Review: Dark Oracle by Alayna Williams

Title: Dark Oracle
Author: Alayna Willians
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 05/25/10
Summary:

TARA SHERIDAN HAS A GIFT... AND IT ALMOST KILLED HER.

As a criminal profiler, Tara used science and her intuitive skill at Tarot card divination to track down the dangerous and depraved, including the serial killer who left her scarred from head to toe. Since that savage attack, Tara has been a recluse. But now an ancient secret society known as Delphi’s Daughters has asked for her help in locating missing scientist Lowell Magnusson. And Tara, armed with her Tarot deck, her .38, and a stack of misgivings, agrees to try.

Tara immediately senses there is far more at stake than one man’s life. At his government lab in the New Mexico desert, Magnusson had developed groundbreaking technology with terrifying potential. Working alongside the brusque but charismatic agent Harry Li, Tara discovers that Magnusson’s daughter, Cassie, has knowledge that makes her a target too. The more Tara sees into the future, the more there is to fear. She knows she has to protect Cassie. But there may be no way to protect herself -- from the enemies circling around her, or from the long-buried powers stirring to life within...

Plot: 4.5 Stars
There were a few moments in which this novel felt more like a mystery or science fiction novel, than urban fantasy. But the mystery feel fell away as more characters were introduced and used their talents as oracles, and the science fiction feel fell away as the physics aspect of Magnusson's work was described in more detail. I truly enjoyed the detail in this novel. From the dark matter to the different divination techniques, you could really tell that the author researched very well. The way the author blended the fantasy element of Delphi's Daughters and divination and the realistic element of the criminal investigation was superb.

Pace: 4 Stars
The story pack a lot into a few days span. Tara and Harry travelled over multiple state lines and split up at one point, almost getting caught a couple times. There were a number of enemies coming from different directions. But with all the running and hiding, the novel never felt rushed. It was paced perfectly, and never slowed down. I thought the descriptions of each tarot card would slow the pace down, but it actually helped the plot tremendously because of the author's thorough knowledge.

Characters: 5 Stars
Tara is a fantastic urban fantasy heroine. She is flawed and has her fears, but as the novel progresses, the reader really gets to see her grow and slowly strip away her fears. They're still there, but she realizes that she can continue to live her life with them instead of holing up in the woods. I really enjoyed that she was self-conscious of her scars, but not to the point that it completely got in the way of more intimate situations. Harry was a nice foil to Tara. He tried to understand both her past and her divination, and I think he was really good for her. Cassie, Magnusson's daughter, was very strong considering the situation she found herself in. Maggie, Cassie's dog, offered a chuckle here and there within the action.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
The purple of this cover was bright and inviting without being overwhelming. It's a color you don't see as much of in urban fantasy, and I think it really drawns your attention from the shelf. I don't know if the red title matches, but it stands out on the cover. There were aspects of the cover model that matched my mental image of Tara, and aspects that did not match, but overall the model was a good choice. I enjoyed that the cards on the cover had actual images on them. I am not completely sure the images on the card are from the tarot, but at least they are not blank.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

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

Title: Betrayal
Author: Gillian Shields
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 08/03/10
Summary:

There are the small betrayals: the unkind word, the petty lies. And there are the betrayals that break hearts, destroy worlds, and turn the strong sweet light of day into bitter dust.

When Evie Johnson started at Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, her life changed in ways she couldn't possibly have envisioned: the discovery of her link with Lady Agnes, her special bond with Helen and Sarah, and their sisterhood in the astonishing secrets of the Mystic Way. Above all, Evie's love for Sebastian has turned her world upside down.

Now Evie returns to Wyldcliffe for another term and more danger. Surrounded by enemies, she lives every day in fear that Sebastian will fall into the darkness of servitude to the Unconquered Lords. The Wyldcliffe coven is plotting to destroy Evie and use Sebastian to secure their own immortality. Evie and her sisters must master the power of the Talisman before it is too late. But could it be Sebastian himself who will ultimately betray Evie?

In this companion to Gillian Shields's dazzling Immortal, magic and sweeping romance cross the bounds of time to deliver heart-stopping emotion and suspense.

Teaser Tuesday (36)

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: Vicious Circle
Author: Linda Robertson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 06/30/09

This was bigger than me, my easily bruised ego, or my karmic future. Still, I did not have to like any of it. And the weight on my shoulders felt impossibly burdensome. How could I be that important? I never stood out anywhere else in my life; I wasn't ready to think there was any place that I should. So I said the words he probably knew were coming: "I don't want to be a killer." -- pg. 126

Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Raised by Wolves
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/08/10
Summary:

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Plot: 4 Stars
The idea of a human teenager being raised by wolves, as the title suggests, is a very unique plot twist to the paranormal novels I'm used to reading. Normally, the main character of a werwolf novel is an outsider, has just been turned into a werewolf, or has been their whole life. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of Bryn's situation, especially since she doesn't take anyone's crap. There are a couple aspects that I was a bit skeptical of (mostly involving the bond between Bryn and Chase), as the novel progressed, the author really sold it and my skeptical thoughts dwindled away. I also enjoyed the werewolf lore specific to this novel, especially when it's thrown on it's head by Chase.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
There were a few parts of the plot that moved a bit slower than I would have liked, but for the most part, this novel flowed quite well. As Bryn remembered more of what happened that night with the rogue wolf and put the pieces together as the book progressed, so did the reader. I really enjoy when authors do this, as it flows much better than having a chapter or two of backstory or flashbacks. Time also seemed to pass much more than in most books I've read. A lot of books seem to mash a lot of stuff into about a week's time, but this novel spanned over a couple months (including school ending, and summer beginning) and it gave the novel a very realistic feel.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
All of the characters in this novel are very well thought out and well-rounded. Bryn was a great main character: she spoke her mind, didn't back down, knew what she wanted and how to get it. It takes a really strong girl (I'm assuming) to grow up surrounded by werewolves, and Bryn can definitely hold her own. Callum, the pack's alpha, balanced the pack and Bryn perfectly. Devon is Bryn's best friend who likes musicals and really doesn't fit in with the rest of the wolves. He brought a nice touch of humor to the story, and really was everything a girl could want in a best friend. Lake was an awesome and hilarious female werewolf who loves guns. I wish we could've met her earlier on in the book because she was definitely my favorite character.

Cover: 4 Stars
You can't really see it from the image, but this cover is very shiny. The cover model was a very good fit for this novel. Although we didn't get too much of a description of Bryn, the cover model fits. The background images also work very well. It really resonated with how I envisioned Ark Valley with it's forests for the wolves to run in. Oh course, a werewolf novel wouldn't be complete without an image of the full moon, and I really like how the full moon on this cover isn't a focal point. My only tiny issue is the cover model's somber expression and the overwhelming amount of blue. It gives you the impression of a very somber atmosphere, and although the book has it's ups and downs, I didn't think that the book ended up being as somber as you'd expect.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

In My Mailbox (39)

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



Bought:

Red Hot Fury by Kasey Mackenzie
Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
Black Dust Mambo by Adrian Pheonix
A Devil in the Details by K.A. Stewart



Won:

Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
(Thanks to Vicki Petterson via Supernatural Underground!)
Cheat the Grave by Vicki Pettersson
(Thanks to Anna at Anna's Book Blog!)
Into the Dark by Gena Showalter
(Thanks to Harlequin via Borders True Romance Blog!)

Review: Deception by Lee Nichols

Title: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/08/10
Summary:

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian -- her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern -- and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore -- except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions... and make Emma fear for her life.

Plot: 5 Stars
The idea ghostkeeping was a very interesting and unique addition to the paranormal young adult genre. I really enjoyed that each ghostkeeper had a different skill. Too often when dealing with paranormal novels, the characters with powers always have very strong and wide-ranging powers. It was nice to see that most ghostkeepers could only possess one skill when dealing with ghosts. The events leading up to Emma ending up in Bennett's are quite surprising, and there were definitely some curve balls that I didn't see coming.

Pace: 5 Stars
This was a fast-paced novel that I just couldn't put down. I really enjoyed the novel being narrated by Emma. I don't think it would've been quite as enjoyable from third person, because you really got to know Emma and get into her head. Although there were many things going on outside of school, Emma continued going through the motions with classes. I always enjoy when an author remembers the little things and doesn't throw things like school out the window just because the paranormal aspect takes a hold of the plot.

Characters: 4 Stars
I was a bit skeptical of Emma in the beginning. She came off a bit shallow in the beginning, but I quickly warmed up to her as the story progressed. I hope future books deal a little more with her past because I felt there was a lot of unanswered questions from her childhood. Bennett was a great character, if a bit mysterious with his constantly disappearing to take care of things. The friends Emma made at Thatcher Academy were very interesting, without being cliched.

Cover: 4 Stars
This is one of those awesome covers that includes so many correct details from the story, that you can't help but notice. The cover model matches the description of Emma much better than many covers, and it even includes her mother's jade necklace. The mansion in the background depicts the museum she was living in with Bennett quite well. Even the smoke like image on the cover could be the shadows that plague Emma, since shadows wouldn't show up as well. All in all, this was a great cover.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (30)

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

Title: Red Hot Fury
Author: Kasey Mackenzie
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 06/29/10
Summary:

Introducing a sizzling new urban fantasy series featuring Marissa Holloway, an immortal Fury who doesn't just get mad...she gets even.

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston's chief magical investigator for the past five years, she's doing what she was born to do: solve supernatural crimes.

But Riss's investigation into a dead sister Fury leads to her being inexplicably suspended from her job. And to uncover the truth behind this cover-up, she'll have to turn to her shape-shifting Warhound ex for help.

Teaser Tuesday (35)

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: Raised by Wolves
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/08/10

Thankful for the reprieve, I nonetheless elbowed him in the gut, somersaulter forward and out of his grasp, and threw a rock at his head before I even realized I'd armed myself.

He caught the rock and smiled. "Good girl." -- pg. 88

Review: 13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Title: 13 to Life:
Author: Shannon Delany
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/22/10
Summary:

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen’s life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she’s about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent -- he’s a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie’s small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can’t avoid...

Plot: 4 Stars
Sometimes I don't like reading a novel in which, as the reader, I know what the mysterious boy's secret is. This was not one of those novels. Although I knew Pietr's secret before Jessie, I really enjoyed reading about all of the events that led her to figuring it out. I loved the scene where he flat out tells her, and she thinks he's joking and gets mad. It was refreshing to read about characters in a YA that have to take the bus. More often that not, I find that they characters either have cars or the detail of how they get to school is just forgotten. With only a couple chapters left, I was left wondering when the conflict/resolution would take place, but the last couple chapters really pack a punch and blew my expectations out of the water.

Pace: 4 Stars
There were a few times when the vague mentions of the past, mainly to the loss of Jessie's mother and the change in her friend Sarah, were a bit annoying because I just wanted to know what happened. But the author did a very good job weaving the information about the past into the novel without just taking a chapter or two to do an information dump on the reader. It flowed quite well, along with the rest of the novel, and was a very non-boring way to explain what had happened in the past.

Characters: 4 Stars
Jessie was a wonderful character filled with many positive qualities, but faults as well. She's one on the most complex, well-developed characters I've read in a while. For the small part she played, her younger sister, Annabelle Lee was hilarious. Her nose was always in a book and she had a sarcastic streak that was very advance for her young age. I enjoyed Jessie's two best friends, Amy and Sara, and I look forward to future books to see if the past will start affecting Sara more. Pietr was a perfect balance of mysterious and normal. Too often, the mysterious boy also comes across as kinda creepy, but Pietr didn't. I also enjoyed reading about Pietr's siblings and hope to read more about them too in future books.

Cover: 3.5 Stars
The cover of this novel is very striking. I like how the boy's eye is overlayed onto the moon, as if he's watching over the girl on the cover. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the nose I saw overlayed on the side a tiny bit. I wish we could've seen the cover model a bit more, because I like to get a mental picture for the character, even if it doesn't quite match the description in the story. The blue hues used for the cover help give it the mysterious feel that is felt throughout the novel.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received my copy for review from the publisher St. Martin's Press.

Giveaway Winner: CSN Stores

Using random.org, the winner of an $80 gift certificate to CSN Stores is...

Pamk of Book Crazy Scrapbook Mama!

I've passed your e-mail on to the CSN representative, so you should be receiving your gift certificate soon. Congratulations!

In My Mailbox (38)

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



Bought:

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Lord of the Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier
Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler



Gift:

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sisters Red
Author: Jackson Pearce
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/07/10
Summary:

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris -- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax -- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

Plot: 4 Stars
I didn't know that this novel was a modernization of Little Red Riding Hood until after I read this novel. I'm not sure if knowing it beforehand would've changed my mind in the bookstore, but I'm glad I picked it up. In reality, if it wasn't for Rosie and Scarlett wearing the red cloaks when hunting, I may not have made the connection on my own. It's been a while since I read a YA paranormal novel in which the supernatural creature was just plain evil and scary, and that's exactly what the fenris were. These werewolves were gross and evil. Period. No redemption, no good guy hiding in the bunch, just pure evil. Plus, the ending blew me away. Never in a million years, when I first picked up the novel, did I expect it to end like that.

Pace: 3 Stars
What started off as a strong, compelling novel of two sisters fighting against nasty wolves, slowed down about halfway through. It seemed like once Rosie, Scarlett, and Silas reached Atlanta, all they did was hunt. I know that was the point of the whole trip, but it felt really repetitive. I was contemplating putting the novel down for a day or two when Scarlett went out hunting for what felt like the tenth time, but around page 250, the author stirred the pot again and sucked me right back in until the end.

Characters: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed the sisters' past and how it was woven into the story. I wish we could've seen a bit more of their grandmother though. From the bits and pieces we got throughout the novel, she seemed like a very interesting character. Scarlett's intense drive to slaughter fenris and Rosie's devotion to her sister were such a great dynamic. I couldn't imagine the sisters working so well together if it was any other way. My favorite character was Silas though. He just had this blaise attitude at just the right moments, mainly when Scarlett was getting a touch too obsessed with hunting. He was there to bring the sisters back to reality.

Cover: 3 Stars
This cover was both hit and miss. It was a very striking piece of art. I really enjoyed the bold colors, and how you didn't necessarily see both girls and the wolf right off the bat. But Silas played such a big part in the book, he should've been included also. I'm probably biased because he was my favorite character, but the cover leads you to believe the focus will be just Scarlett, Rosie, and the fenris, but Silas plays a big part too.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Friday Finds (10)

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: The Spirit Thief
Author: Rachel Aaron
Genre: (unsure)
Release Date: 10/01/10
Summary:

Eli Monpress is talented. He's charming. And he's a thief.

But not just any thief. He's the greatest thief of the age - and he's also a wizard. And with the help of his partners - a swordsman with the most powerful magic sword in the world but no magical ability of his own, and a demonseed who can step through shadows and punch through walls - he's going to put his plan into effect.

The first step is to increase the size of the bounty on his head, so he'll need to steal some big things. But he'll start small for now. He'll just steal something that no one will miss - at least for a while.

Like a king.

Title: Afterlife
Author: Merrie DeStefano
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/28/10
Summary:

WELCOME TO YOUR NEXT CHANCE.

Chaz Domingue works as a professional Babysitter in New Orleans. His job is to integrate and protect the recently deceased into their new and improved lives -- a position he reluctantly accepted after his father was murdered. Though Fresh Start has always been the only game in town, resurrection isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Nine lives are all a person can get -- and a powerful group of desperate, high-level Nine-Timers will stop at nothing to possess the keys to true immortality. Unfortunately, this places Chaz at the lethal center of a maelstrom.

Now the only hope for Chaz and his family -- and the ultimate fate of the human race -- is secretly locked away in the mind of Angelique, the beautiful, mysterious Newbie who’s been entrusted to Chaz’s care...

Title: Highborn
Author: Yvonne Navarro
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/26/10 (my 23rd bday!)
Summary:

Not available.

Review: Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

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...

Plot: 5 Stars
The idea of the mortal world and the faerie world intersecting in a specific point, Avalon, was a very interesting take on faerie lore. Up until now, I've only read about the two worlds existing completely together or completely apart. I really enjoyed how the two races could co-exist in Avalon, but humans couldn't venture into the faerie realm, and vice versa. The magic that the fae possess was also unique. It involved more energy manipulation than the more common glamour.

Pace: 5 Stars
Dana just couldn't catch a break once she reached Avalon. She barely got a chance to stop and take a breath. As much as I felt for her, I also really enjoyed reading the crazy chain of events that took place. The pace was go-go-go without being completely rushed. In fact, all of the events flowed together to make a wonderful story that was never boring.

Characters: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed Dana. I really felt for her as I was reading. She dealt with the hand life dealt her in a very mature manner. Ethan and his sister were very interesting characters. They played off of each other quite well, and gave the reader a very intimate glance into life in Avalon and life as a fae teenager. I would've liked Dana's parents to have played a slightly bigger roll in the book. I don't feel like I got to know them quite as well as other characters.

Cover: 5 Stars
I fell in love with this cover the first time I saw it online, but seeing it in person was a hundred times better. What looked like gray spots, turned out to be a shiny silver. And they even repeated onto the spine. The text and spine were an unusual pink that really complimented the navy blue. But my favorite part is the image of the cover model. The image and it's opposite image are striking in their unique angle.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (29)

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

Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 07/20/10
Summary:

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past... and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves... and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Teaser Tuesday (34)

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: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 06/08/10

I wasn't ready to start my homework, but I wanted to stay in the sanctuary of the house. I was afraid if I ventured into town I'd see those scary shadows again. So I wandered around aimlessly. First I paced the library. Then I knocked the pool balls around in the billiard room until I felt a familiar tingle. It was probably Nicholas, looking for a gameto play, but I didn't want to face even him, not right now. -- pg. 151

Review: Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

Title: Unholy Ghosts
Author: Stacia Kane
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 05/25/10
Summary:

THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

Plot: 4 Stars
The way every aspect of Chess's life get wrapped together into the intricate plot of the novel was done very well. Her work life with the Church and her secret life of drugs cross paths and she dealt with it the way one would expect: with lies and drugs. The ghosts and their history in Downside were a very interesting take; it's not very often the ghosts are specifically mean or violent. The magic could have been explained a little more in depth, but was still unique to the story. I really enjoyed following Chess throughout the book as she balanced the good parts of herself against the bad, her work against her addiction.

Pace: 4 Stars
I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They really helped explain the church without Chess having to pause in the action to explain everything. The story flowed really well with the quotes and Chess just giving bits and pieces about the church throughout the story. There were a couple points throughout the novel that were a bit slow for me. A few times, I wanted to shake Chess and tell her there were more important things going on than her drugs, but her addiction really became just another part of the story. The end seemed a touch rushed, but was otherwise a great ending to a very interesting story.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
Chess was a very unique individual. I've never before read about a main character that was also addicted to drugs, and it was a very fresh idea for the urban fantasy genre. In a genre full of kick ass bounty hunters and assassins and law enforcement officers, it was a breath of fresh air to read about a less than perfect, flawed character that read almost like an anti-hero. I also enjoyed the difference in speech between the more shady characters and the members of the Church. Although it took a bit getting used to, once I did, it really gave me a better picture of the characters.

Cover: 4 Stars
The color contrast of blues and yellows on each half of the cover model's face depicts the good and bad that wars within Chess. I also really liked that the cover model's tattoos were relevant to the story, although we never get a clear picture of what Chess's tattoos should look like while reading. The cityscape background really gives the dark and gritty feel of Downside. And I absolutely love the font chosen for the title.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

In My Mailbox (37)

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



Bought (used):

Blood Song by Cat Adams
Deception by Lee Nichols

Giveaway: CSN Stores

** NOTE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

I know I haven't posted all week (this new overnight schedule is really messing me up), but I'm gonna make it up to you guys with a giveaway. Recently, a representative from CSN Stores has contacted me to host a giveaway in which one lucky reader of this blog will win an $80 gift certificate that they can use at any of CSN's 200+ online stores. There are so many awesome products and stores on this site, from lights to bookcases to pet furniture.

Here are some products that caught my eye while browsing some of CSN's sites that the winner could afford:


http://www.csnlighting.com/


http://www.csnbookcases.com/

Some items from CSN's 200 stores have free shipping, but others do not. Be aware of this while you're browsing. Also, to those readers in Canada, there are international fee for some products.

Giveaway Rules:

You must leave a vaild e-mail address.
This contest is open to the US and Canada only.
Please, only one comment per person.

Extra entries:
+1 For being a follower (new or old)
+3 For tweeting the contest @sara_UFblog (must leave link in comment)
+5 For a blog post (must leave link in comment)

** This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Saturday 06/19 and the winner will be announced Sunday 06/20. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

In My Mailbox (36)

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



Review:

13 to Life: A Werewolf Tale by Shannon Delany



Bought:

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison



Bought (used):

Eye of the Daemon by Camille Bacon-Smith
My Immortal by Erin McCarthy
Night Lost by Lynn Viehl
Evermore by Lynn Viehl



Library:

Prom Nights from Hell (anthology)

Author Interview: Jennifer Estep

Today I'd like to welcome back Jennifer Estep, who is stopping by to talk about her new Urban Fantasy release, Web of Lies, which released on May 25th and is the second novel in her Elemental Assassins series. You can see my review here.

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Sara: How would you describe your novels, Spider’s Bite and Web of Lies, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?
Jennifer: Spider’s Bite and Web of Lies are the first two books in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.

Spider’s Bite was released in February 2010, and Web of Lies just came out on May 25. The third book in the series, Venom, will hit shelves on Sept. 28.

Sara: How would you describe Gin using only three words?
Jennifer: Sassy, sarcastic, strong.

Sara: Why did you decide to make Gin an assassin? Were you worried her career path would be viewed negatively?
Jennifer: I’ve always loved reading assassin books, especially in fantasy literature, because assassins can be everything from crazy and creepy to cool and in control. The more I read about assassins, the more I wanted to write my own assassin book with my own magic system and world building. So one day, I did, and Gin Blanco was born.

I know that not everyone likes books about assassins, and that’s okay. Different strokes for different folks, and all that. To me, the biggest challenge was having Gin be an assassin and still making her a likable character. To that end, Gin has hobbies, quirks, and hang-ups, just like the rest of us do. Gin loves to cook and read, and she’s fiercely protective of the people that she considers her family. I think that’s a trait that everyone can admire.

I think your character can have any kind of job you want -- even being an assassin -- as long as the reader is able to relate to her in some way, as long as you humanize her in some way. Hopefully, I’ve done that with Gin.

Sara: When I think of elemental powers I think of earth, wind, fire, and air. But within your books there are other elemental powers such as stone and ice. What made you decide on the elemental powers specific to your series?
Jennifer: I wanted to do something a little different from what folks usually think of as the four elements, so my four elements are Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone. When I started writing the Elemental Assassin series, I knew that I wanted two elements to compliment each other -- like Air and Fire, and Ice and Stone. And I wanted two elements to oppose each other -- like Air and Stone, and Fire and Ice. So it just made sense to me to use a different set of elements.

Also, I thought by using Ice and Stone that I could come up with some really cool powers for both Gin and the bad guys to use. So far, I think it’s worked out well. I’m having fun writing about these elements, and I hope readers think that I’m using them in interesting ways.

Sara:If Gin could work together with any Urban Fantasy heroine, who would you want her to work with?
Jennifer: Hmm, that’s a toughie just because there are so many great urban fantasy heroines out there. I would have to go with Karen Murphy from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series. Karen’s a cop, so she and Gin could work together to bring down a bad guy -- and then Karen could try to bring Gin to justice for all the bad things that she’s done. The cop and the assassin is always an interesting dynamic to play around with.

Sara: Can you give us a small description for Venom, the next book in the Elemental Assassin series?
Jennifer: Certainly. In Venom, Roslyn Phillips asks Gin to kill the man who is stalking her. Roslyn is the vampire madam who runs the nightclub Northern Aggression, and thanks to some events that take place in Web of Lies, Roslyn catches the eye of Elliot Slater, a giant who is one of Ashland’s most dangerous men. Since Gin feels responsible for Roslyn being stalked in the first place, she agrees to eliminate Slater, who happens to work for Mab Monroe, Gin’s nemesis. Readers will also find out more about Bria, Gin’s long-lost baby sister, and Gin makes an important decision regarding Mab Monroe. The book is really a turning point in the series in a lot of ways, as Gin decides on a new path in life for herself.

Venom is the third book in the series, and it will hit shelves on Sept. 28. Right now, I’m contracted for five Elemental Assassin books, with books four and five tentatively scheduled for 2011.

Sara: Who are your greatest influences, both in and out of the Urban Fantasy genre?
Jennifer: I read pretty widely -- fantasy, romance, spy thrillers, mysteries. For epic fantasy, I grew up reading folks like David Eddings and Terry Brooks. Some of the first folks I read in urban fantasy were Jim Butcher and Kim Harrison. In romance, I like Kresley Cole, Jeaniene Frost, Lisa Kleypas, and Linda Lael Miller.

I also love Donald E. Westlake, who wrote the Dortmunder comic crime caper novels, and his alter ego, Richard Stark, who wrote a series of novels about a thief named Parker. And I’ve got all the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming on my keeper shelf. Basically, I love books with a lot of action scenes, and I think that comes across in my own writing as my books are pretty action-packed. I love writing fight scenes.

Sara: What are you currently reading?
Jennifer: Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery. It’s a contemporary romance set in California. Contemporary romance is another genre that I’m interested in writing someday, and I always like to read what other folks are writing in any genre that I’m thinking about dabbling in.

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Feel free to leave comments and questions for Jennifer! I'll be stopping by periodically after I get some sleep (just got home from an overnight shift).

And here's the more information about Web of Lies for anyone interested:

Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I'm Gin Blanco.

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man... dead or alive.

Teaser Tuesday (33)

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: Glimmerglass
Author: Jenna Black
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 05/25/10

My hope had been that blocking its vision would slow the creature down at least a little, but my plan worked better than expected. The creature tried to pull the afghan off its head, but the yarn kept getting caught on all the little sticks and twigs that jutted out of its body. Shrieking in outrage, the creature began shredding the afghan with its claws. -- pg. 56

Month in Review: April & May

Since I was having computer issues around the beginning of May, I never posted my April Month in Review, so I figured I'd make May's into a double. My reading has picked up a little, and I hope the trend continues. Anyway, here are the books I read in April and may (along with links to their respective reviews):

April: 9

Embers by Laura Bickle 5 Stars

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs 4.5 Stars

Soulless by Gail Carriger 4.5 Stars

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 5 Stars

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr 4.5 Stars

Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 3.5 Stars

Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 1: Sanctuary by Mellisa Marr 3 Stars

Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 2: Challenge by Mellisa Marr 3.5 Stars

Changeless by Gail Carriger 3.5 Stars

May: 9

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason 2.5 Stars

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready 5 Stars

The White Cat by Holly Black 4 Stars

Swoon by Nina Malkin 2.5 Stars

Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans 3 Stars

Stormwalker by Allyson James 5 Stars

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep 4.5 Stars

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane 4 Stars
Review coming soon

The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod DNF

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So what did everyone else read in May? :)