Chosen by Fate (Early Review)

Chosen by Fate by Virna DePaul

Para-Ops #2

Although he keeps company with a vampire and a were, human Shaman Caleb O'Flare can definitely hold his own. But neither his psychic ability nor his healing powers can help his sexy-as-hell teammate, Wraith-a ghost with no memory of her human existence, who cannot experience touch without pain. No wraith has managed to exist past its tenth year, so her time is about to run out. She wants only two things before accepting her fate: to learn her human identity, and experience one night with Caleb...

Caleb may be one of the human members of the Para-Ops teams, but that doesn't mean he isn't without his own set of powerful skills. His psychic and healing powers are unparalleled, but none of that can help him where it matters most to his heart. He'd give anything to help Wraith, a "living" ghost who only experiences pain with touch. No wraith has lived past ten years, and her time is quickly coming up. Once this would have been a blessing to finally have relief from the constant pain, even if it did mean a final death. But now, Caleb has given her something to live for, and now she will hold onto her "unlife" as hard as she can.

I'll be honest that I was a little skeptical about how meaningful the relationship between Wraith and Caleb could really be. In the previous book Wraith came across as a bitter, waspish, harpy that was extremely quick to temper. To be honest, I don't blame her for acting like that, considering the constant pain she is in, but it still wouldn't really be conducive to a lasting relationship. However, in Chosen by Fate we see that this harsh exterior is just a facade to protect herself. She's made herself so hard in order to keep everyone out so she doesn't get hurt any worse than countless times she has in the past. Not only does she have the isolation and pain of being an untouchable wraith, but she also has an extremely scarred past from several betrayals. So, when Caleb starts breaking down those walls, you see just how right the two of them are together. Of course now that Wraith finally seems to have a reason to want to live, she doesn't have much time left. This makes every moment seem so much more precious and important, and really made me feel for her.

Caleb has his own scars, and honestly seems like a glutton for punishment. I mean what man chooses a woman who is as likely to shoot him as kiss him? Yet, this also shows a perseverance most wouldn't have in that despite how impossible it seemed, he still fought tooth and nail for Wraith to prove to her that she did care for him, as well as deserved to be save. That right there sums Caleb up in a nutshell. He wanted to be her white knight, and what drove him the most was his own guilt for his own actions in the past. Both Caleb and Wraith went through a whole lot of character growth in this book, which I felt was handled quite well.

I'm really enjoying the romances in this series, but the continuing development of the overall plot is what really makes this series stand out. While most of the focus is on the current couple, the Para-Ops team still gets plenty of focus as well as the other side plots that cause the serious tensions between the races. I really cannot wait until the next installment to see where the latest development at the end of Chosen by Fate will lead. So, if you enjoy paranormal romances that aren't only focused on the romance, but on a well planned out plot as well, then you will definitely enjoy this series. I enjoyed Chosen by Fate even more than the previous installment, and I cannot wait to see what's in store next!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Pre-order from Amazon:
Chosen by Fate (A Para-Ops Novel)

Other Reviews

• Bitten by Paranormal Romance 
• The Jeep Diva

Previous Books

1. Chosen by Blood

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Paranormal Romance

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop (25)

On some fridays I participate in both Follow Friday and the Book Blogger Hop.

Follow Fridays is hosted by Parajunkee's View, and is just Fridays.

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books, and runs Friday to Monday. There are new rules for the hop, so make sure to check out Crazy for Books for the details.


This week's question from Crazy for Books:

“In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite “banned or frequently challenged book”?”



That is an easy choice as I am still in love with The Hunger Games. A runner up would be Brave New World. Are you catching the Dystopian theme? :)


This week's question from Parajunkee:

What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Hmm.. Well I would have said The Hunger Games, but since that movie is already in the works, I'd love to see a film version of The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost. I love those books! Another good choice would be The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Chosen by Blood

Chosen by Blood by Virna DePaul

Para-Ops #1

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and otherborn- humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA-still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

The war between Humans and the Otherborn may have been over for five years now, but that doesn't mean there is a real peace. There is plenty of distrust between the races, so the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a blend of both humans and supernaturals. Heading this team is Dharmire (half-vampire/half-human) Knox. The rest of his team each has their own set of skills, but only one holds his heart, Felicia, the only human member of the team without any paranormal skills. Yet, she doesn't want him without a commitment, something he just cannot give. Things will be tricky for him to balance his duty to his team, his clan, and most of all, his heart.

I was really engrossed in Chosen by Blood for about the first half, to the point where I almost couldn't put it down, but then my enjoyment started to lessen dramatically. I'll get into what was so intriguing in a moment, but first I want to talk about why things went down hill for the second half, right up until almost the end. Knox was married to Felicia's best friend out of duty despite the fact that Felicia is his soul mate. So of course, Felicia avoids the pull to him in order to not betray her friend. Flash forward two years, and his wife is long gone having been murdered, but still Felicia resists as she knows he cannot give her what she needs, a full commitment. Knox hates his human half, to the point of extremity, so he tries to overcompensate by going above and beyond for duty. Felicia being human, is not good enough for his clan to accept as an exclusive mate. Yet he still burns for her with a thousand passions, and wants her. At first I enjoyed reading the inner struggle both of them were going though as they both fought for what they wanted while trying to hold onto their own beliefs. However, after a while the constant conflict became quite monotonous, and quite frustrating to be honest. I think a very large part of their struggles could have been condensed to keep things from dragging so much. At least things didn't move ridiculously fast, to look on the brighter side of things.

Now, onto why I was so engrossed in Chosen by Blood. The set up is quite unique with an open world that is recovering from a terrible war, but things are really no where near being resolved. The supernaturals are still very distrusted and there is plenty of hatred towards the humans for their actions to try and irradiate anything not like them. In fact, the vampires are greatly suffering due to a vaccine that has rendered almost all humans undrinkable, leaving the race literally wasting away due to starvation, leaving them quite weak, something you rarely see from vampires. Another interesting aspect of the book was the formation of the Para-ops team. I really liked seeing this hodge-podge of characters come together in order to work for a better cause. The friction between them was amusing at times, and it was fun to see them going through the growing pains.

In Chosen by Blood, almost as much time is spent on world building as well as the formation of the para-ops team as was the focus on the relationship, making for a good blend of genres. It definitely was a paranormal romance, but did lean towards urban fantasy at times, do to the very developed plot outside of the romance. I've always loved books that can blend those two genres together well, as it makes for a very enriching read. I am eager to read the next installment as the stage was set for the next couple, and I can't wait to see where things go. 

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Chosen By Blood (A Para-Ops Novel)

Other Reviews:

• Paranormal Haven
• Fiction Vixen

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Paranormal Romance
• New Author 
• Vampire 

Waiting on Wednesday (62)

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 Hollows Insider

by Kim Harrison

Publication Date: October 25th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: The Hollows Insider: New fiction, facts, maps, murders, and more in the world of Rachel Morgan

“The world of the Hollows is fast-moving, funny, harrowing and scary, and—the greatest compliment to a fantasy—absolutely real.”
—Diana Gabaldon

Welcome to the Hollows—Kim Harrison’s remarkable shadow world of vampires, pixies, demons…and one unstoppable bounty hunter witch named Rachel Morgan. The Hollows Insider is your guide through the dark mysteries of this grimly twisted Cincinnati—featuring maps and illustrations, spells and character profiles, and much more, including an all-new Rachel Morgan short story. Fans of New York Times bestseller Harrison will not want to miss The Hollows Insider, a visitor’s handbook to this creepy capital of the urban fantasy universe—on the same alternate globe, perhaps, as Charlaine Harris’s vampire-ridden Louisiana, Jim Butcher’s sinister Chicago, and Patricia Brigg’s shape-shifting Pacific Northwest.

It's Monday! What are you reading (62)

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:






Deadtown by Nancy Holzner (Review)
Hellforged by Nancy Holzner (Review)
Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner (Early Review)

The Deadtown series is a fresh new take on zombies that made for a really good read. Check out my reviews to see why.

My Upcoming List:

Radiant Desire by Inara Scott (Early Review)
Chosen by Blood by Virna DePaul (Review)
Chosen by Fate by Virna DePaul (Early Review)

Bloodstone (Early Review)

Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner

Deadtown #3

They call it Deadtown: the city's quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders - but Victory Vaughn, Boston's only professional demon slayer, isn't exactly human...

Boston's diverse South End is known for its architecture and great restaurants, not its body count. So when mutilated human corpses begin turning up in the area, the entire city takes notice. The killer-dubbed the South End Reaper-uses a curved blade for his grisly work. And even though there's no real evidence pointing to a paranormal culprit, the deaths are straining the already-tense relations between Boston's human and inhuman residents.

As the bodies pile up, Vicky, her formidable aunt, Mab, and her werewolf boyfriend, Kane investigate, only to find that the creature behind the carnage is after something much more than blood...

There's a killer on the loose. You wouldn't think that would be such shocking news considering all the "monsters" out there in Deadtown, and yet there's something different about these kills. The bodies are so far brutalized that they are hard recognizable, so of course the humans in Boston instantly start pointing fingers at the residents of Deadtown. But if there is one thing Vicky knows, it's that humans can be every bit as violent as the worst monster, maybe even worse. As the body count grows higher she scrambles to find out anything she can. But when things start hitting way too close to home, even with help, she knows this time it may just be her final curtain call.

While Bloodstone had a slower pace just like the previous installment, it differed in that it didn't feel like things were dragging. The lack of action was easily overlooked as we got to learn so much more about Mab and the past. So many pressing questions were answered that it kept me with the sense of feeling that things were moving, as well as more than keeping my attention. Even the parts of action seemed to be furthering the overall motion of the series rather than only focusing on the task at hand. The reasons and culprits behind the current "mess" were very tied into Mab's mysterious past and as a result made then directly effect Vicky in turn. This pulled me even more into the book, making for a quite enjoyable read.

Although the time between Vicky and Kane was really only brief moments in the book, I couldn't help but to notice that their relationship seems so much more substantial and full of depth. In the first installment they were almost casual acquaintances, despite the fact that they had been "dating" for years. Now, it really feels like each one is a very important part of one another's life and I really enjoyed seeing that. I just happen to be one of those people who think a little romance will always make a book better, so I definitely am a happy camper after reading Bloodstone. Of course others may have complaints about this area because as I mentioned, the time spent together is really rather brief. Yet, they are solidifying things and moving forward, which is good news to me and really all I can ask for at this point based on who they are.

Bloodstone may very well be my favorite installment of the Deadtown series. Things were centered back in Deadtown after spending so much time outside of it previously, definitely a plus. Also there was the relationship progression and the answers to many lurking questions. Finally, with an ending that shows the beginning of a very promising future, and you have one heck of an entertaining book. I for one will be counting down the days to the release of the fourth installment. I cannot wait to see what Vicky gets herself into next!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Pre-order from Amazon:
Bloodstone (A Deadtown Novel)

Other Reviews:

• All Things Urban Fantasy
• Book Lover's Hideaway

Previous Books:

1. Deadtown
2. Hellforged

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Horror and Urban Fantasy
• Shifter
   

Hellforged

Hellforged by Nancy Holzner

Deadtown #2

A demon is stalking Vicky's dreams-just as several of Deadtown's zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she is the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown's living nightmare.

 

The description of this book, while accurate, really only portrays a very small part of what Hellforged is really about. Yes, Vicky has to deal with a demon in her dreams, and yes zombies are dying nasty terrible deaths, with Vicky being the connection between each victim. Yet, the book is more about Vicky's path to Wales, and learning to overcome a nasty prophecy designed to enslave her. In a sense this book is mostly about Vicky finding herself and learning to believe in her own worthiness, rather then focusing on an actual in your face threat. It made for a slower read at first, but very rich on the character development.

So I really enjoyed Deadtown, and I was quite eager to read Hellforged as a result. However, for the first half or so everything just seemed to drag, and I had to force myself to keep on reading in hopes things would pick up eventually. It took a long while, but once things got started, everything took off with a bang and the action was nonstop and quite heart pounding, enough so that it made up for the extremely slow beginning. I'll be honest that I had expected the book to only gain a two star rating in the end, but yet I found myself upping it to a three by the end. That right there should show just how full and fantastic the last third of the book was, in that it was enough to more than carry the rest of it. I still hope that the next installment is a little bit more balanced in being able to keep my interest for the entire book, as that would make for a much more enriching read.

I think the biggest reason why Hellforged dragged so much for me was the change in setting. For much of the book, Vicky was in Wales training with her aunt due to some personal demon problems. This would have been fine and dandy in my book, except for the fact that the tediousness of the training was stretched out over and over. I realize any good training takes time, and yet as a reader, we don't really need to see that to appreciate it. Also, the romance area fell even more flat than the previous installment. I had had high hopes for the romance to pick up based on the events in Deadtown, but unfortunately they really didn't. Vicky spent most of her time kinda liking both men, but really unsure of either of them. That being said however, (and I don't want to sound like a broken record here, but) I think things might just be finally changing in that department. One of her men really steps up to the plate and declares himself, and seemingly takes his place in her heart. Only time will tell in the end I guess, but I hope to see things pan out for them.

Hellforged is one of those books that you just have to have the determination, plus the foundation of the first book, in order to persevere through the slow and rough beginning. I am very glad to have stuck it through, and am in no way disappointed. I cannot wait to dive into the next book to see how things pan out in the aftermath of both the resolution of the demonic activity and Vicky's unsteady love life. So, if you enjoyed Deadtown, then trust me, you will want to read Hellforged, just make sure to hold on to your hats once the action gets started as you won't know what hit you.

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Hellforged (A Deadtown Novel)

Other Reviews:

• Parajunkee's View
• Curling up by the Fire 
• That's What I'm Talking About

Previous Books:

1. Deadtown

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Horror and Urban Fantasy
• Shifter 

Waiting on Wednesday (61)

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:

Beautiful Chaos - Caster Chronicles #3

by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Publication Date: October 18th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: Beautiful Chaos (Beautiful Creatures, Book 3)

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Deadtown

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner

Deadtown #1

If you were undead, you'd be home by now...

They call it Deadtown: the city's quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders-but Victory Vaughn, Boston's only professional demon slayer, isn't exactly human. 

Victory loves her job. She gets to kick demon butt, and she is quite good at it. She lives in Deadtown, named for the zombies that were created there. Its borders hold all the paranormal residents be they alive or undead, keeping them separate from humans, for now...

Deadtown was completely different than I had expected. In the past I hadn't been interested in zombie books for the most part. They just weren't my thing, so I had passed over reading Deadtown in favor of other books. However, lately I have read a few zombie books and enjoyed then, so I figured it was time to give this series a try. Funny thing is, that the zombie aspect plays such a small part, that I could have read it long ago. While the city Deadtown was created because of the zombies to contain them and other paranormals, the book actually focuses more on demonic activities as the narrator is a shape shifting demon slayer. This made the book more than entertaining, but I couldn't help a little frustration at the lack of development in the zombie aspect. Yes, they do say how the zombies came to be, but it is all approached with a rather blaze attitude. No assurances nor precautions to make sure it didn't happen again, which I found to be quite unrealistic.

Vicky is a fun, yet tough as nails character. She's a shapeshifter able to change in to any animate form, yet she also has limitations. She can only change up to three times a month, so she must use those changes wisely. Also, she mostly takes on the nature of whatever she changes into, which can get a little tricky when she changes into a large predator. It is very easy for the other nature to overcome her human side, so she must always be very careful to keep an iron control on herself. I really liked this as it helped keep things "down to earth." In so many Urban Fantasies, the heroine is absurdly strong/powerful that it can get a little excessive. So, Deadtown was quite refreshing in that aspect.

While there wasn't much romance in Deadtown, just some small bits here and there, I was still able to feel the connection between the different characters. I do hope things kick it up a notch in the next installment. So, other than the few things I pointed out, Deadtown was a very solid read that kept me more than entertained. The world was incredibly vivid, and the fully fleshed out characters are very easy to care for. So if you like a good urban fantasy that is full of many different paranormals, then Deadtown is for you. 

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Deadtown (A Deadtown Novel) 

Other Reviews:

• All Things Urban Fantasy
• Larissa's Bookish Life

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Horror and Urban Fantasy
• New Author 
• Shifter 

It's Monday! What are you reading (61)

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:

Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas (Early Review)
Blood by K.J. Wignall (Early Review)
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland (Review)


My Upcoming List:

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
Hellforged by Nancy Holzner
Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner (Early Review)

My Life as a White Trash Zombie

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

White Trash Zombie #1

Angel Crawford is a loser.

Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken.

That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in an horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the parish morgue--and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse.

Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with the victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey--just when she's hungriest!

Angel's going to have to grow up fast if she wants to keep this job and stay in one piece. Because if she doesn't, she's dead meat.

Angel's life has been swirling down the toilet for as long as she can remember. Her mom died in lockup and her father is an abusive alcoholic. Her boyfriend isn't much better, so it's no wonder she's a pill popping high school dropout. Things get really turned upside down when she wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. A mysterious note tells her she must take a new job at the morgue or suffer serious consequences. It all seems strange to her until she starts having a seriously strong craving for brains. Her new job sure comes in handy in that department, but then bodies start showing up decapitated and the heads (and brains!!) are missing. Angel will have to really step up if she's to have any chance at surviving, because once a zombie's Hunger takes over, nothing good happens.
 
Angel is such a mess, White Trash at its best (or worst depending on how you look at it). It's really sad when a person can honestly say that the best thing that ever happened to them was dying and becoming a zombie. At least when she was given the chance, she finally started to work to turn her life around. She's so strong yet so weak at the same time. There are times when she has a backbone of steel and stands up for herself, and there are others where she will just cower and take her 'lickins, both physically and mentally. I was really happy to see that as time went one, her cowering moments got less and less, making me quite proud of her. Of course she has a long way to go yet to truly believing in herself, but at least she is on the right path now.

I'll be honest that the only reason I picked My Life as a White Trash Zombie up was because it was by Diana Rowland. I love her Kara Gilman Series, so I figured I would give this one a try even though I'm not big on zombies. Lets face it, Zombies are not sexy like vampires can be. In the throws of passion you might enjoy a vampire bite, but who really is gonna say "Hey baby, eat my brains", while getting down to 'business'. Putting all that aside, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Yes it is gritty and gory, yet Angel's humor really lightens things up so that instead of being disgusted, I was actually amused. Trust me, that is no small feat, which goes to show just how talented of an author Diana Rowland is.

While reading My Life as a White Trash Zombie, I was a little frustrated at the lack of information Angel was given about her condition, or who made her this way. I was quite impatient to find out "who dun it" but one everything became a little more clear, I realized that it was perfect as written. The buildup made everything much more interesting that an early reveal ever could have, especially since Angel had a lot of growing to do. So, even if you aren't a fan of Zombie books, My Life as a White Trash Zombie is a book you won't want to miss for a trashy fun read. I cannot wait to see more of Angel in the future!

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
My Life as A White Trash Zombie

Other Reviews:

• Amberkatze's Book Blog 
• Vampire Book Club
• All Things Urban Fantasy

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy

Blood (Early Review)

Blood by K.J. Wignall

Mercian Trilogy #1

I do not remember being bitten. I wish I did, for then I would know the creature who did this to me and I would have a purpose, to track him down and repay him for the poisoned gift he gave me. Back in the Thirteenth Century, Will was destined to be Earl of Mercia, although he never lived to inherit his title. In the centuries that follow, Will has led a lonely life, learning to deal with whatever the present day throws at him, always searching for answers but never finding any. Until this time, when he awakens after a 20-year-slumber, hungry for the blood that sustains his undeath, when it appears that he is finally getting a glimpse at why he exists. He does indeed have a destiny, and an enemy, but revealing that fate will be a matter of trust...

I really wanted to like this book, so much so, that I continued to muster through it even though it never once grabbed a hold of me. The characters are quite one dimensional, especially Will, who could be described as nothing short of extremely emo. He has lived for hundreds of years, yet all he has done is sleep, brood, and wish to die. He takes suicidal to the extreme, with many failed attempts as he simply cannot die. Then we pull in the so called destiny behind Will's life, which really needed to be expanded on a whole lot more to be even slightly intriguing. Keeping with the theme, that "prophecy" tells him he must find a girl, and of course that girl turns out to be emo as well. I've never been able to relate to characters whose entire outlook on life is "woe on me," so I had a really hard time caring what happened to the characters of Blood, especially since they seemed to have a very hard time caring themselves. Perhaps the second installment will show a little progression of plot, or even a clear cut picture of the evil Will is to face. I'm sure Blood will appeal to many readers, but for me, it ultimately fell flat.

(Received a copy from Netgalley)

Rating:

Pre-order from Amazon:
Blood: Book One of the Mercian Trilogy 

Other Reviews:

• Mundie Moms
• Reading Teen

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• YA 
• New Author 
• Vampire 

Waiting on Wednesday (60)

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:

Eve - The Eve Trilogy #1

by Anna Carey

Publication Date: October 4th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: Eve

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Altered Destiny (Early Review)

Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

Selia has run her family's tavern since she was fifteen and can hunt and fight the equal of any man. When she rescues a badly wounded man and nurses him back to health, she has no idea she's about to change not only her life, but also the destinies of two peoples…

The battered warrior is Svistra—a race of bloodthirsty savages determined to destroy her homeland. Or so the stories claim. Jaden reveals a different truth: how his ancestors were driven into the barren northern mountains. Now they are strong and war parties are pushing south wanting their land back.
 
The son of a Svistra Commander, Jaden is looking for a way to bring peace to both humans and Svistrans. He tries to ignore his growing passion for Selia, but when she is captured he has to decide what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves…

 
Selia is quite different than most women. She runs her own tavern, dresses like a man, and can outfight most of them. Yet she also has a softer side, proven when she saves a Svistra man named Jaden. His kind is known to be bloodthirsty and nothing more than savages, and yet she cannot bring herself to kill him while he is weak. She is very wary of him, but as time goes on she slowly softens towards him and starts a very unlikely attraction that will fully test both of their wills.

The beginning of Altered Destiny was a little slow as everything was being set up and explained. There was a lot of information being given, and yet I was still confused about what was happening for a good portion of the book. I think a lot of the confusion had to do with the jarring perspective changes that had no real transition. Each time there was a change, it would take me a few sentences to figure out the change and who was now in "control." I don't mind perspective changes, especially since they can really help the reader to see several sides of a story, which adds to the enjoyment. However, I do need the transition to be easily followed with out confusion. I just had a hard time really staying interested in this story, and it's a shame because it was quite interesting, and had a lot of potential.

While there was a little romance in Altered Destiny, it was greatly overshadowed by everything else that was going on. I couldn't help but be a little disappointed in this, especially since the description made it seem like their romance would play a much bigger role. I felt there was great potential to have developed things a little bit more. It was obvious just how much the two characters cared for each other against all odds, and I would have liked to have seen a little more of the dynamic between them in a romantic aspect. I wouldn't quite say this lack took away from the story, just something I would have preferred. 

The unique world set up of Altered Destiny made for a pretty decent read despite my frustrations with certain aspects. One thing that did surprise me was the rushed ending, especially when you consider that most of the book progressed at a rather slow pace. I really wish the ending had been given a little bit more time to show a little further look into how things turned out. So, while Altered Destiny was able to keep my attention for the most part, and was entertaining, it isn't something that will leave a lasting impact in the end.

(Received a copy from Netgalley)

Rating:

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Altered Destiny

Other Reviews:

• A Bookalicious Story
  

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Horror and Urban Fantasy
• New Author 
• Vampire 

It's Monday! What are you reading (60)

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:

The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek (Early Review)
Lord of Rage by Jill Monroe (Early Review)
Twilight Fulfilled by Maggie Shayne (Early Review)

This week was full of early reads for me. First up was a paranormal romance novella, that I thought was pretty good. In fact it had enough there, that so much could have been expanded on to make it a full length novel.

Second up was the second installment in the Royal House of Shadows series. This time, the author is Jill Monroe, someone who I hadn't heard about previously. I found Lord of Rage to be enjoyable, but not as much as the first installment.

Last I read the final installment of the Wings in the Night series. I felt things were wrapped up quite well for this very long running series.

My Upcoming List:

Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas (Early Review)
Blood by K.J. Wignall (Early Review)
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland