Book Review: Parched, A Vampire Romance by Z.L Arkadie

Parched, A Vampire Romance is the first book in the Parched series by Z.L Arkadie.   Clarity Parker has wealthy but very distant parents that have always run her life. As an Advertising Executive thought she'd never see Baron Ford, the one person she had dated and felt effected by, again. Now he's back and has asked that she, exclusively, be assigned to his multi-million dollar account. Clarity tries to avoid Baron but when he finally catches up to her he issues a warning--things are not safe for her anymore. Clarity's entire world comes crashing down. But there is no time to get answers because Baron was right, her life is in danger, and so is his.

Parched has a fresh take on the mythology of fallen angel and the world as we know it. I liked that Clarity is smart, she is resilient, and takes the huge problems and changes to her life in a better stride than I might. She has never gotten close to anyone, since knowing what others think of you makes for tough going at school and in relationships. Her family is rich, and she has been brought up to insist on the very best of everything, and has always just done what she is told to avoid conflict or anger from her parents. When she discovers that everything she knows to be truth is skewed, life becomes a wee bit more challenging. Vampires and an Evil force are out to kill her and anything else that gets in their way. But with everything up in the air knowing who to trust and what to believe is nearly impossible. Baron holds some secrets, and great danger. Then there are sisters she did not know she had and  heritage and series of challenges that she had no notion of.

I really liked the set up, and all of the world building. I will admit that I am always a little disappointed in heroines or set up that include loads of money to aid in getting out of problems, forcing characters to find their own gifts always seems more impressive to me. I also was annoyed at how Clarity just did whatever her parents told her with no questions asked. What tween or teen never asked why or rebelled at least a little? I might read on, only because I liked the premise and some of the twists and turns in the story. However, I will admit that there were times when I found myself a little bored and waiting for the next big event to come and shake things up.

I enjoyed the unique premise in Parched, and the action was awesome while it was happening. I think that this book could have been a little shorter and more condensed, and the main character have a bit more backbone, but the world building balanced some of that out. I am unsure if I will continue, but readers that love books about angels and the related mythology of what happens when they get cozy with humans, might want to check this out. 

Book Review: Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble is the first book in the Jolie Wilkins series by H.P. Mallory  is a blend of human, urban fantasy, and romance. Jolie is a self employed psychic approached by a powerful warlock to help solve a murder. The trouble is that in the process she discovers that she has the unique power that allows her to bring the dead back to life. This makes her a major asset, and there are several players that want her for their team. The gorgeous warlock that discovered her powers, a ruthless witch in search of more power, a couple of vampires with a taste for witches, and more are all vying to have her on their side. Jolie needs to decide who has the best intentions, and her best interests at heart. Her love life is in play, but so is the fate of the supernatural creatures around the world. Can she master her powers and make the right choices?

Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble was a mixed bag for me. I know as the first book in the series there would need to be some serious world and character set up for the future. However I felt like the introduction of men interested in the self deprecating and seriously in the need of a mirror Jolie was a little much. As was the oversexed best friend. I felt like the guys were just tossed at her, not because they were necessary to the plot (which they were but not as relationship fodder) but because the author wanted to set up complications that could carry through the series. now that I have that out of the way, I did like the premise of the book and the majority of the characters. I regularly got annoyed with Jolie and her disbelief that men could be attracted to her and her obsession with her appearance (because of course outward appearance is everything and personality and whatnot mean nothing). The puzzles of who is on what side and who has ulterior motives is very well done, and I was actually surprised at one point. I m hoping that now all of the story and world prep work is done the second book in the series will have some serious character growth and action to make the investment worth it. I am trying to trust that it will, but am a little leery. 

I would recommend Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble to readers that are a fan of the author. Readers that are willing to read a first novel that is mostly the set up for the following series might want to give it a try, but I would wait until reading a review of the second book (which I will get to eventually) before making an investment. 

Book Review: Drynn by Steve Vera

Drynn is the first book in the Last of the Shardyn series by Steve Vera. Montana police chief Skip Walkins is hot on the trail of a murder suspect when he witnesses a drifter free the Lord of the Underworld. Across the country Gavin's past comes to haunt him and threatens his fiance Amanda. All of this comes to pass because seventeen years ago five knights from Earth's magical twin entombed Asmodeous the Pale, Lord of the Drynn, in Skip's town. Now that the dark god is free again, he's anxious to get back home and finish the war he began and to enslave all life. It begins with killing the knights who trapped him. Deprived of their magic, the knights fight back using whatever they can get their hands on. Skip is drawn in to their struggle while Donovan Smith, the demi-god murderer whom Skip was after in the first place, plots to find the Lord of the Underworld and butcher him on his own. Together, these unlikely heroes might just save the world.

Drynn is a book that left me torn. I loved the characters and the depth of which was given to them. the story and the action were all very interesting and I liked the concept and the execution for the most part. However, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed when I was finished. As the first book in a series I understand the need to build the world and set up the concept needed for the story to move forward, but there were times where I just felt like there was too much of an info dump. too many situations, facts, and confrontations happening too quickly. I like a fast pace, but there just seemed to be too much going on all at once. It was still an intriguing book, and I am not sure what to suggest to improve it. Perhaps once I digest all of the action and information a little more thoroughly I will have a better way to describe the book and what I feel about it.

If you like descriptive, information and action packed urban or high fantasy with plenty of both character development and fight scenes the Drynn is for you. I really enjoyed most of the book but felt both over and under whelmed with the book as a whole. Definitely worth a look, but I am still struggling to come up with the right way to describe my feeling for the story. I will likely read the next book in the series, to see where we go from here.

Book Review: Witch Hunt: An Urban Fantasy Mystery by SM Reine

Witch Hunt: An Urban Fantasy Mystery is the first book in the Preternatural Affairs series by SM Reine. When Cèsar Hawke wakes up after a grand celebration and a bit too much to drink he discovers scratches on his arms, a discharged Glock on his coffee table, and a dead woman in his bathtub. Regardless of what it looks like he knows for a fact that he didn't kill her. He's an agent with the Office of Preternatural Affairs. He doesn't hurt people, he saves them. However, the evidence is daunting and no one seems to believe him so Cèsar is on the run and out to prove his innocence. Isobel Stonecrow speaks with the dead, for a price. She brings closure to the bereaved and heals broken hearts. But when she resurrects someone for the wrong client, she ends up on the OPA's most wanted list. Tracking down Isobel was the last case assigned to Cèsar. Now he is searching for he to find answers and to prove that he didn't kill that waitress. He can clear his name, get his job back, and bring justice to the victim.

Witch Hunt is a fast paced murder mystery and start to what looks to be a great series. Cèsar is a man used to rescuing others, and turns that experience towards capturing Isobel and clearing his name. His partner helps him as much as she can, but can he still trusty her? Dirty agents, the legitimate police, and still mounting evidence keep Cèsar on his toes, and sometime doubting himself. Isobel is smart and tricky. I really loved her spunk and ability to outsmart and out pace just about everyone. The mystical elements of witches, demons, and the like offer a unique world which is well built and explored in this series opener. The twists and turns kept me on my toes and guessing.

I would recommend Witch Hunt to those that like suspense and mystery mixed in with their urban fantasy. Fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden Series or Simon R. Green's Nightside series might particularly enjoy this blend of  investigation and magic.

Blog Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway! BACK TO YOU by Jessica Scott

Back to You is the latest book in the Coming Home series, a contemporary romance series that realistically deals with the issues of love and life when at least one party in the relationship is in the military. Army captain Trent Davila loves his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. Now everything is on the line, and Trent has one chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs. Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried-and a love that won't be denied. But can she trust that this time he's back to stay?

See my review (hint, I love this series) here.

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer; mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs; wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well-adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She's written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View: Regarding War Blog, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas.

She's pursuing a PhD in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012. 

Excerpt: 

His uniform scraped the edge of her cheek. His body was a solid wall beneath her skin and for a brief moment, she simply let him hold her. His strength wrapped around her, his scent pulled her close, reminding her that somewhere inside this man was the man she’d married. The man she’d loved.

She hadn’t meant to cry in front of him. Not again. But the truth had simply slipped free of the chains she’d attempted to bind it with, breaking her resolve until it emptied out of her, tearing free and leaving her drained.

It was a long time until the tears stopped. Her eyes felt swollen.

Now, she rested against Trent and closed her eyes. She simply stopped. Stopped fighting. Stopped arguing. Stopped resisting her stubborn heart that still loved this man no matter how many times he hurt her or lashed out.

His leaving, his anger: He wasn’t in control of those things. Not like she’d convinced herself he was in those dark days when the rumors and innuendos had been breeding like a live thing in the silence between them. But there was more at work here than her husband simply walking out on her.

He’d made a huge step by talking to the counselor. And he hadn’t needed to tell her about their conversation, but he had. Laura leaned back, refusing to believe the insidious voice in her head that said he was just telling her this out of sheer selfishness.

She lifted her gaze, looking deep into his eyes. She started to shift and pull away but Trent moved first, cradling her face with his palms. Gently, his thumbs caressed her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

“I’m so tired of screwing everything up, Laura,” he whispered. “I want to fix this. Not for the trial. For us.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is.” His voice was urgent and harsh. “I can’t fix what I’ve done. And I damn sure don’t deserve your forgiveness.” He lowered his forehead to hers, his palms warm and solid against her skin. “But I’m asking you to help me. Help me reset my normal. Help me learn how to be a dad again. A husband.” He blinked rapidly.

She pressed her lips together, biting back fresh tears. “And what happens when you leave again?” she whispered. “What do I do then?” She sniffed quietly. “You keep breaking my heart.” Her voice cracked.

His fingers crooked around her jaw. “I want to stop.”

They were tucked away in a quiet corner of the coffee shop. The couch was blocked by a high booth. No one could see them. Laura kept her eyes locked on his. Finally he’d laid his fears, his hopes, his dreams in her lap.

She could crush him so easily. A stronger woman might have walked away, doing to him what he’d done so many times to her. But she was not that woman. She wanted to end the pain between them, not prolong it.

She’d thought divorce was the right answer. Ending the sham their marriage had become, protecting their children from more pain. The kids were her life now and she would not apologize for that. For all intents and purposes, she’d been a single parent for years and that was okay because she knew how to do that. Now fear latched on to her heart. Fear that he would leave her again. That he would once again shatter her into a thousand pieces.

But he was here. At this moment, it was all she had. Without giving herself time to think about the consequences, she leaned closer and brushed her lips gently against his.

She pulled away before he could deepen the kiss. Fear and awareness and arousal skittered through her veins, making her off balance, like a needful, sensual thing. She’d grown accustomed to the hugs of her children, their wet kisses and enthusiastic embraces.

What she craved now was something darker. The faintest brush of lips against lips had sparked something primitive inside her. Something deeper and richer. A long-forgotten need to be touched by a man. But not just any man—by this man. His hands, roughened by combat, sliding up her thighs. The coarse pads of his fingertips caressing her skin.

Memories bombarded her as she attempted to lean away and salvage the remnants of her pride.

But Trent was not operating under the get-some-space battle plan. He reached for her, his eyes rich with dark emotion. His palms scraped against her cheeks, his fingers strong as his lips claimed hers.

His breath was a gasp against her tongue and for a moment, Laura was stunned into stillness, unable to move beneath the assault on her senses. But then her body remembered his taste, her tongue remembered his touch, and a warmth awakened inside her. She opened for him, stroking his tongue with hers, her body folding into his like it was meant for him.

Her every nerve came alive. A cascade of long-denied arousal mixed with bittersweet memories of other homecomings, other farewells. It crashed into them both, driving them under a torrent of emotion.

This was the man she had married. A man who could make her body purr just thinking about him inside her. A man who knew exactly how to kiss her to drive her wild.

This was the man she’d been waiting for. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into his lap and have that urgent, passion-filled sex of first homecoming.

It was a long moment before the arousal faded and she became aware of the tender, sucking kisses he placed on her lips.

Another moment before he rested his forehead against hers.

An eternity passed before the words she’d never thought she’d ever say again slid past her lips. “I miss you,” she whispered.

And for once, he did not pull away.

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Book Review: Sojourner by Maria Rachel Hooley

Sojourner by Maria Rachel Hooley is a young adult novel. Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Moon has been dreaming about dying in different times her entire life. In each dream there is always a haunting face watching her death. When she returns home to Hauser’s Landing with her guardian, the very place her father disappeared, she meets Lev Walker, who looks an awful lot like the guy in her dreams. Then there is the most eligible bachelor in school, who will not leave her alone, graffiti, mysterious accidents, and more making the return to a prejudice small town harder than it should be. When Lev finally shares his secrets everything begins to close in on Elizabeth and she is not sure who or what to believe in.

Sojourner had promise. A girl that does not seem to fit in no matter where she goes because of her mixed heritage and desire to simply fly under the radar. Lev is the mysterious boy that seems to care but also seems to invade Elizabeth's dreams and stands by to watch her die time after time. It all takes place in a town that is prejudice against Native Americans, and most likely anyone that they can label as other. So far so good. But then, I started reading the book. There are so many parallels with Twilight that i had trouble getting past it. Super small town, new girl immediately being fought over, supernatural boy that seems to be trouble, good guy that carries his own brand of trouble, girl driving a temperamental pick up truck, ice causing some accident, accident prone girl in need to constant supervision, and so on. 

Some of the writing her was better, and Elizabeth seemed to want to be a more independent soul than Bella, but in the end I think the mirroring here was just to much for me, even though I liked Twilight the first go round (I blame pregnancy hormones) the more i think about Bella's dependency and whining the more I wish I never saw the movies, never mind read the final book. therefor I will not be continuing on with this series.

I would recommend Sojourner to readers that did, and still do, love Twilight. The angst and desperation and high school drama are all here along with the idea of a destiny that can not seem to be avoided.If you disliked Twilight, then I would suggest that you skip this read. 

Book Review: My Little Pet Dragon by Scott Gordon, Julien Tromeur, and Dimitar Marinov

My Little Pet Dragon is a simple book for children written by Scott Gordon and illustrated by Julien Tromeur and Dimitar Marinov. This cute children's ebook is about getting a dragon for Christmas,  and just what a dragon might be useful for and what the dragon likes. there is a cute twist at the end, adding to the whimsical charm of the tale.

My Little Pet Dragon is a cute little book. The illustrations are well done, and pair perfectly with the actions the brief words describe. There are only three words per page, along with a charming dragon, which makes the book great for new readers to explore on their own, or for sharing with even the youngest book lovers.

I would recommend My Little Pet Dragon to anyone looking to add to their digital reading collection for children. the story and illustrations are charming, and the purchase has a feel good bonus. All of the proceeds to to a charity helping  the family of a young girl pay for medical bills following a severe car accident. It is available in English, a bilingual edition (Spanish and English), Spanish,and French.

Book Review: The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy, Bronson Pinchot

The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle is the second book in The League of Princes series by Christopher Healy. Like with the previous audiobook, Bronson Pinchot is our narrator (and does a spectacular job!) I highly recommend starting with the first book The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom so that you know the Princes Charming; Prince Liam, Prince Frederic, Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav along with all their quirks and the feisty Cinderella, Lila, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Briar Rose. Fame and recognition are fleeting, especially when the bards and one young outlaw do not seem to care for you. However, when the princes discover that an object of great power might fall into any number of wrong hands they band together once again band together to stop it from happening. They each have their own crisis to face, but work together to save the world as they know it, regardless of the fact that the world will most likely not know that they saved them all, again.

In The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle Healy takes us back to the fractured fairy-tale world he created in The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom for another tale of medieval mischief. What I really liked about this sequel, is that it was not just a rehash of the characters in another crazy situation- each of the character has their own moments, struggles, and growth that well well beyond my expectations. The adventure, fun, and excitement were all there- with mysterious plots, magical gems, fairy tale creatures, silliness, and some furiously fast fight or flight moments. All of that would have made the book an okay read. But then Healy adds Liam's crisis of character, Briar Rose's growth as a character, getting to know each character better as a whole was just a fabulous treat. And, like with the first installment, the narrated version includes some excellent voice acting by Bronson Pinchot. He does such distinct voices for each character that you know immediately who is thinking or talking, and the accents and inflections always add an extra dimension to my understanding and thoughts on the characters.

I highly recommend listening to The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle, but only after having enjoyed  The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. The action is fast, there is plenty of humor, and well developed characters that offer something for everyone.

Book Review: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes #1) by Christopher Healy, Bronson Pinchot

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is the first book in The League of Princes series
by Christopher Healy. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Bronson Pinchot. The story is that of four Princes Charming. Prince Liam, Prince Frederic, Prince Duncan and Prince Gustav are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.

So there is the plot and the main characters, which are all very well fleshed out and grow considerably as the story progresses. they all are stereotypes that grow far beyond what we expect, and what they are prepared for. The lovely princesses are also very strong characters that defy the roles that they are thrust into. I loved that characters we all thought we knew are cast into new light and given further adventures. BUT, what really made this book for me is the narrator. I do not know if I would have enjoyed The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom to the extent I did if it were not for the voice talents of Bronson Pinchot. Oh my, he gave each of the characters such distinct voices, enhancing the images I had for each and giving them different accents to boot. The phrasing, inflections, and accents of each character just brought them to life for me. I am currently listening to the second book in the series- and he is even more impressive there.

I highly recommend The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom to readers that love twists of fairy tales, action, adventure, and humor (there is tons of humor here!). I even more highly suggest listening to the book, just be aware that you might catch yourself laughing out loud, which might inspire strange looks from those nearby.

Book Review: Me and My Ghoulfriends (Larue Donavan #1) by Rose Pressey

Me and My Ghoulfriends is the first book in the Larue Donavan series by Rose Pressey. Larue Donavan is a bookstore owner with a secret. On her nights and weekends she often moolights as a ghost hunter, and more often than not she brings her work home with her. Dead people just won't leave her alone and Abraham Lincoln thinks he's in charge of her lovelife. Larue can handle ghosts and undead presidents, it's dealing with the living that is driving her crazy. The handsome Callahan Weiss moves to town and opens a coffee shop right next door. While Larue is smitten from the start, she is not the only one. Another shop owner has her eye on Callahan too, but she is not fighting fair. Unexplained accidents and some odd behavior from Callahan arouse suspicion, and Larue might have to deal with more than unruly spirits to get her man.

Me and My Ghoulfriends is a good start to a series. I liked the character of Larue for the most part, but was annoyed at her for trying to hide her ghost friendly side from Callahan. I like strong minded characters that are aware of what makes them different and own it, rather than try to keep it under wraps. Really, if things worked out with a gut they would not start wondering where you run off to most weekends? Aside from that, I loved the interaction with Larue and the ghosts and the humor that threads through the book. I was hoping for a better relationship between Larue and her best friend, which seemed a to waver between intensely loyal and an afterthought as I read the book. I think there is a great deal of potential in the series, and it might be great, but that greatness is not fully realizxed in the first book.

I did enjoy the read, and for a free Amazon download I cannot regret having spent the time. Me and My Ghoulfriends was fun, entertaining, and a decent set up for more development in later books of the series. I do think that I will follow up and read the second book, Ghouls Night Out, to see if the potential of the series pans out.

Book Review: Monsters A to Z by A.J. Cosmo

Monsters A to Z by A.J. Cosmo is a older picturebook that describes an alphabet full of monsters that just might lurk around any readers neighborhood. The illustrations throughout the book are colorful and frankly much more artistically done than the cover. There is a paragraph or so with a detailed description of each monster, with stylized and detailed text. I think newly independent readers and monster fans of all ages will enjoy the humor and artwork within the book.

I would recommend Monsters A to Z to monster fans, particularly emerging and newly independent readers. There are some hard and made up words (obviously because we are talking monsters) but the effort to devour this book will be worth it to monster maniacs (like my son).

Book Review: Loose Screw by Rae Davies

Loose Screw is the first book in the Dusty Deals Mystery series by Rae Davies and Lori Devoti. Lucy Mathews is crime reporter turned antiques dealer. She is not a big fan of confrontation, and does her best to keep everyone happy. When Lucy trips over the body of a buckskin-clad relics trader, her ex-boss asks her to cover the story. She tries to tell him no, but old habits die hard and soon she finds herself directly in the path of a killer and the exasperating, if attractive, detective in charge. Can Lucy catch a killer or is this the last confrontation for her?

Loose Screw was a mixed bag for me. I loved the mystery portion, and can relate a little to a main character that often has a hard time telling the people around her no. However, I think that Lucy's character occasionally crossed the line from sweet girl trying to stand up for herself, to utter doormat willing to let hot guys talk down to her. The mystery was awesome, there were lots of little clues and red herrings through out the book to keep me thinking and guessing. Some of the secondary characters added great color and interest to the story and the setting, while also giving Lucy a bit of a safety net. However, I was let down by the romance aspect of the story, doubting sometimes which way it was going to go and how the relationship would solidify. Honestly, I never felt like the connection was ever made beyond Lucy thinking he was attractive but infuriating, and him being generally condescending and thinking Lucy needed to be protected from herself.

Loose Screw was a quick read with some great elements, particularly in the setting and mystery aspects, but if you are quickly annoyed with misogynistic romance then you might want to give it a pass.

Book Review: Rest For The Wicked by Cate Dean

Rest For The Wicked is the first book in The Claire Wiche Chronicles by Cate Dean. This urban fantasy begins with Claire Wiche, an ordinary woman, running a Wicca shop in an ordinary California beach town. But Claire wasn't always ordinary, and she isn't quite human. She hides a secret, and a past she thought she had put behind her. Unfortunately the past and big secrets are hard to keep buried, especially when it puts the few people Claire has come to care for in danger. Claire needs to stand up and defend her friends and face her past even if it kills her.

Rest for the Wicked is a short book, and a quick read. It was also a book with a ton of promise. I loved the characters, but felt that there could have been a lot more of building them. Claire is a powerful witch with a hidden past and battling some kind of illness. Annie is Claire's outgoing and man crazy side kick (my favorite character by the way), and then there are Jack and Marcus who both have a significant role to play. I really liked the plot, and the villain from Claire's past doing bad, bad things. However, I think this book should have been longer, offering more insights into the relationship between Annie and Claire, offering more background on the mythology of the supernatural elements and more time for new relationships to form. I enjoyed Dean's writing style, but just wanted more from the story.

Rest for the Wicked is a quick, interesting read. However, I felt like it could have been fleshed out much more. I liked what was offered, but felt like I missed out on a good bit of information. Perhaps if Dean put the glossary she offers at the end of the book in the beginning, it would offer a more satisfying reading experience. That being said, I just might pick up the second book just to see if the missing bits are picked up there.

Book Review: The Taken (Celestial Blues #1) by Vicki Pettersson

The Taken is the first book in the Celestial Blues series by Vicki Pettersson. Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back when he was still alive. Fifty years have passed and he's an angel helping the souls of the newly dead find their way. One mistake altered fate, and now he's back on mortal mudflat to collect another soul. However that soul, Katherine "Kit" Craig, is a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her killed like it did her best friend. Grif refuses to let her die. His fascination with Kit saves her life, while also offering a chance to solve the mystery of his own unsolved murder. Kit and Grif search for answers leads past the Strip and into the dark heart of an evil conspiracy. A ruthless killer is determined to destroy them, but Grif's angelic watchers and attraction to Kit might pose as big of a threat as the mortal conspiracies.

The Taken has a neat concept, and the characters started out brilliantly. I loved the idea of afterlife and the world building that Pettersson does here. I am intrigued by the hierarchy and want to read further just to explore this aspect of the series.  In the first few chapters I really came to enjoy the determination and quirks of both Kit and Grif. Soon I was interested in the side characters and mystery surroundi9ng Kit's investigation and the much larger conspiracy that I knew must be there. Grif was a private investigator back in the 1960's, and close the members of the Vegas mob families. Kit is a dedicated reporter living the rockabilly lifestyle. They are both interesting, and attracted to each other almost instantly. However, the character's individual quirks slowly became a little old and stale- with a regular repetition about what makes them each 'unique'. It was a little distracting after a bit, but I was able to push it aside for the most part. However, I hope that some of this is to get everything solid in the reader's mind so that when we move onto book two in the series the character and mythology is firm in our heads.

I would recommend The Taken to readers that enjoy Pettersson's other works, those that enjoy books featuring angels and similar creatures, and those that enjoy a mystery with a nostalgic feel. The mystery is solid, with a solution that left me more than a little heartbroken for some of the characters. However, the larger mystery about Grif is left unsolved, presumably to carry through the series as the connecting arch. The romance is well done, if not a little frustrating at times, but a good read for a cold winters night or while traveling.

Audiobook Review: Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey

Holiday Sparks is a contemporary romance novella written by Shannon Stacey. The audiobook version is read by Savannah Richards. Chloe Burke thought house-sitting for her parents was a good idea. Then she tired to microwave some coffee and the microwave blew up and the lights went out. Thankfully her parents had the number for their electrician handy. Scott Quinn is that electrician, and he has wanted to get his hands on the Burkes' wiring for almost as long as he's wanted to get his hands on their daughter. Before long Chloe has hired Scott to rewire the house as a Christmas surprise for her parents, but Chloe and Scott have their own surprise to face. They enjoy each others company, in and out of bed, and enjoy what is supposed to be a holiday fling. However, their is an extra spark between them that neither expected.

Holiday Sparks is a fun, quick holiday read. The sparks between Chloe and Scott are definitely flying, and hot. I liked both characters and found the situation and most of their reactions reasonably realistic. The dialogue was close to perfect, with humor and romance well balanced through the story. I like stories in which the couple actually talks to each other, rather than ignoring their issues, and this fit the bill. As with any audiobook the narrator makes a huge difference, and I enjoyed the changes in tone for different characters and the inflections during the funny moments. All in all, Holiday Sparks was just what I wanted to hear (or read) on a cold day as I was getting my own Christmas stuff in order.

I would recommend Holiday Sparks to fans of Shannon Stacey, and those that want a quick read with some definite sparks. If you enjoy contemporary romance, particularly category romance involving past crushes coming together, then this will certainly fit the bill.

Audiobook Review: The Booktaker by Bill Pronzini, Nick Sullivan

The Booktaker written by Bill Pronzini, and read by Nick Sullivan is a mystery starring the Nameless Detective. I have not read or listened to anything by Pronzini before, so this was my first introduction to this Nameless Detective. In this story, he is hired to figure out how rare books and maps are being stolen from an antiquarian bookshop with a seamless security system. He goes undercover as an employee, but on his second day a theft occurs right under his nose. As he ponders the case (while on a date), he's violently struck from behind by a car that seems bent on driving him off the road. Will Nameless and Kerry survive this attempt on his life and solve the case?

When exploring a new author or series via audiobook the narrator is just as important as the quality of the writing. I have to say that Sullivan's tone and inflections were a perfect match to the hard boiled detective feel of The Booktaker. I loved the atmosphere and description of our detective, his world, and his love interest (Kerry). I really liked that while Kerry did play a part in the story, the relationship di

d not overpower the puzzle offered by the mystery that needed solving. I listened to the story while in my car, and often found myself treating the entire story like a puzzle- something I needed to study closely somehow knowing it would be a detail that would be easily overlooked that would trigger the solution. I am glad to say that that was quite true, and that I had a different answer than our detective- so the final conclusion was a surprise.  The combination of deep thought and tense action felt just about perfect to me.

The Booktaker is a great example or a hard-boiled detective story that will inspire mystery fans to get lost in the mystery. Readers that like to solve puzzles and actually have to work a bit to find the answer will enjoy the story. On the other hand, readers that really like to know a character might be bothered that we do not get too incredibly deep into who our detective is- but I think we do learn enough about him to make him a viable person. He is not flat, despite the lack of detail about his life.

Book Review: How to Date a WereWolf by Rose Pressey

How to Date a Werewolf is the first book in the Rylie Cruz series by Rose Pressey. Rylie is a werewolf that happens to run a dating service that works to find everyone (regardless of if they are completely human or happen to have some extra hair or very sharp teeth) the perfect mate. Convinced that a family curse denies her a happily ever after, so works hard to provide one for others. When handsome psychiatrist Jack moves into the building Rylie starts thinking that she might need to break that curse. However, an unhappy client, scary stalkers, and thugs looking for her deadbeat uncle make things hard to manage. Can Rylie find her true love while hiding her furry secret and staying alive?

How to Date a Werewolf was a fun and promising start to a new series. I liked that Rylie had a solid friend and confidant from the beginning, and that like real friendships not everything is perfect throughout the book. Rylie's dysfunctional family and desire to take care of herself, despite having people nearby that offer to help her, made her character ring true. I love a character that has realistic flaws even in light of unrealistic premises (like werewolves).

There is an underlying mystery, like who is following Rylie and sending ominous packages, which keeps the story moving. However, I will admit to feeling like it dragged just a touch in the middle. I think the last chapter added a few characters that we will see again in the series, but I would have liked to see more of that interaction with the world outside five primary characters in the story. I liked that while I disagreed with the conclusion that Rylie stood by through most of the book for the problems she faced, the final answer had occurred to me but was not the one I really expected. It was nice to be surprised.

I would recommend How to Date a Werewolf to readers that enjoy Pressey's writing, mysteries, and paranormal romance. The story was a good, but not spectacular read. I think I will be taking a look at later books in the series to see where the story goes from here.

Book Review: Girl's Guide to Witchcraft

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft is the first book in the Jane Madison series by Mindy Klasky. Jane Madison is a librarian in a small town. After some changes to her job (i.e. having to move into the cottage on library grounds and wear colonial costumes to work) Jane has one another surprise. While moving into her new home she discovers a secret cache of magic books. A little experimenting gains her a familiar, a warder to teach her, and a spell that makes her irresistible to men, even those who have previously ignored her. A few more secrets and some spelling fun has Jane getting herself into some trouble but loving her new life.

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft was a decent start to a new series. I really liked the set up, and the personality of Jane and her spunky best friend and grandmother. I also liked the fact that she was a librarian, a professor we share. However, I found myself becoming a wee bit bored and looking to skim after awhile. The beginning and ending of the story were fun, interesting, and occasionally funny but I found the middle a bit draggy. I felt like things could have been condensed a little.

All in all I enjoyed reading Girl's Guide to Witchcraft, despite my occasional impatience with the story. It was a good read, but nothing that stood out to me as a fantastic new series. I would recommend the book to those that enjoy Klasky's writing as well as cozy books featuring witchcraft and a little romance. I might take a peak at the next book in the series if I run across it, but I will not be hunting it down.

Picturebook Review: Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and Melissa Sweet

Little Red Writing is a picturebook written by Joan Holub and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. This story is loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, as you might have guessed from the title. Little Red Pencil is at school and her class is tasked with writing a story. In doing so Red works through many perils of storytelling, such as getting lost in the adjective forest, and in the end faces off with a cranky pencil sharpener to save the day.

Little Red Writing is a great picturebook to inspire young readers (and listeners) to tell their own stories. Red faces the prospect of making up her own story. Like her, many writers fall pray to using too much conjunction glue, a jungle of adjectives, and dealing with adverb drama. The story is also about bravery, the fact that courage is not about denying fear but recognizing your fear and doing the right thing anyway. I think both aspects of the story can lead to great discussion and storytime fun for all ages. The artwork by Melissa Sweet perfectly matches the mood and action of the story and gives readers even more to play with and discuss. Each pencil in Little Red's class, and the school faculty, is clearly an individual and cleverly described. The words and writing tools in the pictures are splendid and can offer reading challenges and I Spy style games for one on one or small group reading.

I highly recommend Little Red Writing to readers of all ages. I think young aspiring writers will get a special thrill from the story, and the strong character of Little Red Pencil might inspire girls and boys alike to recognize their own imagination and courage. Libraries, schools, and home collections would all be enhanced by the addition of this great picturebook.

Book Review: Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

Haunted on Bourbon Street is the first book in the Jade Calhoun series by Deanna Chase.  Jade loves her new apartment-until a ghost joins her in the bathroom. When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she does not expect is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for her sexy landlord Kane. Jane tends to keep her abilities secret, but when the ghost starts terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it's up to Jade to use her unique ability to save her. Except she'll need Kane's help-and he's betrayed her with a secret of his own-to do it. Can she find a way to trust him and herself before Pyper is lost?

Haunted on Bourbon Street is a solid start to a series. The initial introduction to the characters felt a little off, like I had missed a novella or prequel introducing everyone, but IO was quickly up to speed and had a good grasp on who everyone was and their personalities. For me characters are often the most important part of the story, and as soon as I felt like I knew the characters I started to care about them and was eager to see where their stories would take me.  The interpersonal drama was reasonably well done, though the instant attraction thing was occasionally too much for me. The suspense involving the haunting and its details were also well done, though I did guess the mystery aspect of that fairly quickly. All in all, I enjoyed the read and am glad I took a chance on the book.

I would recommend Haunted on Bourbon Street to readers that like urban fantasy and a bit of romance. The story was well done, and while it was not my favorite of the genre, I do plan on continuing on with the series and have high hopes for Jade and Kane. There are currently four books in the series, with the most recent being published in May of 2013.