Friday, December 30, 2011

Blood Sense by Connie Suttle




Book Three in the Series.

Lissa is alive. She is recuperating from trying to meet the sun. She was punished by the Council and the men who are supposed to love her, let her down.

After a few weeks, Wlodek (head of the Vampire Council) agrees to loan Lissa to the Government, under Tony's supervision. She becomes a bodyguard for several personalities including the President.

Several attempts on their lives are stopped by Lissa's astute decisions.

Back in Europe someone is kidnapping and murdering kids. Lissa gets involved from afar and is able to find the connection that could stop the killer.

Again, Lissa is betrayed in the worst way by someone she trusted and could have loved.

I liked the series but after book 3, I had to take a break. Why? Because I hate to see how people she trusts keep on hurting her. She is developing powers no one else has and she is still treated like a kid. Her relationship with Gavin doesn't completely convince me, and I wish Merrill would show more interest towards her affections. Saying that I will still read the next book in the series.

3/5 Fangs

Blood Passage by Connie Suttle (Blood Destiny, #2)




Book two in the series

Lissa Haddon is now recognized by the Council. She has been assigned a Sire (Merrill), and has moved into his home. He is teaching her how to follow vampire protocol and the laws she needs to avoid breaking.

She is also forced to attend a gala and meet male vampires. Since she is one of the few female vampires she will need to accept an engagement. She decides to take Gavin's offer (lesser of evils or maybe not). 

She feels trapped, so when an offer from the Grand Master Weldon Harper comes in, she jumps to accept the position of bodyguard during his travels through USA territory.

Of course, there is trouble and betrayals and the end of the book is hard to read (and a cliffhanger- which I don't enjoy), but I thought it was well written. The action scenes can almost be visualized.

Romance wise, there are more guys in the mix. We have Tony, William, Merrill, and Gavin (which at times I want to stake).

4/5 Fangs

Blood Wager by Connie Suttle (Blood Destiny, #1)




Lissa Haddon is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

She is in a bar trying to get drunk after her husband dies. Unfortunately for her, two vampires are there and decide to turn her lifespan into a wager. Females usually don't survive the turn. She is left in a basement to die. Surprisingly, she survives.

She doesn't act as a regular new vampire. She is able to feed without killing her victims. Out of instinct she starts running for her life and ends up working as a bodyguard for William Winkler, who is producing a device that some people don't want to be made public (including vampires).

When the council learns that a Rogue has been made, they send an assassin (Gavin) to track her and dispose of her. Gavin Montegue notices that despite not having had help from her maker, Lissa is able to control her urges without difficulty.

There is a lot of action in this book, and some characters are very interesting. Lissa does get betrayed, and this is something that happens frequently in the series. But, she has power of forgiveness, without being ridiculous.

3.5/5 Fangs

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Double Dare by Rhonda Nelson



Louisa Marie Honeycutt (Lou) decides to run out of her own wedding. Her father has thought about merging his business (Honeycutt Foods) with another big company, and Lou is the perfect convey. They will marry her to the heir of the Reedwater's Snack Company.

After leaving him at the altar, she runs away in their limo. While driving around she sees a banner, advertising a company (named Double Dare) that makes your crazy adventures come true. She wants to disappear for a while and this is the best way to do it.

Sam Rawlins is proud of his company Double Dare and he likes the excitement of the adventures he supplies. When Lou finds herself in his office, he can't resist planning her adventure. Soon he breaks some of his own rules regarding customers.

I wish I liked this book, but unfortunately, the romance was not believable to me. I also think that the ending needed some work.

Cliffhanger: No

2/5 Fangs

Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella



Can you keep a secret? Maybe the cover should say- Can you keep all my secrets??

Emma Corrigan can stretch the truth sometimes. She has been in a relationship with Connor for years now, but she is not happy. Her cousin has been mean to her growing up but her parents don't know. She has lied about her weight and many more things.

She is trying to climb up the ladder at work but things are not working in her favor. When her boss tells her to attend a presentation for a customer, she is ecstatic. However, things don't go well at the meeting and on her flight back, the plane has some turbulence. She turns to the guy next to her and decides to tell him everything about herself, and I mean everything. After she survives the flight she moves on, not thinking about the stranger anymore. To her surprise, the stranger is the owner of the company she has been working for. And he knows everything about her, all the lies...

This is my first book by Kinsella and I thought it was a funny book. Love Jack. I didn't care for her parents though. They were not treating her right.

3/5 Fangs

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk (I Heart #1)




What does a girl do when she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her? Move to NYC and start over?

Angela Clark is a British writer who thinks her life is perfect, that is until her best friend's wedding. Here she finds Mark (boyfriend) having sex with another girl in their car. The worst part is that her BFF, has known for a while, too. She ruins the wedding and packs her bags and takes the first flight to New York City.

She stays at a hotel, where she meets Jenny Lopez, who is a smart and sassy girl. Later they become good friends and roommates.

Angela needs to move on, needs to start dating again. She meets two guys within days from getting to NYC and likes them both.

She also finds a new job, as a blogger.

I root for Alex as the HEA.

Book 1 is amusing and I liked Jenny. There is not a cliffhanger per se, but you know there is more story to be told.

3/5 Fangs

Bridesmaid Lotto by Rachel Astor
(McMaster the Disaster, #1)




With a cute cover like that, I couldn't wait to click buy on my kindle.

The premise of the book is about a wedding, a rich socialite, Emma VanHorn is getting married and instead of choosing a family member for her court, she has decided to get extra money by offering a raffle to be a bridesmaid. She will pick only three. At 10 dollars a ticket you could be part of the wedding of the year!

Josephine McMaster is not interested in joining this crazy lotto. However, her mom has other ideas. Without her knowledge, an application has been sent and surprise, surprise she is one of the three girls chosen for the wedding.

Josie is beautiful but throughout her whole life, she has been a klutz. To keep things real, she starts writing a diary about her former and current years, with all the embarrassing moments of her life.

She also doesn't know how to deal with all the paparazzi, and with one of the groomsman, Jake Hall, who is not only handsome and nice but also a very famous actor.

Can their relationship work?

It is an easy read, with funny moments. You feel embarrassed when Josie is embarrassed too. I have book 2 and it has more Jake in it.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins



What is not to like?

I have become an adept reader of anything Mrs. Higgins writes about. I love her characters, and I love that there is always a dog involved.

This contemporary romance begins with Posey Osterhagen, she comes from an adopted family. Her parents are German and owned a restaurant in town. As a teenager, she used to work there, in the company of bad boy Liam Murphy. She had a huge crush on him, but he hurt her feelings. He was in love with the popular smart (and nice) girl. He married her and left town.

Now, Posey is all grown up and owns her own company, she is in control of her life until Mr. Bad (now a widower) moves back in town with his daughter.

To Liam's surprise he starts having feelings for Posey, their chemistry is undeniable.

Can a past misunderstanding be resolved?

I'm so happy with Mrs. Higgins's writing, I will buy any book that she writes.  Her secondary characters are always memorable.

4/5 Fangs

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) Jennifer Estep



Second book in the series.

Gwen Frost is a gypsy. She has the power to know what emotions and thoughts a person has left in an inanimate object. It is worse if she touches the actual person. Images are more vivid. She tries to avoid touching a person if she can. However, she may enjoy the touch of Spartan boy Logan Quinn, whom she is attracted to. 

She is dealing with the death of her mother, the new school, her love life, and the people who are trying to bring Loki back and are after her to kill her.

Jennifer Estep is one of my favorite writers, she never disappoints me. I love her world building, her heroines and how fast paced her books are. The secondary characters in the book are also good. We have Vic, the talking sword, Spartan boys, her BFF Daphne, and many more.

I will buy the next book in a heart beat. (I already preordered the next Spider book).

4/5 Fangs

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones


Second Grave on the Left
Charley Davidson #2
Darynda Jones


Second book in the Series.

This installment starts with Cookie asking Charley for help. Her girlfriend Mimi is in trouble and has disappeared. Mimi's classmates are slowly dying, and it seems there is a high school secret that could get Mimi killed.

In regards to Reyes, now we know more of what/who he is. In order to protect Charley from the demons, he is being tortured somewhere. He won't tell her where.

His incorporeal being appears many times through the book, only to prevent her from finding his human body.

This book is full of emotion, action, humor. Can't wait for book 3.

4/5 Fangs

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Existence by Abbi Glines




The book called my name. Those blue eyes (sigh!). Yes I knew it was going to be YA, but I was glad I read it.

Pagan is in high school and she is special. She has been able to see souls her whole life. At the beginning of her school year she sees this guy looking at her intensely. She knows he is a Soul, but something makes her feel nervous around him. 

She is a good student and volunteers as a tutor. She becomes a tutor to Leif who is very popular and handsome. She soon realizes he is sweet and starts having feelings for him at the same time this Soul keeps on appearing to her and talking to her. No other soul has done that before. Later on he become a real student and goes by the name of Dank, who is also a famous player in a band.

Not to give things away but I went for bad boy Dank all the way. I'm happy I did.

Fast and easy read.

3.5/5 Fangs

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones




Let's just say that it was refreshing to read First Grave on the Right. The humor in this novel makes you smile. Even the cover is cool.

The heroine in this book is Charley Davidson, she can see ghosts but also is the Grim Reaper. She helps souls cross over through her. Her other career is as a PI, she used to help her dad (ex police officer) solve crimes, now she helps her uncle Bob.

In the romance department, she has been dreaming about a dark entity, and he later becomes real. That is how Reyes shows up. There is another guy, Garrett, who is completely human.

This book is about Uncle Bob and Charley solving the murder of three lawyers. You won't be disappointed reading books by Darynda Jones. I grabbed the second book and finished it in an afternoon.

4/5 Fangs

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Single Girl's To-Do List by Lindsey Kelk


Rachel has a list for everything except how to live your life after being dumped by your boyfriend of five years. Luckily, this girl has two great friends. First is Matthew, who is a great guy but also gay. Her other friend is Emilie. They have known each other for many years and they are both there to help her survive the next few days. After many drinks at the Pub, they come up with the Single Girl's to-do list. The list involves a few things Rachel wouldn't dream of doing, including bungee jumping or "something like it", looking up a high school crush, sending a letter to the ex, a makeover, flying somewhere. 

I just couldn't put the book down. I will say it was a page-turner or Kindle Fire slide over. It was funny and the secondary characters were unbelievable lively. I wanted to meet Rachel and Co.

The end was the best, although it could have had one more page.

I can almost picture a movie from it. 

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Monday, October 31, 2011

Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin, #5)



What can I say? I love this series. It is a treat for me to read about Gin Bianco.

The fifth book starts with Gin trying to take down Mab at her home during a dinner party. Mab has invited multiple bounty hunters to kidnap Gin's baby sister Bria. The plan unfortunately doesn't succeed and Gin has to avoid getting killed by a very astute woman.

Gin will need to learn from her mistake and she will do anything to keep her "family" safe.

As always the book has its funny and sad moments like when we learned what truly happen to Sophia.

This book is packed with action and the love between Owen and Gin develops wonderfully. I couldn't be happier for them. Now, I just can't wait to see what happens in the next book. New villain?

5/5 Fangs

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh




We start the second book a year after the first one finishes.

Elena Devereaux is now an angel. A newborn Angel who needs to learn to survive pretty fast since many people want her dead. She is adjusting to her new life and a new set of wings. She needs to learn to fight again and fly too.

A new danger has developed, the Archangel Lijuan has evolved and now she can raise the dead. She is throwing a ball in Beijing and has invited Elena and Raphael. They know this is a trap and Raphael is worried about the outcome.

New alliances develop and new enemies show their faces.

I enjoyed the interaction between Elena and the Seven. Her fighting scenes with them were probably my favorite.

Easy fast-paced read.

3.5/5 Fangs

Confessions of an Improper Bride by Jennifer Haymore



Serena Donovan is back in London after six years. The last time she was in London her reputation was compromised and while going home to the Islands her twin (Meg) dies in a ship accident. 

Years later Serena is forced by her mother to travel to London assuming her sister's identity and is engaged to be married.

To Serena's surprise, the man who ruined her reputation is a good friend of her fiancee. She thought she had stopped loving Jonathan Dane but one look at him and the memories come back.

Jonathan, now Earl of Stratford can avoid feeling attracted to his friend's fiancee. Is it because "Meg" reminds him of Serena, whom everyone thinks is dead? Or is she? He knows there is something more to this woman and he will not stop until he figures it out.

It was an easy read. The romance is believable.

3/5 Fangs

Demon Hunting in Dixie by Lexi George


Addy Corwin is a florist in Hannah, Alabama. Her whole life changes when she takes her dog out for a walk. She stumbles into a fight between a demon and a warrior, Brand Dalvahni, from another dimension. He saves her life but at the same time, she gets marked by the demon. Her appearance starts improving and she becomes attracted to her protector.

His "brother", Angswar comes to find Brand when he doesn't come back home. They discover that Hannah is full of special people and demons want to take over the town.

It is a funny book but at times the southern jokes are overdone.

3/5 Fangs

I Love The Earl by Caroline Linden



The life of Margaret de Lacey suddenly changes when her brother inherits the Dukedom of Durham. From a penniless spinster to a Lady with a huge dowry, making her a very rich heiress.

Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling is looking for a wife with money. Someone who can help him pay all his debts. He attends a party in search of a rich lady. But when Margaret refuses to dance with him and tells him the hard truth of his persona, he suddenly becomes smitten with her and he knows she will be the only woman he wants as his wife. But how to prove that is not about the money anymore?

Enjoyable novella.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

Silent Governess by Julie Klassen




Olivia Keene is escaping from a situation at home. She runs away and by bad luck she overhears a confession about Lord Brantley's real parents. She is placed in jail and is attacked by another prisoner, causing her to loose her voice.

When Lord Brantley finds out, he removes her from there and places her in his home. She is to become first a nursemaid to his cousins and then their Governess.

Lord Brantley wants her close to him to make sure she keeps quiet. One thing leads to another and they find out they enjoyed each others company.

This is a Christian Lit. Regency Fiction.

3/5 Fangs

The Best of Times by Penny Vincenzi




The Best of Times is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book tells you about the life of multiple characters that are forever changed after a motor vehicle accident on the M4 close to London. We have the doctor who is traveling with his mistress. We have the aspiring black actress catching a ride with the lorry driver. The lorry driver trying not to fall asleep behind the wheel. There is the groom trying to get to his wedding on time. The widow meeting with her lost American lover from over sixty years. The Best Man learning the groom is not who he thought he was.

In a second our lives can change and all the what-ifs can affect the choices we make.

The book has a happy ending. What made it real was that it was not a perfect one. Almost though... 

4/5 Fangs

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Girl In The Gatehouse by Julie Klassen



Banished from her house after a scandal, Mariah Aubrey moves to her aunt's Gatehouse. She has been sent there by her father due to her indiscretion with a gentleman.

Her friend Miss Dixon goes with her too. After a few weeks, her aunt passes away and the stepson decides to charge Mariah rent. She is running out of funds and decides to sell her novels. She tells her publisher that she will be signing them under an assumed name -Lady A.

Her cousin rents the property to Captain Matthew Bryant. The Captain recently returns to England and is now rich. He wants to convince the lady whom he proposed marriage and turned him down years ago, now that he has money. When the Captain meets Mariah they become friends and later attracted to each other.

The characters are vibrant and several secondary storylines are attached together. Several mysteries are resolved at the end. I found myself smiling during certain scenes.

This is a Christian Lit.

3.5/5 Fangs

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Dayhunter(Dark Days #2) by Jocelynn Drake

This is the second book in this series.
It starts where the first book ends. Mira, Tristan and Danaus have to appear in front of the Coven. They arrive to Venice and from that moment the actions begins and never stops.
By the end of book one Mira learns that she can be manipulated by Jabari and by Danaus. This makes her feel unsafe. The peace she has had for years is gone.
She finds herself wanting to protect Tristan and takes him under her care against her selfish nature. Her "new family" keeps on growing and she can't decide who to trust anymore. Her maker has her own plans too. In Mira's mind is only the safe haven of her Keep/ Savannah where she wishes she was again.
To Danaus and Mira's predicament, members of the Coven have formed alliances with the Naturi. We also learned in this book what Danaus really is. He also learns that not all Nightwalkers are cut the same and Mira is definitely unique.
They both race to stop Rowe from opening the portal that has locked away the evil Naturi.
From Venice to Crete the book moves steadily.

Spoiler Fanglert: I almost stopped reading this book. Mira sleeps with Nicolai. Which was a mistake. If Mira has such complex feelings toward Danaus, why would she sleep with the Lycan. It reminded me of Cassie Palmer. But since I kept reading Karen Chance's series (thanks to Kim and LL) and now is one of my favorites, I have to give Miss Drake the same respect. 

3.5/5 Fangs

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A Family Affair by Karen Chance (Cassandra Palmer Novella)



What a treat to get a novella where Pritkin is the main character.

He is my favorite character this year (Sorry Eric, Bones, Trent/AL).

The novella starts with Pritkin making a deal with Daddy Demon, Rozier.

Rozier wants Pritkin to stop a demon. In exchange, Rozier will stop trying to kill Cassie. Pritkin agrees to this. He travels to Shadowland (a type of Hell) and later on gets attacked by the thing he was supposed to stop.

Before Pritkin leaves he makes Casanova agree to protect Cassie. Casanova is not happy with baby sitting but he doesn't have a choice.

After Rozier attempts to kill Cassie (one more time!), Casanova's demon transport them to Shadowland too. When Cassie learns Pritkin is there, she immediately starts searching for him.

I love this series and can't wait to see what happens in the next book. I like that we were able to glance at Pritkin's thoughts. Sigh!!
Maybe a Spoiler Fanglert I'm guessing Casanova will help Cassie get back to hell.

4/5 Fangs

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Nightwalker(Dark Days #1) by Jocelynn Drake

Mira is a Nightwalker, a 600 year old vampire who can manipulate fire. She is the Keeper of Savannah. She has made this city her home. She maintains the peace between other Nightwalkers and Lycanthropes. Much to her annoyance a slayer has been killing inside her keep. She meets the vampire hunter Danaus who surprisingly is not there to try to kill her but needs her help with a worse evil.
Her gift to her is a Naturi who helped tortured her years ago. Some of the torture remains a mystery to her. Danaus, who works for an organization (Themis) that protects humans, explains to her that the Naturi (Guardians of the Earth) are back and are trying to break the seal that has them locked away in another plane.
The Naturi want to rule the world and their mission is to kill all Nightwalkers and humans. There are five types of Naturi- light, water, earth, and animal.
Mira and Danaus agree on a truce and postpone their mortal (or more like an immortal) fight for the future in order to save the world. They travel to the old country where we meet the Coven too. The Coven is rule by ancient vampires.
This is the first installment and I can say I enjoyed this new world. I like that vampires act as vampires. They can roam the nights but are out during daylight, they also need blood to survive. The secondary characters were plenty. We have Rowe, Barrett Rainer (Lycan), Knox, Amanda, Micheal and Gabriel (her bodyguards), Jabari, Tristan, Ryan.
After I finished this book I immediately picked book two.
3.5/5 Fangs

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter #1) by Nalini Singh

The first book of the Guild Hunter series. I have done an earlier review on the prequel.

Elena is a born Vampire Hunter. Vampire Hunters capture rogue vampires. Angels and Archangels rule the world and they are the makers of vampires. In exchange for immortality, vampires are to remain with Angels for a century. This is not a pleasant one hundred years and most vampires try to escape during this time.

To Elena's surprise the New York Archangel, Raphael has hired her services. Raphael wants Elena to track a rogue, the only problem is that this one is not a vampire but an Archangel gone mad. Uram is going through a killing spree and he has to be stopped before more humans get destroyed.

Raphael won't tolerate this in his territory. Raphael is most definitely not human and he doesn't understand Elena at times. Multiple times he thinks of killing her, specially when he feels attracted to her. This could jeopardize him.

I have read Nalini Singh's Psy series and I wanted to read something new. This was a good change.

3/5 Fangs

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

My Lord Wicked by Cheryl Bolen

Freddie Lambeth has come to live with her guardian Lord Stacks. Because of her first name, Lord Stacks assumed he was bringing into his home a young lad.

When she arrives the mistake is uncovered and he is ready to send her back, but she becomes sick and by the time she recuperates and with nowhere else to go he changed his mind and let's her stay.

Little by little they both start opening up and friendship leads to love.
Unfortunately, there are some rumors surrounding the death of his beautiful bride ten years ago.

Can the rumors be true? Can she trust him? Can Lord Stacks forgive himself and love again?
It was an easy read which helped on an overlay plane trip.
 2/5 Fangs

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Love On A Dime by Cara Lynn James

Lilly Westbrook has a secret.
She has been writing dime novels under the pen name Fannie Cole. This could destroyed her family who is part of the elite in Newport, RI in 1899.
Everything can be lost when a rival publishing company starts asking questions and will not stop until the true Fannie is revealed. Lilly is engaged to Harlan Santerre, the wealthy railroad heir, who can help her family maintain their status and will help her brother who is having marital problems as well.
But when Jackson Grail comes back into her life, the only man she has loved, who will she choose?
Can she hope for a second chance in love with Jack? How will she stop the catastrophe that is lurking?
This is a Christian literature. It was an easy read but sometimes Lilly's indecision became annoying.
2/5 Fangs

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Saved By A Scoundrel by Stephanie Ellis

Elizabeth Wentworth with the help of her sister, Christina, form a plan to save her best friend (Rachel) from an unwanted marriage to Lord Bentley. They know they will need luck to be able to achieve Rachel's freedom.

The help comes in the form of Damon Kendrick, a handsome bachelor who after saving Elizabeth's life, decides she will be his. He will need to persuade the lady of the same. He will help save her friend while keeping her out of trouble.
2/5 Fangs

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Angel's Pawn by Nalini Singh

This is a prequel to the Guild Hunter Series.

The novella is about Ash(Ashwini) a human who is a vampire Hunter for the Guild. Her job is to captured rogue vampires for the Angels. In this world, Vampires are made by Angels. They are given immortality is exchange for one hundred years of servitude. It seems to be an unpleasant century and most vampires try to run away.

Ash is contracted by the Archangel Nazarach, who rules Atlanta to find a rogue vampire. Ash turns to Janvier, a Cajun Vampire for help. Janvier has been one of her usual runs. But, this time he will work with her instead. They soon learn this is a power play between vampires (an old vampire family vs a new vampire) and the Archangel and united they will try to survive it.

I enjoyed this novella. Left me wanting to read more about Ash and Janvier.

3/5 Fangs

Sunday, September 11, 2011

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins



Successful divorce attorney Harper James is ready to tie the knot again. She has been dating Dennis, a firefighter for two years. She believes there are many reasons this will work for them.

She pops the question without romanticism. To her surprise, Dennis doesn't answer her immediately and the proposal gets interrupted by her step-sister Willa's call. Willa is calling Harper to announce her engagement and wants Harper as her maid of honor. This is Willa's third marriage and Harper thinks this is a mistake. But, if that wasn't enough, she is also marrying Harper's ex-brother in law Chris Lowery. After many years of avoiding her painful separation from Nick Lowery, she will have to see him again.

She flies to Montana with Dennis (who has to leave right after the wedding) and her dog Coco and seeing Nick again brings all the memories back.

As fate will have it, Nick and Harper get thrown together and have to share a cross country car ride. Sparks are flying and the love they share is still there. Can they find happiness this time? Their relationship failed before, can it work now?

Kristin Higgins has become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. Her books make me laugh and cry too. Her secondary characters are great as well. In this one, I enjoyed Father Bruce's character who makes Harper perform a good deed of the day.

4/5 Fangs

Friday, August 26, 2011

Fools Rush In by Kristan Higgins



Millie Branes is back in Cape Cod. She recently finished her residency in medicine and will start a new job at a walk in clinic. Now, Millie has a plan on how to get her love life going. Ever since she was a teenager she has dreamed of dating Joe Carpenter. He was nice to her once during an embarrassing situation in a school bus. She is determined to get him.

She comes from a close family. Her grandmother has left Millie her home. She gets along with her ex brother in law Sam Nicherson and her nephew. Unfortunately she doesn't get along with her sister. She has left her family and moved to New York.

Her plan involves loosing weight, so she starts running. She gets a new dog, because Joe has one too. She changes her hairstyle and her clothes. Her two gay friends help her with this.

But contrary to her plan, she starts having feeling for Sam, the local cop with a heart of gold.

I loved this book too. The way the heroine gets together with the hero at the end always makes me smile.

In real life it will be weird for Millie to be in love with her brother in law, but Miss Higgins makes it believable.

4/5 Fangs

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Catch Of The Day by Kristan Higgins



This is the story of Maggie Beaumont. She lives in a little town in Maine. She is the proud owner of Joe's Diner left to her by her grandfather. Her old dog Colonel is her beloved pet, which has helped her during tough times.

She has a twin sister who is happily married with a beautiful child. Maggie is not as lucky. She had a boyfriend in high school who she loved and who broke her heart when he came back to town with a new girlfriend ten years ago. Fast forward a few years later, she meets another guy, who she tells everyone about that he may be The One. To her embarrassment the new guy in town is the new priest. She develops a crush on him which the whole town knows about.

When the priest Tim tries to set her up with different dates, hilarity ensues. On one of the dates, while she is waiting for the blind date to show up she sees her old boyfriend with his beautiful wife. She is saved by the town taciturn hermit Malone.

Malone is a man of few words, he has a mysterious past. He is a lobsterman. Maggie keeps on getting drawn to him.

Can she make him open up? Can she accept him for what he is?

I read this book just after finishing Too Good To Be True, I loved it too. Maybe not as much because I wish I would have learned more about Malone. Every chapter I was expecting to read more about Malone. He was an interesting character.

Spoiler Fanglert: 


Her beloved pet passed away during this book. It was devastating in a way. I sobbed.

4/5 Fangs

Monday, August 22, 2011

Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins




Grace Emerson lives in Peterston, she is a school teacher in a Prep School. She loves history, especially the Civil War. During her free time she likes to Reenact the Civil War with hundreds of others. She also likes to make up boyfriends. She has done it through high school and college. This time she invents a Pediatric Surgeon/Feral Cat lover/Married to his profession boyfriend.

Why, you may ask? Her little sister, Natalie is dating her ex-fiancee Andrew, and she is tired of people pitting her. It's specially tough around her cousin's wedding. Her parents, grandmother, her older sister worried about her and spinsterhood. When she finds Natalie crying in the bathroom at the wedding she figures out her baby sister is not moving forward with her ex because of trying not to hurt Grace's feelings. This too good to be true boyfriend is her savior.

During this wedding she drinks a little too much, goes home (the home she bought with Andrew) and sees a stranger around the house next to her. Since she lives alone, she calls the cops and arms herself with a hockey stick. When her doorbell rings she answers it thinking the police are there. When she sees the stranger she just reacts and hits him with it. The cops take him to jail and later confirms he is her new neighbor Callahan O'Shea. She cooks brownies and takes a bottle of wine to apologize, and ends up hurting him again.

Callahan has just been released from prison for embezzlement and is trying to start his new life. What he didn't expect is to find himself in prison a night later because of getting mistaken for a robber.

This book is funny, at times it can make you cry. But, I just loved it. I love the way it is written. Miss Higgins does a beautiful job with her descriptions, the secondary characters are all great in their own way. It was so refreshing to read Too Good To Be True. The addition of her dog Angus makes it fun to read.

As soon as I finished this book I grabbed another one written by her.

5/5 Fangs

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Sarantos Secret Baby by Olivia Gates



The Sarantos Secret Baby
Sarantos Brothers #1
Olivia Gates 

Selene Louvardis has always had a crush on a Greek millionaire Aristedes Sarantos. He has been her family's nemesis/rival in the shipping business for years. Her father has loved to fight him. But when her father passes, Aris comes to her house uninvited and tells her he will miss her dad.

Later on the same night they connect and spend the night together. In the morning, she leaves before he wakes up. Ari leaves the States without saying goodbye.

A year and a half later, Ari is back. He knows he missed Selene and tries to reconnect with her. She declines an affair saying she has a new man in her life. He follows her and discovers that the new man is none other than his own child, now nine months old.

After the shock wears off, he decides to try to convince her that they can be a family. He is willing to try. He takes them to Greece away from work and her brothers to prove they belong together.

Can Ari prove to be a good father and a good husband? Can they overcome their family rivalry?

This was a believable romance. I enjoyed their fights and I enjoyed an alpha male who can admit when he is wrong.

3.5/5 Fangs

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Kitty's Big Trouble (Kitty Norville, Book 9) by Carrie Vaughn



Book 9 starts with Kitty's questioning how many important people throughout history have been werewolves, vampires or something else. She thinks that General Sherman was a werewolf and is looking for proof. What she finds is more than what she bargained for.

In the mist of this, she gets a call from vampire Anastasia asking for her help. There is a powerful artifact called the Dragon Pearl and it needs to be protected before Roman gets to it.

She takes her pack, meaning Ben, her husband and Cormac to San Francisco. We see Cormack dealing with sharing a body with the Spirit of Amelia and Ben seems to be battling with staying human most of the time. Kitty is forced to meet with the Vampire Family in San Francisco. She makes more allies down the line.

A fight against evil is brewing and tough choices and sides have to be picked. Also, we get more questions about the Long Game and how will this affect the werewolves.

Unfortunately, this series is losing it's appeal to me. At times I had to force myself to continue. Ben seems to be loosing it quit frequently and I am still rooting for Cormac. How wrong is that?

I will still see it to the end of the series. But the first few books were the best. I missed the spirit of those books, when Kitty was trying to survive and became stronger with each ordeal.

2.5/5 Fangs

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Private by Kate Brian



Private
Private #1
Kate Brian

Reed Brennan has won a scholarship outside of her PA home. She is to start at Easton Academy. A private school with rich and beautiful people.

She is escaping her home and a pill-popping cruel mother.

Reed has been a loner but soon realizes that she doesn't fit in and after witnessing through her dorm's window four girls having fun, she decides she wants that for herself too.

The next day she learns these girls are an elite group. All great students, popular, smart and beautiful too. They are the Billings Girls. They live in the Billings building and you can only join if you get invited.

She also meets a boy, Thomas Pearson who is very interested in her and later becomes a boyfriend.

The Billings Girls asked her to do things for them, some of the tasks could get her expelled.

I was disappointed with this book. I couldn't understand why she would keep on pushing nice people away and try to join the Mean group. She was just a follower and Thomas did not appeal to me either.

When I finished Private, my first thought was "What a weird book".

I may read the rest of the series to see if it improves.

2/5 Fangs

Monday, August 15, 2011

Island Heat by Jill Myles



Diana Holcomb finds herself in a Lost episode.

She is a realtor who flies to Bermuda with a potential client on his private plane. Once they reach the Bermuda Triangle the plane crashes. She finds herself in a deserted island and when she finds what is left of the plane, only the remains of the captain are present. She suffers from heat exhaustion and during this state she thinks there is a gorgeous guy taking care of her.

The Island is also the habitat of Dinosaurs and Cavemen. One specific caveman wants her and tries to take her away. Luckily the dream guy is real and his name is Salvador. He saves her and shows her how the Island works. She also meets more survivors and starts helping with the daily routine.

Trusting and falling in love with Salvador, avoiding getting killed by Dinosaurs or belonging to a nasty caveman makes this book entertaining.

Our heroine will have to answer some questions. What if you can go back home? Would you? Or stay and live a simple life instead?

It was a pleasant read. This is a typical romance novel with a Dinosaur twist.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Spell Bound (Women Of The Otherworld, Book 12) by Kelley Armstrong



Book 12 starts just after book 11 finishes.

Savannah Levine is in big trouble. She has lost all her powers and she doesn't know why or who took them away. Can it be a Demon, or Deity?

Adam is very much in the picture. She loves him but she doesn't know if he thinks of her beyond friendship.

Savannah finds herself being targeted by several groups. There are witch-hunters trying to kill her. There is Grandaddy in the picture (Eve's father- The Lord Demon Balam, Master of Sight). There is a new group of Supernaturals who want the world to know they exist (Supernatural Liberation Movement) and Immortality questers (which we got a glimpse in earlier books).

Savannah is forced to grow up. She can't be a spoiled kid anymore. She has to learn that she is useful despite not having the great powers she was born with. Clay makes her realize some of this.

I felt that this book is preparing us for the big finale. There are so many questions left for the last installment. A war is coming and all ours friends are in danger. I love that we got cameos from almost every character from prior books. Hope and Karl are back. Hope is forced to see psyco killer Jaz (raise your hand who thinks he will be able to escape on the last book and Karl will get his chance to kill him forever. Yay!!!!)

I missed Eve, the other werewolves, the twins. I can't wait for the next book. In a way it will make me feel really sad. I will miss this family of supernaturals.

4/5 Fangs

Monday, August 8, 2011

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep



Touch of Frost
Mythos Academy #1
Jennifer Estep


This is the First Book in this YA series. I reviewed the prequel in an earlier post.

The book starts with Gwen Frost who is already at Mythos Academy. She doesn't feel that she fits in with the other kids and their amazing abilities.

She is not a fighter, she doesn't have great strength but when she finds a dead Valkyrie at the library she decides to use her psychometry power to discover who murdered her. She must find out who killed Jasmine, the most popular Valkyrie and who stole the Bowl of Tears a very important magical item that can make evil return.

During her self imposed quest she gets the help of two other students. One is Daphne a Valkyrie who starts as a mean girl and kind of grows on you. Second, Logan (a Spartan boy) who may be the greatest warrior and whom Gwen is attracted to.

Touch of Frost also explains more about Gwen's power and who may have given it to her. It also has all of the high school drama: Mean Girls, Hot popular guys, Geeks, and the Misfits.

Reasons to read this book:

*Jennifer Estep- she is the writer of The Elemental Assassin Series
*Logan- Hot Spartan kid
*Vic- a magical sword who loves a fight

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Sunday, August 7, 2011

From Dirt to Diamonds by Julia James



Thea Dauntry is enjoying a nice dinner with the Viscount Giles St John Brooke. She knows he probably will propose tonight. Just when he is about to, her worst nightmare appears in front of them telling her "Call me". She can't believe that after five years this cruel man is back in her life.

Angelos Petrakos can't believe his luck. Kat Jones is back in London, using a different name and a different attitude but he recognizes her and wants revenge. She lied to him and stole a very special watch from him years ago.

He finds her home and threatens to tell the viscount the truth unless she breaks up with him. She is to meet him at night and convince the world that she is in love with Angelos instead.

As expected, this romantic novel is full of misunderstandings which caused a rift between people who love each other. The only problem is that in this case, it is not believable.

1/5 Fangs

Monday, August 1, 2011

First Frost by Jennifer Estep


First Frost
Mythos Academy #0.5
Jennifer Estep 


First Frost is the prequel to the series.

In this book, we learned about Gwen Frost, a teenager but also a "Gypsy" who has the gift of psychometry. When she touches things she can tell what emotions the owner had while holding the instrument. It is much stronger when she touches a person. She uses this ability in high school to earn some extra money finding things for classmates. At times psychometry has been a downer, like when she found out her new boyfriend was kissing her but thinking of another girl instead.

Her mom and grandmother both are Gypsies too. The grandmother gets visions and her mother can tell if someone is lying which is helpful in her job since she is a cop.

When Gwen touches the hairbrush of her classmate Paige, she learns that she has been sexually abused by her stepfather. Those strong emotions send her into almost a seizure-like experience and she ends up in the hospital.

After losing a family member she gets enrolled in a new school, Mythos Academy. It takes kids from 16 to 21 years of age. This is not your daily high school. She is to live there and learned more about her gift. She also learns there are other kids who have a different type of magic, Amazons, Spartans, Romans, Vikings and Valkyries.

This prequel sets the story for this new series. I have read Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series, which is one of my favorites and I think this series won't disappoint me either. Funny how the heroine has a name that also starts with G. I am a fan of the writer. Once I finished this book I started Touch of Frost which I devoured in an afternoon.

4/5 Fangs

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Awaken The Highland Warrior (Connor Clan, #1) by Anita Clenney




Bree Kirkland is looking for a treasure in her Grandmother's property but what she finds instead is a Highlander hunk, whom she awakens from a hundred and fifty years of slumber.

Faelan has been placed in the Time Vault by a demon, Druan. To his dismay he realizes that everyone he has loved, including his family, are all gone. He also has to deal with the attraction towards the woman who is helping him come to grips with this new decade. His clan has defended the world from demons for centuries and he can't get distracted by Bree. He knows Druan is planning on releasing a virus against the world and it is his duty to stop him. This duty has been given to the Connor Clan by the Archangel Michael himself.

When multiple deaths happen close to her home, Faelan knows is time to leave. Thanks to access to a computer Bree has been able to locate the rest of the clan. They travel to Scotland. We meet many of the secondary characters, in particular I liked Ronan the best.

I liked this book, the heroine is strong and smart. Some hilarity is ensured due to the time period difference between our characters. Faelan the chauvinist protector, Bree the independent, wearing skirts and t-shirts and ready for any fight.

3/5 Fangs

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wild Highland Magic (The MacInnes Werewolves #3) by Kendra Castle



Bastian a Morgaine has been cursed.

For five generations his family has endured the shadow of a Narial, a beast and a soul eater. He is the last of his bloodline and a mixture of a Dyadd (blood-drinking Sorcerer) and an Athin (Ice Mage who can travel through worlds and can manipulate water/ ice). Any strong emotion brings on an attack from the Narial, especially happiness and love. He has lived a lonely life, unattached and remote from everyone. Recently, an oracle has given him hope, the blood of a Dragon, freely given can save him. He rescues Lucien Andrakkar, a dragon, from the realm of the Demons, and takes him to recuperate to the clan MacInnes property.

Catrionna MacInnes has come to Scotland to meet his uncle Duncan MacInnes, the alpha of the clan. She and her sisters, Skye and Polly, traveled with their father who has not been a part of their lives and who never taught them how to deal with becoming werewolves. She is happy to meet her uncle Duncan and feels an instant connection with him and the land. 

When Cat meets Bastian time stops and she knows there is more to this sourly sorcerer Prince than meets the eye. Her reaction to him is the most powerful she has had towards a male. Bastian tries to keep her away from him but this doesn't last long. He can't fight his feelings and he knows if he may endanger her if he falls for her.

As a bonus the secondary story of Polly and Lucien. When Polly discovers that Bastian is hiding Lucien she feels determined to heal him back to life. Lucien feels he doesn't have anything to live for until he meets Polly. Their banter is quite entertaining and soon turns into more.

This is book 3 of the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Characters from prior books appear in several parts of this one. I am hoping she writes about Skye. The one sister with no happy ending. It is a fast, enjoyable read. It reminds me of the World of the Lupi.

3.5/5 Fangs

Monday, July 25, 2011

Highland Rebel: A Tale of a Rebellious Lady and a Traitorous Lord
by Judith James



This is a Historical Romance.

Jamie Sinclair finds himself in a battle against the Highlanders. He has pledged his allegiance to the current King of England. He will change his religion or his support depending on who can help him maintain his fortune and his way of living.

After a battle, a highlander is captured. To his surprise, it turns out to be a female. He can't let the men at camp rape her and to his own dismay decides to protect the woman. He is told that in order to save her life (and maybe his own) he will need to marry her. He does this against the advice of the Priest.

The woman who is unknown to him is Catherine Drummond, the heiress to her clan. After the wedding is over, she is able to escape. When he discovers her missing, he follows her trail. When he catches up to her, her family tortures him and almost kills him. They don't know this is the Englishman Catherine has been forced to marry. She is able to save him and later on forces him to leave on a ship.

A year later, Catherine travels to London and finds Jamie. He teaches her how to disguise herself as a young lad and takes her to places she would not have been able to visit. Their passion continues to grow.

With another battle brewing, will Jamie switch sides again? Will they become enemies, fighting against each other? If London, Ireland or the Highlands are not safe, where will they go?

The author has done plenty of research to portray the distress of the era. To the point that sometimes it takes away from the romance between Jamie and Catherine. The constant escaping each other or leaving each other also becomes tiring.

Cliffhanger: No

2.5/5 Fangs

Saturday, July 23, 2011

The Viper Contract by Chris Broyhill


The Viper Contract: A High Tech Aviation Thriller
Colin Pearce Series #1
Chris Broyhill 


Just had to stop my daily routine to mention this book.

One of my friends has his book out.

Is a fiction book, full of action. It is not UF, but fantastic anyway.

I'll do a formal review in the next few weeks.

I can't wait for the movie!!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels #3) by Loretta Chase


Lord of Scoundrels
Scoundrels #3
Loretta Chase

Jessica Trent is trying to save her brother Bertie from the devil. She has heard terrible things about Sebastian, Marquess of Dain who her brother idolizes. Bertie is drinking and gambling, following into Sebastian steps. But while Sebastian is rich, Bertie is soon to become broke.

To save her brother she is prepared to fight the rake. What she didn't expect was finding herself interested and attracted to him from their first meeting in a store.

Sebastian is a rake and doesn't want anything to do with a respectable woman. He prefers to hire prostitutes instead. His childhood was terrible. His mother abandoned him. His father hated him and sent him away to Eton, where he was made fun of constantly due to his appearance, having a large nose, and his height, at that time he was considered too short. Now, as an adult, he is very tall, well built.

Jessica and Sebastian are found in a compromising position and he believes she instigated this. He leaves her to deal with this situation telling her if she didn't like it she can shoot him.

This is exactly what she does (She is a great shot) and then proceeds to sue him. Sebastian decides to marry her instead and they move from Paris to England.

Multiple misunderstandings occur with multiple twists.

I love this book. It was funny, the dialogue was active, their banter exquisite. So many funny moments. The shooting was hilarious.

The heroine is the best that I have read in a historical romance in a while. I wanted to be friends with her!

I bought this book as an amazon kindle promotion- 99 cents. More than worth it!!

4.5/5 Fangs

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Moon Dance by J.R. Rain



Moon Dance
Vampire for Hire #1
J.R. Rain

Samantha is a married woman with two small children. However, she is not your typical mom. Six years ago she was attacked by a Vampire and left for dead. Her husband Danny and her sister are the only ones who know the truth. Lately, her husband has been acting strange towards her. When she was attacked, he helped her come up with an excuse to avoid daylight. The rest of the world thinks she has xeroderma pigmentosum.

She had to leave her day job as a federal agent. She started her own PI agency which she runs from inside her house.

The police usually sends referrals her way. This is how Kingsley Fulcrum becomes her client. He is a very important lawyer who was shot five times in the head and survived!! (I'm guessing he is not human- just a hunch)

He hires her to find out who attempted to kill him. She feels attracted to him but feels loyal to her husband, despite suspecting Danny is having an affair.

We also meet a Vampire Hunter, Randolph, who is trying to kill her and an internet friend who helps her deal with her day to day living.

This is a fast and easy read. Entertaining. It is a first good effort.

This book doesn't answer some important questions. Who attacked her? Why her? Where is the Vampire now?

2.5/5 Fangs