Reading on the Dark Side

Review: First Grave on the Right

2011-02-28T07:52:00.001+01:00

Author: Darynda Jones

Title: First Grave on the Right (Charley

Davidson #1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: February 1st 2011 by St.

Martin's Press

Blurb:

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.
Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

My Review:

First Grave on the Right is one of those books I just had to have after seeing the cover for the first time. Talk about judging!

Darynda Jones´ debut novel is a thourougly fun read. First of all, I haven´t read too many books about a grim reaper (two if I´m not completly mistaken or suffering from amnesia) and a book that does not havethe usual suspects of the paranormal world. While I still enjoy fangs, fur and wings, it´s nice to read about a different species (?) from time to time.

What´s more, Charley Davidson is a woman after my own heart: sassy, snarky and able to appreciate the beauty of the opposite sex. Her powers as grim reaper allow her to see dead people and interact with them. There are some more things she can do, but you don´t learn about those until later on in the book, so I´ll leave the pleasure of finding out about them and marveling about them to you! These abilities make her special, but they also complicate her life a lot. She lives in a slightly dysfunctional family and has only one close friend, but still she tries to help others with her abilities.

Helping her uncle to solve the case of three murdered lawyers while most of the police squat think her a nut job really takes a lot of character.

While many parts of this book are very funny (I especially loce all the quotes of T-shirts and bumper sticker at the beginning of each chapter), Darynda Jones´s book also made me think about how dead people would feel about those they´ve left behind and vice versa. This part of the story is written very compassionate but als with a subtle shade of humor and after reading First Grave on the Right, I´m once more convinced about how important it is to lep people know how much you care about them. But on too less grave things…

First Grave on the Right is a very unusual Paranormal Romance book as the love interest, Reyes is not only smoking hot, mysterious and a first grade bad boy, he is also very impassive in a certain kind of way. In many other PNR books, the male lead character has a lot of presence and sometimes makes the while book and is the only one who is really active while the woman sometimes just tend do react. I don´t want to give away too much about the plot of this book, but the complications Charley and Reyes have to overcome to finally find each other are very unusual and had me on the edge right until the end.

Talking about the end: while it gives us closure to the “Case of the Book”there are many question left open to make sure you count the days until the release of the next book in the series, “The Second Grave on the Left”. Well, I do now at least.

My Verdict:

I can only recommend this book! It´s original, fun, has a great cast of characters and some very sexy scenes. What more can you wish for?

4.5 stars for this awesome debut!

Next book in the series (just because I love the cover as well):

In My Mailbox

2011-02-27T13:50:00.001+01:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Thanks so much for this!

This past week was a week with awesome releases! Luckily, it the end of the month and I had enough money left to get most of the releases I wanted!

Look what I got:

I especially love the cover of Etched in Bone, Dante looks deliciously hawt (at least what you can see of him). But I immediatly started reading This Side of the Grave.

Really, where are all the hot and sexy vamps with British accents that call you Luv when you need them? Must be because I´m here in Germany, Bavaria to be precise. I guess German accented Vampires are just not as sexy… Too bad!

Review: Bloodshot

2011-02-23T17:48:00.002+01:00

Title: Bloodshot (Cheshire Red Reports #1)

Author: Cherie Priest

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: January 25th by Spectra

Blurb:

VAMPIRE FOR HIRE
Raylene Pendle (AKA Cheshire Red), a vampire and world-renowned thief, doesn’t usually hang with her own kind. She’s too busy stealing priceless art and rare jewels. But when the infuriatingly charming Ian Stott asks for help, Raylene finds him impossible to resist—even though Ian doesn’t want precious artifacts. He wants her to retrieve missing government files—documents that deal with the secret biological experiments that left Ian blind. What Raylene doesn’t bargain for is a case that takes her from the wilds of Minneapolis to the mean streets of Atlanta. And with a psychotic, power-hungry scientist on her trail, a kick-ass drag queen on her side, and Men in Black popping up at the most inconvenient moments, the case proves to be one hell of a ride.

My Review:

Bloodshot is the first book by Cherie Priest I´ve read, even though I have heard a lot about her other books, especially Boneshaker.

I thouroughly enjoyed reading Bloodshot. Even though Cherie Priest does not invent the vampire new ability-wise, it is Raylene´s personality and charater that make her stand out that much.Her neurotic and obesssiv compulsive behavior is hilarious. Still, she more than capable of taking care for herself, her, well, unique charactersaves her from more than one precarious situation. That´s why she has become something like a legend in her line of work and has allowed her to horde tons of cash and other riches.

Little does she know what she gets herslf into when she accepts a job that starts out more interesting than her usual ones.

The rest of the characters is, aside from Raylene´s character, one of the things that made me like this book so much. Cherie Priest does not picture her vampire as incredibly powerful beings with god-like abilities like it´s common in other book featuring vampires. This gives the story a very interesting take. Ian, her client, is actuallly blind. The only other blind vampire I know is Wrath from the BDB, but those two have nothing in common! As mentioned, I really liked that kind of vulnerability Cherie Priest added to his character.

Then there is Adrian. He/she (I share Raylene´s confusion about his gender) is totally kick-ass. But then again, what else do you expectfrom a former Navy SEAL and current drag queen. His two side are so incredibly contradictory I can only admire Cherie Priest for creating a character like him/her.

Together with Ian´s ghoul and guide Cal, they form partnership of convinience to investigate the organisation behind the vicious attack, abduction and torture that led to Ian´s blindness.

During the whole investigation, there are tons of action including break-ins, explosions, government conspiracies, Men in Black and pursuits.

My verdict:

I enjoyed every single minute I spent reading it. Bloodshot is a great blend of action, witty dialoges or in that case monologes and one liners by Raylene and likeable, unique characters.

I would totally recommend it to everyone who loves a good Urban Fantasy book with a witty heroine.

4 stars for Cherie Priest´s Bloodshot.

Review: Tempest´s Legacy

2011-02-05T21:41:00.001+01:00

Author: Nicole Peeler

Title: Tempest´s Legacy (Jane True #3)

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: January 2011 by Orbit

Blurb:

Jane True has become proficient in basic magics, confident in herself and her abilities, and happily rooted in Rockabill. Her life is still divided between her supernatural brethren and her human friends and family, but it’s a division she maintains with very little trouble.
Everything changes, however, when Anyan brings Jane news that will force her to confront her dichotomized existence – supernatural females are being murdered, or have simply disappeared.
Jane and Anyan must embark on a desperate search to find out who is abducting these women, and how Jane can be protected from them. Aiding them is Jane’s former flame, Ryu. But can his stated motivations be trusted? And who are the mysterious figures dogging Jane’s and Anyan’s footsteps if not minions of Jarl?
Eventually, the trio stumble upon a secret so huge that it threatens to disrupt the tenuous traditions keeping humanity safe from the supernatural community that has, up until now, been content to lurk in the shadows.
Will they uncover the truth in time to save Jane’s friends? And just how far will Jarl go to protect his secrets?

My Review:

I think I have a lucky streak, aside from one book (Nevermore) I really enjoyed every book I read during my time offline. And I´m positive that this is not due to lacking other kinds of entertainment.

As soon as I read the first few pages and chapters, I realized how much I´ve missed Jane´s quirky voice and Nicole Peeler´s writing.

Jane really goes through some serious, emotional and even traumatising stuff in this book, yet she still grows. Talk about character developement.

I was really glad to see that we get to meet all the amazing characters from the previous books again and even more delighted to get to know a bunch of equally awesome new ones.

The overall tone of the book however is a darker one than in the previous books. It´s not that there are very gory scenes os something like that, some happenings of the story are just hard to take in.

The ending also really surprised me. I figured out who the bad guys were pretty fast, but the final revelation was something I did not see coming. The ending offers so many possibilities for the next book that I´m already in the “impatiently waiting for the next Jane True book –mode” one day after reading it.

Oh, before I forget it: I was quite pleased with the romantic developments of this book. *grins*

My Verdict:

Another fun and tantalizing installment in the Jane True series. Loved every page of it! 4.5 of 5 stars.

We have a Winner!

2011-02-03T19:42:00.001+01:00

Remember my rant about Amzon yesterday?

I guess someone must have read my post! Guess what I fund in my mailbox today??

Here´s a little hint:

*does happy dance* I know what I´ll be doing this weekend!

By the way, winner is The Book Depository. I ordered it last Friday or Satury, so the shipping was actually pretty fast!

So Sometime next week, I´ll be posting a series review for Julie Kagawa´s Iron Fey series.

Now I´m off obsessing about my latest book boyfriend, the Winter Prince!

Ash?

Review: No Rest for the Wicca

2011-02-03T18:57:00.001+01:00

Author: Toni LoTempio

Title: No Rest for the Wicca

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: October 20th (self-published)

Blurb:

Communing with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad; until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance. Someones killing pureblood witches- and the SFA is convinced Morgan´s voodoo heritage could be instrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John, an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing; the two of them must fight their deep attraction as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world.

* Thank you so much Toni for sending me a copy!*

My Review:

Wow! I just discovered another Indie author that has really surprised me in a very positive way! I might even go so far to say that I liked toni LoTempio´s book almost as much as H.P. Malloy´s (my all-time favorite not any longer Indie author) books.

But back to the actual book: No rest for the Wicca starts out by introducing Morgan Hawkes, a PI that communes and exrcises spirits and demons trapped between worlds. Even though she is good at that,she is nt happy with her job.
Morgan has a lot of baggage: soon, we find out that she blames herself for the death of her former partner, back when she still used to work for homicide. In an attempt to save her partner, she combined white Wiccan magic with voodoo. The spell went wrong and her partner ended up dead. Ever since, she has sworn off both her Wiccan and her voodoo heritage. But when fullblood witches turn up dead and her cousin is attacked, she has to find a way to get over her past to save some innocent witches.

Morgan is a very well balanced character: she´s strong (and a little bit boneheaded), but she still has her flaws that only make her human. She´s not crazy powerful but also has to use her brains to solve this case.

Cole St. John, hery fangy (is that a word?) the Special Forces Agent, is a great match for her, both as partner and as love interest. It takes them some time to confess their feeling for each other, but like I said, they are really good together.

Overall, I really enjoyed every aspect of this book: there was romance, but not too many sex scense just for the sake of it. The murder mystery was gripping and kept me guessing until the very end.

I also enjoyed the wordlbuilding and the mythology in No Rest for the Wicca. Wiccan and Voodoo mythology is no something I have read a lot about, so it was very entertaining.

My Verdict:

A highly enjoyable read! I would have never guessed that this was a self-published book, had I not been told! When there´s a new book in this series, I´m definetly going to read it!

4 Stars!

D@#+ you Amazon!!!

2011-02-02T12:08:00.001+01:00

Do you know the feeling when you really really want a book? Like BAD? You´re so eager that you pre-order it like four weeks in advance?

This is the way I felt about The Iron Queen. I strated Julie Kagawa´s amazong series while I was offline (but there will be a review) and LOVED it. Back then, The Iron Queen was not yet released.

So, I pre-ordered The Iron Queen and felt really really happy. I Imagined myself on my couch with this beauty in my hands.

But you know what? I still haven´t got it yet! First, I get a mail from the amauon customer service telling me that it might take them a few days longer than expected to deliver it. No problem, see I can be very patient (sometimes). But after “a few days” I get another mail telling my that they are incredibly sorry blah, blah, blah but as of now they don´t know when or if they can deliver it. WTF? Isn´t the whole point of pre-ordering so that I get my book right on time?

This is a problem I often have to face here in Germany. Even though I pre-order pretty much ALL of my books, some still can´t be delivered. The alternative is ordering from book depository, but it also takesthem over a week to ship the books. It is sometimes slightly frustrating and one of the reasons I sometimes consider buying an e-reader, even though I love only few things more than getting a new book, opening it for the first time, admiring the cover and just skim through.

Maybe, one of these days I might get myself a Kindle. But then again, who knows if they (meaning amazon) can deliver that???

In case you are wondering now: yes, I cancelled my order with Amazon and placed a new one with The Book Depository. Ha, take that stupid online bookstore!

(I know this might be slightly boring for you, but I had t tell someone who gets why I am mad about this.)

Cover Alert

2011-02-02T11:43:00.001+01:00

Lookie what I´ve just found:

This one is called “Bloodland” and might not be final. Christine Cody is the pen name of Chris Marie Green. There´s not much about this one except the publishing date which is July 26th by Ace

Here are the covers for Changeling Moon (which has been out for a while) and Chagelig Dreams by Dani Harper. The colors are very striking and I like that they have that red amulet in common, but is it just me or does the pose in the second book look a little bit odd?

Release dates for those two books are May 31st and June 28th.

Daybreak is the third book in the Dark Age Gawning series by Ellen Connor (a.k.a Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty).Release Date is sometime in December 2011.

Blurb:

It's been twelve years since the Change, and Penelope Sheehan is one of the few still practicing magic for the good of humanity in this dark, dangerous world. Determined to infiltrate the notorious O'Malley organization, she poses as an abducted girl–until a furious lion thwarts her mission. When the beast turns into a devastatingly handsome man, she recognizes in him the troubled boy she once knew.
Since becoming a skinwalker, Tru Daugherty has allowed his animal nature to take over. Aloof and cynical, he takes no interest in making the world a better place. He's a creature of instinct and impulse, living only to satisfy his senses–ignoring the scarred heart nobody has ever reached. He's also the best man to help Pen bring down the O'Malley crime ring.
Fighting alongside the last holdouts of humanity, they unleash a passion that tempts them to risk everything for love. But if they succeed, Tru and Pen hold the power to brighten the Dark Age for all time.

And this is my favorite, both cover and blurb wise:

A dark, sexy debut set in a small Missouri town where evil waits at the end of every alley...
Cassandra Archer is the huntress. She has faithfully served the earth Mother for years, rescuing kidnapped children from monsters—both human and supernatural—dwelling in the ruins of the Barrows District. But when two children are kidnapped under similar circumstances, all clues point to a cataclysmic event on the next dark moon. Now Cass must race against the clock and prevent a sacrifice that could destroy the entire town..

Release Date is July 5th 2011 by Signet.

Review: Shadowfever

2011-02-01T20:20:00.001+01:00

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Title: Shadowfever ( Fever #5)

Genre : Urban Fantasy

Published: January 18th by Delacorte Press

My Review:

Okay, even now, a few days after finishing this book I still can´t find the right words. I had such high expectations for this book and I was not disappointed.

I can still remember how I raged against KMM after THE cliffhanger. I think you all know what I´m talking about. Waiting for the release felt like an eternity, and I was crazy giddy when I finally had it in my hands.

Thankfully, I wasn´t online, so I was not tempted to read the two chapters that were leaked and the pleasure of reading this book was completly undisturbed. And it was a pleasure. The book is so emotional, especially the very first part of it, ow Mac reacted to the death of the beast and the person behind it. For me, it wasn´t much of a surprise. I had feared it all along. But of course I kept hoping throughout the book that something would happen to undo it.

It´s hard to write a review about this book without any spoilers, so I will keep it short and sweet: This book was awesome. I loved hoe all the secrets were revealed, I marveled at the character developement, not only of the main, but also of the side characters. Like few others, KMM has created characters that are not simply white and black. There are so many shades of grey in this book. What´s more, alll the character have an if not understandable than at least explainable reason for their actions.

I was totally surprised about more than one story twist (most of all by one concerning Dani). And at the end, I felt totally satisfied but still more than a little sad.

I´m really glad to hear that this will not be the end of this wonderful series. And honestly, I don´t mind waiting. Okay, maybe a little.

My Verdict:

5 Stars. Without hesitation.

Back online!!!

2011-01-31T21:44:00.001+01:00

So, finally I would say, I´m back online. I can tell you, it was quite intense for me. I really felt like some kind of addict.

The first few days were really intense. I constantly felt like I missed something ( and I did! Ilnoa Andrews hosted a signed cover falt contest and I´m just sure I would have won this time!). It felt really strange not being able to go online whenever I wanted (when I was at home. seriously thought of getting myself a smartphone, but I re-considered.

The phone company is probably preparing a law suit because of me harrassing them (I think it is okay to call multiple times a day. It´s not my fault that I have to be at university and cant be there when they supposedly are free).

In the second week, I stopped by an internet café to check my mails.I also tried to post something, but I had a very… well awkward experience there. I wanted to do a In My Mailbox post and therefore looked for a picture of the Raziel cover.

Jup, that one. Behind me sat a bunch of teenage boys who thought it incredibly funny to spy on me. Imagine their delight when they caught me looking for that cover.

I kind of decided against further posting in an internet café from this day on.

There is one thing however that really amazed my during my forced break from blogging: I actually learned something from it:

First: the world does not end when you don´t have internet connection.

Second: You would be amazed at how much time you actually find for reading. I never realized just how much of my free time I waste (?) by browsing the internet. I´m not talking things that actually make sense, like visit blogs. I´m talking about following random links and stuff.

Third: After my first week of anxiety, I was actually a little bit more relaxed. Huh. Who knew.

So even though I hated being out of the loop, it was not as horrible as I would have toufght. I´m really glad however that I´m back now

And the good thing about my break: I have tons of reviews I can post now! Because my Live Wirter still worked offline!

I Want Internet NOW!!!

2011-01-08T17:53:00.001+01:00

*sigh*

A new year, but the same old complications… Usually I had planned to stay the complete last week with my parents, but I had to go to my new apartment unplanned. And no, I still don´t have internet there. On Monday, my courses at university continue after the break over Christmas and I´ll be back in Munich - without internet again.

But there´s good news as well: I´m supposed to be back online on January 14th. 6 more days!!!! I feel like an addict!!! I can´t read/answer mails, stalk my favorite blogs/authors or blog myself. On the other hand I´m gonna have even more time to read! So prepare yourself for tons of reviews. (Fortunately I also have tons of books to read!)

This whole offline experience has really got me thinking: what would I do without? How did I live without internet before?

No, seriously, let me tell you what I need internet for everyday:

During the last few weeks, ia had to check every day before I left my apartment whether the public transportation system is still up and running and if my connection is on time. While I´m at it, I also check the weather online for my city to decide what to wear for the day.

And because I have a few moments to spare, I check my two email addresses. And Facebook. And my blog.

When I´m at university, I´m usually cut off from the internet as well, but I know I´ll be online as soon as I´m home.

When I come home, I have to search for the song that´s stuck in my head since hearing it on the radio an listen to it on youtube. Then,

I check my email again, as well as my blog and facebook. And then goodreads. I see a new book somewhere, read reviews on it, search it on amazon, check my bank balance, decide I´m still good and buy it. Plus one or two more from my wishlist, because you know, one book alone is too afraid, or, as a German saying goes "you can´t stand on one foot” or three because that´s even better or four because I don´t like odd numbers and so on.

Then I write a review/blogpost. And check it for typing errors. And again. Then I stalk some more blogs and authors.

Sometimes a friend calls about a movie/to go out: I go online, try to find out if there are any good movies, reserve the tickes/use google maps to see the location of the new hotspot to see which kind of transportation I should use. We rethink and decide to grab dinner instead. I google to see which is the best italien restaurant in the neighborhood, search (online) for the number and reserve a table. My friend tells me that we need a present for another friend. I´ll brows amazon for something fitting. Then I head over to etsy on my quest for the right present.

Then I remember that the contract for my mobile phone is running out. If I keep it, I´ll get a new phone. Oh, shiny! Have to go online and see which phone is the best right now (and which is the best smartphone with email client).

Friend calls again, cancels for today because of illness/super hot date/anything else. No problem, I can keep myself busy. I call a friend via skype who happens to be online (while I´m secretly horrified how strange I look via webcam).

Roommate/sister comes in, complains about running nose/ sore throat/headache/whatever. Or drugstore is already closed, so we have to search for the emergency drugstore of course via google. While she´s at it, she pays her bills online and shops for new shoes. And jewelry. And checks out online clothing store. Then, she browses my bookshelf and takes three YA books without asking. I lecture her –again- about how to treat a book right, she rolls eyes.

After we´re finished I decide that we have to eat something. And put my laptop to sleep mode, because he (yes, it´s a boy) is quite hot, you know, overheated, not hot like that.

All fed, I go online to see if there´s anything on TV. Or Youtube. And I check my emails again. And Facebook. I´m having a hard time deciding between reading and watching something online (thank you ITunes and Ipod) and end up doing both at the same time.

Before I go to sleep, I check my blog/email/facebook/goodreads. And go one more time to amazon/book depository to track my recent order.

Okay, I guess besides being a book addict, I also have a serious internet addiction problem. Is it just me or are you more and more dependent on the internet? Maybe I can visit a friend who has internet. Or buy one of those fancy surf sticks for the next few days.

Or maybe I´m just doomed. I´ll let you know at the latest on January 14th.

Until then, I´ll miss you. And the internet.

Early Review: Phantom Universe

2011-01-03T13:39:00.001+01:00

Title: Phantom Universe (Summer Chronicles #1)

Author: Laura Kreitzer

Genre: Young Adult

Expected Publication: February 15th 2011 by Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Blurb: Sold into slavery to pirates at the young age of four, Summer learns to survive the rough seas of subterfuge and thieves through silence. When the boat she’s lived on most of her life is destroyed, Summer finds herself washed up on the shore of a new world, a phantom universe full of the bizarre and extraordinary. She meets Gage, the one boy who understands the girl with no speech. But when their lives are put on the line, will Summer finally call out? Or will all be lost in the fathomless depth of silence?

Thank you Obsidian Mountain Publishing for providing a review copy!

Review:

Since I´ve read the first book of Laura Kreitzer´s Timeless series and really enjoyed it, I immerdiatly took the opportunity when I was offered a very early copy of her new series The Summer Chronicles.

Phantom Universe tells the story of Summer, a slave girl who only survived by not speaking and trying to be invisible. When she finds herself in a whole new world after escaping the ships she works on, she also finds herself at the very center of attention – not only of gorgeous Gage, one of the few persons who seem to understand and care for her. A very powerful and dangerous group has taken a strange interest in her. When a dark secret of her past is revealed and her life is in even more danger than before, Summer has to decide: speak up or die.

Phantom Universe is a YA book, but there is a lot of heavy stuff in it. As a slave, Summer has to gone through a lot of both physical and mental torture (including an attempted rape) and unsurprisingly, life has left scars on her. Some visible, but the worst of them invisible. Laura Kreitzer has done an amazing job at creating such a fragile, insecure, tormented but also consistent character. Even though you can see how Summer gets better throughout the book, she only takes tiny steps. There are ups and downs and you can´t help but feel for her, suffer with her and get the urge to protect her.

Gage and Landon are the only ones that bring some kind of security, balance and safety to her life. Both care for her a great deal: Landon more in a brotherly way while you know immediately that Gage wants to be more than just a friend to her.Yet, he never forces her to do anything she doesn´t want and is incredibly sweet. (A little hint: the rose in the cover is not random.) Both guys would do anything to protect her and try to heal her without being too pushy or overpowering.

The rest of the characters in the book (especially Cameron) might be side characters, but that doesn´t mean they were given less thought by the author. Each one of them has been given a very distinct voice that hints how much work was put into this book.

Phantom Universe is set in a world that is ours, yet is completly different. I don´t want to give away too much about it, since part of it is integral to the plot, but just like Summer, the reader only gets tidbits of information about it. That is one thing that was a bit of a drawback for me, as I would have loved to learn more about both society history and technology, but as this is only the first book in the series, I´m sure that there is more to discover in the next books.

Both the prologue and the flashbacks to Summer´s childhood are great additions to the story. The former hints at a very mysterious and captivating part of the plot. The flashbacks provide a deeper insight to Summer´s character and help you understand how she became what she is. The last chapters of the book also introduce a new storyline that guarantees to keep you waiting impatiently for the next installment in the series.

Laura Kreitzer has a way of writing a story that somehow gets under your skin. I mentioned it above somewhere, this book is really intense, but nontheless moving and outstanding.

My Verdict:

4.5 stars for Laura Kreitzer´s YA debut and extra 5 stars for Summer´s character.

Series Review: The Succubus Diaries by Jill Myles

2011-01-01T12:12:00.002+01:00

Titles: Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, Succubo Like It Hot, My Fair Sucubi

Author: Jill Myles

Genre: Paranormal Romance

You´re wondering what I´ve been up to in the last three days? Well, here´s your answer! Once I started reading Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, I simply counldn´t stop myself. I HAD to read the entire series so far. Lucky me that I treated myself to all of the books for Christmas (hehe).

Now I not only have a new favorite series but also a new crush: Zane. *swoon*. I can´t believe it took me so long to finally read this series, as it has everything I want in a good book: great, enjoyable characters, an entertaining plot and well, just look at the covers. *grins*

Jackie is really kind of prude for being a succubus, but that makes her so unique (obviously not only in my eyes). I loved how she is still embarrased about some of the more… sticky aspects of her new existence. Jill Myles had a wonderfully genius idea when she created the character of a reluctant succubu who tries her hardest to stay decent. With two hot guys. (Poor thing.)

The very opposite of our dear Jackie is her best freind, Remy. Frivolous, shameless Remy, who just happens to be a porn star. Reading how the unusual freindship between the two sucks developed throughout the books was pure pleasure.

Noah and Zane, the two guys in book are a whole new league of hotness. I guess everyone should guess from the tiltles and the premise of the book, there are quite a few deliciously hot scenes in the books, involving either of the men. But besides all the steamy action, you also get the feeling that they both really care about Jackie, each one in his very own way. Noah, Jackie´s “rock” with his gentle, caring personality and Zane with being Zane. I don´t know what it was about him that made my heart break for him, but he had me after the first few pages! The end of book two made me incredibly sad and reading about Zane´s fate in My Fair Succubi made me cringe.

In each book, Jill Myles adds another great chracter to the band of Immortals: the evil vampire queen in book one, Luc the mysterious stalker in book two and of course Ethan in book three. I especially enjoyed Ethan and his scenes with Remy: the two of them make an awesome pair!

Each book has great storyline that keeps you entertained on every single page.

Jackie and her friends have stolen my heart over the last three days and I can´t wait to read more about them, as well as other books by the fabulous author!

The entire series gets 5 stars!

Happy New Year 2011!!!

2010-12-31T19:34:00.001+01:00

I really hope you and your family all have a happy, healthy and great new year 2011 (with lots of grest books to come)!

Have a great (and safe) party today ad enjoy the fireworks!

Guest Post: Jaz Primo

2010-12-31T19:30:00.001+01:00

A while ago, I found a book that caught my eye. It has everything my Urban Fantasy loving heart desires: Tough chick, weapons and urban and graveyard inspired background. When I checked out on goodreads I found out that it had already been published. Why didn´t I hear about is earlier??? I decided to confront the author demanding a justification. Turns out Jaz Primo is not incredibly nice but also very funny. So I literally forced him to come here today to chat about his debut, Sunrise at Sunset.

So dear readers, help me welcome Jaz Primo!

*Silence*

*The inexorable sound of silence on the Dark Side*

*"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine plays*

And with that...the silence is broken. Yet, it's still remarkably dark. Hmm...must be because we're on the Dark Side!

*wink*

Hello fellow urban fantasy fans. I'm Jaz Primo, and it's my honor to be a guest on Reading on the Dark Side. That being said, I'm sure you're wondering who Jaz Primo is. Fair question, really. I wrote a novel titled Sunrise at Sunset. It's a recently-published urban fantasy vampire novel, and the first in the Sunset Series. You can view a book trailer for it on a host of web locations, including my website at www.jazprimo.com/extras.htm and YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUe5QywiCiE&feature=recentf.

Okay, here´s my cue!

Jaz´s Primo´s debut “Sunrise at Sunset” has a very surprising premise: instead of a strong, male alpha vamp, we get to meet Katrina, the first female alpha vamp I have ever read about.

Katrina is a really impressive character. While there is no doubt about her power as vampire, she is also incredibly caring and loving towards Caleb. At times, she almost seems overprotecting, tryung to shield him from anything that comes with her existence as vampire.

Caleb on the other hand is definitely ot like you would expect from a Urban Fantasy hero. He is gentle, abhors violence and tends to give in rather easily. He deals with Katrina´s revelation about her true identity like anyone else would.

Later on in the book a mortal foe threatens Katrina´s and Caleb´s fragile new relationship. I really liked this development, since relationships are not always all lovey-dovey (right?). But then again, there are really sweet and tender moments between them where you get a glimpse of just how much the unlikely couple cares for one another.

I also really enjoyed Katrina´s vampire friends, Alton and Paige, how the somehow odd realtionship between bubbly Paige and Caleb forms and how Caleb gets introduces little by little into the vampire world.

After a lot of books written in the first person´s POV, it took me a time to adjust to third person narrative Jaz Primo´s book, but I guess that is not his fault.

Also, “Sunrise at Sunset” is strictly an Urban Fantasy novel, not one of those urban Fantasy Romance / Romantic Urban Fantasy crossovers. There are no references to sex whatsoever. So if you like some adult content in your book, you might want to read something else.

All in all, I really enjoyed Jaz Primo´s debut. If you want to read a book with a very strong female character for a change, I can only recommend it to you!

Like it? Here's the teaser from the back of the novel:

--------------

“We vampires are focused and tend to shape our own realities.”

My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me

protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single, traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.

Caleb has finally matured into a rather striking young man, and believe me, I like what I see. I’ll readily admit that there are issues for us to confront and overcome, though a sense of mutual commitment isn’t one of them. I’m feeling hopeful for our future together, in fact. But an adversary from my past has returned to haunt me, and she’s trying to get back at me through Caleb. That was her first...and last...mistake. I’ll protect my Caleb at all costs, and I’ll make her regret the day she was born.

So, I suppose that I’m not just a vampire. I’m about to become someone’s worst nightmare!

--------------

Sound interesting? If you like both a dose of romance and adventure in your vampire novels, then I highly recommend giving it a try. I think that you'll like it.

*smile*

*"Goaltime Exposure" by Land of Talk plays*

I simply love writing with a soundtrack. What can I say? It helps stimulate my mood and creative writing. It's like jet fuel for my imagination, really. How about you? Do you like reading to music?

*pausing*

Better still, how many of you think that your life should come with a soundtrack?

*grin*

I certainly do. Our lives really are a live-action production...our very own reality show, to say the least. Surely, we deserve a soundtrack. But what would your soundtrack be? Do you hearken to a specific genre, or would your selections be based upon the moment or scene? As for me, I tend to have a soundtrack going on in the background most of the time. I listen to music on my iPod when exercising, working around the house, or simply driving down the road between destinations. My favorite genre is alternative rock, but I also enjoy movie sound scores, classical symphonic compositions, or even classic jazz. For me, it's all about setting a mood. When I'm writing, I tend to queue up the music for the scene at hand, and have it repeat endlessly until I'm ready for the next scene or mood. Eventually, the music fades to background noise as I focus on what I'm writing. Then all I'm left with is the mood...the essence of the ebb and flow of the characters and their exploits.

*Strumming my fingers on the keyboard in deep thought*

However, can you imagine the cacophony of soundtracks going on all around us simultaneously? It would be decibel pandemonium to our beleaguered ears! Or rather, as the Joker inside me whispers, "Pure, unadulterated auditory anarchy."

*chuckling*

Aw well, it was a nice idea while it lasted...

Moving on.

People sometimes challenge me with, "Jaz, the world is already full of vampire novels. And besides, with Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Tru-Blood we're headed for inevitable burnout with vampires! What in God's name were you thinking?!"

Folks, I'm here to tell you: I didn't contrive to write a vampire novel...it made its presence known, and demanded to be written. I mean, if I were a savvy author out to make a mint by cornering the next great urban fantasy, I'd be manufacturing something completely new and unheard of in the annals of modern literature. But then, that's not me, really. I write based upon my passion and inspiration; not because I'm a publishing mogul out to corner the market. (Full Disclosure: Feel free to make my novel the next great craze in urban fantasy...please!)

*rubbing my hands together in giddy anticipation*

*Christine clears her throat audibly*

Sorry, blog moderator. Where was I?

Oh, yes. The characters in my Sunset Series literally popped into my head, and frolicked around my imagination incessantly until I finally relented and wrote down what they were doing. Simple as that. I have to admit, I like the fact that they do have a life of their own. I'm often amused by what they come up with next, actually. In fact, three novels later, I can't wait to get started writing the fourth novel this winter!

*smiling happily*

*"Success" by Interpol plays*

Well, it's about time for me to wrap things up. My sincere thanks to Christine for the opportunity to meet you, and spend some time on the Dark Side. It's a wonderful blog, and a place I'd love to visit again in the future! If you have a chance, I hope that you'll drop by my website at www.jazprimo.com or my blog at primovampires.blogspot.com. Most of all, I hope there's room on your TBR list for Sunrise at Sunset!

I now return you to your regularly-scheduled Reading on the Dark Side.

Peace.

Jaz

Waiting On Wednesday

2010-12-29T17:51:00.001+01:00

Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday and thanks so much to Jill @ Breaking the Spine for hosting this meme every week. Here´s what I am impatiently waiting for:

goodreads blurb:

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.

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 sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade 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 she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

Okay, so the cover might not be totally my taste, but everything else about this book sounds amazing! Can´t wait for January 25th!

What are you waiting for?

My Top 10–Paranormal Romance

2010-12-28T06:30:00.003+01:00

Hello again!

Today it´s time for romance! I´m going to share my favorite ONR books this year!

Here we go!

Demonica Series by Larissa Ione

Oh yes, I love me some demons!

This band of brothers is seriously hot and sexy. My favorite is still Wraith, even though I have to read the last two books in the series yet!

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble / Toil and Trouble (Jolie Wilkis series) by H.P. Mallory

My favorite all time Indie author H.P. Mallory has two great series out and I love both of them equally.

She knows how to write a story that is not only sexy as hell but also adds a humorous touch!

I´m still trying to decide which of her hotties is my favorite, either Rand, Sinjin or Knight. I wouldn´t turn down any of them!

The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire #1) by Clay and Susan Griffith

Okay, I know that this is technically more steampunk/Urban Fantasy/Alternative History but there is a romance between the two main characters and I loved them to death.

I kind of forgot it to mention it in my Top 10 UF list.

This book rocks. Simple but true. Can´t wait to get the next book!

The Iron Duke (Iron Seas #1) by Meljean Brook

Thinking of Rhys always nearly causes swooning on my part.

Again, this is more steampunk but it´s also incredibly hawt!

After reading this as my first Meljean Brook book, I immediatly ordered the first book in her other series as well!

Living in Eden / Something Wicked (Living in Eden Series) by Michelle Rowen

Again with the demons! Darrak is great as well! For a demon, he has an amazong sense of humor!

Someone like him would be almost worth risking my soul for. Almost!

Lords of the Underworld Series by Gena Showalter

I started this series just this year, but I read it in like one week!

Don´t ask me which one of the Lords is my favorite… maybe Aeron or Reyes. I don´t know, I just know I love them.

Ecstasy in Darkness (Alien Huntress Series) by Gena Showalter

I have to admit that I started this series with this book and okay, I admit it, I bought it because of the cover.

But it was worth it. McKell is the typical alpha male, which I love from time to time!

The Ghost Hunter by Lori Brighton

Lori Brighton is another Indie author I discovered this year and I loved her book.

While reading The Ghost Hunter, I discovered that I have a thing for Scotish accents.

Very sexy!

First Drop of Crimson/Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Night Huntress World) by Jeaniene Frost

Eternal Kiss of Darkness was again a book I read in a joint review with Anna from Books to Brighten your Mood.

I´ve started the Night Huntress series one or two years ago but somehow failed to keep up (don´t worry, now I have all the books, I just have to find the time to read them!).

Touched by an Alien / Alien Tango (Katherine “Kitty” Katt) by Gini Koch

This book is once again probably in the wrong category, but I still loved it.

Gini Koch´s writing is funny and I mean really funny, not silly imaginative and sexy.

Bayou Moon (The Edge #2) by Ilona Andrews

Okay, so this is number eleven, but there´s no way that I could leave this one out.

I love their Kate Daniels series a little bit more, but still. Truly amazing!

And what about you folks? What is your favorite heroine? And which sexy alpha male would you like to have for yourself?

Please do tell!

My Top 10–Paranormal Young Adult

2010-12-27T13:52:00.004+01:00

While I mostly read Urban Fantasy and PNR, I do enjoy a good YA book from time to time.

Here are the ten books I enjoyed most this year (again in no particular order).

Hush, Hush / Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

I read both books along with my dear blogging friend Anna from "Books to Brighten your Mood after a long YA pause.

While I sometimes find YA books a little boring, both Hush Hush and Crescendo are suspensful, full of action and fast-paced.

Patch also ranks very high on my list of favorite bad boys!

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

I finished this book this book very recently. It´s really not my ususal choice, but it has received a lot of high reviews on blogs I really like so I took the plunge and read it.

To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! It less dark than my usual preferences, but it was a fun read right from the beginning.

I was more than happy, that this book had none of the typical high school cliché. Even your typical Homecoming Queen/Cheerleader had more deph to her character than expected.

Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

I got Jenny Pox for review and it turned out one of the most pleasant surprises this year.

J.L Bryan´s Jenny Pox id one of the best examples that there are really incredibly good Indie authors out there that you shouldn´t miss.

It is however quite gory and has a lot of adult content.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

I still remeber when I open the package containing Nightshade. It was one of those “this just made my day moments”.

But aside from the beautiul cover, and layout of the book and the more than unusual promo, the story of Nightshade did not disappoint.

Even if you think werewolves are slightly overused, you should definitely give this book a try!

The Hunger Games / Catching Fire / Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

There are only few books that have touched me on such a deep emotinal level that the Hunger Games Trilogy.

I would recommend this book to everyone who hasn´t read it before, simply because it draws you in emotionally and also makes you think.

The last few picks were made by my sister who has very recently discovered her love for paranormal YA books. Those are the ones I chose for her.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy series) by Richelle Mead

Yeah, she really obsessed about this series. She hasn´t read Last Sacrifice yet, she says she´ll keep it for a special occasion.

We are very similar in some things.

Mortal Instruments / Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare

Steffi said that the Mortal Instruments series in one of her most favorite so far.

I also read it a while back (and in German, one of the last book I ever read in my native language) and I also loved it. I have yet to read Clockwork Angel, but my sister says it´s just as great as the three other books by Cassandra Clare.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

I know that my sister likes a book when she asks: “Is there another book in the series yet?” She asked me that about Paranormalcy a lot!

Her favorite character was Lend. So she has a thing for shifter hotties? Good thing to know. LOL.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Just like me, she adored the cover when she first saw it.

Over the time, she has become a very demanding reader and was very happy that this book “was about something different than vampires and werewolves”.

Hmmm, see her next choice…

Shiver / Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls series) by Maggie Stiefvater

“Was was simply full of suspense. I couldn´t put it down.” That´s what she said when I just asked her what she liked best about it.

Well, that´s what a book should be like, right?

Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles series) by Kami Garcia & Margret Stohl

Steffi says she had few problems with Beautiful Creatures right at the beginning, because she is not as used to the southern accent like I am (for example).

But I guess she still liked it since Beautiful Darkness was on her Christmas wishlist!

So that´s it, these are my or rather our picks for the best Paranormal YA books in 2010.

I´m kind of pround that Steffi likes most of the books I choose for her. She knows she can be very honest with me, so I tend to believe her when she claims she likes it!

I know that I´m not an expert for YA books, so tell me, is there anything I forgot to recommend her? What should I give her to read for 2011? What about your favorite books?

And don´t forget to stop by tomorrow when I reveal my Top 10 of Paranormal Romance books!

My Top 10–Urban Fantasy

2010-12-26T20:30:00.001+01:00

Now that the year comes to an end, I decided to make a list of all my favorite books/series this year in the categories Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Paranormal Young Adult.

The list is on no particular order!

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels series) by Ilona Andrews

I guess this sereis will always have a special place in my heart, since it was Kate that woke my love for the kick ass heroines and their alpha males of the Urban Fantasy genre back in the day.

Magic Bleeds once again blew me away. I love Kate snarky comments and her relationship to our all time favorite shifter Curran.

I love this series and the authors behind it to death! Can´t wait for Magic Slays next year!

Unholy Ghosts/Unholy Magic/City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts series) by Stacia Kane

Stacia Kane´s Downside Ghosts series os one of the darkest, most disturbing and emotional series I´ve read in a while.

Even though I was hesitant at first to read a book with a drug addicted heroine, I finally gave in and read it this summer. Ever since, I am Terribl(e)y (get it??) in love with the main characters.

I am ready to read the fourth book in the series anytime now.

Magic at the Gate (Allie Beckstrom series) by Devon Monk

I´ve loved Devon Monk´s world with its complex worldbuilding and her ever growing and evolving characters right from the start.

And now that my favorite sidekick Stone and Shame are an intergral part of the plot, Devon Monk´s books are on my auto buy list and I can happily admit that I´m totally stalking her!

I´m really curious to see where she takes the story and equally excited about her new project/ steampunk series!

Mind Games/Double Cross (Disillusionist series) by Carolyn Crane

I LOVE this series. Carolyn Crane´s writing blows your mind. It´s been called everything from brilliant, amazingly original to perfect and I can only second everything.

I still kind of hate Carolyn Crane for the cliffhanger she left us with but then again, it´s hard to hate someone for writing something like these books.

Unfortunately, as far as I know it´s only a trilogy, so there´s only one book left, but still. If you haven´t read this series yet, what are you waiting for???

Afterlight (Dark Ink Chronicles) by Elle Jasper

Afterlight is only the first book in a brand new series, but it has already captivated me. I loved Elle Jasper´s atmospheric world and the sizzling hot relationship between the two main characters.

Plus, isn´t the cover simply beautiful?

Venom (Elemantal Assassin series) by Jennifer Estep

The books about Gin Bianco, assassin and stone elemental might also not be after everyones taste. Gin is a killer for hire and she doesn´t try to justify or glorify it in any way.

Stiil the firther the series goes, ther more I believe that deep down inside, Gin has a hear of gold.

I´m also dying to read more about Owen!

Pray for Dawn/Wait for Dusk (Dark Days series) by Jocelynn Drake

How I waited for these two books this summer!

I was dying to finally see Mira and Danaus not only working together but also giving their interisting and complicated relationship a try. When I saw the cover, I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed.

Burn the Night, the next book in the series coming out in 2011 is also already on my auto buy list!

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires series) by Chloe Neill

Okay, do I really need to say anything more about this series?

Merit simply rocks and then there is Ethan and Catcher. Puh. I guess I was not the only one who adored Ethan after his and Merit´s first night together.

The werwolves were also a nice addition to supernatural Chicago!

Tempest Rising/ Tracking The Tempest (Jane True series) by Nicole Peeler

Besides from gorgeous covers, Nicole Peeler´s Jane True series has everything I hope for in a good book: likeable, three dimensional characters, a funny heroine, a sexy vampire and his underdog (no pun intended) rival for Jane´s affection and an original worldbuilding with unusual creatures.

Alpha (Shifters series) by Rachel Vincent

I was really sad when this series came to and end this year. Faythe and her family/ band of shifters have entertained me for such a long time that I just didn´t want it to end.

Dreamfever (Fever series) by Karen Marie Moning

OMG and WTF was pretty much the inly thing that went through my my after I finished Dreamfever. With this ending, Karen Marie Moning shares the title of Cliffhanger Queen along with Carolyn Crane.

What is Jericho Barrons? And is he even alive? Will they ever be together? What about Mac´s sister? And V´lane? And…

Only a few more days and we finally know! *yay*

Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson series) by Patricia Briggs

The Mercy Thompson series is simply a guarantee for a good read. There is a reason why Patricia Briggs is one of the most famoust and most successful writer in this genre.

If you love werewolves and shifters, there is no way around this series.

Okay, hopefully nobody noticed that I kind of cheated. There are more than ten books on my list. Hmm… It´s been a good year for Urban Fantasy Fans I guess!

What were your favorite Urban Fantasy books? Did I miss a good one? Is there one you don´t agree with! Please share!

Birthday Present

2010-12-26T18:17:00.000+01:00

Sooo… tomorrow is my sister´s birthday and since she has been complaining for ages that her boyfriend never gets her any jewellry, I decided to take matters in my own hands.

I didn´t want to buy her something you can get anywhere in one of those shops and my budget is too small fro the pricey stuff, I searched etsy.com for the perfect gift. Maybe I shoudn´t have because now I besides books I might also be addicted to the awesome stuff you can find there…

Anyways. She prefers necklaces in a very simply style and her favorite color is blue, so I tried to find something that would fit this description Here´s what caught my eye:

Either this one:

or this one…

or maybe this one?

I coudn´t decide which one to take so I kind of bought all three of them. I´m going to give one to her, keep one to myself (hehe) and the third one I don´t know… But you have to help me decide: which one should I give to her???

Birthday Present

2010-12-26T17:28:00.003+01:00

Sooo… tomorrow is my sister´s birthday and since she has been complaining for ages that her boyfriend never gets her any jewellry, I decided to take matters in my own hands.

Anyways. She prefers necklaces in a very simply style and her favorite color is blue, so I tried to find something that would fit this description Here´s what caught my eye:

Either this one:

or this one…

or maybe this one?

I couldn´t decide which one to take so I kind of bought all three of them. I´m going to give one to her, keep one to myself (hehe) and the third one I don´t know… But you have to help me make up my mind: which one should I give to her???

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T13:25:00.001+01:00

I wish you and your family a merry, and peaceful Christmas!

I´m back (again) and thank you!!!

2010-12-23T17:59:00.002+01:00

Hello again!

FINALLY, the move is complete. We´ve put our things in about 100 boxes (which took us three days), had them driven to Munich, our new home during one of the worst snow periods since the last 25 years or so (they closed the highway for trucks the next days, so we were incredibly lucky) and carried all 100 boxes to the 4th floor of our new apartment. Here´s the promised picture of a small part of the boxes (the guy you can see in the background is my sister´s boyfriend!).

Puh. It was one of the rare moments when I really really regretted having so many books. But I´m totally over that now and ready to be given more for Christmas! :) I also found out that being without internet for more than one days is very very hard for me.

Anyways, now everything is (almost) done and I´m finally home to celebrate Christmas with my family. Now I can enjoy the snow and not worry about how it can mess up my day. The picture below was taken this very morning. Aren´t the colors gorgeous? There was no photoshop involved in this picture!

I spent the whole day today online to catch up with everything I´ve missed. Tomorrow I´ll probably spend writing reviews and posts and yes, there is also still one lucky person out there waiting to hear that she (most likely) has won a copy of “Last Sacrifice”.

But before I go back to reading today, I have to say a huge thank you. It has come to my attention that my blog has been nominated for “Best New Blog 2010” at the Reader´s Choice Awards over at Mindful Musings.

I am cannot even begin to tell you how amazed and thankful I am by that and how much that means to me. You are definitely the best readers a blogger can wish for!!!

Taking a (forced) break

2010-12-20T05:25:00.001+01:00

So, my life has been packed up into boxes, overall we have around 85. Today´s the day of the big move. Unfortnatly, I don´t have internet connection in the new apartment yet.

Thus, I´ll be forced to take a brake from blogging, since I didn´t find the time to prepare any posts as well.

With any luck, I´ll be back online on December 24th.

Now I´m off to help load a huge truck with boxes and furniture. Wish me luck!

Fan Girl Alert!

2010-12-16T19:19:00.001+01:00

Look what I found today in my mailbox:

OMG!!! I won this book in a contest over at Larissa´s Bookish Life. Thank you so much! And thank you Carolyn for signing it!!! <3 (did you read the text!?!)

On the other hand… I have to move out of my apartment. I´m very sad about it, since I loved the apartment and my roommates ( my sister and her boyfriend). Now we have to manage the move within one week. I also have to move out of Regensburg to Munich. I´m really really sad. I have to pack all my books into boxes and can keep only a few of them right now. Not enough space… I´m not doing anything else except goint to my last classes at university and pack up things. It´s very depressing. I haven´t read one single line during the last few days, even though I would have a ton of books to review. I´m so sorry…

I miss reading, I miss blogging but I simply don´t have time. Remind me to post a few pictures of all the boxes…

Review: “Something Wicked”

2010-12-13T18:11:00.001+01:00

Author: Michelle Rowen

Title: Something Wicked (Living in Eden #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: September 11th 2010

Blurb:

Being a little wicked isn’t all bad…

Every woman has a sexy demon inside her just waiting to get out, but for Eden Riley it’s a little different. Her inner demon is named Darrak, and he’s been inhabiting bodies for the past 300 years. In the daytime, thanks to her special psychic energy, he’s able to take physical shape—a shape she wouldn’t mind getting her hands on, if it wasn’t a threat to her immortal soul…

Because of her possession, Eden now has uncontrollable black magic at her fingertips, and she and Darrak are trying to end the curse that binds them before the situation gets any worse. To do it, they’ll have to get tangled up with some unsavory characters from the underworld. When sparks and spells fly, they could get the distance they need…or each have their own private hell to pay.

*Warning: this review might contain spoilers ragarding the first book in the series!*

Review:

Something Wicked is the second book in Michelle Rowen´s Living in Eden series.

After the unfortunate ending of the events in Living in Eden, Darrak and Eden are still dealing with their little problem of sharing a body. And just like in the last book, they are desperatly searching for help. An old friend of Darrak called Theo, archdemon himself offers his help for a small favor of course. And as if her life wouldn´t be crazy enough, an old friend of Eden dissappears along with several other women, her partner Andy begins to see the world with new eyes and Her new neighbour turns out to be more than meets the eye.

You just have to love the characters of this book. Their banter is really priceless and makes you laugh out loud more than one time.

You can really see how Darrak´s character changes throughout the book. No matter how hard he tries to convince himself that he is or could still be his former demon self,he just can´t hide the fact how much he actually cares about Eden.

Eden still has her moments of doubt concerning Darrak, doubts that are sometimes totally justified. But Eden also does some really stupid things in this book. One the one hand, that´s understandable, she is afraid but still…

The relationship between Eden and Darrak evolves as well in this book. They are so great together and you can feel the sparks flying between them!

Leena and Andy are very enjoyable side character, even though we don´t get to see them that often in this book. Andy goes through a major change, literally and I´m really curious how it will affect his charater in the next book.

We also learn more about Eden´s family and a very intersting tidbit about herself that might or might not be a crucial piece to save her and Darrak´s life.

I already mentioned it, there were so many great and funny scenes that mostly involve Darrak. One of my favorite is a scene where his friend Theo tells him he has a gift for him. Just guess what Darrak wishes for:

wait for it… a pony. How demonic!

My verdict:

4 stars! This series has grown more and more on me with each book. I love the two main character, I really feel for them and hope they get their HEA.

Guest Post: Jaz Primo

2010-12-12T18:03:00.000+01:00

A while ago, I found a book that caught my eye. It has everything my Urban Fantasy loving heart desires: Tough chick, weapons and urban and graveyard inspired background. When I checked out on goodreads I found out that ut had already been published. Why didn´t I hear about is earlier??? I decided to confront the author demanding a justification. Turns out Jaz Primo is not incredibly nice but also very funny. So I literally forced hom to come here today to chat about his debut, Sunrise at Sunset. (By the way, I arried just yesterday! Expect my review soon!)

So dear readers, help me welcome Jaz Primo!

*Silence*

*The inexorable sound of silence on the Dark Side*

*"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine plays*

And with that...the silence is broken. Yet, it's still remarkably dark. Hmm...must be because we're on the Dark Side!

*wink*

Okay, here´s my cue!

Jaz´s Primo´s debut “Sunrise at Sunset” has a very surprising premise: instead of a strong, male alpha vamp, we get to meet Katrina, the first female alpha vamp I have ever read about.

After a lot of books written in the first person´s POV, it took me a time to adjust to third person narrative Jaz Primo´s book, but I guess that is not his fault.

All in all, I really enjoyed Jaz Primo´s debut. If you want to read a book with a very strong female character for a change, I can only recommend it to you!

Like it? Here's the teaser from the back of the novel:

--------------

“We vampires are focused and tend to shape our own realities.”

My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me

protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single, traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.

So, I suppose that I’m not just a vampire. I’m about to become someone’s worst nightmare!

--------------

Sound interesting? If you like both a dose of romance and adventure in your vampire novels, then I highly recommend giving it a try. I think that you'll like it.

*smile*

*"Goaltime Exposure" by Land of Talk plays*

I simply love writing with a soundtrack. What can I say? It helps stimulate my mood and creative writing. It's like jet fuel for my imagination, really. How about you? Do you like reading to music?

*pausing*

Better still, how many of you think that your life should come with a soundtrack?

*grin*

*Strumming my fingers on the keyboard in deep thought*

*chuckling*

Aw well, it was a nice idea while it lasted...

Moving on.

*rubbing my hands together in giddy anticipation*

*Christine clears her throat audibly*

Sorry, blog moderator. Where was I?

*smiling happily*

*"Success" by Interpol plays*

I now return you to your regularly-scheduled Reading on the Dark Side.

Peace.

Jaz

Review: Mojo

2010-12-12T17:40:00.001+01:00

Title: Mojo

Author: Kris Sedersten

Genre: Paranormal Thriller

Blurb:

When Scottie Brown, a New Orleans college student, is aggressively haunted by nightmares and daytime apparitions, he begins a search for answers; unwittingly putting himself and those closest to him in a confrontation with evil.

To defeat the energy that torments him, he recruits a team of paranormal investigators, friends from high school, and a psychic medium. Together, they pursue the ghosts of Scottie’s ancestors in a haunted plantation deep in the Louisiana countryside. They uncover dark family secrets and the spiritual energy of a malevolent patriarch who projects an unholy prophecy that has deadly consequences for all mankind.

The power of an elusive mojo amulet becomes central to fighting Scottie’s demons as the journey through the haunted mansion, filled with twists and turns, takes on a life of its own against time

*I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Review:

The book I get for review often tend to surprise me. Mojo once again succeeded to do so.

Right from the very first page, Mojo picks up the pace and tells the story of Scottie who is haunted by nightmares and the ghosts of his family and never slows down for one minute before it comes to a very action packed and scary end. What starts out as nightmares soon turns out to be nothing less than life threatening. As Scottie, his best friend C.J and his girlfriend Aimee along with a team of paranormal investigators set out to unravel the mystery of Scotties haunting, they also discover things about Scottie´s family that will make you shiver.

You never know if the ghost who is permanenty telling Scott to find “mojo” is something good or bad. There is also a plot twist concering said “mojo” that gives the story a whole new direction I hadn´t seen coming.

The atmosphere Kris Sedersten creates in her book Mojo is very dark, scary and there are a few rather gory details. However, it all feels very authentic. Especially all the scenes taking place in the house of Scottie´s youth are sometimes downright creepy (maybe I´m also just a wuss. Ghosts tnd to creep me out!). With great attention to detail, Kris Sedersten creates a mood that couldn´t fit the book any better.

Mojo ends with a scene that leaves you wondering if our crew of paranormal investigators can really close their case and st least left me curious whether there would be another book about Scottie and his family from hell.

There were a few things about Mojo that I wised would have been dofferent.

I felt Scottie´s conclusion that the haunting must have something to do with his family (he thinks that every early in the book) rather surprising, since there was nothing hinted in this direction before. I also felt that sometimes I would have liked to know more about the characters´ backgrond.

Overall, I would recommend Mojo to everyone who likes to read books that give you the creeps ,keeps you on the edge of your seat and out of breath for the whole time. But be warned, you might want to sleep with your lights on afterwards!

My Verdict:

Kris Sedersten´s “Mojo” gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. It was a great read that keep me well… frightend. I will keep my eyes open for

Kris Sedersten´s books from now on!

I am sick

2010-12-09T15:50:00.002+01:00

My head hurts, my nose is running and I can´t move. I can´t read because my eyes are red and sore.

Just kill me please…

Will be back when I feel better!

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-12-08T13:13:00.001+01:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event to share the books you can hardly wait for to be released. Thanks for Jill at Breaking the Spine for hosting it every week!

Here´s my choice for this week:

I´ve been dying to read this book ever since I read the last word of “Dreamfever”. I was devasted when the original release date was re-scheduled to January, I mean how can they torture us like that? I want to know who or what Barrons is. I want to know of he and Mac end up together. I want to know how KMM will resolve the cliffhanger from the last book, And I want to know it NOW!

Anyone else impatiently waiting for Shdadowfever? Or what are your cravings today? Please share!

Release Day and Giveaway!

2010-12-07T09:45:00.002+01:00

Today, so many great books are being released that I have already pre-ordered and can´t wait to get. My postman is probably thinking I´m stalking him by now, but so what! :)

Here are some of them:

… and, you probably know it all by now, but just to mention it:

And this is also what I´m going to give away today! I´m sharing some Richelle Mead love and give ONE copy of her incredible Last Sacrifice away to one lucky follower as part of the Christmas Event Santa´s Book Bash!

You know the deal by now, fill out the form below, leave a comment about what you love most about Vampire Academy and Last Sacrifice can be yours!

Open to all coutries The Book Depository ships to! I´ll leave this giveaway open until THIS FRIDAY, December 10th

No double entries please!

Wird geladen...4"

Traditions and a special surprise!

2010-12-06T16:48:00.004+01:00

Here in Germany we have a special tradition for the 6th of December. It´s Nikolaus. we celebrate the birthday of a saint called Nikolaus von Myra. He was a very rich bishop and it is said that he cared especially for poor people and for children, giving them money and gifts. And in celebration of him and in momory of his deeds, the Nikolaus comes very year on December 6th to bring small presents to children, like fruits, nuts or chocolate. He only comes when in´s already dark and only brings presents to the good children.

Sometimes he leaves the presents in shoes you place for that occasion for you to find, sometimes he will come to your house and read to you from his golden book, where all your good and bad deeds are written down. And yes, he really knows everything you´ve done, believe me!

On the left you can see a picture of him. You might think that he resembles to Santa Clause, but there is quite a difference! :)

The NIkolaus also has a companion who is called Knecht Ruprecht.You can see him in the other picture. That´s a rather dark and scary figure (at least for children), motsly dressed in brown or black, he helps the Nikolaus with his duties. It is his special task however to “scare” all the bad kids. He always brings a birch which he will leave if a child was especially naughty. Sometimes, he would also put small pieces of coal inside the shoes instead of presents!

But mostly it´s an awesome tradition! In the small town where I come from, some of the older men would have organized pairs who played Nikolais and Knecht Ruorecht and would actually visit our house. Until I was 5 or so I would still believe he was real and boy was I nervous every year! :) But fortunatly I would always get a present rather than coal!

You possibly ask yourself why I´m telling you this now, I be assured, it has a reason! It´s already getting dar here in Germany and all of my readers have been very good this year, so I come bearing gifts! I might ni have a beard and a red costume, but I believe you will like them!

Three of you of will receive a book today! YAY!

The winner of my “I got money who wants books” giveaway is…

Robin K (Intense Whisper)

Then, we have one lucky reader who will win a copy of Christina Henry´s “Black Wings”. The prize goes to…

Brooke!!!

And last but definetly not least, the winner of a copy of Gini Koch´s long expected “Alien Tango” is…….

Kelly!!!

Congrats to the lucky three and thank you so much to everyone for entering!

All winners were drawn with help of random.org. I´ve sent mails out to notify them as usual and they have 2 days to contact me. If I don´t hear back from them, I´ll choose another winner.

As soon as I receive the mailing address via email, I´ll place the order for the respective book!

Sad that you didn´t win? Maybe you should try and come back tomorrow, there´s another surprise giveaway then! :)

Review: Toil and Trouble

2010-12-06T12:19:00.001+01:00

Title: Toil and Trouble (Book Two in the Jolie Wilkins series)

Author: H.P. Mallory

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: December 2nd

I probably can´t review this book unbiased, but I might at least give it a try.

First of all, I have to tell you that I love H.P´s covers. They are so cute and extraordinary that they alone make me want to read the book!

But back to the actual story. It takes up right after the events of the previous book in the series, after Jolie´s fight against one of King Odran´s faeries and right before the war against Bella and her minions. Having won over the faries King as ally, the preparations for the war begin. All the while Rand´s army is assembled in Pelham Manor. Amongst all the preparations, Jolie and Rand have to figure out their feelings for each other and Jolie has to decide how Sinjin, the sexy and smooth talking vamp fits into her life. When the battle finally begins and Jolie finds herself in mortal danger, her life takes a more than unexpected twist…

Toil and Trouble´s awesomeness is based on the fantastic characters. Even though it´s declared a Paranormal Romance, you can´t find one of the usual and dreaded clichés in this book. The relationship between Rand and Jolie with all its ups and downs feels natural and realistic. The issues they have aren´t far-fetched just to stall their HEA, at least in my opinion but are due to their characters. And then their is Sinjin. The Vamp is such a great addition to the stroy with his razor sharp whit and his constant flirting. It´s no surprise that two alpha male competeing for the affection ht for one lucky woman cause a lot of excitement. And did I mention sexual tension? Toil and Trouble is definitley sexy and has some very hot one on one action between two of the main characters, ( I´m not giving away who they are though!) but, in comparision to other PNR books, these scenes are written tastefully and fit the story very nicely. While I sometimes get the feeling with some PNR books that a story is just an excuse to write one sex scene after the other, here, all sensual scenes feel organic.

Also, while reading Toil and Trouble, you´re in for quite a few surprises. One of the major twists I already mentioned above and as much as I want to talk about it, I just don´t want to ruin this book for anyone. But if you really do read the book and your a follower of my blog, you might encounter a few things that will surprise you! :)

Overall (I believe you guessed it), I loved Toil and Trouble. H.P. Mallory is one of the best, if not the best Indie authors I had the pleasure of getting to know and reading. she is one to watch, as both her series – and Toil and Trouble is no exception - are funny, original and sexy. I woudn´t miss one of H.P. Mallory´s books for the world!

My final verdict:

Five stars!

Short Review: The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire Book One)

2010-12-04T19:15:00.001+01:00

Title: The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire Book One)

Author: Clay and Susan Griffith

Genre: Steampunk

Published: November 18th 2010 by Pyr

Blurb:

Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath. One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.

The Greyfriar has everything I love about a book. It really breathes new life into the genre vampires and undead. The vampire society in this book is really extraordinary and stellar, just like the rest of the world building. Based on a richly woven alternative history, Clay and Susan Griffith have made up a world that sucks you right in. This is only my second Steampunk book after The Iron Duke, but I enjoyed them both very much.

The relationship between the princess and Greyfriar and Adele and Gareth was captivating and bitter sweet. I´m a huge fan of relationships that develop slowly over the course of more than just one book so I really enjoyed to see the small steps the respective relationship took throughout the book. Gareth is definitely one of my favorites heroes as of now. His character in contrast to the other vampires of this book was amazing.

There were so many moving, exciting and at the very end even heart-breaking scenes in this book that I can´t start to tell whoch one was my favorite. It´s one of those books that gets a special place in my bookshelf and Clay and Ssan Griffith are on my auto-buy list from now on. Can´t wait for book two!

Five stars for The Greyfriar!

By the way, does anybody know anything about book two in the series? I´ve done a little research but I can´t find anything. :(

Interview: Gini Koch and Giveaway!!!

2010-12-02T20:19:00.001+01:00

Hi folks! Tell you what, I´m totally in the right mood for Christmas! Over the last few days, quite a lot of snow has fallen, so everything is very scenis and beautiful. I´ve been baking Christmas cookies with my sister and I went to the Christkindlmarkt and as far as I´m concerned, it could stay that way for the rest of December.

Today, I have something special for you again!!! You probaly know that next week, the second book int the Katherine “Kitty” Katt series is being released and guess who is here today to talk about Kitty, Aliens and other stuff? You´re right, it´s Gini Koch!!! *yay*

Pleas help me welcome the amazing and incredibly funny author!

Hi Gini and thanks so much for taking the time stop by today!

You’re welcome! Happy to be here!

I´m can hardly wait for the release of Alien Tango. Could you share a little teaser to shorten the wait for it?

Sure.

<blurb>

For Katherine “Kitty” Katt, Alien Super-Being Exterminator, anti-alien conspiracies, threats from outer space, and a couple of killer alligators are all in a day’s work. But internal alien schemes and some major romantic complications bring new meaning to the term ‘chaos and confusion’.

It’s been five months since Kitty joined Centaurion Division, working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri. She and Jeff Martini have grown closer as a couple and life looks rosy. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of Alpha Team are called out to investigate and are immediately embroiled in life or death situations that scream ‘political conspiracy’.

The team must survive repeated murderous attacks, remove a mysterious space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty’s old high school boyfriend. And that’s all before the masterminds decide Kitty’s extermination is vital -- and take matters into their own hands.

From the science fiction side, we see much more of Centaurion Division that we did before, including more of how they work with government agencies. We also see Alpha Team under a variety of deadly attacks. A good portion of the action takes place in Florida at and around the Space Center, and we have a different kind of alien involved, as well as a different kind of enemy.

From the romantic side, in addition to some conspiracies that catch everyone pretty much by surprise, Kitty and Martini are having the ever-present relationship challenge of “does your family like me, and why not?” Plus there’s a romantic rival that Martini may have seen coming, but not like this, and whose presence could change everything for Kitty.

But I’m sure you’d like a little more than that. So, here you go.

Paul Gower joined us in the doorway. He was built like Martini, only black and bald. His father had married an African-American human. I often found myself wondering how happy she was, but I hadn’t asked. Yet.

“We have a bigger issue than your parents,” Gower shared, looking tense and sounding tenser. “Clustered activity.”

Martini and Christopher both flipped into what I considered Commander Mode. “Where?” Martini asked briskly as we all trotted inside.

“Paraguay.”

“Paraguay?” Christopher sounded shocked. Martini grimaced.

“Why not Paraguay?” I’d been all over the world by now, killing forming fuglies and keeping the world safe from becoming super-being sushi. South America was hit as frequently as everywhere else, though in overall super-being activity, the U.S.A. was still number one with a bullet.

“In the Chaco,” Gower added.

“Of course,” Martini muttered.

I grabbed my purse from Hughes, told him that he and the rest of my flyboys were off-duty but on standby, and then we headed for the nearest bank of gates. The gates were alien technology that allowed us to move freely about the world by leaping from one gate to another. The majority of the gates were located in the restrooms of all the world’s airports. Having visited more men’s rooms than I cared to remember, by now I could attest to their placement being both effective and gross as the same time. But we could go from Nevada to New York in about three seconds.

“There are airports there,” I reminded them, as I tried to pull up how rainy or dry Paraguay was and failed.

“True,” Martini acknowledged. “But we’re not going there.”

“We’re not?” I wasn’t overly disappointed. We had dinner with my parents planned and super-being extermination trips tended to wreck any schedule.

Reader joined us. “They’re right on the line.” He sounded worried and the other men looked tense. I felt nothing other than confusion -- this was a new one.

The Mont Blanc pen and hairspray were some of the coolest and most original weapons EVER. What will use Kitty in “Alien Tango” to save the world?

*cough* Um. Alligators. She uses alligators. Among other things.

Jeff is empathic, which can come in handy in a relationship, but I can imagine it can also be difficult at times. What can we expect of Jeff´s and Kitty´s relationship in the future?

For that, you’ll have to read the book. Yes, I have a reason for being secretive. And I refer you back to the paragraph before the excerpt. And that’s all I’m saying about that. For now.

And hands down, would you like to date an empath?

Well, I’m happily married and have been for a long time. But yeah, there are times I wish the hubs was empathic, so that he’d catch on when he’s inadvertently hurt my feelings or pissed me off. LOL. Otherwise, I think it’s like being with someone with any other kind of uber-talent and/or disability -- you learn to deal with it as part of the entire package.

I loved Kitty´s family to death. I really hope we´ll see more of them in the next book?

My editor shares your family love, and yes, they’ll be in all the books, not just “Alien Tango”, but the rest down the line as well. Which I’m glad about -- I like all these characters, so it’s nice to get to spend time with them.

And what about Kitty´s best friend and alien fan Chuckie, is there a chance that we get so meet him in the next book?

ROFL. Oh yeah. You meet Chuckie in person. For sure.

Among my favorite parts were all the scenes with Kitty´s pets. Do you have pets yourself that inspired you?

Indeed I do. I have the Canine Death Squad, consisting of Li’l Leader, The Spotted Fiend, and Big Baby (we lost The Big Fella last year right after Thanksgiving); and the Killer Kitties, consisting of Dementia Kitty and Mr. Fluffykins. Yes, those are all aliases. Mr. F, in particular, doesn’t think his name applies, preferring Master of All He Surveys. Which is, truthfully, much more accurate, but too long for general use.

My animals are all trained to ‘bring it’, too.

I’ve always had pets and I love them. And they all have their own distinct personalities. So, probably more than any other characters in the books, the cats and dogs have the most characteristics from real animals in my life.

In your book, there are many descriptions of alien technology. How did you come up with those? Were you one of the science nerds in school?

Oh, I was an any-and-all-subject nerd, including metal shop and drafting. I never had the math/science versus language skills issues -- they all came pretty easily to me (other than fractions, which we shall not speak of here). I was also a jock. And I was also in student government. I also took ballet and dance and did choreography and directing when necessary. In other words, I did it all. Well rounded, we called it in my day, kiddies. LOL

Describe the alien you would fall in love with!

LOL. I did. His name is Jeff Martini. Hey, if *I* don’t fall in love with the character, how will my heroine or my readers fall in love with him?

Would you say that your mood has an influence on your writing and the story in general?

In some cases, yeah. If I’m seriously pissed off about something, I tend to write fight scenes. And kill a LOT of people. (Editing is a wonderful thing.)

Mostly, though, my mood is influenced by music. So if I need to be working on a specific manuscript, I put on the right music for that book or series and it always does the trick. I can spend more time figuring out the right music combos than doing regular research, but it pays off in the short and long term.

Are your characters fictional or are there based on real people?

I write fiction, not narrative nonfiction, so my characters are all fictional. Though I don’t think any author can truly be said to not take influences into their writing. You’re the sum total of all you know and have experienced, after all. But no character is based on any one person and most of my characters aren’t based on anyone other than the person I see in my head.

Even the animals are a conglomeration though, as I said earlier, they’re the most closely based on my own pets.

What is your major source of inspiration?

Rock and roll and good looking leading men. I’m a simple creature, really.

How does your typical writing day look like? Do you have a special routine?

The alarm goes off. I hit the snooze button anywhere from 1 to 12 times, depending. Then I drag out of bed with one of the older and more sluggish larks. I feed the Canine Death Squad and Killer Kitties their breakfast while I get coffee my wonderful husband has already brewed into my system. I choke down some sort of breakfast thing while going through my email and deleting all the spam that’s showed up (hey, there are some interesting things in spam). If there are things of interest to report, I do a Hook Me Up! email and a blog and related activities. I answer anything from my agent, editor, publisher, etc. Then I’m conscious, so I write. Then I do house-related work. Sometimes, just to mess it up and keep the body guessing, I go to the Post Office, the market, the bank, the pharmacy, or the vet’s office. Then I write some more. Somewhere in there I make dinner. If Castle is on, I watch it. Then I write some more, and do more promotion and catch up on more of the work side of writing. And then I write some more. I fall into bed normally between 1am and 3am. And then the horrid alarm goes off and the entire fantabulous process starts all over again.

Some randomness:

Have you ever been to Roswell?

Nope, but I’d like to go.

Do you believe in aliens?

I absolutely believe we’re not alone in the universe. Do I believe that there are aliens here on Earth? Some days, yeah. Most days, no.

Tell us something about your favourites:

Favourite authors?

Lots, and since many of them are my friends now, I’m not giving you a list. We’ll stick with the big names, Terry Pratchett, Dave Barry and P.J. O’Rourke, and then a host of deaders -- Robert Benchley, Charles Dickens, A. Conan Doyle, O. Henry and probably a ton of others I’m forgetting.

favourite paranormal creature?

Aliens. Yes, I consider them paranormal until proven otherwise.

favourite all time hero/heroine?

Heroines: Ellen Ripley from “Aliens” in particular; and Sarah Connor from “The Terminator” movies. And Lady from “Lady and that Tramp”. (I kid you not.)

Heroes: Han Solo (the one who shot first, I’m forced to mention) from the first REAL three “Star Wars” movies; and Mal Reynolds from “Firefly/Serenity”. And, yes, Tramp from “Lady and the Tramp”. (Yes, this is actually my fave movie of all time.)

favourite villain?

Sean Bean’s character from “National Treasure” because he wasn’t just a straight up “Dr. Evil” type of character, he was a real person, fully 3 dimensional, who cared about his guys as much as the good guys cared about theirs. To me, he’s the ultimate villain. And Sean Bean is a hottie, too, which doesn’t hurt.

Oh, and Bartelby from “Dogma” because Ben Affleck did an amazing job of showing us how truly heartbroken the character was, and how that pain drove him to do terrible things. Again, he wasn’t evil just for evil’s sake, there were clear reasons, shown and experienced by the audience, for why, and I think that makes an amazing villain, because you hurt for him, even while you condemn what he’s doing.

Which one do you prefer, book or e-reader?

Book. I write on a computer, I edit on a computer, I do beta reading and critiquing on a computer. When I actually get the chance to read for pleasure, I no longer can do it on a computer or anything that looks like a computer because my mind says, “Working now, need to look for what to fix!” and that’s no fun. I like to be anywhere BUT my office when I read. So for those reasons, physical books all the way.

favourite distraction?

Pictures of good looking leading men. It’s both inspiration AND distraction. And computer solitaire, which I play when I’m thinking. And when I’m talking on the phone. And when I don’t feel like doing anything that requires a lot of brainpower.

favourite holiday?

St. Swithun’s Day

Favorite alien themed movie/tv series?

Have more than one.

Movies: “Galaxy Quest”, “Men in Black”, and “Starman”

TV: Probably all the “Star Trek” shows

Due to a recent event with my own laptop during NaNoWriMo: did you ever have a major computer catastrophy/problem during writing? And how many back-up copies do you usually have?

LOL. Many. If you read the acknowledgments in “Touched by an Alien” you’ll note that I thank my husband for handling a computer burn out by saying we’ll get another one. I’ve burned out a lot of computers. I use Carbonite backup (no, they don’t pay me to endorse them, more’s the pity) and I also have flash drive backups. And my crit partner and main beta reader tend to have copies of most of what I’m working on. I used to back up onto zip drive and CDs, but flash drives and Carbonite are a lot easier. They’ve reduced my OMG hysteria greatly.

Bottom line: Back your stuff up and hit save all the damn time. It makes all the terror much less if you KNOW you’ve got it saved and copied.

What are you reading at the moment/planning to read/waiting for to be released?

I’m currently waiting on a copy of the next book in Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series, “An Artificial Night”. It’s already out, but I’m getting my copy straight from Seanan (signed and everything), so I’m waiting for it eagerly.

I also want to get Carolyn Crane’s “Double Cross” (also out) and Erin Quinn’s “Haunting Desire” (coming in April, 2011). And, hopefully in the near future, Marsheila Rockwell’s next book will be out. I don’t know what the title will be, but I loved “Legacy of Wolves” and I can’t wait for her next book.

Oh, and whatever Discworld book by Terry Pratchett is coming next and whatever book P.J. O’Rourke is coming out with next. But I’m ALWAYS waiting on the next ones from them.

And finally: Is there anything you want to say to your/my readers?

I love you all. You complete me. Oh, and buy my book, it’s a deal at twice the price! (Hey, you can NOT blame a girl for trying!)

I love my fans and readers, they’re the best in the world. They make it all worthwhile. I mean, it’s awesome to get an agent, get a book deal, go through it all, and see your book in print and on the shelves. But it means nothing if no one buys it, no one reads it, and/or no one likes it. Having readers means the world to me; having fans who love this series as much as I do means even more. Every day at least one of my fans does or says something that just makes me happy and reminds me why writing is the best, most rewarding job in the world.

Would I still write without fans and readers? Of course I would. But it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun, because a big part of the joy of writing is sharing it with others, and bringing them enjoyment and entertainment.

So, to my fans and readers, I simply say: Get down with your bad selves and keep on bringing the fun and funky to all that you do!

Thanks so much Gini for stopping by! It´s been so much fun and a great pleasure!

Now, the giveaway…

I´ve already pre-ordered my own copy of Alien Tango and you can win your copy here!!!

Fill out the form below, leave a comment if you want to and some love for Gini! :)

As usual, the giveaway is open internationally or wherever Book Depository ships. It´s open until the day before the release of Alien Tango, December 6th. I´ll draw the winner with help of random.org on the same day so that you get Alien Tango as soon as possible!

Good luck to everyone!!!!

Wird geladen...

Interview with Christina Herny and Giveaway!!!

2010-12-01T18:00:00.002+01:00

Hello my dear readers!

Today is the first day of my special event Santa´s Book Bash!

So for today I´m having Christina Henry over, author of one of my most favorite Urban Fantasy books this year, “Black Wings”. Please help me welcome Christina Henry!!!

Welcome Christina and thank you so much for stopping by for this interview!

Thanks for having me here, Christine!

For all my readers who haven´t heard about “Black Wings” yet, could you sum up the story in your own words?

Maddy Black is an Agent of death. It’s an inherited job with no pay. She’s broke, she’s stressed and she’s got to rent the apartment in her building if she wants to have some income. She takes on a new tenant who winds up bringing a whole host of new supernatural problems with him. She’s also got a very mouthy gargoyle with a bad popcorn habit who loves to express his opinion on everything.

What inspired you to write about Fallen Angels?

I originally had an idea to write a story about the Grim Reaper. As I started writing and working out the mythology for the Agency I decided I could work in the Fallen – it seemed like a natural fit. Plus, at the time there weren’t really any fallen angel books out on the market and I wanted something to distinguish the book from all the vampires and werewolves (not that vampires and werewolves are bad – I just wanted to do something a little different).

You book also deals with a corporate side of death. Is the way souls are handled in your book something you wish to be true?

No, I just really thought it was funny if death was a giant bureaucracy. I also wanted the job to be something Maddy couldn’t wriggle out of. I don’t think it’s a job that anyone would volunteer for so I wanted her to be locked in to a set of responsibilities. Then when all the monsters start showing up she’s got to do her job and deal with this new set of stressors – just like everyone else who has to juggle their work life and home life and so on. Even though she has a supernatural job I wanted her to be relatable.

Speaking of managing death, J.B. was one of the most interesting characters in this book and he really surprised me in the end. Can you tell a bit more about him? Do we get to see more of him in “Black Night”?

J.B. is definitely going to play a bigger role in the next book. You also get to meet his mother - he has a cryptic comment about his mom in Black Wings that I never expanded on. His mother is a major player in the world of Black Wings and both J.B. and his mom will be around for the foreseeable future. I can’t tell you too much more than that without giving away some of the twists in the sequel.

The world you created is very detailed, rich and vivid and the fallen angels very different from others you read about. Besides Christian mythology, is there anything else that influenced you story?

I didn’t really consult too many existing mythologies. I went to Wikipedia and looked up some angelic names and then I checked out the existing definitions for nephilim and the Grigori. After that I tried to stay away from research because I wanted to mythology of the story to be totally my own.

How many books have you planned for the series? Or rather, how many books would you like to write? Do you have the story planned for more than two books?

Right now there are three books planned for the series. I’d like to do a couple more after that but it will probably be up to the publisher! :)

How does your typical writing day look like? Do you have a special routine?

I don’t have a special routine but I do try to hit a certain page count each day that I write. At the beginning of the book I write 5-8 pages per day. As the book progresses I try to write 8-10 pages per day.

I usually try to get the bulk of my writing done while my son is at school. He’s at preschool only 2 ½ hours a day right now so some days it’s a challenge to hit that page count. If I can’t hit my page count for the day I finish up my writing day after my son goes to bed, but it’s definitely harder for me to write in the evening. I’m a morning person!

Tell us something about your favourites:
Favourite authors?

Some of my favorite writers are Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Neil Gaiman, Jane Austen, Richard Russo, and Stephen King.

favourite paranormal creature?

Even though my book does not feature them I am really partial to stories with werewolves.

favourite all time hero/heroine?

Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice”!

favourite villain?

Guy of Gisborne from the BBC’s “Robin Hood”. I love Richard Armitage!

Which one do you prefer, book or e-reader?

I definitely prefer books. I’m very analog :) I like the feeling of a book in my hand.

favourite holiday?

It’s probably a UF stereotype, but I love Halloween! I just love the autumn weather and spooky stories.

Due to a recent event with my own laptop during NaNoWriMo: did you ever have a major computer catastrophe/problem during writing? And how many back-up copies do you usually have?

Luckily I’ve never had a major catastrophe (knock on wood). I usually have two external drive back up copies when I’m working on each book, and I try to print out a hard copy every 100 pages or so. If all else fails then I would at least have the hard copy.

Is there a book you love above all? One that had a great influence on you or your life?

The book that had the biggest influence on my life was probably J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”. I read it when I was twelve and decided then and there that I wanted to be a writer.

What are you reading at the moment/planning to read/waiting for to be released?

I’ve really been in the mood for cozy mysteries lately, so I’ve been discovering some series that have been out for a while and starting from the beginning. Right now I’m reading Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery series – it has a great narrator and a wonderful NYC setting.

And finally: Is there anything you want to say to your/my readers?

Thank you so much for checking out the interview, and I really hope that you enjoy Black Wings!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

And now for the fun part:

I´m giving away a copy of “Black Wings”! To enter, fill out the form below and leave a comment if you want to!

It´s open internationally (or wherever Book Despository ships), no double entries and it´s open until the next giveaway!

Wird geladen...

Review: Todd the Dreamer by Bonnie Rozanski

2010-11-29T11:18:00.001+01:00

Title: Todd the Dreamer

Author: Bonnie Rozanski

Genre: Paranormal

Published: November 10th 2010 by Amazon Digital Services

Blurb:

“Lucid dreaming (def): The rare state in which a dreamer knows it’s a dream.
In lucid dreams, you can change the storyline to whatever you want.
- Like to fly over the rooftops? Go right ahead.
- Kill off your demanding boss? Do so with impunity.
- Enjoy awe-inspiring sex with a gorgeous someone who in real life doesn’t even know you exist? Do I even need to ask?
Todd Goldman is an ordinary young man. He has tried his hand at various low-level jobs and succeeded at nothing. All his life, he has let life lead him, not the other way around…until the day he answers an advertisement for a sleep lab, and enrolls in a study of lucid dreams.
Todd finds he is a quick study at lucidity, and increasingly learns to control the content of his dreams. In contrast, unfortunately, his life is an uncontrollable mess. He fights with his girl friend and struggles to gain some independence from his parents. He loses his day job. The beautiful technician at the sleep lab thinks he’s a jerk.
However, in his lucid dreams, and in the out-of-body experiences that follow, Todd is able to create the life he wants, a situation so seductive that his dreams begin to take over his life.
But then, of course, what is the reader to believe? Is Todd indeed out-of-body despite the doctors’ insistence it is just an unusual dream? Is the chief researcher truly willing to forfeit Todd’s life if it means getting good pictures of his brain? And do the sleep doctors in fact plan to lock him away in a psychiatric ward?
Both a fast-paced psychological thriller with a solid grounding in science and a darkly comic novel with a cast of exuberant, funny characters, TODD THE DREAMER is, above all, a story of where reality ends and dreams begin.”

*I was given my copy in exchange for a honest review*

Todd the Dreamer was unlike anything I had expected. I have to admit that at first, I had a few problems warming up with the story as the were many medical terms concerning the brain, sleep and stuff like that which gave me as someone whose native language is not English a hard time. But I can be pretty persistent when it comes to books and I seldomly stop reading one once I´ve started. It would have been a shame If I had stopped reading Todd the Dreamer.

Todd, the main character is a loser. I don´t know how to put it in a different way. He´s not good looking, working in a library, he´s together with his high school girlfriend more out of habit than love and his family is a nightmare. To finance the upcoming wedding, he decides to take a job in a sleep lab, which seems like the perfect thing for him, as sleeping is the only thing he is really good at (or so he thinks).

In the sleep lab, he meets Mary Beth, a beautiful technician he falls in love or lust with, but has absolutly no interest in him.

As it turns out, Todd is really one of the best study subjects for lucid dreaming and the doctors are beyond excited about the results. But the more time he spends in the sleep lab, the more his life, day job and relationship start to get out of control.

I really enjoyed the characters in Todd the Dreamer, they were far from what I´m used to. I actually felt sorry for Todd from time to time while reading the story.

Todd the Dreamer is more then a story about dreaming and reality. While I found the dream episodes very interesting (especially as psychology student), it was Todd´s real life that fascinated me the most. The story is fast-paced, full of surprises and far from ordinary. I would have enjoyed it even more if it weren´t for thr ( for me at least) slow beginning.

Todd the Dreamer gets solid 3 and a half stars from me.

Guest Post and your chance to win a Kindle!

2010-11-27T09:27:00.003+01:00

The Long Tail
Scott Nicholson
http://www.hauntedcomputer.com

I had a dream where I was trying to find a job and realized, “Wait, I already have a job.”
The best thing for a writer these days is that every project is not a paycheck, it’s an evergreen annuity that provides income for the life of the copyright.
In the Old School, most writers turned the book in, got an advance check from the publisher, the book sold for a few months or, in the best of cases, a few years, and that was that. The advance determined everything about the book, from its treatment by the publisher to the number of copies ordered by stores to the perception among readers.
Almost without exception, bestsellers were made, not born. And some people get really angry if you point that out. They imbue publishing houses with a magical alchemy formula that somehow turns words into gold. But writers know that a lot of books wouldn’t be bestsellers unless they were published as bestsellers. In other words, if a publisher doesn’t pay an obscene amount of money for a book, it’s not going to get the stacks of books piled around the entrance of stores or the 40-percent-off stickers in Walmart.
That’s no accident. It’s a well-crafted system honed over centuries. The real surprise is when an ordinary book gets an audience. Because books aren’t cans of beans, and most readers want variety. That’s the only reason there are more than 100 books in a store.
Right now, it is not worth my time to write a book and hope a publisher wants it. A year to write a book, a year of shopping it, and a year waiting to get published. And that’s fighting upstream against a recession and a declining industry and closing bookstores.
Now, I will sign a paper deal if the terms are fair. This year I’ve discussed deals with several publishers and so far haven’t found one that makes sense—not just for the money, but for the time and loss of control. The reality is I can probably earn more on an e-book in one year than the publisher would pay me to not publish the book.
But the real difference comes on the back end, where the digital income stream not only continues but is likely to accelerate. Unless you are a bestseller, giving a publisher a long-term license is giving away the majority of the book’s income. You also lose the ability to fit the book in your overall brand, to change price, to package it with extra books, or sell it somewhere else.
The point of all this is not to slam publishers or convince all writers to self-publish. If you’re not a writer, you may not even care about all this. But it’s going to have long-term implications for you, despite how tightly you cling to your paper books and vow to never pick up an e-reader. Because this is going to affect you where it matters most and where you can’t escape: price and availability. You’re going to get all the cheap books you want. For a long time.
My daughter, reading this over my shoulder while impatiently waiting for the laptop, just asked me, “Don’t you ever tell anyone ‘Thanks for reading?’” Yes, I do. Thanks for reading.

Scott Nicholson is author of 12 novels, including the YA paranormal romance October Girls and the thrillers Disintegration, As I Die Lying, Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, Forever Never Ends, The Skull Ring, Burial to Follow, and They Hunger. His revised novels for the U.K. Kindle are Creative Spirit, Troubled, and Solom. He’s also written four comic series, six screenplays, and more than 60 short stories. His story collections include Ashes, Curtains, The First, Murdermouth: Zombie Bits, and Flowers.

The Kindle Giveaway is part of Scott’s blog tour. Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm. To be eligible for the Kindle DX or Kindle 3, simply post a comment below with contact info. Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. He’s also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. Thanks for playing!

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-11-24T06:52:00.001+01:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine to share books we can´t wait to be released!

Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can't resist a good rental deal-even if it's in the city's strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.
Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe's fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick...

Release Date: December 7th 2010

Review: “Magic at the Gate”

2010-11-23T19:46:00.002+01:00

Title: Magic at the Gate

Author: Devon Monk

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: November 2nd 2010 by Roc

Pages:346

Blurb: Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

Review:

Devon Monk has been on my auto-buy list for quite a while nw and I really love this series. So I was pretty sad that it took me so long to finally read Magic at the Gate. Good thing that I chose to start reading on the weekend, because I wouldn´t have been able to out it away otherwise.

Magic at the Gate kind of reminded me of the TV show LOST. No, seriously. When I read the first hundred pages, I was constantly thinking WHT?, but in a good way. A very good way.

Devon Monk takes her story to places I couldn´t have dreamed of. Each twist and turn was completly surprising for me. Magic at the Gate truly stands out among the mass of (sadly) often very similar books.

I can´t write about how awesome the story was, because I don´t want to spoil ot for anyone, so you just have to believe me! Devon Monk´s worldbuilding is one of the finest, richest and most detailed you can find.

The spells, the magic and all the creatures she comes up with along with the very consistent history of her alternative world and Portland amaze me every time I read one of her books.

I guess I already said somewhere that I love Allie. her sense of humor, her sense of loyalty and the way she deals with her life (and her undead father possesing her) just speak to me. I feel like she has come a long way since the first book. She´s become far more responsible, and less passive, even though she has a lot to deal with.

I was a little bit sad that we didn´t get to see her and Zayvion together in this book a lot, but Shame and Terric totally made up for that. The two of them almost stole the show from Allie sometimes. And of course there is Stone, my most favorite sidekick ever. Anyone else wants a gargoyle like him?

The more we lear about the Authority, the more I doubt any of them. Again, this is just like LOST! (Just kidding). Everyone seems to have his or her own agenda, everyone in the highest ranks seems untrustworthy. I really can´t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book.

Oh man. I really would want to talk to someone about this book right now…

My Verdict:

5 Stars! I just have to say this: Devon Monk, I love your writing!

Super secret event is going to happen!

2010-11-22T16:56:00.001+01:00

Good Morning readers!

Today I´m super excited to announce my very first huge event! Together with Savannah from Books with Bite

We´ve decided to have out very own version of an advent calender to shorten your wait until Christmas. Now you´re probably going to ask yourselves what awaits you. Let me tell you…

Santa´s Book Bash starts on December 1st and lasts of curse until December 25th (24th on my blog, sice in Germany, we celebrate Christmas one day earlier than you!) We´re ng to give away book both on my blog and Savy´s blog Books with Bite!

Any follower of both blogs can enter, all giveaways are international!

Here´s a list of the books we´ll be giving away!

On Reading on the Dark Side:

1 copy of Alien Tango by Gini Koch

1 copy if Black Wings by Christina Henry

1 copy of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

1 copy of Right Hand Magic by Nancy Collins

1 copy of Hellforged (as soon as it is released) by Nancy Holzner

1 copy of Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

On Savy´s blog:

2 ARC's of Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2 ARC's of Vesper by Jeff Sampson

1 ARC of Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson

1 ARC of Hex Bound (Dark Elite # 2) by Chole Neill

1 Copy of Misguided Angel by Melissa De La Cruz

1 Copy of Promise by Kristie Cook

I hope you´re just as excited as the two of us now!!! Below is our super funny and cute button you can of course add to your blog/sidebar!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.bookswithbite.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz333/savysweet/trewithbat180.png" /></a> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="18" readonly="readonly"><a href="http://www.bookswithbite.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz333/savysweet/trewithbat180.png" /></a></textarea></form></div>

So be sure to check our blogs on December 1st to get your change to win one of these awesome books!

Joint Review: "Crescendo"

2010-11-19T18:12:00.006+01:00

Hello dear readers!

If you´re wondering while I didn´t blog yesterday: I was reading "Crescendo". The whole evening and the most part of last night! :)
So today, Anna and I are back with the second part of our Joint Review!

Title: "Crescendo" (Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 19th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Genre: Paranormal YA

Blurb:
Feisty teen Nora Grey somehow survived the crises of Hush, Hush!, but dangers just as frightening loom in this standalone sequel. Patch, her guardian angel and love interest, appears to have a dark side and a wandering eye. Worse yet, he seems intent on obstructing Nora as she hunts for the truth behind her father's mysterious death. Even better than the first.

And here´s what we thought about Becca Fitzpatrick´s latest book:

Characters

Anna:
Before saying anything else i must ask.... "What happened to Nora????"In Hush, Hush Nora was an ok character,strong,pretty much independent and definitely not anyone's tail or shadow.Nora of Crescendo is like being introduced to a completely new character...She's jealous,whinny,reckless and no matter what happens to her,her priority is where and what and with whom Patch is...Terrible things might happen,in fear she may live,Patch is whom her thoughts are totally consumed with!And ok,i can understand being so in love and acting like a total stranger,but in Nora's case she was acting more like possesed rather than in love...

Patch on the other hand is as good as in Hush, Hush...I only kind of missed him here cause his role is significantly smaller than in the first instalment but at least when he entered a scene in the book,the scene just got more... well better!

What i liked in Crescendo was that more characters got to be better explored and developed,like Vee, Rixon and Marcie. I really liked that, i thought that Fitzpatrick's world got more interesting and complete with the addiction of those characters.Scott,on the other hand (a new character introduced here) has completely confused me...I just can't make my mind about him or find a logical way to explain some of his actions,especially towards the end.

Christine:

There were a few scenes in Crescendo where I thought I dodn´t recognize Nora anymore. To be honest, I expected their relationship to be all "crazy in love", so I was beyond stunned after their first fight only a few pages into the book. Nora´s behavior seem a little irrational at times, and beyond reckless at others. I wouldn´t have imagined that the same Nora from "Hush, Hush" would oull of things like she did this time. It is somewhat understandable, cnsidering how Patch acts, but still.
Speaking of Patch... I still love him. His bad boy attitude hasn´t changes a single bit and he´s just as sexy as in Hush, Hush. Unfortunatly, he also just as mysterious and evasive. Combine that with Nora behavior, and I felt like shouting "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER ALREADY AND TELL THE F... TRUTH" at them. You could say this book affected me quite a bit.
The two most interesting "new" characters in the book were Scott and Marcie. Scott is close to Patch in the bad boy scale, but for me, he gave off more of a creepy vibe.
Marcie is just plain mean which would have annoyed me, had me not learned the reason for her behavior.
Vee and Rixon we already knew from the last book, but I have to say, both of them were a surprise for me in this book, one a positive, one a negative ( Don´t want to give away more to avoid spoilers!)

Plot

Anna:
The plot was once more, engaging. The writing style remains simple and effective and the story turns to a complete new level. The atmosphere was creepy at times and claustrophobic and in general i think i liked the story even more than in Hush, Hush.The angelic world is more explored and we get to know more about how it functions,something that i've been expecting since the end of the first book.

Nora and Patch's relationship remains a bit static for me,something that doesn't really bother me but i'm not that glad either.Maybe if the reason those two kept fighting was something other than jealousness and stubborness from Nora's part i wouldn't mind it at all,but seeing Nora acting that way just made me wanna scream to her to open her eyes and she how she was behaving.She may had reasons to be jealous but still,she could had tried and listen to Patch,or totally erase him.The forth-back was never my favorite approach of things.

Christine:

Story:
After finishing "Crescendo", I had to take a few deep breaths. First, because the story left me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was so fast paced action filly, mysterious and full of twists that I didnßt feel one second like I was reading a YA book. Becca Fitzpatrick also succeeds in adding a subtly creepyness to the story by how she describes Nora being stalked and other supernatural incidences Nora comes across in this book.
The second thing that made me take a deep breath was the ending of Crenscendo. One moment I was like crazy happy, the next like WTH??? The Cliffhanger Becca Fitzpatrick leaves us with is really really cruel. Especially since I have a very strong love/hate relationship with cliffhangers. I like them, when I know I don´t have to wait too long before I know what happens next.
I always complain when the relationship between two characters goes too smooth and thus being unrealistic in my opinion. Well, the relationship between our dear guardian angel and Nora is far from smooth, which was not a bad thing.
The Story of Crescendo delves deeper into the mythology of Angels, Fallen Angels and Nephilim and we are introduced to a new force that is to be reckoned with. Also, Becca Fitzpatrick sheds light on Nora´s past and the death of her father and answers some questions only to make the whole story even more full of suspense.

Favorite scene

Anna:

The scene where Patch gives Nora a ride home and they're standing in the rain...I have a thing for romantic scenes in the rain,what can i say!

Christine:

Okay, once again, I can´t decide. Instead, I choose several scenes from different categories. DANGER: includes spoilers!!!
favorite romantic/hot scene: either Patch´s first appearance in her dream r the scen at the end... Hmmm
favorite creepy scene: when she hears/sees her dead father at the ausement park
favorite action scene: Nora vs Marcy. ´nough said.
favorite WTH scene: again, the end.

Final Verdict

Anna:

4 stars again.As i said,in some aspects Crescendo was really better than Hush,Hush but Nora's behavior was a bit annoying.I couldn't enjoy enough this book when i spent half the time wondering why she would act that way.

Christine:

4 stars. I loved it, was quite obsessiv about reading it (just ask my roommates) and it was a really intense read, but Nora´s behavior was somewhat of a drawback for me.

Once again, thanks Anna! You make reading and reviewing books even more fun! Can´t wait for our next joint review! xoxo!!!
Make sure to check out Anna´s Blog, she does some fantastic reviews and posts!

Joint Review

2010-11-17T18:01:00.001+01:00

Yes, we have done it again! Anna from Books to Brighten your Mood and I have done another awesome joint review.

Look which book we chose this time:

Title: Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 13th 2009 by Simon & Schuster

Children's Publishing

Genre: Paranormal YA

Blurb: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

So here´s what we thought about

The Characters

Anna:
I loved Patch!I don't know if it was because he was an angel and i have a thing for angels fallen or not or because he was your so typical bad but at the same time unbelievably sexy boy!He was a consistent character,secretive and with his own motives and agenda but at the same time sweet and sexy as hell!I loved his sarcasm and innuendos and to be honest there were times where i doubted his innocense.Nora on the other hand is a fine character.i just didn't love her as much as i loved Patch.I liked the fact that she was smart and capable of at least trying to hold her own ground and i really enjoyed her relationship with Vee.What i didn't like or rather found unbelievable was yet again the fact that a human totally oblivious to anything supernatural such as Nora just took so easily the news of her crush being a fallen angel and generally the existence of the supernatural element in her perfectly tided little world!Especially when Nora is portrayed as a little control freak,something so huge and strange should have snapped her and cause her a mental breakdown or at least she would have done anything else rather than just accepting the unbelievable without questioning...That plus her reaction when she thought she was a in danger and someone was stalking her...Nora is portrayed as really smart and logical among other traits but what logical person would just keep his mouth shut when such bizarre things keep happening?I gather she didn't want to upset her mother but since she was logical she should have seen that killing herself because she kept her mouth shut would probably upset her somewhat a liitle more.Anyway,i liked Nora's character i just find sometimes some of the characters' reactions in books a bit unbelievable and in contrast without their portrayal and it always bothers me.
Apart Patch and Nora and a little bit Vee all the other surrounding characters weren't really that much developed.The story was completely focused on those two and explaining the world the story is set.

Christine

Both Nora and Patch were great characters. Patch is just the right mix of mysterious bad boy without being a total jerk. Even though I kind of knew that Patch wouldn´t end up killing Nora, I was wondering about his motives. I loved his constant innuendos, flirting and dirty smiles. I could totally picture him in his dark clothes! I must admit that I would have probaby fallen for him as well! :)
Nora is incredibly mature but then very much acts like a typical girl at her age, falling in love with the wrong guy. I found it very appealing that she didn´t act all dreamy eyed and crazy in love, but held her own against him. Scenes like her unsuccessful attempts at interviewing or seducing other people in order to get information made her very likeable and realistic.
She did take the news of Patch being a Fallen Angel pretty well, even though she had enough time to get used to all the strange things that happened in her life. I guess I would have been more freaked out if someone would be trying to kill me and stalk me.
I really enjoyed her relationship with Vee (loved the name BTW Vee Sky). Her nosy personality and her well meant warnings did remind me of some of my closest friends.
Elliot and Jules did round up the great cast of characters.

The Story

Anna
I liked Becca Fitzpatrick's writing style.It was smooth and esily flowing.There wasn't just a minute where i was bored and this is the second time i read this book (in order to read Crescendo i just had to reread this!).Hush Hush was my first book about angels and since i love them that much this book holds a special part in me.The world is quite well built and the potential for more exploring is evident.By the end of Hush Hush you can easily understand that you haven't read not even the half of the story yet and thep politics and mechanics of the angelic society aren't fully explored.I just can't wait to read what happens next and how the story will progress

Christine

Okay, I have a confession to make: some YA books I find slightly boring. *ducks rotten tomatoes* I like books with action, violence and sex. There, I said it. “Hush, Hush” however was never boring to me. At first I was constantly wondering and trying to figure out who was behind the attacks on Nora and enjoying all the Patch/Nora moments and the end had more than enough action even for my taste.
Despite “Hush, Hush” being a Young Adult book, there is so much heat and sexual attraction in this book that my romance lover heart felt totally satisfied. Especially the very last scene between Patch and Nora made me expect only the best from the sequel “Crescendo”. The chemistry between the both of them is just perfect, better than in some PNR books I´ve read.

And our favorite scene(s)

Anna

I have to agree with Christine on this one...There were many scenes i really liked but my favorite was in the motel.I love stormy days and the combination storm,no electricity,motel and Patch and Nora in wet clothes just screamed sexy!

Christine

There were so many good of them, it´s so hard to choose! Among my favorites were the scene in the motel and the pool game between Patch and Nora.

The Final Verdict:

Anna

I'll give Hush Hush 4 stars.The only reason i don't give 5 is because as i said i found hard to believe some of Nora's reactions.Other than that the book was amazing!

Christine

4.5 out of 5 stars. This book is near perfection. I´ll save half a star for the next one though! :)

Thanks Anna for being my partner in reading and reviewing! Sometimes our minds are frightingly the same!

Please check back for our next joint review on “Crescendo” – as soon as we´ve read it!

Teaser Tuesday

2010-11-16T10:27:00.002+01:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here´s my Teaser for this week:

“No,” I said. “Just a friend. Actually not even

that. He´s my bio partner.”

“You´re blushing,”

“Probably windburn.”

“Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, p.88

Something every book lover loves to hear and another thing every blogger fears

2010-11-15T19:24:00.002+01:00

Okay, there are good news and bad news today.

Bad news: my laptop is gone, It is off to be repaired and I feel like something is missing. Can´t check my mails, can´t browse for more books, can´t see what you guys are up to. When I came home after I brought them to an electronic store to repair, I lasted exactöy 5 minutes. Now I have taken posession of my sister´s. She´s saving lives in the ER, she doesn´t need it anyway.

The good news: I´ve come across money!!! While ~~cleaning up my room~~ searcing for something very important, I came across my super secret emegency stash of money for books. Sine this is an emergency as I´m sad about my laptop, I´m more than willing to spend it. Here´s where you come in.

Do you have any suggestions what I should read? My wishlist is out of control and I can´t decide what to buy.

Here´s where you guys come in! Tell me what YOU would read and if you´re lucky and get chosen by random.org, I´ll buy two copies, one for me, one for the lucky winner!!!

Yes, that´s right, I´m having a giveaway!!!

No double entries, open internationally (or everywhere The Book Depository ships), open exactly one week from today on and so on! You know the deal!

Extra entries for Twitter, Facebook, being my friend on goodreads and Facebook and posts on your blog!

So that´s it! Now YOU have to decide on a book!

Good luck to all of you!!!

Wird geladen...

Early Review: “Black Wings” by Christina Henry

2010-11-15T06:58:00.002+01:00

Author: Christina Henry

Title: Black Wings (Madeline Black #1)

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: November 30th by Ace

Pages: 304

Blurb:

Meet Maddy Black.
She’s an Agent of Death who really needs to get a life.
Escorting souls into the afterlife leaves Maddy little time for socializing—until devilishly handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in her building. But when demons start appearing on Maddy’s front lawn, she realizes there’s more to her new tenant than meets the eye.

*I received my copy from the author for review*

Review:

It is no secret that above all, I´m a hardcore Urban Fantasy fan and Christina Henry´s book gave me everything I crave in a good UF book.

Madeline or Maddy for short works in the business of death: she´s an agent that escorts souls to the door, a 24/7 job that leaves hardly any time for a social life, let alone for something like a boyfriend. So Maddy lives together with her gargoyle Beezle who is grumpy, snarky but very protective and loves buttered popcorn in a house she inherited from her deceased mother. She also inherited her powers as an agent, along with her black wings from her mom.

But then, a new tenant moves in and things start to change for Maddy: her best friend is killed and demons, yes, real ugly, pissed-off and scary as hell demons turn up and they are out for Maddy´s blood. Good thing that she has Beezle and her new mysterious and deliciously hot tenant Gabriel Angeloscuro on her side.

My favorite character in this book was without any question Beezle. His snarky comments made me smile and I was touched by how much he loves Maddy. Besides, from his description I think he is simply cute! J

Maddy is a typical UF heroine: independent, single and able to stand her ground. She´s a bit of loner and tends to be a bit too reckless for her own good.

And Gabriel… tall dark and handsome all the way! It was a bit obvious from the beginning that there is more to him than Maddy suspects, but his character and his part in the story more than made up for that. Together with Maddy or Beezle, he makes quite a pair. Another thing I noticed was his way of speaking. Ti me it seem a bit old-fashioned, but very in character, considering what he really is.

The relationship between Maddy and Gabriel was very sweet but far from innocent. I really felt for them for all the obstacles they had to face and was very sad for them in the end. I really have high expectations for the next book, as their relationship definitely has potential. But to be perfectly honest, I like it better that way in UF, when there´s no HEA in the first book (If I want that kind of story, I read PNR).

As for the bad guys in this book: there´s only one word to describe them: bad-ass. Prepare to come across people and soul munching demons that prefer to kick when Maddy´s already down. Throw in a power struggle of epic proportions and you get an idea of the plot.

The worldbuilding was very multi-layered, intrinsic and well planned. Christina Henry added a great mythology to her alternate Chicago. The world Maddy (unwillingly) gets tossed into with its strict rules and harsh punishments leaves not much room for feelings and emotions. It requires obedience and control, two things Maddy totally lacks.

There are few gory scenes in the book (like people getting munched by a demon while they are still alive), but even my sometimes weak stomach could handle them.

My verdict:

Black Wings is a great read for all Urban Fantasy fans and highly recommended. The only criticism I had about this book was that it was over far too soon! I read it in one day and one very short night!

I´m really looking forward to Christina Henry´s next Madeline Black book “Black Night”!

4 out of 5 stars for “Black Wings”

For further ~~stalking of Christina Henry~~ Information about the author check out her blog.

In My Mailbox

2010-11-14T12:39:00.001+01:00

“In My Mailbox” is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

It´s a great way to share your recent books with your fellow bloggers.

This week I got:

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once great cities were shrouded by the grey empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is The Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans.

The Greyfriar: Vampire Empire is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, The Greyfriar brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

Finally! I´ve been waiting for this one for a long time, but it was very hard to get my hands on a copy here in Germany!

For review:

Meet Maddy Black.
She’s an Agent of Death who really needs to get a life.
Escorting souls into the afterlife leaves Maddy little time for socializing—until devilishly handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in her building. But when demons start appearing on Maddy’s front lawn, she realizes there’s more to her new tenant than meets the eye.

Thanks so much to Christina Henry and Penguin Books for sending me a copy!

What was in your Mailbox this week? Can´t wait to see what you got!

Cover Alert

2010-11-14T07:46:00.003+01:00

“Deceived by the Others (H&W Investigations #3)” by Jess Haines

Release Date: July 5th 2011

Source: Literary Escapism

I´m not a big fan of this cover, the model looks somehow… weird. Love the series though!

“Exile” and “Muse” by Rebecca Lim

Release Date “Exile”: May 2011

Source: Literary Escapism

There´s not much to find about this two books yet except that they have stunning covers! From the looks of them I would guess they´re YA though.

“Starfire (DemonSlayers #3)” by Kate Douglas

Release Date: April 2011

Source: Literary Escapism

Somehow I like that one!I haven´t read anything by Kate Douglas yet, I guess I´ll have to change that!

“Deadworld” by J.N. Duncan

Release Date: April 1st 2011

Source: Literary Escapism

My Urban Fantasy Lover Heart skipped a beat when I saw this cover! Here´s the Blurb from goodreads:

Jackie Rutledge is a Chicago FBI agent who walks that fine line between competence and nervous breakdown. When a killer begins bleeding people dry, Jackie’s psychic partner Laurel, tells her to get off the case. The spirit world is involved and they aren’t playing nice. Worse, the prime suspect, one PI Nick Anderson, seems to exude death worse than the local cemetery. Jackie is not a “leave well enough alone” sort of woman however. She hasn’t let a bad guy get away since she was twelve, and this one will be no different. Unless of course, he’s not the killer. Despite the evidence, Jackie does not get the “killer” vibe from Nick. He’s not at all what he appears. His past goes back far beyond the humanly possible. In fact, nothing about the case makes sense, and the more they dig, the more it seems Laurel was right. They’re dealing with a killer who effortlessly walks between the living and the dead, and she will need Nick’s help to take that step, because facing the dead is where Jackie’s competence ends and the breakdown begins.

Follow Friday

2010-11-12T18:52:00.004+01:00

Hello again to another awesome funny and crazy Follow Friday blogger hop!

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://insanehussein.com/blog/
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

Now to this week´s question:

What is your usual monthly book budget?

Okay. First of all, I´m seriously obsessed with books. Unlike other women, I don´t care much for clothes or shoes and luckily, I have a sister with the same size who shares her clothes with me. So, I spend most of my money for books. What can I say, buying books makes me happy. I try to sspend between 50 and 100€ (about 80$) for books. Most of the time, it is more though. I know I have a problem…

But, in defense of my budget: I´m from Germany and most of the books I read can´t be found in a library or aren´t even released in Germany! So I don´t really have a coice. I have to buy all those books!

I really envy you guys from the US, I´d love to use my local library to save money... :(

Cover Alert

2010-11-12T18:05:00.001+01:00

Michelle Rowen has released the cover of “Bloodlust” (Nightshade #2)

Release date: July 5th 2011

source: Wicked Scribes

Not one of the best cover, but better than most Urban Fantasy books. I love the hair of the cover model, I wish mine were like that!

Here´s the cover for “Enemy Games” by Marcella Burnard

source: Wicked Scribes

The style is similar to the one of “Enemy Within”, the previous book by Marcella Burnard. A very classic cover: hot chick in leather (?) with a fierce weapon

And finally I found the cover for a brand new Urban Fantasy series that has caught my eye: “Under Wraps” by Hannah Jayne

source: All Things Urban Fantasy

Again, a very typical Urban Fantasy cover. I like the colors of this one! By the way, have you noticed that most cover models are brunettes or have black hair?

I´m looking forward to this one!

Reading on the Dark Side is part of Scott Nicholson´s “Win a Kindle” Tour!

2010-11-12T17:36:00.001+01:00

KINDLE GIVEAWAY BLOG TOUR

Bestselling Kindle author Scott Nicholson and Amazon are giving away three Kindles as part of his fall book blog tour through November, including a stop here at Reading on the Dark Side on Nov. 27. A Kindle DX and Kindle 3 will be given away through the participating blogs, and a Kindle 3 will be given away through the tour newsletter. A Pandora's Box of free e-books will be given away to a follower of Nicholson's "hauntedcomputer" Twitter account.

Sign up for the newsletter at scottsinnercircle-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to get daily links to the participating blogs. Winners will be selected at the Watauga County (NC) Public Library in December. No purchase necessary, and the contest is international. Co-sponsored by Kindle Nation Daily and Dellaster Design. Details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

So make sure to check Back on November 27th for your chance to win a Kindle!

Review: Afterlight by Elle Jasper

2010-11-12T12:10:00.001+01:00

Title: Afterlight (Dark Ink Chronicles #1)

Author: Elle Jasper

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: November 2nd 2010 by Signet

Pages: 316

Blurb:

The Dupres have been Savannah's guardians, appointed by a band of root doctors and hoodooists, for nearly two hundred years. They've all grown...complacent. Now, the Arcos brothers, who've long been entombed at Bonaventure, have been inadvertently freed by a group of teenagers horsing around in the cemetery. Determined to take revenge on the city who entombed them, the Arcos' gather strength in the city's youth. Within the moon's full cycle, the gang's quickening will be complete--they'll become vampires. Newlings, out of control and craving human blood will ravage the city. The one thing the Arcos' didn't count on was the powerful love of a sister. Riley Poe will stop at nothing to get her brother back. The one thing Riley didn't count on was the powerful love of a vampire. Eli Dupre will do anything to get her. Follow Riley, Eli, and the vampires of the Dupre House into the shadowy, underside of Savannah.

This is one of those books where I instantly fell in love with the cover. You know me, I´m that shallow. :) You can imagine my excitement when I finally held a copy in my hands. It was even more beautiful in the flesh.

Then I started reading. The story of Afterlight is a little bit like the cover: dark, atmospheric, and utterly intriguing. After the first few pages, I was completly absorbed by Ellen Jasper´s Savannah with all its creepy, seedy and repulsive sides.

I loved to read about Preacher and Estelle and the Gullah way of life and magic. To me, something totally new and fascinating. I seriously wish people like them would live next to me as well. They came across kind-hearted and caring, just the way you would wish your surrogate grandparents to be.

Riley Poe (is her name a hommage to Edgar Allen Poe whom Elle Jasper seems to admire? I can only guess!) is a woman right after my taste: independent yet caring, sexy without being trashy, sassy, savy, stubborn and too reckless for her own good. I pretty much loved everything about her. She´s had a violent and dangerous past and does everything to protect her youger brother from anything evil.

Seth is the victim of the story. His change from the nice guy to what he becomes at the end of the book is very emotional for Riley and I could totally feel with her (there are few things I wouldn´t do if my sister were in trouble).

Furtunatly, Riley finds help with the Gullah community and new, unusaul allies and she discovers things that turn her world upside down. One of them being the enigmatic, mysterious Eligius Dupré, who becomes her protector and a constant temptation. The sexual tension between Riley and him is incredibly strong and some scenes between them made me consider a cold shower.

The story´s pace is masterfully designed: you´re thrown right into Savannah´s underground and the world Elle Jasper has so talently created. I loved all the details about it: be it the wicked cool (you see, it rubs off!) name of Rileys tattoo studio Inksomnia, the descriptions of the tattoo designs she makes or the Urban/Goth clubs they visit.

The real threat in the book, the two Arcos brothers and the gang, as Riley sometimes refers to them are more of an invisible threat, but none the less evil and creepy. Even though Riley and the Duprés have only seldom contact and mostly deal with the victims, the danger that they present is frightingly clear.

To describe the book, I use Riley´s word: wicked cool. I loved it so much, even though vampires are not too different from what we already know about them. In the case of Afterlight, I seriously didn´t care.

As far as I´m concerned, I´m ready for Everdark, the sequel to this book. Like, now.

My verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stras for Elle Jasper´s debut Afterlight.

To learn more about Elle Jasper and her books, visit her hompage here.

For more teaser for Afterlight, watch the trailer below. And join me in the wait for Everdark, #2 in the Dark Ink Chronicles, coming in June 2011

Finished!!!

2010-11-11T11:50:00.003+01:00

Okay, I have a few troubled days behind me that seem to have affected my laptop as well. As known internet and laptop addict, these days were horror. I don´t know how to describe what was wrong, but somehow, the screen was flickering the whole time and I couldn´t read anything anymore without my eyes falling out. :(

Now it´s better (don´t ask why, I have no idea), but I think I have to part from my laptop for a few days to have it repaired.

Still, I decided to change my old layout which I still love very much, to something different.

When I tought about changing the layout, I had no idea how much work it would take… But now I´m finally finished!

So here´s my first post in with the new layout!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren on Sundays. Since I didn´t have time to post it this Sunday but still got some awesome books, I thought I might share them today, hoping you´ll forgive me. *puppy dog eyes*

Take a look:

“Close your eyes tightly—tightly—and keep them closed . . .”
From a Victorian Ireland of magic, poetry and rebellion, Ida Jameson, an amateur occultist, reaches out for power, but captures Laura Armstrong, a modern-day graphic artist instead. Now, for the man or demon she loves, each woman must span a bridge through Hell and across history . . . or destroy it.
“Every passionate man is linked with another age, historical or imaginary, where alone he finds images that rouse his energy.” W. B. Yeats
Anchored in fact on both sides of history, Laura and Ida, modern rationalist and fin de siècle occultist, are linked from the moment Ida channels Laura into the body of celebrated beauty and Irish freedom-fighter Maud Gonne. When Laura falls—from an ocean and a hundred years away—passionately, Victorianly in love with the young poet W. B. Yeats, their love affair entwines with Irish history and weaves through Yeats’s poetry until Ida discovers something she wants more than magic in the subterranean spaces in between.
With her Irish past threatening her orderly present and the man she loves in it, Laura and Yeats—the practical materialist and the poet magus—must find a way to make love last over time, in changing bodies, through modern damnation, and into the mythic past to link their pilgrim souls . . . or lose them forever.

the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.
the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.
the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Thanks so much Ash from Smash Attack Reads for her wonderful review on this book that made me buy it instantly! :)

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Defined by magic. Ruled by desire.
In the Court of Edaeii, magic-imbued Evangeline is rewarded for her gift with a sapphire stone set in the perfect curves of her flesh. Her greatest rival in the royal court is the enigmatic Anatol, instilled with his own powers to manipulate illusion. He may better her in magic, but he is her absolute equal in a ferocious sexual energy begging for release.
They share something else—they’re both targets of low-born revolutionaries bent on over-throwing the palace of the privileged few. Rescued from the mobs by Gregorio, a brilliant insurgent, they’re given sanctuary. But in this warm refuge, Evangeline soon finds herself torn between the magic of one man she has always desired, and the excitingly new and radical moves of another. For her, there is only one choice.
Evangeline, Anatol and Gregorio come together as one to explore the possibilities of love beyond reason, and to indulge—for as long as they can survive—in pleasure without limits.

Thanks for all of your wonderful suggestions for new books for my sister. I few of them I had already bought earlier, a few of them I´ve bought for her (and, okay, I admit it also for me). I´m so excited to see how she´ll like them!

If you can recommend other books for her (or for me for that matter) do tell me! I´m always in the mood to buy new books! ;)

So Sorry

2010-11-10T22:01:00.001+01:00

Pardon the virtual dust and my unusual long absence!

I´m doing a little makeover for my blog! It should be fixed by tomorrow….

Review: Lucifer´s Daughter

2010-11-06T16:56:00.001+01:00

Author: Eve Langlais

Title: Lucifer´s Daughter

Genre: Paranormal Romance (Novella)

Published: August 9th 2010 by Liquid Silver Books

Being Lucifer’s daughter can be hell.
Hi, I’m Muriel, the only white sheep in a sea of black ones, and a virgin to boot. I am determined to wait for love, but my dad, more commonly known as Lucifer, just wants me to stop being an embarrassment. I’m hoping the hunk that I met in my bar will turn out to be the one–just looking at him makes my insides melt like marshmallows over the coals of hell, but trusting is hard when it seems everyone I get close to ends up trying to kill me.
Not only am I dealing with an extreme case of lust, there’s a new threat in hell, one my dad says to ignore. Something easier said than done since it seems everywhere I turn demons are trying to kill me. But I’m okay with that, because one thing I’ve learned being a princess of hell is that sometimes I have to grab a demon by the horns and slap it around a bit.
A rebellion in hell, demon assassins and scorching kisses, could my life get any more interesting?

Lucifer´s Daughter is a funny and sexy novella about Muriel Satana Baphomet, Daughter of Lucifer. Unlike her other siblings, she is good to the bone. She´s even a virgin and doesn´t sleep around. Muriel has decided to wait for the right one. She gives her father a very hard tine with her behavior. Everytime he pops into her apartment, he complains about her being too nice. Muriel even has a real job – shocker! Her bar, Nexus is a hot spot for all supernatural creatures, due to her special abilities.

Muriel is a refreshing mix of girly and kick-ass and her banter with her father is hilarious. Even though he is the devil, he genuinly cares for her.

When three mysterious and strikingly handsome stranger show up in her bar and trouble seems to follow her every step, Muriel might just have found the right one.

Lucifer´s Daughter is wickedly delicious and very entertaining to read. It really managed to brighten my mood on a very bad day. The end leaves some questions unanswered for the next book or rather novella in the series, “Snowballs in Hell”

But be warned, this book features some very smexy scenes! :)

My verdict: 4 stars for Lucifer´s Daughter!

Check out the homepage and blog of Eve Langlais for more information on her books and upcoming releases!

Cover Alert

2010-11-05T17:20:00.004+01:00

Yes, again! Look what I just found!!!! *jumps up and down in excitement*

My thoughts: GORGEOUS!!!

Can´t wait to learn more about this book!

*UPDATE*: Click HERE to read the first chapter of WOLFSBANE!!!

And another one:

I love the covers of this series! They aren´t as skanky as some other Urban Fantasy books.

Follow Friday

2010-11-05T16:10:00.001+01:00

It´s Friday and you know what that means! Time to do some blog hopping!

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
Follow our Featured Bloggers - www.bibliophilicbookblog.com
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

The question this week is:

Who are your favorite authors??

Oh boy, where to start? One of my all time favorites are Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Rachel Vincent, Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward. Authors I´ve just deiscovered this year but already love to death: Nicole Peeler, H.P. Mallory, Carolyn Crane, Gini Koch, Suzanne Collins and of course Stacia Kane.

Now join the fun, let´s do the hop!

Have a great weekend!

Review: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

2010-11-04T18:49:00.001+01:00

Title: Double Cross

Author: Carolyn Crane

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: September 28th 2010 by Spectra

SOME SECRETS COME BACK TO HAUNT. OTHERS COME TO KILL...
Justine Jones has lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she's lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard. He gifts her with extraordinary mental powers-dooming her to fight Midcity's shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.
But now, serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard - and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity's new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.
As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men . . . one on a journey of redemption, and the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

OMG. This book was awesome beyond imagination.

I seriously enjoyed the first book in the series, Mind Games and was really excited to read the next.

I can´t even begin to describe in how many ways I loved Double Cross. I totally admire Carolyn Crane for her imagination and writing talent. With Midcity and the Disillusionst gang, she has created a world so unique it´s simply stunning. Never have I read about a crew that is so dysfunctional as individuums but work so good together as team.

Justine sometimes feels to me like a moral compass, trying to questions the right or wrong of actions and orders when no one else does. In my opinion, her character really grows in this book. I really enjoyed that other members of the team are also part of the story again.

Otto and Packards characters are stunningly multi-layered. Just when you think you´ve figured one of them out, they do or say something that changes your opinion of them completly. I was so excited that we learned more about them and their relationship, even though the episodes of the past are quite violent.

Add a creepy villan or two with some secret tech that threatens all highcaps, you get a story that is absolutly unique and second to none.

My only question: when is the next book released?

5 out of 5 stars for Double Cross.

Cover Alert

2010-11-03T17:13:00.003+01:00

They keep coming in! In celebration of the release of Magicat the Gate, Devon Monk has released the cover for the next book in the series, Magic on the Hunt.

Just look at it:

Sorry for the bad quality, but I think you can still see the awesomeness!

But why the change of colors? And what´s up with the temple (?) in background??? And has Allie lost her magic markings???

So many questions! :)

Cover Alert

2010-11-02T19:14:00.001+01:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG……………

*fangirl alert*

Look:

I still wonder wheter we will ever see Curran on a cover, but still. And so excited about my find! :)

Review: “and Falling, fly” by Skyler White

2010-11-02T17:45:00.001+01:00

Author: Skyler White

Title: “and Falling, fly”

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Released: March 2nd 2010 by Berkley Trade

An edgy, erotic blend of fantasy and romance-from a debut author whose star is on the rise.
In a dark and seedy underground of burned-out rock stars and angels- turned-vampires, a revolutionary neuroscientist and a fallen angel must pit medicine against mythology in an attempt to erase their tortured pasts...but at what cost?
Olivia, vampire and fallen angel of desire, is hopeless...and damned. Since the fall from Eden, she has hungered for love, but fed only on desire. Dominic O'Shaughnessy is a neuroscientist plagued by impossible visions. When his research and her despair collide at L'OtelMathillide- a subterranean hell of beauty, demons, and dreams-rationalist and angel unite in a clash of desire and damnation that threatens to destroy them both.

This book was a real challenge for me. I´ve ha it waiting on my TBR shelf for quite a while now, always postponing to read it. But when the release od the second book “In Dreams Begin” drew near, I finally started it.

At first, I struggled a bit with it. This may be due to the fact that I´m not a native speaker and the fact the the writing of this book is different from the usual Urban Fantasy and Paranormal books I usually read. It´s much more poetic and intense and there is so much going on between the lines that I really had to concentrate to read it. But once I´ve gotten used to the book, I was compelled by the beauty of Skyler White´s writing.

“The angel of desire is damned.”

The angel of desire or Olivia is such a multi lyred character that I find it difficult to describe her. She´s a vampire, who hungers for love and salvation, trying to find both at the same time, but is always failing. In this book, Olivia and her sister are rather sad and unfortunate characters: Olivia doesn´t know what she looks like for example. She only sees her how some guy imagines her to be perfect. And even though she feeds on lust, she actually can´t have sex.

Dominic, the male lead character is a Reborn, someone who remember his past lifes, along with everything that happened in them. However, he thinks himself and others like Olivia sick, mentally ill and spends every waking hour to find a cure.

The two fo them meet at L`Otel Mathilide, sanctuary for all vampires, demons and Reborn. The story that then unfolds is a treat. It´s also dark, lyrical, utterly absorbing and challanging. I was really slow with reading “and Falling, fly”. At the beginning I tought of stopping (greeting to Anna here!), but the beauty of this book kept me hooked!

I recommend this book for every reader who is not afraid to dare to read a more difficult book. I enjoyed my visit to Skyler White´s world more than I initially thought!

All in all, I guess “and Falling fly” deserves more than the 3.5 stars I´m going to give it. When you´re a native speaker without the language troubles I had, I suppose it´s 4 stars!

Watch out for the next book by this talented writer who knows how to weave a poetic tale: “In Dreams Begin” is being released today!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

2010-10-31T18:11:00.001+01:00

Happy Halloween my dear readers! :)

On Behalf of my Sister

2010-10-30T09:27:00.001+02:00

Guys, I need your help!

I´ve told you that I´m currently trying to get my sister hooked on Urban Fantasy and Paranormal books. Seems like I did it. She read Cassandra Clare´s Mortal Instruments series in one week straight. Which is very fast for her. (Below are the German Covers. Aren´t they pretty??)

Now, she wants more. More books that are similar to this series. Do you have any recomendations for her? She seems to prefer YA books…

I´m really looking forward to your recommendations!

Have a great weekend!

When I´m not Reading

2010-10-28T19:05:00.002+02:00

When I´m not Reading is a weekly meme hostes by Missy over at The Unread Reader. It´s a pretty fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers better. We all have a life beside books, right?

Soooo, today I went to my favorite Swedish furniture store. My poor books were stashed in an old dresser drawer, because I simply had not enough space. Now I decided to throw out some old stuff and finally buy a decent bookcase.

Several hours, one plate of Köttbullar and far too many scented candles and tealight later, I finally had my very own BILLY. I stuffed the package into my tiny VW Polo, which was not easy and drove home.

The next problem: how do you transport a 22 pound heavy package to the fifth floor? The elevator was unfortunatly slightly too small. Thank god for female charm. Two unsuspecting victims, also know as fellow male students, had the pleasure to carry my BILLY all the way up the stairway to my apartment. But hey, I promised them drinks on me the next time we go out.

Have you ever tried to put a bookcase together on your own? With ine of those wunderful manuals IKEA provides. Not Funny.

But, one hour later it was done! *squee*

This is how my BILLY looks like:

Can you see the problem??? It is still too small!!! I never realized how many books I actually own when they were hidden in the drawers! I actually believed the bookcase was big enough! My roommates haven´t stopped making fun of me ever since they saw it and decided to refer to my room as “The Library” from now on. Ignorants.

I can aready picture myself: “Hi, my name is Christine and I am a book-a-holic…”

*sigh*

Review: “To Kill a Warlock” by HP Mallory

2010-10-27T18:56:00.001+02:00

Title: To Kill A Warlock

Author: H.P. Mallory

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: July 2010, smashwords

The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

I have already read To Kill a Warlock, but somehow I totally forgot reviewing it. When I saw that the release of Toil and Trouble is drawing near, I Remenbered this book and decided to re-read it.

It´s just as much fun the second time around! :)

Dulcie O´Neil is a fairy and regulator for Association of Netherworld Creatures (ANC), who keep an eye on all paranormal creatures living amongst humans. Luckily. Dulcie is not one of the slightly overused, kick ass chicks who are incredibly powerful. She´s a fairy and her magic is based on fairy dust, but that´s it. I really enjoxed Dulcie´s down-to-earth character. She´s a girl like you and me who watches Bridget Jones movies and writes romance novels (about her boss as fierce pirate captain), who is full of self doubts due to a relationship gone really bad and who thinks about ear enhancement for her pointy fairy ears.

When a Warlock who was know for selling illegal potions is killed and partially eaten, she and her team start to investigate As more bodies turn up dead, a stanger called Knight is sent from the Netherworld to help with the investigation. Investigation that lead Dulcie to a vampire called Bram, who insists that Bram Storker was named after him, a demon informant that runs a sex club and some really nasty potions.

On her side are hobgoblin Trey who seems to annoy everone, her boss Quillian (said inspiration for the romance novel) and sexy but cocky Knight. When the creature starts to gun for Dulcie and her love life starts to spin out of control, it might just be too much for Dulcie to handle.

If you read a book by H.P. Mallory, you´re in for a funny and thoroughly entertaining story that will make you forget the word around you. There´s one great scene after another and leaves you wishing you could read faster!

I can only recommend this book to every Urban Fantasy fan who like books with a great plot, whit and sexy guys.

5 out of 5 for “To Kill A Warlock”

Cover Matters

2010-10-26T18:43:00.001+02:00

Look what´s new! H.P. Mallory has released the cover for her next book, Toil and Trouble! I LOVE her covers!

They are so incredibly cute! Can´t wait to read more about Jolie and sexy Rand whenit´s finally released on January 1st!

Head over to her site to read the first chapter of Toil and Trouble!

Teaser Tuesday

2010-10-26T17:03:00.001+02:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

“I am a vampire. The carriage moves imperceptibly. I am the Undead. I cannot sense the direction it carries me, but I know I´m moving. I am desire without hope. The elevator carries me, but more that that, it encases me, senses me, transports me. I am impluse without promise. And although nothing changes, I know that I have reached my destination. I am instinct without life. All four metal doors slide apart soundlessly to become four shimmering lamp posts in a lush, Victorian salon. I am home.”

p.82

Review: “The Iron Duke” by Meljean Brook

2010-10-25T20:48:00.001+02:00

Title: The Iron Duke

Author: Meljean Brook

Genre: Steampunk

Published: October 5th 2010 by Berkley Trade

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power — and fear — of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.
Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.
But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans — and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

So, this is my first Meljean Brook and my very first Steampunk book. But not my last.

Okay, this book is definitely something else. Let me start with the worldbuilding. This book has pirates and their ships, airships, zomies, kraken, megalodons and great gadgets. Oh, and the Iron Duke. :) No, but seriously, you seldomly find a book that is more detailed, imaginative and mindblowing in its worldbuilding. I just love it when everything is very carefully planned and thought through. Even the fictional/alternative history in the book!

And if even the character live up to the overall awesomeness, I´m totally happy. Mina, our heroine in this book is a strikingly modern woman in worls that reminds of the late 19th and early 20th century. I loved how she stood up to her mother when they discussed divorces. She grows up in an England that is dark and the people are twisted and misshapen. More than any one else, she has to suffer from a horrible stigma: her face bears the features of the race that oppressed England for so long: The Horde. Her everday life is definitely not a walk in the park, yet she does everything to help her family and to be strong for them.

Strong is also one of the adjectives to describe the Iron Duke. Along with ruthless, relentless and determined. A true pirate, he gets what he wants and he is not afraid to take it. Even when it is a woman. I had to take a breath or two over his bluntness sometimes. He is very much alpha, sometimes a tad too much for my liking, but in the end, it didn´t really matter in this book.

My most favorite secondary character was Yasmeen, the Lady Corsair. A fierce female pirate is sometimes even better than a male one! :)

For me, my first steampunk adventures was truly engrossing, surprising and seductive! I want more of it! NOW!

4.5 out of 5 stars

The day after…

2010-10-25T11:35:00.001+02:00

I had such a wonderful day yesterday! :) Don´t get me wrong, I love reading to death, but sometimes, I just have to take a break. I spend the whole day searching for new books on various blogs goodreads and amazon, watched crappy reality TV and petted my cat (guilty as charged, he´s totally spoiled). I ended up buying quite a few books as well! :)

I guess I owe you an In My Mailbox and a Look What I´ll Get post!

In My Mailbox:

Guess what finally came to Germay!

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

After thousands of years of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens to shatter the tenuous peace.
Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a twisted, sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force must be formed to halt the madness—a union of avengers including the vampiric Aeternus, Christian Laroque and Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes…and forbidden lovers.
A centuries-old blood feud has divided their peoples—pitting wolf against snow leopard in a battle to the death—and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside in light of the scourge that is now upon them. For the killer they seek is but the first sign of a blossoming terror rising up from their long-buried pasts: the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

ARC received through NetGalley

There´s also about a ton of books I´ve ordered or pre-ordered for Novermber:

Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

After a stint in an alien prison torpedoes her military career, Captain Ari Idylle has to wonder why she even bothered to survive. Stripped of her command and banished to her father's scientific expedition to finish a PhD she doesn't want, Ari never planned to languish quietly behind a desk. But when pirates commandeer her father's ship, Ari once again becomes a prisoner.
Pirate leader Cullin Seaghdh may not be who he pretends to be but as far as Cullin is concerned, the same goes for Ari. Her past imprisonment puts her dead center in Cullin's sights and if she hasn't been brainwashed and returned as a spy, then he's convinced she must be part of a traitorous alliance endangering billions of lives. Cullin can't afford the desire she fires within him and he'll stop at nothing, including destroying her, to uncover the truth.

When I was a little girl, Daddy told me never to fear the dark. “We exist because of the darkness,” he told me. “All of you are daughters of darkness.” Beloved bestselling author V.C. Andrews’s passion for vampires comes to spellbinding life in a long-awaited novel of dark desires as all-consuming—and forbidden—as in Flowers in the Attic. One night, with the sound of a young man’s scream, high school senior Lorelei discovers that her stern but loving father, who adopted Lorelei and her sisters as infants, is no ordinary man. He has raised his beautiful girls for one purpose: to lure young men into their world of shadows. Like her sisters, Lorelei has been trained in the art of seduction and warned never to fall in love. But when she meets a handsome and charming classmate, she boldly defies her family and follows her heart—even if love is a poison. . . .Dangerously enticing and deliriously intoxicating, V.C. Andrews’s Daughter of Darkness will leave readers thirsting for more.

When Sky catches a glimpse of Zed for the first time, lounging against his motorbike at school, she is drawn to him just like every other girl in Wickenridge. But Zed sees something special in her that the other girls don't have. Zed tells her they are both Savants - people with special powers like telepathy and the ability to see into the future. Not only that, she is a Savant too, and his soulfinder - meant to be together.
When a soulfinder speaks telepathically to her partner, it's like all the lights coming on in a building. You lit me up like Vegas. But for Sky it's just not that easy - she's a mystery to herself, haunted by nightmares from her past before she was adopted, and riddled with doubt and insecurity. Just when Sky is slowly coming round to the idea of being with Zed she is kidnapped by a family of criminal Savants. In a chilling twist, Sky and Zed's relationship is put to the ultimate test and the fate of those she loves lie in Sky's hands. Will Sky have the strength to embrace her power and be brave enough to control her own destiny, or will the dark demons of her past prevent her from realising her true potential?

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.

Lazy Sunday

2010-10-24T20:35:00.002+02:00

I joined my cat and had a very lazy Sunday.

Just to let you know: I didn´t read one single page, not one word. :)

I did however order new books! :)

But I´m too lazy to show them. Maybe tomorrow!

Joint Review: “Angels´Blood” by Nalini Singh

2010-10-22T18:27:00.001+02:00

Remember my first Joint Review with Anna about “Eternal Kiss of Darkness”? No? Then go and check it out, right after you´ve visited Anna´s blog “Books to Brighten Your Mood”. Well, Anna and I certainly did! Since it was so much fun for the both of us, we deceided to try it once again. After one having to give up one one book before, we finally settled on one:

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Angels´ Blood

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Published: March 3rd 2009 by Berkley

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

So, here´s what we thought about it:

Characters:

Anna:
My feelings towards the characters in Angels' Blood are quite mixed.On the one hand,i pretty much loved Elena.She was smart,independent and unwilling to bend in front of anybody no matter how powerful that one might be.She was a strong minded woman who no matter what happened in her life was strong enough to overcome it and continue with her life.Although i couldn't quite understand her relationship with her father (i thought that her father's reactions were a bit far streched,but ok,i've read worse things so far) and some things of her past were left unanswered (there might be a second book in the series,but i don't see why we couldn't get a more detailed glimpse in Elena's past since it was constantly reffered) but all in all,Elena was a loveable character,one you could somehow relate to.
Raphael on the other hand... not so thrilled about him.Granted he is a sexy character and a powerful one,but i just couldn't totally like him.What with his constant bluntness and arrogance i just couldn't imagine him as sexy as the writer wanted him to be.He may be a powerful being,living for centuries but i don't know,i just think i like my man somehow less confident over his sexual prowess,no,not less confident,just not mentioning all the time how good he is and how certain he feels that i'll sprawl my legs open for him sooner or later.
One more thing i have to say on the characters is that i was tired of how good looking and unbelievably sexy were almost every supernatural male character in this book...Whether it was a vampire,an angel or an archangel,every single male character here was mindblowing sexy!I just find ii too good to be true!

Me;

Right at the moment, I like angels. I´ve already read four books with angels as main characters in a row. After finishing Angels´ Blood, I´m not really sure if Raphael really is an angel. Besides the fact that he has winges and is immortal, there is absolutly nothing angelic about his behaviour. He is rude to say the least, arrogant, cruel and has no idea how to treat a woman. While I still thought this bad boy behaviour had its appeal at the beginning of the book, I was more and more annoyed by it as the story unfolded. Another thing that I really didn´t like: forcing Elena into having sex with him by manipulating and controlling her mind. So not sexy.
Elena is a heroine woth all the attributes you´re expecting in an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance book. She´s indpendent, holds her own and kicks (vampire) ass. She is also very very pretty. At least that´s what it seems like since pactically every male in the book that crosses her way wants her instantly. She seems to be quite rich (I want her appartment!)and she´s never bitchy or whiny. I have to agree with Anna though, I´d like to lear a bit more about her and her background.
One thing I´d like to mention about the cast of supporting charcters: I love Illium! Blue and silver wings are much more pretty than white and gold. Why not write a book about him??

Plot:

Anna:

This book starts immediatelly promising the reader the hunt of a very dangerous archangel gone bad.As one might think,i expected for this hunt to start soon after the first chapters but unfortunatelly that didn't happen.I had to wait for almost the half book for the real fun to start.The first half has some excitement and the reader isn't bored in any way but the second half is definitely better.
The romance on the other hand was good.I failed to catch the chemistry between those two for the better part of the book.The sexual tention just wasn't believable and i spent most of my time wandering why they didn't have sex already and get done with it.Elena may not want to be the sex toy of a powerful man but she succumbs to him after a very stressfull series of events...???
Apart from those,i liked the world Singh created,where angels are most definitely not creatures of the God,all good and pure,but capable of such monstrosity one could not imagine and vampires are angels' creations,bound to them for servitude.I have to say,it was an original concept,one i haven't read somewhere else.

Me:

If I´m totally honest, than I have to admt that the plot is not really something original. There´s an archangel gone bad. Elena has the soecial means and talents to find him and while the psychotic murderer kills women, the two main characters fall in love. That´s about it. The worldbuilding was good though. It´s a new concept taht vampires are made by angels and the explanation why only certain people can become a vampire given at the end is reasonable enough. The other angels make for interesting additions to the world and the author weaves in another short subplot that wakes your interest for the next book.
The romance is well, difficult for me. Like I said, Raphael just didn´t work for me. Also, I´m ot that big a fan of the "I saw him instantly fell in love with him and want to spend the rest of my live with him". And for a woman so proud of being independent it felt like a bit of a stretch that Elena wants to have sex to forget about something horrible.

Favorite scene :

Anna:
The one where Elena meets Michaela.That scene has such amazing lines i couldn't help but laugh all the time while reading it."Royal bitchiness" is officially one of my favorite lines!

Me:

It´s not so much of a scene, more like a detail, but I really admired the rose made of diamonds. As a sucker for all things sparkly (not neccessarily expensive), that´s something I would want. And, like I already mentioned: an angel with blue and silver wings! :)
There is one thing that sometimes annoys me about myself: Angels´ Blood is not a horrible book I couldn´t finish, but just not so good that I can´t wait to read the next in the series. Still, I want to know where the storys and characters go. Plus I like the cover of book three. So I think, well, why not give book two a try? Maybe it´s better and then you can by the pretty book three without a bad concience. Is it just me or am I slightly weird?

All in all: 3 of 5 stars.