I truly recommend this fun read!

This book has been done into a movie by the same name starring John Cusack, I'm planning on checking it out the first chance I get. I wonder if it's as good as the book though!

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Year Published: 1987

My Rating: 3 stars

288 pages

Weight: 7.2 ounces = 0.45 lb.

This is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel based on the true story of the woman slave named Margaret Garner.

In the novel "Sethe" who after escaping from the plantation "Sweet Home" that abused her, ended up murdering her baby daughter out of love!
Then after years, this daughter comes back as a presence in the house where Sethe lives. After being run out of the house by "Paul D" comes back in person!

I liked the story, but the telling of it bothered me. Going back and forth from past to present, from character to character just kept confusing me.
And some things were just referenced to, so you should assume what it means, I hate that.. I prefer things to be spelled out for me!

I'm planning on seeing the movie after reading this book, the story is strong but the authors style is not to my taste so I guess I will avoid this author from now on!

Other points of view about this book:

Things Mean A Lot
Rhinoa's Ramblings
Aquatique
The Inside Cover
a young lady's book lounge
Rebecca @ Lost in Books
Bluestocking @ The Bluestocking Guide

Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

Finished this on 31 December 2008, this was my 55th book of the year!

Published: 2003

Pages: 288 pages

5 stars

This is the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampires) series and it was GREAT, better the the 2 previous ones combined, it was so fast to read the pages just flew. So gripping, exciting and fun of action.

Sookie's boyfriend Bill gets kidnapped, Eric tells her some secrets she was not happy to know then sends a friendly werewolf (with a crazy ex-girlfriend) to help her find him. ACTION, ACTION and more ACTION!

Of course, Sookie gets in some trouble, Eric to the rescue, looking for Bill, Sookie not sure he is still her boyfriend, financial troubles, more action :)

Can't wait to start book 4 !!!

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

Other Reviews:
Beth f @ Beth fish Reads
Alaine @ Queen of Happy Endings
Sundcarrie @ Dark Novels