Vampire In Denial by Dale Mayer

Purchase eBook from B&N, Amazon, Smashwords


Synopsis from BN.com:

Like being a sixteen-year-old vampire isn't hard enough, Tessa's throwback human genes make her an outcast among her relatives. But try as she might, she can't get a handle on the vampire lifestyle and all the...blood.

Turning her back on the vamp world, she embraces the human teenage lifestyle—high school, peer pressure and finding a boyfriend. Jared manages to stir something in her blood. He's smart and fun and oh, so cute. But Tessa's dream of a having the perfect boyfriend turns into a nightmare when vampires attack the movie theatre and kidnap her date.

Once again, Tessa finds herself torn between the human world and the vampire one. Will blood own out? Can she make peace with who she is as well as what?

**I received a complimentary eBook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**

Review

I chose not to read the full synopsis before diving into this one, because I didn't want to ruin anything for myself. Based on the title alone, I thought it would just be about a teenage vampire who would rather be human. I was way off! It's even better!

The main character, Tessa, is 16 years old and a member of a powerful vampire family, but she also has a lot of human characteristics that separate her from her mom, dad, and brothers. This causes her family to severely miscalculate her abilities and also causes her to underestimate herself. She finds it easier to try and fit in with her human friends; that is until a group of vampires kidnap her crush, Jared. She really steps up to the plate at that point because she knows that most vampires look down on humans and see them as little better than animals. She certainly surprised me with her conviction, since at the beginning she didn't want much to do with her vampire traits, but she knew she needed to embrace them to save Jared. She not only showed her family just how strong she was but also discovered that she was more extraordinary than any of them thought. I loved seeing her become more confident and gain more respect, especially from her father. Their relationship at first was rocky, but it strengthens greatly over the course of the book; when she finally fully embraces who she is, they are able to bond over it, which was exactly what she needed to finally feel like she belonged in her family.

I assumed that Jared would be her love interest throughout the entire story, but I was wrong. Her feelings for him get the action rolling, but in the process of searching for him she becomes closer with her brother's best friend, Cody. With her new-found self-confidence, they see each other in a different light, but unfortunately with all of the chaos they aren't able to explore their blossoming feelings. The chemistry is definitely there, however, and I look forward to seeing what develops in the next book.

This book managed to stand out amongst the plethora of vampire novels out there. I liked how vampires had different abilities and how some of them, like Tessa, seemed more human than vampire (i.e. could be out in the daylight, didn't crave blood). It added a bunch of new dimensions to the world and I'm liking where the series is going.

This really was a great read. I was entirely able to relate with Tessa and enjoyed watching her change throughout the story. Just a warning, the author leaves us with one heck of a cliffhanger, so I can only hope that the next book comes out soon!

If you would like to learn more about the author, Dale Mayer, check out her webpage and Twitter!

Movie Review: Breaking Dawn, Part 1

My loving husband and I had a movie date today; that in itself is a small miracle because it almost never happens (seriously, this is the first time in about 4 or 5 months that we've had time alone). He already knew we would be going to see Breaking Dawn, Part 1 and he was completely ok with that. He's seen the all of the movies except the first one, so he was actually excited to go see the new installment.

**SPOILER ALERT!! If you haven't read the book *GASP*, you should probably stop reading in case I reveal some vital plot point. Which is a very real possibility, since that is what this whole movie pretty much centers around.**

The movie doesn't waste any time getting started, but then again neither does the book really. We get right into the good stuff: the wedding! I thought it was really beautiful and honestly it was exactly how I would have pictured it. Her dress was pretty, but not overly embellished, which is perfect for Bella. I think one of my favorite (and certainly the funniest) parts of the movie is the reception. The individual toasts definitely made me laugh out loud!

Even after hearing all of the interviews about the honeymoon scenes and how they would be handled, I still wasn't sure what to expect. I think they did an excellent job of alluding to the sex without being obscene about it. It simply came off as very sweet and loving, as it should be.

I'm pretty sure my husband was getting a bit bored at this point, but luckily that's exactly where the story starts to get interesting. I don't know what they did to get Bella to look so emaciated (CGI and an amazing makeup artist, I assume?), but it was completely believable. Like she stepped right out of the book - it's exactly how I would have pictured her.

The end was extremely chaotic, as it was with the book. It's kind of interesting because you're seeing it through Bella's eyes. And it ended exactly where I knew it would, but I thought watching her body transform was especially beautiful and a nice touch.

Some notes on things I haven't covered yet:

1) Their acting is SO much better now than it was in the first book. Every time I watch Twilight I cringe; seriously, it was pretty bad. I just felt like it was hurried and just didn't have the impact that the book had. Breaking Dawn, on the other hand, dealt with a lot of emotions and I think they played it beautifully.

2) The now infamous wolf telepathy scene. I admit it was pretty corny. However, I'm not sure exactly how they would have made it any better. I recall in the book how Jacob commented that Sam had a more commanding voice when in wolf form because he was the alpha, and since they were all in animal form I would expect it to sound different than if they were simply talking normally, because they aren't completely human at that point. They are tuned in more to their wolf side at that point. My husband turned to me during that part to tell me how stupid he thought it was. To an extent I agreed, but it was also very important to the story.

3) I loved how the movie followed the book almost to the T throughout. I wasn't really hit with any unusual surprises, although they did throw in a lot more action there towards the end where there wasn't any in the book (i.e. when the Cullens went hunting and after the crisis with Bella) which added to the excitement. I'm sure the guys appreciated it anyway. I've seen some other people commenting on the honeymoon scene, and I agree it was a bit long. It pretty much goes right along with the book in every way. I actually loved the part after the first time they made love and he's trying to avoid her and make her so tired she won't ask him to try again. Them playing chess worked as a very clever metaphor - he checkmated her every time, as in he was blocking/eluding her seduction techniques.

4) They did a good job on the birth scene. It was graphic without being overly so; I found it kind of creepy at times, and disturbing, but when you think about the book, it was exactly like that and the emotions definitely came through.

So, just because you've seen some of the other movies in the series and weren't too impressed doesn't mean you shouldn't see this one. I think it was excellent, certainly the best one yet in the series. I'm definitely looking forward to Part 2, the final installment. It's sad that it's all coming to an end (well, kind of anyway), but I'm very glad to see that it's going out on a strong note.

What did everyone else think of Breaking Dawn, Part 1?

Follow My Book Blog Friday (24)

Follow My Book Blog Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

This week's question: Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!

Answer: Santa, there's a LOT of books I want for Christmas, and I'm sure I won't get them all. So I will just highlight my top 3 books on my wish list. Don't let me down!

1) Divergent by Veronica Roth

2) Where She Went by Gayle Forman

3) Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

What books are everyone else hoping to get this year? Let me know in the comments or link to your Friday Follow post!

Galaxy Girls by Edie Ramer

Purchase the eBook from B&N, Amazon, Smashwords


Synopsis from B&N:

Genetically created to be broodmares, Phyrne Galaxy and her mother, aunt and cousin don't need men, they need freedom. They escaped from the warring planet of Kergeron to Earth, where Phyrne’s aunt's vision of winning money in a New Jersey casino comes true. Too bad her aunt's precog didn't show the hoods waiting outside with guns. But Phyrne has her own weapon, more powerful than bullets. She's ovulating.

Phyrne turns up the heat, taking out more than the crooks in her wave of sexual torture. FBI Special Agent Hawk Higgens, running to protect the women, is brought to his knees, too. Caught in her procreative spell, Phyrne ravishes Hawk.

Being seduced by an alien and left half naked and unconscious in the back of a surveillance van changes Hawk's life. He joins the Foundation, a privately funded agency that hunts aliens. Six years later, the reason for his career change pops back on the radar in a tea shop in Kentucky. The woman whose face still haunts his dreams has an addition to her family – a five-year-four-month-old daughter.

At the same time, two Kergeron warriors are sent to Earth to bring the women back to their home planet. With an ex-FBI agent and two alien warriors on her trail, Phyrne's calm life running the Tea & Comfort shop is about to get shaken, stirred and screwed.

read more    

Genetically created to be broodmares, Phyrne Galaxy and her mother, aunt and cousin don't need men, they need freedom. They escaped from the warring planet of Kergeron to Earth, where Phyrne’s aunt's vision of winning money in a New Jersey casino comes true. Too bad her aunt's precog didn't show the hoods waiting outside with guns. But Phyrne has her own weapon, more powerful than bullets. She's ovulating.

Phyrne turns up the heat, taking out more than the crooks in her wave of sexual torture. FBI Special Agent Hawk Higgens, running to protect the women, is brought to his knees, too. Caught in her procreative spell, Phyrne ravishes Hawk.

Being seduced by an alien and left half naked and unconscious in the back of a surveillance van changes Hawk's life. He joins the Foundation, a privately funded agency that hunts aliens. Six years later, the reason for his career change pops back on the radar in a tea shop in Kentucky. The woman whose face still haunts his dreams has an addition to her family – a five-year-four-month-old daughter.

At the same time, two Kergeron warriors are sent to Earth to bring the women back to their home planet. With an ex-FBI agent and two alien warriors on her trail, Phyrne's calm life running the Tea & Comfort shop is about to get shaken, stirred and screwed.

 

 

**I received a free copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review**

Review

I wasn't sure at all what to expect with this book, as I don't normally read sci-fi. I definitely was all for giving it a chance though, because it sounded so unique. It certainly didn't disappoint in that aspect. In short, it follows four women from another planet, Kergeron, who steal away to earth in hopes of a better life. When they are ovulating they send out massive amounts of pheromones which basically entrance and incapacitate any surrounding males, which we get to see in action in the first chapter.

I found the characters to be fun and interesting, but I wasn't able to connect with them as well as I had hoped. I just never felt like I got to know them enough to form feelings for them. For the most part the story focuses on the story line between Phyrne (one of the women from Kergeron) and Hawk (an FBI agent). The point of view jumps around throughout the whole book so you get to see a little of what everyone else is thinking, as well as insight into the other, secondary story lines. I definitely liked Phyrne; she was loyal to her friends/family and fiercely protective of her daughter. The only think that annoyed me about her was every time she was around Hawk, all she could think about was jumping into bed with him. Completely understandable though, considering that women from her planet are focused on breeding, but it got to be a bit much at times. I liked Hawk from the start, and he was never quite the same after his first encounter with Phyrne (as can be expected - read the book, you'll know what I mean!). He had a lot of determination and drive, which I admired. Sometimes I think he sent some very mixed messages, but I'll get into that in a minute.

I enjoyed the other characters too, but as with the main characters, I just didn't form a good connection with them.

To call the relationship between Phyrne and Hawk "sweet" would be inaccurate. Instead I would use "dysfunctional" and "sexy". I know, those words are a little strange together, but it completely works in this case. Sure, they do have some sweet moments together, but you have to take into account that she pretty much ravaged him on their first meeting. Back to what I was saying before, I felt like Hawk gave Phyrne some pretty mixed up signals at times, making her feel like her feelings weren't a top priority. True, they weren't dating or exclusive at the time, and we weren't able to get inside his head and see what he was really thinking, but at times it made me wonder if he truly liked her that much. Overall though I thought they were a great match; they just had a lot of obstacles to overcome.

I loved how unique the story line was. To me anyway. Like I said, I don't read a lot of science fiction, but this one caught my interest. I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this before so it was like a breath of fresh air.

The story was interesting (and at times very sexy), but my lukewarm feelings for the characters brought down the overall grade. That being said, I did enjoy the author's writing style and could definitely see me reading more of her books in the future. If you're looking for a story with sexy aliens, passion, romance, and a little humor thrown in, then you will definitely enjoy this read!

 

If you would like to learn more about the author, Edie Ramer, please check out her webpage and Twitter.

The Hunger Games Movie Trailer

I think most people have already seen this one already, but if you haven't then check it out! It looks like it really follows the book closely and the characters look perfect. I absolutely can't wait until March 23, 2012!

One For The Money Movie Trailer

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer for the upcoming One For The Money movie, based on Janet Evanovich's hit Stephanie Plum series. I was a bit skeptical at first, but I'm thinking this might actually be good. I know I will definitely be going to see it. What do you think?

In theaters January 27, 2012

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Purchase from B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository


Synopsis from BN.com:

A young woman plunges from a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter, landing in the Pirate’s lagoon in front of the Treasure Island Hotel in the middle of the 8:30 Pirate Show. Almost everyone writes her off as another Vegas victim.

But Lucky O’Toole smells a rat. She’s head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, the newest, most opulent mega-casino and resort on the Strip, so she’s got a lot on her plate: the Adult Film industry’s annual awards banquet, a spouse-swapping convention, sex toy purveyors preying on the pocket-protector crowd attending ElectroniCon…. Still, Lucky can’t resist turning over a few stones.
When a former flame is one of the snakes she uncovers, Lucky’s certain she’s no longer dealing with an anonymous Sin City suicide. To top it all off, Lucky’s best friend Teddie—Las Vegas’ finest female impersonator—presses to take their relationship to the next level. Leave it to Lucky to attract a man who looks better in a dress than she does.

Lucky must manage the Babylon’s onslaught of outrageous festivities, solve a murder, and struggle to keep her life and libido from spinning out of control… not to mention keep her balance in six inch heels.

**I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for an honest review**

Review


When a book is set in Vegas, you know some wild things are going to go down. This one definitely didn't disappoint. It did bring up two questions to my mind though: 1) Do these kinds of things REALLY happen in Vegas? and 2)If they do, why in the world would anyone want Lucky's job in customer relations? Too much stress if you ask me!

I really enjoyed the main character, Lucky O'Toole. She was incredibly confident in her job, good sense of humor (I think you would have to in that line of work), sarcastic, and an overall tough chick. She works hard at her job and at keeping everyone from getting too close to her. Her walls slowly start to break down, so we get to see her character develop through the pages. There are a lot of characters that help to enhance the story, such as Lucky's mother, Mona, who runs a brothel and her boss at the Babylon hotel, who they all call The Big Boss. Oh and let's not forget her trash-talking parrot; always good for an insult! They are all fabulous and I wish I could go into more detail on each and every one of them!

Underneath investigating the suicide (or is it homicide?), Lucky has an extremely tough choice to make: get with her best friend, Teddie, who just so happens to dress in drag for a living, or Dane, the hot new guy in security. I loved Teddie from the beginning, although I didn't think anything would develop between him and Lucky at first. He was just super sweet and loyal, always there for her to lean on. I also liked Dane a lot too. There was definitely an attraction there from the start, but any feelings she had for him were also marred by suspicions. I really wanted to put my favorite quote from the book in here, because it is so incredible and makes you want to scream, "WHY can't any guy say that to ME?" But I don't want to give away which guy she ultimately chooses, so I'll just let you read it and discover for yourselves.

There is certainly mystery and twists throughout the book. While I wasn't particularly surprised by them, as I've gotten really good at picking up on subtle hints, it was still exciting to see my suspicions confirmed at the end.

It started with a naked man in the stairwell and ended with a porn star gala, so you can just imagine the crazy things that happen throughout the book. I enjoyed meeting Lucky and all of the amazing characters, and absolutely can't wait to get my hands on Lucky Stiff so I can see what happens next! (FYI, the paperback of Lucky Stiff comes out November 29)

If you would like to learn more about the author, Deborah Coonts, make sure you check out her webpage and Twitter.

And a huge thanks to FSB Associates for allowing me the chance to read/review this wonderful book!

Tantalizing New Reads (Week of 11/14/2011)

Welcome to my new weekly feature here at Bookerella, where I highlight all of the books coming out this week that I am psyched about!

New in the world of YA...

Release Date: 11/15/2011 - B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository


Synopsis from GoodReads:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

~*~Personal Note~*~ I absolutely can't wait to read this one!!! I have heard nothing but wonderful things about it and the synopsis makes it sound that much more amazing. Can't wait to pick this one up!

Release Date: 11/15/2011 - B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository

Synopsis from BN.com:

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom…. 

Release Date: 11/15/2011 - B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository

Synopsis from BN.com:

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs. 

~*~Personal Note~*~ I had not heard of this book or author previously, but this one sounds really interesting. Definitely worth checking out! Oh, and if you're curious (as I was), her first book is called The Replacement.

New in the world of Adult Fiction:

NEW IN PAPERBACK! Release Date: 11/15/2011 - B&N, Amazon (Paperback/Kindle), Book Depository

Synopsis from BN.com:

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list. Short on time to find the murderer, Stephanie is also under pressure from family and friends to choose between her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom wants her to dump them both for a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, suggests a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Joe’s old-world grandmother gives Stephanie “the eye,” which may mean that it’s time to get out of town.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

~*~Personal Note~*~ This book isn't new, but it IS new in paperback this week...so yay! Oh Stephanie, what shenanigans are you going to get into this time. Looking forward to finding out (pssst, please pick Ranger!). Oh and just so you know, the new book in the series, Explosive Eighteen, comes out November 22, 2011...just a few weeks!

Release Date: 11/14/2011 - B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository

Synopsis from BN.com:

The President's son and daughter are abducted, and Detective Alex Cross is one of the first on the scene. But someone very high-up is using the FBI, Secret Service, and CIA to keep him off the case and in the dark.

A deadly contagion in the water supply cripples half of the capital, and Alex discovers that someone may be about to unleash the most devastating attack the United States has ever experienced.

As his window for solving both crimes narrows, Alex makes a desperate decision that goes against everything he believes—one that may alter the fate of the entire country. KILL ALEX CROSS is faster, more exciting, and more tightly wound than any Alex Cross thriller James Patterson has ever written!

~*~Personal Note~*~ Honestly, I haven't read an Alex Cross novel in a couple of years. They weren't my favorite of James Patterson's books, but they are fairly good reads. I'm not too sure about this one, the synopsis sounds pretty interesting, but I was really let down by the last few Patterson books I read, so I'm on the fence here. If you're a die-hard fan of the Alex Cross series though, you will probably want to check it out!

Winner of Dirty Blood eBook!

And the winner is (drumroll please).....

Alyssa from Reader's Refuge!!

Congrats Alyssa, you won the eBook copy of Dirty Blood! I know you're going to love it. Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Check Out The Gone Reading Store

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know about an awesome new store that you have to check out! I'm sure most of you loved libraries as a child and many still frequent them today. The Gone Reading Store sells all sorts of gifts perfect for readers; and the best part? They are donating "100% of company profits to fund new libraries in the developing world." I've checked out the store and they have a lot of super cute designs that you can put on anything from a t-shirt to a coffee mug. Click *HERE* to go see for yourself.

Tantalizing New Reads (Week of 11/7/2011)

Welcome to my new weekly feature here at Bookerella, where I highlight all of the books coming out this week that I am psyched about!

New in the world of YA...

Release Date: 11/8/2011- (B&N, Amazon {Hardcover/Kindle}, Book Depository)

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole? 

Release Date: 11/8/2011 (B&N, Amazon {Paperback/Kindle}, Book Depository)



The ultimate companion guide to the blockbuster Hunger Games trilogy

For all those who adore Katniss and Peeta, and can't get enough, this companion guide to the wildly popular Hunger Games series is a must-read and a terrific gift.

Go deeper into the post-apocalyptic world created by Suzanne Collins than you ever thought possible—an alternative future where boys and girls are chosen from twelve districts to compete

in “The Hunger Games,” a televised fight-to-the-death. When sixteen-year-old Katniss learns that her little sister has been

chosen, Kat steps up to fight in her place—and the games begin. This unauthorized guide takes the reader behind the stage.

The Hunger Games Companion includes fascinating background facts about the action in all three books, a revealing biography of the author, and amazing insights into the series’ main themes and features—from the nature of evil, to weaponry and rebellions, to surviving the end of the world. It’s everything fans have been hungering for since the very first book!

New in the world of Adult Fiction

New in Paperback! Release Date: 11/8/2011 (B&N, Amazon {Paperback/Kindle}, Book Depository


It all begins with a fantasy . . .
caseworker in her “paperwork-signing” suit alongside beaming parents cradling their adopted newborn: this is the blissful picture that keeps Chloe Pinter, director of Portland’s Chosen Child domestic adoption program, happy as she juggles the demands of her boss and the incessant needs of adoptive and biological parents.
But the dream job that offers Chloe refuge from her turbulent personal life soon becomes a nightmare involving three very different couples: the college sweethearts who, after suffering fertility problems, are now expecting their own baby; the wealthy husband and desperate wife for whom adoption is a last chance; and the couple who has nothing—except the baby everyone wants. But when a child goes missing, perceptions of family and future are challenged, posing the questions: What happens when you get what you thought you wanted? How far would you go if it wasn’t what you wanted after all?

Release Date: 11/8/2011 (B&N, Amazon {Hardcover}, Book Depository)

Harry Dresden's life is a mess. His top client (and close friend), Lt. Karrin Murphy, no longer trusts him. Chicago's underworld and the cops alike think he's mobster Johnny Marcone's supernatural enforcer. And the enigmatic White Council continues to view him with suspicion. If all that weren''t enough, a pack of werewolves have unleashed a wave of terror on the Windy City. But as is always the case when it comes to the creatures of the Nevernever, there's far more going on than meets the eye. Before it's all over, Harry will find himself caught between friends, enemies, and arcane forces bent on his destruction. Is it any wonder he can't find a date?
Expanding on Book Two of Jim Butcher''s New York Times bestselling saga, and featuring writer Mark Powers and artist Chase Conley, Fool Moon collects the first half of the 8-issue series in one volume, complete with bonus material and a cover gallery. 

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Purchase from B&N, Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle), Book Depository


Synopsis from BN.com:

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. Not until Patch came 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 who 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 way 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.

Review

I'd been wanting to read this book for a long time, but I just kept putting it off. Well I finally decided it was time to see what all of the fuss was about. There were parts to this book I really liked and others that really just fell flat - it basically led up to me being very underwhelmed.

I didn't exactly love the characters in this one. I'm not sure what words I could use to describe Nora - infuriating I guess would be a good one. Some of the things she does just made me want to scream. I especially got annoyed with the constant back and forth of "Oh I hate Patch. Now I don't. Aaaaand now I hate him again." True, he was mysterious and at times he seemed to make it his life's goal to aggravate Nora, but it felt like she went out of her way sometimes trying to despise him as much as possible. It wouldn't have been so bad if it had just been in the first part of the book, but it lasted pretty much up until the last page. She would just start trusting him and then *BAM*, she went back to being wary of him all over again. I know it sounds like I completely hated her, but I didn't. She just really grated on my nerves at times. That being said, I liked Patch immensely. I thought his story was great, and we get to see bits and pieces of it as the book progresses. He also had a great sense of humor and I personally loved when he tried to get Nora riled up (which was often).

I didn't love the "relationship" between Nora and Patch. I thought their interactions together were entertaining, but her back-and-forth feelings about him didn't exactly make for a perfect match. I haven't dove into the second book (Crescendo) yet, but I'm assuming my feelings on this will change as the series continues.

To me, this book felt extremely repetitive. Each chapter seemed to start with Patch showing up wherever Nora happened to be and her being annoyed about it. Luckily there some mysteries and twists/turns throughout to keep things interesting, and there is some nice action moments at the end that helped the book finish strong.

Overall, certainly not one of my favorite books. I don't always love characters and sometimes the love stories just don't resonate with me. This was one of those times, but I feel like the series as a whole has a lot of potential. Even though this book didn't live up to my expectations, I'm still looking forward to reading Crescendo to see what happens next.

If you would like to know more about the author, Becca Fitzpatrick, check out her webpage and Twitter.

Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand (plus GIVEAWAY!)

Purchase from B&N, Amazon (Paperback/Kindle), Book Depository


Synopsis from B&N:

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up. And even now there are two thoughts that are so clear, they feel branded into my mind: One, Werewolves do exist, and two, I was born to kill them.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

Review

I was hooked on this book after the first chapter. The main character, Tara, ends up in a fight to the death with a crazed girl who turns into a wolf right before her eyes. As quick as that, she's initiated into the world of Werewolves - and that's all in just the first chapter!

I always preach about how important characters are, and the author really nailed it with Dirty Blood. I was able to connect with all of the characters in this book, and very easily. They were all so well written that by the last page I felt like I knew them all personally. As I said, Tara is the main character and she definitely has a lot to deal with throughout the course of the story. First with learning that Werewolves are not just legend and then discovering who/what she really is, along with plenty of other revelations (which I won't be discussing because I don't want to give away anything!). She can certainly be stubborn at times, but she's also strong, independent, and confident. I liked her because she wasn't playing the damsel-in-distress, wanting someone to solve all of her problems for her; she preferred to take matters into her own hands. Wes arrives on the scene early on, helping Tara out immediately after her fight with the Werewolf in the first chapter. He's extremely patient and is dedicated to protecting her, not to mention extremely handsome. I absolutely hate when I fall for fictional characters, it is such a let down when you finally remember they aren't real, but with Wes it was impossible not to. He was just a really down-to-earth, genuine, nice guy, and who doesn't want one of those? All of the secondary characters were great as well; I especially liked Jack and Fee, who were like Wes' surrogate parents. Jack was this tough guy who has a way of making everyone feel safe, like he would not hesitate to take a bullet for you, and Fee is one of those women who welcomes everybody with open arms, just very motherly and genuinely concerned about both Wes and Tara's welfare.

There's an obvious connection between Tara and Wes from the beginning, but they have ups and downs throughout the book. Their personalities clash at times and they butt heads, neither one wanting to concede defeat. They were so sweet together though, and despite the differences they balanced each other out rather nicely. Here's one of my favorite parts:

I wasn't even sure who leaned in first, but by the time our lips met, it was completely mutual. His kiss was soft at first but his touch brought with it a heat that I'd never felt before. It radiated out and spread into the rest of my body, like wildfire. He tasted like apple cider and the woods in summer, and all I could think was that I'd never tasted anything so delicious.(pg. 81 of eBook)

See what I mean? Steamy, sweet, beautiful - I just love them together.

I found this book to be fairly unique. Of course the Werewolf theme has been covered many times over, but this novel managed not to feel like all of the other ones I have read. For example, in this one humans can't be changed by a Werewolf bite; instead, the bites are very deadly. I was able to connect with these characters on a deeper level than most other books I have read, also, which was unexpected but a very much welcome surprise.

The interesting story, multi-faceted characters, action, mystery, and suspense all add up to an amazing read. I'm reading back over my review and I just can't do this one justice; it seems like the more I like a book, the harder it is to express it in words. All I can really say is this YA novel is in my top 10, if not top 5, books I have read this year. In case you didn't get the hint already, I loved Dirty Blood! I definitely recommend it to everyone (I promise you won't be disappointed) and I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series!

If you would like to learn more about the author, Heather Hildenbrand, please check out her webpage and Twitter.

Now on to the giveaway! Up for grabs is one copy of Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand. Interested? Simply click the link below and enter - super simple, no hoops to jump through and no follow required (although it would be greatly appreciated). Giveaway ends Nov. 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY