September 24 2010 Blog Hop and Follow Friday

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books.

About the Hop: In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!

This weeks question is: When you write reviews, do you write them as you are reading or wait until you have read the entire book?

I will flag things that strike me while I'm reading the book, but I generally start actually writing the review when I finish the book. Mostly I'll finish it right away, but then I let it sit a couple of days and re-read the review to make sure I've covered everything I wanted to, and that nothing new popped out at me while my brain was stewing over it. And sometimes that does happen and I end up editing before putting it out there.











Follow Friday is hosted at Parajunkee's View.

Her question this week is: What is your high fashion book? --- translation --- best book cover ever.

Um. Hmm. Well, I can't pick just one. Surprising, I know. I did a post not long ago on some covers that I really like. So I tried to pick some different ones. In no particular order.

The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus Trilogy 1) by Jonathan Stroud

Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer 1) by Karen Chance

Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunters 2) by Nalini Singh

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Faefever (Fever 3) by Karen Marie Moning

Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson 5) by Patricia Briggs

The Mage's Daughter (Nine Kingdoms 2) by Lynn Kurland

A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede

















So those are just some of my picks. What's your favorite cover?






And, because while I love YA, I also love UF, Paranormal, Romance and Erotica.



The 18 & Over Blog Hop is hosted by Laurie at Bitten by Paranormal Romance


Some new stuff this week:

Waiting on Wednesday: Shadowfever
Amazon Free eBooks 9
Review: Run For Your Life by Andrea Kane

Coming up:
I'll be updating all the reading orders (again) with upcoming release information.
Also, a review of Demon From the Dark by Kresley Cole. Book 10 in her Immortals After Dark series.




Question for you stopping by: What's your favorite book so far this year?

Waiting on Wednesday: Shadowfever

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

This book is probably my most anticipated book in several years (since the end of Harry Potter!) If they had a midnight release for this, I would be first in line to get it. I'm already planning on taking the day off of work to read it.

It's the final, fifth, book in the Fever series. If you haven't started the Fever series, I highly urge you to pick up Darkfever. Check out the reading order here. It has incredibly strong world-building and...I can't even do it justice. I've posted about the Fever series before (prior to the fourth book Dreamfever coming out). There's no real spoilers in that post. Seriously. Run, don't walk, to get this series.

****Spoilers after this point for the first four books***

Title: Shadowfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever 5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: 18 January 2011

Book Description (from author's website):

"Evil is a completely different creature, Mac.
Evil is bad that believes it's good."

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister's murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals that have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief, while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh--a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King that contains the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac, and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.

Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman that haunts her dreams? More importantly, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master's penthouse, to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover, to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac's journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and make a choice that will either save the world...or destroy it.

Karen Chance Book Order

Cassandra Palmer Series

1. Touch the Dark
2. Claimed by Shadow
3. Embrace the Night
* "Day of the Dead" in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance anthology (also available free here)
* "Rogue Elements" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe anthology
4. Curse the Dawn
* "A Family Affair" (free short story available in ebook here or on her website here)
* "Shadowland" (free short story to come)
* The House at Cobb End (free short story available here)
5. Hunt the Moon
6. Tempt the Stars
7. Reap the Wind (11 November 2014)


Dorina Basarab Series

1. Midnight's Daughter
* "Buying Trouble" in On the Prowl anthology - also ebook single available
* "In Vino Veritas" in Chicks Kick Butt anthology
2. Death's Mistress
3. Fury's Kiss



Connected

1. "Vegas Odds" in Strange Brew anthology
2. "Skin Deep" in Inked anthology



Other

1. "The Gauntlet" in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 anthology



Alternate Reading Order

* "The Gauntlet" (free short story available in ebook here)
* "The Queen's Witch" (free short story available in ebook here)
1. Touch the Dark (Cassie Palmer, Book 1)
2. Claimed by Shadows (Cassie Palmer, Book 2)
3. Embrace the Night (Cassie Palmer, Book 3)
* "Buying Trouble" in On the Prowl anthology (also available as ebook single)
4. Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, Book 1)
5. Curse the Dawn (Cassie Palmer, Book 4)
* "House at Cobb End (free short story available in ebook here)(takes place prior to Cassie Palmer 1 chronologically however, story spoilers fit better here)
* "A Family Affair" (free short story available in ebook here
* "Shadowland" (free short story available in ebook here
6. Death's Mistress (Dorina Basarab, Book 2)
* "In Vino Veritas" (free short story available in ebook here
7. Hunt the Moon (Cassie Palmer, Book 5)
8. Fury's Kiss (Dorina Bassarab, Book 3)
9. Tempt the Stars (Cassie Palmer, Book 6)
* Masks
10. Reap the Wind (Cassie Palmer, Book 7) (11 November 2014)

* "Day of the Dead" (free short story available in ebook here)
* "Rogue Elements" in Wolfsbane and Misteltoe anthology
* "Vegas Odds" in Strange Brew anthology
* "Skin Deep" in Inked anthology

Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.karenchance.com/

Meljean Brook Book Order

The Guardians

* "Falling For Anthony" in Hot Spell anthology
Anthony Ramsdell and Emily Ames-Beaumont

1. Demon Angel
Hugh Castleford and Lilith

*. "Paradise" in Wild Thing anthology
Lucas Marsden and Selah

2. Demon Moon
Colin Ames-Beaumont and Savitri Murray

3. Demon Night
Ethan 'Drifter' McCabe and Charlie Newcomb

* "Thicker Than Blood" in First Blood anthology
Jack Harrington and Annie Gallagher

4. Demon Bound
Jake Hawkins and Alice Grey

5. Demon Forged
Irena and Alejandro

* "Blind Spot" in Must Love Hellhounds anthology
Maggie Winters and Geoffrey Blake

6. Demon Blood
Deacon and Rosalia

7. Demon Marked
Nicholas St. Croix and Ash

* "Ascension" in Angels of Darkness
Marc and Radha

8. Guardian Demon
Michael and Taylor


The Iron Seas

* "The Blushing Bounder" in Wild and Steamy anthology (ebook only)
Constable Edward Newberry and Temperance

* "Here There Be Monsters" in Burning Up anthology
Eben 'Mad' Machen and Ivy

1. The Iron Duke
Rhys Trahaearn and Mina Wentworth

* "Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City" in MMPB release of The Iron Duke and later as standalone ebook

2. Heart of Steel
Yasmeen and Archimedes Fox

* "Tethered" in MMPB release of Heart of Steel and later as standalone ebook

3. Riveted
David and Annika

* "Wrecked" in Fire & Frost
Caius and Elizabeth

* "Salvage" in Enthralled
Thom and Georgie

4. The Kraken King (August 2014)


Other Work

* "In Sheep's Clothing short story in Under Her Skin (previously in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance)
* "Rescue Me" short story in Agony/Ecstasy (November 2011)



Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://meljeanbrook.com/

Amazon Free eBooks 9

Romance
Compromising Positions by Jenna Bayley-Burke (Samhain Publishing)
Guns Will Keep Us Together by Leslie Langtry
Marked by Elisabeth Naughton
Penelope and Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley
Shadow Fall by Erin Kellison
Immortals: The Crossing by Joy Nash
White Tigress by Jada Lee
Strike Zone (Richmond Rogues 3) by Kate Angell
Sheltering Hearts by Robyn Carr


Autobiography
Cybill Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd


Documentary - Labor Union
Devil at My Doorstep by David Bego


Enjoy!

Review: Run For Your Life by Andrea Kane

Title: Run For Your Life
Author: Andrea Kane
Series: Stand-alone
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: Reissue - 1 October 2010


Victoria Kensington is on her morning run through Central Park when her sister, who's supposed to be in Italy, stumbles into her path. Audrey is wearing a medical gown, obviously sick, and warning her sister about danger. When Victoria goes to get help and returns, her sister is gone - without a trace.

Ignoring all threats, determined to find her sister, and unsure whom to trust, Victoria vows to get answers. Then the only man she's ever loved, Zach, shows up in New York, assigned to investigate the worldwide drug syndicate, their missions leading them to the same place. 

Despite their tangled history, Victoria trusts Zach, so they work together against the clock to find Audrey, and break the deadly drug ring. But the truth may just tear Victoria's family apart. 

As they dig deeper, the electric chemistry between them flares to a fever pitch, and the feelings they thought were in the past just won't stay there. Can Zach and Victoria navigate all the deceit surrounding them, and deal with the emotions that are unwilling to die? 

This book is one of my favorites, and I love to go back and re-read it. Mostly because it just makes me happy.

It’s hard not to like Victoria. She’s a strong, smart, independent woman, who loves unconditionally.

Zach is a brilliant surveillance expert who's a driven, caring, gentleman. As Victoria says, "She'd always marveled at how he could treat her as an equal and yet always make her so acutely aware that she was a woman." His actions prove that over and over again. 

One of my favorite things about this book is that the hero and heroine are evenly matched. Both are strong, intelligent, and they can rely not only on themselves, but also on the other. They match wits, even sometimes disagreeing, and neither is afraid to admit when they're wrong...even aloud.

Also, this is a reunion story done right. They were separated for four years, for perfectly understandable reasons. One of my biggest pet peeves in romance is the “Big Misunderstanding” between the main characters. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen here. There's definitely opportunity for it, but confusion is easily avoided because Zach and Victoria actually talk to one another.

This is another thing I love. Not only do Zach and Victoria talk about what happened four years ago, they talk about everything...the intervening years, their fears, desires, hopes and thoughts. There's no misunderstanding about what each wants. They both have eyes wide open, and make themselves, and each other, face the obstacles in their path so they can find happiness. They, understandably, have some concerns about renewing their relationship, but honest thought and discussion lead them to what they both desire. 

Obviously, what I love most is the characters, their development, and the road to happily-ever-after. I suppose I should mention the suspense part of the novel, as it is intricately tied to Victoria and Zach. I keenly felt Victoria's fear for her sister, and her worry that she wouldn't be able to help or protect her, comes through clearly. Finding out how Zach's case and Victoria's sister is linked, makes for an interesting journey, with a few twists thrown in. There are some aspects of the story that are not entirely “real world” accurate, but I honestly didn’t notice them. You are so caught up in the story, that you just keep turning pages wanting to read more.

This is definitely a favorite of mine, with a strong suspense plot weaving around the characters and providing the motivation for their objectives. By far the best thing in this story is Zach and Victoria’s love. This book is a must read!


Grade: A+

Unfortunately it's not currently available in ebook, however I'm hoping that with the re-release coming up it soon will be.
Book Link | Amazon (print) | Kindle | B&N (print) | nook | Borders (print) | kobo| Sony (ebookstore) | Simon & Schuster

September 17 2010 Blog Hop and Follow Friday

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books.

About the Hop: In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!

This weeks topic is: In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, let's take time this week to honor our favorite book bloggers and why we love them!

There are a lot of blogs that I love. In fact my reader tends to overflow! I'm just going to focus on a few here.

Kat from Wit and Sin was probably the first blog I started reading. She's still my go-to for reading orders of new-to-me authors, and a very good friend.

Nicole from The Betrayed Writer is another favorite. An avid reader, with extremely discriminating tastes, she's a friend that I work hard to find the best of the best to recommend to her. She's also a writer, working towards getting published, with some thoughts on that.

One of my favorite new finds is The Bookish Snob. I love her blog set up and can't wait to read her posts when they come up! I look forward to many more.






Follow Friday is hosted at Parajunkee's View.

Her question this week is: Favorite YA, or do you stick to the adult reads?

It's hard for me to pick a favorite of anything, even one specific category. I tend to stick mostly to adult reads, but I've really enjoyed the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud and of course Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I've been out of reading new YA for a while now (as you can probably see), so if you have any fantastic recommendations, let me know!

Waiting on Wednesday: Archangel's Consort

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

Two weeks ago when I put up my first 'Waiting on' Wednesday post, I had to choose between the one I put up and this one. It was a very hard decision to make, so I finally went (democratically I think) with which cover I'd seen first.

I am a major fan of Nalini Singh. I think she's at the top of the game for world-building, and characters that I just want to know. I'd highly recommend either her Psy/Changeling series, or her Guild Hunters Series (find the reading order here.)

***Warning: Spoilers if you haven't read the series to this point***

itle: Archangel's Consort
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter 3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: 25 January 2011

Book Description (from author's website):

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Review: Amethyst Bound by L. Shannon

Title: Amethyst Bound
Author: L. Shannon
Series: Amethyst Trilogy 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 7 June 2010


Toni Giovanni is in what she calls the 'high-risk-recovery business' - or in other words she's a thief. Her latest job is to retrieve a special box and seems quite easy, that is until Toni puts on an amulet and binds herself to an ancient dragon named Amethyst. Suddenly everything goes crazy, and she's fleeing for her life towing along one sexy archaeologist - Dr. Ben Davis.

And that's just the start of it. Now someone's hunting her, she has to face her employer without his artifact and, oh yeah, there's an ancient prophecy that predicts dragons will end the world in a blaze of fire.

Can Toni and Amethyst learn to trust one another to avert disaster?

I was really excited for this book. Dragons are a special love of mine, and there just aren't that many books out there, especially compared to vampires and werewolves, that focus on them.

Honestly I sit here a couple of days later and I'm finding it hard to remember what I liked about this book. I thought the premise was interesting, but for me it was just lost in Toni's endless musing, thoughts and (surprisingly) conversation.

The book moved at a pretty slow pace, with lots of discussions on what they were going to do, and very little time spent on any action. While I normally love discussion between characters, because it lets me get to know them better, I felt that they were constantly treading over the same stuff - again and again. Despite being inside Toni's head all the time, I never really felt I got to know her. And because we never got Ben's point-of-view I feel even less connected to him.

There were a couple of moments that made me very interested. L. Shannon has obviously put some thought into the world, and I would have liked to see more development here. I do think that things moved along a little too easily in this book. Toni seemed to accept being bonded to a dragon with hardly any qualms. Even Ben didn't seem to be too shocked (even enjoying his first ride as a dragon passenger, moments after his first sight of a dragon).

Also there were a couple of things that came up later in the book that just made me wonder why they were there. Two other supernatural beings show up out of nowhere. And maybe they'll have some further significance later. Or perhaps I was just really looking forward to a book more focused on dragons and didn't want the other stuff.

I was very, very interested in a character that showed up at the end, and I may just pick up the next book in this series to see if more story helps me like it better (and to see Weaver).

I went into this book expecting romance, and while there is some I would more classify this as urban fantasy. I do think that this may have colored my initial expectations and could have had some impact on my final thoughts, but that's not completely it because I usually don't mind whichever one I happen to pick up.

Rating: C-

Book Link | Kindle | nook | kobo | Sony | Carina Press

September 10 2010 Blog Hop and Follow Friday

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books.

About the Hop: In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!

This weeks topic is: Post a link to a favorite post or book review that you have written in the past three months.

My favorite post from the last three months is for Sins of the Heart (Ohterkin 1) by Eve Silver. This is a great start to a new series. Book 2 in the series was just release September 1st 2010, and book 3 will be released October 1st 2010.




Follow Friday is hosted at Parajunkee's View.

Her question this week is: eBook or Print?

This is a question that seems to come up in discussions quite a bit lately. I have, and love, my Kindle so I'm constantly reading eBooks on there. It's changed the way I read. It's more convenient for travel, and having on hand a bunch of options to read if something just isn't working out for me. Holding my Kindle is easier than holding a print book most of the time.

On the other hand, I still love print books. I still shop in the bookstore (in fact I was just there this last weekend). I have bookshelves overflowing with to-be-read books. I love the texture and scent of books.

So, both. Can I choose that? ;)



In the next couple of days I'll have a review of Amethyst Bound by L. Shannon.

Have a great weekend everyone!!