Friday, February 29, 2008

I Thirst For You

I Thirst For You by Susan Sizemore

What was this book about?
Prime vampire Marcus Cage is on the run and is forced to take Josephine Elliot hostage. As he tries to escape those that are after him he can’t help but be attracted to Jo. He recognizes her as his soul mate and doesn’t want to be apart from her despite the bad guys that are on their heals. They try to escape those that want to do evil things to him, as well as destroy their evil plan.
What was your favorite part about this book?
While it wasn’t a horrible book this wasn’t my favorite book either. It is like I can’t pick out something that makes me say – I really loved that.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
Again nothing really stood out for me in hating it. But I will say it started slow and also I am not real keen on the whole – capture me but I can’t help but fall for you in just a little while thing.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Some
Sex: Definitely
Mystery: Not really
Violence: A little
Overall: C, Not the worst book but if this was the first thing I had read by Susan Sizemore I don’t know that I would have been all that excited about pursuing more books.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Mine to Possess

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

What was this book about?
Human girl Talen has a history of being abused and mistreated, with the only good thing in her life being changeling Clay Bennett. When he makes the ultimate sacrifice to rescue her from her foster father, she disappears out of fear. She returns to find Clay when she needs his help rescuing her sponsored foster children from the evil that is finding them and murdering them. The world of Psy people need something from these children, but what?

What was your favorite part about this book?
I love both the story of Psy, Changling and humans (and like that finally there is a human in the mix) as well as the fact that every book while being a singular entity builds on previous books. You feel like everyone is part of the same world and for a little while you get to be a part of it as well.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
I didn’t have one.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Yep, they have known each other for years but to get past their past they have to romance each other.
Sex: Definitely some hot scenes
Mystery: A little but not a lot. Finding out what is really going on in the Psy world is the big mystery
Violence: Some, children are being murdered.
Overall: A-, I can’t wait to see what Nalini Singh brings out in her next book.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Strangers in Death

Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)

What was this book about?
Rich businessman Thomas Anders is found dead in his home. The whole murder/death is quite scandalous. It is Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s job to find out who has perpetrated this murder and bring them to justice. Regrettably, Thomas and his family have a boatload of secrets that they really don’t want to come out.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I really enjoy everything about this “In Death” series. You have gotten invested in all of the characters and any time a new book comes out you feel lucky – like someone has finally sent you a letter filling you in on all that has occurred in their life. I am very interested to see where the Tiko storyline continues.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
I have to say yet again, my least favorite part is when it ends. I just feel sad and want more. It makes me look on J.D. Robb’s website to see when the next book will be out. And it is never soon enough.

What genre would you consider this?
Suspense

Content in the book:
Romance: Roarke and Eve are the perfect couple. They are spectacular.
Sex: Even after being married for a while they definitely get together 
Mystery: Some definitely – though it isn’t usually a “you solve this murder” kinda experience
Violence: Yep – it’s a murder mystery
Overall: A- Yet again another great novel from Nora Roberts.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Blood Dreams

Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper

What was this book about?
Dani knows her dreams are more then dreams but often prophesies and that leads her back home to her twin sister Paris and the man she left behind. She is brought forth into the paranormal FBI world by Bishop and Hollis who need her to help solve a serial killer case. Dani already knows how things are supposed to end. Can she help change the future?

What was your favorite part about this book?

I liked the whole thing – I wanted it to keep going. I love Kay Hooper’s paranormal twist on mysteries. She keeps you interested and keeps giving people new and exciting “powers”.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

When it was over. I want more! Looks to be a series though so I can be happy.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Suspense

Content in the book:
Romance: Some –Dani falls back in love with her old flame, the sheriff in her small town
Sex: Some
Mystery: Definitely you don’t know who did this until the very end.
Violence: This is about a serial killer so it inevitably has violence. This serial killer is not a nice person
Overall: A-, Loved it, loved it loved it! Can’t say more then that.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Where the Heart Leads

Where the Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens
What was this book about?
Penelope Ashford doesn’t want to live the quiet life of the normal debutant. She is interested in doing something good for the world with her spare time, which is why her sisters and her set up the Foundling House for Orphans. When her orphans start to go missing before she can pick them up – she turns to family friend Barnaby Adair for help. This leads them on a chase both for the boys and one anothers heart.

What was your favorite part about this book?
Hearing more about the Cynster family is always a joy.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
I felt like the book was in two parts – the story of the boys missing and the story of their love. For me they didn’t mesh well together. In fact I was lonely in the beginning for some sort of romance between the two of them.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Some classic romance
Sex: Definitely
Mystery: A little but not in the classic sense
Violence: Not really
Overall: C+, while I normally clamor for Stephanie Laurens books I have to admit this one just wasn’t my favorite.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Holy Smokes

Holy Smokes by Katie MacAlister (An Aisling Grey, Guardian Novel)

What was this book about?
Aisling a guardian who has been proscribed by Bael, the head of the underworld is now a demon prince. While trying to get rid of this proscription (that is essentially damning her) she is trying to get married to the love of her life – Drak Vireo – wyrvern of the green dragons. Between political issues between all the dragons and this demon thing hanging over head, she finds it difficult to work out the wedding thing.

What was your favorite part about this book?
With so much going on it is generally light hearted and fun. Yes things are bad and she has an evil voice in her head telling her to do bad things, but still it is all taken generally positively.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

Having not read all of the Aisling Grey novels I found it very hard to get into the beginning of this book. I felt like I had started a movie halfway through and it took me quite a bit of the book before I figured out where everything stood.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Definitely – but she is in love with Drake and that story has already happened. The romance is more between two people who belong together and know it.
Sex: They definitely have that
Mystery: A little in terms of what is going on and who is bad/good but I wouldn’t consider this a mystery
Violence: Some
Overall: B- - It was good and I probably would try to read a few more before I gave things up. But I wish I had been able to start at the beginning.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Lord of the Night

Lord of the Night by Robin T. Popp (A Night Slayer Book)

What was this book about?
Vampire slayer Kacie Renault has a history with vampires that goes back as far as them killing her entire family. She also has history with vampire Erik Winslow who was a family friend until she found out what he really was. When Erik finds out that Kacie killed his best friend, he protects her as he has her entire life – even when it puts him up against the rest of his friends.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I like the interesting way in which people become vampires. The history of both their story and the other stories and their interaction makes me want to read more about the Night Slayer’s.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

She changed her mind pretty easily after holding a grudge for years. It obviously was because of her relationship/attraction to Erik, but she certainly left everything else behind pretty easily.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Not in the traditional sense but it is a romance
Sex: Some
Mystery: Not really
Violence: Definitely some
Overall: B+, I enjoyed it and it was a easy read.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Firefly Lane

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

What was this book about?
This book is about Tully and Kate, two women who find each other as children and grow up as best friends. But it is more then just their escapades and differences; it is about a relationship that is stronger than anything but family. You learn about their hopes and dreams, fears and pain in ways that you can’t help but relate to.

What was your favorite part about this book?
This book seriously touched me in a way that no other book has done in a long time. I read a lot (if you couldn’t tell) and this really is at the top of my list. I didn’t want to put it down even for one minute. I felt like it was making me think about things that I had never thought about, made me want to examine my life and relationships to make them stronger.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
Not a question I can answer – it was just wonderful.

What genre would you consider this?
Realistic Fiction

Content in the book:
Sex: There was some sexual content including discussion of rape. But it wasn't graphic. Only used to move the story forward.
Overall: A – My first A. But that is because it truly is that great of a book. Seriously buy it for others – share it.

Pandora’s Daughter

Pandora’s Daughter by Iris Johansen

What was this book about?
Physician Megan Blair has had voices going through her head for years. They stop right around the time of her mother’s death, but they have started to come back. She becomes reacquainted with Neal Grady, who has secrets of his own. They both have paranormal powers (the reason for her voices) and are able to do things other people cannot. When the man who killed her mother, returns for Megan, it is essential that she figures out the truth of her past, her mother’s past, and her own special ability.

What was your favorite part about this book?

I liked both the characters and the slow explanation of what a Pandora is. Very interesting and not your usual abilities that you find in Paranormal books.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

I wanted to read more.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Content in the book:

Romance: Definitely a little
Sex:Yep
Mystery: Not a ton, more in what she can do, less in who is the murder
Violence: Some
Overall: B+

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie by Marianne Stillings

What was this book about?
Orphan Evie Randall has been the ward of eccentric millionaire and mystery writer Thomas Heyworth since she was 11. When he is found murdered, what else does a mystery writer do but plan a treasure hunt for several people to find both his murderer and to win his fortune. He puts Evie on a team with his stepson Max Galloway who has always hated him. Thomas wants them to find more then murders, but also maybe love.

What was your favorite part about this book?
The thought of a mystery/treasure hunt was intriguing. With an odd cast of characters this whole thing reminded me a little of Clue and that was intriguing.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
It was slow in parts and it was disappointing that the clues were nothing that we could participate in trying to “figure out”.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: Some romance with the main male finding out that he has always been wrong about women.
Sex: Some
Mystery: Yep you get to try to figure out the killer. Personally I thought it was pretty obvious from the beginning
Violence: Besides murder, there are a rash of other “accidents” that affect Evie
Overall: C- It really didn’t keep my attention

Monday, February 18, 2008

The Bone Garden

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

What was this book about?
This combines a tale of the past with a story of the present. Recently divorced Julia Hamill finds a body on the grounds of her new house. She can’t help but be interested in the history of this occurrence when it is discovered this body was placed there in the early 1800s. In her quest for the story, and through letters from Oliver Wendell Holmes, she finds out the story of Irish immigrant Rose, med student Norris, baby Maggie, and a serial killer.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I liked the story in the past. It just flowed. It wasn’t at all what I expected in terms of its description. I wasn’t sure if I would like it and I found it really interesting.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

Don’t really have a least favorite part.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Content in the book:
Romance: There is some romance – more of a meant for each other kinda thing
Sex: A little but not really
Mystery: Some – do you know who the killer is?
Violence: Some
Overall: B+ - I liked it despite thinking I wouldn’t.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Wired

Wired by Liz Maverick

What was this book about?
L. Roxanne Zabrowsky finds out the truth of how the world really works. That we are really just all part of a fate that consists of millions of wires. That if you are special you can traverse these wires and change the future or past.

What was your favorite part about this book?

It took a while to understand the whole wire crossing thing. Which actually kept me on the edge of my seat. I also really enjoyed the fact that you didn't know who was the good guy and who was the bad guy in terms of the two foils of men she meets when she finds out about this wire thing.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
I wouldn't get in a semi-romantic (or romantic) suituation with a guy that I wasn't sure if he wanted to kill me. So it was hard for me to decide if I wanted them to be together or not.

What genre would you consider this?
Science Fiction

Content in the book:
Romance: A tiny bit but this definitely isn't a romance.
Sex: A little - again not the point.
Mystery: Definitely, both in figuring out what was going on in general as well as who was a good person and who was bad.
Violence: A little.
Overall: B - an interesting read. Something that I have never read anything like it before.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Sweet Return

Sweet Return by Anna Jeffrey



What was this book about?
Joanna Walsh is a nice small town girl who can’t help but assist anyone in need. That is how she has become friends Clova – who owns a ranch – and has one good for nothing son and another son who has left her to find his way in the world. When her drunk son gets in a crash, she cannot take care of her ranch on her own. Joanna can’t help but stick her nose into the problem by calling back prodigal son and photojournalist Dalton Parker. He left that town for a reason – but now he finds Joanna as an interesting reason to stay.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I liked the realness of the characters. Dalton has spent some time in Iraq recently taking photos and is scarred by his experiences there. It, along with his poor relationship with his step-dad has made him a hard man.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
(SPOILER) People who have had relationships for just a few weeks don’t usually propose marriage, or maybe they do.

What genre would you consider this?
Contemporary Romance

Content in the book:

Romance: This is a romance novel with real world thrown in
Sex: Yep some hot and steamy stuff
Mystery: Not really any
Violence: None
Overall: B+ - I would read more from her.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Buffy – the Musical Episode


Totally random posting – Buffy – the Musical Episode



I know this doesn’t have to do with books, but I liked it so much that I just had to write about it. For those of you that like things with a supernatural twist – you definitely have to at least try out the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. It is phenomenal. I watched it when it was on TV and the reruns made me go out and get the whole thing on DVD. I couldn’t help myself – it was that good. Last night I was watching one of the episodes and it was just so good I had to tell people – once you have started watching it be sure to see the episode that is the Musical episode. It really is that good.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Primal Desires

Primal Desires by Susan Sizemore

What was this book about?
Sofia Hunyara is sent for by a long lost uncle to finally claim her powers as being part of the Hunyara family – Wolf Tamer. She can speak and control werewolves. Meanwhile, vampire Prime Jason Cage is asked to assist her in her training and teach her about this world of vampires and werewolves that she didn’t even know existed.

What was your favorite part about this book?
This book is a series that spans the lives (and romances) of many characters. So you feel as if you got to know them and they play a very big part in this novel. You can’t help but want to find out more about what has happened to them. I also really enjoyed the fact that they don’t know everything about them being vampires and werewolves so you find out new tidbits about their world as they are finding them out. So you are not reading the same general things over and over again.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
That it ended when it did. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the vampire Sid and the werewolf Joe. Hopefully they will get their own book sometime soon.

Will you keep reading the series?
Definitely. While it started out a little slow (in terms of this novel) it brought me into the world and made me want to find out more about this life of theirs.

What genre would you consider this?

Combination Romance/Paranormal.

Content in the book:
Romance: Some romance – with Primes though – they find their bond mate and it is all over. Instant attraction and love to some extent
Sex: Some
Mystery: Not really any
Violence: A little but not a ton
Overall: B – Generally a good book and I would definitely put more of these on my “want to read” list.

Yet again changing things up

So I started this website for a variety of reasons – to keep track of what I read and to share my thoughts on what I liked and didn’t like with others so if they were looking for something good they might find some obscure book that I really enjoyed. In the quest to do this both in a way that I find valuable as well as to help others I am trying to find a format that explains what the book is about (without just reading the description on the back or on Amazon or something) . So I am going to try a new one for a little while and this is it. Feel free to give comments on what you like and don’t like – I would be happy to add to or revert back to the old format if it just works out better.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Damsel in This Dress


The Damsel in This Dress by Marianne Stillings


Betsy Tremaine reviews books for her small town newspaper and she can’t help but feel that the novels of bestselling author J. Soldier McKennitt are drivel. When they meet each other at a book conference they can’t help but be attracted to one another. Thankfully Soldier is around because Betsy has found a stalker that will stop at nothing to make her life a living hell. She needs 24 hour supervision and Soldier is more then willing to take the case and Betsy on.

This was such a fun book. From the beginning I was captivated and while it wasn’t intended to be a mystery (but a romance) the mystery of it was good as well. I can’t wait to go out and read another of the Marianne Stillings novels. I will have to put her on my lookout list for future authors.

Romance: Definitely
Sex: Definitely
Mystery: Some – you need to figure out who her stalker could be
Violence: There is death and violence but not the gory kind
Overall: A-. I really liked this book!

Friday, February 1, 2008

The Almost Moon

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Helen Knightly had a difficult childhood growing up with a mother (and father) who had their own mental illness and issues with having a child. Now her mother is old and incapable of fully taking care of herself. During one such episode Helen does something she always thought of doing since she “hated” her mother – she kills her. Now she has to examine her thoughts of her childhood and whether she really hated her mother. As well as think about the person she has become.

I really liked Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, and was very much looking forward to this book. Based on the inner cover it seemed more like a novel of mothers and daughters and how age and history can affect their relationship. Maybe it was my desire to be able to relate but in the first chapter I was excited – this story seemed to take me to a place that I could identify with in my life. My grandmother had been very difficulty when she had reached that age where she couldn’t take care of herself and because of that my mother had a lot of problems dealing with her. In fact a lot of the nastiness in the first chapter was something that I identified, I was hoping that this book looked into the relationship between her and getting old. Instead it was about her killing here mother, dealing with the guilt (which she really didn’t have) and then screwing up the rest of her life by doing totally unconscionable things. You don’t like her, you don’t feel for her mother. Overall it just was a hard book to read.

Romance: None
Sex: Some but it was disturbing – she was only trying to get something or feel something
Mystery: Nope
Violence: Yes but not the gory kind
Overall: D – When you don’t like the characters or the story it is hard to feel for anyone. If you could just like one person, or if more of the background had come first so you could understand what happened before she just freaked out and killed her then I might have liked it.