It's Monday! What are you reading (32)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler (Review)
Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler (Review)
Tempest Legacy by Nicole Peeler (Review)


A couple of weeks ago I saw on Twitter that Nicole Peeler, an author on my TBR pile was doing a sigining about an hour away from me. Since my hubby had our daughter with him for the day, I gathered up BooBoo (My 2 year old son) and headed over there. I was a little nervous taking him along, but I shouldn't have been. I realized my kids are angels when they are separated; together, not so much. I bought all three books, and found Ms. Peeler to be really awesome to talk to. I could have kicked myself for forgetting to get a picture, but oh well. As excited as I was to read the books, there were other review copies I needed to get finished first. Now that I've read them, I can't believe I didn't sooner. I love Jane, she is hilarious! I'm super excited at the new direction this series is going and I can't wait for the next one!

My upcoming list:

Once Upon a Time in Space by Heather Massey (Early Review)
Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Tempest's Legacy

Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler

Jane True #3

 After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl – at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane’s world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females — supernatural, halfling, and human — Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires.

And she’s not sure which she finds more frightening.

After saying goodbye to Ryu and leaving Boston, Jane's now been home for a few months to train on both offensive and defensive magical skills. She's making progress, and figures she has time to learn, but one thing she didn't count on was the horrific news she would be getting. She'll need her powers at full strength, as she gets wrapped up in a case dealing with brutalized females, both supernatural and human, that hits closer to home than she could have ever imagined. Despite Ryu and Anyan's protests, she becomes a very integral part of the investigation, putting herself in the gravest of dangers, and if she isn't careful, this time her number just might be up.

Jane truly becomes Ms. Jane True in this book. She is no longer content to just muster through her training, nor stay on the sidelines in the action. She really isn't the Jane we met in the first book anymore. I'm only hoping she continues on this path of gaining self confidence. Perhaps she may even start to see herself more clearly, as she is an incredibly awesome person. The things she endures are absolutely terrible, yet she continues on with a fierce determination. Granted, there were a few times where she seemed like she might crumble, but she never once gave in. Perhaps in time everyone will stop underestimating her, but at least for now it works in her favor, as no one realizes just how much of a threat she can be.

After the way the last book ended, the relationship issues between Jane and Ryu were inevitable. I'm so glad Jane is standing up for herself, and refusing to just accept his picture of her. Aside from her issues with Ryu there also is the glaring problem that she might actually love Anyan. However, she'll need to accept herself if she is to have any hope with him. As of yet, she just doesn't feel she is in Anyan's league, and that cannot possibly lead to healthy relationship. Of course, I'm still holding out hopes for them yet, but I just hope she doesn't jump into things with her current attitude, as that could be the recipe for disaster. I wouldn't want them to get together, only to fall right apart. I have more of long term picture of them in my mind and I hope it becomes "reality".

This series is the type where every time you think you have something figured out, a major curve ball throws you for a loop. I love being kept on my toes, and this book definitely did not disappoint. The next book should prove to be very good based on the ending events of this book. Some things could have easily gone a different way, but I am so glad they didn't. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance or urban fantasies with a lighter, humorous side, yet still have plenty of danger and action to cause just the right amount of tension. This series is quickly becoming one of my top favorites and I cannot wait to see what Jane gets herself into next. Bravo to you Ms. Peeler!

(Received from Netgalley)

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Tempest's Legacy (Jane True)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy

Tracking the Tempest

Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler

Jane True #2

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course.

Ryu's well-intentioned plans create mayhem, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All the evidence points towards another Halfling, much to Jane's surprise...

When Jane goes to meet Ryu, her sexy vampire boyfriend, for Valentine's Day, she's expecting a weekend of luxury.. and other things. However another Halfling throws a major wrench in her plans when he goes on a gruesome killing spree. Jane gets wrapped up in the investigation, and quickly finds herself having the Halfling's sole attention. However, she isn't a target, and what he wants her for comes at a shock to everyone. Jane will have to up her learning curve quick if she wants to avoid the Halfling's attentions before it is too late.

Jane grows by leaps and bounds in this book. After finally shredding the massive amount of guilt she was carrying around, she is finally able to start again with her life. Or rather, now she can start to grow into her powers and start making headway into her life in the supernatural world. While it is obvious that she has a long way to go, I have a feeling she may just wind up being more powerful than anyone could have imagined. She has the right attitude and enough raw power to support her, as well as a phenomenal moral compass. I have a feeling we can expect great things from Ms. True in the future.

Danger Will Robinson! I sense a love triangle in the future. In this case however, I think the potential love triangle might actually help to further the plot and Jane's growth rather than hinder it. While Ryu has been very good to Jane, and has helped ease her into her new world, I'm afraid things will really start to crumble in the future. He is love with the Jane he met, rather than the one she is becoming. This became really apparent in his actions through this book. He was constantly patronizing Jane, and refusing to take her serious, almost like the rest of the purebloods. Don't get me wrong, I still love Ryu and think he really is a great guy, err vampire; I'm just not sure if he is the best thing for her anymore. Granted nothing actually happens between Jane and the other interest, but somehow I think something just might be there. I'm curious to see if he will have the same problem in accepting who she is becoming.

I loved this book. Jane's wit is laugh out loud hilarious, yet the books are still able to convey the real danger she is under. I find this to be incredibly impressive as the author seems to know the perfect balance between danger and horror, so that you never get bogged down with either. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book after the ending of this one. Jane seems to finally be taking a step back and making major decisions for herself; no longer content to sit on the sidelines. I cannot possibly recommend these book any higher, and I hope you enjoy Jane's story as much as I have.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Tracking the Tempest (Jane True)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

The Gathering - Darkness Rising #1

by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date: April 12th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: The Gathering (Darkness Rising, Book 1)

Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya's home—and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy—her paw-print birthmark.

Tempest Rising

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

Jane True #1

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp.

Jane True has never fit into her small town. She has always been an outcast, but when tragedy struck years ago, she became the ultimate pariah. She is very careful to hide her differences as best she can, but it isn't much help. So, it wasn't too shocking for her to find out there is a reason for her strangeness, she isn't completely human. When other half-breeds start ending up dead, she teams up with sexy supernatural investigator, Ryu to find the culprit. With Jane afraid she might be next, her previously boring life takes a turn into the exciting yet potentially deadly area. She must learn the rules of the new world if she wants to have any chance at surviving a place where most would rather see her dead for her half-breed status.

Jane's character is completely ruled by her past. She is so damaged from both the town's ostracization and the loss of the love of her life. Because of her own grief she actually believes she doesn't deserve to be accepted. While this may make her a flawed character, it also allows for a lot of potential growth. Overcoming one's past can be more challenging than any present obstacle, but I have faith in her ability to finally put the past behind her. Only then will she be able to truly accept who she is and her new role in the supernatural community. I think she has the potential to do great things, and will bring in a sense of "heart", something the rest of them are missing. They are just a little too far detached from humanity, and I think Jane can help bridge that gap.

I loved the dynamic between Jane and Ryu. I think he was the perfect character to help ease her into the supernatural world, as well as coaxing her out of her shell. I'm pretty sure in the beginning it was just his nature and attraction that drew her to him. However, as it went on, you could tell by hid behavior that he wanted more than just a quick fling from her. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen very often with his kind, due to their unique "food" source. Perhaps I am seeing more than is there, but I think he does genuinely care for Jane and wants her to be happy.

I cannot believe I didn't read this book sooner! It was such a fast paced, enjoyable read. This is just one of those books that makes you laugh yet still is able to be serious enough when danger presents itself. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series and watching Jane grow. This book should entertain both Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance fans, as it is a good blend of both genres. Major kudos to the author for this fantastic debut Urban Fantasy!

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Tempest Rising (Jane True)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy
New Author 

It's Monday! What are you reading (31)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Early Review)
Shadowplay by Elisa Paige (Review)
Maelstrom by Elisa Paige (Review)
Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield (Early Review)

I loved Stealing Time by Elisa Paige, so I jumped at the bit when she offered her two other books to me for review. Elisa is a really fantastic new author, and you'll definitely want to check out her books!

Aftertime is a horrifying, yet entrancing look at what could happen after the collapse of society. Everything in this book is very vivid, and the characters are full of depth, especially the main character Cass. I highly recommend this one!

When I found out I would be receiving an ARC copy of This Side of the Grave, I knew I'd be adding an extra review this week. I was so excited about this book, and even after reading it, my excitement has barely calmed down. Of course that could also be because I went to her signing in MD at Turn the Page Bookstore this past Saturday.

Here's a pic :)

I was incredibly impressed with how organized the signing was. It probably was the smoothest one I have ever been too. They have a ticket system that groups people by letter so they don't have incredibly long lines to worry about. We were able to pick up our letter tickets at about 10am, then went to get some breakfast, and came back around 12. We only had to wait a half-hour, and then it was our turn. My hubby and my mother came along, so we all had a blast.

My upcoming list:

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler
Tempest Legacy by Nicole Peeler

Aftertime (Early Review)

Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

The world’s gone.
Worse, so is her daughter.

Awakening in a bleak landscape as scarred as her body, Cass Dollar vaguely recalls surviving something terrible. Having no idea how many days—or weeks—have passed, she slowly realizes the horrifying truth: Ruthie has vanished.

And with her, nearly all of civilization. Where once-lush hills carried cars and commerce, the roads today see only cannibalistic Beaters—people turned hungry for human flesh by a government experiment gone wrong.

In a broken, barren California, Cass will undergo a harrowing quest to get her Ruthie back. Few people trust an outsider, let alone a woman who became a zombie and somehow turned back, but she finds help from an enigmatic outlaw, Smoke. Smoke is her savior, and her safety. For the Beaters are out there. And the humans grip at survival with their trigger fingers. Especially when they learn that she and Ruthie have become the most feared, and desired, of weapons in a brave new world....

Cass woke up brutally scarred with no memory of where she is, only having the horrifying thought that her daughter is missing. In a land mostly barren she makes her way back to where she last saw Ruthie. Her journey is long and hard as the landscape isn't the only obstacle. A government plant turned hoards of people into mindless flesh eaters called Beaters. In the last stretch towards home, she meets up with the mysterious Smoke. He quickly becomes her only chance at surviving to find her daughter as she realizes the Beaters aren't the only threat. It's the other survivors that are much worse, and if they find out what she really is, they won't hesitate to eliminate her. 

This book was a very original take on the idea of Zombies. What I loved most about it was while the threat of the Beaters was very real, that wasn't the only thing standing in Cass's way. In fact, the people were probably more dangerous as the Beaters were at least predictable. Suspicions run very high, and almost everyone is joining one faction or another, and always questioning each other's alliances. I imagine this was probably a pretty accurate look at what could happen in the event of such a major fallout. It is in most people's nature to join together and be led. It is just unfortunate that the majority of the leadership figures turn out to be corrupt in nature.

Cass is probably the strongest, yet most broken character I have ever read about. Her past has huge skeletons in it, and her coping methods made her a serious addict. However, she never once flounders in her determination to find her daughter. The obstacles she faces are absolutely stifling, making it amazing that she is able to continue on at all. Perhaps her "changed" nature did give her some help, but in the end it all came down to her iron clad will and perseverance. She is so afraid to care for anyone, and give her past this is completely understandable. However, her fear didn't stop her from showing compassion towards others, especially Smoke. Try as she might to just block him out, she quickly realizes that she actually cares for him. This story was as much about Cass's character growth as it was her journey to find her daughter, making it an absolutely incredible read.

The pacing of this book was excellent, as it more than kept my attention, yet didn't overwhelm. The last few pages of the book took off like a firecracker making me very unsure of how things would end. While it was a satisfying ending, I couldn't help but wonder at the abruptness of it, as I had originally thought this was a stand alone novel. I absolutely love these characters, so I was extremely happy to find out that Aftertime is in fact the start of a series. Make sure to check this book out, it will completely suck you in right from the start and make you really believe in a mother's love overcoming all obstacles; even the Apocalypse. 

(Received from Netgalley)

Rating:

Pre-order at Amazon:
Aftertime (Luna Books) 



Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy
New Author 

Maelstrom

Maelstrom by Elisa Paige

Texas Fae Prequel

         Fae exile Amalie Shepherd, having served in the centuries-long war between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, suffers from a supernatural version of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The only thing that helps stave off the ghastly flash-backs — and prevent her from triggering a catastrophic earthquake, since she’s Earth Kith – is running her small-town Texas horse ranch.

        Nick Fletcher isn’t your ordinary vampire. Adventurous and outgoing, he refuses to be bound by the Church’s rigid rules or his own Ancients’ dictates. And he’s been in love with Amalie for centuries, although she’s left him twice rather than kill him as her racist superiors ordered.

            After decades apart, Nick tracks Amalie to her ranch to check on her and they soon realize their feelings for one another are as strong as ever. His soothing presence eases Amalie’s PTSD symptoms and her memories begin to return, along with her Fae powers. But as her strength increases, she becomes more visible to the Dark Fae king, Cham Reiden, and his bodach hunters – vile creatures who have killed all but five of the remaining Light Fae still on the mortal plane.

            The Cham has a singular hatred for Amalie – the one prisoner of war who survived his special brand of torture and escaped. Learning she’s grown to care about humans and despising mortals for his own twisted reasons, the king creates a global environmental disaster that will make Katrina’s aftermath seem like mild clutter.

             To defeat him, Amalie will have to ally with those who betrayed her, reach out to those she herself betrayed, and unite her two selves – the person she once was and the person she wants to be.

Amalie, a light Fae, of the very few left, doesn't remember much of her past. What she does remember is so horrific that she cannot bear trying to remember more. When a vampire from her past, Nick, shows up to win her heart again, Amalie knows it's only a matter of time before she gives in. From her selective memory she knows she left him twice for his own safety, but cannot remember why, so she is absolutely terrified to let him close again. However, as her powers slowly return, the Cham of the Dark Fae refocuses his efforts on destroying Amalie once and for all. She will have to rely on Nick and his friends to not only survive the Cham's assassination attacks, as well as stop his plan to destroy the town she holds dear. That requires trust, something that may just be impossible to give, for she has been betrayed before.

In this prequel of Shadowplay, we learn more about Amalie and how she came to be Nick's mate, as well as how the group came together. While I already felt connected to the group dynamic, this prequel only helped to further my connection to the characters. I was happy to get a chance to see how this group bonded together, something that is extremely unheard of for vampires, as they are generally solitary creatures. Typically the largest grouping would be pairs, and only when they are mates, so it nothing short of miraculous how close this group is. Of course from time to time they have their snags and conflicts, but the resolutions of those incidents only seems to strengthen their bonds together.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Nick and Amalie. While Amalie is also a "damaged" Fae just like Mia (from Shadowplay), her relationship with Nick is very different than Mia and Roddie's. Some romance series seem very cookie cutter and aside from changing names and a few events, each installment is pretty much the same. So after reading this book I'm glad it didn't follow that cookie cutter routine of just rehashing and renaming events. The progression was very realistic, especially considering the pair's past history. There was one thing that surprised me; the lack of the mate bond that was so prevalent in Mia and Roddie's story. I'm rather curious as to why Nick and Amalie didn't form such a bond, as they were certainly close enough. Perhaps it was just a logistics issue since in the past Amalie left Nick several times, and if they were bonded, the distance would have destroyed them both.

This book is more Urban fantasy than it is paranormal romance, and the steaminess is much less than the author's other books. However, this did not detract from the book as the overall plot more than compensated for the lesser amount of steamy romance. Even though this is the prequel, I still think Shadowplay should be read first, as I think it is best to meet everyone through Mia's eyes first. This book was very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it as it only furthers the connection to these great characters. Major kudos to the Author!

(Received from the author for review)

Rating:

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Paranormal Romance

Waiting on Wednesday (30)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

Magic on the Hunt - Allie Beckstrom #6

by Devon Monk

Publication Date: April 5th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: Magic on the Hunt: An Allie Beckstrom Novel

In the secret lockup of the Authority, the council that decides what can and can't be done with magic, an undead magic user has possessed one of the prisoners. He wants his freedom-and then some. Now Allie Beckstrom and her lover, Zayvion, are the first line of defense against the chaos he's about to unleash on the city of Portland...

Shadowplay

Shadowplay by Elisa Paige

Texas Fae #1

The world’s first Fae trouble-shooter, Mia has survived the centuries--and her royal father’s assassins--by trusting no one and by pounding the bleeding hell out of her enemies. Then she meets Roddie, an Irish immortal with the skill to dodge even her most lethal attacks. Intrigued by the spirit beneath Mia’s warrior exterior, Roddie resolves to recruit her for a new, cross-supernatural alliance--the Vampires' last, desperate bid to avoid extinction. Trained solely to fight, Mia is defenseless against the Irishman’s flashing blue eyes and killer dimples. And despite herself, she begins to consider a life that includes love. Trouble is, softening her hair-trigger reflexes could get her killed. But this time, Mia can't do her usual disappearing act. This time, she has to make a stand, and face her father's brutality and her own tortured past. Because now it’s not just Mia who’s targeted for assassination. It’s Roddie.


Mia, the only surviving half-breed between the light and dark Fae. She has had assassins on her tail for centuries and has never trusted anyone. When she meets a group of vampires in a resistance against ones who would see their way of life destroyed, she is intrigued by their group dynamic as it something she's never experienced. Then one of the group members, Roddie, takes a interest in her and she is almost helpless to resist. It becomes a battle between her heart and her head, with neither having a clear lead. Her instincts have kept her alive all this time, but what is life really worth without love?

Mia is one heck of a damaged character. Considering her past, this comes at no surprise. What amazes me is her strength and ability to survive against all odds. Her instincts are incredible, but it is because of those instincts that she has no friends nor understanding of companionship and love. What I loved most about this book was getting to see Mia grow and learn to accept others being close to her. I think she will have a greater appreciation for those relationships as she went so long without them, and she knows just how miserable and lonely that is. At one point in the book she seems to be almost amazed at her feelings, as she never really understood what she was missing before Roddie and the others came into her life. 

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Roddie and Mia. Despite her being so "flighty" and skittish, Roddie falls almost instantly head over heels for Mia. Mia on the other hand, kept him at arms length for a very long time. I'll admit the slow progression on her side was a little frustrating as I was reading it because I knew the two would have great potential, and I couldn't wait for them to finally make some progress. However, despite that frustration, the slow progression made the romance more realistic as someone with her past would have a very hard time accepting feelings for another person, let alone even beginning to trust. 

I really enjoyed this book. The setting is parallel to the world in her other novel, Stealing Time (Review). The same style and happy progression of romance found in Stealing Time, follows this book as well. There were plenty of tender moments as well as some pretty steamy ones, and she did an excellent job in balancing those two aspects. This author is definitely one to watch for as her books are very rich and leave you with a sense of happiness, yet still manage to leave things open ended enough to make you more than ready for the next book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys flawed, but strong heroines, sexy heroes, and romantic happiness with plenty of danger in between. This book was a perfect blend of those aspects and I cannot wait to dive into the next book.

(Received from the Author for review)

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Shadowplay (BookStrand Publishing Romance)


Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Paranormal Romance 

This Side of the Grave (Early Review)

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Night Huntress #5

Danger waits on both sides of the grave. Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Cat and Bones have had a very rough time of it lately and while they have come out on top in the last few battles, there still were loved ones lost and irreparable consequences. In this latest installment, Cat is still coming to terms with her new, mostly pulse-less status. She was unique as a half vampire, so it makes sense she wouldn't be a normal full one either. However, this spells trouble as a nasty Ghoul is using the threat of the "Red Reaper" to incite a war between the Vampires and Ghouls. They must scramble to round up their allies as well as try and find away to stop the war that could destroy them all. They seek out the help of Majestic, the Queen of New Orleans. The biggest question is not whether or not they will get her support, but if they will survive her "help" if she gives it, because one never knows just what the VooDoo Queen may have up her sleeve.

Cat has really had just about all she can take of dangers and threats to herself and her loved ones. So when her "borrowed" powers start causing her problems she scrambles to find a way to tone them down. She tells Bones that she isn't meant to handle them since she isn't a master vampire. This may be true, but when push comes to shove, she will do whatever it takes when her loved ones are at risk, even if it means using powers that wreak havoc and completely overwhelm her. However, I think most of her problems with the powers is that when she tries to use them, she over thinks it, as well as refuses to accept them as her own. Granted, they are only borrowed, but until they wear off, they belong to her, and I think if she could learn to accept them, she just might surprise herself.

I was so thrilled to see Cat and Bones fully together in this book. Their separation in the previous book was very hard to bear and they are by far my favorite fictional couple. In this book it seems they are closer than ever, and Cat is really trying to not repeat the mistakes of her past. Every time she has the inclination to run off on her own to try and save the day, she stops and takes a moment to talk herself out of it. She finally has come to terms with the fact that where she goes, Bones will, and no matter how much she may want to protect him, he will always be there at her side whenever danger strikes. Bones has even made some major strides in accepting that she will always have to be hip deep in the action and that he can't keep her on the sidelines either. I'm sure there will always be some tension between them as they are both extremely strong willed, but in the end they could not be more perfect for one another.

Since this is my favorite series, there always is the fear that the latest book will not live up to my admittedly high expectations. However, after reading this book I realized my fear was completely unnecessary, as this book was every bit as good as its predecessors. Be prepared for plenty of high stakes, heart pounding action, and plenty of steaminess. The book was jammed packed with emotions, and the ending will leave a smile on your face. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. If you haven't checked out this series yet, you don't know what you are missing.

Received copy from the Publisher

Rating:

Pre-order at Amazon:
This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 5)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy
Vampire 

It's Monday! What are you reading (30)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells (Early Review)
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney (Review)
Pale Demon by Kim Harrison (Early Review)

This past week was definitely for ARC reading. In addition to the early reviews of Green-Eyed Demon and Pale Demon, I'll also be posting a early review of This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost later this morning. Since these are the latest installments of some of my top favorites, I was so excited to get to read them early. (Yes, I'll admit I did scream like a little fan girl when I found out.) So make  sure to check them out, you won't want to miss any of them. I also read The Iron Witch, a YA debut, and I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth checking out.


My upcoming list:

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Early Review)
Shadowplay by Elisa Paige
Maelstrom by Elisa Paige
Secrets of the Demon by Linda Robertson