Paranormal Books

Ths book started out with the heroine up on the pedestal of a statue, feeling him up and trying to overcome her attraction to him. Oh, good lord, why did I continue reading this book? When she finally decides to kiss him, he becomes a live man and the rest of the book is made up of her pretending to be sassy and independent, but then caving in to his demands the minute he gets forceful. The storyline is very predictable, with her brothers getting all stupid and protective over her even though she's supposedly A Woman of Independent Mind. Ugh. I guess I should have listened to my spidey sense when it started tingling & taken this book back to the library.

This book was sooo much fun to read! The main character, Katie, has 5 older brothers, is a home repair/reseller, tough as nails and doesn't take crap from any man.

Not even a man made of stone.....

Jorlan, an alien warrior, cursed to spend over 900 years cast in stone, unable to move but able to hear and see until he is kissed, but then he must have the kisser proclaim their love for him within two weeks or else he turns back to stone forever and ever.

These two make such a perfect pair it's funny, sad, and oh so endearing 'til the end of the book.

Gena Showalter is one of my now favorite writers ever.
10/10

What a unique situation! This book was just as well written as the Atlantis Series. It kept me reading and very interested from cover to cover! Naughty and nice. Gena has a wonderful way with words.

I liked this book, it was very different and entertaining. It starts out a little slow but the story line is so unique that it kept me reading. The ending is fantastic. The author has a very good imagination! I can't wait to read more of her books!

I couldn't get past the 4th chapter of this book. I'm totally willing to buy into the fantasy of the hunky-hero-comes-to-life .. but once he did, I wanted him back in statue form.

His treatment of the heroine was such a turn off for me, that I couldn't continue the book, therefore the one star.

have the whole series. watched the series blood ties and had to read the books

I really enjoyed these books - more than I thought that I would (let's face it, there is some pretty bad stuff out there in urban fantasy to along with some really good stuff - thankfully this is on the good stuff end).

I liked the three main characters - but especially Henry Fitzroy - one time royal duke, son of Henry VIII, now a vampire living in Toronto making a living by writing bodice rippers! Henry charmed me. And I loved the snippets we get of his past (that was always my favorite part of the Highlander tv show, too - seeing bits of the immortal character's past).

I also really liked the werewolves. I thought that they were both very original and very charming. Werewolves charming? These werewolves are!

As others have said, I discovered these books because of the Lifetime series "Blood Ties" (which unfortunately I only started watching near the middle/toward the end of the 22 episodes) and on the recommendation of a friend who was reading them. I bought the whole series and can't read them fast enough!! I find them to be real page turners, and very difficult to put down. I love the character of Henry Fitzroy the vampire especially but it is the interplay of Henry, the tough and complicated heroine of the piece Vicki Nelson, and her ex-cop partner Mike Celluci that make this story so intriguing and readable.

This book was recommended to me based on my prior Amazon purchases. I found the story to be boring. I did not care for Vicki. She came across as a selfish, childish, wishy-washy woman that never made a choice between the two men in her life. I thought the relationships between he,r Henry and Nick were uninspired and half baked. The underlying "mysteries" were not interesting, either. I read the whole series, hoping that I would begin to care about these characters. I cared about Henry, but one character can not carry a series.

The Blood Books, Volume 1 (2006), is an omnibus edition of the first two fantasy novels in the Blood series. It includes Blood Price and Blood Trail.

Victoria Nelson -- Vicki -- is a former Toronto homicide detective who had resigned for medical reasons. She had been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and experienced various visual disorders, including night blindness, tunnel vision and myopia. Now she works as a private detective on cases that don't overtask her senses.

In Blood Price (1991), eight months after leaving the force, Vicki witnesses the death of a young man attacked by something that tore out his throat. Her former partner -- Mike Celluci -- responds to the call. As usual, she and Mike fight over everything, but even Mike confesses that he had missed fighting with her.

Now she can't seem to let go of the case, particularly when similar deaths occur. The media start speculating about the murders being vampire slayings. She keeps calling her friends in the coroner's office and the Criminal Investigation Division to find out more information. She even goes to the scenes to look for clues missed by the police.

One night, she catches up with the killer just as he is disappearing. She also finds a vampire on the scene, but he punches her out and takes her to his apartment. Henry Fitzroy, the vampire, has a choice: kill her or trust her with his story. He takes the second course, although he can always remedy any mistake by killing her later.

Henry is the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII of England. He is now four hundred and fifty years old and has been a vampire for most of that time. He was made a vampire by Christina, who also rescued him from his deep grave after his apparent death at the age of seventeen.

Henry explains to Vicki that the killer is a lesser demon, who is working on a scheme to open this world to Hellish havoc. Since they can't trust the police with this information, Henry and Vicki need to nullify the scheme. Vicki is charged with finding the master and Henry will try to take out the lesser demon.

Then Coreen, girlfriend of the first victim, hires Vicki to find the alleged vampire. Even if the police don't believe in vampires (or demons), Vicki has an acceptable reason to search for clues. Besides, the client will pay for her time and expenses.

In Blood Trail (1992), Vicki is tired and sweaty from working a case on industrial sabotage and is just starting to shower when the phone rings. Being a compulsive phone answerer, she quickly dries off and races for the receiver. It is her mother calling about spending time together. Mothers!

Vicki finishes the shower and is preparing supper when the phone rings again. This time it is Celluci. He wants to know some information about a previous case and is using Vicki's memories instead of the files. Former partners!

She is eating cold eggs and watching the Jays play in Milwaukee. It is the bottom of the seventh, the Jays behind by two runs, two out and one man on second. Just as a Jays power hitter steps up to the plate, the phone rings. This time it is Henry. He has some friends who need the help of a private investigator. Phones!

In this story, Vicki goes over to Henry's apartment to meet his friends. The security guard recognizes her and buzzes her through, but also gives her a suspicious look. When she reaches the condo, the door swings open to reveal a huge russet colored dog.

A young woman is waiting with Henry in the living room. Henry introduces her as Rose Heerkens and then Rose introduces the dog as Storm. Sitting on the couch, Vicki puts on her professional face and asks why she is needed.

Rose tells her that two members of her family have been shot in the past month. When Vicki asks about the police findings, Rose tells her that they don't know about the shootings. Vicki is puzzled about this remark, so Henry tells Rose to show her.

Rose takes off her sandals, then stands up and removes her sundress. Standing there naked, she suddenly transforms into a white dog and the russet dog turns into a young man, who now introduces himself as Peter. The pair are werewolves.

Highly recommended for Huff fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of supernatural ploys, preternatural concerns and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This Elizabeth-like character is intelligent, irreverent, and naturally not looking to fall for the tall dark handsome hero. The most powerful testosterone carrier around, the Darcy-esque lead doesn't want to be attracted to her, but because she's the only one who doesn't completely fall under his spell, he can't help it. The cozy mystery wrapped around these rather traditional characters is very predictable, though there is a certain novelty given that the traditions the characters are flouting aren't those of 18th century English manners but Vampire/companion behavior in a modern setting.

I've never read a vampire "romance" or any vampire books, and I've read very few traditional romances, so I'm perhaps no good judge of this genre. I happen to read Companions because, grocery shopping and combing the offerings at a Virginia Beach W**mart looking for some surfside reading on vacation, I recognized the author's name from the "In a different Reality" fanfiction zines of twenty years ago.

While the base set of characters can be considered "classic", there was enough cute dialogue and attractive details to carry a reader along through the story pretty well. At times the heroine was a little too smart and snappy for her situation to be believed, and the hero too self deprecating for such an alleged bad a**, but I might have been expecting too much reality of a genre that, to be enjoyed, apparently has to have a much wider than usual acceptance of disbelief.

Because I don't really get the vampire attraction. Not the one between the characters, which seems is partially involuntary, but for the reader. For one thing, the hero hates vampires, yet knows that his association with the girl will lead his lady love into becoming the very object he despises. The girl hates dependence, yet realizes that the more she hangs around her hero, the more slavish she's bound to become. And I suppose it also requires a stronger stomach than mine to have people talk casually about being someone's literal slave. Since there really can't be a happily every after for this pair given their circumstances, you sort of wonder how this genre can be popular as a romance one. However, if you overlook that as being part of the drawbacks of the genre, and the author certainly slogs against their fate, much as Jane Austen had Elizabeth slog against her "duty" to get a rich husband without love, then the book reads as well or better than it could be expected. You know, though, that unlike JA's novels where the romance ends happily, there really can't be a happily ever after for this couple. In fact, probably rather the reverse. That knowledge and the fact that those issues, so important throughout the book, were ignored at the end, left me feeling the ending was rushed and not fully resolved.

The cozy mystery part is very very predictable. Most of the details that were supposed to be a surprise to the reader (and were to the heroine) were foreseeable to this reader. But even though there was a slight disappointment that the book had no unexpected twists, it still read pretty well, because you were expecting them. When the events came out as predicted, you just ended up thinking a little bit less of the heroine and wondering if she was as smart as she thought she was, if she couldn't see that coming.

If you take this book for what it is, and not expect more than the genre can deliver, then this is probably a good example. The vampire hero was extremely endearing, too much so to really be believed, but still enjoyable. He even had his Miss Bates in the person of the heroine's aunt. The heroine a little too full of herself, bordering on Mary Sueism, but at least she was no shrinking violet. The plot moved well, if in well worn tracks, and the dialogue was entertaining if at times a bit cutesey.

I liked it - it made a good beach book. The drawbacks were I'd have really liked to have seen a little more character development, a little more seriousness as to how that relationship was going to actually work, particularly some address to the vampire/companion issues they keep raising throughout the book and that were ignored as issues when they got together. Why spend all that page time putting that conflict in the relationship, only to not address it satisfactorily at the end? When the mystery plot resolves, the characters' situation does too, in spite of no real change in their initial objections against it. They seem to just stop struggling against their attraction, perhaps only for the moment. I didn't know what to expect there, not being familiar with vampire romances, but I didn't see any resolution to all that set up angst, no clever way to have their relationship and get past the fate that awaits, them, they just succumb to it. Particularly for the girl who's looking toward a slave like fate she would have despised, regardless of her attraction to the "hero", that was unsatisfying. And a little twisty mystery plot surprise somewhere along the end so it didn't curl up so predictably would have helped too. 3 1/2 stars really, but give it a four because its hampered by its genre. Literature it's not, but it was reasonably entertaining for an afternoon by the waves.

I think that as characters, the two central ones here, Selena and her "master" Steve/Istvan are very well written. The intensity of the feelings this bloodbond and their personalities create is very deep and demanding. It is a testiment to their personality that they are able to overcome it enough to do their jobs. However I really wanted more on what "normal" was in this world -- more on how Istvan is different, what the normal life of companion is life to an average vampire. Yes, I could sense it wasn't good but I think it would have been stronger to see some clear examples and not just the results or the emails about it.

I read this right after reading Partners. I don't recommend that. I recommend waiting at least a week between the two books. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but certain characters from the previous books reappear. They don't necessarily behave as you would expect.

Istvan is a lot more fun to read about than Char or Selim, but nowhere near as fun as Valentine. Some day, Ms Sizemore is going to have to write a book that's just about Valentine's past. There's a scene from the past recounted in this book that'd be a good focal point for that story. (Just my opinion here.)

The last 2-3 vampire books I read were cheesy. Glad to find one that lives up to my expectations. The author didn't fill up space with babble (which I hate by the way). I really liked the characters and plot. I really can't find anything negative about it.

The first two books in Susan Sizemore's Laws of the Blood series are quite good, but Companions is really something special. The dual protagonists are as dynamic as they are fascinating, the expanded commentary on Sizemore's unique fictional universe of vampires and companions is impressive and illuminating, and the action-packed storyline is a true page-turner. Mention of Istvan has been made in the previous books - whispers of his unparalleled prowess among the Enforcers of the vampire laws - and I must say he lives up to his reputation in spades. In Companions, we learn his remarkable story, but even Istvan, with all of his might, wisdom, and power, pales somewhat in comparison to Selena, the most unusual of vampire companions.

Istvan is a dhampir born over five centuries ago - he actually worked for Count Dracula for awhile. He hates vampires and has killed many over the centuries; even though he was turned into a vampire himself (a dangerous mistake rectified in the laws soon thereafter - there is no more formidable vampire killer than a dhampir who has been turned) and works ceaselessly to defend vampire law, he has always kept himself apart from a traditional vampire lifestyle. That includes the taking of a companion, a practice virtually all vampires engage in. A bit of deception, though, brought him together with Selena Crawford two years earlier; he has fought the bloodbond that was forged between the two, however, and pretty much left Selena alone. She herself both hates and likes the situation; while she wants nothing to do with Istvan, the bloodbond is a powerful force that cannot be defeated by even the strongest of personalities - and Selena happens to have one of the strongest personalities you will ever encounter.

Now, Enforcer and companion are brought together once again, however, in the search for a vampire killer roaming the streets of Chicago. Selena is a homicide detective, but she knows that a beheaded vampire dumped in an alley falls under a very different jurisdiction than her own. While the local enforcer Ariel and eventually Istvan take over the "case," Selena does plenty of work on her own, identifying the killer and, blaming a particularly despicable vampire for indirectly causing all the trouble, takes the initiative to do something about the evil perp. Companions are not supposed to even know of each other's existence across the different cities of the world, yet there is a cybersecret support group for them, and this connection with others like herself provides Selena the support she needs to stage a mini-revolution among the ranks. In essence, she takes on the role of Enforcer among vampire companions.

The story of the killings and the thrilling conclusion of events makes for an engaging read, but it is the relationship between Istvan and Selena that makes this book such a triumph. Selena does not act like a companion; while the heat of the bloodbond keeps driving her and Istvan together in the most physical of ways, she refuses to fawn upon him or allow his actions to go unchallenged. This both antagonizes as well as delights the chief Enforcer of them all. Their sporadic relationship is remarkably human in several ways, boasting the kind of give-and-take you won't find elsewhere in the vampire world. Heck, she even tries to kill Istvan a couple of times, and that is something companions are really not supposed to do. You'll find a lot of humor in these pages alongside plenty of vampire action, but the heart and soul of Companions is the amazingly nontraditional relationship between vampire and companion. If you are tired of the same old vampire plots of old, you would do well to give Susan Sizemore a chance to impress you with her increasingly beguiling reworking of the vampire myth.

Not bad. The overall storyline was good, but it was a little to melodramatic and soap operaish. The dialog left a lot to be desired. There were a lot of exchanges like this: "Ross." "Megan." "Ross!" "Megan!" "Oh God, Ross!" I kept wishing they would say more than each other's names. Also, some of the things they did seemed a bit unrealistic, or unreasonable. I'm still not sure why Ross felt he needed to search Megan's house, and I was a bit creeped out by his lingering over her stuff. Yeah, I get that he was supposed to have chosen her as his "mate," and that no other woman will do, and he will always want her so when he thought it was over he was despondent blah, blah. But, I don't know...that move seemed a bit desperate and needy, and I guess I don't like my alpha guys desperate and needy to the point where they start to resemble a creepy stalker.

Rebecca has done it again. Some writers promise me a sleepless night and this author is one! There is not a book in this series that won't make you listen to house settling sounds and see monsters in the shadows.

This is what a werewolf novel is supposed to be like! The character development was good, the storyline was interesting, and the romance was HOT! While a bit far-fetched as to the explaining of the werewolf gene....let's face it, were talking about werewolves here, you can't get much more far-fetched than that! I really enjoyed the private detective angle also. I liked this one enough to order the rest of her series. If you like were-novels, then I would definately suggetst giving this one a look!

"Killing Moon" is the first book I've read by Rebecca York and it was OK - but only really that. She takes the common werewolf theme and adds her own twist to it, which I liked, but somehow there didn't seem to be enough meat in this book to make it really gripping.

Warning - spoilers below!

Megan Sheridan is a researcher in a biotech company who has her own specific project that she's working on but she keeps getting other basic work handed on to her by her boss. One such job is to take a blood test from a guy to do a genetic test on him. When she arrives at the home of Ross Marshall she finds him laying naked in his lounge and mostly unconscious. Upon further investigation (wouldn't you?!!) she discovers he has a fever and has been shot. She instantly turns from medical research worker to nurse and looks after him, despite him telling her to bog off. Interesting character switch for her there!

Ross is a werewolf. We learn a little about the werewolf situation in this book which isn't traditional (unrelated to the moon - despite the book's title! - but passed down genetically although with very tragic results in most cases). Ross is a Private Eye and he seems to be very successful in detecting serial killers, passing on the information to policeman Jack Thornton - although it's not really explained how he actually finds all these leads (I am unsure how helpful being able to turn into a wolf would be in these situations). Anyway, Ross has identified Donald Arnott as a killer who has bodies in his garden and was shot on the way back from checking the scene out.

Our story is told through four points of view - Megan, Ross, policeman Jack Thornton and Donald Arnott the serial killer. The tension builds slowly throughout the story - will Arnott kill again, who is trying to hurt Megan, why are there problems at the biotech lab - but it never really grips completely. Most of the story seems to be Megan slowly realising that her lover is a werewolf; this part of the story is done quite well - she doesn't instantly accommodate to this rather bizarre piece of information but it seeps in over some time. Still, we are told that their relationship has been caused pretty much by Ross's hormones and it isn't apparent what else the two of them have together that could make it work out. Plus she doesn't seem very good at keeping secrets at all, and Ross is, necessarily, a secretive chappie.

As often in fiction, magically at the end of the book, despite not having done much work, she makes a breakthrough in her biotech work which sets her up financially for life. This kind of thing is so rare in real life it always seems rather cheating for it to happen in fiction - and in this case unnecessary as Megan's future is pretty sorted anyway.

So overall, did I like it? Well, it was OK. The writing was OK. The worldbuilding for the werewolves was OK. The plot was OK. The resolution was OK. I think you've got the picture.

I have been a fan of "monster" books since I was about 10; the werewolf type presented in this book is not unique (why do so many writers decide that for some reason the werewolf "gene" is deadly to girls? Scientifically girl babies are MORE robust, not less . . . *shrug*), but the overall concept is really quite interesting.

Ross Marshall is the latest in a line of werewolves descended from a single forebear - apparently around the time of the druids - who dared to ask the gods for a gift . . . although that gift was granted, it comes with a price; baby girls are stillborn and many of the boys die when they are teens and first try to transform. Ross is a bachelor and determined to stay that way, as he is afraid he will turn out to be like his father - a very cruel man - as well as afraid to even try to have children. However, he is also curious if, genetically, anything can be done. So, he calls a genetic testing lab and asks for someone to come out and test his blood. Dr. Megan Sheridan is sent. It is love at first sight (of course).

Wrapped around their love story is Ross' attempt to bring a serial killer to justice (he works as a PI) as well as his friend - Detective Jack Thornton - becoming suspicious about Ross' involvement in the death of a serial killer 5 years ago.

Overall, this was really a good book. Lots of thrills and chills and the dynamic tension between the romantic leads was well done - in a REALISTIC manner, rather than the typical romance novel approach, which is to have the two romantic partners dislike each other for no good reason. For fans of paranormal romance action thrillers with a twist, you'll like this one!

Jessica Kelly is a painter that just hasn't gotten a break yet. However, she is still painting and she has the support of her roommate if not her family. And Jessica has an appointment with a gallery in just a few days; she is hoping that it will produce some interest in her work. Then Jessica learns that there are things that can go bump in the night and will kill her if allowed too. Jessica just isn't ready to be killed by a nightmare and just what did the nightmare mean about her roommate?

Galar Arvid is a warlord and time jumper for the Temporal Enforcement Agency and his mission is to save Jessica if possible. But someone knows he and his team are at Jessica's and by the time Galar can get to Jessica, she has almost saved herself. Galar learns that night that while he was partially right about the attack on Jessica, he was partially wrong too.

When Galar and Jessica get back to Galar's home in the 24th century, it is just the beginning for both of them to learn about the other and the attraction that is just below the surface. Not only danger still seems to be following both Galar and Jessica but so does mistrust and hurtful misunderstandings. Galar and Jessica have to learn to believe and trust in each other if they are going to understand what was behind the attack on Jessica, capture a killer and find a future for their love.

Warrior is action-packed with danger and a flaming hot love story. Jessica has worked hard to get noticed in the art world only to have to disappear from her time to save her life. Galar has been hurt by loving someone before and is not ready to trust those feelings again anytime soon. I loved reading about Galar trying to help Jessica adjust to her new world and while Jessica tried to figure out how to break through Galar's wall to love. Ms. Knight had me from the first page with her combination of action, science fiction, compelling characters and a love that could travel back and forth through time and keep getting stronger. I suggest settling into your favorite reading position and having a nice cold drink at hand before starting Warrior because you won't want to stop reading to get them. Warrior is a keeper and a must read that just made me crave the next book in this series.

If you are interested in the back-story of the secondary characters in Galar's team and his world then you can find them in Warlord.

Jo
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Jessica Kelly is a simple, struggling artist in Atlanta, Georgia. She's waiting and hoping for her big break while taking care of her crack addict sister. Luckily, her roommate Charlotte Holt is an understanding lady and tells her not to worry about her financial situation. Charlotte seems like the perfect, understanding roommate until she infects Jessica with her DNA and sets her on the path of a futuristic killer. Luckily for Jessica, Galar Arvid and his team from the Temporal Enforcement Agency have been hiding in her bushes, waiting for the killer to make his move. When the killer attacks, he grabs Jessica mistaking her for her roommate, Charlotte. Jessica manages to get away despite a stab wound, and Galar and his team burst into her home, fighting off but not capturing the killer. They take her to the future where Jessica initially has a hard time with the adjustment. Galar thinks he's seen the last of the little native but his commanding officer decides Jessica needs protection and gives Galar the new duty of bodyguard. He is at first resistant but his pity for the terrified native turns into admiration as she strives to come to terms with her new life and the loss of her old one. The agency is unsure of who or what the Xeran battleborg assassin was after and decides Jessica needs observation, especially when she begins to develop incredible powers like telekinesis, precognition, and the ability to blow up a training bot. It seems Charlotte Holt was not who she appeared to be and has dragged Jessica into something that not even the Temporal Enforcement Agency knows about. With a mole within the agency stalking her, both Galar and Jessica need to learn to trust in each other and their abilities in order to help save something very special to the universe.

This is a sequel to Jane's Warlord and I loved that book and I loved this book too. Jessica has a spunky, feisty attitude and I loved her quick on her feet intelligence. Galar was supposedly known as a cold, unfeeling Warlord who after meeting Jessica, turned into as soft and gentle as any male in love. I loved how he took care of her. After her initial terror at finding herself inexplicably in the future, Galar downloaded the proper procedures into making her transition as smooth as possible. He took her on a 'date' surrounded by familiar foods and scenary and tries to sooth away all her fears. His fellow agents are astounded by Galar's change of personality with Jessica. Even though Angela Knight employs the dreaded Trust Issues device as a plot between them, they both get over it fairly quickly. In fact, Galar even asks her why she forgave him so easily and after thinking about it, Jessica replies that after having grown up as poor white trash, she didn't feel she deserved any better. I thought Jessica's answer was simple and heartfelt. It was surprisingly insightful into her character and it's possibly what drives her to help out wherever she can. I hope Angela Knight continues this series of Warlords/TimeHunters and Soon!

I found this book absolutely out of this world! The sex was steamy, the concepts of time fascinating, and Jessica's "mutations" a pleasant twist. There are a large amount of questions still unanswered by the end of the story, but I think that is kinda the best part. The problem with most series is that after the first one, there is so little incentive to read the next. This one leaves me intrigued and eager to pick up Enforcer as soon as it is released.

This book has it all!
A hot and sexy warlord from the 23rd. century, who has been sent back to 2008 to stop the murder of a beautiful young artist by another time traveler. A beautiful damsel in distress, who in spite of her seeming helplessness proves to be a little tougher than anyone anticipated. And a maniacal genetically altered villain who is almost unstoppable in his ferocity...

If you enjoy futuristic time travel stories in the tradition of The Terminator then you're sure to love Warrior by Angela Knight...

Ok first off this was so much better than her Mageverse series (which I kind of liked at first and then it went nowhere fast) but I think Knight is at her best when writing futuristic stories.

Time travel explanations usually blow my mind, but Knight kept the explanation pretty simple, so even I could understand it. I think...

Jessica was a little annoying occasionally, but overall I liked her. She has to deal with the fact that she can't return to her old life (which was pretty crappy anyway if you ask me so I'm glad she didn't cry over it for the entire book), she has to adjust to future technology, and she has a crazy killer after her and nobody can figure out why he wants her dead. Not to mention the fact she is developing some very weird powers that even the futuristic people don't believe are possible (Come on! Time travel, aliens, and engineered warriors are totally normal but a chick with telekinesis is too far out there, so it can't possibly be real?!?)

Galar is strong, capable, and seen as one tough dude. An issue from his past gives him the dreaded Trust Issues . Usually that "conflict" will drive me up the wall, viewing all women the same just because one used and betrayed you because she was a crazy B doesn't mean all women are like that!! Luckily Galar sees that Jessica is different and even when events occur that make him doubt her, it tears him up inside. The wanting to trust her, and the not wanting to endanger his people again, are shown as a huge conflict within him that (and bless Knight for this) only lasts through a handful of pages before being resolved.

I mean, come on! You can only suspect a girl for so long before you finally have to look at the FACTS, and them admit you were stupid and move on. I did think Jessica forgave and forgot pretty quickly... I'm not sure if it's just because I'm used to heroine going all emo over it and dragging it out FOREVER or if it really was a fast turn around from "He's broken my heart! Why doesn't he trust me?" to "I love the big lug, trust is overrated!"

Jessica and Galar fell for each other pretty fast, but I could see why they did. Jessica was so alone in a strange world and Galar became her rock. For Galar, Jessica was so different from the women of his time, and her complete emotional honesty was just what he needed. Which I guess when all added together becomes hot sex. Who knew?!

We're left with a lot of questions about the series in general by the end of the book. Which was disappointing but understandable, it is a series after all but STILL a few answers would have been nice. What is that snow globe thingie? What's with all the tests? Why can't I find a release date for the next book??

The characters are set up nicely for the next installment and I'm looking forward to their story... then we'll get some answers. Right? Please?

I love the Twilight Series and was upset when I had finished reading them. I was searching for more great books to read and found them. The Morganville Vampires series is amazing. It's right up there with "Twilight". You will not be dissapointed. I can not wait until the next one is published.

This series is absolutely fantastic. It's a young adult series but it definitely shouldn't stop anyone from reading it (I mean look at Harry Potter, we all read that, and it started out considered a Middle Grade series. A good book is a good book, no matter the intended age group.)

Claire Danvers is an incredibly bright girl, and at 16, she's already in college living away from her parents. Trouble with one of the mean girls at school and her gang of thugs has caused Claire to opt for living off campus. She lives in the Glass house. A spooky house owned by Michael Glass who is dead, a ghost by day, and alive by night. She also lives with a goth girl named Eve and a normal guy named Shane.

Morganville has vampires, it's like vampire headquarters. In this book they are the vamp equivalent of the mafia. The humans in the town sign up with a vamp for his/her protection. They donate blood. They wear metal arm bands that show they are protected, with their patron's symbol on it. It's all very neat and tidy. For a YA novel, these are some of the creepiest vampires I've come across in awhile.

I really love this series and will definitely be picking up book three as soon as possible. The first book in this series is called: "Glass Houses"

I love this series. It is such a breath of fresh air, in a genre that seems to keep repeating itself as far as plots and character development. In Rachel Caine's vampire world, Morganville, the vamps are pretty scary guys and they have convienant ways of 'hiding' people who go missing. And a lot of people DO go missing in Morganville. An extra curve is thrown to the story line when we realize that the crazy band of vampire hunters, led by Shane's father, are scary and bad too. They don't care who gets killed in their quest to rid Morganville of its vampires. Shane gets swept along in his father's plans and gets captured and its up to Claire and her ghostly friend Michael and his goth girlfriend Eve, to save Shane. Will Claire stop at nothing to save Shane? Michael seems to be making some unholy deals of his own. I encourage everyone to read this series. It has only gotten better since its amazing debut "Glass Houses". There is no lack of action or suspense. The relationships are cute and realistic and as an adult I can easily overlook that this is meant to be a Young Adult novel. I also must reiterate that this book stands out from the Twilight series and in a positive way. There is more action, more plot, and the characters are strong people.

not as great as the first one. i read maybe 100 pages and it didnt get going yet. im sure it will get better as i read on.

THE DEAD GIRLS DANCE {Morganville Vampires Book 2}
RACHEL CAINE
Paranormal YA

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Claire is a brilliant college student stuck in Morganville. With possibly no way out...ever. Living with Shane, Michael and new best friend Eve, she is trying to attend college and live a halfway normal life. With vampires running the town, she gets driven to school and tries to lay low at night. Claire is a personable girl with a catty wit that will make you laugh out loud.

In book two of the series, Claire and her friends are all involved with new problems. Branching out from where GLASS HOUSES ended, Shane's dad is in for a visit after Shane called him. His dad is after blood, and it's not the human kind. With a mad man on the loose and killing vampires, everyone is pointing fingers at Claire, Michael, Eve and Shane. Oliver, the vampire manager of Common Grounds, is plotting revenge and is getting help from an unlikely source. Eve also starts a new job at a coffee shop on Claire's college campus. While indulging in coffee and talking to Eve, a college guy named Ian invites the girls to EEK frat houses' Dead Girls Dance. Michael, still not able to leave the house, makes a choice that will not be easily forgotten and will shock all of his friends in the house. When Shane gets into some trouble, because of dear ole dad, Claire and Eve decide to go to the frat party, with a seat-gripping chain of events all the way to the end.

THE DEAD GIRLS DANCE gripped me from page one, just as much, if not more, than the first book in the series. Ms. Caine knows how to get readers interested and keep them hanging on. From the antics of the spoiled-brat Monica to the ending at the frat party, this book is non-stop fun. It flows smoothly and is very hard to predict what's going to happen next. All the characters are well-developed; you can feel their emotions of having to live in this town that's overrun by vampires. THE DEAD GIRLS DANCE is one of the best vampire stories that I have read so far.

Ms. Caine is the author of another series called `The Weather Warden' and some other stand-alone titles. She continues to write books for the `Morganville Vampire' series. Her website, www.rachelcaine.com, has loads of information on her and her books. She also has a myspace page that includes some wallpaper from the books and a mailing list you can sign up for with the latest information on contests and new releases.


Holly
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
June 2008

I picked up this book because Marie Brennan is a graduate student at Indiana University where I also went to grad school, so I felt a connection there. Overall, Doppelganger is a good debut.

At first the story follows the separate lives of Mirage, a kick-butt warrior who has recently graduated from warrior school and makes her living by being commissioned for various dangerous tasks, and Miryo, a witch who has been in school and has just failed her "final exam" because of the existence of Mirage, the doppelganger. Every witch has a doppelganger who is supposed to be killed while they are babies so that the magic power can be controlled by the witch. Because Mirage was not killed, Miryo must hunt her down and kill her.

Meanwhile, Mirage and her friend Eclipse (he's also a warrior), have just taken on a murder investigation that ends up uncovering the plot of some rogue witches to let the doppelgangers live. Eventually, Mirage's and Miryo's paths cross as each woman sets out to meet her own goals which end up colliding with the other's.

Doppelganger was well-written and Marie Brennan has a good ear for dialogue. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of both Mirage and Miryo in their respective school programs. It was obvious to me that Ms Brennan is using her own grad school experience because I've been through the exact same thing. The way she talked about Mirage and Eclipse, as year mates, being like brother and sister was right on; I likewise had a male year mate who was like a brother to me during that ordeal. I could totally relate to that, and to the other aspects of school (advisors, qualifying exams, studying) that she described.

The story was interesting, but I had some issues. First of all, it annoyed me when characters didn't ask some obvious questions of their advisors or the people they worked for. As one example, why didn't Miryo ask her advisors why she had to kill the doppelganger herself? She had no travel or fighting experience and the witches had the resources to hire others to do this sort of job. At first I thought this was a plot hole and was surprised at what seemed like a graduate student's lack of logic. But, later this question was answered logically and reasonably, but I still wondered why Miryo didn't think to ask it at the beginning.

One other thing that I felt needed improvement was the description of the major characters. I had been assuming, based on the cover of the book, that Mirage had long hair, but I was surprised to find out half way through that she had "cropped" hair. Also, Eclipse was never well-described which disappointed me because, as the only "good" male character in the novel, I would have liked to have been able to visualize him. The villains (Ice, the bad witches, Wraith) could have been deeper and more impressive characters with a bit more description of their looks and mannerisms.

Lastly, the issues between Mirage and Miryo were too quickly overcome. I would have liked to have seen them hunt each other for a while (or at least distrust each other more), but nearly as soon as they met they decided to work things out. That was a bit anti-climatic. And though I did like the ending, it all seemed a bit too easy.

Despite these issues, I think Marie Brennan writes well (which is more than half the battle won) and therefore, this is a good debut from a promising new author. --FantasyLiterature.net

Normally I don't order the sequel until I have finished the book, but I ordered it about `1/2 way through.

Nice to see better world construction and not our own world with vampires etc. tacked on.

Good plot with compelling characters and a nice twist at the end.

A little humor but its absence is made up for by the absence of annoying editorial errors and inconsistencies.

The witches are very loosely based on Wicca but are not primarily a religion; although they have some of the characteristics of one. There are at least 2 religions present.

Overall an excellent read in the paranormal fantasy, adventure genre.

I thoguht this book was very good! I picked it up while waiting for my girlfriend to finish class and just really got into it. I read only sixty pages in and felt i was already invested in it so i just bought a copy.
I notice that alot of people say they have a hard time reading her writing style with all the jargon from the witch domain or the simultanious story lines are too confusing for them; think about it though, what Marie is trying to do is create a whole world for her reader to get engulfed by, its not going to make complete sense in the first two paragraphs. All great books are like that, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings don't make sense in the first couple of paragraphs either. What I can suggest to those people who are having a hard time reading it is to refer to the Glossary in the back. It has all the jargon and their definitions and after you read the book, read it one more time! I promise you will pick up on stuff you missed and it will make a whole lot more sense! The story is really fun and I hope to read more of her stuff. Thanks for the book Marie!!!!

I couldn't put this book down, I was so engrossed. It is a bit confusing in the beginning, keeping the stories straight, what Mirage did and what Miryo did, but it was so freaking cool! If you like magic, but also like mysteries, then you may seriously enjoy this book. However, it was easy from the beginning to tell that Ashin was involved from the beginning, although they make it seem like she was involved in the mystery in a different way. I am so looking forward to reading the second book! I want more!
Honestly, I can't fully write this review without giving more of the book away. But honestly, READ IT!

Elementally Void.


Here's a four elements based fantasy, but they throw in a fifth, whihc is the absence of everything - Void. A bit whacky.

Elemental Witches have to kill their doppelgangers - and in this case, one of them is a swordswoman, so you have the warlock vs warrior scenario of old.

Anyway, this is a pretty plain, mundane fantasy, of the finding out all that they have been told is not correct as far as the whole magic, doppelganger, and must slay her scenario goes.


2.5 out of 5

I enjoy reading all of the Dirk & Steele collection. Great plots, twists, and emotions through out the book. Great readings, all of them.

There's a new virus in the Congo -- it's highly contagious and deadly. Dr. Rikki Kinn is a top virus hunter and she's sent to investigate. Before she even gets to her transport, there's an attack that leaves a friend dead or wounded -- she's not sure. The Congo is not a safe place to be at the best of times; but it's not random, the attack was specifically aimed at Rikki. Soon, she doesn't know who to trust and a misstep could cost more than her life.

Dirk and Steele is a very different detective agency -- they take on a lot of cases no one else will touch. Their staff is not just highly trained -- they're not quite normal. So when Dirk and Steele are asked to look out for Dr. Kinn's welfare -- they call on Amiri, a were-cheetah who once called Kenya home. He doesn't want to return to Africa but realizes it is time to face his own devils.

There's a lot going on in The Last Twilight, there's the disease, the attacks, the killers who are dressed as the "good guys", and there's misdirection and mistrust. It's hard to gain someone's trust when you can't tell them the truth. But when you're on the run for your life, you have to trust someone or you could die. Rikki and Amiri form an uneasy alliance, whether in spite of or because of their attraction to each other even they don't know.

The pieces are gathered and some fit, some don't, and some may come together in other stories in this universe. However, the characters are well drawn, the plot is clever and filled with misdirection and red herrings while maintaining internal consistency (a state that's harder to achieve than some might think), and the romance doesn't interfere with the page turning, edge of the seat, excitement.

Marjorie M. Liu has delivered another non-stop adventure in this latest Dirk and Steel title. The Last Twilight takes readers to Africa, and like Liu's previous books, the descriptions are so rich readers will almost feel the damp of the jungle seeping into them.

We are introduced to Rikki, a doctor with the CDC who hunts viruses and outbreaks in underdeveloped countries. I loved this character. She is strong and courageous while fighting attacks from all sides and battling her own demons. She's an incredibly tough woman who still harbors vulnerablilities. She is perfect match for Amiri, who must face his own nightmares in his return to Africa.

This tale brings back Rictor in the largest role he's seen since he was itroduced in Russia. Some mysteries surrounding him are explained, but we are still left with many questions about who and what he really is. He, in fact, doesn't seem to know exactly what he's capable of doing.

Readers are given a new mystery to ponder in this installment: Where, exactly, do the strange abilities of the Dirk and Steel members come from, and are there more, less dramatic, less noticable gifts out there? The possibilities are chilling.

Liu's books are full of nail-biting action and page-turning suspense. The questions and mysteries surrounding the Dirk and Steel agents seem to grow with each installment and I, for one, can hardly wait for more titles. While the stories can be read as stand-alones, there is a bigger storyline running through them that will be missed and may be confusing to someone who hasn't read the previous titles. I would suggest this series be read in-order and in it's entirety.

For Dirk and Steel fans, this is a can't-miss book.

Liu has yet to let me down. I love her books and I love reading the Dirke and Steele steries. Liu has a wonderful way of taking the reader to exotic and new locations in each book. Her characters are unique in thier personalities, abilities, and beliefs. In this latest book, Amiri (once a captured prisioner in the Russian experimental facility) is sent to the African Congo to protect a scientist. Rikki is said scientist, who specializes in tracking the root of dangerious diseases/virus. Unfortunately she is also wanted by some very bad men. Rikki and Amiri go on the run in the jungle. This book is packed with action and suspense. I had a really hard time it down and I very much look forward to reading the next one.

A deadly outbreak of a virus has sent Dr. Rikki Kinn into the heart of Africa. She wants to find the source of the infection and stop it from spreading or occurring elsewhere. Unfortunately, it looks like someone has another plan in mind as mercenaries try to kidnap Rikki. The Dirk and Steele agency is called in to protect Rikki and now shape shifter, Amiri, finds himself back in his homeland, and back in the midst of a past he hasn't yet escaped. Will Amiri and Rikki survive when everything they hold dear is on the line?

THE LAST TWILIGHT is the seventh book in Marjorie M. Liu's long running series. It is best if you read the prior books to get the true feel as to what is going on as THE LAST TWILIGHT jumps headlong into some of the threads ongoing throughout the series.

THE LAST TWILIGHT is very action packed, almost overly so. It is very difficult to briefly summarize what occurs in the storyline without giving away significant spoilers as there is just so much happening. This is definitely the sort of book you want to read in large chunks as the plethora of characters and the constant switching of loyalties can become quite confusing if read in small increments.

Both the hero and heroine have tortured pasts and are hiding their own insecurities. I wanted happiness for them but for some reason that goal seemed almost elusive. Perhaps it was the discontent I felt as it was impossible to determine who could be trusted since the various characters popping in and out and switching sides had my head spinning at times. It's not so much that THE LAST TWILIGHT isn't a good book but rather that I wanted a happier ending for them. After enduring so much heartache and pain, Rikki and Amiri truly deserved their happily ever after to be exceptional.

Marjorie Liu has created a world that only gets richer and more fully developed as each book is released. I can't help but hope we see Rictor again as he was actually my favorite character in THE LAST TWILIGHT. Surely he is worthy of his own story as he definitely remains a mystery!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

great book, hope there will be more after book 4, you really get into the people in the book, I want to know what happens to Ian

This vampire series is great. This is my second favorite of the series, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire being first. Kerrelyn Sparks characters are funny, witty and with personalities we can relate to. Good series, would recommend starting with book 1 before reading this one.

I love this series! The books have great humor and romance. It is not chalk full of racy sex scenes but the actual romance is wonderful! I can't wait for the next book to be released!

So i loved How to marry a millionaire vampire and i was like eh with vamps in the city but i still haven't finished Be still my vampire heart. i can't bring my self to finish the other half. I only picked this book up was for the cameos of Roman and wife but what really irritated me with this book is that Sparks writes out the Hero's words the actual way a Scot might pronounce words. i mean okay sure its cute when its like an occasional word like "dinna" but the whole book is written like that. I mean seriously can't we leave a little to the reader's imagination? Of what i read it seems to be more of the same blade runners or whatever they are called in this series trying to stake the evil vamps and more blundering ignorance of the humans. yawn.I think this is another vampire series that i am going to have to give up on (which really sucks cuz i am now down to 2 series).

Emma Wallace has a grudge against all vampires after psychically seeing her parents killed by them. She has made it her job to wipe out as many of them as she can. With her number at four dead vampires and counting, Emma knows it is only a matter of time before they become wise to her and who she is and try to get the drop on her. However, she has no intention of going down easy. Armed with stakes, she meets Angus Mackay, a vampire, in Central Park. The only thing she is sure of where Angus is concerned is that she is very attracted to him; but is he human or vampire?

Angus is an ancient Scottish vampire who is instantly besotted the first time he sees a picture of Emma, who has earned the name of the "slayer" among his kind. A good guy, unlike the Malcontents who murder humans, Angus ingests his meals from a bottle. He takes on the job of convincing Emma to leave him and his band of good vampires to the job of taking care of the Malcontents. Thinking he will easily convince Emma to stop killing vampires, he finds out soon enough that, mutual attraction aside, Emma has every intention of killing him once she discovers he is undead.

When Angus finally realizes that Emma is serious, he sets about trying to convince her not all vampires are evil. Eventually they come to an uneasy truce, and Angus becomes her partner. It soon becomes clear there are other players, and that someone from Angus' past has every intention of killing not just Emma but him as well. In the meantime, their attraction turns into something deeper, though Emma is convinced there is no way a relationship between them can work. While Angus tries to convince her otherwise, they are ambushed by their enemies and only time will tell if they survive being captured.

Be Still My Vampire Heart is a hilarious and highly emotionally charged, though very enjoyable, read. Ms. Sparks gives us a humorous look into the world of the undead, where good vampires drink synthetic blood, and the Scottish ones think nothing of checking to be sure they are completely intact after teleporting! However, just like in the human world, there are the good guys and the bad guys, and I found it very refreshing that Ms. Sparks added this dichotomy to her universe. The emotional tug-of-war that Emma feels when she realizes she is in love with a vampire, knowing her parents were killed by them, is at times heart wrenching but in a very satisfying way. Angus' old-fashioned view of the world and women in general is extremely funny and had me roaring with laughter at times. His admiration of Emma, her will to survive, and her dedication to her mission are heart warming. Ms. Sparks has outdone herself with her Love-At-Stake series and I for one cannot wait to read the rest of it!

Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

Captive Dreams by Diane Whiteside and Angela Knight starts with two sisters, both authors, discussing how they are going to end their respective series. Corinne and Celeste Carson are trying to get their creative juices flowing by trying on sexy lingerie, when two towering barbarians appear before them, spitting mad. What the....? Is that the characters from their books? The two men each drag away their AGs (author goddess) and jump back to their worlds, determined to get their revenge.

Diane Whiteside: Bound By The Dragon
Well, this is my first by this author....and I didn't like it. It was boring I thought. The sex was boring. The hero was boring. He was one of those He-Man's who can't get past his own prejudices, and doesn't want to want the heroine. Diane Whiteside rambled on and on about the world and the war and since I knew nothing about it, I didn't care. Just...didn't like it.

Angela Knight: Bound By The Dream
Damn, I think I'm still blushing. This story was hot. The hero, Jarred, has been hurt terribly over the decade, all because of his Author Goddess and her stories. He's got quite a bit of anger bottled up and he can't wait to start once he's got her. He's part cyborg? and as such has implants in his brain which can tell him when he's causing her pleasure or pain, an advantage he uses to the fullest. He plans to train her to be a submissive sex slave and pass her on to a friend of his. In doing so, he begins to realizes how much he enjoys being with her and in her (grin) and doesn't know how he's going to let her go. They make it to his friend's home, a place Celeste is convinced is housing an assassin, to present Celeste as the newest sexsub. There the three of them engage in a menage a trois and Jarred has to make his decision on whether to keep Celeste or leave her behind.

If this short story by Angela Knight was this good, count me in for more! Her story was hot. It was erotic, full of sexual tension and some inventive scenarios that add to the fun factor. Her world building was also seamlessly created, I didn't feel like I was getting exposition like I was with Diane Whiteside's short story. I highly recommend this anthology for Angela Knight and can't wait to read more from this wildly talented and inventive author!

The blurb for the book is what roped me into reading it. It sounded interesting and seductive so I checked it out of the local library. I'm so glad I did! But NOT because it was good but because I didn't spend any hard earned cash on this badly written book.

The first story by Ms Whiteside could have been a decent read though the premise was far fetched but you expect that with these kinds of erotic romances. However, the dialogue was over the top ridiculous and as one other reviewer said, had me rolling my eyes. I'm not surprised the hero of the story ended up making the heroine submit to his will, she was probably laughing too hard to stop him because of the silly things he uttered (and she did too btw).

Also, the descriptions of female anatomy were ludicrous. So ludicrous they ruined the erotic moments of the story and really, isn't that why ANYONE reads these kinds of books??? Certainly it's not for the plot but mostly for the fantasy in my opinion. Both of which are awful in this story.

The second story was more well written but to me, was tainted by the first.

I'm a relative new-comer to romantica/erotica sorts of books but I would think that either the plot or the "romantica" had better be good. Neither were in this case.

I loved the way this book started out with the two sisters meeting the heros they had created in their books. The first story, Bound by the Dragon, written by Diane Whiteside, bored me to tears. It was a real struggle to get through it. But, the second story, Bound by the Dream, by Angela Knight, made my earlier struggle well worth it. I just wish Bound by a Dream was the longer of the two stories, and the first one to be read.

I bought this book because of Angela, I have her other books and I love her stories. This book was awesome.

loved it BUT i think the first story could have been better. Don't get me wrong it was a good story but why did it seem the author was trying to drag it on. overall LOVED IT and i'm not a fan of futuristic or time travel romance