REVIEW - THE MANE EVENT

Author: Shelly Laurenston
Pages: 423 pages
Publisher: Brave
Published: October, 2009
Form: Mass Market Paperback
Series: Pride  #1
Adlibris: Link

A proper full blown Paranormal Romance - and I have to confess my first shifter romance - had me at hello.

Mace wants only one thing after twenty years being a in the navy SEALS, he want his all but girlfriend from private school, Dez, and wants her for the rest of his life. The way he sees it his friend from when they were fourteen has to be available for life, he's spent long enough nights fantasizing what came of that girl. Now that he's back in town he finds Dez has changed, but not for worse, sure she's about as tough as a cookie, but so delicious she melts in his mouth. Of course some problems arise when he wonders just how she's going to take the fact he's shifts into a Lion when the occasion calls for it.

Graphic by Niina, more @ http://ladydragonmoon.deviantart.com/#/d424g6d

Dez on the other hand not quite so sure what to do with the 'from scrawny 14 year old to big and strong SEAL'. Sure she's drawn to the guy, but has no desire to jump in for a one nighter with the rich and slightly odd Mace Llewellyn, from the super-rich Llewellyns. She doesn't want complications, being a cop surrounded by platonic relationships with men is enough for her, and she's determent to keep it that way, no matter how Mace makes her feel.

The book has two stories the first the one of Dez and Mace's - which is absolutely amazing and gets full on five stars from me, for witty writing, snarky comebacks and such steamy sex scene you're blushing while grabbing on to the book.

Second story is that of Brendon, who is also part of the Llewellyn Pride, the story continues where the first ends with all the same characters and setting, which makes the shift to another story easy, and fun to read.

Graphics by me, more fan art HERE.

Brendon and Ronnie Lee's story isn't as strong as Mace and Dez's though, and as much fun as it to see the two of them fall in love it doesn't have the same strong back story as the first story. Out of this second story the best part is most definitely Ronnie Lee as smart talking, take no shit kind southern girl, and wolf shifter, who knows how to have real good time but has decided to do her darn hardest to settle down with a real nice wolf, for the rest of her life. Which gives Brendon, a lion shifter, enough to scheme about to win Ronnie's heart and mind over.

The second story drops one start from the total for the book, but in all a real good read, and if you haven't read Paranormal Romance before be prepared to laugh out loud and blush, 'cause this is as funny and detailed as they come.

Rating :

Started Reading : 28th of July 2011
Fnished Reading : 30th of July 2011

REVIEW - COFFEE AT LITTLE ANGELS

Author: Nadine Rose Larter
Pages: 188 pages
Publisher: Katalina Playroom
Published: May, 2011
Form: E-Book (Review Copy)
Goodreads: Link
Buy Now: @Katalina.co.za
Review copy provided by author.

Coffee at Little Angels by Nadine Rose Larter

"Phillip, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Maxine, Grant, Melanie and Josh grew up  in a small town where they spent their high school years together as an inseparable clique. But high school has ended, and they are all living their own “grown up” lives, each under the impression that their group has basically come to an end. When Phillip dies in a hit and run accident, Kaitlyn summons the others to all come back home, forcing a reunion that no one is particularly interested in partaking in.

Coffee at Little Angels follows how each character deals with the death of a childhood friend while at the same time dealing with their own ignored demons after years of separation. Events unfold as the group tries to rekindle the friendship they once shared to honour the memory of a friend they will never see again."

A heart breakingly beautiful story of eight friends who were an inseperable group back in high school, now remember life together and each other, adjusting their current life as one of their now splintered group is killed in a hit and run accident.

Each of the eight friend’s first person narratives run through contemplating their friendships of the past, and how each one was back then and how they are now, while going through the motions of grieving the loss of their childhood friend.

Sarah's is the most heartbreaking to read, and brings tears to your eyes... you cannot help thinking about your own spouse and how their loss would affect you. The story makes you think about death and how we are individuals when processing it.

As sad as the process of the friends contemplations is, there are bright moments, memories that keep the book from being depressive, the little lights arranged in the shape of supporting characters, friends and memories bring the warmth to the story to balance the sadness, and its done so well.

The story grabs you right away and doesn't let go, you get invested in the story and the lives of these 8 high school friend grown up. It opens brilliantly with Phillip's account on the very last morning of his life.

I can't tell more of the story because you just have to experience it.

The story is beautifully written, heartbreaking and lets you take a look at your own life and your own losses, but manages to do it a way that you feel better having read it.

Beautiful story of love and loss, friendship and time. I highly recommend this, I feel privileged to have had a chance to read it.

Rating :

Started Reading : 26th of July 2011
Finished reading 30th of July 2011

Author Interview coming up Soon!

BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD VIDEO

I don't usually post videos, but had to make an exception with this, because this is just damn good!

And not too revealing for those who haven't real the books.

Black Dagger Brotherhood Whole Cast

REVIEW - LOVER MINE - BOOK ;8 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 528 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: April, 2010
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #8
Adlibris: Link

Finally the story of John and Xhex (pronounced Hex)! I've been waiting for this, throughout book 2 - 7 we've been witness to their chemistry developing, and now here is Lover Mine! 

This book continues right where Lover Avenged left us, Xhex has been imprisoned by Lash, son of Omega, in a supernatural prison where no one can hear her, see her or sense her. Being as warped as he is, Lash has ended up completely obsessed with Xhex, loving her in his twisted way. Xhex against all odds manages to keep hold on her sanity while Lash repeatedly beats her and abuses her, her only goal to escape or die taking the bastard with her.

And then there is John, who realizes that there is a chance he might not find her and tries to come to terms with his feelings for her and the fact that if they find her dead, she's gone forever, and if they do find her alive she still might not care for him after all. John being mute creates a story that is very intriguing to read especially his communication with others who normally aren't chatty.

In all a very delicious story, lot of darkness and pain in it, but all the light in the book saves it from being grim.

We also get a look into Blay’s and Quinn’s relationship, where the two fight what is expected of them and what they want, and what they can’t have.

Now, I have to say this is my favorite book since Eternal Lover, I can't help it I'm a sucker for the ‘will they won't they’ love stories. And this is third book I'm giving full on five stars, I friggin' loved this! I wish I could tell you more, but you have to read it for yourselves.

Kidnapping, imprisonment, tattoos, unrequited love, revenge, vengeance, brothers in shitkickers and leathers armed to the teeth fighting for the existence of their race - this one is a keeper!

By now I am well obsessed with the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, and can safely say it's my favorite series I have ever come across, beating even Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series!

Rating :

Started Reading : 24th of July 2011
Finished Reading : 27th of July 2011

Also don't miss out on this video :

PROS ON PROSE ARTICLE FROM RT BOOK REVIEWS

Click for bigger images

REVIEW - VAMPIRE MINE

Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Pages: 369 pages
Publisher: Avon
Published: March, 2011
Form: Mass Market Paperback
Series: Love at Stake  #10
Adlibris: Link

What happens when a Scottish vampire, self-proclaimed SOB and eternal bachelor, suddenly finds an angel in his hands, someone soft, kind, loving and completely innocent. Sparks fly!

Not voluntarily, mind you, Connor doesn't want to feel, he doesn't want to be drawn to Mariella, he is - in his mind - destined to be alone and liking that just fine, thank you. But it proves to be difficult when the hurt he's suffered is being healed just by the presence of an angel.

Mariella disobeyed for the third and final time and she gets the boot, her wings are stripped from her and she is found burned and bleeding by vampires, not her finest hour. She is desperate to return to heaven to be part of the beauty and the joy, not stay stuck in a new body which seems to go haywire when Connor is around. She won't let it stop her from searching her way to back to heaven, back to being an angel.

 

I liked this book, it was funny, romantic and innocent. I think what hindered me was I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, and having one character after another pop by and feel familiar, but not knowing why (characters from previous 9 books) made it harder to stay with the flow. Also the plot was bit too fluffy and unfocused for me.  But the story on its own was very warm, and had me laughing in more than just few places, proving Kerrylyn Sparks knows how to write witty comedy. The chemistry between the two main characters is fun to read!

Connor is quite flat as character, in a way that he is a crouch, he's very orientated to one single matter, but then again that plays well against Mariella who is so innocent it's hilarious to read, as she has never had a body everything is new, her feelings, eating... men. And that is the romance part, I would have not managed to read the whole book if their romance hadn't been constantly edged little bit forward.

Now this isn't what you'd call steamy romance, this is the kind that builds, sweetly, while we see just how much Connor actually longs and desires to be with her, while Mariella is slightly at disadvantage not knowing what desire and longing is. . . which makes the book yummy!

I love angel books, where the angels are sweet, and caring and do what they are meant to which is heal and care for humanity. Can't say I hate the other type, take Lassiter from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series for example, love him. ;)

In all a good book to read, if you aren't squeamish about a lot of Scottish accent (if you love Scottish accent I recommend you read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series), kilts, and softie vampires. ;)

I might just have to find more 'Love at Stake' book! ;)

Rating :

Started Reading : 22nd of July 2011
Finished Reading : 23rd of July 2011

REVIEW - LOVER AVENGED - BOOK ;7 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

"Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious night club that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood."
 
Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 544 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: April, 2009
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #7
Adlibris: Link

Rehvenge is the owner of ZeroSum, a nightclub favored by the Black Dagger Brotherhood' warriors, he is also a drug lord, and sells girls in his VIP area, and has his hands in some assassinations, so in all he doesn't come off as a nice guy, until you get to know him.

Brother to Bella, the mate of Zsadist, he has taken care of the family the best he could, which has meant drugs and prostitutes, making sure mom and sister aren't aware of his business, where the brotherhood is.

So when he's approached to assassinate the King, things start to get dicey, it seems more people are aware of his past, the murders and his sympath side.

He turns to Xhex to get assassination over and done with. Xhex a half-sympath half-vampire like Rehvenge has a rough side, and when it turns out one of the club girls is in trouble she doesn't waste time to find the abusive boyfriend Grady... But Grady has run into more trouble as he ends up coming face to face with Lash, son of Omega, who tries to relief the money troubles of the Lessing Society by dabbling in drugs.

We also meet Ehlena, a no-nonsense nurse at the vampire clinic, who starts attracting Rehvenge's attention as he tries to find relief to his sympath side by using dopamine. Ehlena's life twirls around work and taking care of her mentally ill father - and has no room for Rehvenges advances. But one phone call seems to change it all. Change everything.

Lover Avenged is great piece of writing, draws you in and with all the different characters that take lead are complimenting the other stories that run through the book, Wrath's, Rehvenge's, Ehlena's, Xhex's, Lash's and John's. Mixed in a way that is torturous, but always gives more information and adds to the characters.

Rehvenged has grown to be one of my favourite characters. . . . yummy. ;)

J.R. Ward has a talent to finish the story with a happy ending but leave you begging for more when she sets up the next novel!

A superb world of eating, breathing vampires that take shit from no one, and show justice that fights with shitkickers, leather pants and daggers. Amazing read, I highly recommend it!

Rating :

Started Reading : 20th of July 2011
Finsihed Reading : 22nd of July 2011

IN MY MAILBOX #2

Yay! More books! There is nothing quite as fun as holding new books in my hands, apart from reading them, of course. ;)

Here are the wonderful three that I received today!

The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston

Mace Llewellyn. Brendon Shaw. Two tall, gorgeous, sexy alpha heroes who are 100 per cent male - with a little something extra. Lion-shifters, to be exact, who can unleash every woman’s animal side and still look good - make that spectacular - in a suit…and even better out of it… NYPD cop Desiree ‘Dez’ MacDermot knows she’s changed a lot since she palled around with her childhood buddy, Mace. But it’s fair to say that Mace has changed even more. It isn’t just those too-sexy gold eyes, or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal body. It’s something in the way he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle…

Meanwhile, for Tennessean Ronnie Lee Reed, New York City is the place where any girl - even one who runs with a Pack - can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion shifter men like Brendon Shaw. But she needn’t worry, because now that Brendon’s set his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go…

Promising to be hot read. ;)

Vampire Mine by Kerrilyn Sparks

Nothing on earth can make this vampire fall in love…

After 499 years of existence, Connor Buchanan has arrived at an inescapable conclusion: he is a cold-hearted SOB.  He’s been watching his friends - those poor romantic fools - plummet off the cliff into love like a dazed herd of sheep.  But not Connor.  He knows that love leads to nothing by heartache.

Until Marielle…

She is an angel cast down from heaven for disobedience. Trapped in mortal form, she finds a protector in Connor, a Scottish vampire haunted by a dark past.  Marielle hopes to heal his broken heart and earn her way back home, but suddenly she has these… feelings.  This strange yet pleasant physical yearning - for a vampire!  Is this the work of a demon luring her into hell, or has this angel found heavenly bliss?

This one promises to have interestign chemistry for sure!

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham - who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska - has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

Ah this is going to be, fun, Ms. Harper supposedly very fun writer!

Yay! Can't wait to read these! :D But for now, back on the stack guys . . . .

BRING ON THE BAD BOYS ~ Q & A

"Anyway what shall we talk about this week? I think those bad boys is a great topic don't you think? What draws us to them? Why do you find them so interesting or more sexier? Why do we root for them to hook up with their HEA(happily-ever-after)? Do you like the truly evil bad boy or do you like the bad boy with the hidden heart of gold? and Lastly who tops your list of all time favorite bad boys?" From : Book Lover's Hideaway

Music :Alexandra Burke's Nothing But The Girl  & Bad Boys

Oh, absolutely! Bring on the bad boys, the ones who wear shitkickers, leather jackets, piercings, tattoos... mmmm yum!

Okay, bad boys do have to have a heart though, redeeming qualities, kindness shadowed underneath the bad boy image. What makes them sexier is the unpredictability, the fact that they look after their women, and have a delicious jealous streak ;) aka the 'no one touches my woman'.

Okay, some of my favorite Bad Boys come from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood ... Zsadist who is straight out scary in the first two books but gets his heart ripped out and rearranged in book 3, or Rehvenge half-vampire half-sympath drug lord & pimp and all around messed up guy with great sense of style can't go on being evil when he meets his mate...

The thing is though that these bad boys are still bad boys after they fall in love, to everyone else except the woman they love. And I think that is what intrigues women. They can kick the shit out of a guy and then bring you roses and kiss you until your knees go weak.

But Bad Boys belong in books, it's all fantasy. Good fantasy, but in RL I go for the smart and educated. ;)

Here are some of my current favourites:

( in no special order )

Bones (Night Huntress series)

Zsadist (Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

Wrath (Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

Rehvenge (Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

Rhage (Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

Drake (Aisling Grey series)

Vishous (Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

Jean Claude (Anita Blake series)

Jason (Anita Blake series)

How about you, who's your favourite Bad Boy? 

And why do you love'm?

P.S: Music :Alexandra Burke's Nothing But The Girl  & Bad Boys

LAYOUT UPDATE TIME

It was time, the bookshelf look was only for while I got things started, now that everythings pretty sorted I had the time to think about the layout a little - I wanted solid but feminine colors, little bit of sparkle and anew color theme that bit more romantic without going over board with gooy colors ribbons, heart, bows and sparkles. ;)

Anyway - here it is! Made by yours truly, which means mainly just making the background, setting fonts and such things.

I hope it's viewable. ;)

FOLLOW FRIDAY #2

It's my 2nd Friday with Follow My Book Blog Fridays hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.
It's been few days since I posted a Review, but then again I have been entertaining friends and going downtown for miscellaneous things so I haven't been reading my regular speed. I think I'll manage to end one book today, only measly 50 pages left. ;)

Featured Blog is We Fancy Books and A Novella's Tale.

Question : Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Answer : First would definitely be Diana Gabaldon, she's self taught writer, it would be great to know how she just begun writing to see if she could write a book.
Second would have to be J.R. Ward I absolutely fell in love with the new kind of vampire world she created, having lunch with her talking about her books would be fun!
Third has to be Paulo Coelho he writes amazing books and has that intuition that is just mind blowing, someone who writes like that can't be a bore to be around.
( Not in order of excellance )

What are you 3 picks?

IN MY MAILBOX #1

Yay! I received two books in the mail today!

Ah! Finally! I've been waiting over a week to get my paws on to Lover Avenged! ;)

REVIEW - ECSTATIC EVIL - A NOVELLA

Author: Amanda McNeil
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 197 KB
Pages: 40 pages
Publisher: Amanda McNeil
Series: Tova Gallagher
Review copy provided by author.

Tova is a half demon, half human, living in Boston, working with books, trying to determine wither she wants to embrace her demonic side, or her humanity. Having a demon and fea trying to entice her to two different directions she gets an ultimatum - 2 months to decide what she wants. Where she belongs.

Shocked by the ultimatum she heads out only to meet a stranger in a shady part of the river walk, against her normal reaction she agrees to go on date with him and finds herself drawn to the guy who seems to be oddly comfortable with her demonic powers making an appearance or two, perhaps he too is more than meets the eye.

The best part about this novella is a dialog the main character Tova has with the people around her, it's interesting and not out of normal discussion people might have. Both main characters are likeable and seem real in the world the writer creates.

"Show, don't tell."

The most important quote I can recall whenever I read, and that to me tells wither the book is engaging or not.

Ecstatic Evil unfortunately doesn't Show but Tells, which means you can't really sink into the story, become part of the world. An example would be "Tova walks back to the couch and curls up on it, staring noncommittally at the TV" instead of "She walks back to the couch, curling up on it as she stares noncommittally at the TV". The novella has great chance to be a good story if the writing was more showing and not 'telling' the reader what happens, which robs from readers imagination. 

I liked the story, the plot, the characters, only the writing style made it hard to delve into the story and be invested in the story.

Rating :

☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★
Wanted to like it

Started Reading : 18th of July 2011
Finished Reading : 19th of July 2011

REVIEW - DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE

Author: Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon
Published: July, 2009
Form: Paperback
Series: A Night Huntress Novel  #4
Adlibris: http://www.adlibris.com/fi/product.aspx?isbn=0061583219

Alright this one's tough, do I like this one or book #2 better?

Both are filled with action and witty writing, hmmm....?

Alright I pick this one, even though it isn't quite as light to read as Book #2.

The book begins with a weird dream as Bones and Cat are on a yacht on their way to Europe on... wait for it, vacation. ;) Who knew vampires and half-vampires did European vacations, right?

Well it's about time, they have been through enough and need some R&R – of course they get none as it turns out Cat's dreams are far more dangerous than mere nightmares.

A Vampire older and more powerful than Bones is trying to get his hands on Cat, telling her she is his, not Bones' and that she has been lied to and been deceived and that she wants him not Bones and the life Bones offers her. And that she just can’t remember it as her memories were robbed from her.

As Cat and Bones battle Cat falling asleep and to keep her from the vampire Gregor, their relationship start to chip and break under the pressure. Which is hard to read. Of course it's exactly what Gregor wants - them, apart.

Cat and Bones keep trying to make things work, not be so suspicious - but just how much can one relationship take before it breaks and all you have is shards tearing you apart. I am not going to tell you what goes down, you'll just have to read it yourself, but trust me it's worth it.

Vlad has another big role in the book, and it's very hard to not fall in love with his character, the mind reading, pyrokinetic charmer that he is. ( If I recall right he has his own book in the Night Huntress World series ) Mencheres is back as well, contributing greatly to plot as the 4000 year old serious mega-master vampire.

This book is full of twist but in a good way - a very good way! It is one of the series' most interesting books so far, definitely. It's easy to read in few days and it leaves you hungry to read more, like, right away. Which is why I'm getting my paws into This Side Of The Grave, as we speak. 

Rating :

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★
Really good, liked it a lot!

Started Reading : 16th of July 2011
Finished Reading: 17th of July 2011