Having Some Computer Problems

Over the weekend, my laptop has fallen victim to a virus or two. The biggest problem is that the virus is not allowing me to open anything in Internet Explorer or other browsers. I'm hoping to have everything figured out in the next day or so, and be back to posting by the weekend. *Crosses fingers*

I have three reviews lined up for once I'm back online, so you can look forward to those. They are Changeless by Gail Carriger, Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 1: Sanctuary by Melissa Marr, and Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 2: Challenge by Melissa Marr.

Luckily this mishap hasn't interfered with any author visits. But Jennifer Estep will be returning on June 2nd for her next release Web of Lies, due out May 25th!

In My Mailbox (31)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Bought:

Ghosts & Echoes by Lyn Benedict
Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 2: Challenge by Melissa Marr



Used Trade-In:

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

Review: Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Tattoo
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 01/09/07
Summary:

Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends—can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.

Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift—a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance.

Plot: 3 Stars
I loved the idea of tattoos giving the girls certain powers. I especially enjoyed Delia's power of transmogrification (changing objects into different objects) because I had never heard of that specific power before. The author did a great job at weaving the sidhe and the fates together with the story of the four friends -- Bailey, Zo, Annabelle, and Delia. I just felt some of the high school aspects were a bit cliched at times. But the unique twist the author put on the paranormal aspect of the story definitely made up for it.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel was short and sweet. I finished it in a little under a day, and basically only put it down to eat and sleep. I breezed through the chapters, but the story never felt rushed. It was a fun, light read that kept me guessing until the very end. It was a little short, but I think adding to it would've slowed the plot down in a bad way, so I'm glad it was streamlined and to the point.

Characters: 4 Stars
The four best friends were an awesome group. Each was their own person, but together they became a very strong entity (even before they gain their powers). I especially liked Zo because she's the tomboy of the group and Annabelle because she was very book-smart. Delia, the fashionista and almost-mean girl of the group, could've gotten on my nerves very easily, but Jennifer wrote her in a way that she never crossed that line. Bailey made a good narrator and center focus for the group because I feel she would've faded to the background had one of the others narrated the novel.

Cover: 3 Stars
Although the cover depicts the placement of Bailey's tattoo, I feel that it's a little bland as far as covers go. I would've liked to have seen the four best friends on the cover since all four of them are main characters. It would've also been cool to have the tattoos actually represented, instead of the title being the tattoo. Had I not already known what the novel was about (I met Jennifer at one of Melissa Marr's signings last April), I may not have been interested enough to pick it up and read the back.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 05/04/10
Summary:

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Review: Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 04/20/10
Summary:

Hunger for nourishment.
Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the penultimate volume of Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Wicked Lovely will always be my favorite book of this series, but Radiant Shadows comes in a very close second. I absolutely loved the way Ani and Devlin's stories weaved together. I find all of the different faerie courts in Marr's world unique and interesting, especially how the author balances them all. The twist at the end has left me pining for the next book. It took me completely by surprise, but was better than anything I was hoping would happen.

Pace: 5 Stars
I couldn't put this novel down. I was a little worried because both Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity were slow reads for me (they each had a bit of downtime in the middle that I had to push to get through), but this installment kept me on the edge of my seat. The author bounces between points of view with ease. It never feels disjointed and it helps the reader get a better idea of the big picture.

Characters: 4 Stars
Ever since I first read about Ani and Tish in a previous book, I've wanted to know more about them. Although I would've liked to have seen a bit more of Tish, it was great get to know Ani and her troubles of growing up half-mortal. We got to see into a side of the Dark Court that wasn't shown in earlier book. I liked seeing more about Gabriel and the Hounds. My favorite character though was Devlin; I enjoyed following him through the inner turmoil of his balancing act between order and chaos. I just wished Ash and Seth could've had slightly bigger parts because I will always love them.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
I have adored every cover in this series, and Radiant Shadows doesn't disappoint. I love how the cover models are out of focus, while a different element is in focus. It's a very unique idea. I also love the titles in this series. They are very eloquent in their opposites and are always subtlely found in the text. The detailing around the titles is another touch that ties them all together as a series. Although the cover for Radiant Shadows isn't my favorite, the color scheme is my favorite out of the four.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book from a contest on Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings.

Guest Blog: Sonya Bateman

First off, I'd like to thank Sonya Bateman for taking the time to answer my questions. Here new Urban Fantasy novel, Master of None, released last month (03/30)! It's currently at the top of my TBR pile and I can't wait to read it!

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Why I Write Urban Man-tasy

Sara, thank you for having me over! I’m thrilled at the opportunity to talk, without actually having to... you know, speak. Public speaking and me get along like chocolate and motor oil –- and really, who wants a 10W40-filled Cadbury egg?

Here’s my obligatory intro: I’m Sonya Bateman, author of MASTER OF NONE, the first in a new urban fantasy series from Pocket Books featuring the world’s unluckiest thief and a very grumpy genie (who doesn’t grant wishes). This series has a male protagonist, just enough romance to be deemed a subplot, lots of actions and explosions, some torture, and exactly zero vampires or werewolves (though the djinn are shape-shifters). I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it anyway.

In the short time I’ve been a published author so far, there is one question that readers seem most interested in hearing about from me: why a male protagonist in a female character-dominated genre? Part of the reason is that, while I enjoy a kick-ass heroine as much as the next urban fantasy fan, sometimes different is good. Jim Butcher kindly proved before me that a male main character in UF can work (quite fabulously, in fact – Harry Dresden is a wonderful character), so all the trailblazing credit goes to him.

Mostly, though, this series ended up in the first-person POV of a man because of Donatti.

Gavyn Donatti is my unlucky thief, the character who started the series (and yes, everything is all his fault!). When I first came up with the idea of doing a modern-day take on Aladdin, bringing the fascinating legends of the djinn into urban fantasy, I started writing the book in third person with the intention of switching POVs between Donatti and Ian, the angry and not-quite-all-powerful djinn – or possibly between Donatti and Jazz, the kick-ass heroine love interest. But something wasn’t working. The idea was there, but the execution wouldn’t gel.

So I switched to first person, and Donatti took over so completely that soon I couldn’t remember what the book had been like in third. His voice was strong, and a totally natural fit for the story. Besides... he made me laugh. A lot. And telling Ian’s story, filtered through him, made the impact stronger and closer.

Here’s a brief excerpt that I feel is a good example of Donatti’s voice:

“Uh-huh,” I said. “So, what’s my life’s purpose?”

“I do not know.”

“That’s great. Neither do I.” The road entered a sharp and unexpected curve. I gripped the wheel tighter and eased off the gas. Damn, it was dark in the country. No streetlights, no city glow, and I hadn’t seen another car for miles. “How does this work? You serving me, I mean.”

“Excuse me?”

The warning note in Ian’s voice gave me pause. I chose my words with care. “Well, I have to admit, I don’t know much about djinn. Okay, I don’t know anything. Do I get three wishes?”

Ian muttered something that included television and idiotic. “No wishes,” he said. “If you need or desire something, I will attempt to fulfill that need or desire, in a way I see fit.”

“Oh, good.” Wasn’t there a story about magic backfiring? Something about an animal... a monkey. The Monkey’s Paw. An old couple wished for money, and their son was killed in a horrible accident, for which they were compensated. I wouldn’t put it past this djinn to try something like that. Be careful what you wish for... you just might get it.

Will I ever write a story with a female protagonist? Very likely. In fact, the novel I wrote just before MASTER OF NONE had a female main character, and I had a great time writing it (it also got me an agent, which was a bonus). For now, though, I’m going to stick with urban man-tasy –- as long as Donatti has more stories to tell.

---

Thank you, Sonya, for taking the time to answer my questions! And feel free to post any comments or questions for Sonya.

In My Mailbox (30)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Won:

Shade Fright by Sean Cummings (signed)
Thanks to The Book Smugglers and Sean Cummings!

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Thanks to Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings!

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 03/02/10
Summary:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father -- an elusive European warlock -- only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Plot: 5 Stars
The YA market is filled with novels involving paranormal students going to a special academy or school that caters to their skills, but Hex Hall stood out and felt very original. I really liked how Hecate was a place for paranormal students to go when their powers put them in jeopardy of showing society what they truly are, instead of being a place all paranormals within the world had to go. The twists and turns within this novel kept me guessing until the last second, and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Pace: 5 Stars
I haven't read a book in less than three days for months, and I finished Hex Hall in 36 hours (with two seven hours shifts at work getting in the way). This novel grabbed me from the first page and never let go. There was never a dull moment in which I contemplated putting the book down for a little bit. Instead, I had to force myself to put it down so I could get some sleep.

Characters: 5 Stars
Sophie was a very likeable young adult main character. She did teen angst perfectly: just angsty enough that you feel for her, but not so much that it makes you crazy. She deals very well with being thrown into a new school filled with talented paranormal students, especially since they seem to know more about her father than she does. I also loved Sophie's roommate Jenna. It was nice to read a novel with a lesbian character without it being a big deal. Jenna tells Sophie that she likes girls when the subject of Archer (Sophie's crush she doesn't want to have a crush on) comes up, and that's that.

Cover: 4 Stars
The cover is very striking, especially after reading the novel and knowing the significance of the cover models. It just seemed a little too happy and cheery for a paranormal YA novel. It had almost a fairy tale feel to it that didn't match the more urban fantasy of the book. I was also a bit puzzled by the cat (since there wasn't one in the book) but I love cats, so it's ok in the end.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Friday Finds (9)

Friday finds was started by Misb at Should be Reading.

"The idea is to share, every Friday, about books that you’ve recently discovered (never heard of before) that sound really good!"

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 10/19/10
Summary:

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/29/09
Summary:

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Plot: 4 Stars
The humor of this novel was very well done. The speech patterns, the drama, everything added up to a lovely and funny tale, without being so hysterical that it was no longer serious. It was a perfect blend of funny and serious. I also enjoyed the author's werewolves and vampires, and how the soul factors in. There were a number of plot twists that caught me completely by surprise, and I love when a book can do that.

Pace: 5 Stars
I could not put this novel down. At first, I found the fancy speech and the way no one used first names odd, but I soon got used to it. In the end, it added to the humor of the novel. I also liked how the author took the time to explain the more steampunk elements, without bogging the reader down with an insane amount of detail about every little piece of the equipment.

Characters: 4 Stars
Alexia, or Miss Tarabotti, was my kind of heroine. In a society where women are supposed to be proper and soft-spoken, Alexia is in your face and says whatever comes to mind, often without thinking it through beforehand. Although her family wasn't as intriguing, I wish we could've learned a bit more about them (and her deceased father). Her best friend, Ivy, played a small part also, but her hideous hats were a lovely quirk. Lord Maccon was also a very interesting character, especially when dealing with Alexia.

Cover: 5 Stars
Even if I hadn't heard of this book before it's release, the hot pink title would've grabbed my attention immediately. I love that the cover artist had the balls to use such an in your face color, especially for a steampunk novel. I'm also a big fan of the cover model and her large parasol, since Alexia's parasol was subject of much amusement throughout the novel. The background also does a very good job of giving the cover a Victorian-esque London feel.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Glimmerglass
Author: Jenna Black
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 05/25/10
Summary:

It’s all she’s ever wanted to be, but it couldn’t be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides she’s had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl -- she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.


Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she’ll never have a chance with… until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn’t sure where she’ll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again...

Teaser Tuesday (29)

This weekly book blog meme is hosted by Misb at Should be Reading.

Here are the rules:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
- Share the title & author too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Title: Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/29/09

Miss Tarabotti stood, marched over, and grabbed Lord Maccon's wrist. His teeth retracted instantly. The earl's yellow eyes went back to anber-brown. It was the color they must have been years ago before he yielded to the bite that made him supernatural. He also appeared slightly less shaggy, although no less large and angry. -- pg. 65

Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Title: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 03/30/10
Summary:

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge -- and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side -- leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

Plot: 4 Stars
There were so many twists and turns, and subplots. And they all worked so well for me. Very often, I like the first novel in a series the most because it introduces me to an awesome new world filled with fantastic characters; and very often I find that I get bored as a series goes on. But this series is on book five, and I think it was my favorite so far. We got to see into the working of the pack, Mercy and Adam's relationship progressed to another level, and, of course, Mercy got herself tangled in the middle of fae problems again. All in all, it was a fantastic addition to a one of my favorite series.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel flew by. A number of times, I would pause in my reading and wonder how so much of the book had flown by without feeling rushed. The story's separate storylines melded together perfectly to make Mercy's life a whirlwind of supernatural drama, like always.

Characters: 5 Stars
I liked the way the author handled Mercy dealing with her personal issues, stemming from earlier novels. It was also nice to see Sam and Adam interacting without so much testosterone. I love how much we get to learn about the pack in this novel. Up until this point, we've met a number of the pack members, but we didn't know that much about them. We get to see a couple pack members' true colors, which was quite unexpected (in a good way). I wish we could've seen a bit more of Zee because I always find him amusing, but at least he wasn't completely absent.

Cover: 5 Stars
I always love Mercy's covers. I know that she only has the one pawprint tattoo. But I love how the cover artist always incorporates more tattoos that change with the subject matter. I also like how Mercy being a mechanic is always highlighted in the covers. It shows you a lot about the character without even having to read the jacket blurb.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library for my own enjoyment.

In My Mailbox (29)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Bought:

Hell Fire by Ann Aguirre
The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead

Review: Embers by Laura Bickle

Title: Embers
Author: Laura Bickle
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 03/30/10
Summary:

Truth burns. Unemployment, despair, anger -- visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit’s unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city. Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya -- who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern -- suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil’s Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya -- with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team -- can stop it. Anya’s accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she’s risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced.

Plot: 5 Stars
The arson aspect of the plot was amazing and interesting to read about. You can really tell when an author does their research, and I was amazed by Bickle's ability to describe the fires vividly without being drawn out and boring. I also liked the concept of a lantern, or a medium that uses the element fire, and the lore that was weaved into it. My favorite part was how Anya had to balance the two aspects of her life -- being a fire investigator and a lantern -- in a world where few knew about the paranormal.

Pace: 5 Stars
There was never a dull moment. A couple times, I took a break from reading and was like, Whoa! I read that much? I love when stories fly by like that. Each scene transitioned easily into the next and the action never stopped. The subplot involving DAGR and hunting spirits fit nicely between the arson events leading the story on.

Characters: 5 Stars
I absolutely loved Sparky, Anya's salamander familiar. I loved that he cuddled with a Gloworm and that he liked to play with (and end up destroying) anything electrical. He brought a bit of humor to the story exactly when it was needed. Anya was a very likeable heroine. I enjoyed learning both about her powers as a Lantern and her job as an arson investigator. I also found the members of DAGR to be a good group of people, and I hope to see more of them (especially Brian and Katie) in the sequel.

Cover: 5 Stars
The orange colors of this color make you think you're holding a book that is on fire. The cover model was a very nice choice after reading Anya's description. And I loved that the cover model was wearing a salamander necklace like Anya did (to bind her to Sparky). Little details like this that are taken right from the story always make me happy when I see them on a book cover.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Stormwalker
Author: Allyson James
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: 05/04/10
Summary:

Janet Begay is a Stormwalker, capable of wielding the raw elemental power of nature, a power that threatens to overwhelm her. Only her lover, Mick, is able to calm the storm within her -- even as their passion reaches unimaginable heights of ecstasy.

But when an Arizona police chief's daughter is taken by a paranormal evil, they find themselves venturing where no human can survive -- for only together can they overcome the greatest danger they've ever faced.

Teaser Tuesday (28)

This weekly book blog meme is hosted by Misb at Should be Reading.

Here are the rules:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
- Share the title & author too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Title: Embers
Author: Laura Bickle
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 03/30/10

Last week, she'd bought a microwave. As far as Sparky was concerned, this was the best kitchen gadget, ever. It sat, back in its box, on the kitchen table, the white enamel finish charred black and the window cracked. Anya figured the odds of returning it were low, but she'd give it a try. -- pg. 20

In My Mailbox (28)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Bought:

Death Blows by D.D. Barant
Master of None by Sonya Bateman
Changeless by Gail Carriger
The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

Library:

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Month in Review: March

Another slow month... But I blame Spring Break. Sooner or later, I will start reading at my old pace of 9-10 books a month. I swear. Anyway, here are the books I read in March (along with links to their respective reviews):

NUM8ERS by Rachel Ward 2 Stars

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor 2.5 Stars, 4 Stars, 3 Stars

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting 5 Stars

Vintage Soul by David Niall Wilson (ARC) 3 Stars

Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn 4.5 Stars

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane 4 Stars

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So what did everyone else read in March? :)