Thoughts of a Scot

Panty Raid @ Zombie High by Rusty Fischer

2012-02-14T19:43:00.000Z

Toby’s best friend, and unrequited love, Molly Harper has gone missing. Molly’s boyfriend, "Spud", thinks he knows where she’s been taken: the mysterious Zombie High, where Spud’s father just happens to be in charge of the top-secret medical facility famous for its work rehabilitating teenage zombies.

Armed with blueprints, passwords, keys and codes, Spud and Toby are ready to make an all-out assault on Zombie High and rescue their fair Molly. There’s just one problem: Toby and Spud are the biggest wimps at Cypress Cove High and need some muscle along for the ride in case any of the zombies get loose.

That’s where Boner and Zack come in. Two of the football team’s biggest players, the jocks are easily conned into joining Spud and Toby on their fictional "panty raid" the minute Spud calls them “chicken” for not accepting his challenge to spend the night at Zombie High.

When Zack and Boner show up to accept the challenge, however, they don’t come alone; they bring their two girlfriends, Lilac and Haley, along for the ride. With events spiraling out of control and zombies lurking around every corner, will Toby and Spud even survive their night at Zombie High, let alone rescue Molly?

This book is written in 1st person but it's that annoying first person style where the narrator is talking to you (the reader) and asking questions and such. I am not a fan of this style, it bugs me. Write in first, second, third person - fine, but I just don't like the narrator asking me questions.

The story itself had a good basis. There was a zombie outbreak and the government are trying to rehabilitate the teenage zombie by using "zombie panties", which are kind of like those horrible shock collars you get for dogs. The two guys create a false raid with two jocks so they can get in to rescue Molly, but that's not the whole plan.

I liked the idea of the zombie rehabilitation and trying to train them and such but I wasn't a fan of this author's writing. I don't tend to like YA books that make the teens sound like adults trying to sound like teens, which I realise most YA is but if that's case just don't try to make them sound like teens.

Buy Panty Raid at Zombie High from Amazon.

The Stubborn Dead by Natasha Hoar

2012-02-08T12:44:00.000Z

Rachel Miller thought her next job was a run-of-the-mill haunting. As a member of the Order of Rescue Mediums it's her duty to release trapped spirits from the earthly realm. But when called to client Sylvia Elkeles's house, she finds a wraith who doesn't act like he should.

The Order considers the wraith an extreme threat and Rachel may be forced to use a barbaric ritual to free him — a ritual that comes with a heavy personal price. If she fails to humanely release the wraith, she'll have her supernatural abilities bound.

When Janus Ostara — local supernatural mob boss — shows up demanding her attention, and Sylvia keeps secrets that may place Rachel in mortal danger, she doesn't need her abilities to know something darkly sinister is at play.

Between uncovering Sylvia's disturbing motives, and avoiding Janus, Rachel has enough on her hands without dealing with a wraith who may not realize he's supposed to be dead...

This is book 1 in the Lost Souls series and I really enjoyed it. As usual, Carina Press are bringing some really good authors into the light. Natasha Hoar's writing style and characters are enjoyable, she manages to make you keep turning pages. A sign of a good author for me, is when I don't want to put the book down, even thought I know I have to go to sleep since I'm working early the next morning. Natasha Hoar managed this.

Rachel is an intriguing character, as is her job, I'm looking forward to reading more of her. I had trouble with Janus, the name meant I kept picturing a woman, even after finding out he's a man. I'm hoping that we'll see more of Rachel and a certain someone in later books (spoiler, so I'm not naming names). The story flowed well and it's quite a quick read since it's not too long.

Buy The Stubborn Dead from Amazon.

Breedism

2012-02-07T19:13:00.000Z

Today I'd like to talk about breedism. It's something that I always see in the media, and it's something that never fails to get me riled up.

The above types of dog, if involved in an incident, are described as being "devil dogs". Especially Rottweilers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
I have worked with animals for about 10 years now and, of the above types of dog, I rarely see aggressive ones. For each type, I could count on one hand how many aggressive dogs I have seen. The problem with these dogs are the types of people that buy them. A lot of idiots that think they're "hard" will buy these breeds as a status symbol. Then they don't train them right, or purposefully train them to be aggressive to make seem even "harder".
When truthfully, they're actually just complete dicks that are doing more harm than good.
I'm always reading letters, or such like, from parents and other dog owners saying these dogs should be banned, should all be muzzled etc. Again, the people that write these letters know nothing of what they're writing about.

Now, every Vet Nurse I know, has a breed that they have had run ins with in the past and are wary of. That's not to say we think they're all aggressive and must all be muzzled, my breed?

West Highland White Terriers

Most that I meet in practice are snappy. But I'm not running around saying all Westies should be banned and muzzled, calling them "devil dogs". I'm just more wary around them than other breeds. Although with the small aggressive dogs, I think it's because they're spoiled when they're pups and then, when they're older, it's too late to do anything about it.

So, my biggest bugbear is with the media always blowing these things out of proportion, and idiots buying dogs they know nothing about. So, if you're going to buy a dog? Research the breed first. Take it's training seriously. And socialise from a young age. If every dog owner did thise, we'd see less "devil dog" stories in the media.

To finish this off, here's some cute pictures of some cute puppies. And the classic "staffie smile".

Painting The Future by Louise Hay & Lynn Lauber

2012-02-02T23:13:00.000Z

Jonathan Langley's life took a devastating turn when he lost his eyesight to a rare illness. Once a successful painter and printmaker, Jonathan now lives in complete darkness, rarely leaving his apartment and angry at the world. When he encounters his precocious 11-year-old neighbor, Lupe, the two form an unlikely friendship. Her cheerful presence shatters his hardened exterior, revealing a gentle man struck by tragedy. Lupe leads him to a fresh perspective by showing him the power of kindness, compassion, and love.

Release Date 6th February 2012

I found this story kind of strange, there didn't actually seem to be much of a story. There was stuff happening, but if you asked me right now to briefly describe the story, I really couldn't. Although, in all honesty, if you wanted it very brief? A man and a young girl become friends. That's pretty much it.

It was very strangely written. There were tiny little scenes with about 2 minutes worth of dialogue, so you were never really given any time to get into it before it switched again. Maybe this is why I find it difficult to pin down a story.

It was a decent enough read. If you're not too fussed on storyline or character development and just want a light read where you can switch off? Then I guess you might like this one.

Buy Painting the Future from Amazon.

Going The Distance by Angela Addams

2012-02-02T22:56:00.000Z

Ronan’s been in love with Steph Randell since they were teenagers. Pierced by Cupid’s arrow as a teen, the country boy fell hard for her.

As an award-winning actress, Steph has a mind of her own and is blinded by her ambition. Yet, for all her money and fame, the only time she truly finds peace is in Ronan’s arms. But she thinks that all she needs is a friend with benefits.

Cupid messed up and needs to fix things — an incredible boon if he can succeed. All he has to do is show Steph what she is missing and prove to Ronan that Steph is worth fighting for. What will Steph risk for love? And what is Ronan willing to give up to get his girl?

An enjoyable little sequel in the Cupid's Conquest series. In my review for Gunshy I speculated about each story being about a different couple, that's is indeed what's happening in this.

Ronan is a nice male lead but I found myself really disliking Steph. She's one of those spoiled little brats that blames everything on someone else. Even though I knew they were going to end up together, I still think Ronan could do better. There were a few little editing mistakes in this, just little things but they still bug me. And I know that has nothing to do with the story, it's a personal bug of mine. The story was good and a nice follow on from Gunshy.

Buy Going the Distance from Amazon.

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

2012-01-31T22:44:00.000Z

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters must prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually they select their victims at random, but this time around the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take the whole White family to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love — just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between family and the girl he loves. One thing's for sure, whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.

Release Date 12th June 2012

So a book about mermaids? Yay, who never wondered about being a mermaid or contemplated mermaids being real when they were younger? But, not only mermaids, murderous mermaids? Hell yeah! Of course I wanna read that!

In this book, mermaids kill people to get their emotions. But what happens when a merman falls in love with a human? That's the question this book answers for you. And it does it in a very well written way. I really enjoyed Anne Greenwood Brown's world and her characters. I particularly enjoyed the scenes where Calder was changing forms, I like it when an author writes the change as a physical thing rather than magic. It makes it seem more real for me 'cos I imagine it being a very sore process and I just never like the idea of it being over in a second and being painless.

I really enjoyed this book and, unfortunately, there's no clues with the ending as to whether there will be a sequel or not. I can only hope there will be.

Buy Lies Beneath on Amazon.

Pack and Coven by Jody Wallace

2012-01-26T21:24:00.000Z

Harry Smith is a lone wolf, and he likes it that way. When he's targeted to be co-alpha of the local pack, there is only one thing he can do to maintain his freedom: flee. But it'll take a miracle to stay a step ahead of shifters in their own territory.

June Travis has been in love with Harry for years, but he doesn't know her real identity. He sees her as the sweet owner of the local tearoom - the facade June presents to humans and werewolves to keep them from finding out she's a witch. She may not be able to offer Harry a miracle, but she can help him escape.

Harry is drawn to this new side of June, and not just because he's grateful for her help. With her magic temporarily hiding Harry from his pursuers, the witch and the wolf explore their mutual attraction. But there are consequences for witches who bed down with wolves...

Release Date 20th February 2011

As I write this review and I see the cover of Pack and Coven after reading the book, the cover model for Harry is not right at all. He's too piddly looking, the facial hair just doesn't cut it I'm afraid.

Pack and Coven has a very well written world with some really great characters. The good guys are more than likeable and the bad guy is downright scary and has the ugliest personality. Definitely someone you want to see bad things happen to.

Highly recommended to any werewolf and witchy fans and I'll definitely be looking for more from Jody Wallace.

The Curse by Mike Norton

2012-01-23T19:04:00.000Z

In 2009, cartoonist extraordinaire and internet sensation Mike Norton (BATTLEPUG, DOUBLE FEATURE COMICS: THE ANSWER) took the "24-Hour Comic" Challenge and created the pug-tastic comic THE CURSE over the course of a single day! He returned with sequels spawned during "24-Hour Comic" events in 2010 and 2011. Now all three tales of pirates and pugs are available in print in this new hardcover collection!

Release Date 12th September 2012

Completely hilarious graphic novel about a pug who's also a pirate - a pugrate?

Short but funny stories and the artwork, while not fantastically well done, is still good. I mean, anything's better than the crap that would come from me. I like easy to read comics and this is definitely one, pick it up and give it a read. If nothing else, you'll get a good giggle.

Starters by Lissa Price

2012-01-22T16:43:00.000Z

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders — seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson.

It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party — and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

Release Date 13th March 2012

Lissa Price has created quite a scary dystopian world in Starters. All the adults are dead, only people over 60 and kids have survived the spore wars. Kids with no grandparents are forced to either live on the streets since they can't work or get taken into an institution, which is basically like a slave camp for kids. Callie has her brother to look after and is forced into going to Prime Destinations to get money, but her rental malfunctions and she's forced to pretend to be her renter while she tries to fix things. But she soon finds out her renter had big plans for her body.

You don't meet a huge amount of characters but all the enders (old people) come across as stuck up and seem to look down on the kids. Callie is a bit naive for someone who lives on the streets, I know she's young and all but I would've thought she would have a bit more sense. The whole renting your body thing squicks me out, I don't think I could do it no matter how much money they were offering. Although I get that the world created here isn't exactly normal. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

2012-01-15T21:31:00.000Z

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Release Date 27th March 2012

A fantastic sequel to The Goddess Test. Kate has passed the test and is now Henry's Wife, after spending her summer with James she's excited to get back to Henry and officially become the Queen of the underworld and rule by Henry's side. But when her coronation is interrupted by Cronos, the king of the Titans and the only being capable of ending the world and the council, Henry has to leave her to try and stop him. Unfortunately Henry and the rest of the council end up needing saved by Kate, with help from James, Ava and Persephone.

I actually quite enjoyed finally meeting Persephone, the girl who broke Henry's heart and make him want to fade into death rather than take on another wife and Queen. Kate faces some trials and tribulations in this book and tries to come to terms with the knowledge that Henry will never love her the same as Persephone.

This book made me realise I'd quite like to read a story from Henry's point of view. Because I'm just as confused as Kate about Henry's feelings towards her and would like an answer. I was the same with the Morganville series and Rachel Caine wrote a short from Shanes POV and it cleared it all up for me.

Loved this book and can't wait to read more.

Hidden by Kelley Armstrong

2012-01-15T21:08:00.000Z

Hiking through the snow, holiday baking and playing board games by the fire – what’s not to love about an old-fashioned family Christmas?

Werewolves Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers want to give their four-year-old twins, Kate and Logan, something their parents never had: a nice, normal holiday. No Pack responsibilities, no homicidal half-demons or power-hungry sorcerers to deal with – just the four of them, alone, at a chalet outside Ontario’s Algonquin Park.

Then a strange werewolf shows up at their door…while the town is buzzing about a young man, back from college, found half-eaten in the woods. And there’s the missing little girl ...

With all the signs pointing to a rogue mutt with a taste for human flesh, Elena and Clay have no choice but to investigate. But are they the hunters – or the hunted?

I have to say I prefer the Elena cover over the Clay cover, but I had to have the limited edition so I have the Clay cover. This is another great novella from Kelley Armstrong, when her loyal readers just don't get enough from her Otherworld series and can't wait fr the next novel, the Subterranean Press novellas make a nice little stepping stone.

This novella sees Clay and Elena trying to have a normal christmas with Kate and Logan but when a mutt shows up on their doorstep, their plans change. On doing background checks, Elena finds a story of a young boy eaten by wild dogs and a little girl going missing. She and Clay set about trying to find out more while trying to keep the whole werewolf thing a secret from Kate and Logan.

I enjoyed reading about the twins and look forward to seeing more of them in later novellas (and hopefully a book once the hiatus stops). I also liked reading more of Noah and Reese, they were introduced in Frostbitten and I believe Reese has a short story detailing his life in Australia. Any Kelley fan will love this book and it has her typical wit and writing style throughout.

Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

2012-01-13T12:51:00.000Z

Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. The threat of war between dark races seems to have passed, and her magic training is also progressing well - just like her relationship with the sexy mage Adam Lazarus. But as much as Sabina feels hopeful about the future, she doesn't quite trust that peace is possible ...

Her suspicions are confirmed when a string of sadistic murders threaten to stall peace talks between the vampires and the mages. Sabina pitches in to find the killer, but this dark investigation soon has her questioning everyone she thought she could trust. And the closer she gets to the killer, the more Sabina begins to suspect this is one foe she may not be able to kill.

So I've had a huge change of mind since I posted my review of Green-Eyed Demon, I don't like Brooks anymore ..... or rather I don't like his new alter ego Pussy Willow. She's a bitch! And she's changed Giguhl and I'm NOT a fan of anything that changes Giguhl.

PW is a huge dampener but thankfully she's not a major character so she's not in the book all that much. Sabina is trying to settle into her new mage life, which means no feeding off humans. It's bagged blood only for this magepire. But, as usually happens in these books, a huge kick up the ass happens and her happy new life is thrown into turmoil. She has to find the murderer before they put a stop to the peace treaty between the dark races.

I'm still a HUGE fan of this series, I love Jaye Wells' writing style and her sarky wit as well as her characters. And I really can't wait to read more, it's just disappointing that Wells already has an end line in sight for the series.

Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner

2012-01-08T15:30:00.001Z

Warriors of the Rift

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world - or send it spiraling into chaos.

Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . .

Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

Release Date 1st February 2012

So the basis of this is that entities cross through the rift and inhabit humans, no-one knows exactly how it works but humans react differently and become either shifters, vampires or demons. Tobias and Nix have a history and, typically of this type of story, their break up was a miscommunication and they both think the other doesn't want to be with them ..... boy, are they wrong! They're forced to work together to solve this case which involves an old mutual friend.

I liked the idea of supernaturals (or preternaturals, as they're called in this) being from another dimension or plane, it was different from other books I've read. I also like Nix, she was an interesting character that I enjoyed reading. There were a couple of little bits that felt like the author just went into way too much detail and I was actually rolling my eyes and thinking, "why do I need to know all this?". But aside from that, the story and characters were interesting and it looks like the rest of the series will be following different characters storylines. I'm looking forward to the next one though!

Buy Kiss Of The Vampire from Amazon.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

2012-01-05T18:26:00.000Z

A stunning debut YA novel, destined to blow the dystopian genre wide open – The Handmaid’s Tale for a new generation. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery has only four years left to live when she is kidnapped by the Gatherers and forced into a polygamous marriage. Now she has one purpose: to escape, find her twin brother, and go home – before her time runs out forever. What if you knew exactly when you would die? In our brave new future, DNA engineering has resulted in a terrible genetic flaw. Women die at the age of 20, men at 25. Young girls are being abducted and forced to breed in a desperate attempt to keep humanity ahead of the disease that threatens to eradicate it. 16-year-old Rhine Ellery is kidnapped and sold as a bride to Linden, a rich young man with a dying wife. Even though he is kind to her, Rhine is desperate to escape her gilded cage – and Linden’s cruel father. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in what little time she has left.

A completely outstanding début from Lauren DeStefano in this dystopian YA, first in a series but I don't know how many are planned for the series. Hopefully at least a few.

In this frightening world, girls are often kidnapped and sold on to become wives for rich guys purely to try and have sprogs before they kick it at 25, and girls die at 20. There's a virus that kills everyone young except the first generations who were genetically designed and only they can survive past 20 and 25. Most of the kidnapped girls are from orphanages but Rhine actually had a life, a job and a family before she was snatched.

A truly terrifying world (in which I'd be LONG dead) in which it's entirely normal for men to marry little girls as young as 13 expecting her to follow all wifely duties. A must read for any dystopian fan and sure to get DeStefano on the YA author map.

Buy Wither from Amazon.

My favourite reads of 2011

2012-01-03T18:50:00.001Z

I've seen a few posts of Top Fives and Top Tens but .... I can't choose 5 or 10 so I'm just going to put ALL my favourites from 2011.

And if I've done this right, you should be able to click on the cover to get to the review.
I just realised that I forgot my last read of the year and I don't want to have to redo the whole layout so I'm adding at the bottom.

Stockings & Suspenders by various authors

2012-01-01T16:33:00.001Z

As the temperature drops, the women in this collection of stories find naughty and delicious ways to warm up for the holidays.

A boss with a proposal to make her sweat, a promise from an Italian assistant, a cabin in the middle of nowhere with two men waiting to cater to her every desire, a special surprise for a lonely solider...

All of these encounters and more from ten talented authors. Get ready for some holiday loving...Evernight style.

So, much like I did with 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas, I'm going to do a little mini review for each story.

The Proposal by London Saint James
Grace gets an interesting proposal from her boss, Draven.
I really enjoyed Grace's voice in this wee story. And the sex was really fun, a little for your voyeuristic side.

Chasing Miss Kringle by C.R. Moss
PI Jack gets dragged into a hunt for and elf, only Kristina turns out to be more than he baragined for.
Jack as a narrator was okay and the story was good. The sex scenes were okay as well. Not the best in the anthology but still a light, fun read.

Snow Angel by Jezebel Jorge
Author Minerva gets stuck in a snow drift on her way to see her family for christmas but gets rescued by sexy stranger, Brian.
As a lead female, Minerva was kind of annoying and while the sex was okay, there were too many spelling and editing mistakes for my liking. It throws the whole run of a story if I'm constantly fixing things in my head.

Naughty & Nice by Lila Shaw
Succubus Chrissy gets Santa's outsourced sexy gift requests and this year she gets sent to a tiny island with Lt. Ramsay.
I enjoyed Chrissy as a narrator and the story was okay with some fun sex in there too.

Making the Naughty List by Seleste deLaney
Elf Daisy gets a special assignment from Santa to try and get Gage off the naughty list.
This is actually a continuation from Seleste's story in 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas. A really fun story with a likeable narrator and some great sex. Anything with light bondage always gets my attention.

A Very Naughty Christmas by Carolyn Rosewood
Nita gets lost on the way to see her family but luckily for her, Cameron and Alex are more than happy to take her in from the snow.
Wow! Really, that's all I have to say about this one. Just .... wow!! Threesomes FTW!

Promises by Xondra Day
Leda asks her employee Joey to spend the night when he seems stranded at work.
There were a few mistakes in this story as well but not enough to distract me from the great sex.

Santa's Little Helper by Kelly Yeakle
Miranda needs a job before her dad cuts off her trust fund money. Luckily, Craig has a position he'd like her to fill.
A sweet little turn-your-life-around story with a fairly likeable lead and a hot guy.

Mistletoe Masquerade by Alaska Angelini
Jeanie gets invited to a masquerade by a secret admirer. Little realising that Jared & Edward have some big plans for her.
I really like Jeanie's voice, shy woman exploring her sexual interests. Again, threesomes FTW!

Letter to Santa by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Lonely Elise writes a letter to Santa asking for one thing - a lover.
Elise is an exceedingly cute lead and there is some great sex in this wee story.

Buy Stockings and Suspenders from Amazon.

A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang

2012-01-01T16:03:00.000Z

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and as sexy as sin incubus who shows up searching for his sister — and is convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invading her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As Abby is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, she realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart — and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

The cover of this intrigued me when I saw it ages ago and I know my friend Julie is a huge advocate of Allison Pang so I decided it would be the first purchase I made for my new shiny kindle.

I love the world Pang has created here and I really liked Abby's voice. The storyline itself was really very intriguing and original, at least to my eyes. All her characters are well written and stand out on their own, I really loved Phineas (read it to see why) and hope he's in the next book.

A great debut (I think(hope!)) from Pang with the potential to be a good fun series.

Buy A Brush of Darkness from Amazon.

Ocean's Touch by Denise Townsend

2011-12-29T19:35:00.000Z

A lonely widow and a handsome artist have a chance for happiness ... with the help of a sexy selkie, that is.
After the death of Meredith's husband many years before, she allowed his legacy to take over her life. A shell of a woman, she finds little joy in her day-to-day tasks. Drawn to her pain, the empathic selkie Dylan knows she's ready to live and love again, and he knows that he's just the man for the job.
As Dylan draws Meredith out of her shell, he realises that to truly free her, he needs to help her accept her budding love for Alexander, an artist who challenges Meredith on every level: intellectually, emotionally and sexually. To achieve a true happy ending, Dylan must help his chosen humans break down their emotional barriers in order to grab the happiness they so deserve.
Warning: This book features a lonely widow, a hot artist waiting in the wings, and the sexy selkie who brings them together ... in every possible way.

Knowing this was written by Nicole Peeler in her alter ego of Denise Townsend, I knew I'd be getting sexy stuff but man, oh man ... even I wasn't expecting this! You want hot, passionate, sex where nothing is held back? Read this book right now!

Dylan is a super sexy selkie who is drawn to women in need of a change, so he's drawn to Meredith. In her widowed life of keeping her husband's estate and charity work running, Meredith has never lived for herself. Even when she first married her husband at 21, she was never really herself, she was what he wanted her to bed. So Dylan is exactly what she needs, in every sense. He opens her up personally and sexually, and lets her see her true self, as well as her true feelings for Alexander.

The storyline is mostly comprised of sex, sex and hot hot sex. But, you know, if I'm forced to read that for the sake of writing reviews, I'll buckle down and force myself to read it. (Yeah, right!) One small irk of mine is an entirely personal thing about Scottish characters. They never speak right to me, I get that they have to come across as Scottish but a lot of the things they say never seem to fit in with the rest of what they're saying. Obviously I read the dialogue in a Scottish accent and a non-Scot can never find the right balance between Scots slang and normal English. But happily, this is never enough to put me off reading a story unless the story is also poor. And believe me, THIS is not poor!

Get it read now, you won't be sorry.

Buy Ocean's Touch from Amazon.

Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler

2011-12-28T15:48:00.000Z

Nothing says 'home' like being attacked by humans with very large guns, as supernatural halfling Jane True discovers when she arrives in Rockabill. These are professionals, brought in to kill, and they bring her love interest Anyan down before either of them can react. Seeing Anyan fall awakens a terrible power within Jane, and she nearly destroys herself taking out their attackers.
Jane wakes, weeks later, to discover that she's not the only thing that's been stirring. Something underneath Rockabill is coming to life: something ancient, something powerful, and something that just might destroy the world.
Jane and her friends must act, striking out on a quest that only Jane can finish. For whatever lurks beneath the waters of the Old Sow must be stopped ... and Jane's just the halfling for the job.

I had put off buying the last couple Jane True books purely because I don't like the new UK covers.

But I then realised that the US covers are also slightly different so I'll just have to live with change and I'll be buying the ones I've missed next week.

This book couldn't come soon enough for any Anyan fans (like me), because this is the one where we get some Anyan sex ..... or so I was hoping. But Nicole Peeler is a little tease in her writing, every time Jane (and I) get to close to some Anyan sex, we get interrupted! And oh boy, there's a good lot of Anyan in this book which pleases me to no end.

I had totally forgotten how funny Nicole's writing was. With Jane describing her fantasy of humping Anyan's kitchen stove (which sounds like me a bit), and lines like "Undulating is polite for greasy" when describing her hair. Peeler has a real talent for keeping a reader hooked in the story, there's always plenty of funny, snarky lines and the sexual tension between Jane and Anyan is .... well, amazing! But of course, I would love an Anyan of my very own so I may be a tad bias in my views.

If you like Urban Fantasy and you like hot smexy scenes, then pick up a Jane True book. Jane is a totally loveable and relatable lead character and she's so easy to slip into after a day at work.

Buy Eye Of The Tempest from Amazon.

Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

2011-12-27T17:37:00.000Z

In a post-apocalyptic world where resistance to an overheated environment defines class and beauty, Eden Newman's white skin brands her as a member of the lowest social class, the weak and ugly Pearls. Doomed unless she mates soon, Eden hopes a Coal from the dark-skinned ruling class will save her. But when she unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, perhaps mankind's only hope, Eden is cast out - into the last patch of rainforest and into the arms of a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction to him. To survive, Eden must change - but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty - and of love. Along the way, she receives some beautiful insight from her virtually adopted aunt Emily Dickinson.

Release Date 10th January 2012

I was actually surprised by how political this books was. It's very race centred with the "coals" being the ruling race and looking down on the lowest-of-the-low "pearls". "Pearls" have a special section on public transport and they work mainly as lowly servants to the "coals", it's all like a reverse of the real racism that used to happen and, unfortunately, is still going about. In this post apocalyptic world, the sun's radiation is too high for people to go outside in the daylight hours. The lighter your skin, the more danger you're in. This means that "pearls" are low in number while "coals" are rising up. You must mate by your 18th birthday or you're cut off from all resources and "pearls" also have to cover up their white skin so they don't offend the "coals", and also so they don't get killed.

Eden has a job in a research lab purely because of her dad's genius, a pearl would never have such a high job otherwise. She unwittingly brings about the downfall of her dad's experiment and she and her father must escape along with her father's newest test subject. Eden's views change drastically while stuck in the jungle with Bramford, her former boss and father's current test subject.

I think Eden is a relatable lead, although there are times when her immaturity and misplaced anger make you shout at her. She thinks Bramford hates her and aims her anger at him, not knowing the real reason for the way Bramford acts to her. I really enjoyed Bramford as a character, yes he was egotistical but he was also very centred and down to earth at the same time.

I don't think this book is for everyone but if you like dystopian/post-apocalyptic books that are different from the others? This is the one for you.

Buy Revealing Eden from Amazon.

The Stuttering Tattoo by Greg Logsted

2011-12-25T13:34:00.000Z

Steven Bishop is extraordinarily ordinary. He goes to school. He rides his motorcycle. He stutters. His best friend is a former Colombian cartel hit man turned cook/construction worker. You know, ordinary. All that changes the day Becky Moore walks into his classroom. Becky is dazzling, enigmatic.

One day Steven gives Becky a ride home on his motorcycle. There, they discover a severed arm, one of the fingers of which still has an unusual ring attached: a circle, in the middle of which is a heart, at the center of which is a bold number 37. While comforting Becky, Steven discovers a tattoo at the base of her neck: it is the same symbol. And so begins a thrilling descent into a world of crime and murder, a ride wilder than any Steven has taken before.

So one thing that I'm still confused about in this book, is the title. It really doesn't make any sense. The lead character stutters and Becky has a tattoo ..... but why The Stuttering Tattoo? It makes no sense to me what-so-ever. But that's got nothing to do with the actual storyline, just a little irk that I had.

Interesting and tense .... mystery, crime type book? I suck at genre-fying books, just an FYI. Steven is instantly in love with Becky, as all teenagers are want to do in books. But there's more to Becky than meets the eye, especially when she's completely against him after the whole arm in the garden incident. Turns out, her "family" aren't very happy with her. I can't say too much without spoilers.

Steven is a good lead, he's imperfect and has some flaws, but he works hard to try and find out more about Becky and save her from her "family". A proper wee page turner that turned out to be a quick read since I didn't want to put it down and do a silly thing like sleep (unfortunately I had to at some point, I do have a job!). Definitely worth a pick up and I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Greg Logsted.

Buy The Stuttering Tattoo from Amazon.

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

2011-12-22T20:36:00.000Z

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince — leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

Release Date 27th December 2011

I love Maria's Study series and her Glass series, if this book is anything to go by, I'm also going to love the Healer series. I haven't read any of the Glass or Study books in a while so I don't know whether this new series is set in the same world, although it does seem like the same world or at least a similar one.

Avry is just as intriguing a lead as Yelena (Study) and Opal (Glass) and promises to keep the reader enthralled for as long as Maria keeps the Healer series going. Maria seems to like trilogies so it wouldn't surprise me if this was one. And once again Maria manages to keep us hooked with a not-there romance, we just need the promise of one to be happy. I think I may be slightly in love with Kerrick, and he does remind me slightly of Valek (Study).

Definitely a must-read for all Maria V. Snyder fans, and if you've never read anything by Maria this would be a great starting point. Although I also recommend any of her books.

New Girl by Paige Harbison

2011-12-18T13:03:00.000Z

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that's who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed — because of her.

Becca Normandy — that’s the name on everyone's lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy.
And everyone stares at me like it's my fault.

Except for Max Holloway — the boy whose name shouldn't be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca's boyfriend ... but she's gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca's life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she's still out there, waiting to take it back.

Release Date 31st January 2012

Know what bugs me about YA books? The blurb never really tells you all that much about the story. This one's not too bad but I've picked some up in the shop before that have had, like, one sentence as the blurb. Like I said, this one's not as bad as that but it still follows that YA rule of thumb where you don't give too much away.

So as far as I can now remember, we don't actually find out who "I" is until the very end of the book. I can't remember reading her name until either the last or 2nd to last page so I'm not going to write it here. I shall call her "I"!

"I" lives in Florida and her parents have managed to get her a place in the prestigious Manderly Academy, a place "I" so badly wanted to go to since she read Harry Potter that her parents have been trying to get her into it since she was 13. "I" doesn't really want to go anymore but she does because she doesn't want to hurt her parents. She doesn't realise she's "replacing" Becca Normandy, the QUEEN of Manderly. She has Becca's old room and room mate - this does not please said room mate. Everyone seems to hate her since she's Becca's "replacement", and it also doesn't help that she has feelings for Becca's ex. Cue High School drama multiplied by 10!

Now I'll admit, it's been a while since I was in Secondary School (it's what we call high school over here) and I never exactly hung out with the "cool" kids but if this book is anything to go by? I'm glad I didn't! These kids are MEAN! They all seem obsessed about Becca and her room mate in particular is convinced she's coming back and constantly tells "I" not to get comfortable. What we find out through Becca's POV chapters is that everything isn't as happy-pretty as people thought. Becca's a bitch with a capital B! But in the classic high school cliche, she has everyone wrapped round her finger.

An excellent read by the author of Here Lies Bridget, Paige Harbison proves to be a talented author who I think will prove popular in the YA market.

Buy New Girl from Amazon.

On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

2011-12-14T19:23:00.000Z

Five years ago, Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her "lucky" break came at the expense of her mother's life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death - by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky - she would never be normal again.

Now she’s the target of Death's ravens and an innocent boy's life is on the line. When Nate Holden - Abbey’s secret crush - starts to climb Alaska's Denali, the Angel of Death stalks him because of her.

And Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

Release Date 27th December 2011

Quite an interesting read although I have to say, I was a bit ..... disturbed? ..... by Abbey's obsession with Nate, it bordered on creepy and stalker-ish. It was more than just a teenage crush, or maybe it was just a teenage crush but, since Nate was mentioned or fantasised about every other paragraph, my mind pushed it into obsession.

But the story was good other than that. I liked the take on death, although I didn't see Death as a young boy, I'm kind of hoping that Abbey seen Death as a teenage boy 'cos she's a teenager and that a person would see what they would most relate too. I liked how the story was told from a few different POVs, especially the parts with Abbey and Nate, since it let you see what was happening on both sides of the stories.

Definitely worth a read and a nice change from all the current YA books.

We have a Winner

2011-12-07T19:30:00.000Z

The winner of our Rachel McClellan giveaway is Anne Michaud.

Congratulations Anne, on winning Fractured Light and Rachel's "special" prize

This necklace is similar to one that's mentioned in Fractured Light.

Thank you to everyone who entered, and congrats again to Anne for winning.

The Last Slayer by Nadia Lee

2011-12-06T21:37:00.000Z

Ashera del Cid is a talented demon hunter, but when she kills a demigod's pet dragon, the hunter becomes the hunted. Her only potential ally is Ramiel, a sexy-as-hell demon. Now the two must work together to battle dragons and demigods ... and the chemistry crackling between them.

Ramiel has his own reasons for offering Ashera his protection. He knows her true identity and the real reason the demigods want her dead. What he can't predict is how she'll react when she discovers he knew who she was all along...

Ashera is shocked to discover that she is the only daughter of the last slayer. To claim her destiny, she and Ramiel must join forces to face down danger and outwit their enemies. Only then will she be able to truly accept her legacy...

Release Date 26th December 2011

I really loved this book, the story and characters were very well written. I loved Ashera and Ramiel, I even loved the bad guys. Ashera is an interesting character, although one thing I didn't like was how she was always described as plain or mousy, and I think even ugly at one point. Just because her foster sister was supposed to be super model gorgeous.

But aside from that, I found the story to be very enjoyable and it has dragons .... I love dragons! And I especially love a particular dragon in this called Toshi, he was just so cute, made me want one of my own. I will definitely be looking out for more in this series and the author.

Interview with Rachel McClellan plus a Contest

2011-11-30T19:36:00.001Z

I’d like to welcome Rachel McClellan to the blog, she’s the author of upcoming YA book, Fractured Light which is due for release on the 7th February 2012, and she’s agreed to come by for an interview.

Julie-Anne: What made you decide to write a YA book?

Rachel: A teenager’s life is a magical thing. Every event is heightened by emotions making for great tension and a lot of fun. I’ve worked with teenagers for years so it felt natural to write a story geared towards them.

JA: You had a big Gaelic background in your book, do you have any Celt in your own heritage?

R: Actually, I do. My grandmother hails from Norway, while the other side of my family came from Ireland. A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and was blown away by the beauty and ambiance of the landscape. I can honestly say that there was something about Ireland that focused me as a writer.

JA: Where did you get the idea of using Light as a power?

R: I’ve always heard of people who are able to see others auras, a light/energy surrounding a person. I thought it would be cool to take this light and energy and turn it into a real power someone could use.

JA: I’m hoping there will be a 2nd book, will we get more of May in there?

R: There will be a book two, FRACTURED TRUTH, tentatively set for release in February 2013. I’m super excited about it because it’s set at an all girls school where everyone has to be fair, nice, non-competitive, etc. On top of dealing with what happened to her at the end of FRACTURED LIGHT, Llona’s going to have some serious issues with Lucent Academy’s rules.
As for May, she’s right there with Llona. BFF’s forever! And in book two May will be developing her own power as a Fury. Fire. Is. Cool. Together, with a few more interesting friends, they’ll uncover a huge plot, that, unless they stop it, will destroy the Aura’s.
(*Happy Dance*) ~ JA

JA: What is your writing style? Do you plan and outline or do you just go for it?

R: Before I begin any story, I always know the ending. I won’t even start typing unless I know how it’s all going to end. But once I know this, I just go for it. I do check my word length every so often to make sure I’m where I need to be and sometimes I’ll loosely outline a few chapters ahead.

JA: I know some authors will make up a playlist before writing a book, are you one of them?

R: Freak, yes, I love music. I have a playlist I listened to all the time when writing Fractured Light. One of these days, I’ll put it up on my blog because it fits the book perfectly.
(I always like seeing an author's playlist) ~ JA

JA: For any aspiring authors out there, what’s your advice on getting published?

R: When people find out I’m published, our conversation goes like this:
“I love to write, too,” they say.
“Really? What do you write?” I say.
“Pretty much everything. I’ve got a couple of short stories and a novel I’ve been working on for awhile. I’d love to get them published.”
“Do you belong to any writing groups?”
“No.”
“Have you taken any writing classes?”
“No.”
“Have you read any books on writing?”
“No.” Pause. “Do I have to do any of those things to be published?”
“Yes!”
An aspiring author must learn all there is to writing and publishing a book. It’s a long, and sometimes lonely, road. It can be discouraging, but once writing gets into your soul, it becomes just as important as breathing.

JA: Who are some of your favourite authors?

R: There are so many, but I really enjoy Dean Koontz, Suzanne Collins, Joshua Gaylord, Ayn Rand, C.S. Lewis, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Shelley, James Dashner, and on and on.

JA: Did any particular book or author inspire you to start writing?

R: There’s not a particular book that made me want to start writing, but there are books I’ve studied to help me become a better author. I studied Odd Thomas and The Reapers are the Angels for character development, I studied The Maze Runner and Hunger Games for pacing and tension, and I studied Jekyll and Hyde and The Book Thief for the way they used words to describe feelings, events, objects, etc.
If you have time to read while you’re writing, what are some of your favourite series out just now? The Maze Runner series is a really good one. Of course Hunger Games. I enjoyed the first few books of the Uglies series. And if you’re in it for the long haul, The Outlander Series is also good.
(I've only recently discovered The Hunger Games myself, they're great!) ~ JA

Thanks so much for stopping by and any readers out there, I highly recommend Fractured Light when it comes out.

And now ........... the contest!

The prize is a copy of Fractured Light, when it's released, and a special gift from Rachel herself which I am not going to reveal, but I will tell you it's Fractured Light connected. To win this great prize, just answer the question below, which Rachel has kindly provided for me:

I love Tim Burton movies. Without looking it up (honor code people), how many Tim Burton films can you name?

As Rachel says, please follow the honour code and don't use Google. The winner will NOT be chosen by numbers alone. Just comment below with your answers and remember to leave your e-mail address so I can contact the winner.

Last date to enter is: 7th December

Kiss of Twilight by Loribelle Hunt

2011-11-29T20:14:00.000Z

Dupree Jackson is everything a senior soldier of the Order of Templar should be. Cold. Unbreakable. A master at arms in the fight against demons. But as a hybrid, Dupree is beginning to lose himself to the demon half of his soul. One woman has the power to save him. If he lets her.

Kara Stone wants two things in life: to be merged with a demon so that she can become a full member of the Order; and Dupree Jackson. She knows they are meant to be together, if only Dupree would love her back.

Though his desire for Kara is undeniable, Dupree's need to protect her is stronger. Not wanting to see her merge, to face the internal struggle he deals with every day, he refuses to bond with her. But when Kara becomes a target and uncovers a dark secret about her past, Dupree may no longer have a choice...

Release Date 26th December 2011

Yet another book that I didn't realise was a sequel, so I now have to go buy the first book in the series since I liked this one so much. The story was very well told and nicely paced and the characters were well written, although there were a lot that got the spotlight.

From what I can gather of the first book and this book, I think I can see what couple is going to be the focus of the 3rd book. I really loved Dupree and Kara, and even though their relationship was written very will-they-won't-they, it wasn't too tedious. I find a lot of books that are written that way can get quite boring, but Kiss of Twilight done it write because even though it was written that way, it was still obvious what was happening so it was easy to hold out.

Scarlett Dedd by Cathy Brett

2011-11-26T21:06:00.001Z

Meet Scarlett Dedd. Scarlett is absolutely mortified (in more ways than one) to discover that she's accidentally killed herself trying to get out of a school trip. Even worse, she's taken her entire family with her! Left in limbo, bored to death, and fearing her friendless state is terminal, an ominous idea pops into Scarlett's head. Can Scarlett really execute her grim plan? Or will it turn out to be a fatal and very messy mistake?

Release Date (according to the Netgalley page) 14th August 2012. But it's actually been out since September 2010 (according to Amazon)

I love the artwork in this and the story is great. The characters are funny, and the book is written in a hodge podge of styles. There are some blog entries from Scarlett's blog, Scar Departed, also some chat room entries from Ghool Kool, which I gather is a chat room for dead people. There's also some proper written story bits and lots of awesome illustrations.

Cathy Brett writes and illustrates the book, and does so in a hilarious manner. Scarlett accidentally kills her family while trying to get out of a school trip, and quickly realises that being dead with no friends is boring. So, rather than try and make new dead friends, she decides to try and make her old friends dead. This book is Scarlett and her friend's tale of everything that happens.

Well worth a read and, as I already said, the artwork is fab.

Doesn't the mum kind of remind you of Violet from the Incredibles? She's one of my favourite Disney Pixar characters.

Buy Scarlett Dedd from Amazon.

A Devil Named Desire by Terri Garey

2011-11-25T23:37:00.001Z

Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest...and no one knows that better than Sammy Divine. Once an angel, now cast down, Sammy's out to prove he's not the only angel who can be led into temptation...

Hope Henderson's sister has disappeared without a trace, and Hope will do anything to find her - even make a deal with the Devil. An ancient text holds the key to unspeakable power, and it's the Archangel Gabriel's job to make sure it stays hidden, even if he has to become mortal to do it. Lives, love, and the fate of the world hang in the balance, as Hope and Gabriel learn that when passion's involved, desire can be a devil that's impossible to control.

Release Date 1st February 2012

Look at that cover, that right there is the type of cover I hate. Half naked, weirdly built man with no face! Aside from that, from what I can gather this is possibly the 2nd (?) in a series from Terri Garey. I'm not entirely sure, there's no mention of it on her website but there is a book called Devil Without A Cause, which has a similar weird cover. Although, that book is listed as coming soon with a release date of May 2011 so I don't think the author keeps that up to date.

I wasn't entirely sure on this book, it took me a while to read it. In fact I put it down at one point and read a couple of other books before I picked it back up again. But I'm glad I picked it back up. Sam and Gabe are well written characters, as is Hope. The story is well told and quite interesting, with a lot of religious factors in there (that's where my attention lags a bit, sorry) to bulk it out. Although there were names even I recognised, like Pandora and Leviathan.

I wonder what it says about me when I like Samael a whole lot more than I like Gabriel. That can't exactly be a good thing, that I'm more drawn to the devil and the bad guy, can it? Either way, whether you like the goody two shoes guys or the bad guys, I think you'll enjoy this book.

Buy A Devil Named Desire from Amazon.

Witch Hunt by Nick Chivers

2011-11-23T12:30:00.001Z

Mike thought he could escape his past. He renounced his crown as High Mage of The Council, had the Bands of Binding placed on him, and tried to start over as a normal human.

It didn’t work. And now a part of that past wants him dead, and Mike is running for his life.

With his best friend, Andrew, and Andrew’s soulbound partner along for the ride, Mike can’t help but feel lonely until he meets Rick, an all-around gorgeous man who might just be the wrong guy — again — especially since Mike can’t shake an ex-lover who’s hoping for a second chance. It’s a lot to deal with as demonic forces pursue him from Mongolia to Brazil, but Mike has to make it to the safety of The Council if he doesn’t want to be the prize trophy at the end of this witch hunt.

I finished this book last night and I still have no idea how I actually feel about it. The story line itself seemed good but it really felt like it could've been padded out a bit more, the explanations for everything came thick and fast in speech and thought and it just made it seem really fake. I know it is fake, but you know what I mean, the story didn't flow because everything was getting explained to you.

I think every character in this book is gay and they all hold up to gay stereotypes, so I was surprised to find that the author was actually gay himself. The characters really felt like they were written by a straight person that didn't know much about gay guys, they were squealy and giggly and constantly running into one another's arms and one guy actually kept carrying another one around, I get the impression it was like a child. Mike, the main guy has every power you can think of, but never fear for if it happens to be a power he doesn't have, one of his friends very handily has it. It all seemed too perfect, there was never really any worry about danger with this group because between them all, they had everything. Have you ever seen that episode of Futurama where Fry writes a comic book in which the super hero has every power imaginable? Yeah, kinda like that.

As I said, the story itself seemed good but I really felt this could have been made into a longer book or split into a couple books. It just seemed too rushed, which is sad because it really could have been a good book.

Buy Witch Hunt from Amazon.

No Rest For The Witches by Karina Cooper

2011-11-21T19:01:00.003Z

New Seattle is changing. Witches and witch hunters have become allies, and the holy order’s grip on the city is slipping. But they won’t go down without a fight . . .

After the disastrous end to their last mission, Jessie, Silas, and Naomi regroup at their sanctuary far beneath New Seattle. But their brief rest is shattered when Jessie “sees” two of their own attacked topside. Dodging bullets and black magic, they risk it all on a treacherous rescue mission. They’re already stretched to the limit, and danger waits in unexpected corners. If the Order finds them, the team is as good as dead. But they can’t hide forever . . .

I read Before The Witches ages ago and have still not gotten round to reading the first 2 actual books, but that's because I can't find them .... yet. This is another novella set between Lure of the Wicked and All Things Wicked, I believe.

So I know I've missed a huge chunk of story but I saw it on Netgalley and had to grab it. I suppose that poses a problem in itself because it's just a wee novella so there's not a lot I can review on since I don't know the back stories of the characters. I gather they're in Blood of the Wicked and Lure of the Wicked, which I do plan on buying as soon as I can get them in the right format.

I love Karina's writing style and, even though this is only a very short story, she still manages to captivate the reader and it's still an unputdownable book. I am currently desperately trying to get my hands on the 2 books I've missed so I can catch up on the story, and I do realise I've completely spoilered myself.

Buy No Rest for the Witches from Amazon.

Before the Fall by Sable Grace

2011-11-20T23:31:00.001Z

Zach was once the Order of Ancients’ most feared warrior, beating back the hounds of hell to protect the unsuspecting human race. But since he left the Order ten years ago, he’s been living as a mortal . . . until now. The gates of the underworld are breaking open, and Zach is needed in the fight once again. But before he can answer his summons, there’s one person he refuses to leave behind. Shanna may think Zach has a screw loose, spouting all this "hounds of hell" nonsense, but he has to get her to safety. The journey to the Order’s headquarters is a dangerous one, and even a warrior like Zach might not be strong enough to keep the darkness at bay.

I think this is set before Ascension, this is the countdown to the gates of hell opening and Zach, an ex warrior, has been called back into action.

A nice little action packed novella to fill the time between Ascension and the new book, Bedevilled. Kyana turns up for a short while, which was a nice surprise since I really liked her. The real story in this is Zach and Shanna's relationship, they broke up because Shanna didn't believe what Zach told her about his job although she doesn't have any choice but to believe it now. The idea of hell on earth is pretty damn frightening, and again, I love the Greek gods idea, I really can't wait to read Bedevilled.

Buy Before the Fall from Amazon.

Duncan by D.B. Reynolds

2011-11-19T16:27:00.001Z

Washington, D.C. - capital of an empire. Powerful. Exhilarating. Corrupt. And in the shadows - vampires far older than the nation itself.

A power unto himself, Duncan has served at Raphael’s side for nearly the entire two hundred years of his existence. But long laid plans have finally borne fruit, and the time has come for Duncan to leave Raphael and tackle the greatest challenge of his life. He will face treacherous vampires and murderous humans. He will rock the halls of human power if necessary. But Washington, D.C. will be his.

Emma Duquet cares nothing for vampire politics. She just wants to find her missing roommate and best friend, Lacey. But Lacey’s been playing with vampires of a particularly dangerous kind, and Emma will have to deal with the new vampire in town if she’s going to find her friend.

Battling powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets, Duncan and Emma will dig beneath the corruption and depravity that is Washington, D.C. and uncover the most heinous conspiracy of all ...

I'd like to start this review by saying that my microwave needs cleaning. You may wonder why I'm telling you this in a review? Well it's because it's D.B. Reynolds' fault that my microwave needs cleaned! Apparently porridge needs watched constantly (I'm a new porridge eater so I didn't realise it expanded the same as scrambled egg while it was cooking) while microwaving. Oh FYI, don't microwave porridge while you're reading the first sex scene with Duncan in it! Especially if Duncan is your favourite vampire and you've been waiting for his book since Raphael.

So this is the book that a lot of people have been waiting for. I know there a lot of Duncan fans out there and this is the book where we get to roll around in Duncan (*sigh* Ah, if only it were real rolling around). And away from that train of thought! Duncan becomes a Vampire Lord in this book and meets his happy ending. I really liked Emma from the start, she wasn't scared of the vamps and wasn't afraid to stand up to Duncan.

There's not a lot I can say about this book because I really do have a serious literary crush on Duncan and couldn't wait for this book to be released. Although I don't think the guy on the cover does Duncan any justice, he's too small. And on that note, I urge you all to go buy Duncan right now, although if you haven't read the first 4, go buy them first.

Buy Duncan from Amazon.

Christmas Hazards for Pets

2011-11-17T22:08:00.000Z

Yup, it's that dreaded time of year again. Christmas.

I'm a total bah humbug person but, given my day job, I thought I'd write a post about the hazards of christmas to your pet.

Christmas Trees
Yes, the simple christmas tree ... can very easily be pulled down by a curious cat or a hyperactive dog. Please make sure your tree is secured or cordoned off so your playful puppy or climbing kitty cannot be harmed. Also, if you have a real tree, make sure you clean the pine needles up regularly. They're not overly dangerous but they could stick in delicate unshod little paws and would be very uncomfortable.

Lights
Again, very easy for a cat or dog to get tangled in them or chew on them. Make sure they are attached securely and try and cover the cables so they can't be spied by curious eyes.

Tinsel & Ribbon
This stuff can be very dangerous if swallowed. If you're pet is lucky, it could just pass out with no damage. The unlucky ones could end up needing surgery to remove the offending article and also some damaged bowels. Keep everything out of the way from your pets.

Baubles
Anyone that's ever dropped one of these while decorating know how easily they shatter. Just be careful with glass baubles if you have a pet, try and not give your pet the chance to knock any off the tree.

Holly
Holly leaves and berries can be toxic to pets and will cause some gastric upset. Best not to give your pet the chance to eat any.

Mistletoe
Mistletoe, same as holly, can cause some gastric upset and it can also cause some heart problems. So, again, better to not give your pets the chance to eat any.

Ponsietta
While not toxic to pets, it can cause some irritation of the mouth, as well as excess salivation and possibly some vomiting. Again, as with most of the things on here, try and avoid your pet getting a hold of it.

Lilies
A relatively new turn up in the Veterinary field, lilies are extremely toxic to cats. A simple brush up against it leaving pollen on the cat's coat can cause kidney failure. Not just a christmas thing but a lot of flower arrangements will have lilies in them. If you are a cat owner, you should try and avoid lilies completely.

Batteries
Again, not primarily a christmas thing but it is a time of year where people tend to have a lot of batteries around for toys and decorations. Obviously batteries, if chewed, can cause a lot of damage so make sure batteries are well hidden from your pets.

Chocolate
Most people know about this by now but I thought I'd put it in here anyway. Chocolate contains a chemical called Theobromine which is toxic to pets. The general rule is: the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine so the less is needed to be toxic. Try and keep all chocolate away from pets, so don't place chocolate beneath the tree and try not to use chocolate hanging decorations.

Raisins, Grapes & Currants
Not as many people know about this, but grapes, raisins & currants can cause kidney failure in dogs if ingested. Again, the best course is to make sure your dog can't access these.

Turkey BONES
No, turkey's aren't toxic to pets but the bones can cause a lot of damage if ingested. Bird bones are hollow and shatter very easily so if a dog or cat swallows a bone, they can cause a lot of damage to their digestive tract. They can scratch and cut on there way down and could puncture through the intestines, this would require fairly major surgery. So it's just better to make sure your turkey carcass is disposed of properly and don't give your pets a chance to get at it.

Another thing to remember at this time of year is a chemical called Xylitol. It's an artificial sweetener and can be found in a lot of chewing gums and diet sweets. This is, again, fairly new to us in the Veterinary world but it can cause a lot of problems if ingested. And it doesn't need to be a lot. So, like everything else, try and make sure your pet doesn't get a chance to eat it.

When you look at this list, it seems like christmas is a very dangerous time of year, but if you think of all these things as you're decorating and "hiding" (not always from pets) presents, you'll hopefully be hazard free.

Dark Vow by Shona Husk

2011-11-06T00:41:00.001Z

Jaines Cord plans to kill the man who murdered her husband, even though killing a Bounty Hunter is said to be impossible. One bullet took away her livelihood, her home and her love. One bullet made by her. Fired from the gun she completed for the Arcane Bounty Hunter.

Obsidian wears the scars of disobeying the powerful Arcane Union. He barely escaped with his life and now lives quietly, in a town the lawmen forgot. When Jaines arrives asking too many questions, he's faced with a decision. Help her or run...again. Obsidian knows that if he flees he'll always be looking over his shoulder. His name is one of the first on the Bounty Hunter's death list.

Yet when Obsidian is offered an opportunity to stop the stone taking over his body in exchange for retrieving the gun, he asks Jaines for her help. Now Jaines must choose: a dead man's vengeance or a living man's hope?

Release Date 14th November 2011

Set in a world with 10 lords, each job/calling vowing to a different one. The magic users vow to the Arcane Lord, the gunsmiths/blacksmith etc. vow to the Smith lord, and there's also the Farmer, Miner, Carpenter, Stonemason, Weaver, Brewer, Hunter and Warrior. But women aren't allowed to get papers for a profession so Jaines was never allowed to be a qualified Smith so when her husband is killed she doesn't have a lot of options. Her rage makes her vow vengeance against the Bounty Hunter that killed her husband.

Jaines is strong and independent, even in what seems to be a seemingly western-aged time. And she and Obsidian are a perfect fit for each other.

I loved the writing and story in this book. This is also another new author to me, and I find a lot of the Carina Press books I'm reading are introducing some great authors to me.

Buy Dark Vow from Amazon.

Slip Point by Karalynn Lee

2011-11-06T00:14:00.001Z

From childhood, Shay had one dream - to join the Space Corps with her best friend and sweetheart, Jayce. When the Space Corps reveals that the father she thought was dead is actually an infamous pirate and rejects her application, the dream dies and she leaves the planet without saying a word to Jayce.

Ten years later, Shay is a pirate herself. She captains her own ship and has earned a reputation as one of the slipperiest pilots around. That's why she's recruited for a dangerous secret government mission. But the cargo she's assigned to smuggle turns out to be a woman with a government bodyguard - Jayce.

Jayce never thought he'd see Shay again, and when the mission forces them together on her ship, he isn't sure he can forgive her for deserting him; but their desire for each other is stronger than ever. Jayce knows he wants to be with Shay, but how can he trust a woman who's both a pirate and the girl who broke his heart?

Release Date 7th November 2011

This reminded me of Firefly and Serenity (even though that was cowboys and this is pirates) and I loved the writing and the storyline. I love the characters, especially Shay, she's very likeable and fun, and I can sort of get on her side about leaving Jayce .... who is also very likeable and cute.

I've never read anything by this author before (I'm not sure if she has anything else released) but I think I'd like to read it. In fact, I'm off to check on her just now.

Buy Slip Point from Amazon.

Carrier Of The Mark by Leigh Fallon

2011-11-02T19:45:00.001Z

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago - and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

The story in this book was good, it's based around the elements - air, water, fire and earth. The only thing was, I was disappointed by the actual writing. It all seemed very rushed. I get that the author had a lot to fit in but it feels like she had too big a story for length of the book. It feels like it could have been broken into 2 parts, or the book could have been longer.

As I said, the story was good. I really liked the idea behind it and was excited to read it. I'll probably read more (if there is going to be more), and see how it goes from there. It's a very quick read so it's worth a borrow at least.

Buy Carrier of the Mark from Amazon.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

2011-10-31T22:06:00.001Z

Nora should know better than to think her life can return to normal after falling in love with a fallen angel. And Nora's life isn't normal - her dad was murdered, and the facts about his death just don't add up. Now Nora's own life is in imminent danger. Are she and Patch strong enough for the battle ahead?

The sequel to Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, which I put off buying until it came out in PB and then I actually forgot about so I only got round to buying it last week. I really don't know why I waited so long since, as soon as I started reading Crescendo, I remembered how easy Becca Fitzpatrick's books are to read.

Once again Patch constantly changed from good guy to bad guy to good guy, and you're never entirely sure on how it's going to end up. Becca does a fab job at keeping you guessing, although I have to say I never trusted the full on bad guy or the other suspected bad guy. Definitely worth a read, and does a good job at keeping all the angel books in the charts. Angels are still high up in the YA reading list.

Buy Crescendo from Amazon.

My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent

2011-10-29T21:57:00.001+01:00

Sometimes dreams do come true ... and that's the last thing Kaylee needs.

Working things out with Nash - her maybe boyfriend - is hard for Kaylee. She's already coping with being a teenage banshee. Worse, Nash's gorgeous ex-girlfriend just transferred to their school.

Sabine's no ordinary girl. She's a mara, a real-life walking nightmare. Draining people's energy through their darkest dreams sustains Sabine ... and makes her Kaylee's top suspect in a cluster of super-creepy deaths.

To win back Nash, Kaylee's determined to unearth the truth. But Sabine knows the deathly secrets of Kaylee's subconscious - and she's not afraid to use them to get whatever and whoever she wants ...

Since we've been reading all of Kaylee's trials and tribulations, I thought I'd instantly hate Sabine. And I tried, I really did. But I kinda sorta liked her. Yeah, she's a bitch but she's a very likeable and understandable bitch. That being said, I'm still not sure who I want to be together - Nash and Kaylee or Nash and Sabine. Because I'm almost certain there's a certain reaper that has feelings for Kaylee and I kinda sorta like him better than Nash.

I'm still loving this series, Rachel Vincent is an excellent writer and really keeps you gripped. I like both her YA and her adult series, and I'm convinced she can't write anything bad. So obviously, I highly recommend anything written by her.

Buy My Soul to Steal from Amazon.

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

2011-10-28T21:06:00.000+01:00

Claire Danvers is concerned when three vampires vanish from Morganville without a trace. The last person seen with them is someone new to town - a mysterious individual named Magnus. Claire is convinced creepy Magnus isn't human ... but is he a vampire, or something else entirely?

Claire's hunt for answers leads her to solving another mystery that's long been puzzling her: why do vampires live so far out in a sunny desert when they're sensitive to sunlight? The answer has nothing to do with sunlight, but with water - and an ancient enemy who has finally found a way to invade the vampires' landlocked community. Vampires aren't the top predators on earth. There's something worse that preys on them ... something much worse. Which means if Claire, and Morganville, want to live, they will have to fight on to the last breath ...

Book eleven and still loving it. This book has several voices, including Amelie, Michael and Eve. I discovered I liked Amelie's voice, she's very regal and thinks about how everything might affect Morganville. Even though some of the choices she makes seem weird and wrong, they're for the good of the town and keeping the peace.

This book has one particularly shocking section that I was not expecting and, as is the norm for Rachel Caine's books, there are several small shocks in the book too. One thing I really enjoy is getting into Shane's head more and finding out exactly how he really feels about Claire. It's silly but I feel protective of Claire, we've read her growing up and seen all the hardships she's had.

The UK version also had a free short story called Anger Management which is set between Bite Club and Last Breath and focuses on Shane going to a Founder-mandated Counsellor instead of jail. It was very short and I do really enjoy Shane so that's a huge bonus!

Buy Last Breath from Amazon.

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

2011-10-25T22:24:00.000+01:00

Bound by blood, condemned by fate.

As a blood tracker, Liv is extremely powerful. And in a world where power is a commodity that can get you killed, Liv's learnt to survive by her own rules.

Rule number one? Trust no one.

When a friend's daughter goes missing, Liv is bound by a potent magical oath. She can't rest until the child is safe. And that means trusting her dangerous ex, Cam.

A sinister prophecy tells that she and Cam will be the death of each other, yet Liv's tired of being a slave to destiny. She's ready to play the forces controlling her world at their own game.

No matter the cost.

I've been waiting for this book since I finished Alpha. This is Rachel Vincent's new series after the Shifters series finished. The premise behind this series really interests me and I can't wait to read the next one.

Liv is a tracker meaning she can track anyone with blood or a name. She made an innocent pact with her childhood friends that accidentally became a binding contract, which is all fine until one of the friends shows up asking for her help. Liv can't refuse thanks to the binding.

I didn't like Anne to start with, her coming out of the blue and asking for Liv's help, knowing she can't refuse, seemed a bit of a bitchy thing to do. She eventually sort of grew on me, although I'm still not exactly a fan. I really can't wait for the next book and I'm glad Rachel's back with another great series.

Buy Blood Bound from Amazon.

My Life As A White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

2011-10-23T00:59:00.000+01:00

Angel Crawford is a loser.

Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken.

That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in a horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the county morgue - and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse.

Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey - just when she's hungriest!

Angel's going to have to grow up fast if she wants to keep this job and stay in one piece. Because if she doesn't, she's dead meat.

Literally.

The first time I heard about this book was when another author, Nicole Peeler, posted the cover on Facebook. I mean, how amazing is that cover? It's Dan Dos Santos and it certainly stands out on a bookshelf. From the minute I saw the cover, I started keeping an eye out for the release date and eventually the author tweeted about the first 2 chapters being available and I loved them.

White Trash Zombie is hilarious! Angel tries to cope with her new job and the fact that she has a strange craving to consume brains from the bodies in her morgue. I really, really, really hope that this is a new series and not a stand alone because I loved this. It's the first Diana Rowland book that I've read and her writing style is really enjoyable.

Buy My Life as a White Trash Zombie from Amazon.

Barbie Dolls

2011-10-22T14:46:00.001+01:00

Yes, you read that right. Barbie dolls.

Barbie has had several looks and jobs over the years, but the newest Tokidoki Barbie Doll has created a whole mess of crap. Why? Because she has pink hair and tattoos! Oh my gawd, shock horror! It's an abomination! ......... Hmmm, no it's not.

This article from the Telegraph quotes some Professor as saying, "This is a calculated attempt to play on young girls' natural desire to appear older" and a parent is quoted as saying, "For those who look to Barbie as a role model for strong, empowered girls, the tokidoki doll is overly-sexualised and inappropriate."

Now, let's see this "overly-sexualised" Barbie:

Oh yeah, she's wearing leopard print trousers and an off-the-shoulder top! *gasp* How dare she!?!

Now, I'm sorry but how is this particular Barbie any more sexualised than any other Barbie from previous years.

This is gorgeous but how is this any less sexual looking?

Is Barbie in a bikini not slightly more sexual than tattooed, pink haired Barbie?

How about Barbie in a skin tight catsuit?

I have no problem with any of the above Barbies. I think, if anything, it's Barbie's body shape that should be under fire for being a bad role model. But I believe (or I may be making it up) that her body shape was changed a few years back?

Some parents just need to calm the fuck down and realise that, this particular Barbie, was designed as a collector's Barbie, not a toy. It goes to show the small mindedness of some people when they seem to only have a problem with the pink haired, tattooed rock chick Barbie.

Just my two cents on the subject. PARENTS CHILL!!!!!

A Clockwork Christmas Anthology by Carina Press

2011-10-20T23:08:00.000+01:00

We Wish You A Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband’s love. A man learns that love isn’t always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Release Date 5th December 2011

Rather than write a review of the book in general, I thought I'd review each story separately.

Crime Wave In A Corset by Stacy Gail
Roderick Coddington is on a mission to make Cornelia Peabody pay. After identifying her as the thief who stole a priceless Fabergé egg from his dying sister, he finds her and shackles a deadly timepiece to her arm. If she doesn’t return the egg by Christmas morning, she will die.

Normally seven days is more than enough time for Cornelia to carry out the perfect crime, but Roderick’s intrusion into her life is beyond distracting. He challenges her mind, and ignites her body with desire she’s never felt before. But worst of all, he threatens the independence she values above all else...

As Roderick spends time with Cornelia, he realizes there’s a lonely soul hidden beneath her beautiful but criminal veneer. Falling for a thief wasn’t part of Roderick’s plan, but plans can change and he has no intention of letting another priceless treasure get away from him.

First thing's first, I loved the title of this story. Don't know why, but I did.
The story was interesting and the characters likeable. And, as for any Carina Press story, the sex scenes are always heat inducing!

This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Eight years ago, Ophelia Leonides’s husband cast her off when he discovered she was not the woman he thought she was. Now destitute after the death of her father, Ophelia is forced to turn to Dario for help raising the child she never told him about.

Dario is furious that Ophelia has returned, and refuses to believe Arthur is his son — after all, he thought his wife was barren. But to avoid gossip, he agrees to let them spend the holidays at his villa. While he cannot resist the desire he still feels for Ophelia, Dario despises himself for being hopelessly in love with a woman who can never love him back.

But Dario is wrong: Ophelia’s emotions are all too human, and she was brokenhearted when he rejected her. Unsure if she can trust the man she desperately loves, she fears for her life, her freedom and her son if anyone else learns of her true nature...

An enjoyable story with a very likeable female lead and a bastard-come-nice-guy of a male lead. I liked Ophelia from the get go and Dario was a meanie to start but soon realised how much he loved his wife.

Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
All suffragette Esme Smith wants is a man. A scoundrel to be precise. Someone who can be persuaded to represent her political views at men-only clubs. As the daughter of the richest man in Australia, Esme can afford to make it worth the right man’s while.

Fresh off the boat, American inventor Jed Reeve is intrigued by Esme’s proposal, but even more interested in the beauty herself. Amused that she takes him for a man who lives by his wits, he accepts the job — made easier by the fact that he already shares her ideals. Soon, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue, kidnapping and blackmail, and trying to convince his employer he’s more than just a scoundrel...

Again, a good story with likeable characters. This time I loved the male lead first, he was sexy! Esme was strong hearted and independent, a must (I think) for any steampunk book.

Far From Broken by JK Coi
Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye ... and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper’s guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything ... including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife’s love and forgiveness ... but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

Instant pity for Callie and love for Jasper. A slightly different take on other steampunks I've read in that the woman is the one given all the power.

So, a good anthology of fun steampunkiness. I liked seeing what steampunk gadgets and inventions the four different authors came up with, they were all different and some of them I'd like to see in this day and age.

Forever Summer by Seleste deLaney

2011-10-16T21:07:00.000+01:00

Her dreams of a career by the sea shattered, Katya's trying to be happy with two weeks in the Florida Keys. But when her rental ends up infested, she's ready to go home. At least until Jay, the handyman next door, comes to her rescue.

Sweet, talented & sexy, he's all she ever wanted in a man. Too bad he's only hanging out with her because he's such a nice guy.

Or is he?

At only 22 pages long, this isn't trying to be anything but a nice, fun, sexy read. And that's exactly what it is.

A great, short read with some hot sweaty sex. It's exactly what Seleste's readers are expecting and she never fails to deliver. There's no reason not to buy this, it's cheap and cheerful.

Buy Forever Summer direct from 1 place for romance.

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan

2011-10-16T15:24:00.001+01:00

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can't take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.

As an Aura, Llona has the ability to manipulate light and harness its energy. This is the power the Vykens are after. This is what the Guardians are trained to protect. Christian has been waiting his whole life for the opportunity to fulfill his destiny as a Guardian, but Llona has other plans for him. Going against everything that she's been taught and defying the Auran Council, Llona convinces Christian to teach her how to use her power as a weapon. It may be her only hope of survival.

Release Date 7th February 2012

I loved the premise of this story! Although re-reading the blurb after reading the book, I'm surprised by the reveal of Christian being a Guardian, I felt it was a fairly large part in the story (for a long time I thought he was the bad guy).

I really enjoyed the idea of using light as a power and, eventually, a weapon. Although (this may be my darker side coming out) I prefer May's powers, and you'll need to read the book to find out what they are. Even though I felt the actual baddie was obvious (they, along with Christian, were my picks from the beginning), the actual big battle scene was still exciting to read and Rachel McClellan held off on the big reveal until the very last moment, which I liked.

I think this is definitely a must read for all YA and supernatural readers. It's a step from the normal YA books out there just now and I think it'll be a hit.

Buy Fractured Light from Amazon.

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

2011-10-14T21:57:00.000+01:00

Jen’s life of rebelling and sneaking out is growing stale. In an effort to combat her boredom, Jen makes a bet to turn Trevor, a nice little geek, into a “bad boy.” She’s immediately pulled into Trevor’s world of sci-fi movies, charity work, and even—ugh!—bowling. Unexpectedly, Jen discovers that hanging out with Trevor isn’t so bad after all. But when Trevor finds out about the wager, all bets are off.

One little thing that ticked me with this book was how everyone non-goth reacted to Jen's goth look. Surely she doesn't live in so small a town that no-one has ever seen a goth before? In fact, I know this isn't true since she seems to have a large group of similar friends. So why is that she regularly points to herself or looks at her outfit when someone mentions taking her to a "normal" place? It's a small thing but it made me think the author either grew up in one of those little towns as a goth, or she doesn't know any goths.

Besides that, the story was fun and I liked Jen and Trevor's budding relationship. I didn't like Jen's friends and couldn't understand why she would be friends with them, besides the fact that she seems to be someone pretending to be a goth just for attention (just the way I read it, might not be what the author was going for).

Don't read this as me saying I didn't like the book, 'cos I did. It was just the goth reaction that I didn't like, maybe since I was slightly goth-y myself at school, who knows. But it was the only part about the book that bothered me. I'd recommend it to people.

Buy Geek Girl from Amazon.

My Lunatic Life by Sharon Sala

2011-10-12T20:45:00.001+01:00

Tara Luna's life is complicated enough without moving to a new town during her senior year. How can she tell yet another set of new classmates that she talks to ghosts? How can she introduce them to Henry and Millicent, the ghost-couple who've watched over since childhood? And should she mention that she and her Uncle Pat have moved into a house haunted by a dead teen girl, who is already bugging Tara for help solving her murder?

So this is book one in a new series, called Lunatic Life. The cover is a tad cheesy and overly colourful but it was the story that interested me. I find I'm less cover-judgey on e-books than I am on real books.

I liked Luna, her attitude to the cheerleaders is funny. Although since she moves all the time, she has to have a good way of dealing with the bullies.

I think one thing that bugged with this book (and a lot of YAs) is how quickly a romance builds up between two characters. The book is only about 90 pages long, so I get that if something happens, it doesn't exactly have a lot of time to build up. But since this book is the first in a series, I felt that the romance could have been paced a bit better.

Definitely worth a read, it's cute and funny plus it's a nice wee read.

Buy My Lunatic Life from Amazon.

Blood Rock by Anthony Francis

2011-10-12T20:27:00.001+01:00

Dakota Frost is back, and the ink is about to hit the fan - again.

Graffiti comes to life in the dark heart of Atlanta's oldest cemetery, slaying one of the city's best loved vampires before the eyes of his friend Dakota Frost. Deadly magick is at work on the city's walls, challenging even the amazing power of Dakota's tattoos to contain it. The hungry, graffiti magick loves to kill, and the Edgeworld is no longer safe from its own kind.

Dakota begins a harrowing journey to save those she loves and to discover the truth behind the spreading graffiti - even if that truth offends the vampires, alienates the werekin and creates police suspicion of her every action.

Saving Atlanta may cost her everything, including custody of her "adopted" weretiger daughter, Cinnamon. But failure is not an option. If the graffiti isn't stopped, Cinnamon could be the next victim.

Second book in the Skindancer series. Read my review for Frost Moon.

I love Dakota Frost and I adore her daughter, Cinnamon. I really can't wait to read Cinnamon's series, Spellpunk, which Anthony Francis confirmed (delighting me) in my interview with him.

Dakota has to learn some proper Skin dancing in this book, as opposed to getting by like she has done in the past. There's major upset in both her love life and her personal life and she has a lot of crap to deal with as well as fighting a bad guy. And dealing with vampire politics!

I highly recommend this series. If you love Urban Fantasy, magic and tattoos ~ read this now!

Buy Blood Rock from Amazon.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2011-10-02T16:25:00.000+01:00

Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.

In a dark vision of the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survivial is second nature.

These books have been out a while now and I wasn't too sure about them. A friend who has very similar taste in books as me, thought I'd like the series so when I saw the 1st one cheap when I was shopping, I decided to pick it up. If anything I wanted to read it before I saw anything about the films so I could get my own images in my head.

I really enjoyed the book, Katniss is a good lead. And the setting is brilliant. Not too far in the future (I don't think it says how far exactly) and there's Panem is a new country split into 12 districts, there were 13 but one got destroyed. Every year, 1 boy and 1 girl from each district get chosen for the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death that everyone in the country must watch.

Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place and ends up in the arena, fighting for survival. It's one of those books that you know how it's going to end but you still keep reading, Suzanne Collins manages to hold your attention on every page. I, for one, am looking forward to reading the next one and I can also finally go see what the film has going for it ~ off to YouTube I go!

Buy The Hunger Games from Amazon.

The Demon Trappers: Forbidden by Jana Oliver

2011-10-01T00:33:00.000+01:00

Hell has a plan for Riley Blackthorne ...

Riley's beginning to think being a demon trapper isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her dad's been stolen by a necromancer, her boyfriend's gone all weird and she's getting warm and fuzzy feelings for someone who's got more secrets than the CIA. It's tempting to give it all up and try to be normal, but that's not an option with Hell watching her every move.

One mistake will cost her everything - and that's the one she's about to make ...

Read my review of the first book in this series, The Demon Trappers: Forsaken.

I absolutely love Riley Blackthorne and all the other main characters in this series. Despite the fact that she traps demons for a job, she's very down to earth. Beck is like the older brother Riley doesn't want but, of course they both have feelings for one another ~ I'm holding onto my hopes that they'll end up together.

The big fight at the end of the first book is the focus in this one, everyone's trying to figure out how it happened and what Riley's dad had to do with it. Meanwhile Riley has her own little investigation going with the holy water, and her boyfriend is injured and acting like a complete douche.

*****SPOILER***** I'm glad that things are over between Simon and Riley, I never liked him from the beginning. Too goody goody, Beck's much better suited for her.

One thing that irked me in this book was the simple little editing mistakes that were obviously missed. It's a small thing but it's something I always notice and it bugs me. Thankfully, in a book like Forsaken, the story and characters are strong enough to make me push the mistakes to the back of my mind so I can continue reading.

If you haven't read Forsaken, get out there and get it read. Then get back out there and get Forbidden 'cos it's a damn good sequel.

Buy The Demon Trappers: Forbidden
from Amazon.

Suite Nineteen by Mel Bossa

2011-09-30T13:18:00.001+01:00

Drawn by the promise of change, young medium Ben Lebeau, moves to the big city, into the Shilts Manor — an old textile factory turned trendy loft space. There he meets seductive Lennox Van Kemp and his clan of Métis — guardians of the oldest lie. Ben is pulled into Van Kemp's emotional circle, finally sating his most secret desires.

Against Ven Kemp's warnings, Ben befriends his neighbor Ezra Collins — a scarred man who has taken a vow of celibacy. As Ben tries to get closer to Ezra and earn his trust, he also struggles to escape Van Kemp's psychological grip on him. The harder Ben falls for Ezra, the more he suffers from hallucinations and memory losses. Soon, the Manor's walls begin to close in on him and Ben must rely on his psychic abilities to survive the assault on his mind.

As Ben and Ezra unravel Van Kemp's plans, they expose a spiritual conspiracy dating back to Christ — a conspiracy that will shake their very world and restore their Faith in humanity.

I liked the sound of this book, but re-reading the blurb, I just noticed that it gives away the one and only thing that book had going for it - the reveal of what Van Kemp and Ezra are. To me that seems strange to give away that in the blurb when, if you read the book, the whole Métis thing isn't revealed until the end.

I tried to like this book, I really did. The story sounded interesting but the 3 main characters - Ben, Van Kemp and Ezra - are annoying! They all seem exaggerated way too much. Ben is whiny and annoying, Ezra is moody and annoying and Van Kemp is pushy and annoying. Not a good combination of leads. It also took me a while to read since I didn't want to read it when I was at home, I was basically only reading it on my lunch breaks at work and I just couldn't work up the .... want .... to pick it up at home.

Buy Suite Nineteen from Amazon.

Fireworks and Pets

2011-09-26T19:54:00.000+01:00

It's getting to that time of year again. Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night, 5th of November .... whatever you want to call it, it's a pain in the butt to all pet owners. Personally, my dog is fine with fireworks but, as a Vet Nurse, I see plenty of people coming in with their dogs and cats just prior to Bonfire Night to get medication for their pets.

Unfortunately, sedatives are only a short term fix. Ideally, if your dog or cat is scared of the noise, you need to work with them and get them desensitised to the loud bangs. For this, the Sounds Scary CD is ideal, you play the CD in the house over a long period of time and gradually your pet will become oblivious to the noises.

The CD used in conjunction with Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats), is much better than loading them up with sedatives. Adaptil and Feliway should be used at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Sedatives may make your pet sleep and look serene but they're still scared of the noises that are happening outside, so work with your pet in advance rather than leave it to the last minute and have to get sedatives from your Vet. Sounds Scary is available from the link above and Adaptil and Feliway are available from your Vet or any large pet shop.

Advice for dogs on the night of the fireworks:

Make sure your dog is walked in daylight hours before the fireworks start
Feed your dog as stodgy meal, like pasta etc. This should help your dog feel tired
Shut all your curtains and put a CD or TV on. Preferably bass heavy music as it should hide the noise of the fireworks
Don't react to the noise of the fireworks or fuss over the dog if they do
Don't take the dog out again until after you're sure the fireworks are finished
Start working with the Sounds Scary CD so that the following year isn't as bad

Advice for cats on the night of fireworks:

Make sure your cat is kept indoors during the day and at night
Make sure your cat has a safe hiding place to go to if they feel scared
Again, like with dogs, work with the cat and the Sounds Scary CD

Advice for small animals on the night of fireworks:

Outdoor animals should have plenty of food and hay on the day and night of
If possible, bring the animals inside but make sure they're not too warm. If it's not possible to bring them inside, cover the hutch(es)with something heavy to block out any light flashes and dull the noise

I hope the above advice is helpful to some pet owners, I would also like to ask if anyone with pets could sign this petition to get pet safety advice put on fireworks.

Wolf Mark by Joseph Bruchac

2011-09-17T11:32:00.001+01:00

Luke King knows a lot of things. Like four different ways to disarm an enemy before the attacker can take a breath. Like every detail of every book he's ever read. And Luke knows enough - just enough - about what his father does as a black ops infiltrator to know which questions not to ask. Like why does his family move around so much?

Luke just hopes that this time his family is settled for a while. He'll finally be able to have a normal life. He'll be able to ask the girl he likes to take a ride with him on his motorcycle. He'll hang out with his friends. He'll be invisible - just as he wants.

But when his dad goes missing, Luke realizes that life will always be different for him. Suddenly he must avoid the kidnappers looking to use him as leverage against his father, while at the same time evading the attention of the school's mysterious elite clique of Russian hipsters, who seem much too interested in Luke's own personal secret. Faced with multiple challenges and his emerging paranormal identity, Luke must decide who to trust as he creates his own destiny.

I enjoyed this book, even with the very annoying unrequited love between Lucas and Meena. I really don't get why YA books have to have that in there.

Spoiler alert!!!

So Lucas is a skin walker of Native American mythology. This book puts a good twist into the story though, the kids are born with their skin walker pelt. Lucas' is kept in storage until his parents feels he's old enough to know about his other half, when his dad gets kidnapped he follows the trail his father left him and finds his pelt, finally getting to join with his other half and become what he should be. With his newfound strength and skills, he sets out to rescue his dad, with some help from an unlikely place.

I really liked Lucas as a character (except for the pining) and I enjoyed Lucas' dad, more so after he admits to Lucas that he's been playing a part all these years and he's not really a drunk or a junkie. One thing I didn't like was how Lucas was described as his skin walker wolf, it sounds like he's like the wolfman of old mythology. I personally would have preferred if he's just changed into an actual wolf, but the wolfman thing worked with the story line so I can see why it was that way.

I'm looking forward to reading more.

Buy Wolf Mark from Amazon.

Gunshy by Seleste deLaney

2011-09-16T21:13:00.001+01:00

Banished from Olympus with orders to restore love to the world, Eros starts with a match no one sees coming. No one but him.

Straight-laced principal Kira isn’t looking for love, especially not right after getting dumped. Then a chance encounter leads her to Jesse, and damned if she isn’t drawn to the bad-boy with a heart of gold. A night of reckless abandon leaves her confused. Was there something there, or did she imagine the connection between them?

Jesse knows lying to Kira is a mistake, but she's the first woman in a long time to see the man and not just the rock star. When his plan to come clean goes terribly wrong, Kira bolts, leaving Jesse in the dust.

Now Eros has to nudge the star-crossed lovers together and prove to Zeus that love does exist, even among the gun shy.

Buy the kindle from Amazon: Gunshy by Seleste deLaney or direct from Evernight Publishing: Gunshy by Seleste deLaney

A very short but hawt first book in a new series from Evernight Publishing. It's a multi-author series, so each book is written by a different author.

Eros gets banished from Olympus and has to restore love to humans. Judging by this story I'm guessing that each story will follow a different couple that Eros helps get together to prove to Zeus that he can still do his job.

I've read a lot of Seleste's books and I have to say, this is the first book of hers that has a lead male that I could find myself attracted to. Jesse is a big guy and he has tattoos and plays bass, what more could I want. I also liked Jesse, as little as we got to know her in this short story she was a strong lead. I'll still read the rest of the series but Seleste was definitely the only reason I bought this. Got to support my buddies after all :D

Buy GunShy from Amazon.

The Shadowing: Hunted by Adam Slater

2011-09-06T21:42:00.001+01:00

Once every century, the barrier between the human world and the demon realm begins to break down. Creatures gather, anxiously waiting to cross the divide, to bring death and destruction from their world to ours. This time is called The Shadowing.

Callum Scott has always known that there is a supernatural world out there — he’s seen ghosts for as long as he can remember. Lately, he’s had visions of children being brutally murdered by a terrifying creature. Then the visions start coming true, and Callum realises that he’s being hunted, too.

Driven by a dark destiny, he must stand against the demons that threaten our world. And The Shadowing is almost here. . . .

Release Date 13th September 2011

Loved this story and I loved the fact that the main character, Callum, and his female friend, Melissa, don't have a romance ...... and I'm going to say yet, as it still may happen. It seems that every YA I read has to have some romance blooming or already happening between the main character and a best friend or possible enemy or complete opposite schoolmate etc, so it was nice to read a story that had two friends of opposite sex and not have an under running love story happening at the same time.

The story was really well told and well paced. It was mostly from Callum's POV but some wee chapters were from the Hunter's POV as well. I like how this series is going to turn out, it's going to be a different bad guy every book and I can tell that they're not going to be fluffy or light reading. The bad guy (maybe gal, you never find out) was quite terrifying to picture and from the excerpt I read of the next book, it's going to be the same.

Recommended for any YA horror supernatural reader.

Buy The Shadowing: Hunted from Amazon.

The Postmortal by Drew Magary

2011-09-04T16:17:00.004+01:00

The year is 2019 and a cure for aging has been discovered. After much political and cultural debate "The Cure" is made available to populations worldwide. Through fast-paced journal entries and blogger-style news story roundups compiled by an ever-watchful New York lawyer, John Farrell, readers experience a world where age-related diseases and deaths disappear altogether. But there are residual effects and THE POSTMORTAL forces us to rethink our idea of marriage if rendered indefinite and the allocation of precious resources in a world with exponential population growth. Ideological divisions manifest themselves in chilling ways in this new environment, introducing "pro death" anarchists who inflict ghastly punishments on those who dare to remain young. With the apocalypse on the horizon and regret creeping into everyday lives, living forever, as it turns out, isn't all it's cracked up to be.

This book is amazingly thought provoking and well written, everything about it makes you think. Would you take the cure? What happens to our family and all our loved ones? Does your idea of "love" change after being forced to consider an actual lifetime with the person you married? Would you ever consider giving a child the cure to make sure they stayed a child forever? All these questions are raised in this book and ultimately answered by John Farrell.

The book is written in the form of blog entries and newspaper stories and spans from 2019 to 2079 with John remaining at the cure age of 29 throughout. He has to face many disappointments and faces a lot of realities through his long life.

This book really made me question everything it raised. After the cure is discovered it meant everyone who used it wouldn't die of old age so the population exploded which meant people were struggling to survive. Money and jobs were scarce, as were places to live. Cycle marriages become the norm, where you only had to be married for a set period of time and at the end your marriage simply dissolved and you were free to marry another person. Pro-death anarchists terrorised and killed those who took the cure.

It really makes you think ..... would you take the cure if it were real? I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Buy The Postmortal from Amazon.

Incubus by Carol Goodman

2011-08-28T15:23:00.001+01:00

In a town built on magic, be careful what you dream ...

Ever since moving to Fairwick to take up a teaching post at the local college, Callie has been having vivid, erotic dreams about a man made out of moonlight and shadows. Dreams she begins to fear as well as anticipate ...

She learns that her home - a Victorian cottage at the edge of a wood - is supposedly haunted. And then her new - and rather strange - colleagues tell her a local legend about an incubus demon with a human past who was enchanted by a fairy queen ...

It took me a loooong time to get into this book. It's really slow going and nothing really exciting happens until near the end. And even then, it's not really that exciting.

Huge periods of time pass between chapters and breaks and they're never really discussed. The story itself, is vaguely interesting but not overly so. And the characters aren't enough to hold your interest. Callie isn't strong enough for a lead character, in my opinion. She's sort of boring, a bit self obsessed and not very interesting.

This isn't really a book I'd recommend to someone, I bought it as an impulse buy but I wish I'd read some reviews first.

Buy Incubus from Amazon.

Sad Monsters: Growling on the Outside, Crying on the Inside by Frank Lesser

2011-08-28T14:16:00.001+01:00

Monsters have it tough. Besides being deeply misunderstood, they suffer from very real problems: Mummies have body image issues, Godzilla is going through an existential crisis, and creatures from the black lagoon face discrimination from creatures from the white lagoon. At heart, these monsters are human; after all, you are what you eat. Quirkily illustrated, Sad Monsters hilariously documents the trials and tribulations of all the undead creatures monster-mad readers have grown to love, from vampires and werewolves, to chupacabras and sphinxes, and even claw-footed bathtubs.

Release Date 27 September 2011

This book has some really cute drawings and funny little stories relating to monsters and the troubles they face every day.

For instance, did you know Godzilla questions his existence every day? Or that The Abominable Snowman wants nothing more than to work in the fashion industry?

What about the fact that if you stay abstinent in your teen years you get your very own unicorn as your BFF? I never knew that could happen.

There's loads of great little short funny stories and they're all giggle worthy. The illustrations are cute and funny and go well with the stories. This is a nice wee book for a quick read, and since it's all short 2 or 3 page stories, it's a book you're able to read in between other books. You can read one or two stories then put it down and pick it back up later without worrying about getting confused.

Buy Sad Monsters: Growling on the Outside, Crying on the Inside from Amazon.

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

2011-08-28T12:50:00.001+01:00

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls - a camp for troubled teens - and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren't just "troubled." Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, and fairies train side by side, learning to harness their powers, control their magic, and live in the normal world.
Kylie's never felt normal, but surely she doesn't belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks, either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn't complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek's a half Fae who's determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin' hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Derek and Lucas couldn't be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear: Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs ....

So I heard of this book ages ago when I heard of the free e-novella Turned at Dark then I won Born at Midnight in a contest from a blog, which I would link to but I can't remember who they are, sorry. Unfortunately I also just discovered I can't read Turned at Dark because it's not available in my country ~ bummer! Sucky geographical limits.

Anyway, I started this book the other day and I absolutely loved it. Kylie is a nice YA lead and Derek and Lucas are your typical YA triangle material, completely different and both hot so it makes it difficult to choose.

The story is good, paced well and doesn't really have any boring bits in it. I liked the idea of Shadow Falls, a camp for supernatural teens just coming into their powers. And I loved Kylie's room mates, Della and Miranda, a newly turned vampire and a dyslexic witch. Kylie's struggle with finding out who she is and why she's at the camp is very well told. You really get into her head and she fluctuates between wanting to believe she is something and hoping that she's not (even though that would mean she's actually very ill).

All in all, a very good short read and a must for all fans of the genre. I'm going to try and get my greedy little hands on Turned at Dark and can't wait to read the next book, Awake at Dawn.

Buy Born at Midnight from Amazon.

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

2011-08-06T18:12:00.001+01:00

Savannah Levine is in danger. That's not usually a problem. But, caught in the grip of a disturbing and violent murder case, Savannah swore to give up her unique gifts if it would save an innocent young girl. Little did she know that someone - or something - was listening ... Now she has no idea how to restore her powers, just when she needs them the most.

In this compelling, fast paced new thriller, Savannah has to face a host of deadly enemies bent on destroying not only her, but the very fabric of the supernatural world.

As dark forces gather, Savannah isn't just fighting for her life, but for everything and everyone she loves ...

You know, it seems completely pointless for me to write a review for a Kelley Armstrong book. Anyone that knows me, knows she's one of (if not my most) favourite author. It's hard for me to say anything bad about a Kelley Armstrong book, I love her writing. Kelley's books, for me, are a proper page turner. I read them all in one sitting and Spell Bound was no different. I got it through the door today, started reading it at about 12 this afternoon and have just finished it at about half 5.

This is the second to last book in the Otherworld series (nooooooooooooooooooooo) since Kelley plans on taking a break from it to focus on other projects. As much as this saddens me, I know she doesn't want to keep writing and having the series lose it's appeal (like so many other series out there). Also, she has promised it's not an end but a hiatus, she plans on writing short stories and novellas featuring the Otherworld characters so we're not completely losing them.

The 2nd in the Savannah trilogy picks up exactly where Waking The Witch left us with that horrid cliff hanger ending. Good thing is, this book doesn't end on a cliff hanger but Kelley does tease us a little in the last few pages. As is my usual for Kelley's books, I cannot wait to read the next one and I'm pretty sad that it's a whole year away!

Buy Spell Bound from Amazon.

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

2011-08-04T20:10:00.001+01:00

Kaylee has one addiction in her life: Her boyfriend Nash.

Like Kaylee, Nash is a banshee. So he understands her like no one else. Nothing - supernatural or otherwise - can come between them. That is, until something does.

Demon's breath - a potent paranormal drug with the power to kill. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. Kaylee and Nash need to cut off the source and protect their human friends - one of whom is already hooked.

But Kaylee's plans are soon derailed when she uncovers another secret demon's breath addict in their midst. Nash.

Now she's ready to kick some serious Netherworld butt - but is it too late to save the boy who's stolen her heart?

This is book three in the Soul Screamers series, the first two books are My Soul To Take and My Soul To Save.

My one problem with this book was the fact that Nash's addiction was given away in the blurb. Even with all of Rachel Vincent's hint-dropping, it was still a major part of the story and I feel it could have been more of an "oh-my-god" moment than it was. Of course, this has nothing to do with the book or the author, it's just something that bugs me when a huge thing is given away in the blurb.

This series is still going strong and I can't wait to read the next one (I'll need to check if I can get the UK cover yet or if I'll have to wait). Unlike a lot of Supernatural books, we learnt about Kaylee's banshee powers at the same time as her so we've gotten to see her grow while she learns to live with her ~~curse~~ powers.

I absolutely love Rachel Vincent's writing style and am always eagerly awaiting a new release. She knows how to keep you turning the pages and writes fun and readable characters.

Buy My Soul To Keep from Amazon.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

2011-07-29T10:37:00.001+01:00

I ain't afeared of nuthin.

When Saba's brother is stolen, red rage fills her soul.

She races across the cruel dustlands to find him.

Saba can trust no one. Even the boy who saves her life.

She must silence her heart to survive.

Blood will spill.

This book could be described as dystopian. It's set in a future world where civilisation, as we know it, has ended and people are struggling to live and survive. Rivers and lakes have dried up and food is scarce in some places. The world Moira Young writes is huge and very detailed, it reminds me a bit of Mad Max as well. Don't ask me why, I think it's the scenes in dry, desert-like places.

I was worried at the beginning, that I wouldn't like this book. I started reading and the language put me off, it's written the way (I guess) that the people talk and there's no speech marks to denote when someone's speaking. But I got used to it eventually and ended up loving it.

The characters are well written and I love Saba and her stubborn hot-headed-ness, I also love that she grows and changes as she's forced to live a life she doesn't want to. As I already said, the world is great. It really does make me think of Mad Max, maybe it's the scenes or maybe it's the idea of marauders hiding out and waiting to rob people.

Whatever it is, I recommend this book. Very enjoyable and there's a sequel due out in 2012 .... that's only a year away, I can wait that long, right?

Buy Blood Red Road from Amazon.

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

2011-07-23T10:16:00.001+01:00

They say that before you die your life flashes before your eyes.

You think it's going to be the good stuff - every kiss, every party.

Don't count on it.

I was Bridget Duke - the uncontested ruler of the school. If keeping the wannabes in their place meant being a mean girl, then so be it!
I never thought there'd be a price to pay.

Until the accident.

Now, trapped between life and death, I'm seeing my world in a new light: through the eyes of five people whose existence I've made hell.
And I've got one chance to make things right. If I don't, I may never wake up again ...

OK so you know from the blurb that Bridget is going to be a bitch - and she was! You also know from the blurb that she's going to see the errors in her ways - which she does. The thing that annoyed me? Bitchy Bridget was in majority of the book and I would have much rather read the scenes where she was seeing herself through other's eyes. Because nothing puts me off finishing a book more than a bitchy lead.

The story itself was very well written and I really enjoyed the scenes where she was seeing herself because she was literally inside the other person's head and got to hear their thoughts. Bridget's one of those chicks that thinks everyone loves her when in reality they just put up with her.

I think this was most definitely a stand alone novel although I think I'd like to see more in the way of the sort of judging panel going to other people. That was the premise I liked and I think it'd be fun to read more.

Buy Here Lies Bridget from Amazon.

Fine Cooking Cookies by Fine Cooking Magazine

2011-07-17T20:21:00.001+01:00

Name your cookie! Shaped, drop, bar, roll and bake, or slice and bake, they all get professional treatment and triple testing from Fine Cooking magazine, the most trusted name in cooking. This fresh batch of more than 200 amazing recipes will inspire great baking. From classic favorites like snickerdoodles and chocolate chunk to more sophisticated treats like biscotti and fruit bars, there's something for every occasion. Bakers will roll out these sweets for the holidays, for dessert, or just to fill up the cookie jar. Also includes Fine Cooking's signature style of tips and secrets from the pros, step-by-step photos to help master techniques, ingredient profiles, and shortcuts. For anyone who wants to bake like the best, Fine Cooking Cookies has all the right ingredients.

Contributors include Deborah Madison, Abby Dodge, Molly Stevens, Susie Middleton, Alice Medrich, Rose Levy Beranbaum, Nicole Rees, and Flo Braker.

Release Date 4th October 2011

So I'm not entirely sure how to go about writing a review for a recipe book. I mean, I can't possibly cook every cookie in the book before I review it ....... well I could, but it'd cost me a bit of money and I'd put on a tonne of weight!

On first quick flick through, I think I spotted about 20 or more recipes that I really want to try. I decided to go with the basic old favourite of chocolate chunk.

I feel I should mention that, although I love baking and tend to do it often, I've actually never made cookies before. So the fact that my first batch turned out perfect shows how well the recipes are written. Steps are very clearly written and, even though the weights are US, there's a conversion chart at the back. Same for the temperatures, the recipe said to put my oven at 350 when mine only goes to 200! Thankfully there's a handy little chart, lol.

This has recipes for everyone. There's bar-form, sandwiches, thick, thin, chewy, crispy and I'm pretty sure every flavour is in there. I, for one, can't wait to try some more recipes from it but for now, here's a picture of my first foray into cookie baking.

And they taste awesome!

Buy Fine Cooking Cookies from Amazon.

Misfit by Jon Skovron

2011-07-16T15:24:00.001+01:00

Jael has always felt like a freak. She's never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad's always been super strict - but that's probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family's dangerous history and Jael's untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best-friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths.

Release Date 1st August 2011

This is neither fast paced or slow to get into, (I feel like Goldilocks here, lol) it was just right. Straight off, I loved the cover then I read the blurb and thought, "Yeah, I have to read this."

Jael is a complete misfit for no real reason, other than she and her dad were always moving when she was younger. It's got to be hard to always be the new kid in school, but she's also always felt like something was missing from her life. So when she finds out she's actually a half demon, it kinda all makes sense. In a demons-are-real kind of way.

I really loved Jael and her completely difficult relationship with her father. I liked how the author described magic - it was a different way of describing things and I loved how he gave the elements emotions. It seemed to help it all fit in a bit better, you could understand how it would work and you could imagine it really well.

A great YA read and I'm really hoping there's a sequel out there. The story did seem to end in this book but there is definitely potential there for more.

Buy Misfit from Amazon.

Hunting Kat by PJ Schnyder

2011-07-07T22:11:00.001+01:00

As a mercenary, Kat Darah doesn't have to pass for a normal human. On the edge of the solar system, she's just another biped. Most of the time.

Nearing the end of his military tour, Lt. Christopher Rygard debates the idea of hanging up his uniform for good. Looking for answers at the bottom of a glass of scotch, he meets Kat. One shared night of mutual desire seems harmless. But when their tryst is interrupted by attackers hunting Rygard, Kat must reveal her other form, the predator beneath the human façade.

Together they embark on a dangerous mission - a race against time to meet the enemy's demands, while trying to deny the passion between them. Rygard is faced with a terrible choice in the face of duty: Report the existence of a human turned shape-shifter. Or forget he ever met her.

I believe PJ Schnyder has other books out but this is the first I've read anything by her. I really enjoyed the story and characters, especially Kat. There's more of her story to be told, I feel (and hope!)

I liked the little insight we got into both Kat and Rygard's background, but she still left it open enough for future stories (good plan, Batman). Kat's the type of heroine that I like in a book, strong and independent because she had to overcome something, but then they always seem to let me down by falling for the guy or changing their ways. This was only a wee short story so Kat didn't get a chance to do that.

A good, short read. Definitely worth a peruse (check me, trying to use smart words :D )

Buy Hunting Kat from Amazon.

Senior Year Bites by J.A. Campbell

2011-07-06T23:09:00.001+01:00

Senior year is supposed to be fun: boys, dances and graduation.

It's significantly harder to enjoy it when you’re dead.

Truth or Dare is supposed to be fun too. It’s not even close to dangerous, so playing at Steph's house didn't seem like a bad idea. My dare? Spend the rest of the night in the graveyard next to her house. It was only a couple of hours until false dawn, my proscribed return time, so no big deal right? Right.

I survived the attack, but it took me a few days to figure out what was going on. I mean vampires might stalk pop culture, but they're just myths. Yeah. Not so much.

School is a lot more difficult when you're a nocturnal creature of the night. I was managing, but I couldn't keep it hidden from my friends for long. After I managed to accidentally save one of our cheerleaders from her drunk and ill-intentioned boyfriend. Steph decided that we should be cool, like superheroes, and fight crime.

Only I’m a vampire, not a hero, and we live in a sleepy New England town, so crime's a little harder to come by. At least it is until a serial killer moves into the area. He’s got the authorities stumped, but then again, the cops don't have a teenage, blood-sucking, non-hero on their team.

I read the description of this book ages ago and have been impatiently waiting on the release, so I'm glad it's finally out and I was able to get my grubby little hands on it (figuratively since it's an E-Book). I really liked Meg and her friends and was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

One little thing that irked me (and it really was a tiny thing) was the way the characters "spoke". They don't use contractions when they speak. Since I tend to "act" the parts out in my head, this was hugely noticeable to me and started grating a little, the further into the story I got. But again, I think this is purely a personal thing for me, I can see authors writing like this in the actual story but when it comes to the actual "speaking" parts? I don't know anyone that speaks like that so it kind of felt like padding.

Other than that small thing, I loved the book. The story was really well told and, as I stated, J.A. Campbell has a way of leading you down one path then suddenly opening another door for you. Very well written and I definitely hope to read more.

Buy Senior Year Bites from Amazon.

Tell Me More by Janet Mullany

2011-07-03T11:59:00.001+01:00

Tell Me More...

Tell me every dirty detail....

Jo Hutchinson is obsessed with a man she’s never seen — only heard. Her late-night calls from the office to the mysterious “Mr. D.” grow increasingly intimate, until they finally become full-blown phone sex. Still, Jo doesn’t dare meet him. Instead, she embarks on a series of sizzling sexual escapades with other guys, sharing every sweaty moment with Mr. D. afterward, a passion-by-proxy arrangement they both get off on. But even as she’s charting brave new naughty worlds, Jo knows that it’s all really for Mr. D. Every pleasure she experiences — eagerly, athletically, vocally — is to please him.

Immersed in fantasy, reality just slips away — even the chance at that elusive combination of love and lust. Her new tenant, Patrick, an Irish hunk in geek’s clothing, is totally into her. And in her lucid moments, Jo knows she feels the same. Can she tear herself away from her kinky dreamworld long enough to appreciate what’s right in front of her? Or has Mr. D. ruined her for real life?

Release Date 26th July 2011

I'm not usually an erotica reader. I read books that have sex in them, yeah, but the sex isn't normally a huge part of the story or anything. This book is purely about the sex ...... and god-dammit, it's hot as hell.

About a quarter of the way into the book I was convinced it was actually just porn, there didn't seem to be any discernible storyline happening. This is in no way a complaint but, in my head, erotica has a storyline while porn just has sex. I, personally, don't mind either. But eventually a story started to unfold which kept my interest, not that the sex didn't but it was getting pretty uncomfortable reading sex all the time (if you get my meaning *winkwink*).

The story was well told, Jo is discovering a whole new world that she didn't know about and discovering a whole lot about her sexuality and then love rears it's head and she has a choice to make. The sex scenes are ..... well ..... they're amazing!

Definitely worth a read, although if you're uncomfortable reading sex in books don't bother 'cos this book has loads, and I loved it.

Buy Tell Me More from Amazon.

Versatile Blogger? ........ Apparently!

2011-06-30T23:52:00.000+01:00

So my friend, Julie Particka (or Seleste deLaney for some) decided, in her wisdom, to bestow this award on me. What makes me versatile? Not a fucking clue! Ask her.

So anyway, part of receiving this award is that I have to now share 7 interesting facts about me with people. Problem is .... I don't think I have 7 interesting facts to share! o_O But I'll try.

1) (On Julie's recommendation) I have a weird taste in house furnishings. My toilet lid is see through with barbed wire running through it and my bathroom light pull is a Hanging Harry.

2) Most people probably think I'm a rocker/mosher/whatever-you-want-to-call-it when they see me ~ tattoos and piercings generally do that to people. And while they wouldn't be wrong about that fact (I like me some rock music), they'd be surprised to learn that I also like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the likes.

3) (Not really an interesting fact, but this is HARD!) I have a very poor body image. And even though I know I have a poor body image, it doesn't help me try and do anything about it. I think it's one of those things that stay with you throughout your whole life.

4) I hate kids. I was going to leave it at that but it looked very angry so I decided to write this little bit instead.

5) Most of my friends have actually never seen my real hair colour other than in pictures. I;ve been dying it since I was about 15.

6) People always ask me how many tattoos I have and seem to find it unbelievable when I say I don't know. I stopped keeping count a while ago and it means I have to count them every time someone asks so "I don't know" is easier.

7) I didn't realise how much I missed Veterinary Nursing until I got back into after a 3 and a half year break. The reason behind my break still stands but I wish I hadn't taken so long away from my career of choice.

OK, so now I have to give this to other bloggers? Hmmmmm, who should I torture on my list?! lol

Sara Hawthorn 'cos she's funny and smart and posts some good stuff.

Jax just 'cos she hasn't posted anything in a while so I think this should be her newest post :p

Tez Miller is funny and posts some good reviews and keeps me up to date with new covers.

Quarter Square by David Bridger

2011-06-30T23:10:00.001+01:00

English Carpenter Joe Walker thinks his life is over when he discovers his wife and best friend having an affair. Restoring an abandoned theatre offers little hope for a fresh start ... until he follows a group of strangers through a hidden door into a world he never could have imagined.

In the haven known as Quarter Square, Joe encounters a community of supernatural street performers who straddle the mortal world and the magic realm known as the Wild. Here, Joe finds a sense of belonging he's never known before - and a chance to uncover the truth behind the frightening visions that have haunted him since childhood. He also meets Min, an enchanting singer who quickly captures his heart.

But as Joe settles into Quarter Square, he learns their haven is under attack, while an ancient enemy threatens to tear him and Min apart. Now, Joe must learn to wield his own powers in order to save the life he's come to love ...

This book started quite strong, it was a definite attention grabber and made me want to keep reading. I liked Joe although I have to question his sanity.

He stumbled upon Quarter Square completely by accident and bought the whole idea of a hidden village and magic with no questions! (SPOILERS: highlight to read) OK, so yeah we eventually find out that he has been reincarnated many times over thousands of years because he's Min's soul mate. But still, he shouldn't have bought it that quick, especially since he couldn't remember his past lives until after he'd found out about them from Min.

This small annoyance aside, I liked the story and the characters. And can't wait to read more ~ the end made it seem like there's more to come!

Buy Quarter Square from Amazon.

Cat's Tale: A Fairy Tale Retold by Bettie Sharpe

2011-06-28T19:09:00.001+01:00

Once upon a time there was a scheming, lying tart who cared for nothing but her own pleasures and her shoe collection.

Once the peerlessly beautiful Lady Catriona, consort to the king, Cat's fortunes fall far when her aged husband dies. The king's wizard turns her into a cat and tries to drown her in the mill pond. Fortunately Cat is a clever survivor and enlists the help of Julian, the miller's youngest son, in her plan for revenge.

She originally sees Julian as a mere pawn for her plans to break her curse, but as they work together Cat comes to know and care for him. Even if the curse can be broken, can a good-hearted man love a woman who has been as vain and selfish as Cat?

I tried to like this book, I really did, but it was a struggle to get through. I know the whole point of Lady Catriona is that she's a spoiled little ~~bitch~~ queen and she needs a story to mend her wicked ways .... blah blah blah. But she was such a spoiled, moody little madam that I hated her from the get go, not good for the lead character in the story.

I still like the idea of the story. A classic kids story retold with a wee twist, I love that idea and it's the reason I wanted to read this book. So yeah, the story is fantastic ....... BUT the lead character is a major buzzkill and a total off putter for me.

So yeah, if you want to read a nice wee retell of a classic then read this. The good thing is, it's short. So if (like me) you're hating on Catriona, you don't have to put up with her for very long.

Buy Cat's Tale: A Fairy Tale Retold from Amazon.

Soul Survivor by Misty Evans

2011-06-25T18:26:00.001+01:00

Haunted by tragedy, FBI profiler Rife St. Cloud is driven to find the person who brutally attacked six women. Unfortunately the only survivor, Keva Moon Water, has no memory of what happened, and the evidence makes her the prime suspect.

Keva cannot die. She has waited a thousand years to be reunited with the man she loves, whose soul sleeps within Rife. Though he refuses to believe her claims of immortality, there's no denying the passion that burns between them. Keva desperately hopes their sexual connection will be enough to awaken Rife's memories of the love affair that started a war and bound their souls together for all eternity.

But when Keva's own memories come trickling back, she realizes that a future with Rife depends upon confronting the mistakes of the distant past...

One complaint ....... too short! I really enjoyed this book, it's different from a lot that's on the market just now. A bit of magic, a bit of time travelling and a lot of sexual tension = Awesome!

Keva is a nice heroine and Rife sounds hot (and completely unlike the cover model that I assume is supposed to be him) and there is a lot of sexual attraction between them. Mainly because they are soul mates and have been for over a thousand years. It's just that Rife doesn't really know this.

The story is well paced and well told. I've decided I really like Misty Evans' writing style and will be looking up her Witches Anonymous series. And upon checking out the author's website, I have just discovered that Soul Survivor is the first in a series so (hopefully) I'll be reading more of that as well soon. Whether it'll be more of Keva or Rife or if it'll be new characters is an unanswered question (to me at least) at the moment.

Buy Soul Survivor from Amazon.

Goddess With A Blade by Lauren Dane

2011-06-23T22:37:00.001+01:00

Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. Physical vessel to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation, she's a supercharged hunter with the power to slay any vampire who violates the age-old treaty.

A recent string of murders has her at odds with Las Vegas's new Scion, the arrogant and powerful Clive Stewart. The killings have the mark of Vampire all over them, and Rowan warns Clive to keep his people in line - or she'll mete out her own brand of justice.

Though her dealings with Clive are adversarial to say the least, Rowan is intensely aware of her attraction to him. But she can't let it distract her from her duty-to find and battle the killer before more women die.

I'll admit it took me a while to get into this story. Nothing exciting happened for a while but then when it did, it came thick and fast. I'm glad I kept reading.

Rowan is an interesting character and her inner turmoil makes great reading. She's a vampire hunter that was raised by the top vampire, and then she becomes attracted to Clive so it's just all up in the air.

The story was okay but I did get sort of bored, the build up to the final fight took ages and the fight itself was over very quickly. It was still interesting and I will probably read any further installments.

Buy Goddess With a Blade from Amazon.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

2011-06-17T21:22:00.001+01:00

Donna is a freak. An outcast. Branded with iron tattoos that cover her hands and arms, she is cursed with a magically-enhanced strength that she does everything she can to hide.

But now, the dark exiles of Faerie are coming and Donna must choose between saving her best friend - or betraying one of the world's greatest secrets.

This book has been sitting on my shelf since I bought it months ago, waiting to be read. It was one of those books I picked up on a whim and then every time I was going to start something new, it never took my fancy. I'm so glad I picked it up the other day ~ what a fantastic read.

The author manages to pull you in and still manages to give very little away! The story flows well and leaves you wanting more. My one big happy is that she leaves a few storylines open so I knew she must have other books planned, upon checking her website, I was pleased to discover that this is in fact the first in a trilogy.

It makes me very happy to know I'll be reading more of Donna, Nav and Xan. Very happy indeed!

Buy The Iron Witch from Amazon.

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

2011-06-14T13:12:00.001+01:00

Ari Selkirk has always stood out. With her teal-coloured eyes and freakish silver hair, it's hard not to. And she's always been alone. Her mother died when she was tiny, and she's grown up in foster care, longing for some understanding of who she is and where she came from. When her search for answers uncovers a message from her mother with the single word 'RUN' on it, Ari realises that someone, or something, is getting too close. But it's impossible to protect herself when she doesn't know who or what she's running from.

Returning to her birthplace in the rebuilt city of New Orleans, she discovers she isn't so different after all. But why is every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, afraid of her? The truth is both disturbing and terrifying ...

So I saw this cover and thought "Oooh purple!", picked it up and then thought "Umm, what's up with her face?" Yes, she's is doing that annoying trout-mouth pose which I hate and think anyone that does it looks stupid. Besides that small flaw, I decided to buy the book 'cos it sounded pretty good.

It was great! I loved Ari, and her quest to find out about herself was a great storyline. I've read so many vampire/werewolf/angel/demon/god books lately and I can honestly say this particular theme was a supernatural first for me ....... and I love it!

I'd say this was an older YA, Ari is 17 and there are some mentions of rape in it, so not for the younger crowd. A must read for any YA supernatural readers out there though.

On another note, I would've definitely preferred the US cover. Not often that I say I prefer US over UK covers but this one was no contest.

Buy Darkness Becomes Her from Amazon.

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2011-06-09T22:26:00.001+01:00

Bryn faces the danger and joys of love and loyalty in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.
Bryn is now alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack - although it's not simple when you're a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he's a Were, and Bryn's protection is his only hope.
But Lucas is part of another pack and Bryn has no right to claim him. As danger closes in, Bryn will have to accept that to be alpha, she will have to give into her animal instincts and become less human. And she's going to have to do it alone.

Click here for my review of Raised by Wolves, the first in this series.

My first thoughts on this book were that this line ("Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he's a Were, and Bryn's protection is his only hope.") is completely false. Why do some blurbs have things like this? This isn't the way it happens in the book at all, it's all just a big lie.

My second thought was how much I love the author's writing style and her characters. I really like Bryn and Chase and Dev and Lake ..... and pretty much everyone in the book (even Caroline, you'll need to read the book to find out who she is).

This book really brings Bryn out as an alpha. This is her first big problem since taking control of the Cedar Ridge pack and it is a doozy!!! We get to learn a lot about Shay in this book as well as Ali, there's some background on them which is enjoyable. But the main part is getting to see Bryn grow as an alpha and realise exactly what being an alpha entails.

I love this series, it's YA but it's not too YA so it's still an enjoyable read for an adult. Can't wait for the sequel, and sort of annoyed that it'll probably be a loooooooooooong wait!

Buy Trial by Fire from Amazon.

Interview with Anthony Francis

2011-06-07T00:35:00.000+01:00

Anthony Francis is the author of the Dakota Frost Skindancer novels.

Frost Moon is the first in the series :
In an alternate Atlanta where vampires and werewolves prowl the night, magic is real, and tattoo magic is the strongest magic of them all, a serial killer is targeting the magically tattooed on the full moon.

Dakota Frost, best magical tattooist in the Southeast, learns from the police she may be a target ... just when she receives a lucrative commission to ink a magic tattoo for a werewolf before the next full moon.

Caught between the rough and tumble world of the werewolves, the law and order rules of the vampires, and a sexy man-in-black whose motives are in doubt, Dakota must tread carefully to survive - because she doesn't know whether her werewolf client is the tattoo killer ... or the next victim.

I read the book and totally fell in love with it so asked the author to join us for a quick interview.

Julie-Anne: Welcome to Thoughts of a Scot, thank you for doing this interview.

Anthony Francis: My pleasure! Thanks for having me.

JA: Why don’t you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself?

AF: I’m a longtime resident of the Southeast who’s moved to the Bay Area to work for Google. I spent eighteen years in Greenville, South Carolina, near where the fictional Dakota Frost grew up, and eighteen years in Atlanta, living in and enjoying the places where FROST MOON takes place. I’m a big fan of science fiction and urban fantasy, but in my day job I’m a computer scientist helping robots feel and see, so I try to weave both the fantastic and the scientific through Dakota’s universe.

JA: I loved Frost Moon and Dakota Frost, how did you come up with the idea for Dakota? Is she based on anyone you know?

AF: Dakota was a reaction against all those covers of urban fantasy novels that have an attractive scantily clad heroine on the cover – but when you turn the page you find a hardboiled detective who’s far more likely to show up in boots and jeans than she is in a little black dress and thigh-high boots. So I decided to create a heroine who needed to show a little skin in order for her magic to work – so when you see Dakota on the cover, she’s working, and not just showing off.
Parts of Dakota are based on people I know – her long leather vestcoats are mine, for example, as are her mix of skeptical/religious beliefs and her kinky sexuality. Her environmentalism comes from my wife, as do her vines and butterfly tattoos, and her Mohawk, though my wife hasn’t worn a Mohawk since high school. The rest of her draws on several other people I know, but her attitude and distinctive voice are all her own.
She does exhibit some of the tropes of urban fantasy – “the snappy tough chick” – but I wanted Dakota to be different. I didn’t want her to be an experienced paranormal investigator with combat experience when the story starts; dealing with danger and violence is new to her. And I gave her an alternative sexuality, based on my own experiences with the BDSM/leather community of Atlanta, to help raise people’s awareness.

(I love Dakota's look and her personality. It's one of the main selling points on the series for me.)

JA: I love the idea of magical tattoos, how did you come up with it? And what would you get if they were real?

AF: Once I had the idea that Dakota’s skin would be how her magic was expressed, the idea of tattoos came naturally. The other obvious alternative was dancing, but I quickly decided to combine tattoos and dancing into a single art – the SKINDANCER of the series title. Tattoos are wonderful because there are so many kinds of art that inspire ideas for magical effects. I was also inspired by the Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, who was an artist that used the Green Lantern ring to create anything that he could imagine. Dakota’s tattooing gun isn’t as fast or convenient as a Green Lantern ring – but her imagination is just as powerful.

Oh, and I’d get a dragon tattoo like Dakota’s. Definitely.

(I think a dragon would be fun but I also like the idea of some vines. Perhaps poisonous ones.)

JA: I read somewhere on the net that you didn’t have any tattoos, is this still true? And do you have an interest in tattoos or did you have a friend to ask about that side of things?

AF: That’s still true. I am thinking about getting a large dragon tattoo but it hasn’t happened yet. As it turns out, I not only have an interest in tattoos, but I’m also married to a beautiful woman with a large tattoo who I could ask about her experiences. Even so, I had to do a lot of research, research that is still ongoing with every book.

JA: I read that a YA series was planned following Cinnamon, is this still in the works?

AF: Most definitely yes! Cinnamon’s series will be SPELLPUNK and the first one is tentatively titled HEX CODE. I’m planning at least a trilogy.

(*fistpump*)

JA: Personally, I loved Cinnamon, how soon can we expect to read it?

AF: Hopefully late next year or early 2013. It will probably be my National Novel Writing Month project for 2011.

(Can't wait for this. Cinnamon is a great character.)

JA: How do you get into a writing “mood”? Do you make up a writing playlist or do you have any other pre-writing rituals?

AF: I used to do mix tapes for writing, which I still do from time to time – sequences of music which represent parts of a story, inspiring me to think about plot developments. But the more I write the less I need them. I believe one of the most important things a writer can do is to learn to write when they’re NOT in the mood – some of the best writing I’ve done has been when I’ve been staring at white page saying to myself “I’ve got nothing.” If the muse doesn’t show up, start without her.
Easier said than done, of course. One of the most important techniques I use is an appointment with a time limit. I’m a member of the Writing Group at Mission City Coffee, which meets every Tuesday (except the first Tuesday) come hell or high water. At the Group, we write for 20 minutes, everyone reads what they wrote, and then we do it again. On a good night we get 3 sessions – an hour of writing broken into 20 minute chunks. That ticking clock motivates you to write, because if you don’t use the time, it will be gone. Over time, you learn this as a skill.
The other thing I use is National Novel Writing Month – an annual challenge to write 50,000 words of a new novel in the month of November. It’s quite a challenge, but a doable challenge, and I’ve participated 5 times. FROST MOON was my 2007 entry, BLOOD ROCK my 2008, LIQUID FIRE my 2009, and THE CLOCKWORK TIME MACHINE was my 2010. It gets easier every year, and sometimes I even end up far ahead of the 50,000.

JA: What’s your favourite genre to read?

AF: Physics textbooks. Seriously, I read superhero comics, alternative comics, urban fantasy, paranormal young adult fiction, steampunk, hard core science fiction, fluffy space opera, and whatever else I can get my hands on. My favourite urban fantasy author is Patricia Briggs, followed closely by Laurell Hamilton. My favourite science fiction author is Larry Niven, followed by Isaac Asimov and C. J. Cherryh.

JA: When did you start writing and what pushed you to do it?

AF: I started writing when I was ten. I was inspired by Isaac Asimov to write science fiction and Disney movies to write things that were fun. I wrote short stories and had elaborate plans for my writing, even writing a whole novel during college and getting a short story published in graduate school, but life kept getting in the way.
Then one day I woke up and realized I had stopped going to science fiction conventions and hadn’t submitted a story in years. I went back to Dragon*Con, attended Ann Crispin’s writing workshop. I participated in National Novel Writing Month and started writing stories again. Finally it was the Writing Group, then meeting at Barnes and Noble at Steven’s Creek, that broke the logjam. Write every week, until the end.

JA: What author or authors do you look up to?

AF: I really like Ayn Rand’s writing style, her ability to plot, and most especially her ability to clearly explain how she writes and plots. I admire Isaac Asimov’s immense command of knowledge and Larry Niven’s imagination. I enjoy Patricia Briggs’ realistic characters and Laurell Hamilton’s action and slightly kinky sexuality. And my favourite “new to me” author is Scott Westerfeld, whose LEVIATHAN and BEHEMOTH exhibit an immense command of story structure.

JA: Do you like to read while you’re writing or would you rather just focus on your own book?

AF: I love reading – I follow Stephen Barnes dictum that you should read ten times as much as you write – but I try to avoid reading in the precise genre that I’m writing in, at least until I get two thirds of a way through a book and know how it ends. For example, I didn’t pick up LEVIATHAN until I was absolutely convinced it wouldn’t interfere with my writing of THE CLOCKWORK TIME MACHINE, and I stopped reading Jim Butcher’s FOOL MOON about a paragraph in because I didn’t want it to pollute my work on BLOOD ROCK – oh hey, I guess I can read that now.

JA: What book are you reading just now? And would you recommend it?

AF: I just finished BEHEMOTH by Scott Westerfeld and I heartily recommend it. As the protagonist might say, barking spiders, what a good tale.

JA: Do you have much say in your cover art?

AF: Very little – the team at Bell Bridge Books are experts at knowing how to put together books and they do the cover art. They run them by me, and sometimes tweak them, but I let them do what they know best.
I do draw the frontispieces of my books, however. The team at Bell Bridge gives me feedback and I’m responsive to it, but I come from a comics background and I want to include a piece of art in every book.

JA: Finally, can you tell us a little about Blood Rock?

AF: BLOOD ROCK is set a few months after the events of FROST MOON. It begins with Dakota and Cinnamon school shopping, but they’re quickly pulled into an investigation of some nasty magical graffiti that attacked their mutual friend, the vampire Revenance. The graffiti attacks spread over the whole city, but Dakota’s attempts to help end up alienating the human, vampire and werewolf factions she’s trying to help. Dakota’s learned to fight, but now things have become trickier: she’s at war with tough, tricky magic in a terrible political climate, and needs to learn to rely on herself AND to learn to pick the right allies. I really enjoyed writing BLOOD ROCK and I hope you all have fun reading it!

(Another thing I can't wait for.)

JA: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I’m sure you’re busy with your authorly duties so I appreciate it a lot.

AF: My pleasure! It’s not always easy writing when you have a day job, but, hey, in my day job I get to work on robots, so I can’t really complain!
All the best!

Can't wait to read more about Dakota. And on a different note, below is the model I had in my head when I was reading Frost Moon. Her name is Rachael Huntington and she's also an amazing tattoo artist.

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

2011-05-29T14:47:00.001+01:00

It all comes down to now.
The queen is dead and the moroi world will never be the same.
Rose Hathaway is awaiting wrongful execution and there exists only one man who can stall this terrible fate. Rose must look to both Dimitri and Adrian, the two great loves of her life, to find him.
With her best friend, Lissa, in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and questioning those they thought they could trust ...
But what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all?
Each other.

The latest and final installment in the Vampire Academy series. The series, in reading order is: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound and then Last Sacrifice. The series has followed Rose and Lissa as they grow up and graduate and deal with multiple problems. Rose's are normally Guardian related while Lissa's are royalty or Spirit related. If you haven't read the rest of the series, I suggest you stop reading this (there will be spoilers to previous books) and go read them.

So Rose is the main character but since she's spirit bound to Lissa, she's normally in the books a fair bit too. This book focuses on Lissa trying to prove Rose is innocent and also deal with the new queen or king getting voted for. Problems are raised with Lissa being the last Dragomir (as far as anyone is concerned) and Lissa and friends decide to try and stall the new royal vote to buy Rose more time.

Meanwhile Rose still has a letter from Queen Tatiana revealing that Lissa is not in fact the last Dragomir, she has a sibling out there somewhere. Rose needs to find this sibling so that Lissa can take her rightful place on the royal council and help change the Moroi and Dhampir world for the better. This isn't as easy as it sounds as any records of said child have been erased and no-one seems to know anything. It's a race against time for both of them.

I liked this book, but it definitely wasn't my favourite. I like the characters in this series and always have, Rose is brilliant but stubborn and can sometimes be a pain in the ass. The same can also be said about Lissa though, she always seems a bit ditzy but she's not. I never understood why she was written this way. I also haven't entirely made up my mind yet about whether I liked the ending or not, I think a re-erad of all the books back-to-back is in order.

My main problem with this book has absolutely nothing to with the actual story, characters or author. In my copy of Last Sacrifice there are a hell of a lot of mistakes, simple mistakes that should have been caught in the editing process. One or two annoys me enough as it is but there were a lot more than one or two and it really started to get on my nerves.

Even though Vampire Academy is now finished, Richelle Mead has started on a spin off called Bloodlines. This features different characters from the original series as main characters and she has stated that it's a new storyline and not just a rehashing of an old story. It should be released in August and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Buy Last Sacrifice from Amazon.

Charlaine Harris' Grave Sight Graphic Novel

2011-05-22T14:12:00.000+01:00

At the age of fifteen, Harper Connelly was struck by lightning, an event that gave her the ability to find the dead and see how they died. Since then, Harper's scratched out a living selling her services to anyone with a chequebook. It's not the best life, but it beats the alternative, at least until Harper and her brother Tolliver roll into Sarne, Arkansas and find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery!

Release Date 7th June 2011

I haven't read Grave Sight in a wee while so this was a nice refresher for me. I love Harper and Tolliver and this is a great first book to the series. The artwork is good and I really like how Harper and Tolliver look.

Harper's power is completely unique and because of that not everyone trusts it or believes in it but they still hire her. I always wondered whether it was to try and debunk her or if they were always secretly wishing it to be true.

I've always enjoyed the Harper series and hope to read the rest in comic form as well. Although I am still disappointed that the series has come to an end, seemingly so Ms. Harris can focus more on the Sookie books.

If you're not a big reader of actual books then this is a great way to read the Harper series, it's a great series and well worth a look.

Dean Koontz' Frankenstein : Prodigal Son

2011-05-21T14:39:00.000+01:00

Detectives O'Conner and Maddison delve deeper into the mysterious life of Victor Helios, trying to uncover his ultimate goal, while members of Victor's 'New Race' begin to show they are not as perfect as he assumed. Randall Six continues his quest to escape from Hands of Mercy, as Officer Harker descends further into madness. And Erika Helios discovers some of her husbands' unfinished creations. Mysteries are revealed and revenge is exacted as this horror epic reaches its apocalyptic conclusion.

Release Date 31st May 2011

I've read the books, except the last one, and I love that this series is getting adapted to a comic. I'm not actually a huge Dean Koontz fan but I really liked his take on the Frankenstein legend. The artwork is good, if a little square for my liking. I think they've done well with the imagery of Deucalion, he's big and scary looking, just like the illustator has drawn.

I'm not normally a big comic or graphic novel reader but there are a lot of books being adapted to comics. Is this the new in thing? To be fair, they'll work better than a movie adaptation, which normally upset me. At least there's no casting to be done that can ruin your perception.

I haven't read the book in a while but this had put me in the mood to start the series anew and, hopefully, get the new one while I'm at it.

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

2011-05-20T21:54:00.001+01:00

Ariadne is destined to become a goddess of the moon. She leads a lonely life, finding companionship only with her beloved, misshapen brother, Asterion, who must be held captive below the palace for his own safety.

Then a ship arrives bearing a tribute of slaves from Athens, and Ariadne meets Theseus, the son of the king of Athens. Ariadne finds herself drawn to the newcomer, and soon they form a friendship—one that could perhaps become something more.

But Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the minotaur, that monster beneath the palace—unless he can kill the beast first. And that "monster" is Ariadne’s brother . . .

Release Date 19th September 2011

Very well written story with some interesting takes on Greek mythology. I liked Ariadne and her relationship with her brother. While everyone sees him as a monster, he's still just Ariadne's big brother. She spends time with him and brings him gifts when everyone else would just ignore him.

Ariadne's family are a long line of contacts to the Goddess with Ariadne and her brother being next in line. This take on the Goddess is quite interesting, where she actually inhabits She-Who-Is-Goddess for 3 days of the year so she can get down to business with her husband, who's also inhabiting a member of the town, and hopefully bear a child.

Theseus is an alright character but I didn't love him or anything. He's confused by how things work in Knossos and gets talked into trying to overthrow the leaders and become King. The thing I like most about him is the way he treats Asterion, he likes him. He doesn't treat him like a monster.

I enjoyed this book so I'll definitely be looking for a sequel, I don't know if there is one but I'm hoping.

Buy Dark of the Moon from Amazon.

Moon Called Graphic Novel Volume 1 by Patricia Briggs

2011-05-16T22:35:00.000+01:00

Mercy Thompson inhabits two worlds without truly belonging to either. To the human inhabitants of Tri-Cities she's an oddity, a fiercely independent woman who repairs cars for a living. To the town's darker residents; werewolves, vampires, and fae, she's a walker, a last-of-her-kind magical being with the power to become a coyote. Mercy warily straddles the fine line dividing our everyday world from that darker dimension ... until a boy, mauled by vicious werewolves and running for his life, appears at her door. Now her two worlds are about to collide! Outnumbered and out-muscled, can Mercy possibly save the boy ... or even herself?

I've read and loved all the Mercy books so far, click here for Part One and Part 2, and also River Marked. So I jumped at the chance to read the graphic novel of Moon Called.

I remember reading about it happening but then it kind of slipped my mind. I think the series is well underway but I read Volume 1 which is Issues 1 through 4. It's obviously not the exact same storyline as the book, the same as with film adaptations it obviously had to be cut down but the main parts are there and that's the important thing.

The artwork is great in it. Obviously I had the moments of "That's not what they looked like to me at all!", but everyone will have those moments, I'm sure. There's no way, if you've read the books, you'll agree with every image but the comics themselves are fun and well worth a read ..... with or without the pre-reading of the actual book.

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

2011-05-13T22:06:00.002+01:00

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically-induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose — hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire — is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes — or be left without any future at all.

It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone - and her future full of peril.

Release Date 9th August 2011

I absolutely loved the concept behind this story, like a futuristic and dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a twist. I don't think an exact year is ever given, although at one point I believe there is mention of 2087 and it seems like that was in the past.

I liked Rose, she was troubled and misunderstood by her parents who basically wanted a plaything and not a child. They had no qualms about putting her in stasis just because they were going on holiday or working away. Stasis is like a hyper sleep kind of deal, you go in and get chemically induced to sleep but while you're in there, you don't age or anything. So with Rose being put into stasis so often, she watched others around her grow up while she remained a child.

She awakes in the future and everyone she knew is dead. People believed she had died years ago and now that she's back, she has a lot to learn and a lot to do to try and assimilate into this new time.

I really hope there's more to follow and, judging by certain events in the book, there might just be. If the author hasn't started on a sequel yet, I think she should. I believe A Long, Long Sleep will be a hit with the YA crowd and could definitely do with becoming a series.

Buy A Long, Long Sleep from Amazon.

South of Salem by Janni Nell

2011-05-07T22:26:00.001+01:00

My mother thinks my job is crazy. I'm a paranormal investigator; she's Nancy Reagan crossed with Martha Stewart. She's always preferred my sister, Lily, who is following in her perfect footsteps.

But this time Mom needs my special skills. She believes my stepfather is possessed. I admit he's not his usual dapper, charming self, but sleepwalking doesn't sound that weird. Until the sleepwalking spreads through the family and cousin Donna walks right out of her apartment window to her death. Then my sister goes missing and I have to find her and solve the mystery before Lily and her unborn child are harmed.

Normally I would have assistance, but my right hand, a hunky angel I've nicknamed Casper, has business of his own to take care of-business that might take him out of my life forever. The stakes are too high for me to lose, but I'm not sure I can do it alone...

Release Date 30th May 2011

So when I asked to read this, I didn't realise it was a second book. But I now find myself wondering if there was as much of the little things that niggled at me in this one, in the first one too. There seemed to be an awful lot of repetitive phrases in here, there was a lot of "as my dad would say" or something along the same lines. It got to the point that I sighed in aggravation whenever I read that line but when I looked back over it, it was actually only used about 9 times but it was still enough to bug me. I get it, her dad was Australian but really, having to explain every little non-American idiom used (I can only guess that's the reason, although they all made perfect sense to me) makes me ask, why use that many?

Besides that annoyance, it was a good story. Short but sweet with some interesting bits in it. I'm not too sure if I'd continue reading this series to be honest, as I said, it was an interesting story but there was just something that put me off. The story didn't seem to flow all that well and there was a lot of familial tension between Allegra, her sister and their mother. Too much, in my opinion.

Buy South of Salem from Amazon.

Before the Witches by Karina Cooper

2011-05-02T22:38:00.002+01:00

In America, they didn't care about witches. But all that was about to change.

Katya Zhuvova fled a country that feared her gifts, but her escape to Seattle left her at the mercy of a ruthless man. With no one left to turn to, Katya hatches a desperate escape plan. Undercover Detective Nigel Ferris is determined to bring down a prostitution ring, whatever the cost. In order to the get answers he needs, he attempts to win the trust of one of the prostitutes involved — but one look at the deceptively sultry Katya and the cool, objective cop disappears. Before either can put their plans into place, Mother Nature shrugs: a cataclysm rocks Seattle, and life is turned upside down.

Brought together by chance, Nigel and Katya are in the fight for their lives. Surrounded by death and fear, shattered by immeasurable loss, they have only a bond forged in fire to cling to as they struggle to survive in a world gone straight to hell.

Release Date 17th May 2011

This is a prequel novella to Blood of the Wicked which is due to be released on 31st May 2011. Blood of the Wicked is the first in Karina Cooper's Dark Mission series and it's her actual first novel, I believe.

I hadn't heard of this series until I got this novella from Netgalley and all I can say is ... WOW! What an absolutely fantastic start to this series. Very short but it packs a punch and a half in there. Karina rips the world as we know it apart and sets up the storyline for her series in this.

I liked Katya, she's strong and determined to help others escape the desperate life she found herself in. Nigel is the handsome cop, they're always handsome though aren't they? ;) He has to help Katya, no matter the cost.

Loved the storyline and the disaster scenes were really well written, very descriptive and downright scary as all hell! I can't wait to read the 1st book and, if this novella is anything to go by, Karina is most definitely an author to watch out for in the future.

Buy Before the Witches from Amazon.

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

2011-05-02T18:04:00.001+01:00

Morganville is a quiet college town where humans and vampires live in relative peace. But lately a great deal of blood is being spilt ...

Having survived a number of adventures with her new night-dwelling friends, college student Claire Danvers has come to realise that for the most part, the undead just want to get on with their lives.

But someone else wants then to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport being broadcast over the Internet: bare-knuckle fights pitting vampires against one another - or, worse, against humans. Claire soon discovers that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville. And if they want to survive, they'll have to do a lot more than fight ...

This is book ten in the Morganville series and Rachel Caine's storylines are still as strong and well written as ever. Usually by the 10th book in a series, I've came across at least one book in there that I didn't like. Mostly because the story was poor, and I fear this with some of my favourite series because it may put me off them. Thankfully, this hasn't happened here.

I absolutely love the characters in the Morganville books. Claire has grown so much since we first met her in Glass Houses and I really like who she's turning into. Shane is hot as ever and we get some Shane POV in this book which is great, I've read a couple of shorts from Shane's POV and I like his voice. Eve is .... well, she's Eve, she's awesome! And Michael has some stuff to deal with but he's still fun. And of course, my favourite character is, and always will be, Myrnin. I think it would be hard to knock Myrnin from my top spot, he's crazy and loveable.

If you haven't read the Morganville series, I suggest you do it but you really have to start from the beginning which is Glass Houses. And if you have read the rest then I'm sure, like me, you'll be delighted with this installment and eagerly awaiting Last Breath which, I think, is out in November.

So it's not too long ...... *taps fingers and chews nails* ........ not long at all!

Buy Bite Club from Amazon.

Frost Moon by Anthony Francis

2011-04-30T14:34:00.001+01:00

Her Magic Will Get Under Your Skin

Her Story Will Fill Your Imagination

Dakota Frost's Enthralling Saga Begins . . .

In an alternate Atlanta where magic is practiced openly, where shapeshifters party at the urban clubs and vampires rule the southern nights like gangsters, where demure witches sip coffees at the local cafes and mysterious creatures command the dark caverns beneath the city, Dakota Frost's talents are coveted by all: She's the best magical tattoo artist in the southeast: a SkinDancer, able to bring her amazing tats to life. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and Feds seek Dakota's help. Can she find the killer in the dark fringe of the city's magical Edgeworld? What kind of enemies and allies will she attract among the powerful outcasts and tormented loners, who see her as a threat, a seduction, an unexpected champion . . . or as delicious prey.

I loved this book so much! It has a sexy lead lady, with the most awesome hair plus she's a tattoo artist .... a magical tattoo artist at that! Obviously with my love of tattoos, the blurb jumped out at me as soon as I read about it.

I really enjoyed Dakota. She's a great character with an edge that, even she admits, is mostly an act. When I started reading this I instantly pictured a tattoo artist who's work I love. Her name is Rachael Huntington, and not only does she look like Dakota (well, how I pictured her anyway)but she's also an amazing artist who I one day hope to get a tattoo from.

Anthony Francis creates a fantastic world with really well written characters. I love the thought of magical tattoos and would love for them to be real. Definitely a must read and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. The author also has plans for a YA series featuring Cinnamon, Dakota's (reluctantly acquired) sidekick.

Buy Frost Moon from Amazon.

Summer's almost here

2011-04-24T12:23:00.001+01:00

Yes, it's not a book review but I decided I'd write this to try and remind people that their pets can suffer in the warm weather, just the same as us.

If you're taking your dog on a walk to the beach or the park because the weather's lovely. Remember to carry fresh water for your pooch to drink so they don't become overheated. Just because they're running arouns having fun doesn't mean they're not burning up, hyperthermia (heatstroke) is a big worry and can be fatal. These things are great, they have the drinking trough attached so you don't need to carry a seperate bowl and you don't have to worry about the water leaking.

If you decide you need to pop into the shop and leave the dog in the car, even if you park in the shade and think "I'll only be 2 minutes", leave the windows open. And more than just a crack! I hate walking by cars and there's a dog inside with the windows either closed or open the tiniest little bit. Another great thing to get a hold of if you have a dog is this. Pop them in the gap of your window, stops your dog from escaping and also gives a bit of security.

If you have a white or light coloured pet or a pet with white/light ears or nose, then apply sun cream before leaving the house. They can get sun burn just the same as we can. You can use any non-toxic waterproof sun block or get a specific Pet Sunscreen.

Make sure rabbits and guinea pigs have somewhere shady to go if they're running about. Also make sure they always have access to fresh water.
A big problem with rabbits in the summer is something called Fly Strike. This occurs if the hutch and rabbit aren't kept clean. Rabbits generally look after themselves but in the summer get into the habit of checking their rear ends for dirt and make sure to keep them clean.

Have fun with your pets in the summer but remember to be safe!

The black and white pets photo and the photo of the dog in the car came from 123rf, royalty free stock photos.
The rest of the photos are my personal pictures of my own pets.

Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal

2011-04-23T20:08:00.001+01:00

It's been ten years since the Wakefield twins graduated from Sweet Valley High, and a lot has happened.

For a start, Elizabeth and Jessica have had a falling out of epic proportions, after Jessica committed the ultimate betrayal, and this time it looks like Elizabeth will never be able to forgive her.

Suddenly Sweet Valley isn't big enough for the two of them, so Elizabeth has fled to New York to immerse herself in her lifelong dream of becoming a serious reporter, leaving a guilt-stricken Jessica contemplating the unthinkable; life without her sister.

Despite the distance between them, the sisters are never far from each other's thoughts. Jessica longs for forgiveness, but Elizabeth can't forgive her twin's duplicity. Uncharacteristically, she decides the only way to heal her broken heart is to get revenge. Always the 'good' twin, the one getting her headstrong sister out of trouble, Elizabeth is now about to turn the tables ...

OK, first things first ...... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! *deep breath* It's off my chest now.
I was such a HUGE Sweet Valley fan when I was a kid. I read Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley University, I owned most of them but gave them away many years ago .... this makes me sad, as I now wish to own them all again!

I almost wet myself with happiness when I first read that Francine Pascal, now aged 72, was releasing a new Sweet Valley book. I read that she used ghost writers for the actual writing but that the story was 100% hers (not confirmed, just read it somewhere on the internet).

The book was typical Sweet Valley, very light and fluffy. Jessica's betrayal was very easy to guess, even just from reading the blurb. The story of the actual betrayal happening was told through little flashback scenes that were, almost haphazardly, placed in every chapter. One thing that really bugged me was the first person Jessica parts, she still comes across as a 90s valley girl (e.g. Clueless) even though she's 27 and really should be a wee bit more mature.

From a fan's POV, it was major fun just reading this series again, getting to catch up with all the old favourites (who are obviously all succeeding in whatever they're doing). I would love if this was the start of a new series but, judging by the recap of everyone's lives at the end, it doesn't look like it will be.

Buy Sweet Valley Confidential from Amazon.