Sunday, November 22, 2009

Haunted In Death by J.D. Robb

Haunted In Death by J.D. Robb

My Rating: 8 *'s

Description: Originally from the Anthology Bump in the Night

Number Twelve is an urban legend in 2060 New York City. The hot club in the 1960s, it is now reported to be haunted…and cursed. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called there to investigate the apparent murder of Radcliff Hopkins, its new owner and the grandson of the man who made Number Twelve a cultural icon. Several bullets from a banned gun end his dream of returning the building to its former glory.

With everyone around her talking about the supernatural, pragmatic Eve won't let rumors of ghosts distract her from hard evidence. The case becomes even more bizarre when it appears to be linked to the suspicious disappearance of a rock star eighty-five years ago. As Eve searches for the connection, logic clashes with the unexplainable. She may be forced to face the threat of something more dangerous than a flesh-and-blood killer.

My Thoughts: A little different twist on the usual cases we see Dallas and Peabody investigating. This one involves a murder from nearly 100 years ago and a lot of paranormal activity. In spite of the story being short, it managed to draw me in completely and fully hold my interest.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

True Lies Of A Drama Queen by Lee Nichols

True Lies Of A Drama Queen (Red Dress Ink) True Lies Of A Drama Queeen by Lee Nichols

My rating: 10 *'s

Description: Some true lies of a drama queen:

*My name is Elle Medina. (Absolutely true!)

*I'm a professional psychic. (Completely accurate. Except for the "professional" part...and the "psychic" part.)

*I'm planning my best friend's wedding. (Maya only thinks she's planning it.)

*I'm a serious journalist. (I cover crystal therapy for the local weekly rag.)

*I live with my boyfriend, Merrick. (I'm pretty sure he's still my boyfriend.)

She may be lovely and talented but Elle Medina's phone psychic business is sputtering, her boyfriend thinks she's attending graduate school (not exactly) and she's about to ruin her best friend's wedding. Things can't get worse. Can they?

They can and do when Elle's innocent dressing room striptease (oh, like you've never!) ends up on the Internet, and she sets out to find the cyber-creep who put her there. Elle knows coming of age is not a destination but a journey...she's just having a little trouble staying on the road.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this story more than I enjoyed the first Drama Queen book. Elle is someone who manages to make complete chaos manageable. When everything seems to fall apart around her, she is at the top of her game. I can't help but admire that.

I recommend this author for her fresh and witty storylines, snappy dialogue and characters that are realistic and easy to relate to.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Undead And Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead And Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson

My Rating: 9*'s

Description: As Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor approaches the big three-one (in human years, that is), she has a lot on her plate. There are wedding plans to finalize, with no help from her fiance, Eric. And Betsy has decided to stop drinking blood, something Eric --- the vampire king --- may not understand....

So, when some guests show up uninvited --- and they happen to be the powerful European vampires, who have finally come to pay their respects the week before her birthday --- Betsy gets really cranky...

My Thoughts: More campy and wacky antics occurring when Betsy, the Queen of the Vampires, is approaching her 31st birthday. Adding to her stress is her decision to go blood free, her upcoming wedding and the arrival of a group of European vampires, whose intentions may not be so friendly. And if that's not bad enough, there's a zombie in the attic! Betsy is having a bad day and she really HATES zombies. Really, what else can go wrong? You can't even begin to imagine, so I highly recommend picking up this book to find out.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Dead And Gone by Charlaine Harris

Dead And Gone by Charlaine Harris

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps—and nothing about weres.

Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works—and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it.

But there’s a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings—older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves—is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.

My Thoughts: Enjoying this series more with each book. Though I wasn't a fan of Sookie's relationship with Quinn, I haven't decided if Eric is good for her either but I don't think I want to see her back with Bill. This book brings more hostility out in the open when the weres decide to out themselves. I wasn't surprised at Arlene's reaction as she has been increasingly intolerant with each book since she associated herself with The Fellowship of the Sun. What I found interesting is how the murder of a were-panther is tied to Sookie's past.

Looking forward to Sookie's next adventure.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

New Additions To The TBR Pile in October

Some very promising titles making themselves comfortable in the bottomless pit of Mount TBR...

Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires & Dianna Love

Description: With these four tales of paranormal romance, it's never been hotter to be close to death…

SHERRILYN KENYON “Shadow of the Moon”
Angelia has fought her entire life to make herself strong. Now, with her patria under fire, she has to protect her people from Fury and his werewolf clan. Vowing to bring him to justice, Angelia sets out alone… -- until the hunter becomes the hunted, and the only way for her to survive is to trust the very wolf she’s sworn to kill.

J. R. WARD “The Story of Son” Claire
Stroughton is a beautiful lawyer who would rather spend the night with a legal brief than the man of her dreams. Then a routine client meeting turns dangerous— -- and deeply sensual -- —when she is held captive by a gorgeous man with an unworldly hunger…...

SUSAN SQUIRES “Seize the Night”
When Drew Carlowe returns home to win back a lost love, he is quick to dismiss rumors that his estate is haunted by a stunning young ghost... until one passionate encounter leaves him mystified— -- and aching for more.

DIANNA LOVE “Midnight Kiss Goodbye”
Trey McCree possesses an insatiable desire for Sasha Armand— -- and supernatural powers that could endanger her life as a human. But when they team up to stop an evil warlord, Trey discovers that Sasha can do way more than drive men wild…...




Tan Lines by J.J. Salem

Description: Summer just doesn't get any hotter than this.

Liza is beautiful, fearless, and slays rival media commentators with her firebrand feminist spin. So why is it that this summer, in the Hamptons, Liza is falling into all the old traps and cliches that she cautions other women to avoid?

Kellyanne hoped that this summer would be different. Waiting tables and playing mistress to a rich developer helps her to stay afloat before her big break as an actress. But why are the phenomenal looks that were supposed to take her all the way leading her to the edge of disaster?

Billie rocks the indie music scene with an appetite for self-destruction. Sex is candy, drugs are fuel, and even her closest friends are disposable. So how is she supposed to find real success when she's only looking out for number one?



She Who Shops by Joanne Skerrett

Description: Weslee Dunster is one sister who has always been about the practical side, earning her way to Boston University through good, old-fashioned hard work. Who needs Prada when you've got brains, right? Wrong! With her GAP khakis and humble background, Weslee's no match for the wealthy New Englanders who seem to look at her like she's stepped out of a Sears catalogue. The women in Wes's new sphere treat shopping like a contact sport, and they never met a friend they didn't want to trash as soon as her back was turned. And the brothers will snub you for having skin that's a shade past cafe au lait or an accent that's one generation from Jamaica. Now, caught up in a hectic lifestyle filled with designer clothes, expensive highlights, finger-aching bling, air kissing, fine-looking players, lies, betrayals, and other things her once sensible life didn't demand, Wes is in for the ride of her life - one that could have her crashing and burning...unless she can figure out the rules of the game and how to break them...



One Foot In The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Description: You can run from the grave, but you can't hide...

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head -- wanted: dead or half-alive -- means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever... and that Bones won't let her get away again.



Marked by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Description: The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny -- with a little help from her new vampyre friends.



Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Description: While recovering from an ill-timed makeup mishap, Lula is a witness to celebrity chef, Stanley Chipotle, losing his head - literally. Now Lula and Stephanie are on the hunt to identify the killers before Lula is next on the chopping block.

Meantime, Ranger's recruited Stephanie's help for a top secret mission. Someone on the inside at Rangeman is leaking client information, determined to bring the company down. No one is above suspicion, not even Ranger's right hand man, Tank.

Can Stephanie hunt down a killer, a traitor, five skips and keep Grandma out of the sauce?

It's the sexiest, scariest, most fun Plum yet. So good you'll want seconds.



Dead And Gone by Charlaine Harris

Description: Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps—and nothing about weres.

Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works—and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it.

But there’s a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings—older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves—is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.



Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description: A stunning and suspenseful new landscape emerges in the thrilling Dark-Hunter world—a world where nothing will ever be the same again. . .

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. And when the woman Fang loves is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out...

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I am not a professional reviewer, but I love to read and share my opinions on my reading with others who are interested. I work full time but my ideal perfect day would be to curl up with a good book. The majority of the books I review here are from my private collection and my reviews are provided purely for entertainment purposes. I receive no compensation whatsoever for sharing my thoughts and review on any book. If you would like me to review your book, please email me at sharalsbooks@yahoo.com Happy Reading! :o)