Fallen

Description:

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

My Take: 

Meh. Worth a read if you are really hard up for something different from the YA Vampire/Were merry go round. The basic story line is awesome but the writing kinda falls flat. The 1^st book was pretty good, the second not as much; I haven’t read the 3^rd book yet but I’ll wait till it comes out in paperback. Not willing to shell out $20 for a book I’m wary of. I’m in no rush (really not a good sign).

Both the main protagonists annoyed the crap out of me to tell you the truth. The hero is controlling and is constantly talking down to the heroine. And I wanted to bludgeon the heroine numerous times for displaying such rampant sheer stupidity. It reminds me of the Twilight series and not in a good way. Way to once again sell unhealthy relationships to teens and market it as romantic.

Don’t get me wrong. I can sort of relate to the protagonist’s dilemma. Are you in love with the person you think of as your soul mate because of who he is now or because of who he WAS and the relationship you once had? It’s a hard, gritty thing to deal with and it has so much potential to be a great story. But, it feels like the author is still working on getting into her groove and working out the kinks which means I was left feeling disappointed. When I finished the book I felt like I’d just taken home a tall, sexy Viking warrior who turned out to have a very tiny…package.

Last Word: If you are curious about this book, I’d suggest borrowing it from a friend or the library. I wouldn’t recommend committing to buying this book before you at least have a taste test.

Where to Buy:

If you really want to buy this book (no judgment) then here's the link to it on Amazon: 

Dark Taste of Rapture

Description:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter captivates with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, and a powerful AIR agent consumed by his desire for a woman he can never have. . . .

With one caress, he can give unforgettable pleasure…or unending pain...

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped -- and he has a deadly secret.  He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips.  Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own.  But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other.  She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable.  For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested.  But to be with her, he risks destroying her. 

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other.  Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .

My Take:

Well when I picked up this book I was actually not looking forward to reading it. It’s a futuristic, sci–fi paranormal romance. Way too many genres in one and I tend not to like futuristic stuff. They tend to have no basis in reality and therefore isn’t something the reader can fully relate to, it takes away from the believability of the world and the characters. And to top it off there are a few books I’ve read from Gena Showalter that I wasn’t completely satisfied with (I’ll probably review one at a later date). But I’m happy to say that I was very pleasantly surprised.

Once I started it, I just could not put this book down. I was constantly roaring out loud with laughter or biting my lip as the steamy scenes practically set me ablaze, kind of like the delicious hero (read the book and you’ll know what I’m taking about).

And I totally fell for the heroine. Witty, sarcastic, badass, kinda spoiled and endearingly human with her emotions. I felt like she would be my best-gal pal that was number one on my speed dial. As the book ended I actually felt like I would miss her. She didn’t annoy me once (a huge accomplishment I assure you as most heroines make me want to slap them at least once), and I found myself rooting for her whole heartedly from page one.

The futuristic world Gena creates in this series (yes it’s a series and no this isn’t the 1^st book) is actually very believable and it’s a very original take on the paranormal genre. The writing was superb, the characters are sexy and it left me definitely wishing for more.

Final Word: READ READ READ! And make sure your lover or toy of choice is around just in case the heat gets to be a little too much (that was a pun you’ll get after you read it, just so you know). Now Im off to find the rest of this series! Enjoy! 

Where to Buy:
As with all the books I review, this one (and the rest of the series) can also be found in The Mystic Bookkeeper's Emporium.

Back at it Bitches!

Hello my pretties!!! Missed me? I'm sure you did. Truth to tell I missed you all too. What''s a girl to do without her book bitches?! Life is definitely not as luminous without you all in it that's for sure.
"So where the hell have you been?!" you ask. Well real (aka boring) life happened and I had to take care of a few things. But now I'm back so you may now rejoice! :D

Help Author L.A. Banks

It is with profound sadness that we have received news that, Leslie Esdaile, ("L.A. Banks") is most gravely ill. She is facing an uphill battle in her struggle with serious illness. Please know that as Leslie needs all of her energy in this fight, she is absolutely not able to receive visitors, answer emails, texts or phone calls, or receive flowers.

While your prayers and thoughts are most welcome and needed, a special support website, including an auction has been set up in order to help Leslie with the mounting medical expenses facing her and her family. We'd like to ask if you would consider helping us spread the word about this auction by placing this button on your website, blog, facebook and in your newsletters with a link to this website: www.labanksauction.org for the duration of the auction.

Share Your Heart Auction for Leslie On Ebay
June 21-July 1, 2011
Bids begin at : 9 AM EST (6/21)
Auctions end: 9 PM (7/1)
you must register with Ebay to place bids for the auction (if you are not registered)

Another way you can help:
*Contact coordinators, Jo Carol Jones (jocaroljones@gmail.com) or Anne Elizabeth (mail@anneelizabeth.com) before June 21 if you'd like to discuss your donation of an auction item.

My 1st blog award!

 How the Award works

                         1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.

                         2. Share seven random facts about yourself.

                         3. Pass the award along to 15 deserving blog buddies.

                         4. Contact those buddies to congratulate them. 

 

Thank you so much Rebecca for nominating me for this blog award! I'm so glad that people are enjoying what I'm writing, this means so much to me. You can check out Rebecca's awesome blog here: http://bendingthespine.blogspot.com/

 

Seven Random Facts About Me

1. I'm a proud mom of a 3 year old diva. lol. She's the joy of my life.

2. My spouse is a sexy bad boy with really long hair...totally romance novel worthy lol Lucky me.

3. I'm a professional model and I do some film/tv acting now and then. (I guess my daughter gets her diva-ness from me)

4. I'm also a Holistic Wellness Practitioner. (otherwise known as a professional hippie according to my charming spouse).

5. I really am a bibliophile. I'm totally addicted to books and personally I'd rather spend money on books than food, but I guess one must eat.

6. I really am pagan so paranormal books that have Wiccans in them always make me brace myself with a muttered "oh Goddess what will they get wrong now."

7. I'm a writer and I'm currently writing my own novel...lets hope I can take my own advice!

 

Blog Buddies (I chose 10)

Bitten By Paranormal Romance

Eponas Ride

Paranormal Romance Addict

Books Under Trees

Live To Read

Betty's Books

Realms Of An Open Mind

Christine Amsden

Lore Lush Book Reviews

Keta's Keep

Witch Fire

Description:

Mira Hoskins doesn’t know she’s a natural born witch who possesses the rare—and powerful—element of air. She also never expected to find herself tied to a mahogany bed frame, captive to a man who aches to fulfill her every desire and let loose the magick that dwells inside her…
Heat emanates from elemental fire witch Jack McAllister. The Coven, a governing authority of witches, has sent him to protect Mira from a band of warlocks who drain witches of power… and life. Long ago, he saw Mira’s parents murdered by this same dark magick. He’d like to quell his guilt and offer her everything she deserves. But she’s the long-lost cousin of his boss—making seduction off-limits.
With Jack’s strong guidance, Mira is luring forth her inner magick. But his sense of duty is quickly swelling into insatiable hunger. They warned him about the natural attraction between air and fire. Now he risks being consumed by the woman he shouldn’t want—but can’t stay away from.
Berkley Sensation. ISBN-10: 0425216144. Release Date: June 2007

My Take:

I can sum this book up in five words: Holy hell that was hot!!! Anya Bast's "Witch Fire" definitely turns up the heat. After reading it I felt like I wanted a cigarette and I don't even smoke! Ladies (and the few gentlemen who read Paranormal Romance) you will want to keep your partner (or battery operated buddy) close while you read this book.

It's the first book in the Elemental Witches series and it certainly sets the stage for what promises to be an action packed, steamy series. And it's much more than tantalizing sex scenes. The characters have so much depth, and the story line kept me riveted! When I wasn't fanning myself from the heat I was on the edge of my seat from the suspense, or sighing from the heart-warming romance.


Speaking of the romance, this is the type I like to read about in my novels. It's gritty, it's real, the characters are flawed and work to get to know and trust each other. A romance novel where the  relationship has substance and realism. No milksop maidens who cant do anything without her beau. No sickeningly perfect saintly knight who immediately sweeps her off her feet and promises her the stars. No my dears, what we have here is a spirited heroine with a mind of her own and an often grouchy bad boy who falls for the one woman he shouldn't. I completely fell in love with these characters with all their flaws and insecurities and perseverance. I didn't feel like slapping either one of them once (which is unusual for me).


Now throw in great writing, riveting suspense and action, and very evil bad guys and you have an instant fave. I can't really say I can find any real downside to this book other than I wanted to see the bastardly ex get his comeuppance (he was definitely a character I wanted to punch in the face) but that could just be my own bloodthirsty nature peeking through.

Final word: If you love very steamy books with a witchy paranormal twist this book is the holy grail. If eroticism scares you and you're more into sweet fairy tales then honey, this book is not for you, maybe try the harlequin section.

Where to Buy:
As with all the books I review, this one (and the rest of the series) can also be found in The Mystic Bookkeeper's Emporium. You may also find them on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Chapters (click on them for direct links to the books).

The Summoning

Description:
My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again.
All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don't even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost—and the ghost saw me.
Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House . . . before its skeletons come back to haunt me.
 HarperTeen • Trade Paper • March 2009 • ISBN: 0061450545


My Take:
When I heard that Kelly Armstrong, one of my favourite authors, had come out with a Young Adult/Teen Fiction Novel I admit I was wary. After a few bad experiences with YA novels I wasn't sure what to expect from Ms. Armstrong's newest venture but I have to say I'm very pleasantly surprised. The Summoning is the first book in the Darkest Powers series which is the YA sister series to her Otherworld Series.

I found that the characters are very well developed and very believable. The relationships between the characters are also quite believable and there is just a touch of (appropriate) sexual tension that had me sighing in remembrance of my own teen-hood sexual angst.

And then of course there was the delicious paranormal drama: young paranormal powerhouses just coming into their powers! The story is Chock-full of witches, sorcerers, necromancers, demons, ghosts and of course werewolves (OH MY!).

All in all this was a very well written book that had me emotionally invested in the story almost immediately. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and I ran out to the get the second book the first thing in the morning (which, I'm happy to report, was even better than the first).

"But wait!" you say. "Are there any downsides? This review is just too positive to believe!" Well, actually I have only one minor thing that's bugging me: because its a YA novel I don't see any steamy sex scenes in its future. Now before you go rolling your eyes there is a reason I say this. The books start setting up attractions and even oh so mild partial nudity that you want the relationships to grow into their natural (steamy) conclusions (I'm betting you were no saint as a teen either, none of us were). But I will just wait and see where the story goes.

Final Word: I would definitely recommend this book for teen and adult readers alike.

Where to buy:
All the books I review and more can be found in The Mystic Bookkeeper's Emporium. You can also find them on Chapters , Barnes and Noble and Amazon .