Ink Exchange

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

What was this book about?

Leslie has had a tough life the last few years – her father is a drunk, her mother left, and her brother is a drug dealer who hurts Leslie in so many ways. She has finally found something to look forward to – a tattoo.

Leslie knows nothing of faeries or the fact that her best friend is the Summer Queen. She is intentionally left out of this world as a means of protecting her. She is watched by Aislinn’s friend Niall and he will do anything to keep her from harm.

What no one knows is that this tattoo isn’t a normal – instead it bonds her to Irial the leader of the Dark Court. Can Leslie survive this bond? How can they save her?

What did you think about the book?

This isn’t a sequel to a series in the traditional sense. While you see Keenan and Aislinn the focus of this novel has nothing to do with them but instead Aislinn’s friend Leslie. While I very much enjoyed Leslie’s story and her involvement and progression of Aislinn’s life – in many ways I wanted to know more about Keenan and Aislinn. I was not ready to move on. Marr creates books that while concluding leave you wanting, grasping for more of what is going on in their life. So for me – having a periphery watch on Keenan and Aislinn’s life wasn’t enough.

Independent of her other book, I found this one interesting enough. Again she lets you meet and attach yourselves to characters. She gives you a resolution – maybe not the one you were expecting – and leaves you wanting more. In no way to do you feel cheated by the ending, but this world she has created is so different from anything else you have seen you want to get a larger picture into it.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall:

Dial M for Mischief

Dial M for Mischief by Kasey Michaels (Sunshine Girls Romantic Caper)

What was this book about?

Three very different sisters – Jade a detective who stayed with her father Teddy and built a business, Jolie who always wanted to be an actress and followed her dream and now is one, and Jessica a investigative reporter always in to figure out the story. Their father, a former cop, is accused of murdering the Mayor’s wife and killing himself. But none of his daughters believe that is true.

They take on the cases that he was working on at the time of his death, knowing that if they solve the right case they may also find their fathers killer.

Of course they can’t do this alone – it is a dangerous road. So they reconnect with lost loves and possibly future loves to figure it all out.

Jolie has always loved multimillionaire Sam Becket. She left him to see if she could make it and when things go from bad to worse he is always there to pick up the pieces. Can she leave behind the glitz of Hollywood for him? Last time she wouldn’t? Can he help her figure out the truth of her father’s death?

What did you think about the book?

I enjoyed this book a lot. Of course it has a semi-resolution that doesn’t leave yoou completely hanging in Jolie and Sam figure out their case. But there are still more out there for her sister’s to find.

I am not sure how I feel about the “extra” story in a story of Sam’s and Court’s cousin and the family legacy of leaving a fist sized emerald somewhere. It is only supposed to be found when it’s bad luck has run out. When she gets to that story I am sure it will fit better – but for right now it just seems like an extra plot point thrown in.

What genre would you consider this?

Romance

Overall:

A Summer Affair

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand

What was this book about?

Claire Danner Crispin has a loving (although dictoral) husband, loving children, and a teenage love who is now world famous. She is an artist who has a wonderful career creating art that is world renowned. And yet she feels like something is missing.

When multimillionaire Lockhard Dixon asks her to be the chair of the annual benefit his charity runs she can’t say no – even though she knows she should. She is instantly attracted to him. She has a fear of him – as she is somehow connected to his wife’s instability after a drunk driving accident. She does it no matter what.

What follows is an affair that both seem addicted to – and cannot stop. But what does it mean for their futures – independently or together. Add to that the complication of creating an event for the wealthy and a visit from Claire’s rocker teenage love and she really must figure out what is most important in her life.

What did you think about the book?

I liked Claire and the book. You can’t help but identify with her feelings. Her husband isn’t bad – just not great. Her life is good but she is missing things since she quit her art. She feels guilt for things that are beyond her control. And somehow all of this seems to be relegated to the background when she meets Lock. Her attraction takes all the pain out of so many things.. Whether it should or not.

What genre would you consider this?
Summer Read

Overall:

Spoilers: The only thing that stopped it from getting 4 stars was the ending. It wasn’t that it was bad – it just wasn’t sufficient. I think it is hard for me to see people just floating back together after something like this happens. The story of the telling, the working it out (or not) is an important piece. I also believe it isn’t right to go back to a relationship with this secret still between you. Someday, somehow this secret will haunt you.

SlipKnot

SlipKnot by Linda Greenlaw (A Jane Bunker Mystery)

What was this book about?

Jane has given up her high stress/high power job as a detective to become an insurance woman in Maine. She loves the sleepy town that she has moved to – though it takes a little while to get accustomed to small town living.

Before she can get her feet firmly on the ground, during a insurance investigation they find a washed up body. Things don’t seem quite so obvious to Jane in terms of what happened and why and she can’t help herself and must keep poking her nose in it.

What did you think about the book?

While the mystery was interesting it was very hard for me to get passed the Nautical information to the meat of the story. Linda Greenlaw is heralded as another “Mystery She Wrote” and I can see where the comparison comes from.

So overall not bad – probably not the first book I would go out and read myself – but would definitely suggest to any of my friends who loved mysteries with a nautical twist.

What genre would you consider this?
Mystery

Overall:

The Hollow

The Hollow by Nora Roberts (Book Two of the Sign of Seven Trilogy)

What was this book about?

We return to the three men Fox, Gage, and Cal and the three women Quinn, Cybil, and Layla trying to fight off what is to come. There is a demon after them and the people of the town. The three men accidentally released the demon when they were only 10 and every 7 years it has come back only to cause havoc on this small town.

Quinn, Cybil, and Layla – like the men – were destined to come to this town and help. They have all been given special abilities that will help in this fight. They move one step closer to defeating this evil.

Quinn and Cal forge a special bond in the first book, and this time it is Layla and Gage who must confront their fears and form a bond of love if they want to be victorious.

What did you think about the book?

This was good – and I can’t wait to see how things end. We move forward in their fight of evil, find out more about their ancestors that led them to this, and also see their friendships and love interests grow. There seems to be so much to find out in the last book – I have no idea how she will fit it all in.

If you like Nora Roberts books – this is a must read.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:

No Choice But Seduction

No Choice But Seduction by Johanna Lindsey (Mallory Family Novel)

What was this book about?

Boyd Anderson is thinking that it may be time to finally settle down. With his sister in London, and his brother living there part of the year, and everyone else still sailing around he thinks it may be time to leave America and think about settling down there. On his trip over he meets Katey Taylor. Katey is attractive and intelligent, he can’t help but be attracted to her. Yet they leave the boat with the idea they will never see each other again.

Boyd is staying at his sister George’s house and is delivered a ransom note. When he realizes it isn’t Jack who has been kidnapped but instead James’s brother Anthony’s daughter Judith who is missing – he sets out (with the rest of the Mallory’s) to find her. It is a surprise for everyone to figure out that Katey has become involved. He can’t believe that she is a kidnapper but can he fight his attraction.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I LOVE the Mallory’s (and the Anderson’s) and really really really loved this book. It was like getting to go back to all the classic Johanna Lindsey books and be a part of James, Anthony, Derek, Jeremy’s lives yet again. In fact the only thing that I didn’t like about this book is that it ended. I don’t know if that I wanted more cause I was so happy to be a part of their lives yet again – or if I just felt the whole end was rushed. I left wanting more, more, more!

I have read all of Lindsey’s books and enjoyed the most recent ones but this one far surpassed her other recent novels.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance

Overall:

Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister (A Novel of the Silver Dragons)

What was this book about?

May Northcott is a doppelganger. A “creature” that was created by giving up something in order to create a twin. Dopplegangers are real and have their own special abilities. May is forced to do a demon’s tasks as her twin gave him control of her when she was created. May is forced to go over all and steal for this demon lord or risk his wrath.

When she runs into wayvern Gabriel Tauhou, the leader of the silver dragon pact. Gabriel has his own enemies and reasons for doing what he does. When he meets May he knows she must be his mate. And he will do anything to keep her. Even if it means going against a demon lord.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I found it to be an interesting read (especially if you like the Aisling and other Dragon books by Katie MacAlister). Of course I was a bit disappointed by the way it ended. It feels not fair to be left with a cliffhanger like this until the next book comes out.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Second Chance

Second Chance by Jane Green

What was this book about?

Old friends are brought together by the death of the one friend they all stayed in close contact with – Tom. Tom is killed by an unexpected terrorist bombing. When they find each other again after all these years they realize that they will always be friends. And in having to explain where their lives have taken them to each other, it makes them realize what is right (or wrong with their lives).

Saffron is a beautiful actress with secrets that include her married actor boyfriend. She also has a history of alcoholism that she feels maybe she has gotten over. But has she really?

Paul is handsome and looks to have everything including a model looks wife Anna. Anna created, owns and operates a fashion website. What everyone doesn’t know is that Anna and Paul have been trying to desperately have children and IVF treatment after IVF treatment has just not given them the results they so desperately wanted.

Olivia was quite and soft-spoken, loving her animals more then many people. Her long time love has left her (and is getting married). She wants someone in her life so much. She also must realize that the people she thinks look down on her (her friends) think she has a great life, because she does.

Holly is married to a wealthy and prominent lawyer. She has two beautiful children. Tom’s death makes her reevaluate everything about her life especially her marriage. Is she happy? Does her husband control everything she does? Why is she behaving the way she is?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I felt it was a nice look at how death makes you reevaluate who you are and your life. Also some friends that have somehow gotten left behind as you have grown up may not be in your life day to day but that doesn’t mean they do not care. That they want to be a part of your new life as well and will be there when you need them.

The one thing I didn’t like so much was I felt like there were characters I just wanted to more about (Anna for instance) but she was secondary. But not so secondary that you didn’t hear anything about her or her reasons for being the way she was.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Lover Enshrined

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward (The Black Dagger Brotherhood)

What was this book about?

Phury has a complex that requires him to do what is always best for his people, even if that means to the detriment of himself. He has become the Primale of the Chosen and because of that must father many sons and daughters so that life is brought back into the brotherhood.

His first mate, Cormia, didn’t want to be his mate at first. He rescued her from being a “sacrifice” to himself. But now she has spent months in this world and realizes how much she wants Phury. Unfortunately, as Primale – even though she is the first mate – she would have to share Phury with the many women waiting to mait with him.

The Primale is even more important now – the lessers are gaining power and want to kill them all. For the goodness of their race can they each do what they have to do.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoy that this is more then just a story of two people and their small part in a larger story. Instead this book (and others) seem to tell the stories of everyone at that point in time – with a focus on the characters that they are trying to hook up.

I really enjoyed this book in the series and don’t know which one is supposed to be next – but am really hoping to see John and Xhex paired together in the next novel. They deserve happiness.

As a quick side note –I have read all the books in the series (not all recently but still read them) and I have to say I appreciate the dictionary in the front of the book explaining the vocabulary. Sometimes I have forgotten something or maybe didn’t ever know and that is priceless.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Not Another Bad Date

Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson

What was this book about?

Adele Harris has a history of misery – she lived a lower middle class existence and was picked on for it. She went to college to find the love of her life – Zach Zematis – only to lose him. And ever sense then it seems as if she is cursed when it comes to dating.

At the same time Adele has good friends and a great career writing science fiction books. So when she is called back to her home town to help her sister it comes as a great surprise to run into Zach Zematis.

Her sister needs her – she is alone after her husband just left her – pregnant – and has a teenage daughter who needs someone to look after her while her mother is in the hospital. So Adele can’t leave town whether she wants to or not.

Zach wants to rekindle the flame he had with his college love Adele. Neither can seem to fight the chemistry. But their history seems to be holding them apart, not bringing them together.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really liked this book. It was a fun, fast read. A simple romance that doesn’t always go well but still progresses to happiness in the end. I also enjoyed the touch of Zach’s dead wife trying to get into heaven as part of the story. You can’t help but not like the woman, especially since all she tries to do is hurt Zach and Adele. At the same time the whimsical touch makes the story all that more endearing.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Overall:

Vampyres of Hollywood

Vampyres of Hollywood by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott

What was this book about?

Ever wonder how the actors and actresses of Hollywood look so good? Many of them are vampires. They have helped create the myth of vampires – they can go out in the sun, they can go to churches, they are just like humans, just on another evolutionary tree branch.

Ovsanna Moore is a renowned actress, writer, and studio queen. She is known as the “scream queen”. She is also a vampire. When her people – either changlings or staff – have been marked for death and show up murdered she realizes there is something odd going on and she must solve the case.

In pops Beverly Hills detective Peter King. He knows he must stop these murders before more of Hollywood ends up dead, and more people panic. He can tell that Ovsanna and her assistant Maral MacKenzie have something to hide. He also knows they want to stop the murders. Can they do it in time?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

For me this was a fun and unusual (but in a good way) mystery. The book slowly reveals the characters secrets while still progressing to figure out who is causing all the chaos.

The view of Hollywood is something that will attract anyone who likes to find out what actors and actresses do. While (of course) the stars of Hollywood are not really vampires, many of the cold-blooded behavior, the favorites getting roles because of romantic entanglements, and many other touches are, I am sure, true.

If you like the paranormal and you like mysteries this would be a must read for you.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Mystery

Overall: – It was a surprise to me that I would like this book as much as I did. I truly hope this isn’t the last we see of Ovsanna and Peter

Rogue

Rogue by Danielle Steel

What was this book about?

Maxine has three beautiful children and a rewarding career in adolescent psychology. She is able to help out struggling teens deal with suicide and tragedy. Max also has an ex-husband that is more like a best friend who doesn’t want to grow up. Blake is wonderful, but his need to explore the world and act more like a teenager after he came into unexpected wealth ruined their relationship. Max realized that she just couldn’t live with a jetsetting husband who wasn’t there for her or their kids. Despite these differences Blake and Max are still great friends and he loves their children.

Max finally begins to move on when she meets Dr. Charles West. He is everything she wished Blake had been – dependable, loving, and there for her. But Charlie doesn’t understand her children or her relationship with Blake. When Blake calls for her help will he be able to understand.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I like how the more recent books of Danielle Steel have moved to being about older adult relationships – people who are past the first blush of new love – and instead have children, ex’s and baggage. Things are just as complicated for them as for the early 20’s – they just have different sorts of problems.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Overall: