Review: Bloodshot

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: “Magic at the Gate”

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!

Early Review: “Black Wings” by Christina Henry

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.

Review: Afterlight by Elle Jasper

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Alert

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.

Review: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

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

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! :)

Review: “and Falling, fly” by Skyler White

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!!!

Joint Review: “Angels´Blood” by Nalini Singh

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.

I

Review: Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

Title: Shadow of the Sun (Timeless #1)

Author: Laura Kreitzer

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: February 22nd 2010 by iUniverse

Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.

*I received my copy from the Publisher for review*

Before I got the offer to review this book, I hadn´t heard anything about this author. Now, I want to start the second in the series like as soon as possible. I seem to have a huge thing for angel of all sorts right now.

Okay, where to start? To say I really liked this book is not much of a review, so I try to come up with something better.

I have mixed feeling towards the characters of the book. On one hand, I really liked Gabriella who is a strong and independent woman with loner tendencies, a woman who still struggles with events from her childhood that made her lose the first five years of her life. It´s also not a big stretch to imagine that I adored Andrew, Gabriella´s very own Guardian and Angel. His fiercely protectiveness, calm and soothing manner and okay, his looks somehow really spoke to me. Strangely so, as I´m usually all for the bad boys in a story. But their growing relationship was really sweet. On the other hand, I felt like some of the other characters fell somehow short, which is really a shame. Lucia and Ehno are just as intriguing and I would have loved to read more about them. It´s the same with Joseph, the hunky FBI guy that sticks around for the story. I´m really hoping I´ll get to see mor of them in the next book.

As far as the worldbuilding is concerned, I have to admit that is original, well tought-out and very rich in details. The whole world of Angels, Guardians, Shadows and the Soul Stalker is nothing like you´ve ever read before. Well, at least I haven´t. You know when you sometimes read a book and think: Oh, that one reminds me or (insert title here)? I couldn´t possibly compare it to another book. There´s a lot of action, magic, prophecies and romance (romance mind you, no random sex scenes in this book. We´re dealing with angels after all! :) I guess their love has to be more…pure)

The story had just the right pace and I especially enjoyed the episodes where Gabriella had The Sight. There are some events in the book I really wouldn´t have anticipated. Plus, the end changes everything I´m like I said, I´m really looking forward to reading “Soul Stalker”, the next book in the series.

Two minor things were bothering me, however. I would have expected another, you know, more ancient name for an immortal being that has been around for 4000 years. Andrew? Not so much. It would also be noce for a change if the hero and Heroine would take more than say two days to determine that they are kindred souls. Just saying.

For all who are (like me) just discovering their love for angels or who want to read outside of their vampire/werewolves comfort zone, “Shadow of the Sun” might just be the right book for you.

As far as the books I´ve received for reviews are concerned, “Shadow of the Sun”, along with “Jenny Pox” is one of the most pleasant surprises.

I´m going to give “Shadow of the Sun” 4 out of 5 points!

Teaser Tuesday

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

Here are the rules:

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:

“You must use Gram to slay a dragon”

“Dragon?” Katie chirped. “Like, scales and fire and wings?”

“Yes, that is one form they may take,” he said. “In this case, he is an investment banker in Portland”

Katie and I exchanged bemused glances.

“Dragons accumulate wealth,” Rolph assured us. “they are ingenious in their methods.”

We both started laughing.

p. 38

Review: Ghost Hunter

Title: The Ghost Hunter

Author: Lori Brighton

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: September 11th, smashwords

Ashley Hunter is intent on uncovering the truth about her father's disappearance. But Ashley realizes she's in for more than she bargained. Not only has she inherited a decrepit pub, she's also inherited ghosts and demons. Then Cristian arrives, a mysterious man who insists he only needs a room to rent. She believes him, until one by one her ghosts start disappearing...
As a fallen angel destined for a life of servitude, Cristian Lucius is relegated to protecting earth from unwanted spirits. But he can’t accomplish this daunting task alone. He requires assistance from the very woman who frustrates him as much as she intrigues him. Cristian is determined to ignore his intense attraction for Ashley, and focus on his mission. If they don’t work together, they won’t have a chance in hell of defeating the demon threatening their lives. The problem is getting Ashley to trust him. No easy task, for Cristian is the very man responsible for her father’s disappearance.

“Considering the place was at least three hundered years old, she supposed it could have been worse. Then again, it could have been better… much, much better. Hell, who was she kidding; not even Frankenstein could feel at home in this pub of horrors.”

The Ghost Hunter is a dark and haunting Urban Fantasy story that features everything a good book needs: a realistic, atmospheric setting, likeable characters, a sizzling love story/love triangle, fallen angels (rawr), a page turning story and Scottish accents.

Inheriting the totally decayed pub marks a huge change in Ashley´s life; she´s left her less than great life behind her to find out about the mysterious disappearance of her father -  and finds herself sucked into a new world that will change her life.

The dynamic between the characters was really well written: I liked how Ashley slowly came to accept her unusual roommates and even started to care about them and their well-being, despite that fact that she has suffered quite a bit earlier in her life whenever she claimed to seem ghosts. In Camile, a witch/college student she finally finds a friend who remains on her side even through the turbulent and threatening events throughout the book. Ashley grows throughout the book from someone who runs from his past to a woman who has come to terms with her abilitiy, the fact that she sees ghosts and can interact with them.

The concept of fallen angels whose job it is to help unwilling ghosts to pass over and the demon as antagonist was new to me and very appealing. Enough of the secrets aurrounding the house, Cristian´s real character and intentions and other tidbits I don´t want to give away guarantee for an exciting read right until the very last page. The sexual tension and complex, sometimes rocky relationship between Ashley, Cristian and tempting ghost Devon is hindered by lots of emotional baggage. It definetly takes a while until two of the main characters finds their HEA.

However, I would have liked to read a little bit more about Cristian, his past and fallen angels in general. The other supernatural being in the small village also seem to be more on the margins, they are merely used to show their need for normalcy and their adjustment to the life of “normal” people rather than to use them to create and populate a rich, paranormal world.

Nonetheless is Ghost Hunter a great book that kept me well entertained. I´d really like to read more stories in this specific world to learn more about fallen angels.

Interview: Ilona Andrews

Okay, major squee! My week couldn´t start any better than this! Today, I´m having my most favorite authors EVER over for an interview, the amazing husband and wife team wrinting under the pen name Ilona Andrews.

I was so nervous about this interview, I felt like a teenage girl standing right in front of Robert Pattinson (or so I thought). Yep, I´m a fangirl who is stalinkg them through their hilarious, funny and witty blog. And now, even though crazy busy with writing and the release of their new book, Bayou Moon, they decided to answer some of my questions. Please give it up for Ilona Andrews!

In a few days, “Bayou Moon”, the second book in your “The Edge” series is being released. Can you tell in your own words what we can expect?

Expect a grittier less fairy tale book. Expect more regret and less happily ever after.

After reading On The Edge, I couldn´t picture William as hero of your next book. Could you tell me why I´m wrong?

I prefer William to Declan. William to me is more real, he was not born a noble, but does he tries to do the right thing. He is honest and brave, he is a killer but not cruel, he is sometimes childlike but not an innocent. This book is the story of how he becomes the hero.

What´s your favorite scene in Bayou Moon?

Probably the boat ride into the mire or the courtroom scene. (This is torture… I want to know what they are talking about!!!!)

Is it true that Bayou Moon is the last book in The Edge series or can we hope for more?

No, we are contracted for at least two more Edge books after Bayou Moon. (Thank god!)

If you could chose, which world would you prefer to live in? The Atlanta of Kate Daniels or The Edge/The Weird/The Broken?

I would live in the Edge, I feel like it is a place I would belong. Ilona would live in the Weird as she is more of a fantasy magic type person.

Your two series are quite different from each other. Is anyone of them easier to write?

If anything I would say that for now the Edge is easier simply because there is so much history already in Kate, and we have to be consistent with the characters and time-line. Plus we try to make every book better than the last and often feel that we epically fail at that.

You´ve been writing about Kate Daniels, Curran and all the usual suspects from Atlanta for quite a few years now. Would you say that the characters can still surprise you?

No not really, cause we sort of make up what they say and do. Some authors talk about like arguing with their characters and I always sort of shake my head. We are not that cool.

You two write as a team. How does that work? Who does which work? Are there some things you can´t decide on while writing?  And if so, how do you resolve those situations?

This questions is asked over and over in almost every interview we give.  :)  Writing a book together is a lot like being married; it's a journey of compromise, loud declarative statements, and very much tea.  It's difficult to break this process down into specifics, because we really do work together, from hammering out plot points to selecting the right word to describe someone's roar. But we don't really fight about it.

How far ahead are you planning your books? Do you already have an idea where the following Magic books are headed?

We are totally behind on pretty much everything. We have no idea really what will happen until we sit down and hash it out. I wish sometimes we had the sort of characters that would tell us what comes next or what they want to do. We are however, open to suggestions.

My love for Urban Fantasy honestly started with Magic Bites. Would you say that there is one book that started you love for the Fantasy genre?

It is hard to look back and say there was one book that really did it. Robert E. Howard was huge for me growing up. I also very much enjoyed the Dragon Lance books.

In Magic Bleeds, Kate gets herself a very special pet. How did you come up with that idea?

Some Grendal came from Luka Brasi, my big dumb Mastiff, and part from the fact that Ilona really likes poodles and thinks they get a bum rap for being fru fru dogs.

Kate and Curran´s rocky and fragile relationship has taken us readers on quite a ride. They´ve finally found each other. Is it going to be Happily Ever After for them from now on? Can you share a little teaser?

Yes, I think that they will stay together, but like a real relationship they will have both good and bad times. Not sure about a teaser, I mean they don't break up in Kate 5. I am working on a short story where they go up to the mountains to get away from the pack after Magic Bleeds.

Ilona, you´re a native born Russian. Would you say that your Russian heritage influences your writing?

Yes of course it influences my writing. I grew up reading Russian fairy tales and folk stories.

If you could work together with any other author, which one would it be?

For me it would have been either David Gemmell or Robert B. Parker, but sadly they have both passed. For Ilona it would be Meljean Brooks. She is great and we would love to work together with her on something.

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

Sure, I think how you're feeling comes through in what you write. I listen to music to help set the mood, Ilona will usually read or watch something.

In retrospect, would you change anything about your writing and writing career?

I think we would re-write Magic Bites. Other than that, not really. We are what we are and we write what we like. We have been very lucky that we have great fans that support us.

Where do you get your inspiration from? Music, books, TV shows or real life?

We are huge fans of comics, cartoons, manga, anime. We draw a lot of inspiration from those things as we both tend to be sort of visual. Also cheesy martial arts movies, love those. Also computer games, we play and have fun geeking out with all that stuff. I think tv is really more of an escape or time out than inspiration. Hoarders and Intervention help us feel less screwed up.

A question that I am always curious about (but could be kind of personal) is: are your characters based on people you really know or maybe even a little bit about yourself or are they all purely fictional?

Good question. Actually a lot of the characters are at least somewhat based on people we have known. In high school my best friend was Deric Gant, upon whom Derek Gaunt the teen-age werewolf is based. Ted Monohan is also somewhat modelled on my Uncle, who was in law enforcement and grew up in Texas. Julie is a bit like our oldest daughter. I think for Ilona, Kate is a bit like her, and for me William has some similar traits or background.

On your blog, you once posted a hilarious story about a fake rock someone sent you. Was that the weirdest thing you´ve ever gotten? Or are other gift from fans that sometimes make you wonder?

Yeah, the fake rock takes the cake. We have gotten some gifts from fans, but we strongly discourage the sending of goodies. But thank you James for the cool stuff.

Tell us something about your favourites:
Favourite authors? Charlaine Harris, Jeanine Frost, Nalini Singh, M. Marr, Cormac McCarthy, Garth Ennis, Neil Gaiman, Meljean Brooks, Leigh Brackett, Terry Pratchet.
favourite paranormal creature? Werewolves,
favourite all time hero/heroine? Captain Blood, Flash Gordon, Margaret Landor (from marriage most scandalous) and Sookie Stackhouse.
favourite all time villain? Alan Rickman as the Sherriff in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Which one do you prefer, book or e-reader? E-reader for Ilona, graphic novel for me.
favourite distraction? knitting and messing with my iTunes.

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

Probably Stranger in a Strange Land for me, and The Three Comrades by Erich Maria Remaque for Ilona.

On your homepage, you state that you never wanted to be a writer (which is quite unusual for writers). After all the success of your books and all you´ve been through, would you still prefer to be a scientist? 

Ilona says it would depend on how much she would get paid. (I guess I´m speaking for all fans if I say please please not!!! Scientists are boring in comparision to the awesomeness of you books and wrinting!)

Is there any question you´ve always wanted to be asked? And if so, what would be the answer?

Yes, it would have to be "Dear Ilona and Gordon, on behalf of the British government how would you and your family like to come and live in the United Kingdom?" Hell Yeah!

A question that is inspired by another interview I did with an author: If you would be Superman, what would be your kryptonite?
iTunes and yarn, that is where all the money goes.

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

Waiting for Meljean Brooks' Iron Duke and reading From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris.

And just for the heck of it: as someone who lives with three cats, a dog and two rabbits, how do you deal with the daily madness of having pets? How do you stop your dog from chasing after everything that is moving faster than the average human? Any advice?

We have one cat but with the dogs we try to train them well and spend a lot of time with them. They are a lot of work but they also love you unconditionally (the dogs I mean, cat seems to simply tolerate our presence). Advice? Give them lots of love, get them spayed or neutered, and treats seem to work for us. (Spending countless hours petting them, trying to ignore the fact the the cats always sneak into my bed and giving all of them their favorite food also seems to help by the way!)

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

Thanks for reading the interview, hope you like the books if you have read them and if not we hope you will give them a chance.

I can only second that. In Urban Fantasy, there is hardly anything that is better than Their Kate Daniels series and as for The Edge series you won´t be disappointed as well! Go and check out their fantastic website and blog, it´s always worth stopping by. Thank you so much for all the awesome teasers! And don´t forget: Bayou Moon is coming on September 28th!

Thank you so much for doing this interview here! It´s been a real pleasure and honor for me! Please come back anytime you want!

Review: “Dante´s Journey”

Title: Dante´s Journey

Author: JC Marino

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published:  February 22nd 2010 by Star Publish

goodreads blurb:

“A flash of light and Detective Joe Dante steps through. No longer on the cobblestone streets of 1961 Boston, Joe finds himself in a horrifying new world-Hell itself. Joe was in hot pursuit of his family's killer, drug lord Filippo Argenti, when both were killed, and isn't about to let a little thing like death slow him down. So, with a healthy dose of New England stubbornness and the help of a mysterious guide, Virgil DiMini, Joe must evade angry demons, and search ever-lower through the rings of the original Dante's Inferno in hopes of finding justice for his wife and children. However, Joe will soon discover that behind every sin lies a secret and each secret revealed could land Joe in an eternity of hot water... VERY hot.”´

Dante´s Journey is based on the famous Inferno by Dante Alighieri which I haven´t read to be honest. I know however basically what it is about.

Each chapter of this book represents another circle of hell with a sin and the respective punishment. Every once in a while, there are chapters called thoughts of home which are a flashback to Joe´s previous life.

I have to say, JC Marino does a great job to write a modern version of the classic. As in the original poem the story is told by Joe Dante, Boston cop, whose life after the death of his family is exclusive focused on avenging their death and destroying the person he deems resposible, Filipo Argenti.

This book starts with a kind of mystery. After a flash of white light in Boston in the 60s, Joe Dante finds himself in totally unknown surroundings with no clue how he got there. After he follows a strange trail of footsteps, he soon he gets to know a relative young guy called Virgil who claims to be his guide and tells him that he is dead and in hell. Surprisingly, Virgil seems to know more about Dante than possible. So, with the strange and dubious Virgil on his side, he starts his way through hell.

Joe Dante is definetly stubborn. Sometimes annoyingly so, but I guess that only means that JC has done a great job of making his character believable and realistic. His love for his family and the guilt he feels about his death has not only destoyed him and his career but also his faith. When he finally confronts his arch nemesis and wants to kill him, said white light appears and changes everything. Well, maybe not his stubbornness. Even though there is no other logical explanation for what Dante sees and experiences in hell, he still doesn´t want to acknowledge that he might really be dead and in hell.

The pacing of the story is sometimes breathtakingly high, especially whenever one of the numerous demons appear, sometimes it allows you to actually think for yourself about the imagery used in the book. There are many turns regarding the death of his family and the mystery of how Joe Dante ended up in hell is solved very late in the book, so there is hardly a dull moment.

Through his language, some of his character traits and beliefs, Joe Dante is definetly a man from his era. Just as credibly as Joe are all the other people he meets from the different periods of time. JC Marino has done and incredible job of bringing them to life by the way they act and talk. Espacially the slangs are really well done. I also enjoy the running gag about the Boston Red Sox and their notorious curse (yes, even I here in Germany have heard about it!)

Dante´s Journey is a book about a journey, both in the literal and in the figurative sense. It´s also a book about sins, punishment, belief, faith and ultimately forgiveness. It´s great to see how Dante´s character evolves throughout the book.

So, all in all, for all of you who want to read something different for a change, a book with a little more depth, that stands out among the mass of Urban Fantasy titles because of the re-imagination of a classic and ,the great character design, go on and read it. It will be definetly worth your time. In an interview with the author, I found out that it took JC Marino ten years to finish this book. But after reading it, I can tell you that he has done one hell of a job in this ten years.

Review "Tempest Rising"

Title: Tempest Rising (Jane True, #1)
Author: Nicole Peeler
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published: October 27th 2009

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp.

The very first thought that crossed my mind when I saw this book was: what a gorgeous cover. You don´t find something like this one everyday. So, simply because of the cover I wanted to like this book. Guess what, I did. Very much so!

Tempest Rising is one of the books in my very own "Books without Vampires and Werewolves" challenge. Don´t get me wrong, I still like me some dark brooding blood-sucking/shapeshifting alpha male, but I really enjoy reading about diiferent creatuers as well.
If you want something different, Jane True is just it. Tempest Rising features selkies, kelpies, nahuals, nagas, djinns and barghests. See, something different all right.
Ok, there is a vampire in this book and he is Jane´s love interest, but the whole concept and worldbuilding is so unique, imaginative and refreshing, that I gladly dimissed that as not against the rules of my challange.

Jane is an outsider in the small town of Rockabill. Due to her mother´s sudden eccentric and very naked appearance in the middle of a storm and her dissappearance which left Jane´s father and six year old Jane alone and heartbroken, she is considered the local freak. At first, she was regarded with pity, but when her boyfriend died in a horrible accident connected to Jane, she gets to feel the whole animostity from Rockabill´s inhabitants.
Jane is used to live her life with constant mockery and disdain by the people around her, though she still hurts every time she is confronted with it. She is only happy when she gets to swim in her cove.
Soon, it becomes clear that Jane is not a normal swimmer but special. She doesn´t mind the cold, in fact she prefers to swim naked and prefers her sea rough and wild instead of calm. During one if her nightly swims, Jane finds a body in the current of the local whirlpool, The Sow. Reminded of her Boyfriend´s terrible accident, she struggels to save the body and bring it to the shore. Little does she know that this is the beginning of something life-changing for her.

Jane is a very untypical UF heroine. She still suffers a great deal from the Death of Jason, her boyfried and blames herself for it. The guilt brought her on the brink of a mental breakdown. She is even institutionalized for a short while. But even after all that, she still struggles with her past, unable to let go of the only person beside her father who really loved her for who she was. Throughout the book however, Jane grows and becomes more self-confident, thanks to both Ryu and the fact that she finds out that she is not like all the people who look down on her. Instead of feeling even more lost, she sees the newly found world of the supernatural creatures as a chance to find a new home. She enjoys the feeling that she is for once in her life not even remotely interesting but rather boring.
Ryu is also so good for Jane. He makes her feel loved, desired and special and he doesn´t give a damn about what Rockabill´s people think. Only with his help is she able to become the Jane she could have been, but never was. I actually wanted to hug him and cheer for him after the scene with Stuard in The Pig Sty and when he bought her the gorgoeus clothes and shoes, I became really jealous. Simply put, Jane and Ryu are perfect together in this book.

Speaking of the Pig Sty... The idea of The Sow and all the pig themed references in the book were hilarious. I myself come from a very small town with lots of tourism and I can totally imagine the folks back home using something like that as well. :)

Tempest Rising also features all sorts of refereces to pop culture like Buffy, My Little Pony (yes, indeed!), MC Hammer and other fun stuff.

Jane´s humor is another thing I liked so much about this book. On many occasions I had to chuckle about her comments and thoughttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhts which adds a refreshing lightness to the book. Despite this lightness however, Tempest Rising deals with serious problems: Jane´s life as outcast, her mental instability and even discrimination later in the book, when she is once again scorned for being only a halfling.

The secondary characters in this book are also fantastic.
Flamboyant, charismatic and dirty Grizzie, Trill, the kelpie who can turn into a "nightmare version of My Little Pony", a Stone elemental who actually talks to stones and a djinn who hides all sorts of swords an daggers in his pants (yes, his pants) and can reattach a severed limb without a problem. And of course Anyan the barghest. They are all characters with such amazing potential that I can hardly wait to read what might happen with them in the next books.

Overall, I really loved this book. It is not as fast paced as others, but in my opinion, the story doesn´t need more action. The characters and the underlying, more serious aspects of this book as well as Jane´s humor are enough to make Tempest Rising an intruiging, oustanding and gripping book. Oh, and did I mention that there are some really hot scenes between Jane and Ryu? I don´t look at my bathtub the same way after reading this book. :)

If you´re looking for a book that keeps you up all night because you can´t stop reading, hurry to your local bookstore/favorite online store and get it! You won´t notice time flying by because it is just that good.

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points for Nicole Peeler´s Tempest Rising.

For more info about Nicole Peeler and the Jane True series, check out her awesome homepage, which is done in the same genial design of her cover. You can read the first chapter of Tempest Rising, discover the soudtrack to the series and even do a "Which supernatural creature am I"-quiz. If you hurry up, you can even enter a givaway (open international) and win a "Things Jane Likes" prize pack!


"Tracking the Tempest", the next in series was released just last week on July 1 (I can´t believe my copy isn´t here yet. Hell, I ever pre-ordered it and it´s not here yet. Stupid amazon.)

Musing Mondays

Musing Mondays is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. This week’s musing asks…

What are you currently reading? Would you recommend it to others? Is it part of a series (if so, which one)? What are you thinking about it? What book(s) would you compare it to, if any?


This musing is a lot easier than the last one. I just finished reading Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. It´s the first book in the Jane True series. The second one, Tracking the Tempest came out just last week.
I most definetly enjoyed reading it! I´m actually going to post a review about it tomorrow, but I can tell you this much: it´s funny, sweet, sexy, dangeroues and mysterious! Some have compared it to the Sookie Stackhouse series, but I can´t second that, because I haven´t read the Sookie books. *ducks head in shame*

If you want to her more about this book, come back tomorrow and check out my review!

Would I recomend it? Hell yes. (I even smuggled it among the shockingly small TBR pile of my sister. Maybe she doesn´t realize it and reads it! :) *diabolic laugh*)


So bring on your musing! What are you reading?

xoxo!

Today´s Releases

Today, three awesome books are being released:

Pray for Dawn by Jocelynn Drake


It´s the fourth book in the Dark Days series and this time, it´s written in Danaus´s POV.

Pray for salvation . . .

Pray for daylight . . .

Murder has pulled Mira out of the shadows and back into the living world . . .

As the fire-wielding enforcer of the nightwalker coven wrestles with the mind-destroying ghosts of her dark past, the slaying of a senator's daughter in Savannah threatens to expose her kind to the brilliant light of day. The dawn of chaos has come. The naturi have broken free of their eternal prison to feed on the defenseless and unbelieving of an unprepared Earth.

Mira and Danaus—vampire and vampire slayer—must unite to prevent the annihilation of their separate races. But for Danaus the challenge is intensified, for he must also fight the bori who covets his soul. And Mira, the nightwalker he must protect—whose power is the Earth's last hope—is rapidly going insane.

The next one is Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler, the second book in the Jane True series. Isn´t the cover once again amazing?


Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course.

Ryu's well-intentioned plans create mayhem, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All the evidence points towards another Halfling, much to Jane's surprise...





And finally, Kitty goes to War", the 8th Kitty Norville book by Carrie Vaughn is to be released.

Kitty Norville, werewolf radio call-in show host, gets a call from an old friend at the NIH’s Center for the Study of Paranatural Biology, a friend with a problem, who doesn’t know where else to turn. Three Army soldiers who have recently returned from the war in Afghanistan are in custody at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs. They’re also werewolves suffering from post traumatic stress, unable to control their shape-shifting, unable to interact with people. Kitty agrees to see them, curious and wanting to help. Meanwhile, Kitty gets sued for slander after featuring Speedy Mart—a chain of 24-hour convenience stores with a reputation for attracting the supernatural—on her show, and an old friend-and-adversary has just been released from jail.

What releases are you waiting for this week?

Teaser Tuesday

This weekly book blog meme is hosted by Misb at Should be Reading.

Here are the rules:
- 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.


Title: Dayhunter
Author: Jocelynn Drake
Release: April 28th 2009 by Eos (first published April 17th 2009)
Genre: Urban Fantasy


"Kick me."
I twisted around, my mouth falling open in wordless shock. The hunter stared at me, the corners of his mouth twitching. Laughter, for one brief crystalline moment, shimmied through his cobalt eyes. Dear heaven, the dark vampire hunter was developing a sense of humor.
p.62

Review "Mind Games"

Title: Mind Games, (The Disillusionists Trilogy, #1)
Author: Carolyn Crane
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published: March 23rd 2010 by Spectra

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

"Mind Games" is a very extraordinary book. First of all, I don´t even know if it´s just Urban Fantasy. It has also a comic book flair with a little touch of crime fighting superheroes. It is set in Midcity, a city that suffers from a brutal crime wave. People are terrorized by criminals like the Brick Slinger who drops bricks on his unsuspecting victims. The authorities, most of all Police Chief Otto Sanchez, are fighting an uphill battle.

Justine Jones, the main character of this book is hypochondriac and she knows it. She lives in the constant fear that she might die of the vein star syndrom, just like her mother did. She wishes nothing more than to be free of her fear and lead a normal life. A life she so desperatly tries to have with Cubby, her good-looking, very normal and very lucky All-American boyfriend. But when a panic attack hits her, there is little she can do. Neither Cubby´s attemps to convince her with sheer logic nor the regular visits to the ER can convince Justine that she´s not sick.
For the reader, these panic attacks are strangely entertaining, as Carolyn Crane writes them with a certain dark and absurd humor that just takes you by surprise. But it´s also that vulnerability combined with her undying trust in Chief Sanchez and her wish for everybody to be free of fear that endears Justine so much to the reader.

One day however, Justine and her boyfriend are at a restaurant and she meets Sterling Packard and his team. Packard is a highcap (people who have extraordinary powers due to a hightened brain power), he can see the psychological structure of anybody and instantly knows their weakness. He has put together a team of "misfits", people who suffer just like Justine from different neuroses, such as despression, extreme rage or even more serious conditions like gambling and alcoholism. Together, the are paid to disillusion certain targets by attacking them psychologically, exploit their weaknesses and make them loose everything. After that they "reboot" and try to make up for their past life of crimes.
Packard asks Justine to join the team and is thus offering her a way out of her fear. The only thing she has to do to help disillusion someone is channel her fear into the target.
At first, Justine declines, but after having tested "zinging" and enjoyed a few days without fear, she wavers. She knows it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get rid of her fear, yet she dislikes th idea of vigilantism.
Yet, Packard is a very charismatic man and Justine and Packard share an instant connection. He is dark, wild and mysterious, quite the opposite of her boyfriend Cubby. So, reluctantly, Justine agrees to join the team. Between training and her very first target, she gets to know the other members of the group and for the first time ever, she actually bonds with people who are exactly like her. Ever so slightly, Justine begins to change. She quits her old job and starts lying to Cubby, as she is not allowed to tell him about her "secret new job". More and more, this whole situation begins to put a strain on their relationship. With every bit she drifts away from Cubby, she is pulled to Packard.
Then however, Justine finds out that Packard is trapped in his restaurant Mongolian Delights by any unknown mysterious nemesis. As she sets out to help him get free, she discovers more than she wants and finds herself in a web of lies and dependencies that not only threatens her life but the entire city.

"Mind Games" is split in different parts. In the first part, you get to know Justine and her hypochondria, meet Packard and his team and get a feeling for the world this story is set in. It sometimes even made me laugh, because of some very bizarre, yet frightingly realistic descriptions of Justine´s panic attacks and the odd conversations among the members of the team.
The second part starts with Justine´s first assignment and the descriptions of how the teams works. Justine changes, both revels in her new life without fear and fights with her conscience, questioning if shifting her fears to other people is really the right thing to do.
It is the very last part however that makes this book very special. In their search for the nemesis, Justine and her newfound friends uncover some secrets of Packard´s past that could change everything. Unsure of whome to trust, Justine takes matters in her own hands and sees to a surprising end that noone else could have achieved.

The main characters in this book are multilayered, complex and likeable. They are also deeply flawed. I liked the idea how the weaknesses of them turned into their strengths and are used as a force of good.

The story is expertly told with just the right amount of pace, action and suspense. The very end had me all hooked up and I really wanted to know how everything would turn out.

Carolyn Crane has proven with this book that Urban Fantasy doesn´t need werewolves, vampires or the other usual suspects to be a great read. Highcaps and neurotics make for a just as intruiging, gripping and smart story.

I can only recomend this extraordinary book to all readers and lovers of the Urban Fantasy genre.

4 out of 5 Points

If you want more of Carolyn Crane now, go visit her homepage, where you can find the first chapter of Mind Games online, along with other interesting stuff about Midicty like the Midcitiy Eagle, Midcitiy´s most trusted newspaper. You can also visit her blog.

"Mind Games" ist the first book in a trilogy, with the next in series, "Double Cross" to be released on September 28th 2010.