Sunday, November 29, 2009

Charlaine Harris-- "Grave Secret" Harper Connelly series

synopsis:
Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface...
To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants nothing to do with the man--but he may not have a choice in the matter.
So, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before. And what she finds out will change her world forever.....

***I love Charlaine Harris, her books are quick easy reads, with characters you can love. Her mysteries are simply laid out, but you still can't guess who it is till the end. Harper and Tolliver's life has never been simple, but they have managed to make a life for themselves...together. In this story, they finally have all the answers to their sisters disappearance and the identity of the little sister they had raised. A few people die along the way, and some actually deserve it. I read this book in one afternoon. If you have read the Sookie Stackhouse or Lilly Bard series, you will love Harper Connelly. Start at the beginning and you won't be disappointed.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Rhyannon Byrd-- "Blood Runner Series"

this review covers the whole 3 part series:
Last Wolf Hunting
Last Wolf Standing
Last Wolf Watching

When offspring are born of a union between human and Lycan, the resulting creations may only gain acceptance within their rightful pack by the act of Bloodrunning: the hunting and extermination of rogue Lycans who have taken a desire for human flesh. Thus they prove not only their strength, but their willingness to kill for those they will swear to protect to the death. The League of Elders will predetermine the Bloodrunner's required number of kills. Once said number kills are efficiently accomplished only then may the Bloodrunner assume a place among their kin, complete with full rights and privileges.

***The first book caught me within the first 10 pages and never let me go. This is not your ordinary werewolf series. As with all stories there is good and evil, but the Bloodrunners fight for the good side. And with most werewolf books, werewolves mate for life. And once they find that mate they will fight everything to keep it. The character development in this series is great, i became attached to all of them, and quickly finished all 3 books in 4 days. I enjoyed seeing all 3 wolves being brought to "heel" so to speak by the one woman who was their match in every way. There is an underlying story of course, about rogue wolves and a conspiracy to bring down the League and take control of the pack like a little Hitler. It all comes together in 3 short books, i am only sorry that there are only 3 books in this series. I would love to see a couple of more, and would highly recommend this series to anyone. I loved it!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Christina Dodd-- "Storm of Shadows"

synopsis:
Brilliant but proper and predictable, Rosamund Hill has lived her life buried in universities and libraries, discounting the legend of the Chosen as a myth. Until Aaron Eagle shows up at her door. Aaron both unsettles and enthralls her. But she can't resist his offers of clandestine visits to private museums, the hunt for a mysterious prophecy, or a makeover that unleashes her untamed soul. With the promise of a love that will defy fate itself, Rosamund is forced to confront the truth about the Chosen ... and the dangerous man who sweeps her into a world of dark secrets.

***This is the second book in this series. One of the Chosen must find the final prophecy to save the world and put the Chosen on the right track to accomplish it. It still reads like a scooby-doo mystery, the characters don't seem to take their tasks seriously. And are quite often silly. In this series there doesn't seem to be the urgency of the impending apocalypse, and they are stumbling around trying to figure out what is going on while fallng in love. The love story is cute, but not the kind of love story that sweeps you away and leaves you panting for the next book in the series. Not a bad read, but not a must read for me.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Christina dodd-- "Storm of visions"

synopsis:
When the world was young, twins were born. One brought light to a dark world; the other, darkness and danger. They gathered others around them, men and women destined to use their powerful gifts for good or evil. Today, their descendants walk the earth as the Chosen, and the ultimate battle is about to begin.
Jacqueline Vargha has always run from her gift. Until Caleb D'Angelo forces his way into her life and insists she take her place as one of the Chosen. She flees, he pursues, but she can no longer deny her visions, or the dangerous man who is her downfall...and her destiny.

***The Chosen? More like the scooby-doo gang. There is nothing serious about this story. I read the Darkness chosen series that preceded this series, and it was much better. The characters are underdeveloped and at times silly. The love story between Jacqueline and Caleb is cute, but nothing more. The book never truly gets into the heart of the basis for the story. Which of course is good vs. evil. But it lacked that spark that makes you want to rush out and get the next book. Not a "must read", just a Sunday on the sofa read.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Lora Leigh-- "The Breed Series"

This review encompasses the entire series....

synopsis:
They were created, they weren't born. They were trained, they weren't raised. They were taught to kill, and now they'll use their training to ensure their freedom. They are Breeds. Genetically altered with the DNA of the predators of the earth. The wolf, the lion, the cougar, the Bengal; the killers of the world. They were to be the army of a fanatical society intent on building its own personal army.
Until the world learned of their existence. Until the council lost control of their creations, and their creations began to change the world.
Now they are loose. Banding together, creating their own communities, their own society and their own safety, and fighting to hide the one secret that could see them destroyed. The secret of mating heat.

***If you have never read erotica, this series is not for you. The series is published by 2 different publishers, ellora's cave and Berkley press. Ellora's cave is very much erotica, some of the books lose sight of the story completely and is just short of porn. The Berkley press ones involve more of the story, but still have quite vivid sex scenes. These are not "keepsake" shelf kind of books, but they are great to kill a sunday afternoon. Some of them are really sweet in their love stories. Who doesn't have a fondness for the strong woman who can tame a male beast? The stubborn, hardheaded male who needs to realize he needs her more than he needs anything? The reading order of this series is difficult to follow, so check out her website for the complete list. You have to start out with the first Feline breeds from Ellora's cave to get a handle on the story, but after that you can stick with the Berkley press if you want a better plot. There is actually a story going on. It's about the breeds escape from the labs and their fight for survival. And there are always spies and plots to destroy them. If you can handle the sex scenes, you will like the story.