Waiting on Wednesday 5

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 want to talk about a book I'm just drooling for.  House Rules by Chloe Neill.  This book releases in just a few short days on February 5th, 2013! I've been a lover of the Chicagoland Vampires for some time.  Love to wear my "Sentinel" t-shirt and drink my Saturday morning coffee from my Cadogan House mug!  I'm a Cadogan Junkie.  I fell in love with Merit's character right from the first book.  She's witty and smart and has turned into a kick-ass vampire.  I love Ethan for Merit.  I know there have been contenders for her guy, but Ethan is "it".  Read on for the synopsis of House Rules by Chloe Neill.

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.

Review ~ Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Goodreads Synopsis ~

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

My Review ~

I was on the fence going into this one.  From the earlier books, we all know that Lothaire is crazy.  I think at this point, since I'm such a strong Valkrie ally, I would say he is the enemy whether he was crazy or not.  Lothaire has been alive a very long time and has endured enough torture, pain and other people's memories, to crack anyone.  I feel like I shouldn't pity him, but his dwindling control on his madness along with the frustration he feels makes me actually feel that for him.  

Ellie is a great heroine.  Ok, just did some backspacing here and trying to reword so I don't leave spoilers.  There is much, much more to Ellie than the blurb says and I don't want to ruin it.  Let's just say Ellie is self-sacrificing and will do anything to save her family and others from harm, and this evil being who snatches her up is definitely a threat to them.

We have two very different creatures that are both extremely stubborn.  There is this little thing called a blooding between them that just cranks up the tension.  How can they be so opposite yet set each other on fire?

Lothaire kind of pissed me off a bit with his attitude.  I know, I know, he's crazy, we have to cut him some slack.  Seriously?  This dude thinks every female should adore him.  He doesn't grasp that the things he says would hurt people.  How can you live that long and not realize you are degrading and hurting someone with your words?  Ugh, he reminded me of a selfish self-centered brat.  Ellie is stubborn but is she determined enough that she could change him?

I thought this book was great.  There were a few times I was scared of what the ending was going to bring.  With Lothaire's madness, you just can't be sure of anything.  I was happy to get to see my old friend the Valkries along with Thad and Hag.  I can't wait for the next one.  I have so many questions about what is going to happen with alliances, etc.  After one scene in this book, I'm sure Lothaire is going to have some major problems with the witches.  

Right now I feel like a toddler being offered up a carrot instead of the candy with Shadow's Claim out there.  I know it's a spin off, but I don't want a spin off, I want the next Immortals book.  *pouts*  I will read Shadow's Claim anyway, even though I'm mad at it for getting in the way of releasing an Immortals book. humph

So, for readers of the Immortals After Dark series, you HAVE to read Lothaire.  Don't stop in the middle of the series, keep it going.  You are going to love the outcome.  My rating is a 4.5.  I know, I know, I need a nice set of rating graphics so I don't have to type this in everytime!

Sunday Post Edition 8

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 everyone!  I still have not got up to full speed yet with my blogging.  I think I have too many ideas in my head that I want to get straight for the new year that I'm not actually completing any of them.  Time to reevaluate again!  But that is ok, I'll get it.  Does anyone have some good time management skills?  For some reason, it has become a big deal to my family that I start getting active.  Seems they think I spend too much time blogging, chatting, reading and the regular Facebook and Twitter stuff.  Well getting active would be easier if I could still get to do the things I love.  I'm trying to work it so that I walk during my lunch break, but some days (most days) I don't get away.  That leaves the evening, but that is my reading/social media time.  Ahhh, I will get into a routine eventually.

So, in my blog world, I did not get a Sunday Post done last Sunday, but I did do an 18 & Over Book Blog Follow.  That one might become a regular.  I like the meme's where the Host's asks a question for everyone to answer and generate a full post about.

For reading, I finally finished Lothaire.  There were many evenings this week that I spent furious with myself for not being able to get more reading in.  I will post my review on that this week.  I'm also listening to Sleepwalkers by Wendy Corsi Staub.  I am right at the end, and damn it if I didn't want to keep on driving right on by my exit so I could have more time to listen.  I'm at a really great spot, but I've limited my audiobooks to the car, so, hopefully tomorrow will bring a conclusion to my anxiety.  It's not good to leave those thriller cliffhangers for so long.  It's going to drive me crazy.

Now I did something I shouldn't have.  I had two dogs that got taken to the shelter and then adopted before I could find them.  One of them was my pug, my baby, and I've been wanting to get another one since.  My problem is that the chihuahua I have is not neutered (or is it spayed for a girl?).  The Pug Rescue will not adopt out if you have other pets that are not fixed.  I would take my Daisy to a Low Cost Spay/Neuter place, but she is over 5 years old and they will not work on her.  So, I have to justify the cost of both a vet's bill and an adoption fee to my husband.  It's not working out the best.  My birthday is coming up and maybe I'll be able to make some headway.  Anyway, what I did yesterday will not help my cause.  The animal shelter in my city posted a picture of this scared, tiny chihuahua for adoption.  The weekend special was $25 for dogs which included their sterilization and vaccinations.  So, I went to meet this tiny little piece of love.  I wanted to leave with all of them.  I hate seeing all those animals there.  Many thanks goes out to all the volunteers at the shelter who bring a little joy and love to all those animals.  So, I did it.  I fell in love with the little feller and I will be bringing him home from the vet on Tuesday.  I hope my Daisy will behave, she can be such a bitch, lol.  My husband didn't freak like I thought he would, but I put the pug begging off for a bit.  We'll see how our new addition works out.  His name is Peanut and I'll probably be ranting about him for awhile.

I've been wondering.  What are all you other bloggers doing about this Facebook thing where our post visibility is so low?  Has anyone found a good way to get around this?  Would love to hear some thoughts and ideas on Marketing.  Well, maybe I should focus on putting up some content to actually market, right? ;)

How was everyone else's week, drop me a comment and share some news on your week, or even leave me a link to your Sunday Post!

Have a great week everyone!