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. . . .

Excitement of my first con

Well, maybe that isn't the best title, it could probably be taken the wrong way!  What I am talking about is spending last weekend in Allen, TX at Fresh Fiction's Readers and Ritas conference!  This was the first conference I have ever been to and I had such a good time.  I decided to stay at the hotel even though I could probably have traveled back and forth from home.  I didn't want to miss anything and there was just so much to do!

I checked in on Friday afternoon and was awarded with my first big surprise.... a bag FULL of books!  Many of them by authors in attendance.  Be still my signed book hording heart!  There was also a room full of baskets to be raffled off.  These people really know how to do up raffle baskets.  Contents were amazing!  Books, wine, chocolate, kindles, nooks and oh so much more.  Unfortunately I did not get to take home any of the loot, but I'm sure that they raised a very good amount for Plano Family Literacy which is awesome.

I was unfamiliar with quite a few of the authors, as they were mainly romance, but we had read a few of the authors in book club the last couple of months so I wasn't completely out of the loop.  I met some pretty great authors, and even though they are not in my most passionate genre, I will still read them just because they were so awesome.  The first night I had dinner with Jade Lee, Roz Lee and Connie Cox.  Let me tell you, these ladies know how to put a nervous convention virgin at ease.

I discovered something very weird about myself this weekend.  I am a fangirl of Jaye Wells, even though I have only read the sample of Red-headed Stepchild.  I loved the sample but never did get a chance to read the book.  I felt a little foolish showing up at the signing with ALL of her Sabina Kane series with the exception of book 2, looking like a complete fangirl, but knowing nothing about the series.  I don't know how I know, call it gut feeling, but I think that series is going to be awesome.  Reader's instinct, that's what I will call it!  I like that better than "gut feeling".  If anyone of my fellow addicts have read this series, please drop me a note and let me know your thoughts.

Another author I met was Wendy Corsi Staub.  She writes awesome thrillers.  I have read the first book of one of her trilogies, and it had a few goosebump moments as well as a complete, blow your mind ending.  I have been meaning to review it, hopefully soon.  I was able to tell her one of my goosebump moments, but all the questions I wanted to ask her flew right out of my head.  I sent her a Facebook message with them yesterday.  I get so flustered sometimes I forget things.

Saturday night was party night.  There was a bachelor's auction for charity, a masquerade ball and then dancing.  These girlies know how to party!

So, I got to hang out with other book addicts, authors, my friends Felicia, Jenn and Kelley, meet the most adorable shi tzu ever, (Candace Havens has one amazing dog named Elvis), satisfy my signed book hording self and bring home lots of loot.  I would call that an exceptional weekend if I do say so myself.  Many thanks to the great folks at Fresh Fiction for organizing such a fun weekend.  I can't wait until next year.  Go here to see some of the authors already lined up as well as where to buy early bird tickets.  You can count me in, hope to see you there!

Waiting on Wednesday 1

"Waiting on" Wednesday

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

For my Waiting on Wednesday post, I'm going to feature House Rules by Chloe Neill.  I'm sure that anyone who has read the Chicagoland Vampires series is as anxious as I am for the next installment.  Amazon is driving me absolutely crazy.  You can pre-order the paperback, but you cannot pre-order the kindle version which is what I normally get.  I visit Amazon almost daily to see if they have made it available.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis for House Rules, the 7th installment of the Chicagoland Vampires series.

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

House Rules releases on February 5, 2013, and really that is not far off!  Just 3 months!  If you will be getting the paperback, pre-order today.  If you are a kindle owner, I will be yelling from my twitter and facebook when it is finally available for pre-order!

What book are you anxiously waiting for?

Sunday Post Edition 3

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~

Good morning everyone!  Did you all have a great Halloween?  This was our first Halloween in our new house and we did not have any idea what to expect in terms of trick-or-treaters.  There were a LOT more kids than in our last neighborhood and I ran out of candy pretty quickly.  I probably should have restricted the handfuls I was putting in each bag.  I loved seeing all the little costumes. 

I did manage to get my review for Midnight Exposure posted last week.  I'm so behind on reviews.

In reading news, I finished up Nightwatchers by Wendy Corsi Staub this week.  I will hopefully get a review written up on it later today.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the events in the book.

Coming Up~

This is going to be an absolutely awesome week.  I'm so excited.  I love book club weeks for starters.  Tomorrow's book club reads were the Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James and Nightwatchers and I was able to get both of those read for this meeting.  I don't like it when I am not prepared!  

This coming weekend is Readers & 'Ritas!  This will be my first readers event and I am so excited.  My book club has been reading some of the authors that will be present so if we weren't already familiar with them, we will be.  This is going to be awesome.

I know that for the last two weeks, I have been saying that I was looking forward to starting Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole.  I am still looking forward to it, but it just got bumped down the TBR pile.  The reason?  Iced.  Iced by Karen Marie Moning (as if you didn't know!  hahaha).  I was going to stick to my list, I really was, but I started seeing reviews popping up and the reviews were so awesome, I just couldn't resist.  I had had it preordered, so it was sitting there, staring at me from my kindle while all the reviews played through my head.  I couldn't stop myself, the pull was too great, I tapped the cover and that was that.  Decision made.  Iced it is.  I will make one comment about Iced, and then save the rest for my review.  I wish I had of re-read Shadowfever first.  It's been so long, I've forgotten some of the things that are being referred to and I hate when that happens.

For audio, I'm still listening to Chelsea Cain's Evil at Heart.  I'm about halfway through so may finish that up this week too.  I have reads I need to do for another book club so may pick one of those for my next audio.

Since Readers and 'Ritas is going to be my first convention, does anyone have any tips they can share on how I can get the most out of the event?  I'm excited but so nervous too! 

I'm wanting to the blog redesigned and am looking for a good designer, so I'm hoping maybe some of you fellow bloggers can drop me a comment with a referral?  I'm not completely sure what I want yet, but I'm hoping once I look around at some portfolios I will get an idea.

I hope everyone has a great week!