Every crime scene tells a story. Some keep you awake at night. Others haunt your dreams. The grisly display homicide cop Jane Rizzoli finds in Boston’s Chinatown will do both.
In the murky shadows of an alley lies a female’s severed hand. On the tenement rooftop above is the corpse belonging to that hand, a red-haired woman dressed all in black, her head nearly severed. Two strands of silver hair -- not human -- cling to her body. They are Rizzoli’s only clues, but they’re enough for her and medical examiner Maura Isles to make the startling discovery: that this violent death had a chilling prequel.
Nineteen years earlier, a horrifying murder-suicide in a Chinatown restaurant left five people dead. But one woman connected to that massacre is still alive: a mysterious martial arts master who knows a secret she dares not tell, a secret that lives and breathes in the shadows of Chinatown. A secret that may not even be human. Now she’s the target of someone, or something, deeply and relentlessly evil.
Cracking a crime resonating with bone-chilling echoes of an ancient Chinese legend, Rizzoli and Isles must outwit an unseen enemy with centuries of cunning -- and a swift, avenging blade.
{5 stars}
Another outstanding thriller. Gerritsen writes stories so layered, they are like a puzzle box. The pieces are always shifting and revealing new theories, new aspects, and just when you think you know who the bad guy is and what the true story is, she slides the pieces and you have more questions. And even when you get to the end and the puzzle is finally together, she throws one last surprise into the mix. I love it! It keeps you on the edge and turning page after page. I can never put her books down.
In this one, Jane is the focus and she is on the case of a murdered woman on a roof. The murder is so bizarre that it opens up questions to a mass murder-suicide from 19 years ago. And so the pieces slide. We only see a small peek at Maura in this one, and an even smaller peek at "Rat", the boy who saved Maura in the previous book. I was happy to get an update on how he was doing. But this book solely focuses on Jane's case and, as usual, Jane's risk taking, puts her in mortal danger again. Jane's team is still along for the ride, and she has a new team member who has more knowledge than anyone can guess. I don't want to give too much away, so I will say this was a brilliant thriller. If you haven't read any of her books, this one can stand alone. But you should start at the beginning so you know the history of all the players.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Adrian Phoenix--A Rush of Wings (Book 1 of The Maker's Song)
HIS NAME IS DANTE. Dark. Talented. Beautiful. Star of the rock band Inferno. Rumored owner of the hot New Orleans nightspot Club Hell. Born of the Blood, then broken by an evil beyond imagination.
HIS PAST IS A MYSTERY. F.B.I. Special Agent Heather Wallace has been tracking a sadistic serial murderer known as the Cross Country Killer,... more » and the trail has led her to New Orleans, Club Hell, and Dante. But the dangerously attractive musician not only resists her investigation, he claims to be "nightkind": in other words, a vampire. Digging into his past for answers reveals little. A juvenile record a mile long. No social security number. No known birth date. In and out of foster homes for most of his life before being taken in by a man named Lucien DeNoir, who appears to guard mysteries of his own.
HIS FUTURE IS CHAOS. What Heather does know about Dante is that something links him to the killer -- and she's pretty sure that link makes him the CCK's next target. Heather must unravel the truth about this sensual, complicated, vulnerable young man -- who, she begins to believe, may indeed be a vampire -- in order to finally bring a killer to justice. But Dante's past holds a shocking, dangerous secret, and once it is revealed not even Heather will be able to protect him from his destiny....
{4.5 stars}
I picked up this book solely based on the reviews by other readers. So when I began I had high hopes for the story, but I was confused for the first couple of chapters. And if it weren't for the Glossary, I would have put the book down. I really couldn't figure out what was going on with the Cajun/French/Elohim language. But I didn't give up and I'm glad. It is an incredible story, very layered, great characters and a mystery like I have never read before. It is not your standard Vampire story, far from it in fact. Dante and Heather are a great couple, along with Dante's "family" they are complex characters and have a path of their own. There is always this sexual "tension" between Heather and Dante, and even though we only get one "bedroom" scene with them, you will enjoy the romance that builds with them, even in the face of horrible tragedy and death. I have a lot more questions regarding Lucien and the Fallen, and how Dante will deal with this knowledge, but I guess it will be revealed in the next book. My only complaints about this story is: 1. It should be Dante's picture on the cover, not what we are to believe is Heather, since she never wore that outfit in the story. And Dante's description definitely deserves a cover. 2. It was too long, I felt dragged down occasionally by the overwhelming detail in parts of the story (that's why I gave it a .5 star decrease). I don't really need all the absolute minute details to understand the story. But other than that I am glad I gave the book a chance, I read it to the end, and can't wait to see what happens to Heather and Dante next.
HIS PAST IS A MYSTERY. F.B.I. Special Agent Heather Wallace has been tracking a sadistic serial murderer known as the Cross Country Killer,... more » and the trail has led her to New Orleans, Club Hell, and Dante. But the dangerously attractive musician not only resists her investigation, he claims to be "nightkind": in other words, a vampire. Digging into his past for answers reveals little. A juvenile record a mile long. No social security number. No known birth date. In and out of foster homes for most of his life before being taken in by a man named Lucien DeNoir, who appears to guard mysteries of his own.
HIS FUTURE IS CHAOS. What Heather does know about Dante is that something links him to the killer -- and she's pretty sure that link makes him the CCK's next target. Heather must unravel the truth about this sensual, complicated, vulnerable young man -- who, she begins to believe, may indeed be a vampire -- in order to finally bring a killer to justice. But Dante's past holds a shocking, dangerous secret, and once it is revealed not even Heather will be able to protect him from his destiny....
{4.5 stars}
I picked up this book solely based on the reviews by other readers. So when I began I had high hopes for the story, but I was confused for the first couple of chapters. And if it weren't for the Glossary, I would have put the book down. I really couldn't figure out what was going on with the Cajun/French/Elohim language. But I didn't give up and I'm glad. It is an incredible story, very layered, great characters and a mystery like I have never read before. It is not your standard Vampire story, far from it in fact. Dante and Heather are a great couple, along with Dante's "family" they are complex characters and have a path of their own. There is always this sexual "tension" between Heather and Dante, and even though we only get one "bedroom" scene with them, you will enjoy the romance that builds with them, even in the face of horrible tragedy and death. I have a lot more questions regarding Lucien and the Fallen, and how Dante will deal with this knowledge, but I guess it will be revealed in the next book. My only complaints about this story is: 1. It should be Dante's picture on the cover, not what we are to believe is Heather, since she never wore that outfit in the story. And Dante's description definitely deserves a cover. 2. It was too long, I felt dragged down occasionally by the overwhelming detail in parts of the story (that's why I gave it a .5 star decrease). I don't really need all the absolute minute details to understand the story. But other than that I am glad I gave the book a chance, I read it to the end, and can't wait to see what happens to Heather and Dante next.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Lara Adrian--Deeper than Midnight (Midnight Breed series)
DELIVERED FROM THE DARKNESS, A WOMAN FINDS HERSELF PLUNGED INTO A PASSION THAT IS DEEPER THAN MIDNIGHT. — At eighteen, Corinne Bishop was a beautiful, spirited young woman living a life of privilege as the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Her world changed in an instant when she was stolen away and held prisoner by the malevolent vamp... more »ire Dragos. After many years of captivity and torment, Corinne is rescued by the Order, a cadre of vampire warriors embroiled in a war against Dragos and his followers. Her innocence taken, Corinne has lost a piece of her heart as well—the one thing that gave her hope during her imprisonment, and the only thing that matters to her now that she is free.
Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos’s most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he’s hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he’ll go to end Dragos’s reign of evil—even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne’s tender heart.
{4.5 stars} **spoiler alert**
So not fair that we have to wait months to find out what happens next....
There is so much going on in this book, it is not just focused on Hunter and Corinne. It shows us what's going on with the Order as a whole, what the other couples are up to, how far Chase has gone off the deep end, and how truly far Dragos is willing to go to win. Hunter and Corinne are a very sweet story, and one that will take this series to a new level now that they have saved her son. Their journey was almost separate from the rest, but still brings the war with Dragos back to a new turning point. Chase falls hard from the path, and gets extremely close to becoming Rogue, but his story does not end with his arrest, that's what we have to wait to find out in Darker after Midnight. I've given too much away already, so I will just say that this is a MUST READ if you are a Midnight Breed fan. I have always been an avid fan of the Midnight Breed series, and this one holds true and does not disappoint. It will go on my permanent bookshelf with the others. If you are new to to this series, run out right now and start at the beginning, I'm sure you'll fall in love with the Warriors too.
Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos’s most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he’s hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he’ll go to end Dragos’s reign of evil—even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne’s tender heart.
{4.5 stars} **spoiler alert**
So not fair that we have to wait months to find out what happens next....
There is so much going on in this book, it is not just focused on Hunter and Corinne. It shows us what's going on with the Order as a whole, what the other couples are up to, how far Chase has gone off the deep end, and how truly far Dragos is willing to go to win. Hunter and Corinne are a very sweet story, and one that will take this series to a new level now that they have saved her son. Their journey was almost separate from the rest, but still brings the war with Dragos back to a new turning point. Chase falls hard from the path, and gets extremely close to becoming Rogue, but his story does not end with his arrest, that's what we have to wait to find out in Darker after Midnight. I've given too much away already, so I will just say that this is a MUST READ if you are a Midnight Breed fan. I have always been an avid fan of the Midnight Breed series, and this one holds true and does not disappoint. It will go on my permanent bookshelf with the others. If you are new to to this series, run out right now and start at the beginning, I'm sure you'll fall in love with the Warriors too.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Jennifer Lyon--Soul Magic (Night Watch series)
When an ancient pact is broken, powerful witches who once used their magic to help humanity become the twisted playthings of demons, and the mortal men who once protected the sorceresses become witch hunters, cursed with the longing to spill the witches' blood: an irresistible craving that will cost witches their lives and witch hunters thei... more »r souls.
The Wing Slayer Hunters fight this curse, guarding innocent witches until the urge to harm them grows too strong -- then they must kill their own. Wing Slayer Sutton West has always honored that vow. His own father killed himself rather than go rogue. But now Sutton is tempted as never before by Carla Fisk, a brilliant psychologist and dynamic witch whose twin sister, Keri, was murdered by rogues.
Bound by blood and passion, Carla and Sutton dare not succumb to their deadly attraction. Yet when a mysterious rogue named Styx joins forces with the demon Asmodeus, witch and hunter have no choice but to work together. For Keri's immortal soul is at stake -- and with it, balanced on a knife-edge, is the fate of humanity itself.
{4 stars}
Well, I loved Sutton, he is a great character. He had a lot of baggage to overcome and prove to himself he deserved to have Carla. And truthfully, the interaction with the Eagle was just great and somehow funny how Sutton just excepts the actions of the Eagle on is back. Carla is a complicated character and not my favorite. But Carla and Sutton are a perfect match for each other, they have a lot of passion and it shows. The journey for the Wing Slayer Hunters (I still hate that name) continues, and they are one more step closer to battling Quinn Young. As for the witches, the Ancestors are reaching out to help restore their magic. I really like this series because it is very different from what I normally read. But this one was about 80 pages to long, and some of the resolution to save Keri was a little confusing. Maybe I was just tired, I think my attention was slipping. Looking forward to the next one....
The Wing Slayer Hunters fight this curse, guarding innocent witches until the urge to harm them grows too strong -- then they must kill their own. Wing Slayer Sutton West has always honored that vow. His own father killed himself rather than go rogue. But now Sutton is tempted as never before by Carla Fisk, a brilliant psychologist and dynamic witch whose twin sister, Keri, was murdered by rogues.
Bound by blood and passion, Carla and Sutton dare not succumb to their deadly attraction. Yet when a mysterious rogue named Styx joins forces with the demon Asmodeus, witch and hunter have no choice but to work together. For Keri's immortal soul is at stake -- and with it, balanced on a knife-edge, is the fate of humanity itself.
{4 stars}
Well, I loved Sutton, he is a great character. He had a lot of baggage to overcome and prove to himself he deserved to have Carla. And truthfully, the interaction with the Eagle was just great and somehow funny how Sutton just excepts the actions of the Eagle on is back. Carla is a complicated character and not my favorite. But Carla and Sutton are a perfect match for each other, they have a lot of passion and it shows. The journey for the Wing Slayer Hunters (I still hate that name) continues, and they are one more step closer to battling Quinn Young. As for the witches, the Ancestors are reaching out to help restore their magic. I really like this series because it is very different from what I normally read. But this one was about 80 pages to long, and some of the resolution to save Keri was a little confusing. Maybe I was just tired, I think my attention was slipping. Looking forward to the next one....
Friday, June 24, 2011
Karin Slaughter--Fallen
There’s no police training stronger than a cop’s instinct. Faith Mitchell’s mother isn’t answering her phone. Her front door is open. There’s a bloodstain above the knob. Her infant daughter is hidden in a shed behind the house. All that the Georgia Bureau of Investigations taught Faith Mitchell goes out the window when she charges into her mother’s house, gun drawn. She sees a man dead in the laundry room. She sees a hostage situation in the bedroom. What she doesn’t see is her mother. . . .
“You know what we’re here for. Hand it over, and we’ll let her go.”
When the hostage situation turns deadly, Faith is left with too many questions, not enough answers. To find her mother, she’ll need the help of her partner, Will Trent, and they’ll both need the help of trauma doctor Sara Linton. But Faith isn’t just a cop anymore—she’s a witness. She’s also a suspect.
The thin blue line hides police corruption, bribery, even murder. Faith will have to go up against the people she respects the most in order to find her mother and bring the truth to light—or bury it forever.
{5 stars} **spoiler alert**
Outstanding!!!! I guess the old saying, "Something good comes to those who wait". Well, we waited a long time for this one......
I know everyone was crushed when Jeffrey was killed, and even though we all forgave Slaughter once her follow up book came out and we all wanted Sara to get together with Will, we still had to wait to see how Slaughter was going to play this one out. She always keeps us on the edge of our seats. I was thrilled with this book. This is another action packed thrill ride that only Slaughter can deliver. And as usual, I didn't piece it all together until the last chapter. What a ride! And I must say I was smiling like a kid when Sara and Will finally got together. Whew! Its about time. Lena does not make an appearance in this one, but Faith and Amanda are back, and Faith has gotten herself caught up in some serious family drama. And Will shows us his sense of humor (even though its his internal dialogue) that had me laughing out loud several times. There are so many players in this one, you will need to take notes to keep up. But in true Slaughter fashion, she ties all the ends together and I still got my happy ending this time. If you are just starting out with Slaughter, start at the beginning. You won't be disappointed with her books, I love every one of them, even when the ending didn't make me so happy.....
“You know what we’re here for. Hand it over, and we’ll let her go.”
When the hostage situation turns deadly, Faith is left with too many questions, not enough answers. To find her mother, she’ll need the help of her partner, Will Trent, and they’ll both need the help of trauma doctor Sara Linton. But Faith isn’t just a cop anymore—she’s a witness. She’s also a suspect.
The thin blue line hides police corruption, bribery, even murder. Faith will have to go up against the people she respects the most in order to find her mother and bring the truth to light—or bury it forever.
{5 stars} **spoiler alert**
Outstanding!!!! I guess the old saying, "Something good comes to those who wait". Well, we waited a long time for this one......
I know everyone was crushed when Jeffrey was killed, and even though we all forgave Slaughter once her follow up book came out and we all wanted Sara to get together with Will, we still had to wait to see how Slaughter was going to play this one out. She always keeps us on the edge of our seats. I was thrilled with this book. This is another action packed thrill ride that only Slaughter can deliver. And as usual, I didn't piece it all together until the last chapter. What a ride! And I must say I was smiling like a kid when Sara and Will finally got together. Whew! Its about time. Lena does not make an appearance in this one, but Faith and Amanda are back, and Faith has gotten herself caught up in some serious family drama. And Will shows us his sense of humor (even though its his internal dialogue) that had me laughing out loud several times. There are so many players in this one, you will need to take notes to keep up. But in true Slaughter fashion, she ties all the ends together and I still got my happy ending this time. If you are just starting out with Slaughter, start at the beginning. You won't be disappointed with her books, I love every one of them, even when the ending didn't make me so happy.....
Monday, June 20, 2011
Jennifer Lyon--Blood Magic (Wing Slayer series)
THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED — In the days when powerful witches used their magic to shield humanity from demons, their allies and guardians were a group of men gifted with preternatural abilities of their own -- the witch guardians. But when a band of witches traded their humanity for demonic power, the ancient bond was broken, and the guardians be... more »came the hunters.
Darcy MacAlister knows nothing of demons or magic. But this beautiful young woman is about to discover the truth about her past... and her future. For she is a witch -- not just any witch, but the key to breaking the curse that has plagued witches and the men who hunt them. For if a hunter kills an innocent witch by mistake, the price is no less than a piece of his soul.
Axel Locke, gorgeous leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters, has sworn never to shed the blood of the earth witches who have resisted the temptation of demonic power. But when his sister is cursed by a demon witch, he discovers that Darcy MacAlister may hold the cure -- if she can master her newfound powers in time. When the chase begins and Axel and Darcy come face-to-face, this hunter must weigh his soul against his honor -- and against his heart.
{5 stars}
I don't usually go for witch series, but the reviews were so intriguing that I just had to give it a try. First impressions, I was a little confused about the core story and the initial "curse" that set this all in motion. The timeline threw me, because it only happened 30 years ago. And truthfully, the name "Wing Slayer" sounded like a heavy metal band, not a band of hunters created to protect the earth witches. BUT, I fell in love with it!! Axel and Darcy are a great couple, they have a passionate journey, filled with doubts, joys, and great sex. And the action keeps going and going. This book has great character development with all the characters. I couldn't put it down, stayed up just to finish it last nite. I don't think a book has triggered this much emotion from me in a long time, you want to cry a couple of times and then feel like clapping when everything goes right. I have already ordered book 2.
Darcy MacAlister knows nothing of demons or magic. But this beautiful young woman is about to discover the truth about her past... and her future. For she is a witch -- not just any witch, but the key to breaking the curse that has plagued witches and the men who hunt them. For if a hunter kills an innocent witch by mistake, the price is no less than a piece of his soul.
Axel Locke, gorgeous leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters, has sworn never to shed the blood of the earth witches who have resisted the temptation of demonic power. But when his sister is cursed by a demon witch, he discovers that Darcy MacAlister may hold the cure -- if she can master her newfound powers in time. When the chase begins and Axel and Darcy come face-to-face, this hunter must weigh his soul against his honor -- and against his heart.
{5 stars}
I don't usually go for witch series, but the reviews were so intriguing that I just had to give it a try. First impressions, I was a little confused about the core story and the initial "curse" that set this all in motion. The timeline threw me, because it only happened 30 years ago. And truthfully, the name "Wing Slayer" sounded like a heavy metal band, not a band of hunters created to protect the earth witches. BUT, I fell in love with it!! Axel and Darcy are a great couple, they have a passionate journey, filled with doubts, joys, and great sex. And the action keeps going and going. This book has great character development with all the characters. I couldn't put it down, stayed up just to finish it last nite. I don't think a book has triggered this much emotion from me in a long time, you want to cry a couple of times and then feel like clapping when everything goes right. I have already ordered book 2.
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