Detectives Jury and Puri

Reading two new mysteries by two very different authors was a study in contrast. Two different styles, settings and two very contrasting outlook and narrative.

“The Black Cat” A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes is happening in England. The set up is between London and country side. Detective Jury is an old fashion gentleman and a large part of the book is filled with philosophical debates and amusing side stories. The cast of characters aside from humans include a very smart dog, a litter of kittens and three black cats.

The murder mystery by itself is not very intriguing. What kept my attention was the faith of Morris the pub cat and how many tricks the dog is going to pull! I know, I know… it says a lot about the book, doesn’t it?! I felt like an 80-something with Alzheimer, reading the book.

“The case of the man who died laughing” (From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator) by Tarquin Hall is happening in Delhi, India. After you get used to different vocabulary (a lot of Indian words) the story is very absorbing. You learn about a totally different life style and culture. The plot by itself is intriguing: there is the main murder mystery; there is also a theft, a couple of family confusions and a case of fraud. Now it seems like a very busy plot, doesn’t it? I think that’s where Mr. Hall shows his mastery in storytelling. We can follow all these subplots easily and without any confusion. One book of his and he has become one of my favorite authors!

So long...

Look who is back! Can you believe it? I haven’t posted for more than a month although I’ve been busy reading lots of new books! Why? I have no idea!

Anyhow, let’s start with some not-so-exciting reads:

“Angelology” by Danielle Trussoni is a supernatural thriller. Have you read that verses in bible (Genesis 6) about Giants and Nephilims? Well, in this story we learn that they are real.

Sister Evangeline is a nun in a NYC coven. She is contacted by an academic about their archives, specifically the letters between mother superior and Mrs. Rockefeller during WWII. There starts the story about a strange, powerful and secretive race and humans who study and hunt them.

The book reads more like a serious text book than a novel. It even has footnotes. The finale is bittersweet, keeping you wanting more. All I can say is that this is very different than the usual urban fantasy I read.

“Steamed” by Katie MacAlister is a steampunk romance. Now this is a subgenre I recently got acquaintance with. So I cannot judge the steampunk-goodness of it.

The story is very simplistic. Jack a scientist and his sister Hally are in accident in so high-tech lab and find themselves in a steam powered parallel universe. Octavia Pye a zeppelin pilot finds and helps them. Of course Jack and Octavia fell in love and live happily-ever-after!

“Discord’s Apple” by Carrie Vaughn is an apocalyptic fantasy. Evie Walker returns home to take care of his father. The father has cancer and not much time to live. There are many strangers coming asking for help, looking for certain magical items which slowly shows Evie the secrets her family has guarded through time. When a powerful and devious woman is trying to cause more mayhem in the world, Evie with the help of a new friend has to do what’s best for her family and humanity in general.

There are many loose ends in this story and the plot is weak. I love Ms. Vaughn Kitty Norvill series but so far her individual stories (this one and “Voices of Dragons”) have proven not up to her werewolves’ series standard.

“Curse the Dawn” (Cassandra Palmer, Book 4) by Karen Chance was very much like a manga. All those escapes and chases and this new concept of surfing the laylines… sheesh! There wasn’t even a solid story line, too many things going on! This series is losing its plot and seriousness faster than a wicker basket loosing water.

“Trust your Vibes” Secret Tools for Six-Sensory Living by Sonia Choquette was one of those cheesy New Age-y books that tell you Mr. X did this and was successful; Ms. Y didn’t and was unhappy! Such a waste of time!

“Secrets of Powerful Women” Leading Change for a New Generation by Andrea Wong and Rosario Dawson is a collection of essays by… who else? Powerful women! Top executives, house representatives, governors, mayors… All telling you how they became successful and how they achieved their goals. Very empowering! My favorite quote from the book: “If you are demanding, you are a bitch. If you are suggesting, you are a mom. You just have to be firm and demanding but do it with more smile!"

“Wedding Girl” by Madeleine Wickham is a story of growth and learning from past mistakes and forgiveness and being true to yourself and… honestly, the book had so many life lessons in it, you couldn’t find the main plot! Such a bore!

Milly and Simon are planning their big perfect society wedding. But when Milly meets the photographer she starts to remember another wedding she has completely forgotten about: her first one! And she is still married!

“Karma Girl” Bigtime series, book 1 by Jennifer Estep. This is an urban fantasy, well, more like a superhero fantasy! A scorned journalist is trying to unmask superheroes and villains. Yeah, yeah, she falls in love, and yes; she learns a lesson!

“Almost to die for” A Vampire Princess Novel (Vampire Princess of St. Paul, Book 1) by Tate Hallaway. A teenager has to decide between her witch and vampire father. Which one to fallow, which one to live with. If we take out all the supernatural words (like witch and vampire, blood, magic, spell) this story reads like a simple uncomplicated YA, the life story of a spoiled teenager! Boys, homework, misunderstood poor girl, mean girlfriends, demanding parents… all the usual teen-y drama!

I don’t know why Ms. Hallaway tries to have supernatural characters when all of them live like normal people! Just like her Garnet Lacey series, this story has a simple story disguised as paranormal!

Ok, the worst part is done! The next few posts are about the good stuff. Keep tuned!

Books and a heat wave

What you can do when you have hurt your knee and it is hot outside?
Try to read as more as you can obviously.
Best of this week reads were:
“Twice Bitten” the third book of “A Chicagoland Vampires” series by Chloe Neill. Ethan and Merit are providing security for a shifter summit and get involve in interracial politics. Their hope of an alliance with shifters in case of war with humans is very slim as someone is trying to kill the top dog (wolf!) and blame it on vampires. Merit makes some bad decisions but one good thing comes out of it: She and Mal are friends again. This book is nonstop action and a little heartache.

“Kitty Goes to War” (Kitty Norville, Book 8) by Carrie Vaughn. Eight books into the series and this series still goes strong. The plot and storytelling is mesmerizing and the old characters are changing and developing naturally, well as natural as you can expect a bunch of supernaturals can change!
Kitty gets a call from a military base concerning some werewolf soldiers. There is also the small matter of Speedy Mart owner and weird rumors of strange rituals. With the help of Cormac and their trusty pack of wolves Kitty and Ben are up to their neck in snow and trouble.

“Sherlock Holmes: The American Years” edited by Michael Kurland is a collection of ten stories by different authors and in different styles, all wonderful! Mark Twain and R.L. Stevenson are narrators of two of the stories. Sherlock’s sister tells another one.
This Sherlock is more emotional than Sir Conan Doyle’s, of course he is younger. He even has a little crush on a beautiful actress.
Intrigued? You better be! This collection is so good, you want to read it more than once and then go back read all the original Sherlock Holmes stories.

And how can I forget? “Daring a Duke” the fifth book of The Courtesan Series by Claudia Dain was just what the doctor ordered for a hot summer afternoon.
The wonderful thing about this book is that the whole story happens in a day. It’s a nice quirk, isn’t it?
Jane Elliot (an American) has come to England with her two brothers to attend the wedding of her cousin the heir of Hyde dukedom. Thrice widowed Duke Edenhum takes one look at her and wants to marry her. So he enlists the help of Countess Daleby, the notorious Sophia. Sophia is also an old friend of Jane’s mother, so she has to help Jane (when she asks for help) not marrying anyone. A lot of gossip and subplots and a hilarious cast of characters later, everyone is deliciously satisfied. In the course of this story we learn a little more about the mysteries of Sophia’s past.
And if you are like me, the more you learn about her, the more you love the series and the more impatiently you will wait for the next book.

Now is the turn for the not-so-hot books of the week. You might think having a heat wave and temp. topping 90 degree, I would welcome some wet-blankets but then you haven’t read these ones:
“You’re So Vein” (The Others, Book 7) by Christine Warren. So I started midseries again, but I assure you this book was the first and last one I’m reading from this author.
So very cheesy! Apparently all the supernaturals in America are one big happy family and all the top dogs are married to a group of girlfriends. This one I read was the story of Ava Markham, a wisemouth (!) anti-“Other” bossy member of that group which is attacked by a vampire and is turned accidentally. Vladimir (Dima) something-or-the-other is saving her afterlife and becomes her mentor and (yes, oh so unexpectedly!) love of her (after)life!
Kill me now!

“Cum Laude” by Cecily Von Ziegesar wasn’t in the league with “gossip Girl” series. This is a lame story about how a group of freshmen adopt to a small college life in a campus in beautiful Main.

“Early to Death, Early to Rise” by Kim Harrison. Now I love Ms. Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series, but this Madison Avery series is not working out in my humble opinion. Too weird if you ask me, too simplified, too rushed… Wish Ms. Harrison hasn’t started it. I wonder who told her YA books shouldn’t have a plot?!

“Tranquilista” by Kimberly Wilson is a life style book about being a trendy and hip yogi and all around cool girl. My impression was that Ms. Wilson has serious delusions of grandeur, thinking herself a great author and life couch.
The book is a mismatch of trendy lingo with French and British expressions randomly thrown in. It reads like rambling of a cheerleader turned yoga enthusiast who is high on something, too much sugar is my guess. Too fluffy, too sugary, too cheesy! Ugh!
If there were a couple of useful tips in the book, all those fluffiness did a good job of obscuring them.
Why do I read this trash?!

Best of the best

I finished “Sizzling Sixteen” (Stephanie Plum, book 16) by Janet Evanovich in a daze. Maybe that is not a good description and “in confusion” is better.
Stephanie’s cousin, Vinnie; has been involved in some shady doing and is kidnapped by a mafia boss. Stephanie, Connie and Lula have to save him if they want to have a job. The way to recover him is full of action and stink bombs!
Now what had me a little bored was Stephanie’s yo-yoing between Morelli and Ranger (again!). Sheesh! Can’t this girl make her mind?! This hazy love-triangle is becoming a little tired if you ask me!

“Changes” (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher was a great story if a little sad and frustrating. Harry hears that his daughter is stolen by the vampires of red court. He has to join forces with his ex, Susan; to recover their child. The problem is he is in something way over his abilities, so he starts looking for allies and cashing in all the favors he is owed. When those are still not enough, he has to make deals and accept offers that may endanger his soul and freedom. But he does it all to save his little girl.
Ooh, I don’t know about the ending though. Mr. Butcher did the same thing with the book 11 too, keeping us all on hot coals for a year; waiting for the next book.
So very unfair!

“Spirit Bound” (Vampire Academy, Book 5) by Richelle Mead was not in caliber with the other books of the series. I liked this series because of it’s logical and real plots and believable characters. Rose in “Spirit bound” disappointed me. Her reaction and decision were too childish and rash. She is supposed to be an official adult now, being 18 and out of school but it wasn’t shown in the story at all. She was reacting more like a 14 years old! “Should I kill Dimitri?... No, I can’t I love him…he is going to kill me… I kill him..I can’t… ooh, I kill him!” Not so good, Ms. Mead, not so good!
Also I liked this series because it didn’t have those ultra-dramatization of most Young Adult books, as I said most characters were very real and logical. But in this latest book, I can see the beginning of teenage-y drama, sacrifices and un-reasonable loves and … you know; all those mushiness that are the hallmark of YA romances. More is the pity, this series was going good so far!

And the “Best of the Best” for this week goes to “Changes”, of course!

Alexia and Garnet

Bought and finished “Changeless” by Gail Carriger the second book in The Parasol Protectorate series. Alexia is working well both in the role of queen’s official and a wife but when her husband suddenly heads north to Scotland all alone and a new disease is targeting supernaturals, Alexia is picking up her new and improved parasol and riding an airship or dirigible to the rescue.
The story has a curiouse ending which leaves you on pins and needles for the next 3 months until the third book comes out!

“Honeymoon of the Dead” (Garnet Lacey, book 5) by Tate Hallaway was not in the league with the previous books. It was a harried story of Sebastian and Garnet getting arrested and kidnapped multiple times in a three day period. Our happy couple a snowed in on the way to their honeymoon and keep seeing goods and goddesses in every turn. Also they keep visiting dark cold cells in turn, arrested by immigration and FBI or kidnapped and hospitalized. Wow, Ms. Hallaway sure was in need of a solid plot!

I am…

…way behind in writing my reviews.
First I took a few days to read the whole Sookie Stakehouse series in anticipation of watching the “True Blood” second season on DVD.
Then “A Cast-of-Coven” A Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell. Lily Ivory is trying to make some friends, learns of Max intentions toward herself and banish a demon. All in a day’s work.

“Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit” (A Novel of King Arthur) by Mercedes Lackey had put a new spin on the old legend. I generally don’t like these type of rewrites, so read it at your own risk.

“The Enchanted Emporium” by Tanya Huff was good soon as you got over the shock of the differences! OK, that peaked your curiosity, didn’t it? Alysha Gale learns that her wild grandmother’s passed away and left her a junk shop. She moves to Calgary to take care of business and find out what has happen to Gran. A crazy bunch of supernatural characters are ready to help her or eat her, whichever comes first.
This book is full of pies! Have a blueberry pie ready in case of emergency!

Did my yearly reread of “Desiree” by Annemarie Selinko. Love the old story!

Am reading “Twice bitten” A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill. Merit and Ethan are providing security for a shifter summit and get involved in politics again.
And also the 16th book of Stephanie Plum series: “Sizzling Sixteen" by Janet Evanovich.

Silver Borne

“Silver Borne” by Patricia Briggs was great. I had waited long for it and wanted to buy it. So when I got it, I devoured it in one afternoon!
Yeah, I will go back and read the whole series so far some time soon but this one was too short!
Mercy is adjusting to so many new things. But her bound with Adam and the pack’s objections to this interracial union is really hard to adjust. A few sneaky pack members are taking advantage of this unstable union as well. A new villain is in town who thinks Mercy is hiding a valuable Fae relic. In the middle of it all, Samuel has decided to go completely wolf and abandon his humanity. It is action and hard decisions all around but Mercy is adaptable and cunning, just like a coyote!

“The Lost Symbol” and “A Taint in the Blood”

I finally got to read Dan Brown’s latest “The Lost symbol”. I know, it has been out a year or so… but I somehow couldn’t bring myself to read it. I was fed up with all the commercialism and advertisement around this series (Robert Langdon). Also after reading all of Brown’s books I was sure this one has the same plot. Annnnd, I was right! The same plot and style only weaker and with less details. This last book read like a rushed eulogy to Freemasons. Yes they are good; they are wise, they are…. I was able to guess the identity of culprit less than one quarter into the book. After that I just read the book to fall sleep every night!
I have to bee honest. This story might be interesting for some one without any knowledge of Freemasons’ history and structure. But the crash course in mason history was not enough to cover the rushed plot and weaker points specially the part about Peter’s sister research.
Nothing to write home about, really!

I picked “A Taint in the Blood” by S. M. Stirling because the cover’s illustration vaguely looked liked Ian Somerhalder! Well, I paid for this shallowness dearly. Ok, excuse my drama! The book is full of dark scenes, S&M tortures and a couple of idiot heroes. It reads more like dark fantasies of an older guy than a novel. And that whole Shadowspawn concept is full of contrasts, these omnipotent wild people living and preying on humanity? Unbelievable.
That sounds like contradiction, doesn’t it? That I can accept and even love a lot of urban fantasy and supernatural novels but not this one? I guess this race is not well defined, they don’t have any weakness either; like they are the prototype for modern gods or something and that is what sounds so false to me.
Does this even make sense?!

The latest in Mistress of the Art of Death series

“A Murderous Procession” by Ariana Franklin is the fourth book of the series and my favorite this week.
Adelia is forced to travel to Sicily by King Henry II. King’s daughter is getting married to the King of Sicily and Henry wants to ensure his daughter’s safety by sending Adelia, Mansur and Sir Rowley with her. An enemy of Adelia is traveling with the caravan and there are all kinds of mischief and mayhem directed to her, to discredit and dishonor her.
She faces some dangers, finds some friends and loses a few others.
The ending is bitter sweet and in true Ariana Franklin style a suspense.
We have to wait for the next book breathlessly to see if everyone survives and what Adelia finds in her return trip.

I love this series, these historical mysteries. I love the old characters and the historical lessons.

“Love in Translation” and “The Angel’s Game”

“Love in Translation” by Wendy Tokunaga is a modern light novel. It is the story of Celeste Duncan, a thirty-something in a dead end job with an indifferent boyfriend; receives a letter from her late aunt and starts a quest of self discovery in Japan.
It is a nice uncomplicated optimistic happy ending story.
The story is funny and relaxing. I recommend it as a little fantasy escape to a happy place.

On the contrary, “The Angel's Game” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a dark mystery, full of painful bewilderment. David Martin, a young man; starts his writing career by writing a series of dark crime novels. His life changes after a fan starts writing to him and then commissioning a novel. The story is a mix of fantasy and reality, far fetched plots and strange characters. But also a little historical look into Barcelona of early twentieth century.

Aside from Arturo Perez-Reverte work, “The Angel's Game” was the only work I’ve read from Spanish authors and I’m starting to like their dark style and dry humor.

The secret circle

Having a good impression after reading the Vampire Dairies, I went ahead and read “The Secret Circle” series also by L.J. Smith.
This series has four books: “The Initiation”, “The Captive, part I”, “The Captive, Part II” and “The Power”.
The story is about a high school junior named Cassie. She and her mom move to a small town in New England to live with and take care of her ailing grandmother.
In the new school there is a strange clique, powerful and scary which even school authorities won’t oppose. Who these boys and girls are and what Cassie has in common with them? As the story unfolds we get to learn the history of the town and the families that matter most, also the history of each character.
To be honest I liked this series better than the Vampire Dairies. The characters are more human and believable, the plots real. The series has a defined structure and a solid foundation.
I wish there was a sequel to this series.

“Vampire diaries”

I got to watch a few sessions of “vampire diaries” at my parents and I became addicted!
I know I have a tremendous tendency to all kind of addiction:
chips and sunflower seeds in the afternoon, TV series, chocolate, late night music specially Taylor Swift and Beyonce, chocolate, chamomile tea, tomato basil soup, shopping, chocolate, handbags, cheesecakes and cream poufs, light airy dresses, chocolate, blogging, red wine…
Did I say chocolate? It’s a wonder I’m not a homeless junkie!
Anyhoo, I fell in love with the series and as soon as I got back I put hold on the books in the library.
Now the books are too different than the TV series but good in their own way.
The history of vampire brothers is quite different in the books, also the cast of characters is much smaller and the story has a faster pace.
What I liked about the TV series was Damon’s and Elena’s characters, more real, more believable. In the book, Damon is truly evil and Elena is a Saint (a real one after she comes back from the dead). The TV series has better plots and stories too. In the book the plots are simple and (a little) cliché.
The books are “The Awakening”, “The Struggle”, “The Fury” and “Dark Reunion” for the first part. After Elena comes back, there is “The Return” series with two books so far: “Nightfall” and “Shadow Souls”. All the books are by L. J. Smith.
I’d say I liked the few episodes of the TV series that I watched better than the books just because of the actor Ian Somerhalder playing Damon. You agree, don’t you?!

“Web of Lies”

I get to finish “Web of Lies” by Jennifer Estep. Remember how good the first book “Spider’s Bite” was? The second book is much better, more action, more challenge, more heartache. Gin decides to help a girl and her grandfather. The old man is a childhood friend of her late mentor, Fletcher Lane. She goes after her mark and into the house of Ashland’s queen of crime Mab herself…
Now Gin has more reason to look at that file Fletcher left her, the one with the picture of her lost sister in, the one with the name of Mab underlined…
I love the interaction of characters in this series. I also love how they feel real and alive with all their faults and their short comings.
The Elemental Assassin series is one that I read and follow eagerly and wait impatiently for the new books to come out.

Too much reading, too little time

Been reading:
“Never After” by Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, and Sharon Shinn. This book is a collection of four novellas, all of them fairy tales with princesses looking for their own happy-endings. And that’s what I loved about these stories, not being a cliché.
On the other hand, the four novellas in “Hot for the Holidays” by Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast, and Allyson James were as cliché as they come! Classic bodice-rippers. What a waste of time!
“Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter” by A. E. Moorat was a strange beast all in its own category. A historical paranormal fantasy, if you want! On the day of her coronation, Queen Victoria learns of the war between the forces of darkness (demons) and humans. She has inherited a team of guards and fighters which she prefers to ignore as she become enamored and married to Prince Albert. But after the birth of their son and kidnapping of Albert, the Queen has to pay attention to more than her family.
The only lovable character in my opinion was lord Quimby, the zombie master!
“Capitol Offense” by William Bernhardt is more a Court and jury novel than a murder mystery. One of those with high power characters and corrupted officials and helpless innocents. A great lawyer decides to defend a man convicted of killing a cop despite all the odds.
After a long wait finally: “Desert Spear” by Peter V. Brett. Remember the first book of the series, “The Warded Man” . In the second book we get to know the alleged Deliverer, the Krasian warrior, Jardir; better. On the other hand, our northern heroes, Leesha, Arlen and Rojer have been able to prepare a great fighting force against demons in just a year. But the southerners are attacking the northern cities in the name of the Great War trying to force everyone to join their army against demons. Also a new breed of demons appears which no one has encountered before.
Will Leesha finally find love? Will Arlen accept his destiny and become the Deliverer? Will southern warrior stop his treacherous ways?
And what I loved most this week: “The Reckoning” by Kelley Armstrong. The final installment in the darkest Powers series is when Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori; our teenage heroes are facing more betrayal and struggles than before. But all is well as they go back to that cursed lab to free their loved ones.

Book Waiting List:

To Be Read:

New:

Steel by Carrie Vaughn (Hardcover - Mar. 15, 2011)

After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn (Hardcover - Apr. 12, 2011)

Brayan's Gold by Peter V. Brett and Lauren K. Cannon (Jan 31, 2011)

Hard Bitten: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill (Paperback - May 3, 2011)

Always the Vampire by Nancy Haddock (Paperback - May 3, 2011)

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (Aug 23, 2011)

Ivy & Intrigue by Lauren Willig (Paperback - Aug 28, 2011)

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid, Book 6) by Richelle Mead (Aug 30, 2011)

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris (Hardcover - Aug 30, 2011)

Naughty In Nice (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen (Sep 6, 2011)

Snuff (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett (Hardcover - Oct 11, 2011)

Troubled Bones: A Medieval Noir by Jeri Westerson- Hardcover (Oct. 11, 2011)

Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini (Nov 8, 2011)

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley (Hardcover - Nov 1, 2011)

Scholar: A Novel in the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr. (Nov 8, 2011)

Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead (Paperback - Jan 3, 2012)

The Daemon Prism: A Novel of the Collegia Magica by Carol Berg (Jan 3, 2012)

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega) by Patricia Briggs (Hardcover - Feb 7, 2012)

The Garden Intrigue (Pink Carnation) by Lauren Willig (Hardcover - Feb 16, 2012)

Death on Heels: A Crime of Fashion Mystery by Ellen Byerrum (Feb 7, 2012)

A Perfect Blood (The Hollows) by Kim Harrison (Hardcover - Feb 21, 2012)

Timeless (The Parasol Protectorate, No. 5) by Gail Carriger (Mass Market Paperback - Feb 28, 2012)

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep (Mass Market Paperback - Feb 28, 2012)

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls) by Ally Carter (Mar 20, 2012)

The Calling (Darkness Rising) by Kelley Armstrong (Hardcover - Apr 10, 2012)

Deadlocked: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris (Hardcover - May 1, 2012)

The Golden Lily: A Bloodlines Novel by Richelle Mead (Hardcover - Jun 19, 2012)

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Old:
The Trouble With Magic (Bewitching Mysteries, No. 1) by Madelyn Alt

Where There's a Witch (Bewitching Mysteries, No. 5) by Madelyn Alt (Paperback - Jul 7, 2009)

Hex Appeal by Linda Wisdom (Paperback - Nov 1, 2008)

Brimstone Kiss (Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator) by Carole Nelson Douglas (Paperback - Oct 29, 2008)

Vampire Sunrise: Delilah Street: Paranormal Investigator (Delilah Street; Paranormal Investigator) by Carole Nelson Douglas (Mass Market Paperback - Nov. 24, 2009)

In Shade and Shadow: A Novel of The Noble Dead by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee (Hardcover - Jan 6, 2009)

Through Stone and Sea: A Novel of the Noble Dead by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee (Hardcover - Jan 5, 2010)

Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel: A Novel (Mortalis) by Boris Akunin and Andrew Bromfield (Paperback - Aug 11, 2009)


Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1) by Chloe Neill (Mass Market Paperback - Jan 5, 2010)


Angelic by Kelley Armstrong (Hardcover - Jan 8, 2010)

Here Comes the Vampire: A Dead-End Dating Novel (Dead-End Dating Novels) by Kimberly Raye (Mass Market Paperback - Jul 27, 2010)

Veil of Lies: A Medieval Noir - Paperback - Bargain Price (Oct. 13, 2009) by Jeri Westerson

Read:

Stealing Fire by Jo Graham (Paperback - May 25, 2010)

Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club) by Heather Vogel Frederick (Hardcover - Sept. 14, 2010)

Mad About the Duke by Elizabeth Boyle (Mass Market Paperback - Sept. 28, 2010)

Venom: An Elemental Assassin Book by Jennifer Estep (Mass Market Paperback - Sept. 28, 2010)

Masques by Patricia Briggs (Paperback - Sept. 28, 2010)

Memories of Envy: A Vampire Memories Novel by Barb Hendee (Paperback - Oct. 5, 2010)

Play of Passion (Psy/Changeling) by Nalini Singh (Paperback - Nov. 2, 2010)

Counterfeit Magic (Women of the Otherworld) by Kelley Armstrong and Maurizio Manzieri (Hardcover - Nov 30, 2010)

Demon Underground by Susan Wright (Paperback - Dec 7, 2010)

Shadowfever: The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning (Hardcover - Dec. 7, 2010)

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, Book 6) by Richelle Mead (Paperback - Dec. 7, 2010)

The Soul Mirror: A Novel of the Collegia Magica by Carol Berg (Paperback - Jan 4, 2011)

The Orchid Affair (Pink Carnation) by Lauren Willig (Hardcover - Jan. 20, 2011)

River Marked (Mercy Thompson, Book 6) by Patricia Briggs (Hardcover - Jan. 25, 2011)

Shot Through Velvet: A Crime of Fashion Mystery by Ellen Byerrum (Paperback - Feb 1, 2011)

Blackveil (Green Rider) by Kristen Britain (Hardcover - Feb. 2011)

Absolutely, Positively: A Lucy Valentine Novel by Heather Webber (Mass Market Paperback - Feb 1, 2011)

Iron Crowned - Paperback (Feb. 22, 2011) by Richelle Mead

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison (Hardcover - Feb. 22, 2011)

A Red Herring Without Mustard: A Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley (Hardcover - Feb. 8, 2011)

One of Our Thursdays Is Missing by Jasper Fforde (Hardcover - Mar. 2011)

Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy Mysteries) by Rhys Bowen (Hardcover - Mar. 1, 2011)


Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin, Book 4) by Jennifer Estep (Mass Market Paperback - Apr. 26, 2011)

The Gathering (Darkness Rising, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong (Hardcover - Apr 12, 2011)

Death in Seville by David Hewson (Paperback - May 1, 2011)

Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11) by Charlaine Harris (Hardcover - May 3, 2011)

Lord Langley Is Back in Town by Elizabeth Boyle (Mass Market Paperback - May 31, 2011)

Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changeling) by Nalini Singh (Hardcover - May 31, 2011)

Hunt the Moon: A Cassie Palmer Novel by Karen Chance (Paperback - Jun 7, 2011)

Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn (Mass Market Paperback - Jun 28, 2011)

Hexes and Hemlines: A Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell (Paperback - Jun 7, 2011)

Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate) by Gail Carriger (Jun 28, 2011)

Ghost Story (Dresden Files, No. 13) by Jim Butcher (Jul 26, 2011)

Spell Bound (Otherworld) by Kelley Armstrong (Hardcover - Jul 26, 2011)
The Tale of Castle Cottage by Susan Wittig Albert (September, 2011)



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To Be Bought:
- Here Comes the Vampire: A Dead-End Dating Novel (Dead-End Dating Novels) by Kimberly Raye (Mass Market Paperback - Jul 27, 2010)

Latest Sookie Book

Ooh, I forgot! I finished the “Dead in the Family” by Charlaine Harris. Book 10 of Sookie Stakehouse series is as adventured filled as ever. Sookie’s kidnapping and tortures has changed her worldview and now all she wants is living in peace with her family and loved ones. But this peace and quite is threatened when an unknown fairy is spying on her, Eric’s maker and his new “Child” come for a visit and the new delegate of Louisiana is making problems for Sookie and Eric and their undead friends. There is also the problem with new governmental restrictions against the Two Natured. This book is fast paced, action packed and full of breath-holding moments. Read it before it’s too late!


On another note:
I have a big problem. Finding a new home for my laptop, now; I have to work with this old desktop where all my files and documents are stored. I have to literally dig into this computer to find my everyday files. It is a torture! The book related part is that I’d lost my “Book Waiting list”, a list I make and update weekly on the books I like to read, the new books in series I’m following, of whatever is interesting to me and is going to get published and released in near future (six months to a year). So I lost the old list. I made a new one this week and now I finally found the old one. So confusing! I’m starting to think the best way is uploading the list into my weblog and updating it regularly. But that would make the sidbar too busy. Ahh, the challenges of being a bloger!

Back to my books

Hello, I’m back! After a month of absenting from books and a whole week struggling with jetlag, I finally celebrated my return to normal life by a reading frenzy. Five books in three days and I’m vary very happy!
Books four and five from “Broken Heart” series by Michele Bardsley. “Wait till your vampire gets home” and “Over my dead body” are about two more of those single parents that were attacked and turned vampire, one cold night in Broken Heart, Oklahoma. In the first one, Debby; a paranormal investigator is spying on a handsome guy in cemetery at night when two fighting dragons crash nearby. Debby and the cute guy with superpowers go for help and…
In second one, Broken Heart’s only auto-mechanic the beautiful Simone has to face her past and the nightmare she escaped from. But there is that new guy from PNI team Brady who insist on helping her every step of the way.
Now, had I said before I don’t like this series? Well, I don’t! I can only blame my checking out these books on my long absenting from books!
Then “Nice Girls don’t live forever” by Molly Harper. It is the third book of the series and Jane the librarian is breaking up with Gabriel, her boyfriend; in a hotel room in Brussels and coming home to work on a new empowered version of herself and reopens her bookstore.
I liked it. The story is funny, straight forward and amusing. No extra characters, no complicated plots, just good old fashion paranormal romance.
What I had waited long for: “Succubus Shadows” by Richelle Mead (Georgina Kincaid series, Book 5). Our favorite succubus has to help her friend pick wedding gowns, come to term with the fact that her ex is marrying her friend and fight a strange and dreamlike siren song. She is busy and she is down. Well, downer than usual. But she has some wonderful friends who love her and are more than ready to search heaven and earth to help her.
So good, so little; so short!
And “Tales of other Word” by Kelley Armstrong is a collection of her online novellas plus a new story: How Clyton and Elena met! Go read it quick! It’s so good!

“Flirt”, “Hell” and “Boneshaker”

Ahh, I did it again! I had promised myself (and you guys) that I’m not going to read any more of L.K. Hamilton. But there was almost nothing else in the Library New Books and I was desperate! Anyhow I took “Flirt” home and went through it in a couple of hours and I am not happy. Despite not having much going on for it, it was a good little book. Anita had sex with just one stranger and ended up taking him home. It is a record really!
But it could have been a much shorter story. The mystery wasn’t big or thought provoking. Mostly the book was about Flirting!
Do you know how to flirt without being sexual?

“Hell” by Robert Olen Butler was truly an award winning piece of literature and therefore a little boring and long. But it had a neat and unique plot. Also the narrative was ingenious; you would feel all the torture and frustration of Hell. A news anchor is dead and hell and trying to find a way out. I loved the cast of characters, Beatrice, Virgil, Bogart, Ann Boleyn, … and a few of US presidents! Just lovely!

“Boneshaker” by Cherie Priest was a steam-punk post-apocalyptic epic. In mid 1880’s a new invention goes wary and causes poison gas to start covering Seattle. A wall is build around the polluted areas and the rest of people are living outside. A teenage boy is looking for answers to his family mystery and his mom has to go after him and save his neck. I loved it! The timeline was different, imagining clockworks and machines in 1880’s was a little hard for me but the great plot more than made up for it.

And I will be taking a little trip and not posting for a month or so.
These are a few books that I look forward to coming back to:
“Silver Borne” (Mercy Thompson) by Patricia Briggs
“Succubus Shadows” (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5) by Richelle Mead
“Changes” (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher
"The Desert Spear" by Peter V. Brett
"A Murderous Procession" (Mistress of the Art of Death) by Ariana Franklin
"Dead in the Family" A Sookie Stackhouse Novel by Charlaine Harris
"Spirit Bound" (Vampire Academy, Book 5) by Richelle Mead

Back on the bookshelf

Another week already? Sheesh, time flies when you are not writing!
I had waited so long for the newest Molly Murphy Mysteries. “The Last Illusion” by Rhys Bowen was a little too familiar. It didn’t have the energy and high pace of previous books. The mystery was a little tame and the ending easy to guess.
Molly is hired to play bodyguard to the famous illusionist Harry Houdini. There are dangers, lots of suspects and international spies. This last part was where I had the most problem with. Also Daniel is becoming overprotective and keeps belittling Molly’s career and asking her to give up everything and marry him. I find that pretty offensive actually. That Daniel doesn’t respect Molly’s independent and personal goals. Maybe that was the culture back in 1903 but…
Anyhow these didn’t add up to an enjoyable read.

“Dark Slayer” by Christine Feehan is book nth of the Carpathian series which once again I started mid-series! There was this difference between Carpathians and vampires, shifters and Mages, some strangeness about the culture and a total lack of timeline which had me confused almost to the end of the book. Some might find this book well written. I certainly liked the plot but the characters were ultra sentimental and overly romantic in my opinion. No warrior stops planning battles to compliment and flirt with his pregnant wife. No warrior stops and tells his sweetheart right before entering a villain’s lair that he appreciates her! Come on! We (women the romantic creature that we are) might wish for sentimental and romantic lovers but it is not real and making up a guy’s character as overly romantic will come out as false and artificial. So all in all, I didn’t like the book. I say it had potential, the definition of characters were great and the plot was entertaining but the writing was lengthy and the scenes overly emotional. I was feeling suffocated with all the sugary language.

“Love ya Bunches” by Lauren Myracle was an elementary school story written for elementary schoolers but very sweet and cute. It was so relaxing! Four little girls looking for friendship find good friends and a cute personalized chat-room.

“My Husband's Sweethearts” by Bridget Asher was a different type of story. Lucy has left her husband after finding out he has been cheating on her with three women. Than she get a call that Artie is dieing and she better come back to say goodbye. She decides not to go through all the grief and heartbreak alone and calls up her husband's numerous girlfriend and affairs to come and take their shift at his bedside. Then she starts liking some of them and learning things. This is a story about grief, forgiveness, dealing with heartbreak and growing up and finally moving on.
I am not usually for deep emotional stories but this one has a black sense of humor allthrough the sadness and heartbreak that you keep reading to the end.

A Procrastinator’s Review

It is easy to write a couple of paragraphs when you finish each book. But if you let the books build up and still not in the mood to write, you are in trouble. That’s why this nice Easter Sunday, I am forcing myself to write. Here it goes:
“Obsidian Prey” (Ghost Hunters, Book 6) by Jayne Castle was one of my recent favorites. Lyra an amber tuner and Cruz an amber miner had their problems in the past including a failed law suit. But when Cruz comes asking for help, Lyra has to help him, if only to save innocent lives.
I love Ms. Castle’s writing style. Her plots are uncomplicated but smooth and absorbing. It also helps that all her books have happy-endings. So good for the soul!
“Covet” (Fallen Angels, Book 1) by J. R. Ward was another of her artificially slanged stories. Although the plot and story was solid and attractive, the foul artificial language may bore a person out of her frigging mind!
Jim Heron has a near-death experience and becomes a fallen angel, a soldier in battle of Good and Evil. His first assignment is to help Vin a money-hungry realstate mogul make the right choice. The other characters are a gold-hearted hooker, four angels in the sky playing golf in crisp white linen pants, two tough pierced field agents and a beautiful seductive woman. If Ms. Ward had stopped her crazy lingo, this book was one to recommend!
“Truly, Madly” by Heather Webber was a cute mystery romance with a hint of paranormal. Lucy’s family are matchmakers who use auras to match people. The only exception is Lucy who has developed other talents. When a client reveals his past, Lucy decides to make things better for him with the help of her family and a cute private investigator.
A trilogy by Mindy Klasky, “Girl's Guide To Witchcraft”, “Sorcery And The Single Girl” and “Magic And The Modern Girl” are about Jane a librarian who rent a cottage and finds a stack of magic books, a Familiar and a cute Warder. The first book is about Jane learning self respect and worth. The second one is about how she looks for acceptance and approval and the third is about her relationship with others and lessons in being responsible. Aside from these life lessons, the books are nice, simple and well written if a little lacking in entertainment value.
And finally, the best for the last: “Imager's Challenge” The Second Book of the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr.
I loved it, adored it, and savored it! OK, too much gushing! But it was goooood!
Rhenn is starting to patrol the city and his enemies are trying to trap and destroy him. The Imager’s Collegium can not publicly help him. His Family is in danger. His only allies are the family of his girlfriend and his powers and what new friends he can make.
It is a complicated, sometimes detailed; story but you get to enjoy every word.

“Babes-on- Brooms” and “Spider Bite”

It is a wonder I got to finish a couple of new books this week being duped up on painkillers, doing a last minute spring cleaning, our Persian New Year celebrations and having friends over. For a little peace and quite, I took refuge in “The Hallows” with Rachel Morgan, rereading all eight books.
My new reads are two cheesy romances and a great discovery.
“Blonde With a Wand” and “Chick with a Charm” by Vicki Lewis Thompson are from "Babes-on- Brooms" series. In the first book Anica, a cute blond witch; gets into an argument with her date and turns him into a cat. They have to find a way to reverse the spell and fall in love in the meantime.
In “Chick with a Charm” Lily, Anica’s sister; is giving a cute lawyer a love potion. Then again they have to find a way to cancel the consequences, figure out if they love each other without the potion and find their happily-ever-after.
In terms of story and plot lines these were really simple. The characters are tired and nothing exciting is really happening in the story. I liked the first book better. I liked Jasper’s outlook on life when he becomes a cat, very philosophical! But a few chapters into the second book I was bored. I kept reading only to see how it all ends.

“Spider's Bite: An Elemental Assassin Book” by Jennifer Estep was a master piece. Gin is an assassin with a mysterious and tragic past. When a contract goes wrong and her mentor and handler is killed, she looks for a few ally to find the killers and teach a lesson to her double-crossing clients.
The book is an urban fantasy/mystery happening in an alternative world where there are five races: Humans, vampires, Dwarves, Giants and Elementals (magic users). The timeline is our present day.
I love how the story starts: “My name is Gin and I kill people”
I’m waiting for May and the second book of the series to come out.

Extraordinary Adventures of Horatio Lyle

As always, I started this series with the second book, “The Obsidian Dagger: Being the Further Extraordinary Adventures of Horatio Lyle” - by Catherine Webb. The series is a Victorian mystery/fantasy written for Young Adults but the language, characters and plotlines are so lovely that any reader can enjoy the books. In this one, Lyle and his two sidekicks are developing a flying machine when Lord Lincoln asks them to investigate a few murders that has been happening in docksides of London. Stones of the city are murmuring a warning but no one is listening. With help of some hard facts, powers of deductions and quite some big explosion, Lyle, Thomas and Tess save the day (or night, whatever the case).
The first book is “The Extraordinary and Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle” and introduces the readers and characters together. It is the story of how Lyle, Thomas and Tess met and solved a mysterious theft. A priceless stone bowl has been stolen form Bank of England and queen’s special vault. A few corpses are found and some strange people of amazing beauty and unusual green eyes are looking for mayhem. Some persistence buglers keep breaking into Lyle’s house and magnetic fields and lightening are opening the door to a better future for humans.

I am looking for the third book "The Doomsday Machine".

Elizabeth Boyle’s latest

“How I Met My Countess” by Elizabeth Boyle is he latest in Bachelor Chronicles series. It is the story of Earl of Clifton, another one of English spies and how he comes back to England after years of service abroad. It is also part of Langley sisters’ story. Felicity wants to be rid of three widowed ladies in her husband’s family so she gives them an ultimatum and leaves her infamous Bachelor Chronicles with them. The first to take the pledge is Lucy the youngest Lady Stanton.
I love Ms. Boyle’s romances. All of them have solid believable plots and lots of funny secondary and tertiary characters. You fell in love with almost all her characters.

“Imager” and “Spirit Lens”

I don’t like epic fantasy (sword and sorcery or daggers and dragons) books. They usually have the same theme: a young hero, evil lords, strange creatures and magic, a taxing quest, a few crazy and odd companions, usually a beautiful girl in trouble… you know the type! They all aspire to be the next “Lord of the Rings” without any success.
So for the last four years I have been avoiding this subgenre until I read the “Warded Man” a few weeks ago. Then last week in the library I told myself “what the heck!” and picked two books of this genre randomly. I was in luck. Both turn out to be better than good and renewed my faith in Sword and sorcery books.
“Imager” Book One of the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr. is happening in an alternative universe where magic is real and used in place of man-power. The timeline is around Victorian era when science is advancing, there is railroad and guns but people still ride horses and have carriages. There is a special college for mages who can create almost anything just by imagining and visualization.
Rhennthyl spends years as a portraitist apprentice learning and working hard. Although his work is better than most masters, his master doesn’t pay and support him. When the master is killed in a fire, Rhenn starts thinking about his little adjustments to the portraits and the accident. He looks for a new master but no one wants him. He has no choice but to apply to the college of Imagers. He advances rather rapidly but there are truths that no normal person knows about Imagers.
The book is lengthy and has too much detail but is so well written that you willingly suffer through Rhenn’s classes with him. Instead of strange and useless quests, the plot revolves around a mystery: the murder of young Imagers. There is also some flavor of romance but it remains a flavor, just a touch. Just enough!
My only problem with the book is that the second book of the series is not in the library database. Where am I supposed to find it?!
“The Spirit Lens” by Carol Berg is another epic fantasy/sorcery which has a mystery as its core. Portier, a failed sorcerer and librarian of a magical school; is summoned by the King to find and nullify assassins whom targeted the King. Portier starts his work with making a team, inviting Chevalier Ilario and sorcerer Dante. Dante is an angry unconventional sorcerer and Ilario is a fop, more concern about parties and fashion than matters of life and death. The Queen is the main suspect and there are rumors of nefarious practices. What our trio discover is bigger than few murder and assassination attempts. The natural order of the universe could be in danger!
This book was published two months ago and I can’t find any info on the release date of the second book. More is the pity!

“Black Magic Sanction”

Am I the first to review this long awaited book?
Well, “Black Magic Sanction” the 8th book of Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison had a great story as always but was so short! I was just getting the hang of this new improved cool Rachel when the book ended.
The most important aspect of this story is Rachel’s acceptance of her demon-kin status. She doesn’t hyperventilate anymore at the mention of black curses and uses a few herself. She is comfortable visiting the Ever-after and has a good working relationship with Big Al. The book’s plot and action was breathtaking. Rachel has dealt with and survived all the major races, vampires, werewolves, demons,… but she never had been at the opposite end of a witch’s spells. However, now; with her shunning and black-witch status she has attracted the attention of witches’ council of moral standards and they are not very moral in their wants and dealings. That slimy bastard Nick is appearing and disappearing. Trent also is pressuring her.
I am going to re-read the whole series in a little while and think about all the changes Rachel has gone through.
Eight books into the series and this series is getting better and better. Can I say it one more time? Kim Harrison is a genius!