Monday, January 31, 2011

Kelly's Review; ETERNITY EMBRACED

ETERNITY EMBRACED

By: Larissa Ione

Demonica Series 3.5

Kindle Edition E-Book (available only in digital download)

First Printing: 2011

Amazon; Goodreads

Concept: “Desire…Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instint…

Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him — as food — he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.”

Review: The Demonica series has quickly become a paranormal romance genre favorite and if I ever have to go into the hospital, I will pray I go to Underworld General Hospital where the sexy demons, vampires, shifters and other bump in the night lovelies frolic. When I noticed that my book club’s founding mistress got this book, I practically threw myself at her feet begging for a lended copy to read. Wasn’t she amazing for passing it on to me? I think so. And thank you Amazon for allowing lended copies to be shared! So when I opened my Kindle, I found Kaden and Andrea in that part of the world that is the Demonica series. This is a short novella, so there can’t be a lot of character building and scene setting but the story sucks you in anyway. There’s a newly turned Kaden trying to deal with his past, current and newly discovered feelings and there’s Andrea who can’t seem to quit thinking about sex, even in the midst of a life or death circumstance. It climaxes with a nice wound up scene with some of our favorite characters from the first Demonica book, Eidolon and Tayla. Through it all, Ms. Ione writes some of the hottest sex scenes around. This is a quick but seriously fun read!

What I liked: My favorite quote, maybe my second favorite ever comes from this gem. When speaking about vampires and vampire killers: “Oh yeah, he definitely appreciated a hot chick who knew how to handle wood. Pun intended.” It’s THAT sort of sense of humor that keeps me coming back to Ms. Ione’s books.

I also want to note that if I were Ms. Ione and I were trying to sell new readers on buying all the Demonica series books, I would start them out with a free version of this novella. It gives you a taste of the style and excitement that is in the Demonica series books and it shows us enough characters to know that all the Demonica books have got to be excellent right??? Of course right (and I haven’t even read all of them)!

What I disliked: It was a little hard for me to fall into the belief that while one is about to be killed by either a) one’s former lover who has been turned vampire or b) said bad vampire who turned one’s former lover, that one’s crotch takes over and makes you want hot, molten sex. I really didn’t care for that particular scene BUT, it’s a novella. It’s supposed to be short. It is still is a fun read and you just have to read it for the fun of the story.

My rating: 4 Stars.

Kelly

for Book Lover's Hideaway

Sunday, January 30, 2011

In My Mailbox #5

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A weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we post all books we have received where in the mail, bought or got from the library.

I can't believe this is the end of January. Wow! Where did this month go? Time flies when you're having fun so they say lol How many are anxiously waiting for February to arrive? I know I am. There are awesome books that are being released. Enough rambling here is my last IMM for January.

Books I Won:
Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda, Thanks to Carissa at Preternatural Primer

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Pathfinder(ARC)by Orson Scott Card, Thanks to Savy at Books With Bite

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Currently Reading:
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Book's I've Read This Week:
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Books I Plan To Read This Week:
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That's it for the week, I more reviews coming as well. What's in your Mailbox.

Book Lover's New Badge

BannerFans.com

We have a new badge, please tell me if it the link back works when you snag it?

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Review Dark Seduction Masters of Time #1 by Brenda Joyce

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Dark Seduction(Masters of Time #1)by Brenda Joyce
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published May 1st 2007 by HQN Books
ISBN 0373772335 (ISBN13: 9780373772339)
primary language English
original title Dark Seduction (Masters of Time, #1)
url http://www.brendajoyce.com/novels
series Masters of Time #1
characters Claire Camden, Malcolm (MacLean) of Dunroch
setting New York (United States)
Scotland, 1427 (United Kingdom)
Source: Gifted-My own copy
Amazon

Brenda Joyce's Links:
Brenda's Website
Masters of Time Website


Goodreads Summary:
Malcolm of Dunroch is a newly chosen Master, a novice to his extraordinary—and dangerous—powers. But he has already broken his vows—and a young woman's death is on his hands. Malcolm is determined to fight his darkest desires, denying himself all pleasure…until fate sends him another Innocent, the beautiful bookseller Claire Camden.

Since her mother's murder, Claire has done everything possible to make a safe, secure life for herself in a city where danger lurks on every street corner, especially in the dark of night. But nothing can prepare her for the powerful and sexual medieval warrior who sweeps her back into his time—a treacherous, frightening world where the hunters and the hunted are one and the same. Claire needs Malcolm to survive, yet she must somehow keep the dangerously seductive Master at arm's length. For Malcolm's soul is at stake—and fulfilling his desires could prove fatal….

Review:
Let me start by saying I chose this book for several reasons, one being hot cover, two I loved the premise and three I have been aching to get back to my original love which is historical romance. This book covers all that which I love and missed, Highlanders(my new found addiction), a bit of paranormal(well if you want to call Good vs Evil)Time Travel, and History(Yay!). It had been so long since I have read anything to do with history that when I turned the first page, I felt like I just slipped back into a favorite pair of comfy slippers.

Malcolm is the typical (hot I might add) He man warrior/highlander who's job is to protect the innocents, little did he know when he would meet Claire his world would be changed forever.

Claire is a woman who is used to defending herself, a woman of the now time so when Malcolm comes into her life- there is a constant battle between her heart and wanting to remain independent as well as keeping Malcolm safe.

While the Scottish accent through me for a bit, it didn't take me long to fall in love with this book and Malcolm who could not love a big strong warrior who just wanted to protect you.

What Did I Like:
I liked that the Author didn't confuse you with the time jumps, I have read some books where I was confused and this one did not do that it flowed smoothly. I also liked the world building she didn't get overbearing with it and I understood completely what and who the Masters of Time were.


Overall It was wonderful to go back into time to 1427 Scotland and picture how a modern Claire dealt with the differences between her world and his.

Would I recommend it Yes, if you love Highlanders, Time Travel and Steamy Romance this book is for you. Would I continue with the series? Yes!

My rating for this book 4.5 stars out of 5

Book Trailer



Masters of Time Series Reading Order:
Dark Seduction
Dark Rival
Dark Embrace
Dark Victory
Dark Lover

On My Wishlist # 8

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On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too.

These books I have been having my eye on for awhile now, They are mostly YA this week.

Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1) by Chloe Neill
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Reading level: Young Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Signet (January 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451228863
ISBN-13: 978-0451228864

Amazon

Amazon Summary:
New Girl.
New School.
Old Evil.

From the author of the Chicagoland Vampires novels.

A new series about a boarding school filled with something worse than homework.

Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...

Second book in the series is:

Hexbound (Dark Elite, Book 2)
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Amazon

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Signet; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451230795
ISBN-13: 978-0451230799

Amazon Summary:
Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia's School for Girls, but she's already learned that magic can be your best friend-or your worst enemy. That's why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities while fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago's nastiest nightlife-including the tainted magic users known as Reapers...

I want this one because I love Cleopatra and from what I heard its an awesome read.

Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
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Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425238555
ISBN-13: 978-0425238554

Amazon

Amazon Summary:
With her parents dead, the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony is left at the mercy of her Roman captors. Heir to one empire and prisoner of another, Princess Selene must save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers...

In the aftermath of Alexandria's tragic fall, Princess Selene is taken from Egypt, the only home she's ever known. Along with her two surviving brothers, she's put on display as a war trophy in Rome. Selene's captors mock her royalty and drag her through the streets in chains, but on the brink of death, the children are spared as a favor to the emperor's sister, who takes them to live as hostages in the so-called lamentable embassy of royal orphans...

Trapped in a Roman court of intrigue that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, Selene can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her flesh. Nor can she stop the emperor from using her for his own political ends. Faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to honor her mother's lost legacy. The magic of Egypt and Isis remain within her. Can she succeed where her mother failed? And what will it cost her in a political game where the only rule is win or die?


This is another I have been wanting for awhile, not posting the whole series but I do want them all.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
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Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; First Edition edition (February 19, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416955070
ISBN-13: 978-1416955078

Amazon

Goodreads Summary:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end

Friday, January 28, 2011

Kelly's Review: BORN OF NIGHT

BORN OF NIGHT

By: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book 1 in The League Series

St. Martin’s Press / 175 Fifth Avenue / New York, NY 10010

First Printing: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-312-94230-4

Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “In the Ichidian Universe, the League rules all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption…

HE WAS BORN AND TRAINED TO KILL

Command Assassin Nykyrian Quiakides once turned his back on the League – and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target.

SHE MUST ACCEPT HIS PROTECTION – OR DIE

As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new endanger them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.”

Review: This isn’t my first SK book -- it’s my second and wowza! I’ll be joining the masses on the SK fan floor. In this book, the first book in The League series, we meet and learn about the whole gang. Nykyrian, Kiera, Syn and others. The setting is a futuristic (I was thinking Star Wars) type setting where our girl, Kiara, finds herself the target of an assassination attempt and her father hires Nykyrian and his gang to protect her. Through lots of action scenes and some very tender and revealing “getting to know you” scenes, we find out what makes Nykyrian and Kiara tick as well as the ticks of those around them. It’s an action packed book that delves into the beginnings of these loveable assassins. Tortured hot men, tortured sexy virginal woman and you’ve got yourself Born of Night.

What I liked: I loved how SK really pulls you into the characters. I found myself really pulling for them all. The story behind the lovers was believable and exciting as well. I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

As an extra added goodie, here's a link to a behind the scenes shoot of commercials for The League which apparently at some point was actually a program on the SciFi Channel. Really????

What I disliked: There was a little too much to the story. The angst between Nykrian and Kiera due to both of their tortured paths and the fact that there were contracts out on both of their lives plus friends and family that didn’t approve was enough of a story line for me. But the tortured upbringing of our hero was enough to bring tears to your eyes was thrown in that still wasn’t finished…there was also all these other bad guys, surprise children and pregnancies and kidnappings and well, there was never a dull moment. I think the book could have been cut short by a couple hundred pages and some of the stuff thrown out, or perhaps added into another book.

My rating: 4 Stars. This book is a definite good read.

Kelly

Reviewer for Book Lover's Hideaway


Follow Friday # 6 Blog Hop # 2 18 & Over Book Blogger Hop #1



This meme is hosted by Parajunkee's View


This Week's Question: What is/was your favorite subject in school?
History was my absolute favorite subject in school.

Whats Yours?


Book Blogger Hop


This meme hosted by Crazy For Books


This Week's Question: What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?
It should read books lol- Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian, Lover Unleashed by JR Ward, Dreams of Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole and Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione.

What's yours?

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18 and over book blogger tag along is for a specific group of book bloggers. 18 and over book bloggers primarily have on their blog book reviews and post of adult content. In other words, if you read books like erotic and adult romance and have adult pic. then you can play tag along. Sorry YA readers, but if you read both (I know some of you do) you can tag along also.

This meme is hosted by Bitten By Paranormal Romance and my first hop around.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Topic Thursday- The Other Me

Topic Thursday will be a random subject I will post about every week. (Sorry no graphic yet) will come up with something soon.


But this week I thought I would talk about the other me. I know you are probably wondering what is this crazy girl talking about well let me tell you. There is another side to this book loving, divorced mother of one teenage boy.

It occurred to me after I had done two interviews with two fabulous bloggers (Danielle and Theresa ) that I mentioned about my love for music- 80's metal to be exact and to get further in detail a Bon Jovi fanatic- yes I said it I am a BON JOVI addict.

I had thought about keeping both worlds separate but then thought why not admit my other addiction.

So you know when my love for books began well let me tell you when my Bon Jovi love began- way back when I was about 14 or so give or take Runaway hit the airwaves.



I know laugh I know you want to - Hell I do now that I look at this video but then I loved everything about this band , song and this was the beginning of my 27 year love affair with Bon Jovi.

I also run a fansite (unofficial ) dedicated to this band so when I am not reading I am working on this . I don't do this for money, what I get is life long friends as I hope to make through book blogging.

Jovination Forum
Jovination Website
Jovination Twitter

While I find an escape through books I also find it through their music. Their music has helped me through my toughest times(won't go into them) but to be honest without it I don't know how I could have made it through.

So now you have it the other me, I hope I didn't bore you too much. Stay Tuned for next week's topic.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday #8

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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine That spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.


My WOW is going to be a mixture this week-paranormal(typical I know lol but this week I will have mostly YA.

First is Raziel by Kristina Douglas

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Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439191921
ISBN-13: 978-1439191927
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
Amazon

Goodreads Summary:
Kristina Douglas’s sexy new series introduces a realm of fallen angels and ruthless demons, where an eternal rebellion is brewing . . . and one unsuspecting woman can change the fate of the Fallen forever.

She was just an ordinary mortal . . .

“You’re dead” is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she’s surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood—and they really don’t want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

. . . until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel’s orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom’s shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness—because Allie may be the Fallen’s only salvation.

Demon (Fallen #2)by Kristina Douglas
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Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by Pocket (first published 2011)
ISBN 143919193X (ISBN13: 9781439191934)
primary language English
original title Demon
urlhttp://www.kristinadouglas.com/books/the...
series Fallen #2
Amazon

Goodreads Summary:
Fallen angels abound in the second sizzling paranormal romance by newcomer Kristina Douglas, featuring Azazel, the King of the Fallen.
Once the Fallen’s fearless ruler, a grieving Azazel must find the legendary siren meant to take his lost lover’s place . . . and kill her.

He’s a devil of an angel.
Azazel should have extinguished the deadly Lilith when he had the chance. Now, faced with a prophecy that will force him to betray the memory of his one true love and wed the Demon Queen, he cannot end her life until she leads him to Lucifer. Finding the First is the Fallen’s only hope for protecting mankind from Uriel’s destruction, but Azazel knows that ignoring his simmering desire for the Lilith will be almost as impossible.

She’s an angel of a demon.
Rachel Fitzpatrick wonders how Azazel could confuse her with an evil seductress. She’s never even been interested in sex! At least not before she set eyes on her breathtaking captor. And now she can’t think about anything else—besides escape.

Angels and demons don’t mix.
Rachel stirs a carnal need in Azazel that he never thought he’d feel again. Falling for a demon—even if she has no idea she’s the Lilith—means surrendering his very soul. But if he lets her go, he risks abandoning his heart, his dangerous lover, and possibly all of humanity, to Uriel’s deadly wrath.

Personal Demons (Personal Demons #1)
by Lisa Desrochers

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Paperback, 365 pages
Published September 14th 2010 by Tor Teen
ISBN 0765328089 (ISBN13: 9780765328083)
primary languageEnglish
url http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com
series Personal Demons #1
characters Frannie Cavanaugh, Luc Cain, Ryan Keefe
Amazon

Goodreads Summary:
Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance—-even her closest friends—-and it seems as if her senior year is going to be more of the same . . . until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can’t seem to stay away from him.

What she doesn’t know is that Luc is on a mission. He’s been sent from Hell itself to claim Frannie’s soul. It should be easy—-all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance. But he has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can’t be far behind. And sure enough, it’s not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. It isn’t long before they find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie’s soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.

Original Sin (Personal Demons #2)
by Lisa Desrochers (Goodreads Author)
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Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: July 5th 2011 by Tor Teen
ISBN 0765328097 (ISBN13: 9780765328090)
series Persona Demons #2
Amazon

Goodreads Summary:
When secrets and old histories come to light, Frannie realizes that nobody is who she thought they were. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Some are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell's grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Hellbent (Personal Demons #3)
by Lisa Desrochers (Goodreads Author) expected release May 2012
More information coming soon.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Review Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

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Kindle Edition
Published January 20th 2011
ASINB004K6MMCY
series Demonica
characters Kaden, Andrea
Amazon
Larissa Ione's Blog


Goodreads Summary:
Desire...

Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instinct...

Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him - as food - he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.

NOTE: This is a short novella that originally appeared in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 and the anthology Vampires in Love. It has been expanded for its stand-alone digital release. In the Demonica timeline, it falls between book 3, Passion Unleashed, and book 4, Ecstasy Unveiled, though it can easily be read without having read the Demonica novels.


Review:

I believe it was last night I saw this short story was being released and for the fact I hadn't read this short story in its original form in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, I squealed with excitement and today I immediately bought it for my Kindle on PC.

What can I say about this other than I loved it! Larissa didn't disappoint me(like she could ever but still).

Andrea is torn between her love for Kaden and her duty as a Demon Slayer.

Kaden who spent the majority of his life slaying the very thing he became and as badly as he wants and needs Andrea, can they still be together?

This was one wild ride, from the moment I bought it to the very last page and it was also great to see a couple characters from previous books.

What did I like :
Everything!  if I tried to write everything down , you would have the whole book before you and I don't want to spoil it. But I can say its a very fast read and you will devour it in no time.

What didn't like:
That it ended, I crave more of the Demonica's series , I still have to read Sin Undone yet, I know your asking why I haven't - I think because I know thats the last book and I don't want it too end yet.

Would I recommend:
Hell Yes!(pardon my cursing) but I absolutely adore Larissa and if you haven't read her Demonica Series you should and if you have but not read this one - read it, you won't be disappointed.

Oh yea in all my excitement I almost forgot to post my rating 5 out of 5 (very very high 5)

And don't forget she has a new series coming out ! They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The first book, Eternal Rider is scheduled for release in April 2011.

Teaser Tuesday # 6

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is from Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione.


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She didn't want to ask, but the question fell from her lips before she could stop it. "Why not?"

"Because," he said, opening his mouth to reveal two extra-long canines, "I'll kill you."

Monday, January 24, 2011

In My Mailbox #4

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A weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we post all books we have received where in the mail, bought or got from the library.


Well now that the weekend is over and a new week has begun, I sit here trying to stay warm (Wishing I lived in the Tropics) and sneezing like no tomorrow. Considering the way I have been feeling I was surprised I actually got any reading done. Ok enough of my rambling on to what I have in my mailbox this week.


Books I won:

Night School (Blood Coven #5)-ARC -Thanks to Loni at ACasualReader
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Dust- ARC by Joan Frances Turner- Thanks to Lori at Just Bookin'Around

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Spirit Guide Series by E.J. Stevens thanks to E.J. Stevens(Author) At From The Shadows

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Book I'm Currently Reading:
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Books I've Read This Past Week:
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Books I plan to read(hopefully this week):
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Coming Soon Reads and Reviews:
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B.L.B. Blog Tour Review- Immortyl Kisses by B.K. Walker

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Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 337 KB
Publisher: Lulu; First edition (December 24, 2010)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B004HB1AQG
Lending: Enabled

Amazon

B.K. Walker's Links
Book Website
B.K. Walker's Website
B.K.'s Blog
Facebook Page

Book Courtesy of B.K. Walker and Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour:
Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour Blog


Goodreads Summary:
Raine was an average girl with an average teenage life. Always loving anything to do with vampires, she never expected they would be real. When a Rogue vampire hunts her, she not only learns that vampires are real, but that the two boys that her heart is caught between are in fact a vampire and a werewolf.

As both boys vow to keep her safe, Raine learns of her true destiny...she is a Shijin Warrior born to win the war against an evil Warlock named Fala. Fala is creating half vampire half shape shifting creatures to take out all of immortal kind.

Will Raine be able to fulfill her destiny and save immortals, or will her hearts desires make her lose everything in the end?


Review:
Raine is just a 'misfit' trying to fit in , she doesn't like what all the other kids like , she loves the goth type look and vampires. Lonely she hopes to find love someday and in walks in the mysterious Tristan and from that moment on her world is turned upside down.


As excited as I was to read this book because after all I am such a vampire, lore fanatic. This book left me disappointed. I didn't feel the connection with the characters like I felt I should have.

What I did like:
I loved the premise-love triangle, fight bad guy. The fighting scenes and training was well done those I could visualize and root for the good guy so to speak and lastly it was a fairly fast read.

What I didn't like:
As I mentioned above and this is a biggy for me I just couldn't feel the emotions of the characters it felt flat. I wanted to but I just couldn't. But the downside for it being fast read is that I was left confused as we kept jumping along in the story- nothing really felt wrapped up.

That being said would I recommend this book, well I think I will leave that up to you to decide. While it might not have been my cup of tea, it just might be yours.



My ratiing is a 2 stars out of 5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Kelly's Review: THE SOUND OF BUILDING COFFINS


THE SOUND OF BUILDING COFFINS

By: Louis Maistros

The Toby Press LLC / PO Box 8531 / New Millford, CT 06676-8531

First Printing: 2009

ISBN: 978 1 59264 255 7

Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “It is 1891 in New Orleans, and young Typhus Morningstar cycles under the light of the half moon to fulfill his calling, rebirthing aborted fetuses in the fecund waters of the Mississippi River. He cannot know that nearby, events are unfolding that will change his life forever – events that were set in motion by a Vodou curse gone wrong, forty years before he was born.

In the humble home of Sicilian immigrants, a one year old boy has been possessed by a demon. His father dead, lynched by a mob, his distraught mother at her wits’ end, this baby who yesterday could only crawl and gurgle is now walking, dancing, and talking – in a voice impossibly deep. The doctor has fled, and several men of the cloth have come and gone, including Typhus’ father, warned off directly by the clear voice of his Savior. A newspaper man, shamed by the part he played in inciting the lynch mob that cost this boy his father, appalled by what he sees, goes in search of help.

Seven will be persuaded, will try to help…and all seven will be profoundly affected y what takes place in that one room house that dark night. Not all will leave alive, and all will be irrevocably changed by this demonic struggle, and by the sound of the first notes blown of a new musical form: jazz.

Vivid and complex, meticulously drawn in lyrical prose, this tale of death and rebirth, devastation and redemption, will draw you into a world of beauty and pain, as alluring as it is dangerous, Louis Maistros has captures the essence of New Orleans, and set it free on these pages to work its magic on us all.

Review: I don’t know if I can adequately review this book. It was one of the most unique books I’ve ever read and after reading other reviewers, it seems we all agree on that point. I sort of went from the fryer into the frying pan with this book. The last book I read, March, was also historical fiction and I swore I wouldn't read another one. But here it is and I did.

The book starts out in the late 1800’s with some extremely exotic characters. Rev. Noonday Morningstar has named his children after diseases and we meet Typhus, Malaria, Cholera, Diphtheria and Dropsy as well as other memorable characters as Marcus Nobody Special and even the boogeyman. It’s hard though, for instance, as the concept above points out that Typhus is giving aborted fetuses back to the Mississippi. Its rather a hard scene to imagine. But for some reason that I can’t quite explain, you can’t put it down. I found myself wondering where the whole thing was going and then at other points, just really enjoying the stories that the author told. This isn’t a bad book, it has received amazing reviews, I think it’s just a little too complex for my tastes. It so well written though that if you are considering this book at all, I hope you will consider other reviewers’ opinions to help your decision. If you DO decide to read it, check out the author's blog for a really cool "pictorial" of his characters. Its a really fun reader's guide sort of thing. Here.

What I liked: This author was not formally educated and you would not ever guess that from reading this book. The characters are so real, you really get involved with them and start hungering for more information. I loved the history in the book even though a big on the magical side (as the book promised) so you cannot take away from that at all.

What I disliked: It was very difficult for me to keep in focus what the story was about. It seemed, at times, like a bunch of separate stories which it was but it was hard to understand the connection. It dragged at some points. The story was hard and sometimes seemed to shock just for shock value.

My rating: 3 SOLID stars.


by Kelly

for Book Lover's Hideaway