Review: One Grave at a Time

Title: One Grave at a Time
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publisher: Avon
Date of Publication: August 30th, 2011
ISBN: 9780061783197
Summary:
The grave is one wrong step away.
Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving-leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.
Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But how do you kill a killer who's already long dead?
Review:
Jeaniene Frost does it again with an action-packed sixth installment of her Night Huntress series. In One Grave at a Time, Cat returns to her roots and takes on a supernatural killer of an unusual kind, continuing the ghost theme introduced in This Side of the Grave. With Bones at her side and some help from their friends, they go after one of the more brutal villains in the series so far.

I found this book to be fast paced, with lots of action and compelling drama as Cat, Bones and company take on this latest challenge. There are several obstacles to overcome and an interesting mix of new characters to help and hinder the progress. I’m never sure how I’m going to take to new characters, but by the end of the book I hoped to see them in future books, albeit for different reasons. 

The usual touch of humor in this series is amplified by appearances from Ian and Justina, and Denise provides her own special entertainment in one of the more intense scenes in the book. These secondary characters provide the necessary balance when circumstances become too intense, and I have to say I laughed out loud in more than one scene.

Bones is his usual ultra-sexy self, and I’m finding I like their relationship more and more in each book. I felt Bones’ presence in this story far more than in This Side of the Grave and the trademark, chapter-long love scene in One Grave at a Time didn’t disappoint. It was one of my favorite chapters in the book. I give Jeaniene Frost kudos for not resorting to the usual formula of break-ups and make-ups, instead giving us a very beautiful and rich story of love and commitment. It’s one of the reasons I love this series.

There was plenty of action in this book, especially the exciting conclusion. A very entertaining and engaging read, I would recommend One Grave at a Time to longtime fans of the series, as well as new readers, since it works very well as a standalone book.

There are a few unresolved story lines in this book, which I’m going to assume will be addressed in future installments of this series, and readers will  have some time to contemplate them, since no release date has been set for the seventh book.

We will just have to console ourselves with the upcoming Cat and Bones novella appearing in the anthology, The Bite Before Christmas, to be released on October 25, and faithful readers know that Jeaniene Frost has been working hard on Once Burned, the first book in Vlad's Night Prince series to be released next year. Lots to look forward to!

Review: Tamed by a Highlander (ARC)

Title: Tamed by a Highlander

Author: Paula Quinn

Publisher: Forever

Date of Publication: June 28th, 2011

ISBN: 9780446552363

Summary:

A LOVER'S PROMISE

Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king's army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary-both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he's never forgotten his bonnie lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.

A LADY'S DESTINY

The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information . . . only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she'd never trust again. Though Mairi's body still craves Connor's touch, she can't forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor-even if it means losing her heart to him again.

 

Review:

I looked forward to reading Paula Quinn’s Tamed by a Highlander with great anticipation and was lucky to receive an ARC. I was not disappointed.

Paula Quinn has a unique ability to transport her readers back in time, where you, for a few hours, become a participant in the splendors of the court of the English king and a member of Clan MacGregor.

Mairi and Connor’s story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. At times you giggle your way through passages, while minutes later you are sobbing into boxes and boxes of tissues...or cursing the stupidity of men, and wanting nothing more than to throw things across the room.

While all of the books in the series have great male protagonists, I find that her female characters are my favourites. Paula Quinn’s female characters, Mairi especially, are assertive and intelligent. Nothing will get in the way of what they want or protecting their families.

 

There were times, while reading Tamed by a Highlander, where I did not know how the story would end up. In no way is that a bad thing, it just made me want to keep reading the book. The only negative thing about this book is that it ended.

 

If Tamed by a Highlander is not on top of your summer reading list, you are missing out on a great few hours in the company of the MacGregors.

 

When I’m Not Reading…

It’s Thursday, people! Which means it’s time for Missie’s When I’m Not Reading. Please go to her website via the link to see what it’s all about.

Honestly, I’d rather be reading right now, but I’m doing laundry instead.

I think I mentioned I’m going to NYC this June. If not…I’M GOING TO NYC IN JUNE! I’m leaving in 83 days (not that' I’m counting).

A few days ago I got the idea that I want a new tattoo. If I could get it while in NYC that would just make the trip even more exciting than it already is. My only problem with tattoos is that I can never narrow down what I want. I have six already, and only two of them I’m really happy about. I don’t have any good pictures of them so I won’t show them here.

For a while I’ve been thinking about getting a piece inspired by one or a combination of my favorite books/characters. I’ve also been dreaming, for years, about getting a pin up girl on each of my lower legs. I’m not sure yet, but I think a combination of the two would be great.

While I was looking for ideas online I came across a book called The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide by Eva Talmadge and Justin Taylor.

The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide is a guide to the emerging subculture of literary tattoos—a collection of more than 150 full-color photographs of human epidermis indelibly adorned with quotations and illustrations from Dickinson to Pynchon, from Shakespeare to Plath. With beloved lines of verse, literary portraits, and illustrations—and statements from the bearers on their tattoos' history and the personal significance of the chosen literary work—The Word Made Flesh is part collection of photographs and part literary anthology written on skin. (From www.amazon.com)

It’s a beautiful collection and homage to the written word.

To accompany this book the creators have made Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

I guess the sensible thing to would be to find inspiration from on of the classics. Yet, when I think of the classics I think about university. In many ways going to university was eye opening, but it was also the cause of a lot of emotional stress for me. The first couple of years I fought my way through it. Then I found out I’m dyslexic. To some extent t made university easier because I know knew I wasn’t stupid, but I also had to work even harder to prove that I belonged there. I think most of my professors and my parents just wanted me to drop out. It would have been the easiest thing to do.

In the last few years I’ve re-discovered how wonderful the written word can be, as well as discovering “new” genres I never knew I would love. Steampunk is one of them. I have to say Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate made me love to read again for the sake of the language and not just the plot.

I’m thinking a lovely woman wearing a beautiful, and a bit daring, dress mixed with some nifty Steampunk gadgets, might be a great addition to my small collection of tattoos.

Think Lorenzo Sperlonga’s Steampunk Dolls, though not in such a state of undress…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add a little Alexia…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just a dash of Lady Mechanika (I do work in a comic book store after all)…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that would make a splendid and combustible combination. Don’t you think?

If you happen to know any great tattoo artists in NYC I’d love to know about them.

The Joys of Reading…

Reading is my great joy. It gives me an escape from the stress life brings. I also made it part of my life, when I got a job at a book store. Reading is everything in my book. Not only because of the great worlds it takes me to, but also because of the people I’ve met because of it.

A few years ago I started reading Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire Mysteries. I met a great many wonderful women through the fandom. Last year I got to meet a bunch of them when I went to NYC. I’m going back to NYC in June, where I’ll meet even more of the SVM ladies.

Each one of these women hold a special place in my heart. They’ve helped me overcome so much. From identity crisis to dealing with the loss of my dad. Through everything they’ve been here.

Trader, who reviews for the blog, is one of the women I’m talking about. I mentioned in a previous post that it’s become a tradition for Trader to review Jeaniene Frost’s books for me. I thought it was time that she got her own signature for the blog. The lovely Larissa, over on Larissa’s Bookish Life, made the signature as well as designed the background for my blog.

  I hope you like it, darling girl.

When I’m Not Reading…

It’s been a long time since I’ve done Missie’s When I’m Not Reading. I have to say I love this meme

I’ve been MIA for a while. Life gets in the way of things some times. I’ve been working my ass off, my brother had major life-altering surgery a few weeks ago, and my mother (I’m no referring to her as the dragon lady) is trying to sell the house now almost a year since my dad died. Thankfully, my brother is on the mend and doing great.To relaxing after a few stressful months my friend, Maria, and I decided to do a girls’ day. It’s no secret I love to cook, so I decided to do a little brunch for us…which turned into an early breakfast, which then turned back into brunch.

I have a new obsession; Disney’s The Princess and The Frog. It is FANTASTIC!

I mean, c’mon, it’s got everything: love, music, a lovely girl, a prince, a bad guy, crazy voodoo priestess, animals, funny guys AND food. This cartoon is my happy place. I think I’ve watched it 20 times so far and it never gets old. My favourite character? Ray. I love that crazy Cajun firefly.

Where am I going with this cartoon rambling? Well the cartoon and Mardi Gras around the corner was my inspiration for the brunch.

Maria arrived little after 8 in the morning (after having dealt with soccer related panic attack from her mini). I got her to watch The Princess and The Frog while I was cooking.

Maria isn’t big on putting her picture out on the web. She looks hilar in this pic though. She’s giving me the stink eye for taking a snap shot of her.

I didn’t have a lot of decorations for the table, so I made due with some Madonna figurines, candles, rainbow bead necklaces and a mask.

Menu

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (I need to work on the dish)

Scrambled Eggs

Bacon

Hash Browns

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

Salad

Coffee

Mimosas (lots and lots of them)

I was going to make beignets as well, but I forgot to buy some stuff for it.

After the massive brunch we went for along walk and went to see her mini play soccer. He was having a blast.

The day ended back at my place with some 90’s rock and talking about our teenage years. Good times!

 

Tea and This Side of the Grave

It’s a tradition now that my darling friend, Trader, reviews Jeaniene Frost’s books for the blog. So I’m going to give the word to her now.

Title: This Side of the Grave

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: February 2nd, 2011

ISBN: 9780061783180

Summary:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance...

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing.  A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"--the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. ...to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Review:

Once again, Jeaniene Frost has done it with the latest installment of the Night Huntress series, This Side of the Grave. While fans of the series may refer to this book at Cat & Bones #5, this book is all about Cat. Against the backdrop of the threat of a species war between the vampires and ghouls, Cat comes into her own in this book, as a woman, as a wife, and as a significant threat in her own right.

I loved this book. It had everything I look for in a story. A plot full of action and adventure, along with great characters you want to care about. Jeaniene Frost is a master at character development, and this book does not disappoint.

Every character in this book hits on all cylinders. Bones exudes his sexy charm with his usual directness, and although I found his voice a little quiet in this book, I was really too enthralled with Cat’s journey of self-discovery to notice or be bothered by it. The secondary characters shine too, whether its a different view of Mega-Master Mencheres, witty banter between Cat and Vlad, or even new revelations about Tate. The deepening relationships between Cat and the rest of the characters in the Night Huntress series are crafted beautifully in this book.

Amidst the chaos and action, there is time for some very steamy hot supernatural sex scenes between Cat and Bones, and possibly another chapter that will become infamous for its content. But as is the case in this book, it’s really Cat’s scene, and she proves beyond a shadow of a doubt she is no longer the inexperienced young girl from Halfway to the Grave, or even the adventurous girlfriend from One Foot in the Grave. She is an equal partner in this relationship, and that includes the bedroom.

Jeaniene Frost takes us deeper into her supernatural world in this book, and I love how she weaves human concepts such as self-esteem, fighting prejudice, being honest with yourself and others, and strategic thinking into this book. I’m left with the feeling that their world isn’t all that different from ours, minus the fangs, the blood and the silver, of course!

And it wouldn’t be a Jeaniene Frost book if she didn’t make us cry, a little, and there are some very poignant moments in this book. Even though we do lose one of the long-standing characters in the book series, the scene is extremely touching and provides closure to a question plaguing fans since the release of At Graves End.

There are so many great one-liners and quotes from this book, along with a whole boatload of foreshadowing and possible hints for future books, but most of my favorite lines came in the final pages. The story concludes with a wonderfully choreographed fight scene, and one of my favorite lines from Cat, when she refers to family and friends that have assembled for the final confrontation.

“Apollyon wants a war? He’s going to get one, but not between our two species. It’ll be between his best and our best.”

Cat hits the the proverbial nail on the head with that statement. Jeaniene Frost has brought together some of the best characters in any book series I have ever read, and gives us one of her best in This Side of the Grave. I anxiously await the next installment, due out later this year.

Tea and a Little of Everything and Review of the Jane True Series…

I suffer, greatly, from writer’s block. I’ve got a ton of stuff on my mind, but it never seems to come out when I need it to. However, that does not mean I haven’t been reading. I have. Tons. Here are some of the books I’ve been reading.

Since it’s the release day for Jeaniene Frost’s This Side of the Grave, the fifth book in the Night Huntress series, let me start with that. Happy release day, Jeaniene!

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

I was lucky enough to get a copy of it last week and let me tell you it delivers. Now that’s all I’m going to say about it for now since my darling friend, Trader, has agreed to yet again review Jeaniene’s work for the blog.

If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the trailer for it to tide you over.

 

Nicole Peeler’s Jane True Series

I have several new book obsessions. Nicole Peeler’s Jane True series is one of them. If you’ve read Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series you’ve probably come across teaser chapters from Nicole’s books. So far the series consists of Tempest Rising, Tracking the Tempest, and Tempest’s Legacy. The fourth book, Eye of the Tempest, will be released later this year.

Title: Tempest Rising

Author: Nicole Peeler

Publisher: Orbit

Date of Publication: November 1st, 2009

ISBN: 9780316056588

Summary:

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

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

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

Title: Tracking the Tempest

Author: Nicole Peeler

Publisher: Orbit

Date of Publication: July 1st, 2010

ISBN: 9780316056571

Summary:

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

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

 

Title: Tempest’s Legacy

Author: Nicole Peeler

Publisher: Orbit

Date of Publication: January 1st, 2011

ISBN: 9780316056601

Summary:

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

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

And she's not sure which she finds more frightening. (www.amazon.com)

Review:

I have a tendency to buy books just because of the cover. However, in this case I’m sad to say I actually judged a book by it’s cover, without even reading the description first. Shame on me. The covers reminded me a little too much of manga. A co-worker told me he thought they were manga. A regular at the store I work at wanted me to order Nicole’s books for her and I thought I’d give them a go as well. I’m so glad I did.

To me the novels read like a bildungsroman. With each novel we see how Jane True turns into a well-rounded young woman. With the help from other supernatural creatures, glimpses into her childhood, supporting friends (few as they are), and an understanding father Jane discovers and embraces her new life as a halfling. Although she has to go through an awful lot of hardships, she comes out on the other side wiser and stronger, both mentally and physically.

The plot in each book is well developed, yet two things I really appreciate in the books are the language and the humour. Nicole writes with incredible wit and control of contemporary jargon without making it seem forced.

One of my favourite parts of Tempest Rising is in the very first chapter. Jane’s archenemy, Linda, comes into Read It and Weep, the book store Jane works at, to expand her collection of romance novels.

She liked a very particular kind of plot: the sort where the pirate kidnaps some virgin damsel, rapes her into loving him, and then dispatches lots of seamen while she polishes his cutlass. Or where the Highlander clan leader kidnaps some virginal English Rose, rapes her into loving him, and then kills entire armies of Sassenachs while she stuffs his haggis. Or where the Native American warrior kidnaps a virginal white settler, rapes her into loving him, and then kills a bunch of colonists while she whets his tomahawk. (Tempest Rising, p. 12)

I had to buy a new copy of the book after reading that. Drinking coffee while rolling on the floor from laughing is not good for a book. I’ll be the first to admit I love romance novels (especially the ones taking place in Scotland). Nicole’s books are full of gems like this.

It was pure joy to read Nicole’s books. The fact that the books aren’t you’re regular vamp fiction readers of this genre is used to is only a plus. I’ve re-read them a few times since I first was introduced to Jane’s world.

Do yourself a favour and read Nicole’s blog and follow her on twitter.