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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
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Friday, June 17, 2011
Review: Dark Desires After Dusk
Dark Desires After DuskAuthor: Kresley Cole
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Publisher: Pocket Publishing
Immortals After Dark #6
ISBN: #978-1416576754
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), e-book
I purchased a copy of this book for my own reading pleasure!
From the author’s website:
A ruthless demon mercenary. A lovely young halfling. In the dark, there's no escaping desire.
A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can't resist...
Cade of the rage demons will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.
A tormented warrior she should fear, but can't deny...
Raised as a human, Holly Ashwin never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon’s wicked touch.
Surrender to dark desires...
Yet just when he earns Holly’s trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs—and claim his heart?
What I’m talking about:
OH... this is my favorite IAD book so far! We’ve seen demon prince, Cadeon (Cade) admire and long for his one true mate, Holly, from afar in previous stories. Knowing that he could never be with her, yet remaining loyal to her was romantic and a bit heartbreaking, and it helped shape Cadeon’s Heroic Persona. Also adding to this is the fact that Cade is weighed down by a massive guilt complex, believing he is responsible for losing his brother Rydstrom’s, kingdom to an evil sorcerer (Omort). So when Cade is told that he can help win back the kingdom’s crown for his brother by finding and turning over the female “vessel” to said evil sorcerer’s brother (Groot), Cade is ready to hunt for her. A Vessel is a female from Lore (the so call “mythological” creatures), who will give birth to the ultimate good or bad guy during the upcoming Accession (read “World War” for the Lore). So what a surprise to both Cade and Holly when they find out that sweet human Holly is actually part Valkyrie and the Vessel.
Right from the start this book is screaming with action and amazing sexual tension. Maybe it’s because Cade’s desire for his Holly has been mentioned in earlier stories, but I felt the spark between this pair right from the get go. I loved how the book opened with Holly transforming into a Valkyrie and that she is forced to jump into a world she knew nothing about. Holly maintains a wonderful balance of her old human self and new Lore female - clinging to her fears and O/C tendencies, while slowly allowing her Valkyrie nature to take root and develop. Ms. Kole does a marvelous job with Holly’s character - giving her time to freak out, accept the changes, then slowly shed the past, realizing that her Valkyrie self was actually there all along.
The pair is on the run from other Lore factions that want to impregnate Holly (the Vessel) for themselves. Cade misleads Holly into believing she could reverse her transformation so that he can take her to Groot. While Cade protects Holly because she is a commodity, he knows in his soul that it’s more because she is his mate. As the two continue their journey to Groot, they begin to fall in love. But it’s not a smooth road - especially since Cade has been lying to Holly. While I’m usually not a fan of the “I’ll hide the truth and use you, but then I fall in love and oops, I’m an ass” storyline, it really works in Dark Desires After Dusk. The tension doesn’t feel forced or insurmountable. Both characters have an underlying honesty and goodness that shines through and creates a wonderful Hero and Heroine combination.While this story could be read stand alone, I feel that there is more emotional impact from reading the series as a whole. Ms. Cole carefully plants seeds in each book that blossom as time progresses. I am now understanding why everyone has been recommending the IAD Series to me for so long. The series is exciting, sexy, and fun...and Dark Desires After Dusk is a solid A in my book!
My Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
And be sure to stop by later and join in this month's IAD Reading Challenge Discussion!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Review: Hunt the Moon
Hunt The Moon
Author: Karen Chance Release Date: June 7, 2011
Publisher: Signet
Cassandra Palmer Series #5
ISBN: # 978-0451413079
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (432 pgs), ebook
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
Cassandra Palmer recently defeated a god, which you'd think would buy a girl a little time off. But it doesn't work that way when your new job description is Pythia — the world's chief clairvoyant. Cassie is busier than ever, trying to learn about her power, preparing for her upcoming coronation, and figuring out her relationship with the enigmatic sexy master vampire, Mircea.
But someone doesn't want Cassie to become Pythia, and is willing to go to any lengths to make sure the coronation ceremony never happens—including attacking her mother before Cassie is even born.
But someone doesn't want Cassie to become Pythia, and is willing to go to any lengths to make sure the coronation ceremony never happens—including attacking her mother before Cassie is even born.
What B is talking about:
At twenty-four, Cassie Palmer hadn’t planned to be one of the most important players in the supernatural world, but she is. For reasons Cassie doesn’t understand, the Pythia’s power chose her, not the other way around. But there are plenty of others who would be more than happy to take that power away from her, even if they have to destroy her to do it.
This was a great story from start to finish, even though it’s the fifth book in the series. It didn’t take me long to become familiar with most of the characters, much of the dialog is witty and quick, and the action never seems to stop. There’s inadvertent cliff diving, horse-drawn carriage chases, and combustive dragons. Although Ms. Chance packs a lot into Hunt the Moon, it’s not to the point of being overwhelming.
Cassandra is a lot of fun. She’s snarky, clever, and has given up on trying to please everyone. Something is trying to kill her, and despite a battalion of armed vampires assigned to keep her safe, whatever it is has been far too close to successful in its attempts. Her head vampire bodyguard, Marco, is a riot much of the time, and the general banter among her guards is consistently amusing. Even in the middle of a crisis, Ms. Chance manages to keep the observations funny.
This is a far sexier Urban Fantasy novel than some others I’ve read. Between the vampire she loves, who has claimed her for his own (although Cassie would have preferred to actually date him for awhile first), and the half incubus Pritkin (whom I was also rooting for), she’s got a lot to think about. Both are sexy in their own way, both care for Cassie a great deal, and both have proved that they’ll go to any lengths to keep her safe. It should be a great situation for a girl to find herself in. Should be.
Hunt the Moon was fun and exciting from the beginning. Even better, Chance’s humor had me laughing out loud throughout the novel. Cassie is a unique heroine, and there’s no shortage of colorful characters surrounding her. Despite the humorous and sweet components of the story, much of the action definitely qualifies as “edge-of-your-seat.” I’m definitely going to check out the earlier books in the series while I’m waiting to see what happens next.
B’s Rating:
Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Review: Shadow Walker
Shadow Walker Author: Allyson James
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: #978-0425241820
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
I purchased this book with my own money because I LOVE this series!
From the author’s website:
Winter descends on the town of Magellan, and new evil comes to call.
Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick—but not before they disturb dark forces.
As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, and her grandmother, who’s taken up residence, Mick’s behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been "touched by shadows," and Janet realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon. Now she must free Mick before he kills her…
Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick—but not before they disturb dark forces.
As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, and her grandmother, who’s taken up residence, Mick’s behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been "touched by shadows," and Janet realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon. Now she must free Mick before he kills her…
What I’m talking about:
AH! I cannot stop talking about how much I adore this wonderful (still fairly new) series by Allyson James! For those not familiar, the series followers half-Navajo Janet Begay, a Stormwalker who can bend the power of storms to her will. Oh, and she also is the daughter of an evil goddess who has passed on dangerous Beneath magic to Janet. She lives in a small Arizona town, owns a quaint hotel, has a ridiculously hot and sweet boyfriend, Mick, and trouble seems to follow Janet where ever she goes.
The third story picks up shortly after the end of the second book, Firewalker, and opens with Janet finding herself in danger once again when she plummets to the bottom of a sinkhole while being tailed by Sheriff Nash Jones for speeding. Janet finds herself under attack from dozens of mysterious petroglyphs and once again, she finds herself at the center of another dangerous mystery. Soon, the story deepens with Mick acting strange, the pipes and wiring in her newly renovated hotel suddenly corroding, and the appearance of her “sister” who seems bent on destroying Janet.
One thing I love about this story is that Janet has matured. She has always been a mighty kick-ass heroine, but by now she has gone through many trials, including saving the world, and she is embracing all of her magic - even the dark Beneath magic. She has stared at the face of death and no longer fears dying. In addition, she has wholly given herself to boyfriend/mate Mick. Their love has deepened, the emotions stronger, and their relationship is amazing. They aren’t perfect, but believe (and know) that their love can help them concur all that comes their way. And it is because of this love that the pain of Mick’s apparent betrayal is magnified a hundred-fold. My heart actually ached and I had tears in my eyes while reading Mick’s repeated attempts at killing Janet.
The overall plot of the third book is another fantastic mystery. This time, Janet needs to find out why an evil witch, a Shadow Walker, wants to claim Janet’s hotel, how her evil “sister” (same goddess mom) is involved, and how to save Mick from potential enslavement, all while entertaining 2 dragon shifters who would rather kill Mick than allow others to be enslaved, and her grandmother who is keeping secrets with the cook while sending Janet’s one big ally, the trickster god, Coyote on errands. Janet has her hands full, but she never gives up. I love that she gets frustrated and mad, and she may fall and fail. But in the end, her beliefs and inner-strength, along with the support of her friends, keep Janet going. I never felt that Janet and company’s problems or the peril they faced was over the top or contrived.
Finally, I have to reiterate how important the supporting cast of characters is in the function and enjoyment of the book(s). There are several, but each is written so organically that every one has his/her place and is an important cog in the machinery of this series. The supporting characters are nothing short of stupendous. From the magically “void,” Unbeliever sheriff - Nash Jones, his girlfriend - Maya, Janet’s father and grandmother, all the folks that work at the hotel, Janet’s sister to the tricker god, Coyote... no matter what size roll is actually written, each plays a big part in making the story complete. Even the crazy bi-sexual magic mirror is more than comic relief!
No matter what I write in this review, I cannot give justice to this story or series. Ms. James has created an amazing world with such intricate details and comprehensive characters that I feel as though I could go to Magellan and discover Janet and her friends having a bite to eat at the hotel. I find as much pleasure in reading the descriptive sections - learning about the land and heritage of the people - as I do when reading the base story line and trying to solve the mystery or problem along side Janet. My heart races during this story during several sections - whether it’s due to the race against the clock and the thrill of the action, or because of Mick and Janet’s heart-felt love for one another - and that is why this book is one of ...
My Rating:
Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Series... love them or hate them?
I'm a series girl. I've stated this before, probably several times, but I enjoy a good series - whether it be romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery... There is something reassuring about seeing the same characters and settings book after book. My love for series started young - when I read Trixie Belden, Little House on the Prairie and the Three Investigators. Series are a staple of the books I read. I have several "auto reads" or "auto buy" series. Here are my top favorites - these I recommend above all others (but I love so many more):
1) The Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews.
Heroine: Kate Daniels - magical, powerful, great with a sword, all-around kick-ass
Hero: Curran - Beast Lord, lion shifter, sexy, powerful, makes me purr
Book Titles -
MAGIC BITES
MAGIC BURNS
MAGIC STRIKES
MAGIC BLEEDS
MAGIC SLAYS
My series rating 5 stars.
2) The Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh.
This paranormal romance takes primarily takes place in San Francisco, CA. For those unfamiliar with this incredible series, the world is made up of 3 races: Psy: cerebral and emotionally void people that hold most political and financial offices; Changeling: shifters of many different species, in-tune with nature, emotionally fierce and loyal; and humans: the supporting race in the middle. The books focus primarily on two dominant Changeling packs: SnowDancers, which are wolves and DarkRiver, which are leopards. Ms. Singh has created an overall story arc dealing with the breakdown of the Psy "silence" and how the Changelings are coming into power. Book Titles -
SLAVE TO SENSATION
VISIONS OF HEAT
CARESSED BY ICE
MINE TO POSSESS
HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE
BRANDED BY FIRE
BLAZE OF MEMORY
BONDS OF JUSTICE
PLAY OF PASSION
KISS OF SNOW
My series rating: 5 Stars.
3) The Stormwalker Series by Allyson James.
Is it paranormal romance or urban fantasy? I don't care because it is incredible writing and storytelling! I just finished the third book in this amazing new series and I cannot wait for more. Taking place in Arizona, the stories follow the crazy life of Janet Begay, a Native American with earth-based storm magic and an evil goddess for a mother. She lives with the most amazing magic man, Mick and together they fight the evil that seems to follow Janet's every step. Each book has suspense, mystery, action, and romance. Perfect!Book Titles -
STORMWALKER
FIREWALKER
SHADOW WALKER (review to come this week!)
My series rating: 5 Stars.
4) The ACRO Series by Sydney Croft.
Erotic romance meets paranormal adventure... Think X-Rated X-men! Authors Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler have created an amazing, action packed world of covert ops, complete with complex good and bad guys. Each story revolves around several couples and keeps them coming back book after book. This series contains on of my favorite, so emotionally charged scenes I have read in a book. The sixth and final installment comes out later this month. If you want hot smex and action... this is a MUST READ!Book Titles -
TAKEN BY FIRE (review later this month!)
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
Another wonderful paranormal romance series that is full of story and light on fluff. Meljean is one of the best world-builders writing today. The Guardians are a race of protectors, each created when, as a human s/he sacrifices her/himself to protect the human race. They are like angels, but not quite. They fight evil demons and other "creatures from hell," while trying to remain a secret to the humans around them. Book Titles -
DEMON ANGEL
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON MARKED, coming 2011
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
These series are also on my auto-read list:
Iron Seas by Meljean Brook (only one full book so far, but best read of 2010)
The Breeds by Lora Leigh (my guilty pleasure)
SO... which series can't you live without?
Labels:
ACRO,
Guardian Series,
Kate Daniels,
Psy/Changeling,
reading,
Stormwalker Series
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Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday Snippet #62
Agnes and the Hitman St. Martin’s Press
August 2007
Cranky Agnes Column #62
“Just Like Mother Used to Fake”
Many of us have a recipe passed down to us by our mothers that pretty much sums up our childhood memories in an ingredient list. In my case, it was “One chilled glass, two parts Tanqueray, wave at the vermouth bottle, stir clockwise if you’re north of the equator, and for God’s sake, Agnes, don’t bruise the gin.” Yours was probably a can of cream of mushroom soup poured over a can of green beans. That mother who made baked Alaska from scratch? She also screamed, “No wire hangers!” Those overachievers always have a dark side.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Contest Winners - Demons Prefer Blondes
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for B’s review of Demon’s Prefer Blondes and my interview with author Sidney Ayers. I especially want to thank Sidney for the interview and Sourcebook Publishing for generously donating two (2) copies of Sidney’s newest release, Demon’s Prefer Blondes, for my giveaway.
Every person that commented on the review or interview was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winners were selected using random.org.The Winners:
elaing8
MZMollyTL
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I’m sending both winners a message; please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so Sourcebook can send you the book! You have until Wednesday June 15, 2011 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Review: For Heaven's Eyes Only
For Heaven’s Eyes Only Author: Simon R. Green
Release Date: 7 June 2011
Publisher: Roc Hardcover
Secret History’s Series #5
ISBN: #978-0451463951
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Hardcover (384 pages), e-book
We received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
The fifth and possible penultimate book in the Secret History’s series.
After the murder of the Drood Matriarch, the family finds itself vulnerable to evil. This time, it’s a Satanic Conspiracy that could throw humanity directly into the clutches of the Biggest of the Bads.
What Gikany & Una are talking about:
We must preface our review by saying that we have not read the series. Gikany and Una have jumped into book five, For Heaven’s Eyes Only without trying to read the previous novels. (See, we are working on our OCD) We can’t wait to read the previous novels in the Secret History’s Series.
From the start of For Heaven’s Eyes Only, you have the sense that the author loves a good cliffhanger. Just based on the beginning of this book, the last book must have been a doozie. This is the first book we’ve ever read where the main character starts off dead. Oh, yes, dead…not a ghost, not some out of body experience, no, he was dead, just like the parrot in Monty Python (for those that don’t get the joke, check this Youtube link for Monty Python Parrot sketch). Gikany has to admit, even though it didn’t really have any bearing on this novel’s plot (however, it may prove to be important in later novels) it is a dramatic way to start a book. Una, at first glance, noticed the allusion to the James Bond series (you must check out the book titles on the author’s site for this series – see html link above) and hoped it would be a witty and lighthearted book.
Una and Gikany were not disappointed. We found For Heaven’s Eyes Only to be a very enjoyable read, even for jumping into the middle of the series. The banter is very witty and the book flows very well. We both found it to be (when Una could sit down without a sick child screaming) engrossing and a quick read. We now have to go out and purchase the rest of the books in this series because we just NEED to know what happened previously so we are prepared for the next book in the Secret History’s Series. We get the feeling that the plot lines in this novel were introduced earlier in the series and therefore to get the most of the series, it should be read from the beginning. However, if you are new to it, we see no problem with picking up this series with For Heaven’s Eyes Only. We both feel that if we had read the series from the start, it may have been a 5 star book for us. As it is, we have rated it a 4.5, which for us OCD girls is VERY extraordinary. Yes folks, it’s that good.
Their Rating:
4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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