Leap Day Giveaway!

I don't really know why, but I really love Leap Day. Since I had a couple books sitting around for a future giveaway, I figured what better day than Leap Day! The two Paranormal Romance novels are duplicates that I ended up with, and the Paranormal Young Adult is an ARC I rescued from a local used bookstore's bargain bin that I already own a copy of. The two PNRs are brand new, although Ascension's spine was damaged during printing or shipping. The Paranormal YA has obviously been read given where I found it, but is in great condition.

So without further ado, here are the books up for grabs:



There will be two winners:
1. First Place: Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper and Ascension by Sable Grace
2. Second Place: Legacies by Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill (ARC)

To enter the giveaway, just answer the following question: What March release are you most excited for?

Giveaway Rules:
1. To enter, you must answer the question and include a valid e-mail address.
2. If you do not want to be entered for both prizes, please let me know. Anyone who doesn't specify will be entered into both.
3. Open to the US only.
4. Giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday 03/14 (Pi Day! Another day I love!)
5. Winners will be chosen via Random.org.

Title: Blood of the Wicked
Author: Karina Cooper
Summary:

When the world went straight to hell, humanity needed a scapegoat to judge, to blame... to burn.

As an independent witch living off the grid, Jessie Leigh has spent her life running, trying to blend in among the faceless drudges in the rebuilt city. She thought she was finally safe, but now she's been found in a New Seattle strip club -- by a hard-eyed man on a mission to destroy her kind.

A soldier of the Holy Order, Silas Smith believes in the cause: trawling the fringes of society for the murderous witches who threaten what's left of the world. Forced into a twisting web of half-truths and lies, he has to stay close to the most sensuous and electrifying woman he has ever seen and manipulate her into leading him to the witch he has to kill: her brother. Silas doesn't know that Jessie's his enemy, only that he wants her, needs her, even as he lies to her... and must protect her until his final breath.

Title: Ascension
Author: Sable Grace
Summary:

The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed -- vampyre, demons, shape shifters—and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen... and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission -- to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity -- Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort... Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both...

Title: Legacies
Author: Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill
Summary:

Who -- or what -- is stalking the students at Oakhurst Academy?

In the wake of the accident that killed her family, Spirit White is spirited away to Oakhurst Academy, a combination school and orphanage in the middle of Montana. There she learns she is a legacy -- not only to the school, which her parents also attended, but to magic.

All the students at Oakhurst have magical powers, and although Spirit’s hasn’t manifested itself yet, the administrators insist she has one. Spirit isn’t sure she cares. Devastated by the loss of her family, she finds comfort with a group of friends: Burke Hallows, Lachlann Spears, Muirin Shae, and Adelaide Lake.

But something strange is going on at Oakhurst. Students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and the school seems to be trying to cover it up. Spirit and her friends must find out what’s happening -- before one of them becomes the next victim...

Mini-Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Once in a Full Moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Series: Full Moon #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 12/28/10
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves -- Legend’s Run is famous for them. She’s used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend’s Run and Celeste finds herself drawn to him, much to the chagrin of her friends and perfect boyfriend. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover if the stories are more than legend. He may be Celeste’s hero or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens... once in a full moon.

Mini-Review: This novel was a short and sweet werewolf tale, and a great start to a series. Fans of the author's Vampire Kisses series will not be disappointed. I especially enjoyed the psychic portion of the story. It was definitely a quick read, but not in a rushed way. While I really enjoyed Celeste and Brandon, the rest of Celeste's friends were really shallow. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend creeped me out a bit in his resistance of Celeste's breaking up with him, and her friends' insistance she stay with him to keep the group together was weird. My favorite part of the cover was the tree branches at the bottom, since so much of the story happened in and around the woods.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

Title: The Mephisto Covenant
Author: Trinity Faegen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 09/27/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger -- she is an Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant -- God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Mini-Review: I'm always a little hesitant when religion is wrapped up in the paranormal aspect of a novel, but this one sounded very interesting. Lucky for me, while it was a novel about good vs. evil, it was in no way preachy. I really enjoyed the Anabo, Mephisto, and Eryx; it was a fresh addition to Paranormal Young Adult. There was just a lot of information that about them that bogged the pace down at certain times. Also, due to Eryx's influence, many characters came across a little flat. I really enjoyed Sasha and Jax, but there was a lot going on around them. The cover is a beautiful image, but it's one in a bunch of YA covers featuring a teenage girl in a fancy dress that the main character may or may not wear.

Plot: 3 Stars
Pace: 3 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this novel from the local library.

Review: By A Thread by Jennifer Estep

Title: By A Thread
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #6
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 02/28/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.

Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider -- me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand -- permanently.

Plot: 5 Stars
I feel like a broken record, but I absolutely loved this novel. Although she was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying her vacation, Gin ended up getting into yet another dire situation that left me wondering how she'd make it out alive. Gin always surprises me with the situations she gets in, and then the lengths she must go to to get out of said situations. The author does a great job of putting her in mortal peril, while keeping her escapes completely believable.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This novel started out with a bang, as Gin takes care of another threat that dropped by the Pork Pit after hours. She finally gives in to Finn's idea of a vacation. Of course, it wouldn't be a vacation for Gin if it didn't involve at least a little bit of killing. I loved how quickly she became involved in the local mob boss problems without even trying. There were a number of times I had to remind myself that Gin would make it (book seven comes out in August), because I wasn't sure she would and I couldn't put the book down.

Characters: 5 Stars
The strong characters and relationships were the best part of this installment in the series. Not only did we get to see more of Gin, Finn, Bria, and Owen, but there were new characters and someone from Gin's past. Gin gets to meet Bria's best friend, Callie, who also owns her own restaurant. After a meal at the restaurant, Gin and company get dragged into the local mob boss' politics when he sends some goons to threaten Callie. And then Donovan makes an appearance. I enjoyed reading as Gin dealt with the reappearance of Donovan, and how she dealt with him. The mob boss of Blue Marsh was a crazy S.O.B. and definitely made for an eventful vacation.

Cover: 5 Stars
This series is totally blessed by the cover gods. Each stands out in its own way, but they all work together and look fantastic on my bookshelf. The bright green of this cover grabs the eye, and also depicts the setting of the novel very well. My favorite part of the cover is how the cover model's jeans fade into the green of the background, but her blue tank top stands out. I'm not sure if I'd be running around in those heels if I was killing people, but they make the model seem like a badass (even without the knife on her belt). I also really enjoy that the cover model is facing forward completely, showing off the rune in her palm, as if to say, "Yeah, I'm the Spider. What are you gonna do about it?" And lastly, I will always enjoy the font choices of this series.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an e-ARC of this novel for review.

In My Mailbox (118)

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



Review:
Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep eARC [Buy now]
Thanks to Jennifer!

Bargain Books:
Jeweled by Anya Bast [Buy now]
The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer [Buy now]



Library:
Legacy by Molly Cochran [Buy now]
Genie Knows Best by Judi Fennell ** [Buy now]
The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge [Buy now]
Life Eternal by Yvonne Woon [Buy now]

Kindle:
Bodyguard by Jennifer Ashley **
Bare Necessities by Dana Marie Bell **
Angelfall by Susan Ee
Her Chosen Wolf by Renee Michaels **
Hurricane by Moira Rogers **
Kamikaze by Moira Rogers **
An Alpha's Path by Carrie Ann Ryan **

**Books borrowed or purchased by Christen

Mini-Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 01/03/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel -- all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken... though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth -- and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become...

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

Mini-Review: I loved everything about the Trylle and their society. It was a very fresh take within the Paranormal Young Adult genre. It was also a quick read, with the perfect amount of twists and turns. I enjoyed the majority of the characters, and hope to learn more about them in the next novel. The cover is gorgeous: the shocking red color, the dark castle in the background, the detailing around the title.

Plot: 5 Stars
Pace: 5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Blood of Eden by Tami Dane

Title: Blood of Eden
Author: Tami Dane
Series: Sloan Skye #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 12/01/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

This mind-blowing new series introduces Sloan Skye, and ambitious intern at the FBI's paranormal unit, where the usual rules of crime fighting don't apply...

Sloan has a sky-high IQ, a chaotic personal life, and a dream: to work for the FBI. Her goal is within reach until an error lands her with the FBI's ugly stepchild: the new Paranormal Behavioral Analysis Unit. She'll get to profile criminals, but the pool of suspects is a little more... diverse. Yet even as Sloan tackles her first case -- a string of victims, all with puncture wounds to the neck -- she can't silence her inner para-skeptic.

To catch the killer she'll have to think like one. That means casting aside her doubts, and dealing with the bizarre nightmares that started with the job. But the strangeness is only beginning, as Sloan pieces together the shocking truth about a case that's more personal than she ever would have guessed.

Mini-Review: I really, really enjoyed this novel. It reminded me of Criminal Minds every now and then. So many times, I had no idea where the story was going, and I loved the mystery. There was so much going on, but the different plot lines never became muddled. I also really enjoyed the majority of the characters. My favorites were definitely Sloan and her roommate. The cover isn't nearly eye-catching enough to do this story justice.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased this novel with a giftcard I received as a Christmas gift.

Mini-Review: Thread of Death by Jennifer Estep

Title: Thread of Death
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #5.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 01/31/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, might have finally killed her nemesis, Mab Monroe, but that doesn’t mean that it’s smooth sailing. Gin goes to Mab’s funeral to say her goodbyes and runs into some of Ashland’s most notorious underworld power players, including Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid. McAllister wants her dead, and Kincaid has his own murky motives when it comes to the Spider, and Gin once again finds herself fighting for her life. Only this time, she might wind up in the cemetery right next to Mab...

Mini-Review: This novella was a great bridge between books five and six in this series. It allowed the author to elaborate on the funeral, without bogging down book six. Although I enjoyed getting other characters' points of view, it did seem to slow the pace down just a touch compared to the rest of the series. I enjoyed getting into the other characters' heads, but found I missed Gin's inner monologue at the same time. The cover is a fantastic edition to the series. It fits in perfectly, and has the same level of detail.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novella from the author.

Author Interview + Giveaway: Christina Henry

Today I'd like to welcome back Christina Henry, author of the Madeline Black Urban Fantasy series from Ace. I absolutely loved the first two books in this series, and can't wait for the third, Black Howl, which comes out next Tuesday (02/28).

---

Sara: How would you describe Black Howl, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?

Christina: Maddy's life is getting really complicated in this book. Ghosts of the dead are popping up all over Chicago, and their deaths haven't been foreseen by the Agency, which means they're outside the natural order. And if deaths are occurring outside the natural order then that means something big and bad is hanging around.

Plus, Wade, the alpha of the werewolf pack that befriended Maddy in Black Night, has been kidnapped and Maddy's got to find him. On top of everything else, Gabriel is her thrall now, so if you thought their relationship was difficult before you haven't seen anything yet.

Sara: Do you have a favorite character to write? Is there a character that’s a bit harder than the rest to write?

Christina: Beezle is my favorite character to write. He gets the best lines and he gets to eat all the junk food, which is pretty much my dream job (after writing, of course).

Nathaniel is probably the most difficult character for me to write, because nothing about him is simple.

Sara: Will we meet any new characters in Black Howl?

Christina: Yes, there are a few new characters, but not too many. If there are too many characters it gets hard to write. I don’t know how some writers do it. I’m always impressed by these giant books that have a cast of thousands.

Sara: Last time, you said you were working on book four. How many books are planned for the series?

Christina: Right now there are at least six books planned for the series.

Sara: If Beezle could work team up with any Urban Fantasy sidekick, who would you want him to work with?

Christina: Bob from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series. They could wreak havoc on the streets of Chicago!

Sara: Tell us a little about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Christina: A pantser! I’ve now written four books and every one of them turned out differently than I’d thought they would. I write chronologically, so I just kind of let things unfold as I go.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Christina: Bill Bryson’s At Home. It’s full of amazing facts. I want to read whole sections of it to anyone who will listen.

Thank you so much for having me here, Sara!

---

Thanks to Ace, I have one (1) print copy of Black Howl to giveaway to a lucky commenter. Just answer the following question: Which Urban Fantasy sidekick would you, the reader, want Beezle to team up with?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must include a valid e-mail address.
2. Open to US and Canada only.
3. Giveaway ends Saturday March 3rd.
4. Winners will be chosen via Random.org.

Title: Black Howl
Author: Christina Henry
Series: Madeline Black #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 02/28/12
Summary:

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems too. Now that Gabriel has been assigned as her thrall, their relationship has hit an impasse. At least her sleazy ex-fiance Nathaniel is out of the picture -- or so she thinks...

In My Mailbox (117)

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



Bought:
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade [Buy now]
Tooth & Nail by Jessica Safrey [Buy now]

Won:
Arise by Tara Hudson ARC [Buy now]
Thanks to Tara Hudson!

Library:
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand [Buy now]
Magic of the Moonlight by Ellen Schreiber [Buy now]
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater [Buy now]
Corsets & Clockwork anthology [Buy now]

Mini-Review: The Twisted Kiss by Anya Bast

Title: The Twisted Kiss
Author: Anya Bast
Series: Doomsyear #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 01/24/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Sometimes it takes just one kiss...

Doomsyear, Book 1

Kylie Mitchell lives in a world of monsters. Thanks to a military experiment gone viral, over half the population is gone and most of what remains has mutated into storybook werewolves and vampires. In this new Earth, only the tough survive, and Kylie has more than enough reason to want to be left alone.

When the Council of the Wise decrees that she must mate with a potent vampire and a powerful werewolf, Kylie resents their intrusion into her self-imposed exile. As one of the last humans on Earth, she always assumed she’d be safe from the super-psychics’ machinations, and she’s not ready to trust her heart to anyone.

Michael and Christian share no great love for each other, but they have one thing in common -- their long-time desire for Kylie. Determined to ensure she doesn’t spend the rest of her lonely life wallowing in needless guilt, they choose to put aside their differences and work together, never allowing her time to think as they seduce her body and mind, hoping their love will tempt her heart to open to them.

Yet just as she begins to bloom under their fiercely protective attention, a twisted and monstrous figure from the past rises up, threatening to destroy everything...

Warning: Features a sexy werewolf, a motorcycle-riding vamp, and one very lucky woman who is tough enough to take care of herself. Watch out for sizzling hot sex scenes, two alpha males, undeniable love, and a twisted monster that might end it all.

Mini-Review: I really liked the idea behind this post-apocolyptic world in which vampires, werewolves, and humans co-exist and the council decides who should be paired. The main conflict of the story was a bit underwhelming, although it did unify the main characters. The pace of this novella was fantastic. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one afternoon. I really enjoyed all three characters, and their interactions were realistic. The cover is awesome, one of my favorites from Samhain. The colors and textures read post-apocolyptic.

Plot: 4 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I won a copy of this e-book from the author's blog.

Review: Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck

Title: Blood and Bullets
Author: James R. Tuck
Series: Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 02/07/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights...

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl "hires" him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him -- and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he's got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There's also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon's greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...

Plot: 5 Stars
Blood and Bullets had two of my favorite things in an urban fantasy: a male main character and scary vampires. And let me tell you, these vampires were creepy, violent monsters. One of my favorite parts of the novel was seeing the newbie vampire hunter, Larson, work with Deacon. They were complete opposities, and yet they still each learned from the other. I also really enjoyed the peaks into Deacon's past, along with his little anecdotes as to why he does what he does.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel was action-packed. There was little down time between these action-packed scenes, but the story never felt rushed. Although there were a few plot points I guessed beforehand, there were still a number of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The story flowed very well, and never slowed down. All in all, this novel was a quick and refreshing read.

Characters: 5 Stars
Deacon Chalk was a fantastic character. He has a mysterious and tortured past. With only glimpses into the events that made him hunt monsters, I can't wait until the next novel comes out so we can learn a bit more. He's also a badass. There's no other way to describe him. The girls at Polecats, the strip club Deacon owns, were interesting although they played a much smaller part. I look forward to learning more about them in future novels as well. Father Mulcahy was a great addition to the team. Not only did he bless all of the weapons, but he also had a bit of gruff humor. Larson made me roll my eyes in the beginning, but really grew as the story progressed.

Cover: 4 Stars
The cover model is exactly how I envisioned Deacon: a total badass. They really stayed true to the character, and I especially enjoy the tattoos. All too often tattoos on a cover don't correspond with the story, but these fit the main character and his description. I also liked the detail of the crosses and weapon on the cover. The purple background isn't the most masculine color, but somehow it works. The cloud and lightning details make the purple seem a little daunting and creepy. The font choice works really well. It's simply, yet bold.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review.

Giveaway Winner: Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck

There was a total of 12 participants in the Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck Giveaway. Using random.org, I randomized the list of entries, and then random selected the winner. The winner is...

tetewa!

Congratulations! Please respond to the e-mail I sent with your mailing information within 72 hours.

Didn't win? You can pick up a copy from The Book Depository and have it shipped for free! Just click here.

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

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

Title: Nightshifted
Author: Cassie Alexander
Series: Nightshifted #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 05/22/12
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:

From debut author Cassie Alexander comes a spectacular new urban fantasy series where working the nightshift can be a real nightmare.

Nursing school prepared Edie Spence for a lot of things. Burn victims? No problem. Severed limbs? Piece of cake. Vampires? No way in hell. But as the newest nurse on Y4, the secret ward hidden in the bowels of County Hospital, Edie has her hands full with every paranormal patient you can imagine -- from vamps and were-things to zombies and beyond...

Edie’s just trying to learn the ropes so she can get through her latest shift unscathed. But when a vampire servant turns to dust under her watch, all hell breaks loose. Now she’s haunted by the man’s dying words -- Save Anna -- and before she knows it, she’s on a mission to rescue some poor girl from the undead. Which involves crashing a vampire den, falling for a zombie, and fighting for her soul. Grey’s Anatomy was never like this...

In My Mailbox (116)

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

I kept my spending in check this week. I was very proud of myself. Hours got cut at work, so I have to be pickier about which books I must have when they come out. I think I'm going to limit myself to three per paycheck. I also found some good deals on my Kindle. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is free at the moment, and I got Fated for a dollar through Kindle deals. And I decided to do something different with the photo this week, since there's only one book. Riley was the only cat that wanted to be in a picture. Wade got freaked out whenever I put the book near him, and Rupert kept trying to chew on it.



Bought:
Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus [Buy now]

Kindle:
The Dragon Stirs by Lynda Aicher
50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom
Fated by Rebecca Zanetti

Mini-Review: Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey

Title: Devil Without a Cause
Author: Terri Garey
Series: The Devil's Bargain #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 05/31/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Idle hands are the Devil's workshop...

Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way...

Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation... because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?

Mini-Review: I wanted to love this story, but some aspects just didn't come together. The devil's storyline took up almost as much time as Faith and Finn's storyline, which led to both feeling rushed. Because of this, I felt a little confused at the end, like I was missing an epilogue. Faith and Finn were great characters, and I wish there had been a bit more focus on their story so that I could've learned more about them. My main gripe about the cover is that the man looks like he's made of plastic. But I really enjoy the fog and the colors.

Plot: 3 Stars
Pace: 3 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars

Disclosure: I received this novel as a Christmas gift.

Review: Beauty Dates the Beast by Jessica Sims

Title: Beauty Dates the Beast
Author: Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liasons #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 10/25/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

WANTED
Single human female to join charming, wealthy, single male were-cougar for a night of romantic fun—and maybe more.

Me: The tall, sensuous, open-minded leader of my clan.

You: A deliciously curvy virgin who’s intimately familiar with what goes bump in the night. Must not be afraid of a little tail. Prefer a woman who’s open to exploring her animal nature. Interest in nighttime walks through the woods a plus.

My turn-ons include protecting you from the worst the supernatural world has to offer. Ready for an adventure? Give me a call.

Vampires and doppelgangers need not apply.

Plot: 5 Stars
The back cover copy of this novel is what immediately drew me in. It reads like a hilarious personal ad. Once I found out the main character worked for a paranormal dating service, I was sold. In the beginning, I hoped the dating service would play a bigger role in the story than it did. But as the story continued, I had no problem with the dating service taking a back seat because it was such a great story. The idea of the Alliance and how it tried to organize the paranormal creatures was a creative take. I also liked that there were different kinds of weres, and not just wolves. I tend to really enjoy cat shifters, and I really enjoyed the werecougars in this novel.

Pace: 5 Stars
This was once of the best paranormal romances I've ever read, and the pacing of the story played a big part in that. All too often, I find many paranormal romances stall around page 180 to 200. It's right after the hero and heroine realize they should be together, but before everything hits the fan. In between, many PNRs leave me just sitting there waiting. This novel did nothing like that. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, wondering what was going to happen next. And I couldn't put it down.

Characters: 5 Stars
There was definitely chemistry between Bathsheba and Beau was electric. I don't often say that, because I think it sounds a bit cliche, but I can't think of any other way to describe it. The author made the heat between them almost palpable. There were times I was reading in the breakroom at work, hoping no one could tell I was reading a dirty scene. Bathsheba didn't cower to Beau, even though she was human, and I loved her confidence. I also thought this novel had great secondary characters. Bathsheba's sister added some mystery and suspense with her own problems. Everyone else at Midnight Liasons, the paranormal dating service, really rounded out the novel.

Cover: 4 Stars
I absolutely love the blue that was chosen for this cover. It's dark without making the image murky. I just wish it wasn't so monochromatic. The intensity of the blue leaves the cover models looking just a bit flat. But the pink font totally makes up for any flaw. It stands out great against the blue, and is definitely an underused color on paranormal covers. Plus, it's use on the spine makes the novel stand out even if the cover is not facing towards the shopper. I also liked the placement of the cover models. Their close proximity was intimate without the image coming across weirdly smushed together.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased with book with a Christmas gift card.

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

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

Title: Blood on the Bayou
Author: Stacey Jay
Series: Annabelle Lee #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 03/27/12
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:

First came a terrorist attack. Then the mutations -- and Fey who had lived in harmony with humans turned deadly. Now most people hide behind iron gates. But those who are immune -- and those with enough courage -- can venture out into the Louisiana Delta... and a nightmare world of magic. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

Annabelle Lee, a Fairy Containment and Control agent with immunity to fairy venom, is once again called upon to help solve a murder deep in the bayou. But this one’s off the books. Her ex-lover, Hitch, needs her help searching for a secret chemical weapons lab and an FBI mole providing it with human lab rats. Helping Hitch means certain interpersonal disaster with her estranged boyfriend, but Annabelle knows what it feels like to be a lab rat. Her new fairy-attack-induced paranormal abilities seem to have few negative side effects, but would that change if she stopped injecting herself with the mystery drug delivered to her by the even more mysterious -- not to mention ridiculously attractive -- Tucker? A man who can turn invisible at will, and who makes no bones about how dead she’ll be if she reveals his secrets? As the murder investigation progresses, Annabelle quickly learns Tucker isn’t the only one with secrets, and that the only things that cut deeper than a friend’s deception are the lies we tell ourselves.

In My Mailbox (115)

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

This week was a pretty awesome week. B&N sent a 50% off YA coupon, so of course I had to go shopping. Cold Kiss was $1.99 on Amazon yesterday and today. I'm not sure how long it's gonna last, so check it out ASAP if you're interested. We hit the other local used bookstore since the one we went to last week didn't want a bunch of books because they "weren't popular enough." This used bookstore took the whole pile, so we had quite a bit of credit to spend. Esctasy has a corner clipped off because it came from the $1 bin. It makes me sad. Christen grabbed four historicals also that I didn't include. Her books are marked with **. Demonfire was free because the crappy used bookstore e-mailed me a free book coupon. So what did every one else get this week?


Bought:
The Everneath by Brodi Ashton [Buy now]
Firelight by Kristen Callihan** [Buy now]
Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole [Buy now]
Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner [Buy now]

Kindle:
Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Used:
Demonfire by Kate Douglas [Buy now]
Ecstasy by Jacquelyn Frank [Buy now]
Darker Angels by M.L.N. Hanover [Buy now]
Vicious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover [Buy now]
Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover [Buy now]
My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel** [Buy now]
Devil's Business by Caitlin Kittredge [Buy now]
Nocturnal by Jacquelyn Frank, Kate Douglas, Jess Haines, Clare Willis [Buy now]

Guest Blog + Giveaway: James R. Tuck

Today I'd like to welcome James R. Tuck, author of the upcoming release Blood and Bullets, first in the Deacon Chalk Bounty Hunter series from Kensington. I recently finished the novel and will be giving it 4.5 Stars when I write up the review. James is here today to talk about confidence. And don't forget to enter the giveaway (details at the bottom of the post).

---

ACT AS IF
James R. Tuck

Hello Loyals and True Believers. Today we are going to talk about confidence.

Confidence is king.

I have found in my life that confidence will carry you through just about any situation. Do you feel like you are over your head? Feel like you don't deserve to be noticed? Do you feel like you should just take what life gives you?

You know what I say?

Tell your feelings to kiss your ass.

Seriously, what do your feelings matter? They aren't concrete reasons why you can't handle a situation. They aren't laws that say you shouldn't be noticed. They aren't zombie spider-monkeys armed with Ebola-coated machetes who are going to keep you from getting what you want out of life. (For the zombie spider-monkeys you'll need a fully loaded 9mm to go with your confidence.)

Look at me. Two years ago I finished reading an unsatisfactory book, put it down and said out loud to myself: “I can write better crap than that.” So I set out to do just that. I had not written before. I had no idea what I was doing. I had a concept sitting around for a character and about 9% of a story idea. But I had confidence that I could indeed write a novel. So I sat down and wrote it. (Now there is a lot more to this story, this is the quickie notes version.) Once it was finished I pulled my list of the top agents who handle Urban Fantasy. I sent queries, waiting on my big break.

I got rejected.

By everybody.

Yes it was disappointing. I'm not going to lie to you my friend. Every rejection letter was a tiny voice saying: “Oh you suck. Your book is stupid. Give it up. Go back to tattooing inkmonkey, nobody wants what you are selling.” It gets hard to carry on when you have all of that going on.

But guess what? I held firm to my confidence. I did just what I am telling you to do. I told those voices in my head to shut up cause I had work to do.

I kept going until I found my editor. He read the manuscript that was BLOOD AND BULLETS and he loved it. Loved it so much that I got a multi-book contract without an agent.

So let me be clear, the point is not how awesome I am. The point is that you have to hold fast to your belief in yourself. You have to have confidence in your goals and dreams. Don't let them go just because someone doesn't see it. Be the Great White. Keep swimming. Stick and move. You will get there.

---

Thanks to James, I have one (1) copy of Blood and Bullets to giveaway to a lucky commenter. Just answer the following question: Are you confident enough to take on a blood-sucking vampire?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must include a valid e-mail address.
2. Open to US and Canada only.
3. Giveaway ends Tuesday February 14th.
4. Winners will be chosen via Random.org.

Title: Blood and Bullets
Author: James R. Tuck
Series: Deacon Chalk Bounty Hunter #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 02/07/12
Summary:

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights...

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl "hires" him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him -- and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he's got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There's also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon's greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...

Review: Coyote’s Creed by Vaughn R. Demont

Title: Coyote's Creed
Author: Vaughn R. Demont
Series: Broken Mirrors #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/11/11
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Always have an ace up your sleeve.

Broken Mirrors, Book 1

If con games were taught in high school, Spencer Crain would be on the honor roll. As it is, he’ll be riding the edge of failure to graduation next month. Then Spence gets the news that his long-gone father is not only dead, but was a Coyote, one of three clans of tricksters in the City.

With a near-catatonic mother on his hands, Spence couldn’t care less about the Coyotes’ ongoing feud with the Phouka and the Kitsune -- until it lands on his doorstep. Suddenly he’s thrown headfirst into a dangerous world he knows next-to-nothing about. His only guide is Rourke, dashing King of the Phouka, plus a growing pack of half-siblings, a god, and Fate herself.

As Spence embarks on a journey to learn the Coyote’s creed, the truth about his heritage, and how to handle his growing attraction to Rourke, he wonders when his life turned from TV sitcom to real-life danger zone. And what price must he pay to survive the next roll of the dice...

Warning: Contains PG-13 rated violence, R-rated language and X-rated hotel scenes. Meta-humor, pop-culture humor, utter disregard for the 4th wall abound.

Plot: 5 Stars
This book was my first M/M, and I'll admit that I was a bit hesitant at first. But I soon learned that it was no stranger than when I read my first romance. What drew me to this book originally were the three trickster clans. Of the three, I have only read about kitsune in a few novels, so I was excited for something new. There were tons of twists and turns, along with tricks, as Spencer's mission leads him all over town dealing with all three trickster clans.

Pace: 5 Stars
I read the majority of this novel in one afternoon/evening, which is unheard of for me lately. This was the first Kindle book that I devoured so quickly, and I no longer wonder if I'll be able to devour great e-books like I can devour great print books. There was never a dull moment as Spencer was thrown into the trickster world head first.

Characters: 5 Stars
I'm always looking for a great male main character, because between UF, PNR, and paranormal YA, there are more than enough female leads. Every now and then, I like being in a male character's head. I really enjoyed Spencer as a main character. True, he was young, but dealing with his mother forced him to grow up a bit. At first I thought it was going to be weird between Spencer and Rourke due to the age difference, but the author did a great job of making sure that everything unfolded naturally. Between the three trickster clans, there were plenty of interesting characters that Spencer met along the way, and I can't wait for book two.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
The colors of this cover are what made it stand out while I was browsing the publisher's site. A lot of the others were very bright, but the subtle browns and oranges gave this cover a grungy feel that called to me. I think the cover model was a good choice for Spencer. I really liked the small detail of the "A" and the club on his jacket, since he often conned people using his deck of cards. I also liked how the animal head over his shoulder almost looked etched into the building instead of just floating in the air. The font choices are a bit simple, but the colors tie in to the rest of the cover very well.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased with book with a Christmas gift card.