Book Review: Second Grave on the Left

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2)

By: Darynda Jones

Published By: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 2011

Page Count: 307

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Paranormal Romance, Mystery

I LOVE Charley. I don't even know how to write this review since I feel like that first sentence pretty much sums it up. This series is one of those that I would drop everything to read ASAP. Darynda Jones is a phenomenal writer and I cannot get enough of this world. Charley Davidson is one of my top 10 favorite adult characters. She is a strong, spitfire who oozes girl power. She's such a bad ass. 

This edition picks up right where book one left off. There isn't a ton of down time before Charley is thrown into her next case. I like the fast pacing of these novels - they get my adrenaline pumping and have me cracking up at the same time. Furthermore, I really enjoy that each book has a self contained mystery and it also furthers the series with the relationship between Charley and Reyes. I can't believe it took me so long to give these books a chance. My only major complaint is I have been getting from the library, but I should have been buying them. I would actually reread these just to spend some more time with Charley and co.

Book Review: Halfway to the Grave

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1)

By: Jeaniene Frost

Narrated By: Tavia Gilbert

Published By: Blackstone Audiobooks

Publication Date: November 2010

Audio Length: 11 hours, 17 minutes

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

On the Story & Writing:

Yes, I know I am pretty late in jumping on the Night Huntress train, but I am so glad I finally made it - better late than never. I was so hesitate to pick these books up because out of all the Dark Larks I am probably the one who is the most prudish. I suppose that's not really the right way to describe it. I am the one who doesn't like overly graphic sexual situations in a book at the sake of strong characters and a captivating plot. I don't mind reading great books that have romantic elements, but I hate romances that focus only on the love and sexual moments. My own form of personal hell would be to only be allowed to read bodice rippers. Now, that I have my rambling out of the way, I just need to say the this book (and I would suspect the rest of the series) is NOT one of those romance books I loathe. Jeaniene Frost is an excellent writer who has created a universe I enjoy spending time in and characters that are real and enjoyable.

Book Review: On The Edge

On The Edge (The Edge #1)

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated By: Renee Raudman

Published By: Tantor Media

Publication Date: December 2009

Audio Length: 12 hours, 8 minutes

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Urban Fantasy

On The Story & Writing:

This is my first experience with the husband and wife writing team of Ilona Andrews. I have heard great things about their Kate Daniels series which I plan on reading soon, but I stumbled upon this series in audio at the library one day while I was browsing the stacks and decided to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the writing flows well in spite of this being a writing partnership. There are no awkward moments where the two styles do not flow. Its all quite seamless.

Book Review: First Grave on the Right

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1)

By: Darynda Jones

Published By: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 2011

Page Count: 310

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Paranormal Romance, Mystery

It took me awhile to read these because of the titles and I'm not really a huge romance novel reader, but I kept seeing good things about this series. I decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a try. Just to be safe - I opted to go the library route. I didn't want to spend money on this series until I was positive it was one that I wanted to stick with until the end. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved spending time with Charley and Reyes AND that the steamy scenes made me blush, but didn't cause me to close the book and walk away. First Grave on the Right is just the right amount of smut laced through an amazing story with witty, memorable characters.

Book Review: Twice Bitten

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)

By: Chloe Neill

Published by: NAL Trade

Release Date: July 2010

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

Vampires, Shifters, and Magic - oh my! This was by far my favorite book in the Chicagoland Vampires series so far! Everything heats up in this installment - the romance, the action, and the tempers. I couldn't wait to get back to listening to this one every day during my commute. It occupied my thoughts in between drives quite frequently. The fourth book was just released this week and I instantly scooped it up for my Kindle. I cannot say enough good things about this series.

Twice Bitten follows Merit once again as she kicks some major butt, delivers lots of snark, and seeks to help Cadogan House form an alliance with the Apex of the Shifter packs. I suppose that's all in a day's work for the sentinel of Cadogan House. Every time I think I have seen everything Merit has to offer as a character she shows me something else that helps solidify her place in my female character hall of fame. I just love her. She is so strong and isn't afraid to tell it like it is.

Mini Review: The Summons

The Summons (A Goblin King Prequel)

By: Shona Husk

Published By: Sourcebooks 

Format: ebook

Release Date: August 1, 2011

Get it at Amazon - currently this read is free!

Audience: Adult 

This is tasty little appetizer to lure readers into the world of the Goblin King. It's not very long and only takes about 20-30 minutes to read, but I enjoyed it. I am anxious to read the series when the first book comes out in October. This was just enough to introduce me to the concept of the Goblin King and leave an alluring image in my mind. I am so excited to see where things will lead. I also have to admit that I only snagged this because the guy on the cover looked so much like Dean Winchester. However, I am glad I gave it a chance.

The Goblin King is a man who has been cursed due to his love of gold. He is bound to answer the call of the ones who summon him and do their biding. For centuries, he has lived with his curse and longed to again be human. Can the curse ever be lifted? Will anyone ever look at him without disgust in their eyes?

Perhaps Eliza will be the one. She remembers the stories her mother told her as a child of the lonely, cursed Goblin King. In a moment of desperation she calls for him - not for a moment believing he is actually real. However, she soon learns that stories for children can hold tantalizing truths.

Summary:

Every fairy tale has to have some basis in fact, right? That's what Eliza thought as she made a desperate plea to the legendary Goblin King. If he could grant her wish, she'd finally be safe. He would protect her. But what would he ask in return...?

Book Review: Some Girls Bite

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires #1)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Release Date: 2009

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

I was a little leery of picking up this series. It seems that vampires have been done to death lately. But as a fan of the fanged ones I decided to give this series a try in spite of their horrendous covers and terrible titles. I was a bit nervous when the book began with Merit's transformation from human graduate student to vampire. Those vampires organized into the house system (think feudal structure - complete with lord or lady of the manor) have outed themselves to the general public and are facing discrimination from humans at every turn. There are also a slew of other supernatural beings running around Chicago and the leader of Merit's vampire house just happens to be a hunky blond. Sound familiar? I immediately started thinking that Chloe Neill was channeling Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series and True Blood. I almost stopped at that point, but there was something about Merit that compelled me to stick with it.

I was pleasantly surprised that once I got over the similarities to Sookie and her crew that this story really started to grown on me. Merit is an intriguing character whose transition and vampire abilities are somewhat of an anomaly. I loved watching her interact with the other supernaturals as she struggles to make the transition from her old life into her new one. She is such a strong, kick butt kinda girl. I want to be her when I grow up! Who doesn't want a toned body, super strength, and a sword? Plus, all the hottest male vamps follow her around like puppies. I love Merit's snarky nature and her refusal to allow the men to push her around. Her relationships with Ethan and Morgan were some of my favorite aspects of the book. I also was a fan of the friendship between Merit and Mallory. I can't wait to see what happens with Mallory's sorcery in future books.

Book Review: Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL

Release Date: May 3, 2011

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult

My Thoughts:

This will perhaps be one of the shortest reviews I have ever written. I had to wait for the tears to dry so I could see to type. However, I do not want to spoil this read for anyone. I will simply suggest that tissues remain close at hand. I am totally in favor of trusting an author's vision for their characters and story lines, but Hard Bitten was a difficult one for me to swallow. Be prepared to laugh, cry, throw things, and sit on the edge of your seat for this one.

Chicago is once again being plagued by an unknown source. This time a white pill, V, is being given out to drug vampires into a state where they lose all inhibitions. Feeding frenzies and violence break out throughout the city causing the humans to mistrust their fanged neighbors even more. Can Merit and the Cadogan vamps find out who is behind the mess and restore the city's peace?

Book Review: Friday Night Bites

Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires #2)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Release Date: September 2009

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

Please don't judge these books based on their cheesy titles and covers. I promise that they are well worth the read. Vampire and mystery fans will really take to this series. There are some romances brewing as well, but these are not romance novels so it's all been very PG-13 thus far, but I predict that Merit's love life will pick up as the series progresses. These books have become my current guilty pleasure. I keep devouring them like candy. I love losing myself in Merit's world of butt-kicking, black leather, katanas, and hot vampires and supernaturals. Ethan, Morgan, and Catcher are sure to make your heart race.

This is a solid second novel to move the series forward - there were more loose ends in this book than the first. I was grateful that I already had book three sitting in my jeep waiting to go. I am also a total nerd and found this website for Cadogan House that made me so excited. 

Book Review: Drink Deep

Drink Deep 
(Chicagoland Vampires #5)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

Page Count: 321

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult

Oh. My. Goodness. Review over. 

Seriously, I don't even know how to articulate how much I LOVED this book. Hard Bitten was such a difficult read for me - I know lots of other fans were feeling the same way when that one was completed. Deep down I knew that I just needed to trust Chloe's vision for her characters, but it sure was difficult not to be apprehensive about this one. However, in true Chloe Neill fashion she totally delivered and this is my favorite book in the series thus far. I am so glad I didn't let my frustration and emotion over the last book ruin the series for me. This one was so worth the patience. However, I do have to whine for a moment that the next book isn't coming out until August 2012. Seriously? Yes, I realize Chloe can only write so fast and books have a long process to undergo before they are ready to hit the shelves, but I honestly don't know what I am going to do with myself as I wait. I might reread the first five books to console myself - that's how much I love this series.

Book Review: Bitten

Bitten 
(Women of the Otherworld #1)

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated By: Aasne Vigesaa

Published By: Brilliance Audio

Publication Date: July 2010

Length: 12 hours, 59 minutes

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

I was drawn to this series after hearing Kelley Armstrong speak a few weeks ago and hearing so many of my friends gush about her writing. Bitten was my first experience with Armstrong's writing, but if this book is any indicator of her other series then I will love those as well. I opted to snag this book in audio format from the library to dip into Armstrong's writing and see if this was a series worth pursuing. I can firmly answer with a resounding YES that this is a series I plan to read in its entirety.