Review ~ The Bite Before Christmas

Goodreads Synopsis ~ In Lynsay Sands' "The Gift," Katricia Argeneau knows grey-eyed cop Teddy Brunswick is her life mate. She just needs to convince him they belong together, and being snowbound in a secluded cabin will make this a Christmas neither will forget. 

It's "Home for the Holidays" in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Cat and Bones may long to wrap presents and set up a tree, but this Christmas, an evil vampire and long-buried family secrets will threaten to take a bite out of their holiday cheer.

My Review for these two stories ~

The Gift by Lynsay Sands was my first introduction the Argeneau series.  I was very concerned that this story was so far into the series that I was going to have spoilers.  That I won't be able to tell until the Argeneau's move a little farther up my TBR pile.  This story was packed into a very quick read.  I didn't get to really know the characters much, so didn't really get to form any kind of connection.  It probably would have meant more if I had more familiarity with the setting and world.

Home for the Holidays by Jeaniene Frost was the story that I was really looking forward to when I picked this book up.  I love Cat and Bones and anything to do with them.  This story was quite a bit longer than Sands'.  We get a good dose of action which I love.  I kind of missed the amount that Bones was in the story, though.  I love to "listen" to him.  There were a few heart wrenching moments for me.  Not to the point that I would cry, but I got that lump in my chest.  All in all it was a pretty good story, and really clinched the book for me.  Although it has got me dying for the next Cat and Bones book.  It can't come fast enough.

Well I think that was my last holiday read.  I only got in two this year.  I am going to aim for more next year.  I will have to start earlier.  I'm finding it really hard to fit in reading time, and I'm slow as it is!

I hope everyone was able to find some good reads this year.  Leave some comments and let me know if you found a favorite holiday read!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Holiday Update for Rantings of a Reading Addict

As some of you may have noticed, I have been very quiet on the blog this week.  Well, quiet just about everywhere, blog, facebook, twitter, the whole nine yards.  With the holidays coming up, I've been spending my time doing holiday stuff and trying to get some reading in.  I've been feeling kind of reading deprived lately so have been sneaking it in whenever I can.  

Last week I finished Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain and A Bite Before Christmas with Lynsay Sands and Jeaniene Frost.  I was SO happy to have a taste of Bones and Cat.  It has been so long since we've had anything from them that it was like hanging out with some old friends.  Now I am back to the usual frustrated pacing waiting for our next book.

I have a couple more of my favorite Christmas movies to watch.  I have my usual, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Four Christmases, and ELF.  I'm missing A Christmas Story and The Grinch.  Hopefully I will get those in tonight.  My family is on An American Horror Story kick so they've been after me to watch that too.  Great Christmas viewing!

I started reading the copy of Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian that I received from NetGalley and I am having a very, very hard time putting it down.  I can't wait to review it!

I had a great time participating in the Christmas card exchange that Kimberly from Turning the Pages put on.  I got a lot of great surprises and found a lot of new blogs.  A big THANK YOU to Kimberly for putting this on.  It was a lot of fun!

To all my lovely followers and friends, I wish you all the happiest of holidays.  I wish we could all get together and have a big holiday bash.  That would be so much fun!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Waiting On Wednesday 4

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week I would like to focus on Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian.  Due for release on February 26th, 2013, Edge of Dawn will begin the next era of Midnight Breed.  This takes place 20 years after the human world finds out there are vampires in their midst.  Mira, a child during the first Midnight Breed novels is now all grown up and has a story all her own.

I am excited to see my beloved Midnight Breed characters but also to see how Mira's story is going to pan out, and what new members will join the Order.  Well, mostly I want to see all the characters from previous books.  I'm sure that Mira's story will be awesome too, I'm just missing my boys!

I have received a copy of this from Netgalley so I will be reading and reviewing as soon as I get through this holiday season.  I'm having a hard time restraining myself though!

Goodreads synopsis:  Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.

Sunday Post Edition 6

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Hi guys!

I know this is a meme to recap the blog, but with it being the holidays, you may find me ranting about the rest of the stuff in my life too.  Especially since the craziness of the holidays has taken over most of my time.  I really hate that, it takes over my reading time and I feel frustrated.  It took me 7 days to read one book, how bad is that?  I cannot wait to get all my shopping done so I can sit back and read.

I have missed a couple of weeks doing the Sunday Post and I have posted some reviews since the last time.

Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

I am currently listening to the next installment of the Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell series, Kill You Twice, and if I thought that The Night Season was a little bit tame, this one is making up for it.  LOVE it!

I also joined a challenge for 2013.  It's the 2013 Audio Book Challenge hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens.  I'm new to audio books and hope I can meet my challenge.  I am still looking for another book challenge to add, but besides my Goodreads book challenge, I haven't found the perfect "one" yet, so if any of you guys have suggestions, please drop me a note!

I also joined the Christmas card exchange hosted by Turning the Pages.  I've been getting cards and little surprises all week and it has been so fun!  It has been a great way to discover some new blog friends, and I love making blog friends!

I just finished Kresley Cole's Pleasure of a Dark Prince, so this week I would like to get up a review of that.  I am dying to move onto the next one in the series, but I feel like I really need to get a holiday read in.  Something light to counter the effect of reading Kill You Twice.  It's been hard to find a holiday read that is not in the middle of a series.  I found a short one that is actually the first of a series called Mistletoe Mischief by Stacey Joy Netzel.  It was an Amazon freebie and I hope it is better than what my gut is telling me.  I stupidly relied on the title to tell me it was a holiday read instead of reading the synopsis which would have told me that it is set in July.  Unfortunately, I feel obligated to read it because I downloaded it.  I may get over that though as I haven't actually started it yet.  Me and my weird quirks.  I also downloaded A Bite Before Christmas which has stories by Jeaniene Frost and Lynsay Sands.  I am nervous, though, that reading the Lynsay Sands story will have spoilers for me on her series, the Argeneau Vampires.  That has always been my fear of reading anthologies.  Does anyone know if her story in this book will contain spoilers? I do need to note that this one is one special at Amazon for $0.99, so make sure to pick it up!

My goal this week is to get a holiday read in, even if I switch to A Bite Before Christmas, post a Waiting on Wednesday (I've missed that one for a week or two as well) and I'd actually like to join in on the Follow Friday I see other bloggers do.  Let's see how much I actually get accomplished around all my shopping.  I do most of my shopping online, and that came to bite me in the ass last week.  Somehow someone got my card number and made a couple of purchases at a store I have been shopping at, so I was very fortunate that I caught them in time.  I normally shop using Paypal checkouts, which I did at this store, and someone actually used my card number there, which was my give away.  Thankfully I caught it early enough and the bank took care of it.  Still, I had to wait for a new card to come in, which is a real pain when you need to get gas.  It's funny how much I depend on that thing.

So, how is everyone else doing on their shopping?  Do you have a favorite store to shop at?

Review ~ The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

Goodreads Synopsis:  With the Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Archie Sheridan—a Portland police detective and nearly one of her victims—can finally rest a little easier. Meanwhile, the rest of the city of Portland is in crisis. Heavy rains have flooded the Willamette River, and several people have drowned in the quickly rising waters. Or at least that’s what they thought until the medical examiner discovers that the latest victim didn’t drown: She was poisoned before she went into the water. Soon after, three of those drownings are also proven to be murders. Portland has a new serial killer on its hands, and Archie and his task force have a new case. 

Reporter Susan Ward is chasing this story of a new serial killer with gusto, but she’s also got another lead to follow for an entirely separate mystery: The flooding has unearthed a skeleton, a man who might have died more than sixty years ago, the last time Portland flooded this badly, when the water washed away an entire neighborhood and killed at least fifteen people. With Archie following the bizarre trail of evidence and evil deeds to catch a killer and possibly regain his life, and Susan Ward close behind, Chelsea Cain—one of today’s most talented suspense writers—launches the next installment of her bestselling series with an electric thriller.

My Review:  It was disappointing that there was no Gretchen in this book, but there was still quite a story to be told.  In my opinion, this serial killer is not even CLOSE to Gretchen.  My God, am I becoming a Gretchen groupie?  Didn't I just say in my review of the last book that I thought the people in the book were crazy for idolizing her?  

As the other books had a couple of storylines on the go at the same time, so does this one.  It is funny that both of them have to do with the flooding of Portland.  One old, one new.  The main, current killer in this story has a very strange, unique weapon.  It was really unexpected and interesting.

If you are looking for a thriller without too much information, this is probably the one in this series that is more for you.  Descriptions of Gretchen's work in the other books will make this story seem a bit... I don't know, mild?  Well, as "mild" as a killing can be.

Susan and her new hair color find themselves in trouble with Archie running to her rescue, but will the floods carry them all away before they can get to this killer and stop him?  It's a race against the water, and the pacing kept you going and going.

I'm still kind of creeped out by this guy's weapon.  It's one I will be very surprised if you guessed before the big reveal.  I want to give this one a 3.5 out of 5.  Don't let the lack of Gretchen put you off the rest of the series.  She's back in the next one!

2013 Audio Book Challenge

It's the time of year to start setting up those challenges for the new year.  It will soon be 2013 and I chose this audio challenge, hosted by The Book Nympho & Hot Listens.  I am a newbie to audiobooks and have found that sitting in traffic is not the same.  Before, people would call and chat and it would help me get through the time.  Now it's like "holy crap already, I'm in the middle of a chapter!"  It was horrible tonight.  I had no books and I found myself calling everyone I knew just to help pass the time.  Luckily my Audible credit came in tonight so I will be downloading right away.  I think that I am going to sign myself up as a Tickle Me Audio!  I generally do thrillers in audio because I have a thing with keeping all my paranormal on my kindle.  Don't ask me why, just a weird quirk I guess.  So here are the deets, sign yourself up before the New Year and don't forget to follow our hosts!
Reading Challenge Details: 
Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. 
You can join at anytime. The goal is to find a new love for audios if you are new to them or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2013 than you did in 2012. 
Books must be in audio format. ANY genres count. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. 
If you're a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. Just click the image above or here to take you to the sign-up post. 
You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing or on your audible.com or other accounts you have. 
 Levels:  Newbo (Not quite addicted) 1-5 audios  Ear Worm (Narrator's voice gets stuck in your head) 5-10 audios  Tickle Me Audio (Seriously, I'm getting serious) 10-15 audios  Plugged In (I can quit anytime) - 15+ audios
There will be quarterly updates on the host's pages, where there will be a random commenter pick for a giveaway!  This is going to be so much fun!  Click here and sign up

Review ~ Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain

Goodreads Synopsis ~ Gretchen Lowell is still on the loose. These days, she’s more of a cause célèbre than a feared killer, thanks to sensationalist news coverage that has made her a star. Her face graces magazine covers weekly and there have been sightings of her around the world. Most shocking of all,Portland Herald reporter Susan Ward has uncovered a bizarre kind of fan club, which celebrates the number of days she’s been free.

Archie Sheridan hunted her for a decade, and after his last ploy to catch her went spectacularly wrong, remains hospitalized months later. When they last spoke, they entered a détente of sorts---Archie agreed not to kill himself if she agreed not to kill anyone else. But when a new body is found accompanied by Gretchen’s trademark heart, all bets are off and Archie is forced back into action. Has the Beauty Killer returned to her gruesome ways, or has the cult surrounding her created a whole new evil?

Chelsea Cain continues to deliver heart-stopping thrills and chills in the latest entry in this dynamic bestselling series.

My Review ~ We are back for more Gretchen and Archie!  Let's see if the agreement made between Gretchen and Archie will last.  Can people as effed up in the head as these two keep promises?  Speaking of people effed up in the head... what is up with the world today that we would idolize a psychopath?  I know this is book world, but I can see this happening!  A lot of people are fascinated by serial killers, but most do not buy the t-shirts!  

Anyway, since the synopsis above just seems to give away a lot, I'm scared to say much more.  We get some new characters introduced and I think we might just get someone new for Susan!  Although I think I've sort of got this dream relationship going on between Archie and Susan.

I didn't like public restrooms before, and now I'm even more determined not to use them.  You just never know what might be in them!  The thought of bugs is bad enough, my imagination did not need this bit of encouragement!

Chelsea Cain does not disappoint me, the book contained a great thriller with enough twists and turns to keep me riveted to my car.  Picture me sitting in my driveway with my book playing.

I have also learned a couple of things not related to this book.  I find it very difficult to review audiobooks, and I need to review while fresh, especially audiobooks where I cannot make notes in the books.  Lesson learned.

Review ~ Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

Goodread's Synopsis ~ When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Chelsea Cain has topped her own bestselling debut thriller with this unputdownable, unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat read.

My Review ~ The roller coaster ride is back.  You get on, and you just can't get off and it just speeds up faster and faster!  Whew!  I will say that I find myself more wrapped up in the story going on with Gretchen and Archie than any of the other crimes.  When you think of a serial killer, most people think of the murders and the gruesome things they did.  Gretchen is about more than that.  She has this fascination with having and torturing Archie.  It gives her a thrill that she can keep Archie from having a normal life.  The connection is just sadistic.

Susan is back and is involved in the current murders.  I love Susan as I said in the Heartsick review here.  Spunky, intelligent and I think just plain fun.  Did I just say "fun" when referring to a thriller.  I'm sick, I know!

This is definitely a great read.  Just a little frustration with Archie, but I guess you gotta cut him a little slack for all he's been through.  My rating is a big ole 4 out of 5.

Review of Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

Goodreads Synopsis:  Damaged Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent ten years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful serial killer, but in the end she was the one who caught him. Two years ago, Gretchen kidnapped Archie and tortured him for ten days, but instead of killing him, she mysteriously decided to let him go. She turned herself in, and now Gretchen has been locked away for the rest of her life, while Archie is in a prison of another kind---addicted to pain pills, unable to return to his old life, powerless to get those ten horrific days off his mind. Archie's a different person, his estranged wife says, and he knows she's right. He continues to visit Gretchen in prison once a week, saying that only he can get her to confess as to the whereabouts of more of her victims, but even he knows the truth---he can't stay away.


When another killer begins snatching teenage girls off the streets of Portland, Archie has to pull himself together enough to lead the new task force investigating the murders. A hungry young newspaper reporter, Susan Ward, begins profiling Archie and the investigation, which sparks a deadly game between Archie, Susan, the new killer, and even Gretchen. They need to catch a killer, and maybe somehow then Archie can free himself from Gretchen, once and for all. Either way, Heartsick makes for one of the most extraordinary suspense debuts in recent memory.

My Review:  Heartsick by Chelsea Cain is the first in a five book series featuring Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Howell.  In this book, there are basically two stories.  You are in the middle of a current murder investigation while at the same time getting glimpses in the past crime that shaped the lead investigator Archie Sheridan.

It is the Archie and Gretchen connection that really got to me.  Gretchen is one scary serial killer.  Her history has shown her to be very lethal.  She has done a lot of really gruesome things to a lot of people.  Some of these actions she has performed on Archie himself and for some reason she decides to do him one more form of torture.  She lets him live.  He has to deal both physically and emotionally with the results of all she did to him.  He is definitely a troubled soul.

The current investigation involves missing teenage girls and Susan Ward not only gets to write a profile on the famous Beauty Killer survivor, but also gets to tag along with this one.  I really like Susan.  She is spunky and witty.  I have to laugh each time she spouts some useless piece of information or her mouth expells something without thinking first.  I found her a welcome breathe of fresh air in this very dark thriller.

Heartsick will definitely give you the chills.  The things that go through some people's minds will scare the crap out of you.  This book now has me looking at usual household items in a different way.  Serial killers can be very inventive!  This book was great, definitely worth 4 out of 5 stars.

Sunday Post Edition 5

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Hi all!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  My family was out of the country and was just arriving home the day before the holiday so we gave the a break and actually had our celebration on Saturday.  It gave us a day here to get out the decorations and get the tree up.  So now we are all set.  If I could just get this shopping thing out of the way I will be all set.  I had to work so I didn't brave the Black Friday sales.  I stopped a few places on my way home, spent too much money and returned home to spend the rest online.  There were so many times I looked down at the stuff in my arms and realized, "this stuff is for me!  I can't shop for me!" and had to just walk away.

In Review~   Around the blog, I finally got off my butt (more like sat ON my butt)  and got my Nightwalker review done. I also shared Gena Showalter's Last Kiss Goodnight on my "Waiting on Wednesday".

Currently~ I have just finished up Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter this weekend and have started on Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich.  I need something lighthearted right now.

Upcoming~  Well I'm going to start the week off with a review on Heartsick, by Chelsea Cain.  I'm planning to work at doing a review on each of the Archie Sheridan/ Gretchen Lowell series.  This is a great thriller series.  I have read all but the 5th one, but I'm hoping to get that one in before Christmas, so keep your eye out!  Of course on Wednesday we will also have a new "Waiting on Wednesday" for you.

I hope you all have a great week!

Tanya

Waiting on Wednesday 3

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Goodreads Synopsis:  The breathtaking first novel in New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter’s new paranormal romance series, Otherworld Assassins, featuring a black ops agent who is captured and enslaved…and the beautiful deaf girl who holds the key to his salvation…

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…

Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.

THE ULTIMATE PRICE…

Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test.

My Excitement:  I am a loyal fan.  When I love an author, I try to read everything they put out.  I can't get enough of the Lords of the Underworld, and I loved the first in the Angels of the Dark, Wicked Nights.  I think that Gena Showalter is on a roll and I can't wait to dive into Last Kiss Goodnight to see what other greatness she has for us.  Looks like we're going to get quite the Christmas present, releasing Dec. 26, 2012!

Share your excitement for a read you are looking forward to!

Review of Nightwatcher by Wendy Corsi Staub

Goodreads Synopsis:

As the city sleeps in the early hours of September 10, 2001, the killer waits and watches, unaware of the cataclysm to come. Even the nightmare of 9/11 will not postpone his private reign of terror.

Allison Taylor adores her adopted city, New York, loving every minute of the invigorating urban hustle. But on a bright and clear September morning, the familiar landscape around her is savagely altered--and in the midst of widespread chaos and fear, a woman living upstairs from her is found, brutally slaughtered and mutilated.

For Allison . . . for her neighbor, James "Mack" MacKenna, desperately searching for news of his missing wife . . . for homicide detective Rocky Manzillo, hunting for a monster called "The Nightwatcher" amid the smoking ruins of a devastated city, this tragic day will hold a special horror. Because a different kind of terror has entered their lives . . . and it's coming to claim Allison Taylor as its next victim.

My review:

My main reading genre is Paranormal Romance, as many of you can tell from the books I review.  Every once in awhile, I stray out of that genre for a break.  It is one of the reasons I joined book clubs, they give me a reason to get out of my box and take a break.  Nightwatcher by Wendy Corsi Staub was one of our book club reads.  We were going to get to meet her at Reader's & Ritas and I wanted to get to know her writing a bit before I did.

The thriller authors that I read are a pretty small group, and I will admit I have been neglecting them.  I will now be adding Wendy to the group of my go-to authors for thrillers.

Nightwatcher is number one in a trilogy.  I just want to put that out there because many people do not like to read trilogies before they have all been released.  I did not know this when I started.

I had a hard time with the setting, and I really needed time to get around that.  I don't know why having the story happen during 9/11 bothered me so much.  Maybe just having it in my brain that everyone should be pulling together during such a terrible time, but that there were people out there that can take advantage of that sort of freaked me out a little.  I realize now that that was probably the intention.  Duh!

This story takes you through multiple points of view.  Mainly it is Allison, but we do get glimpses from the cops, neighbors and even the killer himself.  There was one POV that I needed more from, and it is going to drive me nuts not to know his whole story.  I even PM'ed Wendy on Facebook to see if I could squeeze out some answers!  No response though, I must have been asking for a spoiler.  Sleepwalker is on my list of 2012 reads so I need to get on that one.

The book was definitely a thrill ride with scenes that left me rushing through the paragraphs to see what would happen.  It gave me moments when I wanted to scream "RUN!" and other moments that totally blew all my thoughts on what was going to happen to pieces.

I'm giving Nightwatchers a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I still get the shivers when I think of this book.  It is just what you want with a thriller.  

Oh and Wendy is really great.  She signed my books and talked about them with me.  I'm definitely a fangirl now.  Love you Wendy!  (will that get me an ARC of book 3? hahaha)

Sunday Post Edition 4

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

In Review~

Well this week was still a little sparse in the blogging aspect.  I did get my recap of Readers & Ritas posted, as well as my extremely long-winded rant about ICED by Karen Marie Moning.  I am going to work today to try and get some more reviews done so I can have a more fun-filled week.  Make sure to visit my posts from the week and leave your comments.  Man, I love comments! 

Upcoming~

This week I am reading Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole.  I am also listening to The Night Season by Chelsea Cain.  I think there is only one more book in the Chelsea Cain book.  Maybe there will be more Gretchen in the next one as Night Season hasn't had any of her so far.  I'm only about halfway through though so that could change.

I would like to finally get my review of Nightwatcher by Wendy Corsi Staub up this week.  I think I've been noodling the storyline long enough that I can talk about it sensibly.  I really envy all you other bloggers that can review without giving away too much of the story.  That is going to be hard with Nightwatcher since it is a thriller and there are so many twists and turns to the story that I am scared to give something away.

New Releases~

It is time once again for a new Stephanie Plum book, Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich.  Release day is Tuesday (like most releases) November 20, 2012.  I know that some people have mentioned that this release has really gone on too long, but I love Stephanie and I always get such a great laugh out of the gang.  I have learned however, not to read Janet Evanovich while on the treadmill.  I am not very good at multi-tasking.  Walking and laughing will knock me on my ass, literally.  Make sure to pick it up this week.  Just click on my links and they will take you straight to Amazon to get it! 

Here is the Goodreads Synopsis:

New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what Tiki tells you to do. 

After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape . . . or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.

The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money—or maybe just desperate—Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again—a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone . . . or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory. . . 

So what is going on in your book world?  Do you have any great plans for the holiday?

Rantings for Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Normally, I take a day or two to actually let a book soak in before I write about or review it.  ICED by Karen Marie Moning blows all my fecking "normals" out of the water!  I can't wait to rant and rave about this book.  Now, I am going to do my best to make this spoiler free, but I want to apologize in advance if I get a little out of control.  I don't think I do, it is mostly my own thoughts here, but I am just so fecking excited!

First, the language is rubbing off on me.  I am getting strange looks for letting "feck" fly all the time.  People have no fecking idea what I am talking about when I say that.  It's CRAZY!

I need to talk about the characters.  Dani "Mega" O'Malley was not one of my favorite characters when I was reading the the first 5 Fever series books.  I think that she just came across overly-hyper and immature.  In ICED we get to know her a lot better, and even though she seems to have the energy level that reminds me of a child, you still learn enough about her to see that she really is more mature than that.  There are still times when she let's her adolescent age show.  You know, that age where you think you are invincible, and none of that bad stuff will ever happen to you.  I think Dani has a bit more of that because she does have super powers that make her a little more immune to the dangers, but it is still a very adolescent trait.

Yes, Dancer has brains.  Yes, Dancer is smart, and yes, according to Dani, he is good looking.  Unfortunately I just don't think he is "mega" enough for our Mega.  Don't get me wrong, I like smart people.  Plus, he managed to survive this long, so he definitely has skills.  He is very good to Dani and you can tell he has some feelings there.  I just don't want those feelings to be love feelings.  Friendship, mutual respect, sure, but romance, please no.

I do not know what to think of Christian.  I'm torn between being kind of weirded out to feeling so bad for him.  I want him to be the good guy he is trying to be.  I don't want to see him lose himself to being an Unseelie prince.  His Highland character is just so great.  I would hate for him to lose any of it.

Before I mention my love, I have to say I think one of the great characters in this book is Lor.  He cracked me up.  I want to see him find a blonde that stands up to him and grabs him by the heart!  Mmmm, whatever the feck those hotties are, (was there ever a name for them??) they make some nice ones.

Now Ryodan, my.. ooops, I mean Dani's Ryodan.  I know, I know, everyone was speculating on what kind of a reaction there might be if there were love scenes with Dani because of her age.  Let me tell you, not through this whole book did I get that whole "oogie" feeling in any of the scenes with just Ryodan and Dani.  My biggest complaint?  What the feck is he doing with Jo?!  Is he purposely trying to sabotage anything that could happen with Dani?  Of course, it didn't totally ruin things between Mac and Barrons when Mac knew he was boinking Fiona (was that her name?  I can't be sure)  Needless to say, I do not like Jo.  I am insanely jealous of Jo, FOR Dani.  Dani should be, so I'm going to be for her until it occurs to her that she is. (That is what I'm telling myself!)

Before I move on to the story itself, I have to mention Kat.  She is really having a tough time of it and I'm glad that she has her Sean.  I see problems coming, though, and because of their history, I'm hoping they work it out.  I'm guessing we'll see more of that in the next couple of books.

Ok, now that I've talked about the characters, I should probably get to the big baddie.  I know, I have been very long-winded so I will make this part short.  I think the villian (you know, the MAIN villian, not including all those Unseelie) is pretty complex and it takes the gang a good long while to figure out just what it wants and how they are going to defeat it.  I found myself puzzling about it a lot.  In the end, I don't think I would have been much help because it was NOTHING like I thought.  The secondary villian (still not talking about the basic Unseelie here) is totally fascinating.  I am pretty sure we are going to see more of it in another of the books.  I hope the next one!  The imagery in my head on that one is really creepy.  It is fecking awesome!

I have decided that this book has definitely earned itself a 5 out of 5.  I really need to get myself some nice rating system icons.  I want to be like Dani and just crash every few days or so.  I would accomplish so much more.  Off topic there.  Yes, 5 out of 5 for our Dani.  As usual, KMM leaves us with a bit of a cliffhanger and lead in to the next book that I am already dying to get my hands on.  Definitely on my pre-order list.

Let me know what you thought in the comments!  I've been reading a lot of great reviews on this book and would love to talk Fever with you!

Feature and Follow 1

Hi Guys!  Feature and Follow is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.  Basically, the point is to meet new bloggers to follow and to get new bloggers to follow you.  Each of the hosts will be featuring a blogger.  To participate, it is required that you follow the hosts as well as the blogs featured.  Win for us all right?  I love the opportunity to find new friends.  Click on the links above to visit Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  You can follow them and their features from there.  Then, for all the fun, stop hopping the links! 

The question posted this week is this:

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book?

A:  Wow, this is a tough one.  I read more books than I watch movies.  My favorite books all seem to run more in the feminine genres and the movies I watch are all more action because of my hubby and son, or they are actually made from books already.  Holy hell, I can't think of one movie.  It would have to be a comedy, because that would come across better in print.  I am enlisting my son to help and we both think that the movie Grown Ups, or Step Brothers would make good books.  I love to laugh and think these movies would make me laugh even in print.

I know GFC is the easiest way to follow, but I would love the email follows!  Leave your links in your comments so I make sure to follow you back, then visit the others on the blog hop.  It's the end of the week, time to relax and visit with some of our blogger friends!

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi guys!  I really need to find myself a nice banner for this meme.  Everyone else seems to have such cute ones.  Today's installment could actually be called "End of Day" Wednesday, I'm so late putting this together.  It has been a crazy day, and then Wednesday nights are also Criminal Minds night.  Everyone in the family sits down to watch that one.  Maybe we will gain insight into the minds of serial killers!

This week I'm going to feature Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich.  Not much longer until release day!  November 20th, less than a week until the next book in the Stephanie Plum series.  The characters in this series have such wit and are so comical.  I get a bit of mystery with a light, funny read.  Definitely a treat.  Who is your favorite character?  Could it be Lula or Grandma Mazur?  Are you on Team Morelli or Team Ranger.  Let me know in the comments and make sure to click on the cover and preorder your copy!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week!


Here is the Goodreads synopsis:

New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what Tiki tells you to do. After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape . . . or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case. The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money—or maybe just desperate—Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again—a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone . . . or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory. . . .