Hey Sara - the thread we just started it based on Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. And I highly recommend it. I just got Rachel to read it & one of our other forum friend's Frenchie had recommended it to us in the Sookie Stackhouse forum.

So far it's a 5 books series.

3 books are out & the 4th installment will be coming out in August.

It's about the Fae (Sellie & Unseelie) & their relationship w/the the human's & those 2 worlds at large. The main protagonist is a young women named Mac.

Moning crafts a very rich story w/LOTS of theories to sink your teeth into. I made the mistake of not really paying enough attention util I was almost done w/the 2nd book.  I just thought it was a fun read & nothing more. But Moning intended to write them so her readers have much to play with. I had gone in underestimating the series & now I am hooked!

Ohh that sounds nice, Well the main series i read (besides ABVH and soon to be Merry Gentry) is Kelley Armstrong's The Women of the Otherworld. it s a female main character Cast.One of the strange things is that the Narator changes almost every book, the First on is of Elena Micheals the only female Werewolf(since it is passed geneticly to only males or transfered to bites, which she survived) The Second one she is still the naratorbut we meet many other types of supernaturals my favorite bieng Armstrong's witches. The next two books are narated by Paige Winterbourne whom is a witch you meet in teh second book, then it is by Eve levine( a witch whom is dead and is a ghost. She is the mother of Paige's ward Savannah), Third book Elena is the narator again, thenJaime Vegas whom is a necromancer who does the TV/Hollywood show readings but is actually real, then the latest one is Hope Adams whom is a half demon.

Just trust me its all very confusing if you haven't read thembut htey are an amazing series with snarky, well empowered female leads and i just LOVE her work. Shes coming to the Dayton(ohio) Area June 3 so the day after i get skin trade i'm getting her new book Men of the Otherworld.

Titles:

Bitten

Stolen

Dime Store Magic

Industrial Magic

Haunted

Broken

No Humans Involved

Personal Demon

All by Kelley Armstrong

I read Bitten & Stolen.

I though Paige was a little annoying in the 2nd books. How is she in the 3rd?

I am a large fan's of Clay's & I know he is the 1st installment in her Men of the Otherworld series.

Oh Yay finally i'm not the only it seems freak int he world to have read the series. Well the first books i read were Dime Store Magic and Industrial because i thought they were stand alone then i saw the rest of the series. Well yeah i'll admit in stolen shes a tad whiny but shes still one ofmy favorites and she is better in the 3rd and 4th.

And Oh my I am a fangirl of: Clay, Jeremy, and Aaron. And i know i can't WAIT to read Clay's stories that are in the new book.

Has anyone read any of the Cassandra Palmer books?

Not I - which ones did she write?

It's actually a 4 book series about a character called Cassandra Palmer, written by Karen Chance - I came across it whilst looking for something else, and wondered if it was worth a read:  "Cassandra Palmer has been in hiding for three years since she escaped Antonio, the master vampire who raised her after he had her parents killed when she was only four. A gifted clairvoyant, Cassandra was Antonio's useful tool until she discovered his complicity in her parents' deaths and fled his estate. Tony has finally caught up with her, but he isn't the only one. The vampire senate is after her, too, and they've sent sexy vampire Tomas, who insinuated himself into her life by pretending to be an abused runaway, to watch over her. After Cassie and Tomas are attacked, he brings her to the senate. There she learns that the mages are gunning for her, too, as is the powerful vampire Rasputin, who is gearing up to challenge the senate. Cassie is in a race against time to save her own life and find out why so many want her dead. Exciting and inventive, with definite series potential."
Review
"A wonderfully entertaining romp with an engaging heroine. Here's hoping there's a sequel in the works!" -- Kelley Armstrong, USA Today bestselling author of Haunted.

"An outstanding must-read paranormal! Karen Chance has expertly blended mystery, suspense, romance and the supernatural." -- Romancejunkies.com

A fair maiden tough enough to kick [vampire] butts. -- Rebecca York

A grab-you-by-the-throat-and-suck-you-in sort of book. -- Patricia Briggs"

Sounds interesting! I will have to download that one too.

Ok so I just finished the other series by Richelle Mead. Her succubus series or rather - the Georgina Kincaid series.

Someone has to read them so we can discuss or at least so I won't be alone in feeling the way I do.  

Richelle's a very good writer. I think she excels at writing her characters emotional palettes w/out dragging out conversations or scenarios (like LKH). She is far more succinct & subtle (at times). I can't say too much lest I give it away. However - so far, out of all the writers we have read, I feel she writes the most realistic picture despite many characters being supernatural beings. It's all extremely relatable when you take away the magic.

Anyway - she also has a great sense of humor & the books can also be cute w/out ever being cutesy or precious. And her characters are great. An example:

Georgina's demon boss, Jerome, chooses to be an exact replica of John Cusack, which I thought was inspired. It makes so much sense! Also making us wonder - is he really John Cusack & is John Cussack really a demon?

The subtext about Good & Evil (and good vs. evil)  makes you question what exactly does that look like in the 1st place anyway. As well as Heaven & Hell. Very subtle but smart. She fills the subtext w/shades of gray & if you choose to, makes you really think (or you can read it for fun etc.. like CH. You know how she writes for dual purposes for her audience)?

Book 1 is a stronger 1st book then most in a series we have read (IMO).

But yes I also felt as with most series, it doesn't really start to pick up until the 3rd book. By the end of the 3rd book there's a nice amount of meat on the bones to think about.

In fact book 2 dragged a tiny bit for me but in hindsight, I appreciate it more now that I can look at the 3 as a whole.

I have to admit that in all 3 books, I did see the big plot twists coming pretty early on but that didn't make the books in any way disappointing for me as it usually does. In fact it didn't matter at all. I was 1,000% emotionally invested.

BUT - I also think that reading Vampire Academy series 1st kind of had me prepared for the type of writer she is so that added to me having a sense of where they would go.

Also - Richelle is defintely a MODERN woman & writes that way. No virgins thank you. And no frickin' teetotaler's either. Granted Georgina is a succubus but there is surprisingly little sex. There is some but not much. But she has a group of friends who love her & they banter, play cards, hang out, drink, go to clubs, have day jobs - you know - the norm.

It's refreshing.

So I recommend this series to our growing list!

I am going to send them to you guys anyway.

Here are the books in Order (& don't read the summary if you can help yourself. It gives too much away I feel esp. if you read all 4 descriptions beofre reading the books. Trust me).

#1 - Succubus Blues

#2 - Succubus on Top

#3 - Succubus Dreams

#4 - Succubus Heat (being released earliest on Amazon May 26th).

Has anyone read the Dresden Files books?  I keep seeing references to them on goodreads within reviews of books I've read.

Since being bitten by the paranormal bug, I've read:

Sookie, Anita, Fever, BDB, Poison Study et seq, Hunger Games,Vampire Academy, Signs of the Zodiac, Succubus, Mercy Thompson, Halfway to the Grave et seq., Robin McKinley's Sunshine, The Blue Sword, and Beauty,and have Mortal Instruments on deck but have not yet started (I am going to pick up one or two non-paranormal books in the interim).   I've also got Ender's Game on deck.  Am I missing a must read?  Is Merry Gentry worth the time?

Oh I personally love, love love Merry. It's really creative & so different form Anita. I read Anita 1st & was completely taken by surprise by not only how much softer/loving Merry was but also - just how damn creative LKH was in her ideas...the scenarios she painted -  in general. I was impressed.  I mean I thought AB was out there but Merry reminded me of Sgt. Pepper (Strawberry Fields kind of trippy) mixed with Alice in Wonderland in that is wonderous, menacing, bizarre & surreal.  A lot of sex as per usual with LKH but when I was reading I felt like it could so easily translate (bar all the sex) into a movie. It was so visual & so that really hooked me. And for me - she created one of the best villains I have ever read. There is one scene ..no two actually - that blew my socks off. They just really hit home for me & I felt like I was there..you know? It had me & Rache go off & play the casting game.

I heard Dresden is good. Easy & fun.

I am reading the Dresden Files right now -- they're engaging, fun and I like them.

I am a HUGE fan of the Mortal Instruments books. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Vampire Academy series, it is just going to be too long till the release of book 5!

Thanks, ladies -- I think Merry Gentry & Dresden Files will go into my queue.  I am taking a bit of a break now to catch up on some non-paranormal backlog on my bookshelf (City of Thieves, Hotel du Lac, My Most Excellent Year, A Thousand Splendid Suns, etc.) but I doubt I will go long before switching back.  I also don't have Dreamfever yet and feel like I may want to re-read the first 3 books in that series before I get hold of and dive into the 4th.

What about Harry Potter?  I never read the series -- it seems like a cultural moment that seems to have somehow entirely passed me by, but it seems to be part of or have certain things in common with this genre.  Thoughts?  Worth reading?  Overhyped?

*M* I love the Harry Potter books. They are much more intense than the movies. I have to admit that I have read them several times and every time I re-read them I discover something that I didn't notice the last time.

I have a habit of getting so excited about what it is that I am reading that I tend to skim allot so when I finish I have to go back to the start and read it again. I always enjoy it more the second time around.

Give the HP books a go. The first one feels allot like a kids book but they grow up by book 3. They always feel a bit more 'imaginary' than something like Twilight, Queen Betsy and Sookie. I always feel like HP couldn't REALLY exist in the real world but there is every chance that you could wander past Bill or Eric in the street.

Thanks, Niki, that is really good to know -- I think I will definitely give them a go at some point.  I have just ordered all of the paperback Merry Gentry books, a few non PN books I've been wanting (incl. The Woman in White and The Crimson Petal and the White) and Catching Fire, which I was pleased to see is in paperback in the UK so no need to wait for it any longer.

Of course, this is not helping the issue that we need to move soon, and all of the books will have to be packed up and moved too . . . my husband is already grumbling about how much space the books take up even now, but I think there is always room for another bookcase . . .

I know what you mean M. My library is quickly taking up the spare bedroom. This would be fine except I live in a 2 bedroom unit! I am actually tossing up the idea of getting rid of the bed in there and making it my office. I am sure that common sense will win out in the end but until then I will continue to entertain the idea of an entire room full of books. hmmmmmmm how delightful.

One good argument for a Kindle...

Has anyone read the Cirque du Freak (sp?) novels?  I know they're YA, but the movie's coming out before the end of the year, and, purist that I am, I like to read before viewing.  Any reviews on these?

I'm loving the Cassandra Palmer series, by the way.  Karen Chance has written a spin-off --I think there are two--about a dhamphir, that are equally entertaining and answer some pertinent questions from the last Cassandra book.  Mircea's in them.  Yum

Ok I'm here.

LOL ok.

k, what's the q?

What is BDB about? What do you like about it?

It's about a group of vampires that protect the civilian vampire community from the Lessening Society. Lesser's are vampire slayers and are trying to wipe out the vampire race. These guys are sooo not Buffy either LOL.

The BDB is about an elite group of Warrior Vampires who protect their race and each book chronicles a specific warrior and how he meets and beds his true mate (shellan).

Gonna recycle now:

The BDB is really good to me. I love every one of the guys for one reason or another. Vishous is my FAVE so far. These books are a lot darker in the erotic department, which is refreshing. J.R. Ward writes about life issues that most PNR authors don't venture to write about.   I tend to finish one book a day with the BDB. They're that good.

You soo described it better Darlene LOL. That's what I pulled off the top of my head.

The author is pretty straight-forward, not too much put the pieces together stuff. She even includes a glossary of her unique terms in the beginning of the book. I like that.

LOL...I'm just OCD. I've been told I have a way with words...

That's a good thing though LOL. Ok Zsadist is like my Fave so far. I just want to give him a hug (if he would let me) LOL.

He wouldnt let you...sorry

It sounds pretty good. Looks like I'll be transfering it to my library again. My library barely any good books that I want to read. And I've spent to much money on all the other books I've bought over the years...yeah theres been a lot.

Now, I have to read this series too so I understand what you ladies are talking about, lol.

LMAO Don't shatter my dreams....*sigh* I know he wouldn't though.

I didnt like Zsadist so much...BUT after reading Father Mine which is a novella included in the BDB Guide...I love him.

Phury would let ya

I haven't read that yet, but I've got it. I'm trying not to skip ahead LOL.

How many books are out so far? I'm sorry he wouldn't hug you Krystal.

Phury's book is not high on my list....It's good, but not enough actually about Phury and his shellan

7 I think. LOL That's ok, but I don't hold it against him.

There are 7 Books. With an 8th in the works about John Matthew

What's a shellan?

A vampire's true mate in JRW's world

well, the female mate. A male mate is called a hellren

Lol, cool name. Does that mate become immortal too? I don't know if you should answer that though, I don't mind if I know, but I don't want for others reading this to be spoiled.

Well, Krystal...pre-Bella, Z wouldve gotten close to you...if u acted scared of him...LOL

I got all my books off 4shared. My library doesn't carry much either so I rely on that site alot.

Ummmm....I will not answer that. but the brothers have mates who are half-vamp, vamp, and human

Is that free?

YESYESYES!

LMAO True Darlene, but I don't think I could pull it off. I'd be like the girl Eric was feeding off of in that episode of TB.

LMFAO!!!! I just had a vision of you doing that

HAHAHAAA!!!!!

Yeah that sooo would not work.

4shared....so I could go there right now and start reading BDB? Interesting...

That's funny, when I was reading the Highlander series, My library didn't have em, so I went to 4shared and they didnt have Spell of the Highlander in english...just spanish.

I was so desperate to read about Adam, I printed it off and started to read it....

Yes you download them, but it just takes a minute.

I'm sorry, I cannot picture that because I don't know that character yet. But I can picture you as that girl with Eric. VERY funny image LOL!

Now, mind you, I am hispanic. My whole family speaks spanish, but I am not fluent fluent. Know what I mean?...That was desperation at it's worst....LOL

LOL you'll completely understand when you read about him and when you do you'll think of me and laugh LMAO.

How much paper was that to print it?

When I meet Z, I will now think of you Krystal and start laughing

"Oh no...You dirty vampire.." hahahahahaha

"Stop!...no...uhhhhmmm"

LOL Yes.....It'll be to the point of tears trust me. Also at first you'll be like "this is the vamp you like? WTF...Are you serious?" HA!!!

Darlene your cracking me up that's all I'm hearing in my head now LOL.

I'll probably do that, I did it with Barrons. But then I loved Barrons!

Ahhh....Z....he is a hottie if you know him like Bella knows him. And like that kinda sex

When I was watching that scene with Eric and that girl I was thinking I can act way better than her (the character not the actress). I wanted to jump into the TV and make Eric give me a turn.

LMAO I thought the same thing she was horrible.

I am soo up for anything with Z.

Eric is so nice! AB did give us that at least. He still paid her and told her to tell her boss she was "magnificient." (sp?)

mmmmmm....Vishous....

I know that was soo nice of him to do that. I'm glad they didn't make hima douche and not pay her.

Each time you download from 4shared doesn't it make you wait for the download longer and longer? Unless you sign up or something.

not that I noticed

my wait was 10 seconds on each one. It never raised.

I've used 4shared before and it did that to me, but that was a while ago. Are either of you a member there?

No I haven't signed up.

I cant remember. I may be. But I never log in

I just downloaded "Dark Lover." Is that the first one?

YES!

I would also pull a Bella and grab Phury's hair.

hahahaha! oh, yes

ooohhh. How bout Rhage...yummy

Ohhh LOve Rhage too. Hollywood.

Bless your heart, Phoenix! We went totally off the Fever topic...Sorry.

Over 500 pages I see. Are the characters well developed? I'm guessing this is a more character driven series.

HOLLYWOOD!!!! The beast...MmmmMmmmMmmm

OHhh Feck..Sorry

Thats ok, do you guys want to go back to the dreamfever thread?

FECK!!!! LOL. I love that word

The characters do develop over the a period of time. They keep growing in each book and I love that.

Yeah we can head back over there

Well said Krystal

Thats ok, do you guys want to go back to the dreamfever thread?

As you wish...

Vishous is my FAVE so far.

Me too! LOVE him. He's bad ass yet deep!

I always loved Rehv but her got a little soft for me at the end of the last one.  I am also really loving Lassiter. I want more Lassiter.

But of course - the Boys? John Mathew & crew. Love, love them.
 

BTW - BDB LADIES! JR Ward's new series comes out TOMRROW!!

Covet: A Novel of The Fallen Angels

I actually didn't like Phury (he kind of bored me..too whiny) all that much so I didn't mind that the structure was different.

Well...yeah...Phury was boring and whiny. I guess I was just really hoping to get more character development like I'd grown accustomed to in prev. books.

Actually I loved it. She just amped up so many storylines but still kept it integrated (no all over the place like say..DAG). And the themes were amazing.  

It was like she started off in the strictly PNR vein to garner an audience & then once she had a solid following - she slowly started integrated the themes she had planned & then with Book 6, it was the crossroads book into a new arc of the series. I loved it!

Ok, honestly, I speed-read that book. I do intend to go back thru and give it the proper attention it deserves. I just haven't yet. So, my opinion now is not set in stone. I did LOVE all the JM & crew attention.

Don't forget the 2 ebook short stories too. 

I don't know about those!!!!! Give me names!

Ummm...Father of Mine & Story of Son...check amazon but try 4shared....lemme' know

Picking up Covet today! Now, if I can just figure out when to read it...lol

I've read Father Mine...just got Story of Son. Thanks Laura! 

OHH I need to get Story of Son!!! Was it on 4shared Darlene?

yes maam

Ok I'm going to go get it. Thanx!!!

Ahhhh! I still have to finish the HL series; you guys got to give me time to get through all of these books! I'm so far behind...

LOL You've got time don't worry about it. I've got about another 100 pages and I'll be done with the 5th BDB book. YAY!

mmmm....Vishous....You will love the ending!

Did you read Story of Son, Krystal? I read it today after work. wowsa! Loved it

No I haven't read it yet I'm trying to finish this book. Doesn't this short story take place between book6  and 7? I'm trying to read them in order LOL. What's it supposed to be about?

idk. it doesnt have any characters to my knowledge from books 1-6. It just had some really good, diverting HMS IMO. And I'm always game for that. lol

I feel like such a perv

LMAO Well that sounds good to me!!

I picked up Covet today! Again, the bookstore owner gave it to me early. I am falling in love with that man lol! I now have to read: Lover Avenged, BDB Insider's Guide, Hunger, Covet, and reread Fever & HL. I'm a busy girl. I'm listening to DarkFever audio! Not sure how it's gonna work for me...I like to "see" the story, in print. We shall see if audio works with my brain

The audio of Darkfever gave me a different perspective insofar as when I was reading the book, I failed to notice how Mac put the entire sum of events in her past -- as if the whole saga is told from the aftermath and not in real time.

Maybe I perceived that wrong from the audio, but I'm interested in what you catch. Do share!

WoW That's quite a list LOL. I really want to read Covet too. I wander if it'll be as good as BDB? I know it's not going to be the same or anything..I just hope the storyline holds me like the other books do.

I am picking that up, Rachel. What just struck me is when she's talking about her and Alina and the fact that getting older wasn't in their vocabulary. "They were gonna live forever" ?foreshadowing? Or just a young girl's normal thoughts? hmmmm

Hey, Rachel...Do you suggest I read the Guide first or Avenged? I'm torn. I know the guide came out before Avenged, but which would be better to do? just curious

That's a good question -- especially since I happen to think there are some series you don't have to read in the order which they were published.

Because of the parrallel story of Beth and Wrath in Lover Avenged, you really need Wrath and the Letter Opener which is published in the Slices of Life section of the Guide. Father Mine is also nice to have under your belt but it's not a must-read before Lover Avenged (and it's also in the Guide).

Also highly entertaining but not required reading prior to Lover Avenged is the Brothers on the Board section of the Guide, it's funny but it also sets up a little more background on Lassiter who is one of my favorites -- I'm a sucker for fallen angels!

Ok, I've read Wrath and the Letter Opener as well as Father Mine (and let me just point out again that that story is what made me really love Z! Well that and Phury's book-Z with John Matthew.). Ok, it's settled. The guide first. thank you!

Well, you can put the rest of the Guide on hold if you want to leap right into Lover Avenged while everything is still really fresh in your mind -- Lover Avenged is a real page turner, lots of action, lots of subterfuge, lots of wrongs calling out for vengance and best of all, lots and lots of exquisite longing. It's a solid read, you won't be disappointed.

You can always go back to the Guide.... just playing devil's advocate here since you did your required reading already.

LOL...I will probably do a quick scan of the guide for Slices of Life, then jump head first into Lover Avenged.

I posted this over on the Sookie forum as well, but since there are Richelle readers here too, I thought I'd take the liberty of repeating myself, in all my boiling outrage.

BUY A BANNED BOOK!

Excuse the rant, but as avid, thoughtful readers of a wide variety of books, I thought you might be interested in this - and maybe as outraged as I am.  I am outraged whenever books are banned, but the Henderson Junior High in the Stephenville school district in TX has banned some that are near and dear to the hearts of many on this board - the House of Night and Vampire Academy series.  Although the banning of any book is shameful, these bannings were of particular note because they banned books in the series that have not been published yet, with no way to know, review or consider the content of those books.  The objections raised to these series was based on the sexual nature of the content, though it is not unlikely to assume "religious sensitivities" (the category the ACLU uses to describe objections based on religious content of books) might have been at the forefront of the objectors' minds as well.

Banning books is frightening attempt to curtail freedom of speech and control public opinion, sentiment and morals.  Rather than leave it to parents to monitor their children's reading habits, these school districts have taken it upon themselves to remove these books from the shelves and deny access to all.  Henreich Heine said "Where ever they burn books, they will also, in the end, burn human beings."  In some minds, including mine, banning books is the first step along that dangerous road.

The ACLU of Texas Free People Read Freely report has further details, but in support of these authors whom we all love, I encourage you all to go out and buy a banned book or take one out of the library.  I'm going to buy the next PC Cast even though I wasn't going to originally.  (I suppose this also goes to show that people who ban books have never met a teenager or outraged 30 yr old woman.  Banning books only generates more interest in them

Oh guys, after reading this thread you make me want to go back and re-read the BDB series AGAIN! I love Phury, makes me just want to hug him!!!  I love Wrath Most I think.  Maybe its because he is the leader of the bad ass warriors but i tend to lean to him.

Anyone read Graceling?  I can't recommend it enough!  It was great!

trying to decide what to read next fever or BDB?

Fever is more involved as far as brain power. Either one though - can't go wrong. The 1st 3 books of BDB are much easier, a little OTT until it gets more involved & the storyline gets more involved a bit later in the 4th book.

Remember how we have wondered about all of the Scotsmen in some of these books -- it's as if there is a glut of drop-dead-goregous magically enabled men in Scottland or else it's a genre nuance? Well, in reading the Romantic Times nomination list for the best books of 2009, I was pleased to learn that there is an entire sub-genre dedicated to romance novels involving Scotsmen. Who knew?

I also love to gloat and while I've been waging a one-woman campaign to categorize Sookie Stackhouse as PNR, the Romantic Times agrees and nominated Dead and Gone for the Best Urban Fantasy in 2009, other nominees in this category include Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost and Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs -- although in my opinion, Mercy Thompson is anemic when it comes to emotion or romance but that's just my opinion.

I was disappointed that Vicki Pettersson's City of Souls didn't make the Urban Fantasy Protagonist category -- maybe the reason the publisher is going with a more conventional romance genre cover is to get recognized in that market?

If you want to read the nominees, use this link.

  http://www.rtbookreviews.com/temp/RT.09.Nominees.pdf

So I am re-reading V's story right now, actually I am listening to the audio book this time and WOW to me it is way more intense this way.  I am just starting to do the audio book and I cannot decide which I prefer.  It is a much LONGER process but I think I am getting more out of it.  I really like how Ward deals with V and Butch-I forgot how hard the struggle is for V.  I remember when I first read the series I was impressed with how she dealt with the sexual tension between men.  Anywhoo...just wanted to say reading/listening to V's story again--makes me really appreciate what goes into this series even if it isn't everyone's favorite.

Yeah, V's story is my overall fave for the brothers individually as well & one of my fave's in the series. It vies with book 6 minus Phury (who never did much for me) for the #1 spot.

The relationship between V & Butch is excellent & the 1st time anything like this has been explored to this degree in a PNR series. I apprecaited that about Wards writing so much. One of the reasons why I love the series. She continues with this theme of course with Qhuinn & Blay & John M. I love that she does that & does it with so much sensitivity. It never feels as if she is exploiting the issue b'c she showing how deep the bonds of friendship & love could be which may which in turn, cause confusion.

As a woman - it helps me relate to their story so much better. I get so much more out of it. She didn't just wrte for slash, she was exploring the boundaries of friendship. I love this aspect.

I adored the Night Huntress Series by Janeine Frost. Its kind of similar to Fever series in the way of the hot heroine and her hot hero mentor. Bones can almost give Barrons a run for his money. I did appreciate though that while it is an ongoing series, the books dont end on cliffhangers....that is very frustrating! Gotta love how he calls her kitten too in his cockney english accent!

Has anyone read the Brian Lumley Necroscope series? I had a conversation with a guy at a dinner on the weekend and he said he stumbled on one of the books while he was in a hotel and thought I might like it.

Your thoughts?

I wanted to add a second vote of confidence to Laura's reccomendation of Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. I just picked it up last night and it pratically read itself to me.

The story is the first in a series about a halfling, Jane True who lives in Maine. Although the book doesn't break any new ground in genre convention, it is well written, funny and Nicole Peeler is finally giving me as a reader, what I've wanted with a more modern heroine who although she's an almost virgin living in a small, provincial town with a reputation of being the local headcase (sound familiar?) she's not a rube and she's educated. She also has some really fun inner dialogues that had me laughing outloud.

I really liked the cover to this book and contents lived up to the cover. It's worth the purchase price of $7.99.   

I think the Jane True series will end up on my A-List and I look forward to the second book's release in July.

You know I really like the fever series...but I hate bones and I really don't know why but i can't stand him.  Sorry for those of you who love him!

Not PN but just straight time-travel, I've gotten sucked in by Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and can't escape!  I've just gotten my hands on the 3rd book and hope to have some time on an upcoming business trip to get into it.  Anyone else read this one?

I have read the first 2 books of the Outlander series. It is a great series, super huge books though.

I read the first 3 books and absolutely Loved them, but I did have to take a break from them because there soo long.

What is Outlander about and why did you enjoy it? I am thinking of adding to my bookswap wish list and I am looking for more information. THANKS!

Outlander is about Claire who is an english nurse in the 1940's and she takes a trip to Scotland with her husband. While there she visits some standing stones and gets transported back to the 18th century (i think that's around the right time but not sure it's been awhile). Of course she ends up in the middle of this battle between the english and the scots...everyone is suspicious of her especially the scots because she's an english woman traveling alone and no one knows where she came from.

I really just love all the characters in these books they are just so well written..I got really drawn into these people and what was happening to them. My husband thought I was insane because I would be laughing outloud, cussing the book, and also just crying my eyes out LOL.

I just found out about The Lady Lies by KMM.......sheeeesh that woman knows how to write a good romance! She also know where to stop a story for maximum frustration! It is available on her myspace page i think.....but i warn you only about half has been posted, and the other half probably wont be up until after she has finished writing Shadowfever.

I really enjoyed Outlander and am now on the 3rd book in the series.  The plot is along the lines Misfit described above -- it is slow to start, but then picks up rapidly.  Imagining traveling back 200 years and the daily life of that time is really interesting, and the series (so far) is posing interesting questions about the way we influence history.  That is, when Claire goes back in time and realizes she has arrived at the eve of the Jacobite revolution, she already knows the outcome -- the book has so far been ambiguous on whether she influences events in history or whether history is the way it is because it presupposes the time travel and intervention -- quite interesting.  Rachel, you might be interested in giving it a try -- but warning that it is slow initially and the books are extremely long.

I'll give Outlander a go -- it can't be any slower than the Hollows (really, seven books in and we still haven't figured out whether or not Ivy should bite Rachel).I already have book two coming in from my book swap and I'm next in line for the first book. So I'll be ready to dig in soon!

I did stumble upon a new series this weekend that I was surprised to find that I am enjoying as much as I am, it's the Black London series by Caitlin Kittredge who is best known for her Nocturne City series that I haven't started yet but will because I really enjoyed the beginings of the Black London series.

This is dark, urban fantasy. The first book is from the point of view of Pete Caldecott who is a detective at Scottland Yard in search of missing people. One of her cases leads her to a tip that reunites her with a figure from her adolesence whom she thought was dead, her older sister's ex-boyfriend -- I'm not giving away anything big here. Turns out he's not dead and he has some special skills to help her solve her case -- but he's a junkie with all of the issues that come with a nasty habit. The story is actually well written and there's nothing chic or sexy about Jack's heroine addiction -- Pete is an interesting lead because her mission really is to protect and save -- she's not a saint, far from it but she's got a few more layers than we usually see when we meet a heroine in a book one in a series and I got into the book. And I liked the fact that we don't really know what sort of relationship will evolve -- Jack's got some serious baggage. They do work well together though and I liked seeing that unfold and evolve -- and there was a very well placed and constructed twist in their relationship that I completely bought.

The weak point is the author's interpretation of Brit coloquialisms -- she's not quite got it right and that has been the biggest criticism of the work. Since I'm American, I can get around it -- and I even sucked it up and dealt with the mistakes in geography and local slang in the first couple of Harry Dresdens and I'm glad I did (still, there isn't a single Wal-Mart within city limits, it's a HUGE issue here but that's a story for another day).

The second book in the series will be in my hot little hands tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it -- I think it's told from Jack's perspective which will be a first in a series that I've read to get a first person narrative from both leads in the first two books -- I hope I'm right about that.

Sounds good -- I may mark on my to-read list!  I still haven't gotten to the Dresden files though and would like to do.  But I think I am going to finish the Outlander series first.

Has anyone read Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness?

The premise grabbed my interest from the get-go since we finally have a heroine who has a fully developed life that predates her entre into the preternatural world -- she's a divorce with a child. Not a widow, but an actual divorce -- imagine that. Seriously, when was the last time we had a lead character who had an established life before they pluge into the paranormal? I'm reading it for that premise alone.

Here is the publisher's description of the book, but have any of you heard anything else about it? It's the first in a new series and the second book will be released in August. It seems kind of sci-fi but I'll give it a go.

Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She's recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by ruthless nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.'s Integration Task Force even harder. Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim -- but can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined?  

Recommendations for the last 4 books I read this week:

The first three books of the Midnight Breed.  Pretty much a rip off of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, but the 1st 3 are good enough to pull your attention.

Today I finished Three Days to Dead by Meding.  A first novel by the author and I was actually very pleasantly surprised.  Definitely on the top of my very good read list.

Next week Frost's First Drop of Crimson comes out.  Can't wait.  In the meanwhile I'll probably check out the highly talked about Tempest Rising and the Jane Yellowrock series.  Have a great week!

Steph

Please let me know how the Yellowrock series works out. Thanks!

Finished Tempest Rising yesterday and now working on the Yellowrock series.  I'm a little divided on Tempest Rising.  It dragged a bit at the begining, the protagonist was more whinny than multi-dimensional,  and it wasn't completely orginal with an Alpha male love triangle.  Not to say that it wasn't well written or entertaining, it just didn't leave me really wanting more.

The 1st book in the Jane Yellowrock series left me feeling about the same as Tempest Rising.   The biggest problem I noticed was exceptionally bad editing. It was very tough for me to get through, between the bad editing and cave man type dialogue of Jane's Beast.  It was also really repetitive, due to bad editing, with the endless description of the protagonist daily routine.     Additionally, I'm not really sure the protagonist is very likable.  Yes she is very strong, but she is also very rude and gross. I will probably skip the 2nd book, since the reviews place the 2nd one in a very bad light.

Thank you for the reviews. I really enjoy getting other opinions. It helps more than you realize!

What I liked about Tempest Rising were some of the inner dialogues Jane had in respect to the oddities of the new world in which she finds herself -- some of her observations I would have had if I were in her position (like seaweed pubes?!?). I agree that many of the themes are proforma to the genre --- lonely small town social outcast almost virgin with mommy issues; beautiful but unaware of her beauty; possess qualities that make her irresistable to paranormal alpha male types and she has a certain plucky spirit that makes her stand out among paranormal types in social situations so she does the right thing no matter what the cost to her safety --- you're right, it's proforma to the genre. However, the voice of Jane is different from any of the others I've met so far because she's clever and funny without being snarkey, she's also not a brassy ball buster nor is she a complete damsel in distress -- she's just Jane and I liked that adjustment to the genre standard.  I agree that the love triangle is pretty obvious and that there wasn't anything groundbreaking but I found it clever and entertaining all the same. I'll read the second when it comes out and let you know if it seems like the author is going to cover well-worn ground or if she's going to add a new twist.

More importantly, thanks for the input on the Yellowrock books. You know, I've often complained and complimented editing so it's refreshing to find another reader who notices it too -- really, a book can be made or ruined by the editing. I don't know enough about book editing to know if there is a reason why editors don't get busy with the delete button on some books -- particularly with new authors and/or series but I know a few books and series that I think would have been brilliant if there had been tighter editing. I don't mind length so much as content and too many tangents that lead nowhere are annoying to me as a reader. Description is great if it provides context or texture but I really don't need to know where a character is standing in every scene if it doesn't lead to some other development in the plot.

I push Yellowrock further down my list. I am wrapping up Nocturne City right now -- I like it lot but I'm not crazy about it the way I am with Black London. The lead is really a bitch in Nocturne City, then again she's a werewolf so it makes sense. The stories are good and the author has some sharp chops I really like and the stories are well concieved and executed, I just am not getting as involved in Nocturne City as Black London.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Tempest Rising; especially in retrospect.  I will more than likely read the followup book.  However, I am very happy to have completed and moved on from the 1st yellowrock book.  I am now completely engrossed in the Weather Warden series.  It's probably one of the most entertaining series I have read in a couple of months.  It somewhat reminds me of the Hollows series.  I am only on book 2, but I already know I dig this author.

Black London, is that a series or a book?

I'm reading the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and that's really good ! And Curran, so hot ^^ lol The story is original, the heroine is strong and with a  big mouth, there is werewolf, werecat, vampires, and a lot of mythical creature very cool  ... and i'm dying for the number 4 now !!

There is the author site if you'r interest, they explained better than me their works lol http://www.ilona-andrews.com/

Rachael, I'm starting Better Part of Darkness today, did you get a chance to read it? If so, was it any good?

No I haven't started the Kate Daniels series but I have put it on my wish list in my book swap so I should have it within a couple of weeks -- I'll give it a try. In the meantime, let me know what you think.

I enjoy all of your opinions -- they help me with my reading more than you realize!

I finished Kelly Gay's "the Better Part of Darkness" I thought it was pretty good for a writer's first published book. I've read a lot worse. It could've been edited a little better, in some places it dragged a little. More character building, a little less filler. The story has some sci-fi feel to it, but not in a cheesy way. Instead of using magic or mystics to explain paranormal beings, they come from different dimensions. Sounds kinda hokey, but seriously, not bad.

The plot was a nice change from the normal "oh I have super powers, but I'm a female and need help from some guy who has a burgeoning manhood" The protagonist is confident, but doesn't overdo it. It's more about family and real life issues than some of the far off fantasy books that are sometimes over the top.

I would give it a 7/10. My main complaint is I wanted to know more about the people in the story, but I will read the series when more books come out. If she keeps up her imagination, it should be a good series.

I am now knee deep into the Weather Warden series and I am enjoying it fully.  It's one of the delightful series I have read in quite some time.  It's a very intelligent read, however some might find the consistent weather plot exploring a bit science or description heavy.  I however thought the author skillfully crafted a world both visually dynamic and very original.

There are 8 books out so far, with a 9th due in Aug.  I have read 6 of 8, and everyone of them has been heart stopping action packed and wondrous.   The only one that I was not completely enthralled with was the 4th.  It was still good, but not my favorite.

So, I give this series a big thumbs up.

Oh I really liked the Weather Warden  series. 

On both of your reccomendations, I have the first three books in the Weather Wardens series enroute to me through my book swap -- I'll probably start them in a couple of weeks but I am looking forward to it.

Oh, I think you're going to like it.  However I can see how others, that have followed the series through the years, are little miffed that Caine hasn't already ended the series.  I can't wait to read book #9.

I am currently reading Mark of the Demon, which I recommend as well.  It's very well written and entertaining as a Demon murder Mystery.

I have the 1st 2 Weather Warden books with me on my current work trip and am looking forward to starting them when I finish Outlander 6.  I was in B&N the other day and hadn't been in a bookstore proper in a long time (I mostly buy through amazon) -- it was very interesting to see all of these books categorized as "sci-fi."

I started Kim Harrison's "For a Few Demons More" today. I'm only on page 24, but I'm kinda lost. Is it me, or is it a little hard to follow? There's a lot going on and I'm not quit grasping it all. Do I just need to keep reading and she will explain?

Is that the 1st one? Um, she explains but I have issues with her execution of the series, it's not on my personal recommend list but it has a solid fan base. We discuss it a lot in the this thread & on the other forum.

Yes I found the 1st one hard to follow & sometimes even the simplest explanations didn't appear until 5 books in. Harrison would write a scene & it felt like she thought she explained it previously or assumed the reader should already know but it would be the 1st time bringing it up. It was frustrating for me. Esp. in hindsight.

Maybe it's not the first one, I thought it was the first in the Hollows, do I need to read some of the others to understand what's going on? I'll try Dead Witch Walking. Is that the first one?

I figured it out, when I checked, it said Few Demons was the first in the series in hardback. There's my mistake. Will start Dead Witch and see if I get it now.lol.

I liked  A Few Demons More but starting at the begining of the Hollows will put a lot of the events in sequence -- just don't count on context. I read the entire series I still cannot tell you exactly what Runners are and why there would be freelance Runners as oppossed to the official Runners and why the official Runners are quasi-government but not really -- and this sort of hole is endemic in the series.

There are some interesting aspects in this series and I'd encourage you to give it a try and form your own opinion.

I will say this though because it really put me off for the first few books -- and that is it's really obvious that Kim Harrison is a Harry Dresden fan because she lifts a number of things from Harry Dresden except a cohesive arc to the series or even an complete explanation for the world her story takes place in.

At the risk of being really annoying, I'm going to take a moment to plead the case for Harry Dresden. This series is wildly popular and deserves to be. What makes Harry Dresden unique is that Jim Butcher has a predefined arc for the series and he's following it. The first book in the series is the weakest and was written as an assignment for his grad school writing class. The second book is also a little weak in terms of style not content, but by the third, his writing has really taken shape and the events in the first books are starting to come into play. The series is well constructed and is driven by plot but I've really fallen for the characters -- especially Harry.

If you want to try something new, please consider Harry Dresden. The RPG nerds got it right when they latched onto Harry Dresden, the series is really well written and executed -- you won't find inconsistencies with characters (remember Debbie Pelt was once a fox and then a lynx) or gaps in the stories, Jim Butcher is very tight.

The Hollows has some interesting developments but it will take a few books into the series before Harrison puts her own mark on genre conventions and protoypes.

Give it a whirl, I'm interested in what you think. I am sure there will be things you like about it -- there are some really interesting characters and dynamics in the books, particularly as the series progesses.

I just had to get my plug in for Harry because there are certain elements that are really close to Harry Dresden and Butcher does it better and is a more complete author (sort of why eat hamburger when there's a filet mignon available).

Yes, I  would definitely read the Hollows series in sequential order.  Also, before you read the 7th book, I would recommend reading the "Short Story Two Ghosts for Sister for Sister Rachel", in order to get a clearer picture of a character that seems to be just droped into the middle of the story.

However I must warn that the 1st book is probably one of the slowest/weakest of the bunch, since it spends a great deal of time introducing the characters and painfully/needlessly describing each scene to death.  With that said, I have to say it really is a great series, if you can get past some of the inconsistent writing of the first few books and few tiresome character relationship introspections.

The 8th book in the series comes out tomorrow, yay!

For A Few Demons More its not the first one, its the 5th, which probably why your having a hard time following it. the first one is White Witch walking. here is the order...

http://www.kimharrison.net/SecondaryPages/BookOrder.html

this is one of my favorite series. Book number 8 just came out today!!

Rachel.... runners would be best looked at as bounty hunters, except they don't kill their bounty, they jail them.

Thank you all for the Weather Warden reccomendation, I just started the first book today but I know I'm going to like it.

I wanted to see if any of you had read the Anna Strong series by Jeanne Stein -- it looks like another version of Anita Blake but I like Anita Blake and if it's well done, I'll get into it (see my affection for Harry Dresden). Have any of you heard anything about this series?

No I haven't but I just looked it up. Cool covers. They are real fine fantasy art.  It got mid range reviews across the board and publishers weekly said it's said fans of LKH & Harrion will like this series which doesn't help me much. I hate when they do that b'c I often feel they're wrong anyway.

I am so excited to be getting my kindle back although I feel buried under the amount of books I have to read I am so behind!

Has anyone tried Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series?

You all made a great call for me with the Weather Warden and I'm curious about the Morganville Vampires, let me know if anyone has given them a go. Thanks!

I've read them, they were alright. More for the young adult audience.

Well ladies? What did you guys think of the latest Hollows?

I haven't read but want to hear. Lost of of high marks on goodreads but mixed reviews on Amazon. To me Amazon is a little more well rounded when it comes to reviews so I read many of the reviews there & from the sounds of the critiques - it seems like I'd be just as exasperated so I doubt I'll read it. Heather what do you think? You know  a lot of the things I had issue with (same stuff, different day) - will it just continue to frustrate me?

I mean I read all 7 books & the shorts so I want to to know happens b'c of the time I invested but I don't feel compelled to read 500 pages if it's truly same old, same old. So, is this the book where she really blows it out the park & has a huge amount of character development?

well Laura I am sure you know what I have to say about it... I loved it. But I love the series as well. It was longer then the others, which I really liked as well. It has tons of Al in it, which was wonderful cause he is my favorite character.

I am not sure what you would think of it? She still does her whinnying, and its not my fault stuff. But really she is growing up. maybe now that I think about it, you might like it, she does do quite a bit of standing up for herself and butt kicking in it.... I don't know, you will just have to decide if you want to check it out yourself.

You know I love Al! I guess I will put it on the back burner. OK so the whining not so good. What about Ivy - is that the same old? That might be my deciding factor.

Looks like Amazon finally figured out that PNR is a hot genre

Amazon's intorduction to PNR section

oh no Rach and Ivy have done, past that phase. They have finally figured out that they can't go there, and they are both fine with it.

lets see.... lots of Pierce, lots of Al, some Trent, Nick comes back in the story for a bit. Its about Rach being not only shuned but now they are trying to assassinate her, or give lock her up for life. Its pretty fast paced with lots of action and also some sorrow (I wont go into that too much).

Like I said, I loved it, and can't wait for more, but then again I love the story as well.

As far as Amazon is concerned, I usually go to Barnes and Noble to read reviews or covers for books. I find that if I read the customer reviews, I get TMI (too much info) and spoilers that just make me crazy. So I have given up on going to Amazon to look into books.

I kWM Laura.  If your 7 books deep in any series you're pretty much vested in finding out what comes next.  I purposely read this one slow, to relish as much as I could.

Finishing this morning, I can't help but have mixed feelings.  Don't get me wrong, I thought it a very entertaining and pleasant read, but the plot and sub-plots seemed to be a bit disijointed and I am really starting to tire of Rachael's selfish and obtuse actions.  Rachael really needs to grow up and start owning up to her actions and what she truly is.  And don't get me started about that ending.  I know she was trying to set us up for the 9th book, but come on.  I don't want to get too specific for those that haven't read it yet.  I can't wait to read book 9, since it pretty much started at the end.  Way to hook and frustrate your readers Ms. Harrison.

Spoilers Below >>>>>>>>>>>>>   

I thought that Al and Rach had better chemistry than Pierce and Rach; and would have preferred her not following through with Pierce. I donno, I am not sure if I truly like Pierce all that much for her. He seems needy and a little obsessed; and I can't see her being satisfied with someone like that in the end. HEA guy I'm hoping for her is either Al or Trent. Okay, I have a thing for bad boys.

I was really loving all the Al time, and completely disappointed that he didn't come back at the end to berate her on sleeping with Pierce. Any case, didn't he say he was going to accompany her to watch how things unfold? He just sort of disappeared. 

Speaking of witch loving, what is going on with their sexual anatomy? Do both female and male witches have barbs? 

My other problem was the entirely new storyline that seemed to just drop in on us in the very last chapter. Okay, die hard fans know that the 9th book will be Trent/Rach centric; but do you have to frustrate us by starting it at the ending of the 8th? That ending did seem somewhat abrupt, but I guess not on the level as say DreamFever. I was also hoping that the unresolved Pandora memory would be finalized, but alas, it was not.

And I am bit confused as to why they were hunting Jonathan at the end. I know he did wrong by trying to kill Rach by altering the Pandora Charm, but it doesn't really follow Trent's character to reprimand him that way with Rach as an invited voyeur.

Speaking of witch loving, what is going on with their sexual anatomy? Do both female and male witches have barbs?

LOL!! Oh my god this is one of those details which drove me nuts. Harrison brings  it up with Nick & Kisten but doesn't elaborate until Marshall  -several books later which made me believe it's about the energy more than the anatomy. And now she brings it up again in this fashion!? Forget it.

To be honest - it sounds like it will frustrate the hell out of me. If Rache is still not owning her stuff  & the plots are still dis-jointed & all over the place. I still have major questions about why Rachel did what she did in the last book. I mean - I know why but I really didn't get the point.

Thank you for your feedback ladies.  

The Pierce thing doesn't surprise me. I want Al!
 

I hope I didn't spoil it for you Laura.  I didn't really mean to share too much with those that haven't read it yet.

I'm still sort of confused about the whole witch mating thing.  Clues left from the proceeding books only seemed to confuse me more.  From what was explained during the Rach/Kisten & Nick relationships I thought maybe there genitally was in a different spot or something. Then during the Marshall fling, it seems you can have sex without even touching.  And this book brings it to a whole level crazy b/c they seem to have their genitally in the normal area but may also have a barb for reproducing with less endowed witch males, and they can have normal and leyline sex at the same time?  Oye, I'm still confused.

So what sort of sex would Rach & Al have.  I need to know these things damn it!

I still think that Al may be Rach's HEA, since she is likely to produce demon children and they would likely to be taken away (by demons?) if she is not with a demon to protect her.  Still, I think she needs to get with Trent and maybe Minas before that.

No, no you didn't. I wanted to know so thank you. I have so many books in my queue - I really didn't want to read 500 pages when it's basically the same & I could get filled in & still keep up.

Maybe the barb comes form the demon side?

Oh I forgot Minas! I am a huge Minas fan. How could I forget him? I love the demons.

It was still a really good read and frankly I have nothing to read while waiting for a ton of other series to release their next books.  So your not going to read it?

The barb didn't seem unexpected, which leads me to think that all females witches, and maybe the males, have barbs for reproduction.  Do you need two people with barbs to have it stay engaged?  Oye', I can't believe I'm having this convo.

Yeah, we haven't seen Minas in quite some time.  I miss that hot little demon.  I hope he comes back eventually, b/c he is a bit dynamic for a demon.

I don't think so. My kindle broke & I finally got it replaced. I am sooo behind on the all these books I want to & was in the middle of reading when it went on he fritz. I am a little OCD about reading - little peccadilloes I have about order of it etc..

So anyway - I finally got it back & am blowing through some new releases I had been waiting for & then going back to what I was reading. My queue after that is huge. I think the series has run it's course for me. I really tried hard but in the end & in hindsight, it wasn't for me. There are elements I love (like Minias, Al, Jenks - the whole Demon leyline/witchcraft outlet) but it sounds like Rachel is still Rachel & if I can't get with the MC, then I should just stop. Plus I still have a ton of questions about certain incidents etc.... which I dont' thin are ever going to addressed.

What I might do is when I feel like I have made a substantial dent, maybe I'll pick it up eventually. I mean I invested a lot of time in energy on the series so I hate giving up but I am fine with hearing you it via you guys.

I'm in the middle of Book 3 of the Weather Warden series and enjoying it so far. Thanks for the recs.

I'm glad you like it so far.  I think the Weather Warden &  Fever series are closely becoming tied in most obsession worthy for me.  The Hollows comes in to a close third.

On a another note, I would like to recommend the Kara Gillian Series.  There are two books out so far, that are written in the POV of a female Police detective who summons demons in her spare time.  These demons and their world are bit different from KH's demons and the EA.  The books can be described as "Who Done It" storylines, with UF and bit of PNR thrown in.  Both books are fast paced, intelligent, and interesting; and I give them a solid "A" recommendation.  However, I must warn there are some gruesome scenes, for those sensitive to that sort of thing.

Mark of the Demon (Book 1):

 http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Demon-Kara-Gillian-Book/dp/0553592351/ref

I am only about 20% the way through but I was finally able to pick up reading the Leandros Brothers series by Rob Thurman, again (Kindle issues prevented me from being able to get very far one I started). I am not in love...yet but kinda feel like I will be.

I can't put my finger on why yet but I am really liking the writing style & narrative voice. There's just something on point about it that makes me grin.

Oh, I have that series in my reading cue.  Looks promising, but I haven't read a book written by a man in quite some time.  Is there any romances at all in these books?

What sort of problems are you having problems in reading these books?  I have a Kindle as well.

Funnily enough - Rob's a woman! However - it's a man's narrative. I think there is romance but I don't think it comes until much later in the series. Rachel wrote a great little snippet in the A-F list it you want to know more. She loves the series - it's on her A list.

Oh my battery was jacked up on my Kindle. It barely held the charge so I would read all of an hour if I was lucky & sometimes much less than that. They finally replaced it for free! It was awful trying to read b'c I would get into a book & it would die. So I went on my Fanfic bender until I got my new Kindle. Now I have it. Yay.

I never would have guessed Rob is a lady.  I hate to admit that was part of the reason why I never got around to reading that series. Prejudice much?

I'm glad you were able to fix your ebook.  I can't believe I ever functioned without it.  However I still read paper copies, since not everything is being released electronically, or at the same time as the Hard copies.  Probably something to do with copy right infringements that the publishers are now facing.  Maybe they should get with the record producer's lawyers in orders to save a bit of heart ache.

I just finished the Local Habitation; the 2nd book of the Toby Daye series (1st book-Rosemary & Rue).  I guess all the tittles are following Shakespearean prose.  Anyways, very good follow-up; but a little less action and bit sluggish in the middle.  A Solid B+

For those interested, here is an excerpt from the Weather Warden's 9th book, due out in Aug:

http://rachelcaine.livejournal.com/157147.html#cutid1

The best paranormal romance book I've read are the Night Huntress books by Jeaniene Frost. She has great characters and plots and it was impossible to put the book down once I starded reading.

I've also read these series; Cassandra Palmer, Midnights Daughter, Fever, Succubus, Dark Swan, Vampire Academy, Sookie Stackhouse, Women of the underworld, Merry Gentry ( not all)

I like the Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead second best. Like Jeanine she is good with characters  and have plots that are easy to understand. I can't understand how everyone can love the Merry Gentry series, I didn't even feel like countinuing after I had read the first 2 books^^

Cassandra Palmer, Midnights Daughter, Fever, Succubus, Dark Swan, Vampire Academy, Sookie Stackhouse, Women of the underworld

What do you think of these? 

I can't understand how everyone can love the Merry Gentry series, I didn't even feel like countinuing after I had read the first 2 books^^

Honestly beside me & Rache, I don't know anyone else who has read them or read & liked that as much as us, so it's just the 2 of us, definitely not everyone.

I think you have to be a big fan of LKH to even remotely like them to be honest & with being a big fan, you have to kind of develop a  - to know her writing is to love her writing - mentality.

LKH is defo an acquired taste & I can completely understand how she's not to everyone's. I read them after devouring the Anita series & part of the pleasure was that they were such a diff. tone from the Anita books & I was shocked & pleasantly surprised.

Anita series, IMO walk the line of being mainstream & fringe...definitely going more fringe later.

Merry on the other hand is balls out fringe & I think the publishers do the books a disservice by putting them in the PNR section. It's greedy. They think they're going to attract the large PNR fans but I don't think this series is mainstream enough & kind of misleading for readers of PNR.  It should be in something like Dark Adult Fantasy or something.

In my bookstore - the Anita & Merry series are actually Sci/Fi-Fantasy section right next to the Horror section. Funnily enough - the Sookie books were there for a time too (before True Blood came out). They moved them though to their own cardboard thingy & then into the PNR section.

I don't think you'll like Anita either unless you like dark adult.

I liked the Merry series fairly well.  It strikes me as being camp beyond belief, but that's part of why I like it.

It strikes me as being camp beyond belief, but that's part of why I like it.

So camp! The best part is that LKH does take herself so seriously, she doesn't even realize she is producing camp but I get so into them nevertheless. Although the last book was meh. I can see she is going into another arc of the series though.

The Merry books remind me of this amazing B movie I saw in college called Switchblade Sisters. It was one I heard Quentin Tarantino banging on about so I finally rented & watched it. Of course - it started off & we were all laughing & making fun of it & sloooowly but surely...it sucked us in. By the end we were all nuts about the movie!  Even though it was totally campy, OTT - we all got sucked in emotionally.

The BDB series was kind of like that for me too.

Good morning! Sodapop, you might want to check out the Weather Wardens -- I just jumped on that bandwagon (thanks Wolfy)! It's similar to Eugenie Markham in pacing and it's well constructed and executed.

As for Merry Gentry and Anita Blake, I second Laura's position that while we adore them, it's easy to understand how they don't click with every reader and that's completely understandable.

Try the Weather Wardens, based on what you've really enjoyed I think you'll like this too.  I never would have found it if Wolfy hadn't pointed it out to me and the members on this forum have been great about finding some lesser known gems in the genre.

So, confused.  I started reading the Guild Hunter series, starting with the short story, based on a recommendation.  In starting the first book, I quickly found out the short story characters are not the same as in the novels.  I was hoping to follow what can next with them.  Anyone know if Ash and Janvier are in any of the books?

I agree that the Night Huntress series is one of the best written and well constructed PNRs out there. (FYI, 5th book is out Feb 22nd, 2011.)

My all time fav. series so far are Fever, Weather Warden, Hollows, Succubus, Night Huntress, and Sookie.  Good series: Guild Hunter, Twilight, Mercy Thomas, Almost Human, BDB books.

Best new series IMO: October Daye, Kara Gillian, Jane True & Dreg City.  Good new series: Cin Craven.

Gave it a chance, and bailed first chance >> Jaz Parks Series, Jane Yellowrock, Midnight Breed (only the 1st 3 books were okay), Dorina Basarab (Dhmpir), & Immortals after Dark.

Not yet Steph. In the 2nd book Ash gets mentioned.

The Ebook was the prelude to the GH world & infrastructure. In order to get more of an up close glimpse inside the world of a hunter & the vamps.  I should have said that when I put the series on my list. It's not really considered a part of the actual series, series.

So basically - if someone didn't read the ebook, they wouldn't know what they missed. It would be OK, but I really liked the ebook enough to move on & try the 1st book in the series & I am a bit anal & always like to read fromform the very beginning no matter what.

I was disappointed and a bit confused too when Ash wasn't in it & it didn't continue that story but I guess we're supposed to consider it like the anthology shorts in many series. They often focus on side characters.

I should clarify on my list. I will go do that.

Laura, it's no problem.  I really enjoyed the short and was hoping to see those characters again.  I also hate when a story starts at the middle or end without any flashbacks or explanation.

No worries, it was a great point. It also really explains why I wasn't so into the 1st novel. I was really intrigued by Ash & Janvier.

I also hate when a story starts at the middle or end without any flashbacks or explanation.

Is that how the 1st books started off? I don't even remember now!

Just finished the first two books of the Guild Hunter Series.  Thanks for the recommendation Laura, I really enjoyed it.

*************************************************************************************

For those who have read the Outlander Seies, do you mind helping me out with a few things?  I would go to Amazon, but I am afraid I would get more details than what I'm after.  You know it's spoilerville.

In any case, I finished reading the 1st book this weekend, and I thought very good however a bit self indulgent and needing a little more editing IMO.  After reading the first book and how detailed she gets, I found myself fairly confused when jumping into the 2nd book.  How do you go from utterly detailed to skipping 23 yrs?  Is there going to be any point in the 2nd book where it will be explained?  If not, I rather not bother.

Steph

I just finished the first book in the Outcast Season series by Rachel Caine. This is a spinoff series from the Weather Wardens and unlike most spinoffs that just take a character or two and focus on giving the reader the story of supporting characters... Outcast Season is more of an intersection of a larger arc that I think will join both series in ways that the leads from both series cannot yet see.

If you've followed Weather Wardens, I strongly reccomend Outcast Season -- you'll get a different look at the world and the intrigues in ways that Joanne could never see. Engaging reading and I really like Cassiel.

Wolfy -- yes, Outlander Book #2 flashes back and forth in time and all will be explained (or at least partially so).

My boss highly recommended George RR Martin's A Game of Thrones (which is more fantasy than PN) so I think I am going to give that a try next.

montbriac -- which are the characters that overlap the 2 series?

Er, thanks M.  I am about 10% of the way through the 2nd book.  Is it just me or do these Outlander books really bring out the inner girl?  I think I've been on the verge of tears 3 times already.  It might also just be the evening cocktails that's doin' it. Cheers.

More than character overlapping you've got a much richer and complete look at the world of the Weather Wardens and Djinn -- without giving away any real spoliers there is another and more dangerous splinter group than the Sentinels attacking the Wardens and Djinn at the same time as the events in Cape Storm occur -- and this also explains a bit of where some of Lewis' attention is as well (poor guy really deserves a vacation).

Characters from the Wardens who appear in Outcast Season include Lewis, Jonathan, Ashan, David, Joanne, Imara, Venna and Many Rocha a Warden that Joanne briefly meets earlier. Cassiel is the lead and she's mentioned in Cape Storm but not explored.

I'm starting the second book in Outcast Season today -- there are only two books so far but I'm really enjoying the way that Caine is using the spinoff series to further explore the world she's creating and to provide us with a different look at Djinn and Wardens. What she is doing in Outast Season she could not with the Wardens because the Wardens is so closely focused on Joanne and David -- this series is the perspective of a fallen Djinn and another set of related intrigues but intrigues that just wouldn't be plausable for Joanne to go after or even really be aware of but these intrigues need to exist to further suss-out the two worlds. Caine is also using the series to explore Djinn and human societies in more anthropological terms than she really is able to with the Wardens which again, is focused really on star-crossed lovers. By using a fallen Djinn, we're getting a different perspective and some backstory on the worlds that the author just can't explore in the same way with the Wardens.

I'm hoping that at some point Caine will bring both series together in a huge apocalypitc ho-down.  I don't know if she will or not, but there is the potential for her to make an epic and exceptional joiner with the two series. I'd really like it if she did, I haven't seen a genre author really do this yet and I think Caine could pull it off.

Ladies, I was thinking it might be cool to start a paranormal fiction movie recmmendation thread. I was unsure whether I should or not b/c many people believe books are better than movies, and I agree, but thought it would be intersting to talk about. We could complain whether the movie stunk and was nothing like the book, or give recomends to others on movies that were awesome.

Also, there are some books that have been made into movies, while I liked the plot, I wasn't into it enough to devote myself to reading the series. On the other end, there are movies that were so awful I would've never read the book unless I had someone tell me the book was MUCH better. (like Eragon)

If you like the idea, we can start the thread, if it's a no, then dead in the water and nevermind.

We have a vampire movie thread? Have a look see if it will do - if not - start away.

http://www.tangler.com/forum/paranormal-fiction---vampires-werewolves-and-faries-oh-my/topic/60572

Have any of you read Scott Westerfeld's Midnighters series? It's an urban fantasy young adult series and it has a good buzz about it but I was curious if any of you had heard of it or read it?

Okay, I have to rave.  While I kept putting down the the Black London & 2nd Outlander book, I couldn't put down Spider's Bite.  It's the 1st book in the series, and I was reading it even while driving in traffic.  I know crazy right.  Well, it all turned out okay & have to give a shout out to this gritty, sexy & throughly entertaining action packed book.  A++

I will have to add that to the list, it sounds interesting. I see the 2nd book will be out in May.

Has anyone read the Tess Noncoire series by PR Frost?

I haven't heard of any of these latest ones you guys have been talking about.

I just finished the Host.  It was good and I weeped a lot, but I have to say this seemed pretty mild and a bit YA to me.  Anyways, can't wait for Silver Bourne & Succubus Shadows to come out tomorrow.  I am such an addict.

@Montibriac, I haven't heard of PR Frost's books.  Looks interesting. Let us know what you think, if you decide to try it out.

has anyone read How to Catch and Keep a Vampire by Diana Laurence? I was out at the Bookstore today and I came across it and was wondering if it was a good read. The title sounds funny and the synopsis for the book sounds interesting as well.

Nope! Haven't heard of that one!

Has anyone read Patti O'Shea's Light Warriors series?

It sounds great and has rave reviews.

I've heard of it but haven't read it -- would you be willing to be the forum guinea pig for that one? Let me know if you read it and what you think!

Hey not only will I give it a try but I might even be brave enough to report back!

Reporting back that I quite liked A Game of Thrones and have now moved on to Book #2 in the series A Clash of Kings.  The books are fairly long but relatively quick moving -- they are about the heft of the Outlander books.

Meanwhile I got through the 1st 5 books of the Weather Warden series and am taking a bit of a break before going further.  I liked it very well, but it's very hectic and the heroine keeps running into the same types of problems, so I am going to put down briefly and come back in a bit -- I imagine it will be quite easy to pick back up.

M, thanks for the feedback.  I've never heard of that series.

I just finished the first two books of the Dark Swan, and I can't say enough about them.  I won't bore you with a review, since there is already a thread devoted to this series.   However, I will say that I think I have enjoyed it a bit more than the Succubus series.

M, I agree that the Weather Warden series seems to be going in a spiral -- like a tornado. So yes, I think you see the same threat replayed a few different ways and I understand how that can get tired and I think this is the shortcoming of the series -- it's constructed as a love triangle. I really liked the spinoff series, Outcast Season -- you have to read through book 8 of Weather Wardens before you can really do the spinoff because there are events, situations and characters that overlap.

What I really liked about Outcast Season was that it really builds on the world we're introduced to in the Warden series but instead of the microcosim we're restricted to because of Joanne's limitations, we see much more of the bigger picture because the spinoff series has a lead who is a fallen Djinn whose knowlege, experience and immediate adventures are much, much broader than Joanne's. I really liked it.

Wolfy, since you liked the Dark Swan series I'd like to reccomend that you consider the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. It's a new series about another halfling and it shares certain themes in common with Eugenie Markham but the lead is a lot sharper and it's a bit more nuanced. The first book in the series is stronger than the second which I felt could have been edited a bit tighter but I still enjoyed.

Thanks Montbriac,  I've got the Outcast series in my cue.  I've already read the October Daye series, and I like it so far.  I like that the author is releasing the 1st 3 books pretty close together.  This waiting a yr+ for a subsequent book in the series sucks big tyme.

I'm on the 4th book of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I'm really enjoying them and I have really grown fond of Harry Dresden. There isn't a lot of romance in it, but it's very interesting and exciting. I'm told the books get better, so I have high hopes for it. Has anyone here read them?

Rachel gives Harry big-ups in either this thread or the - Rec List at a Glance, A-Z thread.

I can count on one hand the number of times Harry's gotten laid in 12 books. What the series lacks in romance it more than makes up for with intimacy in the stories and the dynamics of the Dresden series -- I'm not giving anything away by telling you that his relationship with Karrin Murphy strengthens and that both Harry and Karrin are better people for the connection they share -- and Harry will grow close to other indivduals you've met and through him, you will find yourself caring about them too.

That said, I wouldn't mind seeing Harry get a little more some-some if you know what I mean.

I just finished the Light Warriors series by Pattie O'Shea.

I liked this series a lot. It is more a series in the sense of BDB (though not on that level of writing) in that each book follows a different character's story yet follows an ongoing story arc. Good guy characters you met in previous books make minor appearances in future books but the bad guys keep coming back.

It is PNR.  While there were no virgins in sight, we did encounter 3 women who didn't have any clue how attractive they were and 1 who doubted any mans interest in her b'c she thinks everyone sees only her face/figure and not her as a person! Gag.  Oh and three dead mums and one living overseas.  None of the women had any close friends to speak of either.  And hot alpha males. All well hang, can go ALL night, would die for their woman etc etc. Everyone gets a HEA against the odds. You get the picture.

The thing that excited me about this series was the world in which it is set.  I haven't read any books with this world. (That doesn't mean they're not out there - I just haven't come across them).  They were no werewolves, witches, or vampires as we know them but there were plenty of demons and other creatures I've never read about.  The series follows the lives of the Gineal (people with magical abilities) who live under the noses of humans and are sworn to protect humans from Darksiders. They live amongst humans but humans don't know the Gineal are different from them or that magic exists.  They are a secret society.

The series is called Light Warriors b'c the Troubleshooters fight creatures/others called Darksiders.  The Troubleshooters are users of light magic and the Darksiders use dark magic.  (There also is grey magic, which is open to interpretation by the user). Both draw power from the earth etc to do magic and they all have individual power levels and abilities. Their power levels are like a fuel tank.  It burns out as they use their magic and they need to recoup and take time to refuel their power level so this is a factor in battle etc with Darksiders.  Their society is a bit like ants/bees.  It depends on your power level/ability as to which job you can do to serve the best interests of the Gineal and protect humans. And they have internal battles against the siren call of the 'Dark side'.  I really liked this concept.  I'm a huge Star Wars fan so it was easy for me to appreciate the light vs dark battle. The Gineal live in our dimension but the Darksiders come to Earth from other dimensions.  The Troubleshooters are the members of the Gineal who have the power/ability to fight these interlopers.

Anyway I liked it.  It's not going to be everyones cup of tea.  The romance was predictable but the world building was great!

Thanks for the overview (I laughed about the mother overseas), it sounds similiar to Shannon Butcher's Sentinels series which has quasi-demons and the same sort of romance genre cliches but if that a reader's cup of tea, then it's fine.

I might give the Light Warriors a shot over the summer -- seems like light fare that could be entertaining for the Gineal aspect. Again, thanks for the summary.

With about 5 unfinished books, I was starting to think my love for books was beginning to wane.  And, I don't know about you but I feel like somewhat of a failure when I don't follow a book to its finish.  But alas, I found myself finally overtaken with the first two books of the Outcast series.  Loved the emotion and action, but was still hoping for a little more of the promised romance.  Maybe the next book.  So, my last two big recommends are the Dark Swan and Outcast series.

Recent incompletes:

Mind Games- Hypochondriac superhero, really?

Spellbent-

Blue Diablo- Now this one wasn't so bad, and I may go back.  It was just a bit slow at the beginging.

Spiral Hunt

Dragonfly (Outlander book2) Really long books in the series, that seemed to loose my attention after a book and a quarter.  I'll return eventually.

Street Magic (Black London)- Not bad, but I always seemed to find a reason to put it down and start something else.

I wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions,I now have a ton of new books to read. Some of my favorites that I can suggest are:

The Carpathian Dark Series (about 20 books)  by Christine Feehan and her magic series Sea Haven about 7 sisters.

Magic Series by  Cheyenne McCray about witches and the Fae

The Others (around 11 books) by Christine Warren  .    Thanks again

Thanks for more reccomendations.... it's nice to know what else is out there that I need to add to my list.

Currently I am reading the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black, it's very similar to The Hollows series in many respects, but it's very succinct and the author is very clear on where she is going with this. I like it, I'm not wild about it but I'll let you know what I think later on.

I recently did the Werecats series which will wrap up later this year with the sixth book. There is actually some real meat to this series if you can get past the way the heroine is written basically as a jackass for the first two books. The author actually takes on some nuanced topics such as the societal subjegation of women and the roles that women play in their own lives and that of their culture -- there is an interesting love triangle because for a change, who the lead has the hot and heavy with probably isn't the man who brings out the best in her or who she needs to be and who ever she ends up will mean the exile of the other, it's high stakes. That said, the series does follow PNR genre conventions and there are many proforma situations played out, however I really got into the direction the series started to travel in by the third book. They're quick reads and it is a series that will have a complete and defined arc with the last book coming out later this year.

I recently read the Walker Papers Series.  It's sort of similar to the Jane Yellowstone series, but this protagonist is actually likable.  Joanne is a mechanic (ala Mery T.) for the police dept before her life turns upside down.  There is a bit of romance, but it's only flirty and little frustrating throughout the series. I would definitely give this a solid recommendation.  5th book is due out at the end of the month.

I also, just finished the new sookie book and found it rather good.  Nothing to write home about, but definitely not as bad as the majority of the reviewers on amazon believe.  Currently reading the new BDB book.  It's a long one and I'm starting to get whiplash with the multiple sub-stories occurring in the book.  One story I have no idea how it relates to the series at all.

I just wrapped up reading the first two books in the parasol protectorate trilogy by Gail Carriger -- the third book comes out over Labor Day weekend and I cannot wait for it.

The series is a written very much in the style of PG Woodehouse and I was laughing through much of the book, the author has definitely crafted this series with a great deal of care and affection for the age in which it is set, Victorian England. There are wonderful send-ups on the customs and culture of the time that might be lost on some readers who are less familiar with the times but anyone who has read Jane Austen or PG Woodehouse will appreciate the comedic genius of some of the vexing social predicaments -- such as men in kilts.... with their knees exposed... to proper English ladies (look at the ceiling ladies).

The first book in the series is Soulless and like all series firsts, it introduces characters and world builds -- the pleasure I got in reading this book was more in the telling of the story than the story itself. However, second book in the series is Changeless has a much stronger storyline and it ends on a strong cliffhanger -- I adored the book but regret reading it now when I have to wait the entire summer to find out what happens.

There is some nudity (you can't have werewolves without nudity) and some sex in this series but neither the sex nor the nudity is at all graphic and I would be comfortable with a younger reader trying this series.

This series was my entre into the steampunk subgenre of  paranormal/urban fantasy and I really quite enjoyed it and will explore the subgenre more with some other books. Has anyone read Boneshaker?

Thanks Rachel,  That Parsol series has been in my cue for sometime now.  I think I'll hold off until the third one comes out.  We all know that terrible cliffhangers+ waiting= sucks big ones.

Never heard of Boneshaker.  Who is the author. There are many books with that title on Amazon.

Just read Embers.  I'd give it A-

Currently reading the sequal to Spider's Bite, Web of lies.  So far, just as good as the 1st, which was A++.

I was referring to the Cherie Priest title Boneshaker, it has a nifty cover but as I learned from Mercy Thompson, a great cover doesn't mean I'll enjoy the contents as much!

rgr that.  Just like Skinwalker's cover.  Didn't think it lived up to the cover or it's high ratings either.

Have you tried Faith Hunter's Rouge Mage series? They have nifty covers and the premise seems interesting as well... would love any feedback you might have!

In a novel filled with lush imagery and exhilarating action, Faith Hunter creates a near-future world caught in the throes of an ambiguous apocalypse -- where a woman with everything to hide finds her true destiny revealed. As humanity struggles with religious strife and seraphs and demons fight a never-ending battle, a new species has arisen. "Neomages" are human in appearance, but able to twist left-over creation energy to their will. A threat to both humans and seraphs, they are confined in luxurious Enclaves.

Thorn St. Croix is no ordinary neomage. Nearly driven insane by her powers, she is smuggled out of an Enclave and now lives among humans, channeling her gift of stone-magery into jewelry making. But when Thaddeus Bartholomew, a dangerously attractive policeman, tells her that her ex-husband has been kidnapped, Thorn risks revealing her identity to find him. And for Thorn, the punishment for revelation is death.

Oh, this seems interesting and it looks vaguely familiar.  These cover's are different than the one's on amazon.  I have the first book in my cue already.  But I imagine if I didn't care for writing style and character development in Skinwalker, I probably won't like these books either.

But then again, I don't care for the Highlander series and I love Fever; so who knows.

I finished the 12th book of the Dresden Files last night and I'm in love with the series. I adore Harry Dresden and all the other characters. The series got a lot more complex and better after book 6. I can totally reccomend the series to all of you. I'm a big fan now and the last book was just WOW! I can't wait for the next one, this last one left me gasping.

Please, go read them now, you won't be sorry.

Oh and one more thing in Harry's name: POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!

Ahem...

FINALLY! Another Dresden Groupie --- dare we start a thread? There is a short story coming out in October which picks up 45 minutes after the end of Changes and it's told from Murhphy's voice... and you're right, Polka will never die (all hail Butters)!

YES! Let's start a thread for Dresden, he soooo deserves it. I'm completely in love witht he series and the last book was just so WTF! I'm still shocked.

We have a Dresden Files thread now! Yay!

I'm waiting for you there montbriac!

Just finished the 2nd book of the Elemental Series.  I highly recommend this series.  Third book comes out in Sept.  If you like the Weather Warden Series then you will probably like this one.

Not recommended for youngsters, as there is sex and lots of violence in these books.

Thanks for the head's up, I'm adding it to my list!

Oh yeah I heard about that one.

what is the best series to begin after I am finished with the BDB?

What are you in the mood for? Do you want romance, action, mystery, comedy? What do you think it would take to get you excited about another series?

Your fellow readers will try to help match your mood to something that fits.

@montbriac: thanks for responding - I'd like more VAMPIRES

Have you read the Night Huntress series? It's one of the best vampire series out there, imo.

@VampAngel: Yes, I have read all the Night Huntress. I'm all caught up on the Night Huntress, the Fever Series, and the Succubus (Georgina Kincaid) series. Now I am ready for another - I am not sure if I'm going to stick it out witht he BDB or maybe just skip around thru the series (I'm not interested in reading about Butch, for example, so I may skip that one). I haven't decided.

Butch's book is the book that got me into the series but didn't happen until about 75% the way through.

Hmmmm......have you read Anita Blake? It's not for everyone though.

I think I'm gonna start Magic Bites today, the first Kate Daniels book by Ilona Andrews. Has anyone read it? Is it any good?

Just finished Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. I liked it. It's was ok. I'm gonna start the second one. Is anyone a fan of the series? I'm curious about people's opinion and I have a question about a plot point in the first book that is bugging the hell out of me. I need some answers.

You read that quick VampAngel.  That series has been in my cue for some time now.

If you haven't already read, I really recommend the following series: Guild Hunter, Elemental Assassin, October Daye, Weather Warden, Dark Swan, Kara Gillian, Jane True, Night Huntress,  Fever, BBD, Mercy Thomas, Outcast, Hollows, Alpha Omega, Sookie, & Dreg City.

I'm currently reading The World of Lupi Series.  The 1st two books are okay.  I almost stopped reading the first one a couple of times, due to some very boring and confusing dialogue.  Could have used better editing, but not bad.  Book 3 is very good and quick passed so far. There is 6 books in the series so far.   I'll probably read the next Walker Papers or Almost Human book after I'm done with the series.

Hey Wolfy!

Yeah, I'm a super fast reader. I usually read a book a day.

Of all the series you rec'ed, I've read Night Huntress,  Fever, BBD, Mercy Thomas, Hollows, & Sookie. I'm not fan of Mercy, or Hollows. I stopped before finishing both series, but I'm a big fan of the rest.I shall try yours recs when I'm done with the Ilona Andrews' books.

Thanks a bunch!

Barbara, have you read The Hunger Games & Catching Fire?

What about Dark Swan?

I read the 1st in the Leandros Bros series & it was pretty good. Very cool concepts & different. You need to pay a bit more attention then some of them. I plan on reading the rest after I stop getting interrupted by my regulars.

It's an A list fave series of Rachel's.

I also read Morgan Kinglsely but I don't recommend. It started out strong (1st 2 books) & I thought it was going to be a good series b'c had a cool concept & her execution was pretty good but it's end up being really repetitive & she does  ton of info dumping throughout the later books.

@Laura: thanks for the heads-up on the Butch book (#4 of the BDB). Anita Blake I have never tried, but I have heard mixed reviews as you have said.

I will look over the recent recs noted here. Wish me luck that I find something to sink my fangs into:)

P.S. The Leandros Bros. sound intriguing. Details to impart? Guidance?

these aren't paranormal series, but I love them all the same:

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series..... its a hoot, I laughed out loud and really gotten taken away with the characters. Right now there are 15 books,  oh but 16 is coming out this weekend.

JD Robb (Nora Roberts altra ego, so not her romance books at all) In Death series, takes place in the future and is really great. I also love the characters in this series. Right now there are about 30 books in this series, with more to come.

For anyone who is following the Almost Human series, the first volume of the 2nd Trilogy is now up on Amazon for the Kindle.  I may be the only one who's been sort of anticipating this book.

Hopefully this won't be as disappointing as some the other continued books I've read recently.

IS this what the TV series is based on?

Not sure.  Never heard of the Tv series, just the books.  http://www.melanienowak.com/

What is the tv series about?

Oh, your'e thinking of BBC's Being Human? Nope, different story.

yeah I was thinking Being Human

Books sound cool - in my queue.

ehh, hi. I'm new here and I know this is not relevent to the discussion but is there something wrong with this site? I have about 3 mm of visual font on the home page and an advert and the links to forum owner support and forum owners forums are broken. Can someone please put this post where it needs to go, or inform admin please. I can't see anything but the topics tab and that is it.

Thnx

I don't see anything wrong with the site at the moment.  It does it get slow and clunky at times though.  I would suggest clearing your cache & cookies; then rebooting your computer to see if that helps.  You can also try a different browser.

Did this just start happening for you or is it a persistent problem?

@Laura, if you are interested in Almost Human I would suggest reading it from the beginning.  The first 4 books are already out, and 2 more future ones will conclude the series.

OK I read the 1st book in the Spider's Bite - Elemental Assas­sin series. Steph or anyone else who read it- Does it get better? I'm not sure if I should continue b'c some things really irked me & pulled me out of the story & I'm not sure if it continues, I should bother? I am having major ADD with books lately b'c my queue is so long so have less & less patience for the things that bother me.

Here's what I did & didn't like - you tell me.

I love the whole Alias concept. The author is clearly a fan. So things ripped right from the TV show but she does it well. She writes action well & I love the bond between her & Finn. I also really enjoy her recollections on Fletcher & what he means to her.

I am curious about the world - funnily enough, unlike most 1st books in a series she actually didn't really build it in full so I don't understand the dynamics all that much, but that's left me I am intrigued to find out more.

So here's the thing that made me cringe & pulled me out when reading....she has this whole crazy, majorly manly alpha thing going for the lead character - down to her pretty much being all machismo & objectifying the male lead -  but then the dialog between them seems so rudimentary & romance novel to downright cliche!

"Throbbing length", "mound of curls"...." your an attractive man, detective & I'm an attractive woman etc...", "A flame. A fire that wouldn't die."

But she is also redundant with their interaction - it's always... "grey on gold" when they look at one another or when she constantly describes how she can see or read what's in his eyes it's always - 3 or 4 or the same adjectives. "Weariness, resolve, curiosity" or "Desire. Want. Need, Guilt."

I feel like the author can do action fine but when it comes to intimacy or sex scenes, she really tries to force  the whole- "I'm like a guy, I'm so bad ass" that it comes off like a slimy pick-up artist who anyone w/half sense, wouldn't touch! Esp. when she ends each objectifying thought with am "mmmm."

And she also devolves into romance novel cliche speak.

So, just when I start getting into Gin & buying into her character - stuff like this happens & I cringe, thinking...really? This is the woman who just had the witty one liner comeback with Finn?

So you have to tell me if this is just 1st book kinks & that the 2nd book is stronger & doesn't do this - or not.

Laura, if you didn't like the first book, I wouldn't bother with the 2nd.

Never seen Alias, so I couldn't comment there.The 2nd book definitely goes deeper into the protagonist's past and the intamacy is a bit deeper and less of a cliche; but if you go into it with your mind already made up, I would say skip to the next book in your cue.

I'll have to disagree with you on the schizoid actions of the protagonist.  She maybe a kick-ass assassin who knows how to get the job done on the surface, but inside she's still that abandoned & alone little girl who's still searching for someone to take care and make decisions for her.

If you do choose to read the 2nd book, I warn you that you will be even more frustrated by the two lead's intimacy problems and it does get bit slow 3 quarters of the way through.

Sorry it didn't work out.  Not all of them can be homeruns.  I think we've all probably read most of the better stories in this genre already.  Me, I took it for what it is; something to pass the time until ShadowFever.  

I'll have to disagree with you on the schizoid actions of the protagonist.

It's not that. I don't have a problem with her actions & in fact, I don't see that much of a dichotomy or stretch for why she is the way she is & what she does.

It's the author's writing when she tries to have Gin be sexually assertive, that I am finding...forced & a bit cheesy.

Like she writes really well, it's all good, I am getting into the groove of the character, her voice, reasoning's etc... & then she starts objectifying Cain w/ internal dialog that reminds me of a bad B movie.

It's jarring for me & it's only w/Cain. It doesn't seem authentic in context & a bit contrived. Takes me totally out of the overall tone - I feel like Estep could is about to have Gin utter the line; "How you doin'?" & waggle her eyebrows in some of these scenes.

I'll skip the next ones then. If she keeps saying "mmmm" every time she has a lascivious thought, it'll grate on my nerves.

Not all of them can be homeruns.  I think we've all probably read most of the better stories in this genre already.

Oh god, don't I know it. I have been trying to read shorter series b'c I keep getting interrupted by all my reg's that have been coming out. So I figure - something I don't have to commit to for a long run & interrupt the flow.

I feel like I keep reading absolute clunkers though. Some not even worth mentioning. Nothing is making me excited.

Although Rache & Barbara swear by Harry Dresden but that's 10 or 11 books so I want to wait until I have zero interruptions.

But I am back on the Leandros Bros series today anyway, Book 2 . I put it down b'c I felt like I had to pay attention & kept getting interrupted. Hence trying to find newer or shorter series in the interm, but it's time for me to get back to them anyway. I think I have a good few weeks before something else comes out.

I don't know where else to post this, but I found a free download of the new Twilight Novella - Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. I like Stephanie Meyer's books, but haven't read this one, so I can't reco. I thought someone else might want to read it too, fo free!

http://pdfcast.org/pdf/twilight-short-second-life-of-bree-tanner 

if you want to read Bree Tanner's story from twilight for free, I would reccomend going to the official site http://www.breetanner.com bcuz I saw in the news that people are being targeted with viruses from clicking on the story and other twilight related things from that are not official site.

Just click here:

http://breetannerbook.libredigital.com/index.html

Sorry! I just saw it free on a blog I regularly go to, so I thought I'd share. Didn't know that about viruses!

I still do not understand why Meyer wrote a story about Bree Tanner, that is, from Bree's perspective. Unless one is a diehard Twilight fan (Twihard, I think one is called), where's the interest?

I loved the Twilight books, for the most part, but I have no interest in reading this one. I would have loved Midnight Sun if Meyer would have completed it. Personally, I think she got tired of writing it and instead used the excuse that someone leaked the manuscript, or whatever the story was at the time.

Could be. I'd LOVE to read Midnight Sun. Bree...eh...whatever. I'll read it for free, but I wasn't interested in it, ya know?

Yeah, that's why I was wondering who Meyer was writing it for, like, who cares?

Yeah, that's why I was wondering who Meyer was writing it for, like, who cares?

Interesting question, because it seems that when an author reaches a certain stature in sales, the publishers will release anything they write – hence this new book by Stephanie Meyer or Laurell K Hamilton’s Bullet, which I guarantee, if it had been written by an new, undiscovered author, would never have been published because it was awful.

Many of the authors we as a collective group love and support are considered mid-list in the industry.

A mid-list author typically will release a couple of books to good reviews and slow but steady sales while they continue to write more in the series and hopefully, get the breakthrough to a mass audience. This is a typical career path for many of our favorite authors like Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher and Laurell K Hamilton all of whom struggled for years before really cultivating massive audiences.

However many of mid-list authors like Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson, Rob Thurman, Gail Carriger and Caitlin Kittredge are finding themselves in a precarious position with their publishers to the extent that many publishers are pulling the plug on mid-list authors early, particularly in literary fiction. I don't think this is the case for any of the authors I just mentioned and we’re fortunate to the extent that we’re reading genre fiction and the audience for genre has a history of trying lesser known authors or new series but the fact remains that it is becoming increasingly difficult for mid-list authors to be published.

The fault isn’t entirely with the publishers; the industry is struggling and looking for new ways to crack the nut of finding audiences for good works. A recent innovation for new authors is that publishers are releasing entirely new series very close together – Seanen McGuire’s October Daye series and Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series will both see three full length books released in a span of under 12 months.  I can only guess that these authors were working for years on their books before they were finally published or else they’re freakishly prolific.

My point being, I am curious how mid-list authors will continue to find ways to be published and what can we, as fans of these works do to support them besides buying books? Is there another way to influence publishers other than sales numbers?

I found an interesting article on the subject that you all might find intriguing so I figured I would share…

Click here for an essay on the squeeze on mid-list authors 

I guess if I had to put a point on my thoughts it’s that I’d like to see publishers continue to take the risk of supporting a higher quality of work over just banking the sales. Understanding that the business has to be profitable, maybe the answer is for publishers to hold back on releasing new series until they have a few installments and then releasing the first few in quick succession to cultivate an audience quickly – instead of waiting years to see if this series has legs, they can probably judge within a year or two whether or not this series will generate sales since an enthusiastic audience will snap-up 2-3 books right away if they like what they’re reading.

If this really becomes a standard practice in publishing, I don’t know what it will mean for newer authors.

As usual, I’m interested in your thoughts.

Thanks for linking the article above (the squeeze on mid-level authors). I read it, and I also read the guardian's review of the meyer trash (reviewer hated it).

All I know is that there are countless complaints about book sales - no one is buying; there is no money to be made in publishing; one blockbuster author often carries the whole house on the profits it makesfrom one book, allowing the house to float less lucrative authors, blah, blah, blah. There is never any good news in publishing. The novel is dead - remember that ancient one? I sort of believe it is true, as far as quality literature is concerned.

But back to the mid-level authors and the fun books they write: we love them. We should support them by spreading the word. Bottom line is the bottom dollar. I agree with you - I'd much rather read a high quality, original piece of fiction than pulp. They have to be out there, one must keep digging to find the gems. And if readers would boycott formulaic trash and buy up the good stuff, the message would get thru to the publishers loud and clear. But many readers are not that discriminating. And that is why original, inventive literature has been in danger for so long.

I think fans will stick around - look at us - and wait a year for an installment in a series. I think word of mouth - the internet really helps - sells books, or not. But enough from me, I can go on forever. 

I agree with you guys about the Bree tanner story, I'm a hardcore Twihard but I still haven't read this story bcuz I don't really care about Bree. I think maybe she wrote it so people could get the perspective of what being a newborn is like, but we already got that from Jasper in Breaking dawn when he talks about how it was for him. I'll eventually read to see whats in it but I agree with you guys I would have been much happier if she would have released a finished Midnight Sun.

If any one is looking for series reccomendations, Read Gena Showalter's Lords of the underworld series or Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark hunter series. These are one two of my fave authors. These series are HOTTTTT!!!!

I'll admit it, The Lords of the Underworld series is a guilty pleasure for me... have you read the new Chronicles of Nick book Infinity by Kennyon? I always liked Nick and I am curious about this new direction for the series.

I like the Lords of the underworld as well. I got kind of burned out on Kenyon's dark hunters (too much the same thing, just someone else, but I will probably get back to it someday), I am also interested in the Chronicles of Nick and have Infinity in my que.

I tried to read Lords of the Underworld last night, but couldn't get into it. It seems very similar to BDB. I only read the first chapter though, but after reading Dark Swan it was too much of a transition for me. Are the books good or just hot sexiness reading?

I'm trying to start a new series and window shopping the selection.

Krysta, Lords of the Underworld is published by Harlequin.... that probably says all you need to know about the plot, style, etc. It is better constructed than the Midnight Breed series which is really close as well.

If you're going for PNR, I'm going to suggest you consider the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole ... sure it has curious virgins (not always female), awkward courtships and amazing lingerie but there is an interesting larger arc to the series that is actually pretty ingenious and Kresley Cole is a good visual writer, there are some scenes in these books that I could actually picture in my mind like a movie... it's pure romance genre but it's at the top tier in terms of quality, scope and actual execution.

I have not read infinity yet but I really want to because I like the way Kenyon writes about the characters and tells their whole story. If you read all of her books one after the other you might get tired because some things will be repeated but the good thing about her books is that they can each be read on their own. With regards to the lords of the underworld series I think they are good, but they are high on the sexy reading list so if that's not your thing you may not want to try it. Montbriac the immortals after dark series is a good rec, but I've only read the first two which is why I didn't mention it. But the two that I have read I thought were great.

Another series I have read is the silver dragons by Katie MacAlister. I think these are good, it's not finished though,(i think there's 3 out) but the author writes well and while it has some sexy parts it has it's funny as well. And the story is a bit different too. I find it refreshing. I like it when authors mix  up the paranormal, I love my vamps but I welcome anything else as well as long as it's well done. oh and for anyone here, I don't know where you guys get your books, but I'm a member of paperbackswap.com . You can swap books and its free, you just pay to mail them which is extremely cheap. Sometimes I buy books as well from bn but usually I get them from here and I try new authors all the time. I do not work for this company lol, I just think it's really cool and a great way to get books. If you get a book you really like you don't have to swap it back you can keep whatever you like. And for every book you swap you get a credit for whatever book you want. You guys should check it out if you haven't heard of it.

freebie567 you should go back and read the Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister, its actually the start of it all, it explains a lot about all the dragons and might help put some insight into the silver dragons series and also her new series the Light dragons, they are all stories that follow and revolve around the Aisling Grey series.

http://katiemacalister.com/printable-booklist/printpage/

http://katiemacalister.com/books/

Her series are just fun to read, I also like her Dark Ones Series

Thanks glaukos, I've heard of the aisling grey series and am actually waiting for the first book in the light dragon series. Thanks for the links.

I'm looking for a little meatier plot this series. Which L.O.T.U. looked meaty, but beefcake meaty, not plot meaty. I just finished Dark Swan before that Zodiac, and I'm looking for something similar. It doesn't have to be sexy, or vanilla, either is fine, just has to have a good plot.

What's the difference between urban fantasy and PNR anyway? Not to sound uneducated, but some books kinda crossover, and I don't see a clear line between genres, so I'm wondering.

Wikipedia definition:

• Paranormal Romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror. Paranormal Romance may range from traditional category romances with a paranormal setting, to stories where the main emphasis is on a science fiction or fantasy based plot with a romantic subplot included. Common hallmarks are romantic relationships between humans and vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, and other entities of a fantastic or otherworldly nature.
• Urban Fantasy is a subset of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times or contain supernatural elements. However, this is not the primary definition of Urban Fantasy. Urban Fantasy can be set in historical times, modern times, or futurist times. The prerequisite is that it must be set in a city, primarily rather than in a suburban or country setting, which have their own subset.

A real easy way to look at it is:

To define Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy this way: PNR is a Romance novel with Paranormal elements; UF is a Paranormal Novel that may or may not contain romantic elements.

I'm looking for a little meatier plot this series. Which L.O.T.U. looked meaty, but beefcake meaty, not plot meaty. I just finished Dark Swan before that Zodiac, and I'm looking for something similar. It doesn't have to be sexy, or vanilla, either is fine, just has to have a good plot.

Can we persuade you to consider our boy, Harry Dresden? I will warn you that the first book is a little weak and the author is still working out some mechanics of writing in the second book but the series gets really, really good -- Jim Butcher works with beta-readers and his overall arc is strong, very strong and he doesn't have the continuity issues that exist in many series. Plus, all of the events manage to tie back together and the characters are well constructed and I'd argue that some of the best female characters in UF are in the Dresden series. The series is 12 books long right now and if you get the audiobooks, you get to listen to James Marsters (yeah).

Another series you might like is the October Daye series by Seanen McGuire... it's about a halfling private investigator in SanFrancisco but she has a real life in both of her worlds and that's what really sets this series apart from many of the genre stories... usually our heroine doesn't have much of a life outside of her paranormal existence and that's not true of Toby -- she has a history and has lived. The third book in the series will be released in September and it's good.

I am really keen on Rob Thurman's series about the Leandros Brothers -- and it's a series that is growing in popularity slowly but steadily. Since you liked the Zodiac, I think you'd probably get into this one as well -- Thurman is really good at writing twists without being gimmicky and she is also really good at writing in different voices. Your introduction into the series will be through Cal, a teenager with serious issues who is half-monster half-gypsy.  This series is one of my personal favorites, there is feeling and heart to it and I'm really very fond of the boys.

I really liked the Weather Wardens, but after the 5th book it spirals -- you have to read them all so you can get to the spinoff series which I like much better but you won't really get as much out of the spinoff series without the complete Wardens -- they're quick reads and good. You'd like them, you might just get tired of seeing the same scenario played out over the last three books in the series.

Awesomeness!!!! Thanks ladies! I think I'm gonna start Dresden, but half monster, half gypsy sounds very intriguing.

Ok,I've never read any PNR by a man before. I just happen to find a lot of female authors that I think are great, and I think they write better in general as well, but I love reading new things so I'm going to look into your suggestions as well. I remembered another I read a while back, the Demonica series by Larissa Ione. I liked this series a lot as well.

Harry Dresden is not PNR, it's just straight-up paranormal or urban fantasy.

A PNR series that I really do enjoy is the Immortals After Dark -- it's got vampires, valkyries, demons, witches and werewolves and based on your response to some of the other series like Demonica, I think you'd really enjoy the Immortals After Dark (even if the covers are bodice-rippingly horrible).

I read the Demonica series and I got sucked into the relationship between the brothers and I loved, loved, loved the hospital. I didn't think that the author was as strong in her writing of romance as the she was in the world-building and I wouldn't mind seeing her try a straight-up PN/UF series because I think the world she created has a lot of cross-over readership potential.

I've read two so far of the immortals after dark series and I love them. I thought she did fine with the romance in the demonica series,  I haven't read the Uf/Pn stuff bcuz I like to have a little romance mixed in. It gives me something to look forward to in the book. I just like it better when I get my dose of paranormal and romance as well, and I'm not talking just straight sex, I like the romance to be conflicting and complicated with all the paranormal factors making it even more interesting and different. (Sigh) I'm a PNR junkie.

Have you tried the Guild Hunters by Nalini Singh? Laura reccomended it to me and I really enjoyed it -- the series is PNR about angels, mortals and vampires -- it sounds campy but is actually pretty well done and I liked it a lot. I'd pre-order the third full length book in the series if I could. Since you like PNR, I think you'd appreciate the Guild Hunters which is really good genre writing with a strong storyline and good characters.

+1 for Guild Hunter

I just found out that the third Guild Hunter book is titled Archangel's Consort and it's scheduled for release on February 24, 2011. And yes, I pre-ordered.

Well friends, I think I have found my newest addition to my A-List series, it’s Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey. The second book in the series will be released in October and I’m sure I’ll be head over heels for it.

Sandman Slim aka “Jimmy” or "Stark" is your typical down and dirty anti-hero. He does good deeds because he is stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has no intention of being a hero. He has a dark biting sense of wit, and this shows through in the number of over-the-top biting analogies he makes or phrases he tosses out. Some that made me smile include….

All I can tell you is to never fall asleep on a beanbag chair. My back feels like someone beat me with a pillowcase full of tuna-fish cans.

If you’ve ever slept on a beanbag chair you know the truth of that statement. I also got a laugh out of the following observation about our hero’s wardrobe – which was a refreshing change from Anita Blake’s 80's-strip-mall EMO fashion.

I'm not bleeding anymore, but I'm a mess. Again. Besides getting my ass kicked, my main accomplishment on this trip has been to massacre an incredible number of completely innocent clothes. I'm the Joseph Stalin of laundry. I take off the shirt, toss it onto a pile of other junk, and slip on the silk overcoat.

The author clearly owes some inspiration to the Hellspawn series of graphic novels that was translated into the movie Constantine but there are also touches of Kill Bill (volumes 1 and 2) and a nod to Simon Green’s Nightside series. I really like all of those things and I like with Kadrey did with his story.

If Quentin Tarrantino ever wrote an UF/PN series… this would be it. Sandman Slim is balls-to-the-wall pulpy-paranormal-noir and absolutely loved it. I also realize it’s not going to be for everyone but if you’re looking for something a little different and enjoy gallows humor, you will probably enjoy this series.

Thanks for the suggestion on guild hunters, I've got it on my list.

May I suggest my newest novel?  While the Savage Sleeps is a paranormal/forensic thriller set in the fictional town of Faith, New Mexico. Here's a synopsis:

Strange things are happening in Faith New Mexico. Deadly things. People are disappearing, and for others, it's far worse. 

The answer may lie not in their own back yard, but miles away in Albuquerque, where Kyle Bancroft is experiencing a different sort of chaos. She's seeing, hearing, and dreaming things she can't explain: flashbacks to World War II and an eerie hospital ward with locked doors, empty gurneys, and guttural screams. To make matters worse, a ghostly, green-eyed girl is complicating Kyle's visions with an urgent message: time is running out.

Kyle's otherworldly encounters are driving her straight toward Faith, where she and Sheriff Cameron Dawson will need to find out whether the child speaking from the grave is dangerously evil ... or trying to help them uncover an explosive secret the town has been hiding for more than fifty years.

While the Savage Sleeps is a fast-paced, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-thriller where forensic science meets paranormal investigation.

It's available now on Amazon Kindle now--you can download a sample if you'd like, to see if it's your cup of tea. Here's the link if you'd like to take a look:

While the Savage Sleeps 

And here's my website if you'd like to know more about me:

http://www.andrewekaufman.com  

Hey Ladies!

Sorry I've been a no show. I was traveling. I went to NOLA. It was amazing.

I got a Kindle while there and I'm so excited. I even started a Book Blog. It's still very new and only has one book review so far. I started it just a couple a days ago, but I plan on updating with reviews every time I finish a book. I read a lot and very fast, so hopefully soon enough it will have plenty of recommendations. So, if you want to check it out, here is the link:

http://toreadornottoread-vampangel.blogspot.com/

If you do check it out, could you please give me some feedback on it? I'm very very new to blogging and I have NO idea what I'm doing. Any comments will be welcomed.

The next book on my list to read/review is Soulless by Gail Carriger. I've heard good things about.

I'm off to bed. I'll stop by tomorrow to catch up!

I don't have a Kindle -- I know, it's arance but I actually read printed books.

While the Savage Sleeps looks really good and I liked the sample I was able to read -- is there an estimated date a print version will be released? I'd love to read more.

THANKS!

I guess I'm in the same boat with Montbriac, I only read printed books as well. I don't really care for the kindle or nook, bcuz 2 me its the same as reading from my pc which strains my eyes after a while so I guess I'll have to wait for the print version too.

Vampangel I think your blog is a great idea, I will def check it out and comment.

Thanks freebie! I just posted about The Dresden Files. You guys should def. read the series, it's beyond awesome. Here is my post about it:

http://toreadornottoread-vampangel.blogspot.com/

I love my kindle 2. It doesn't hurt my eyes because there is NO backlight which is the reason why most people suffer from eye strain when reading from their computer monitor. Plus I don't have to feel bad about creasing my book binding. We have 3 large book cases in our house and they are jammed packed and now I don't have to worry about getting another one!

Barbara congrats! It's bookmarked at the top of my toolbar. I can't wait to read your reviews! It will be so refreshing to read straight up reviews. I feel like Bitten By Books only gives good reviews. I can never gage if it's a hit or a miss & the reasons why it might be (not not be).

Hey Laura! Thanks! I'm excited for you to check out my reviews. I'm gonna be brutally honest. Of course, I'll be polite about it, since I don't want to offend the authors, but I'm telling it like it is. Also, it will always be subjected to my personal opinion, as I'm not a book critic. It will be about my own tastes, but I'll try to give interesting reviews about plot, characters and etc. My first review of the book Hex Hall wasn't a glowing one, but the book is ok, it's a teen book and not that bad, just not that good, you know?

Also, if any of you, Laura, Rachel, anyone else wants to do a guest review or help me post about our favorite series, you are all welcome to do it. I'm gonna do a post about the Fever series, and although I do like the series quite a bit it's not my favorite, so I'd like some help from the big series fans. Laura, it would be nice if you wanted to help me out, because I know how much you love the fever series. I know I like it a lot, but I have some issues with it and I don't know how to express why I like it so much despite my issues. I'm ranting. Sorry.

Anyway, maybe I could write my views on it and add yours as a second opinion, because I know you can express your feelings on it quite well, and fever is one of those series I can't really express myself well about it. Does it make sense?

Oh, and right now I'm reading Soulless by Gail Carriger. I'm at the beginning but I'm loving it so far. I'll do a review about it on the blog, once I'm done with it. Has anyone else read it?

I'm excited for you to check out my reviews. I'm gonna be brutally honest. Of course, I'll be polite about it, since I don't want to offend the authors, but I'm telling it like it is.

Love it! 

Also, it will always be subjected to my personal opinion, as I'm not a book critic. 

That's all book critics do to. Everyone's opinion pretty much comes form a personal place. Sure - maybe some BC's have technical know how but don't sell yourself short.

Any creative art that is put out for public consumption, esp. to the masses - they are subjected to Critique's. It's should be expected.   Is that part of the glory of it all? To be published, be in movies, TV, gain fans, a following..? That's all part of it.

Purely selfishly - I have been Jonesing for a place like this! Unbiased reviews.

On amazon - the reviews run the gamut but they do edit (they wouldn't post my LKH review for Bullet no matter how I edited it) & of course you get tons of reviews on Amazon & Goodreads that don't even review on the content! Just how excited they are to read or or complaining it's not on Kindle. It really mucks up the ratings.

Also - I feel like a lot of people take authors that they don't really like to task over & over so it is biased.

And on Bitten By Books, I feel like most reviewers only choose to review books they look or generally follow?

Laura, it would be nice if you wanted to help me out, because I know how much you love the fever series. I know I like it a lot, but I have some issues with it and I don't know how to express why I like it so much despite my issues. I'm ranting. Sorry.  

Sure! I'd love to help out, tell me how I can be of assistance. Maybe you can email me your review & tell me what you are trying to convey that you don't think you are??

Anyway, maybe I could write my views on it and add yours as a second opinion, because I know you can express your feelings on it quite well, and fever is one of those series I can't really express myself well about it. Does it make sense?

Sure I can add mine as well if you like.

Send me your thoughts & we'll go from there. 

VampAngel, that's very cool about your blog.  Laura, I've also found Goodreads can be very good for straight-up reviews, although of course taste vary between reviewers.  I've found the reviews there helpful in trying to get a sense of whether I want to initially pick up a book or not.

I've been on a long PNR-break, as the last several books I've read (except for weather warden 6) have been non-genre fiction and before that I was off on a Fantasy tangent.  But after I finish my current book (Dennis Lehane's Shutter Island), I am going to finally start the Dresden Files, which have been sitting on my bookshelf for a good long while.

Non-PNR related, if you like historical fiction, I strongly recommend the 2 books I have just completed and which I was so, so sad to turn the last page of:  Herman Wouk's The Winds of War and its sequel War and Remembrance -- definitely to be read together and in that order.  The books are long (over 1000 pages for the mass market version) and older (early and late 1970s), but they have not dimmed with time at all.  Seriously, I loved these books and recommend highly.

Laura, I've also found Goodreads can be very good for straight-up reviews,

Yeah I'm on Goodreads, I like it a lot. Some of the reviews are so funny b'c they are so straight up. I love that!

But there is something I can't put my finger on. I guess I am looking for a more focused voice?   Or....IDK. I have to try & figure it out exactly. Still there are people who review or just give stars & the books hasn't come out yet & that drives me nuts!

Oh, and right now I'm reading Soulless by Gail Carriger. I'm at the beginning but I'm loving it so far. I'll do a review about it on the blog, once I'm done with it. Has anyone else read it?

I read both Soulless and Changeless and while I really enjoyed the first book, Soulless, I adored Changeless.  Without giving away anything, I will tell you that Changeless ends on a cliffhanger and we won't know what happens until the third book in the series comes out around Labor Day. I mention this in case you get frustrated by cliffhangers so that you can choose to postpone your reading so you can see how events play out in full instead of dangling like the rest of us.

Personally, I like a good cliffhanger and I adored the first two books in the Parasol Protectorate -- I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading the books, they're good fun and well written.

Thanks Rachel, but now I know I'm not gonna be able to wait to read Soulless and Changeless. I'm already reading Soulless and I'm loving it, I'll probably pick up Changeless right after I finish the first one. But thanks for the heads up on the cliffhanger, they do drive me nuts, but a good kind of nuts. I get annoyed but secretly love it, LOL.

Laura, thanks. As soon as I'm done with Soulless and Changeless I'm gonna do a post about Fever. I'll write my review on the series as a whole ad email it to you. That way you can see my points and maybe right your own review of the series, if you are willing. Then, I'll post both on the blog. I think that way the series will be more covered, since I can't really explain why I like it (besides Barrons, lol). Funny, because as I was reading it I wasn't really loving it, but I just couldn't put it down. It was a very frustrating read, but I kept coming back. I love Barrons and Mac (most of the time), but I have some issues with the rest of the books. It's very strange, because I also keep recommending it to everyone, but I can't articulate why. I think that is the first time this has happened to me.

*M*, thanks. I think you are gonna really love The Dresden Files. It's my number one recommendation right now. I just did a post about it on my blog. I'm so glad to have found the series and I just can't wait for the next book, which will be out in March 29th, 2011. I'm counting the days. It's a fantastic series. Let us know your thoughts on it, once you are done. I created a thread here about it. me and Rachel have been discussing it there. But there are spoilers, so you should only check it out once you are done.

Ok, I just got home, so I'm gonna get offline to read Soulless on my Kindle. I can't wait. I'll be back later!

PS: The money I spent on my Kindle is the best investment I've done in a long time. If you wanna a kindle now is the time to get it. The priced just dropped today from USD 259 to USD 189. Just a heads up!

There is going to be a new Dresden short story released in the anthology Dark and Stormy Knights which is from Marcone's perspective (I love Marcone), and that willbe released on July 20th -- Dark and Stormy Knights will also include a new Zodiac short story by Vicki Pettersson too.

Then there is a complete collection of all of the Dresden short stories in the collection titled Side Jobs which will be released on October 26th and it includes a novella from Murphy's perspective that takes place 45 minutes after then end of Changes ... we'll have a lot to talk about on October 27th!

I can't wait for Side Jobs! I'm dying to read the Murphy short story, especially after Changes. I'll get the Marcone one too. I really like him!

My review for Soulless by Gail Carriger is up on the blog:

http://toreadornottoread-vampangel.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoy it!

Just finished the 4th installment of the Almost Human series, on my way home from Anchorage; and all I have to say is woah.  The series was always very entertaining and bit fun to read, but I did classify it as a filler series.  This installment has changed my mind completely about it.  Lots more substances, explanations, and interest.   Highly Recommend this series to anyone who likes contemporary vamp stories

Oooh, Almost Human has been on my to be read list for awhile, I might just read it now. I bought the 3 first books ages ago when they were only available on kindle. I contacted the author and has did some emailing with her and got the books in word format from her. She was super nice, but I had some trouble with the file and I only read the first 90 pages, so when I got the complete book from her again, it ended up buried under a lot of other books in my pile.

Thanks Wolfy!

your welcome.  I'm currently reading the 5th World of Lupi book.  I would give the series a A-, especially b/c the 1st two books were not as good.

Anyone here ever read Ione's Demonica Series?  Looks promising, but I'm worried that it's just another Paranormal Harlequin series.

Has anyone read Meg Cabot's "Insatiable" (2010) ? I picked it up at the library. It's about Meena and Lucien, and Meena can see the future? Any good?

Not I.

I'll read it and let you know if it is any good.

I've read the Demonica series... here is my summary from the Personal A through F List Discussion thread.

• Book: Demonica series by Larissa Ione (paranormal romance)

Summary: This is one author who should drop romance and go straight to Urban Fantasy. The only reason I am reading this series is because of the world she has set this series in, it’s wholly original and extremely well constructed. The series centers on three incubus demon brothers with different secondary powers who run a hospital for demons – and it’s wonderfully executed with the author contextualizing the hospital procedures and polices while at the same time even going so far to create a compendium explaining the different species, their abilities, etc. Where the series falls short of its mark is in the romances which aren’t just entirely predictable but they’re surprisingly vanilla and borderline misogynist in their execution. I really wish that Ione would write another version of this series in which she drops the romance and goes straight for action and mystery – that could be an A-list series. Maybe she’ll write it someday. If she does, expect to hear me singing the praises of that (presently non-existent) series.

Thanks Rachel..so I guess pass?

I cannot really back the series but I won't trash it either. I read the first three books and I really did like the world the author had created and the brothers -- it was the romances which were really short of the mark which is ironic when you consider that this is a romance series.

The strength of the series is in the hospital -- it's really well written and the author has actually created a compendium cataloging all of the different species of demons, their characteritics and powers that is really impressive. I have yet to find another PN/UF series which takes place in a hospital which is odd when you consider the fertile ground for storytelling a hospital in a paranormal setting provides -- it's a great setting.

It's the romance writing that is the weakness in this series, it's not awful but it's not good and in the first book, there is a situation that is not really consentual and in the second there is a BDSM scenario which is poorly constructed and awkwardly written which seems to be there as a gimmick for shock value. The author seems to be relying on a 1950's mentality with curious but confused virgins for whom no-means-yes and it's just uncomfortable not because of the sex but in how the author has written it in a way that I found really awkward.

I'm not sure how well I am articulating this but I think you get my gist.

Thanks Rachel for your assesment of the series.  I think I'll pass on it for now.

I am starting Stephen King's Dark Tower series now -- anyone read it?

I believe that is the favorite of Katherine's out of his books. She is a huge Stephen King fan.

Someone please give me a suggestion.  I'm running out of good series.  I'm half way through the 5th World of Lupi book, and I'm seriously contemplating putting it down.  Tracking Tempest is out, but Have nothing to read after that.    Help!

Has anyone read anything by Kim Harrison writing under the pen Dawn Cook?

I'll be glad when the new year rolls around.  Lots of books coming out then. Until then, what should I be reading?

Have you read the Queen Betsy series? Silly but hilarious ans there are 8 books and the 9th is coming out July 20th!

Ladies, my book blog has been completely revamped! Please drop by and let me know what you think!

http://toreadornottoread-vampangel.blogspot.com/

Oh and if you want a stand alone I really liked Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund. It's YA though.

Wolfy, there is always The Dresden Files. 12 books so far and beyond awesome! Trust me!

Thanks VampAngel

I've heard of the Queen Betsy series.  I may have to try it out.  I'm not really a YA reader, and I rather read a books written by woman.  I know, I'm so picky.  I guess I'll just have pilfer through the remaining books in my cue.

But I may to try the Dresden Files, since there are so many of you that swears by it. Thx

Just read meg Cabot's "Insatiable" (2010), and I wanted to steer readers away from it. I hated the ending. This is my biased view, of course. The story is ok, and what saves it, I think, is the humor. It was like Liz Lemon from "30 Rock" meets a powerful vampire and the craziness that follows. The author might be setting it up as a series; I did not do my homework on this, though.

It was fine if one is looking for a quick beach read, but as I said, the ending blew. 

laladida, thanks for the heads up.

Just finished the follow-up to Tempest Rising.  Tracking the Tempest was definitely something I needed. Very funny, well edited, & fast paced. Cute heroine too.   I thought them a little silly at first, but the covers are starting to grow on me.  I read this on my Kindle, so I guess the covers should't matter much. Third books comes out Dec.  A++

People The Amazon Kindle Store is offering Darkfever (The Fever series) by Karen Marie Moning for FREE today (kindle edition). Go get it now:

http://www.amazon.com/Darkfever-The-Fever-Series-ebook/dp/B000MAH7SQ/ref=pd_ts_kinc-f_8?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text

Ladies, good news! I'm gonna be interviewing Melanie Nowak author of The Almost Human series and she is generously giving away signed copies of the first 3 books of her first trilogy to one of my readers. I'll host the contest soon on my blog. Just keep checking it! it's going to be awesome and you'll have a chance to win 3 books signed by the author. How cool is that?

http://toreadornottoread-vampangel.blogspot.com/

I'll let you know once the contest is posted!

Sweet!  I'm starting to really love the Almost Human Series.  The last book was really good, so I completely recommend this series.

Thanks VampAngel.

Thanks Wolfy!

Okay, Thanks!

Has anyone read the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black? I am currently on the third book in the series and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I was looking for a Morgan Kingsley area to discuss the book but I couldn't find one. Anyways if you haven't read the series I suggest giving it a try. It's about a woman named Morgan Kingsley who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and she is a legal exorcist. She is court ordered and sometimes personally hired to exorcise rogue demons. Her family is all about demons they let their son host a demon and are very upset Morgan didn't choose that path. She is very stubborn and is always pushing peoples buttons for her entertainment. She gets roped in to becoming Allies with a man named Adam who is hosting a demon and is the head of some police department on demons.. the exact name escapes my brain at the current moment I apologize. He has a lover named Dominic who was hosting a Demon named Saul but Morgan had to exorcise Saul from Dom. Anyways Morgans life takes on a twist when she finds out a hidden secret about her past, family and the life she thought she had.  I really like this series because it mainly deals with demons and humans as of right now, there haven't been any other preternatural beings so far.

I did. I really liked books one & by 2 I thought she was really going somewhere.It was a clever premise, quite a head trip & very different form what I had read so far.

They went downhill from there for me & I couldn't even finish the 5th book. The 3rd book I still held hope although it started to tail off for me, the 4th book I struggled through & found very redundant the 5th book - I ended up putting down b'c I lost interest in the characters.

Not sure where to post this but.....

Kindle 2 is now $189 new.

New DX pre-orders are available at $379  (graphite case, improved contrast)

Amazon is selling refurbed K2s for $139.  Bought one for the cous' and might buy one for the whole fam.

Kindle 3 coming out in 3...2....

I would like to see a graphite case and a wee bigger viewing screen.  8" please.

Did you guys see that the Nook is 139 for just wi-fi in it.. and if you want the 3g network added its 199

I was considering on buying either the kindle or nook but I would still buy the books anyways so it just seemed like a waste of money to buy the book twice unless there were a special edition of the cover or like If i were to get it signed..

I also had a lot of fun with the new Jane True book -- I was literally giggling out loud while reading one scene in particular, and like Wolfy I am looking forward to the third book in January.

I read all five books in the Morgan Kingsley series as well and I liked them better than Laura -- I particularly liked the fifth book because we finally got somewhere with the larger arc -- personally, I think the series could benefit from some tighter editing because there is a lot of wheel spinning but the premise is good and I really like the fact that our lead isn't some uber-superwoman with all of the answers, it really is more of an ensemble work but that creeps up on you.

I'd be willing to chat more about it if somone wants to start a thread -- I am on holiday right now so I'll be in and out for another week but I'll add what I can!

Xylina, I would go for the Kindle b/c it's lighter, easier to use, and their electronic books are cheaper.   You can get a Refurb from Amazon for $139 & 3G is included in all K2s.  Seriously, my co-worker & I said we would never use an ereader, but we both love ours now.  I buy paper still, but not often.  I will probably buy the last Fever book in hardback.

Rachel,  regarding the last Jane True book, did you read the very end that contained the book 3 teaser?

Okay here is my question>>>>>>Jane True Book 2 SPOILERS!!!

Okay, I thoroughly enjoyed Tracking the Tempest; but the ending and the teaser for Book 3 left me wondering how Peeler is going to introduce Jane & Anyan's new relationship.  

The teaser alludes to a two month jump from Book 2 to 3. So, my question is: will Peeler just jump forward in time after the start of their relationship? If so I'm going to definitely feel cheated. 

What do you think?  
 

I made a new topic for the Morgan Kingsley series if anyone wants to discuss it..

About Jane True --- SPOILER ALERT

I suspect that the romantic storyline in book three will take the direction of footing finding.... I think it will open with Jane still in an undefined relationship with Ryu and while she grapples with putting distance between them, she will be trying to feel her way into something with Anyan.

This is a love triangle that is going to stretch over multiple books -- hopefully it won't go on and on and on but I don't think we'd miss a thing in terms of witnessing the emergence of Anyan and Jane's romance. It's been building slowly and it will continue to do so, or so I think,

I suspect that Jane will waffle between Anyan and Ryu in book three and will close with her single but I suspect Ryu will do something super extraordinary to make her see him in a different light, probably just when Anyan has opened himself to being with her.... that's my prediction.

I don't think Peeler would just start a new book with Jane and Anyan as a couple -- it's too big of a leap.

I got myself a nook, and I love it! I did major research on both the kindle and the nook and compared the two. I finally found the nook was the better one for me, and I am glad I took the leap

Alright I am 70% the way through Jane True & feel like giving up the bag. Meh. It's so forced & predictable. What's with all of those cheesy terms of endearment that sound so disingenuous & out of nowhere? "Babe" this & "honey" that & "Baby" this & "sweetheart" that?

I think I get it - she is trying to make us not like Ryu so she can get Anyan in there but it's kinda lame. It's kind of out of left in field in many ways. The whole "be a good girl" thing...I don't need to be force fed who to like. She did better in the 1st book with him. It was more subtle - you wanna like him but something was off. In this one I just feel she is trying to be too obvious in putting him out to pasture.

I just feel like the whole book is just on the same level the whole way through. Its not charming me like the 1st one.

Ryu is supposed to be this uber detective & yet Jane has to piece the big mystery together or give them their big lead? Yeah, yeah, Peeler gave a reasoning behind why Ryu doesn't want to go down that route but I don't buy it. Any detective doing this job for however many decades should be worth their salt & open to any & all theories if they're even the least bit tangible. Esp. since even lead they've come against so far has resulted in crap & they can't seem to get a handle. That to me would signify out of the norm thinking. Just very surface. I am hoping she is gonna pull out something surprising though. I am thinking she is going to tie in with Grizzie somehow.

Really not impressed so far. Although I did love the scene with the hairdresser. Made me laugh out loud.

Anyway, maybe it's me. I have had little patience & fitting around with many books lately. Harry Dresden seems to be the consensus. I think I might go there next.

Thanks Rachel & Laura for your teriffic insight into the J. True Books.  It's sort of a guilty pleasure I guess.  You have to be willing to the hit the "yes" button to make this one work.   Call me a monkey, b/c I like hitting the button.

New Book Rec:

If you like Paranormal Romances, that lean more towards the Paranormal, I would definitely check out Stormwalker.  About three books worth of action & plot stuffed into one debut book.  A+++

Part of the fun of this forum is that your feedback does make me think.

Like Laura, I really did burst into a giggling fit when I read the hairdresser scene -- BRILLIANT. And like Wolfy, I had fun with the book but once I read Laura's reaction of how forced Jane's emergence has been at the expense of Ryu's previously established intellegence and ability, I had to agree with that too -- now that she's mentioned it, it does seem as though Nicole Peeler is forcing us to dislike Ryu so she can move on to the Anyan-Jane segement of the series, and it is a transparent machination that could have been better executed by an author with Peeler's talent.

Yes, the Jane True series is popcorn fun fiction but Nicole Peeler has a true talent with words and she could have crafted the emergence of Jane's feelings for Anyan without denigrating Ryu to the readers -- she could have given Jane the second thoughts and insight without making Ryu look like a Keystone Cop with an insatiable appetite.

I stand by my original opinon that I had fun with the book and I'm glad I read it and I will continue with the series. Is it light and are there some holes in it that prevent the series from realzing the potential of gravitas that the author has the talent to write? Sure, but I preordered the third book and will look forward to reading it as well.

Just finished the first three books of the Chicagoland Vampires.  I can't believe I waited this long to read the series.  It was quite good, barring some uninteresting scenes surrounding the protagonist's roommate.  Can't wait for the next one.

Do tell more, who is the author? I live in Chicago -- I think I need to add this to my TBR pile....

Oh sorry, I thought this was a well known series.  Here is the link:

 http://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Chloe%20Neill

Steph I tried to post on Friday about Chicagoland and the computer rejected it.  I can't believe you then posted about it the next day. I'm dying to discuss this one - I'll message you.

I recently read Jaye Wells Sabina Kane series.  So far there are 2 books, an anthology short and several free shorts on her website. I was hooked from the beginning.  It's urban fantasy and the world building is great. A love triangle of sorts develops in book two and I found reading the short in 'Vampire Romance 2' helped with that storyline but it's not essential. Sabina is very conflicted but it works because of the world building - the reader understands without having it explained for the tenth time.  This self-doubt adds to the story rather than just filling it in. I won't say too much because it will spoil the plot but I can't wait for March to read the next one.

Esi,  I've seen the red-headed stepchild books around amazon before.  It looks like I'm going to have to check it out.  I'm currently between series right now, so I'm forging for something good to read till the end of the month.

Chicagoland was definitely not what I expected.  I totally love the main characters.  There are some theories, on the Amaz boards, on how it will all turn out for Merit.  The author has stated that the 4th book may or may not be the last. So hopefully we will get some closure by the end.   It's a pretty popular series, and I don't doubt her publisher will give her the green light for more.  IMO, there is way more to cover, that has already been laid out, than can be in just one book.  However, the author seems to have the fans best interest in mind.  I thought the 3rd book was awesome and heart wrenching.

I'm currently reading a few series that have kept the readers teased for more than 3 books.  I hate when they do that.  Case in point, the Walker Papers.   I think I'm done with that series and the World of Lupi.

I've had the Red Headed Stepchild series on my Kindle since I got it! I. Have. So. Much. To. Read. I. Am. So. Behind!!

OK finally finished the last Jane True book. It got a bit better for me. I'll still read but I felt it was a bit disjointed & the plot was pretty obvious as soon as Pheadra & co showed up on the scene so no great surprise there (I still think there might be some more w/Grizzie. Funnily enough I wonder (again, b'c this happened to me at the end of the 1st book) if it was actually the author's intent to have Jane come across as different w/Ryu. Not her true self in a way. She just seemed so ..wishy washy & those pet names made me cringe b'c they were thrown in practically every sentence of dialog between them.

SPOILERS - it's been pretty obvious since book 1 that NP was goona do the love triangle & that she is rooting & wants us to root for the underdog. Anyan.

However - I really hope she makes it a lot harder to choose. To me she was really making Ryu come across as smarmy & really unlikable but at least she chilled a bit at the end. At least she had him own the fact that he was being a dick. I would love a freakin book not to villainize one of the love triangle choices for once. It just be a bit more refreshing for the choicecoming down to an MC knowing what is best for her in her life & therefore who - rather then one of the people being an asshole making it easy.

Laura I totally agree, but I can think of a number of books that don't villainize  part of a triangle.  Off the top of my head, the Chicagoland triangle didn't.  Actually I'm trying to dig deep to think of more than that....hmm

I'm back from summer vacation and I have a couple of reccomendations.

The first is Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch. As you all may recall, I ordered this book (months ago) as a bit of a gamble because I really liked the cover and I wanted to see if the contents lived up to the cover, well, my $7.99 roll of the dice paid off and I have a new favorite sci-fy series. 

Marketing Manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt joins forces with gorgeous (and brainy) aliens to protect planet Earth, kick evil alien butt and save the day with classic rock and a secret weapon favored by David Lee Roth, Vince Neil and Brett Michaels.

Just as every rose has its thorns, this Kitty has claws and knows how to use them. The action starts right on page one: after being dismissed from jury duty, Kitty witnesses a domestic dispute outside the courthouse that turns deadly when a man kills his wife then sprouts wings and turns on the crowd. Much to her surprise, Kitty goes on autopilot grabbing the Mont Blanc pen from her purse as she tackles the otherworldly creature to the ground and dispatches him with said pen by instinctively knowing precisely where to land the fatal blow. Immediately following her hero-stint, Kitty is whisked away by uber-hunky Armani-clad “agents” who take her to “home base” in New Mexico where they inform her that aliens really do exist and that she has a job-offer killing them.

Touched By An Alien is a very funny book that breaks the rules on the genre clichés; instead of a blushing 21-24 year old orphan almost-virgin who is unaware of her beauty and is a social outcast, we’ve got a confident but not cocky 28 year old marketing manager who lost her virginity in high school (please do not tell her father who is alive and married to her mother), and who has a healthy relationship with her parents and a network of close and loyal friends. Meaning that Kitty’s life doesn’t begin with her new fantastic feats but rather, her life moves onto a new and evolving phase which I personally found to be a refreshing change of pace for a heroine of urban fantasy/science fiction.

This is a fun, charming and fast-paced read that has me giggling out loud. This is not realistic nitty-gritty sci-fy but more of an Alien-Earthling soap opera and it’s a lot of fun. Gini Koch’s style is a bit cheeky, so while the story gets a bit over the top, you know it’s written with a wink and a nudge to the reader.  The second book in the series Alien Tango is set for release in December 2010 and I’ve already preordered (and not just because I like the cover which is done by the artist who also does the Mercy Thompson covers -- yes, I am picking fiction based on cover artists, pray for me please).

I'll write-up my other favorite read from summer vacation shortly, but I wanted to add a plug specifically for Feed by Mira Grant. Although I haven't finished it yet, I can safely say that between this work and the author's other series, October "Toby" Daye, Seanen McGuire aka Mira Grant is quickly becoming one of my favorite urban fantasy authors.

Feed is about the survivors of a zombie virus, but it's told by bloggers who have replaced official news organizations as the chroniclers of their day and they are out to expose the conspiracy behind the virus. Feed is the first in the Newsflesh Trilogy and given the author's talent at spinning a story, I think that this series will find a lot of readers.

I know I am enjoying it.

My other favorite read from my summer vacation is Rob Thurman’s Chimera.

Thanks Rachel for the rec.  So, only one book has been released in the Alien series so far?

Has anyone read the Mona Lisa series yet? I was thinking of buying it but I am not sure if its any good

Yes, only one book has been released in the Alien series -- the second book will be released in December and the third in March.

I do so love the new trend in publishing for rapid release of series installments...

Hey ladies!

I have a great rec for you. I just finished the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and I LOVED it. The first book is the weakest one, but the second is much better and it just improves from then on. The latest, the 4th one, is a fantastic read. The dynamic between the female heroine and the alpha male reminded me a lot of Eric and Sookie is the best way possible. Also, she reminds me of Anita Blake (the early kick ass one). The books do stand on their own and are not copies of the series I mentioned. Give it a chance, I think you will love it. I know I did, and I wasn't impressed with the first book, so just keep reading it does get a LOT better!

Trust me one that!

Has anybody else here read them?

I've had those in my que forever.  I will definitely get to them ASAP.  Thanks for the rec.

Will there be a 5th book?

Yes! I think she is contracted to write till the 7th book so far. I'm not sure, but I'll check. Book 4 (the latest one) was beyond incredible. I ADORED it. Let me know what you think of them. I'm dying to get more people to read it!

Solid Recommendation: Once Bitten & Twice Dead.  If you loved Chicagoland, Sookie, & the Huntrees Books, you will probably love this one.  Solid writing & romantic tension.

Speaking of which, a Huntress spinoff came out today.  I'm going to probably start on it tonight.  Hopefully it's better than the previous.

I read Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost yesterday. I loved it. Much better than the first spin off one. Go for it Wolfy.

I also just read the first 2 Chicagoland vampires books. They are okay but I wasn't very impressed.

I'm gonna check out the ones you mentioned. Thanks!

Glad to hear that Mencheres book is a fun read -- I just received it today and will start it later this evening. Thanks for the head's-up!

VampAngel, thanks for letting me know about the spinoff.  I started today.  The 3rd Chicagoland was one of my favs, so I recommend giving it a go.

Thanks ladies

Eternal Kiss of Darkness- (Cat & Bones 2nd Spinoff) was okay.  I give the main characters and their story 4 stars and the romance plot 2 1/2 stars.  Again, the pairing felt rushed and unbelievable.  Vlad of course steals the show in his few scenes, but other than that I could have skipped this one and still sleep at night.

The 5th Cat & Bones teaser is in the back, so that may be enough draw to read this one.

You were not at all understating the ability of the Outlander series to completely takeover your mind, your imagination and your heart. I am utterly sleep deprived after tearing through the first book in 24 hours and I am really feeling somewhat resentful about my real life and work cutting into my reading habit.

What is so powerful is Diana Gabaldon's writing -- she has done amazing research not just about the time but also into the human psyche, add to that her talent for constructing a complex story and a gift for story-telling and you've got an amazing work. I know this series has rabid fans and I completely understand why.

Thank you all for the reccomendation!

I finished Eternal Kiss of Darkness the other night and I loved it.

Vlad of course steals the show in his few scenes

I agree 110%!  I laughed out loud at almost all of his scenes! 

Thanks Rachel! I'm definitely going to read Outlander now!

Me too. You have me sold!

Michelle really liked the Outlander series, I think Wolfy's reaction was a bit more mixed -- I am a third through the second book, and the time-jumping can be a bit tricky at first but it seems to come together in bits and pieces and I've been told it all will be pieced together. So what you're reading isn't just time travel but also flashbacks and flashforwards (think Lost or even how the first book in the Weather Warden series was constructed).  I understand how this device could be frustrating, but in going with the flow I've been able to put it together and I think there is a real method behind using this device as the author wants us to focus on certain factors are points in the story rather than relying on knowing the complete outcome.

I am really enjoying it but I understand how it could also be frustrating.

Since I have the soapbox, I'd like to sing the praises of the zombie book, Feed by Mira Grant.  I finished it a little over a week ago and would love to discuss it with anyone whose read it. If a zombie book can be elegant in its construction, then that describes Feed -- it's not just about zomibes, viruses but also about how the world has changed -- there is a lot of metaphor for contemporary society and the element of a thriller to it, the book is very artful, fluid and engaging. I really am keen on this book and cannot wait for the second in the trilogy to be released. I think Wolfy would like this one -- it's by the same author as who writes the October "Toby" Daye series. Mira Grant aka Seanan McGuire has some serious chops. I think Feed will pick up a larger following as the series progresses.

I'm reading it, too:  I'm halfway thru Eternal (Frost's Mencheres spin-off). I like it so far. M is an interesting character, an ancient, incredibly powerful vampire. Great descriptions of a newly- turned vampire experience. And Frost is cheeky, which is always appreciated.:)

Much better that the first spin-off about Spade, First Drop of Crimson.

The next Cat & Bones,This Side of the Grave, is due in February.

Thanks Rachel for the rec.  Feed definitely looks intriguing.  McGuire is a very talented writer, so I will be reading it shortly.

In regards to the Outlander books, I was pretty rapped up with the first one, but my attention started to drift after about a quarter of the way through the 2nd.  I put it down to read another series and never resumed reading it.

Eternal wasn't bad, but the romance seemed unnaturally rushed; thus a bit unbelievable in my eyes.  The characters were interesting though and it was a good story.  I can't wait for C&B #5, though.

I finished ETERNAL last night. I enjoyed it. Mencheres is sooooo controlled.

But Frost has such a good time writing, and she is so snappy, that she can make even a mediocre tale satisfying.

Much better than Spades story? I pretty much thought that one was really, really poor & cliched to the max.

I read book 1 of the hallows last week.  I thought it was ok, at best.  I bought books 2 and 3.  Does it get better?  Should I bother reading these?

Not for me but I think this is one of those love it or hate it ones. I read up to book 7 but it never took off & had really big plot holes.

Much better than Spades story? I pretty much thought that one was really, really poor & cliched to the max.

Yes, Laura. Much better than Spade's story. One gets a better, deeper picture of Mencheres as a character, his awesome power as a Master Vampire. And I noticed actions and words telling a parallel story in this one, but I think it is his sense of control that can partially explain it. I'm being cryptic because I am afraid of spoiling, LOL.

Yes, even though I didn't think it was as good as the regular Cat & Bones books, Eternal was muuuuch better than Spade's story.

As Laura said, the Hollows books are one of those love them or hatem' series.  Not my absolute favorite series, but I'm a fan and will probably keep reading till the end.  The first book was one of the weakest, and I probably wouldn't have kept reading further if I hadn't already purchased the next 3 books.  In the end I've enjoyed the story and Harrison's world immensely.

Went to Borders today, for the first time in a really long time, to pickup some books that are not in electronic format.  Is it me, or is it odd reading paper after months of reading off the Kindle?  I also picked up a signed paperback copy of Feed to read later.  Just found out that McGuire is a local (San Fran). Thanks Rachel for the suggestion.

Who pre-ordered the new Kindle?  I finally broke-down after a couple of days and picked up the Wireless only version of the 6".  Hey, it'll be my b-day.  I owe myself something that will more likely get a lot of use.

Have a Great weekend Gals.

Yes, Laura. Much better than Spade's story. One gets a better, deeper picture of Mencheres as a character, his awesome power as a Master Vampire.

Oh so happy to hear that.  

Those following the Weather Warden Series, the 9th and last book came out a few days ago.  I just finished reading it and I was satisfied overall with it's ending, with exception of a few items.  But, it's well worth a read if you are a fan.  It was a very quick read.

The sequel to Three Days to Dead, also just came out.  It was good, but a little slow at the begining, and more than made up towards the end.  I give it a A-

Wolfy, thanks for the review on the new Weather Warden book -- I have it but I'm so wrapped up in Outlander that I probably won't get to it for a couple of weeks (these Outlander books are enormous). I am halfway through the third and I can tell you that your question of "how do you fill a 20 year gap" is one that the leads are grappling with, There is no magic moment that makes everything symbiotic -- they're learning as they go and I like that because it's how any of us would manage our own time-traveling romance reunion (you know what I mean).

Wolfy, have you checked out the Outcast Season series by Rachel Caine yet? It's the spinoff from the Weather Warden and I really liked it a lot -- in fact I prefer it to the Weather Wardens because it's broader in scope, the Wardens focuses really on three people and their mellodrama whereas the Outcast Season gives us more of the big picture as it were with the djinn.

Rachel, yep I've read both Outcast books already. Thanks

Yay! I finally made it through another series which I think I can recommend. I have been incredibly ADD but this one pretty much grabbed me & I motored through.

It's the Vampire Queen series by Joey W Hill (1st books starts at the bottom & works it's way up to the latest)

This was such a random find for me but all of a sudden, I seemed to keep reading about Joey Hill & that this series was really strong b'c it actually grew stronger w/every book. I think it did or rather, it stayed just as engaging.

So here's the thing, it's also considered Adult Fantasy, Erotica, BDSM. I think that's pretty much giving it too much credit but then again, b'c I have read a shit ton of Fanfic, I have a really high tolerance & often think much ado is actually made about nothing.

B'c of the world that Hill built (vampires are innately dominant, sexual ..what else is new) there's a lot of talk about BDSM situations (like tying up, spanking, big whoop IMO - that's no more than kinky sex but b'c of the context it's put in, it's considered in that category) but my take on reviews after I read the books was that it was more the power of suggestion than anything else. The implication.

The theme actually does take more of role as the series progress (just so you know) but by the time your in the 5th book, it completely makes sense. IMO these are dark, adult romance books w/a a bit of an edge (meaning they don't exactly follow romance outline conventions).

• I pretty much hated to highly disliked the 1st book & the MC, Lyssa.

• And although the male MC, Jacob was yummy he was very Gary Stu in every way but their story continues in the 2nd book & all the better for it b'c the world building really needed it.

• By the 3rd book, I was pretty much committed. Hill just has a way of making you really care about the characters.

• The 4th book...honestly the 1st 35% was so strong, I was so in it that & feeling so much compassion for the character that I forgave it when it went into a less intense & more formulaic territory as it progressed.

• 5th book was pretty dark & I fell for a particular character.

• The 6th book comes out on Sept. 7th & continues the story of the MC's from the 5th book.
  

But for the most part, just when you think she might be getting a bit cheesy or OTT Hill knows how to insert a bit of dry humor (usually in the form of characters calling out other characters) which keeps it from going all the way over.


I think she built the suspense really well & now looking back on the previous 4 books, I think her world building is pretty tight & legit. I understand the structure of it & believe the story she is selling when there were times in the 1st couple of books, I wasn't sure if I would ultimately buy into it. Thinking her mechanism's would fall short but with each book, I find the world she has created, more nuanced & a bit more complicated than I expected.

One thing I have really come to appreciate is how she is able to create such well drawn characters. They're all wholly different from one another w/distinct personality traits and all very compelling in their own right.

It works for me. I think she is a really great escapist writer. She strikes enough balance between the drama, angst, romance, sex, intelligence & wry humor to give a really well thought plot & overall arc to the series.

Perfect for the beach & even more so if you want something a bit more engrossing than standard beach fair

Rachel, I'm glad you're enjoying the Outlander series -- I definitely got sucked in by it.  The 2nd book was a bit of a trial with the back-and-forth leaps in time, but the 3rd book jumps it all forward.  I think the books became rather less compelling as the series progressed (they were just so LONG and could have used substantially tighter editing), but by then I was so invested in what happened to the characters that I didn't much care.  I've read through the first 6 and am waiting for Echo in the Bone to come out in mass market paperback.  One thing that cracks me up a little is Claire's ability to do anything and "invent" new technologies.  As a plot device, this makes perfect sense given her time travel backwards from a more technologically advanced time.  But there is a little something there that reminds me of both Anita Blake and Ayla from the Earth's Children series.  I crack myself up imagining that the 3 of them might meet in fantasyfictionland some day and have a pow-wow.

I've also begun Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series while waiting for Shadowfever to come out -- I'm on Book 4 currently.

I may have already plugged this upthread, but I've read the first 4 books of Stephen King's Dark Tower series and liked them very well.  I will definitely get books 5-7 at a later point.  They strike me as a somehow different type of paranormal than other books we've read on here -- maybe they just have a very essential King-esquism that is hard to pinpoint.  The world is outlandish and does not follow any of the typical tropes we find in the other series.

I also want to recommend George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.  The first book is A Game of Thrones and the last one is A Feast for Crows.  Unfortunately we are still waiting on book 5 to come out (with an unknown release date) and there are supposedly further books to follow after that.  It took me a little while to get into the first one, which is more paranormal-fantasy but after I did I could hardly put them down (despite their massive heft).

I've just finished Weather Warden 7, so it looks like I am closing in on the end of the series.  I will definitely think about picking up the Outcase series at some point as well.

I just finished what I thought was book one in the Kate Daniels series, and I'm totally hooked.  Of course I made a mistake and ended up reading book 3 first.  Uhhhh!  Even though I made the mistake and some of the characters and story seemed out of place or unexplained, I was still able to fall along till the very end.  Now I'm struggling on what to do next.  I think I will read book 4 then start at the beginning I guess.

Her site states that there will be tentatively 7 books written in this series.  I completely recommend this series.  It's well written, fast paced, some romance, and a bit of an intrigue.

On another note, I attempted the Electra series, and all I can say was huh.  The writting needed editing and the story was very confusing, and there isn't one bit of romance.  I like at least a hint, you know.

@M, I really enjoyed the Weather Warden Series.  I've read all the way through and the Outcast as well.  It definitely doesn't disappoint.

Yeah Vamp Angel/Barbara rec'd the Kate Daniels hard to me recently. She said they were fantastic. Very Sookie like (in the way they fans would probably love then & take to them). She said the 1st book was very weak but that each keep getting better w/the 4th being amazing.

I second M's recommendation of Martin's Ice and Fire series. It does take a little while to get into them because he throws a lot of characters at you all at once but once you get the lay of the land, it's a great read. It's all about the struggle for power with lots of juicy deception. Just don't get too attached to characters because Martin isn't afraid to kill off anyone.

Another thing, it's a huge commitment because all of his books are ENORMOUS, but the series is really well written and compelling. I'm on book 3 right now- about 150 pages in. Only 1050 to go! (See, enormous)

I can't wait to see Sean Bean as Eddard Stark in the HBO series next year!

I just finished reading books 3 & 4 of the Kate Daniels series, and I really recommend it.  I thought book 3 was better than book 4.  I'm just grappling now whether I should start reading from the beginning, since I accidentally skipped ahead.

Yay to Kate Daniels! I'm sooo happy you liked it Wolfy. I'm a big Kate fan. Book 3 and 4 are awesome, but book 4 has a special place in my heart (I think you know why, but I don't want to spoil everyone).

Book 1 is the weakest, but still fun. I had no idea the series was so fabulous after reading only the first one, but after the second things get really amazing. I'm glad I stuck with it. It has it all, humor, romance, drama, adventure, etc. I highly recommend it!

Laura, you have to read it!

I will it's next after I finished the Downside. I keep changing my queue order.

Hey Tracy! I love juicy deception & fearless authors..that might be right up my alley. I LOVE Sean Bean! They are making it into a series on HBO? That so awesome.

So I also read the 2nd in the Night Huntress offshoot ...Mencheres's story. It was way better than the 1st but honestly, but didn't take me on a fun thrill ride or anything. I did come to like & appreciate Mencheres a bit more though. He's a bit of a martyr huh!?

It was OK. Nothing unique or different. Harmless fun. The plot was tighter then the last book.

I liked it much better when something happened at the 30% mark ...but Mencheres overly flowery way of speaking was a bit too melodramatic for my liking. And he whined a lot about dying. Also - Kira asked questions constantly, kind of like a kid. We heard practically her entire thoughts process - Frost did that in the last book & I found it excessive. She did tone it down in this one but still did it.

Overall, it was OK. Do you think these books mean she has really taken her eye off the ball w/the main series? That would be a shame.

Hey Laura! : ) After reading the first Night Huntress spinoff, it kind of put me off of reading the Mencheres story. Ultimately would you say it's worth it or not worth it? I loved the Night Huntress books but she's producing the spinoffs at an alarming clip which makes me think quantity over quality. I hope that the main series doesn't suffer for the side project.

What I'm really excited about is the 3rd book in the Hunger Games trilogy comes out in five days!! I can't wait! That and the first book in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series come out on the 31st. I hope Infernal Devices is as good as Mortal Instruments.

And yes, Game of Thrones is set to premier in spring of 2011. The cast is fantastic! Laura, you may recognize more of the actors than I do because so many are Brits. I'm sure HBO will do a fantastic job with the series and from what I read, HBO has George Martin very closely involved in the process.

 http://winter-is-coming.net/features/cast/ 

would you say it's worth it or not worth it

You're not missing anything really if you skip it. It's not one that's going to stick in your memory, I don't think....but it's nowhere near as bad as the 1st so if you're making  a dent in your queue & one day you feel like something super easy, light, good natured, it's good for that. It also gave Mencheres a bit more dimension so if your ever curious but...you'll survive w/out it.

Holy huge cast! And they say...They have also been consulting with the author to ensure the TV series remains as true to the books as possible.

That's always nice. I hadn't heard of the series does it have a cult following?

Yes, there are some pretty hardcore George R R Martin fans out there. You know how some crazy Tolkien fans learn Elvish? Well there are Martin fans who are "experts" on all things Dothraki- nomadic horse tribes that I would equate to the Huns maybe. I haven't gotten far enough in the series to know this yet but I suspect that the Dothraki are going to screw everything up for all the prissy, hose and doublet wearing types in the book.

Laura I'm a big Sean Bean fan.  What series is he going to be in?

I started over at the beginning of the Kate Daniels series, and yes Book 1 is pretty weak.  Big difference between the first and the 3 & 4th.  Sort of reminiscence of how Harrison progressed with the Hollows series. Anyways, I'm also reading the alternative Curran POV that was written by the author.  Nice little companion, I wish we had more of.  The Edge series will be next for me.  I think there will only be two books for this series, the 2nd coming out at the end of Sept.

Wolfy, the show is based on George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series (the first book is A Game of Thrones).  Laura, I do think there is a cult following of the series.  I had never heard of it before this winter, when my Big Boss recommended it super-fervently one night after he heard I liked "science fiction and fantasy" (because my coworker disclosed I'd gone on a vampire reading rampage in the course of one of our big projects) and I figured I'd give it a whirl.  It didn't sound quite up my alley, as it relies more on a lot of the traditional fantasy type tropes than the strictly paranormal ones, but obviously there is a lot of crossover.  But once I got started, I found the category of what constituted "up my alley" had broadened considerably as I devoured the books.  Once I started reading them, I kept hearing from other people who liked them as well, and noticed them displayed fairly prominently at my local B&N.

Very exciting about the 3rd Hunger Games book.  I actually chose not to read the 2nd book when it came out, figuring I would wait for the 3rd to come out, then re-read the first and read the 2nd and 3rd in succession.  I cannot believe I have held out this long.

OMG! I'm counting the days until Mockingjay comes out. I already pre-ordered it on my Kindle. I'm gonna stay up all night reading it. Does anyone know if Amazon puts the book out at midnight? If so, what time zone?

I'm dying to read it. And I'm so Team Peeta, I'm worried about him!

I'm also counting the days until Blameless, the third one in Gail Carriger's series after Soulless and Changeless comes out on September 1st. The books are beyond awesome, it's like Jane Austen meets Sookie. I adore it and highly recommend it. Go check out Gail Carringer's book now!

Amazon goes by Pacific time zone. I seem to get my kindle deliveries after 2am Central time.

Big recommendation for the Kate Daniels series.  I read it completely out of order, which I don't recommend, but it was still fairly enticing.  Nothing too ground breaking, but this married writing team does a good job of weaving an interesting paranormal story w/ a good romance.  Of course it's about a feisty protagonist and her alpha.  Can't wait for book 5.  I'll probably read their other series, the Edge, next.  I believe it will only have two books, which the 2nd comes out at the end of Oct.

I am almost done w/the 2nd book in the Downside series & it's unbelievably stronger than the 1st. Still think the street slang is b'c the author is trying to prove her point...my characters aren't stupid even if they're uneducated & if you can see past it you'll deal with it & get used to it, blah, blah. It's has a fairly patronizing feel to me but I am more involved with the MC & the author is doing some clever things here in the way she is revealing the story & background. Bits at a time & absolutely zero info dumping. No repeating herself (so far). I'll let you know more when I finish - almost there.

Roger that.  Thanks Laura.

btw, for those following the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the 9th book is set to be released Mar 29th.  There will also be a Blay/Qhuinn Novella?

Has anyone read the latest Ward novel, The Lady?  She wrote this under the pen name Jessica Bird.

I finished mockingjay last night but it didnt live up to my expectations

Sads.  Is that a YA book Angela?

I finished up Ilona Andrews on The Edge book.  It's a quick and fluffy read, in comparison to their Kate Daniels books.  A little heavy on the PNR plot, but overall enjoyable.  The story resolves in just one book, and the next book focuses on a minor character of the first; sort of like the BDB books.

On another note, I got my highly anticipated Kindle 3 today.  It is very light and has better contrast, compared to the K2.  The high contrast takes some getting use to, and the buttons are bit different, but overall I'm very pleased w/ my upgrade.  I bought the $139 Wireless only version.

I finished mockingjay last night but it didnt live up to my expectations

****POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT******

I did too, finish the book last night..that is. After reaching the end I felt terribly depressed and empty while at the same time drugged out numb much like Katniss throughout the whole book.  There was no happily ever after for any of the characters IMO, not that I expect one in every book I read. In a way I wanted Katniss to be her own woman but that never happened. She's haunted by all of the deaths around her and used as a pawn by both the rebels and the capital. By the end you're wondering why she's even still holding on?  Her devotion to Peeta was lukewarm at best.

Steph, did you have a Kindle 2 also? I ordered a Kindle 3 for my husband as an anniversary gift. How different is the contrast between the 2 and 3?

It hasn't arrived yet. What i'm actually hoping is to use it when he's not reading anything. LOL

****POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT******

Judy u summed it up perfectly. In the end Katniss is a broken woman at 17....and it looks like she spends the rest of her life that way! Very depressing!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Her devotion to Peeta was lukewarm at best.   

I know!!!.........Her feelings for either male never flourished......I dont think she loves either one of them, in fact i think she is so scarred from the traumatic events in her life that she can't feel any romantic feelings towards anyone!

Yes it is a YA book. Its book 3 in the hunger games trilogy. The first 2 were gripping reads.

Judy,  Yep, I've had the K2 since last Dec and I just got the K3 today.  It's a lot lighter, smaller, and the contrast is significantly higher.  Maybe a little too high.  You can't adjust it, and it takes some getting use to.

Duh, had a bunch of problems w/ my new K3, due to not registering or connecting to the network.  I finally figured out how to turn my home Wireless Router and secured it.   I have the K3 Wifi only version.

Your Husband is going to love the gift btw.  Congrats!

Thank you Steph!

I finished Downside. It was OK as a whole so far.

Books 1 & 3 -   I felt where OK while  Book 2, I felt was really good.

It has potential but the 3rd book fell short, IMO.

I felt it It was really predictable - as soon as a couple of characters appeared on page - you could guess their role & what was going to happen. So in fairness - I tink the lack of having that element of surprise took a lot of the wind out of it's sails.  And b'c I knew what was going on - I was antsy & just wanted to get to the end already. So all of the building of suspense, did nothing for me except bore.

It was also a bit too redundant in a lot of places & thought it could have been tightened.

There was some great character development but not enough for me to really give it a hearty recommend. However - I am really in the minority. Most people absolutely love the 3rd book so I probably wouldn't go by me. I will read the next book in the series b'c I am hoping for more of what I saw in book 2 & have come to like the characters enough & how Kane has actually moved them along emotionally despite fears, experiences & circumstances. It's just the plots are a bit thin, IMO & all of their "set-ups" (the context)  are the same.

Thanks Laura for the very insightful review. I'm definitely leaving it my reading list but I bumped it down a couple of notches. I've got a few series that just can not wait.
I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy.Started the Cassandra Clare Mortal Instruments series. I'm on book 1 right now and it is interesting enough but I'm having trouble adjusting to the teen dialogue and mentality, which is so different from the kids in Hunger Games.
Immediately afterwards I will be starting the Parasol Protectorate series as I've read the third one comes out tomorrow.

Then there's this other series I'm thinking of adding to my queue as well. I was wondering if anyone on here has read it. There is only one book out so far and it's called Black Dust Mambo, written by Adrian Pheonix, who also wrote the Makers Song series . So far the reviews are pretty good.

Judy, Black dust Mambo & Song of Scarabaeus have been on the top of my cue for a little over a month.  I'm going to be working through both when I'm finished w/ the Tairen Soul series.

Tairen Soul is a series I just discovered, and it's a truly magical story.  If you don't mind fantasy heavy plots then you might like this one.  The story revolves around a Fae King/Shapeshifter who is trying to save his dying race.  This very emotional and deeply woven story has, Dragon like creatures-Tairen, Mages, Fae & Witches.  There is a wonderful romance that is center to this story, but I don't want to give too much away.  A lot of the plot & characters remind me of some of our other favorite series such as the BDB Lessers, the romance from the Guild Hunter, and the emotion of the Succubus series.    I'm three books in and I really recommend this series.  Not a dull moment.

Steph thanks for the rec! I love fantasy, that's probably why I really enjoy Urban fantasy so much.

No problem.   Parasol Protectorate is another series that i've should have read long ago.  It's about a vampire right?  

I don't know too much about it other than this: the main heroine doesn't have a soul. There are vampires, werewolves and the setting is an alternate steampunk world. It's supposed to have action, romance, comedy, mystery etc...

Someone online said it was like Mary Poppins meets Vampires.

Sweet.  I'll definitely be loading it into my new Kindle.  Also, lots of good books coming out in the next month or two.  3rd Book in both the Toby Daye & Elemental Assassin series.   And if you like the Kate Daniels series, that author has a 2nd book coming out in their Edge series.  Another book coming out is from the Once Bitten/Twice Dead Author- Grave Witch.

If you haven't read Once Bitten/Twice Dead, I really recommend it.  Especially if you liked the Chicagoland & Night Huntress Series.

Sweet! Hopefully they will all keep me busy until January when Shadowfever finally comes out!

I really appreciate all the recommended series. There's so many out there.

I have just blown through (I am on book 4) the Kate Daniels series. It is awesome. I can't believe it's not more popular. It's so smart & funny & he plots are really tight. It just has a ton going for it. Thanks for telling me Barbara & Steph! It's most definitely on my A list.

You all have me convinced, I'll give Kate Daniels a spin but it may take me a little time to get to it as there is a backlog on my Swap.

Right now I am catching-up with the newest installment of the Parasol Protectorate, this is the third book in the series and it's titled Blameless -- as with the previous two installments, I have a smile on my face while I am reading this book.

Next up on my list is the Fire and Ice series by R.R. Martin which others in this forum have reccomended and which is being adapted into a ne HBO series with Sean Bean -- I've got to see what this series is all about so I can just bask in Sean Bean's screen time without being distracted by plot, etc.

I also finished the newest Weather Warden book -- I liked it because it was a culmination of developments that have been brewing for the past 2-3 books and needed to be seen through one way or the other. The series now looks poised for a new arc and I'll stick with it. For me it's a solid B-List because after the 4th book, it spirals with repeating devices and scenarios -- how many times does the fate of the world rest in Jo's hands alone? How many times does she need to enslave David to save him? How many times will Lewis use and betray Jo in the service of the greater good? It's well written and compelling with a lot to like in this series, but the events in the new book should have happened a book or two earlier. Really.

That said, Total Eclipse sets up a new arc and I am interested in seeing where Rachel Caine goes with this -- she's a talented writer who has created a world that is wholly unique and introduced me to some characters I have a geniune affection for (Rahel and Cherise) and I respect the fact that none of the charaters are wholly good or bad, there is a lot of grey in her world and that's a quality that appeals to me in fiction.

So, I'm still on board with the Weather Wardens but really looking forward to the next Outcast Season book more.

Rachel, I have HBO but I still haven't heard of Sean Bean's new series.  What is the name of it?  Is it Game of Thrones?  Has the pilot already been aired?

ITA about the Weather Warden Series.  I'm glad Caine finally wrapped it up, b/c the plots were getting a bit tired & silly.  Although I will definitely miss Caine and her skilled writing.  I'm just not into reading YA, so I'll just be catching the Outcast series from here on out.  I liked the last WW book, but it left me with a few unanswered questions about David & Jo & their offspring.

The Kate Danels series is really good, but I have to warn that Book #1 is a bit weak, compared to the other 3.  Not bad by a long shot, but you may end up struggling to get through some of the tedious boring parts, like me.  I read this series backwards, due to mislabeling books on my ereader, and found Book #1 acceptable since I already had some vested interest in the characters.

The HBO series will premier in 2011 and David Benioff is the writer (author of the books City of Thieves and 25th Hour and screenwriter for Troy). HBO has already created a webpage so you know they're going balls-to-the-wall in terms of creating and supporting the series with a major marketing push. Sean Bean is Ned Stark (I don't know who Ned Stark is but give me the weekend and I am sure I will), and they've spent between $5-$10 million on the pilot alone. HBO is investing as much in this project if not more than what they spent on Rome (which I adored) and I have very high hopes for the show and so I want to get a leg-up and start reading the series which many of you have already started reading.

click here for link to HBO's Game of Thrones

Thank you for the head's-up on book one in Kate Daniels -- it sounds like there is a payoff for sticking with the series, and I don't mind a slow start.

I just read the first of the Parasol Protectorate yesterday (Soulless) and really enjoyed it.  The dry humor was quite funny -- I could see how it could become tiresome after a bit, though, so I am very interested to see how books 2 & 3 go.  I have book 2 at home already but will have to pick up book 3.

I'll also check out the Kate Daniels series, although Harry Dresden is still sitting lonely and unread on my shelf.

I'm not completely finished w/ the Tairen Soul Series (4 books in), but have to say that this is one of those stories that will definitely leave a lasting impression.  As I mentioned previously, this is Fantasy heavy story, that revolves around a Shapshifter Fae King that loses his mate in a Mage War 1000yrs ago, and is now trying to save his race from extinction.

3 books in, this wondrous story starts to evolve into an Epic like Lord of Rings drama.  This is my first time reading Fantasy, but I've been so caught up in this drama, that I haven't been able to put the books down for any length of time  One word of warning is that each book ends w/ unresolved cliffhanger, forcing the reader on to the next book.  Good new is, the series is almost complete.  The 5th and final book comes out Oct 26th.  Really big recommendation for this very written/edited Fantasy/PNR, from a non-fantasy reader.

The Tairen Soul series sounds interesting -- and I like a good cliffhanger, it prods me forward. I think I'll have to add it to my Swap wishlist.

Thanks for the reccomendation!

I love the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. I just finished the 3rd book, Blameless. It's a very fun and interesting series. It's Jane Austen meets Sookie Stackhouse for me. I've been a fan of ut for quite sometime and the 3rd book did no disappoint. Soulless is a must read! It's fun and funny. Gotta love Alexia and Lord Maccon!

Laura, see? I told you about the Kate Daniels series! You have yo trust me on these things Have you finished the 4th book yet? It's my favorite. I agree that they should be way more popular.

Also, I have said this over and over, but forgive me, I must say it again: HARRY DRESDEN ROCKS! The Dresden Files is a FANTASTIC SERIES, although the first book is the weakest of the bunch. It's a MUST read. Harry Dresden is one of my all time favorite heroes, if not the number one. All hail Harry!

I just finished Blameless last night too -- it was much more action centered than the previous installments and again, I had fun. I also like how Carriger is building and contextualizing the world she has created, particularly with the steampunk pseudo-science. I think the Order off the Octopus is going to continue to play a bigger and bigger role --- too bad we have to wait until July for the fourth installment.

Did you get to read the Marcone short story Even Hand? It was released earlier this summer and I think we get more than insight into Marcone, I think we're getting a bridge to some of the developments from Changes... there is more to that ending than meets the eye which is just one of the many reasons I love Harry.

OK, OK, Harry will jump the queue!  Next week will be Harry bonding time.

If anyone's interested, I just posted a list of some of my favorite books and series on Amazon.  Along w/ a list of books coming soon.

Favorite Books

Coming Soon..2010

Coming Soon..2011

Thanks for the preorder list -- I didn't realize the next October Daye was available for preorder, but I'm glad it is. Any word if there is going to be a third Alpha and Omega? I really was getting into that story, it was gentle but strong and I found it refreshing in the genre.

BTW, love the "Slim" photo in your amazon profile!

I just read Dresden Files 1 and Alpha & Omega 1 -- liked both.  I liked Alpha & Omega a lot better than Briggs's Mercy Thompson series.  The Dresden books improve as they go along, yes?

I finished Book 2 of the Parasol protectorate, which I thought was not nearly as good as Book 1, but I've heard Book 3 is luckily back up to par with Book 1.

YES! The Dresden Files improve a LOT with each book. Book 1 is the weakest and I have to say I didn't really realize how genius they were until book 6 or 7. Not because they aren't good, but because I didn't realize Jim Butcher had major plans for the series and everything that happens is connected. I think the first few books you think it deals with isolated incidents, but that is not the truth, so pay close attention. The plot thickens considerably as they go along and so does your love for Harry. Plus, it has hilarious dialogues. The wit is to die for.

I liked book 2 and 3 of the Parasol Protectorate, but I think book 1 is the best one, maybe because it was so different and refreshing to read. It's a great series, but not perfect in any way.

I am so glad that someone else picked-up Alpha and Omega because I liked those books, not a-list for me untill I see what Briggs does with the third book, but there is potential for them to make my A-List because I think they're lovely.

Dresden's first book is the weakest -- to put it in a little perspective, it was written for a class assignment while Butcher was in grad school -- he wrote it as smart-ass assignment and basically didn't think anything would come of it, but it turned out to be his first publishable book -- the second is better but still average, it's the third when you see that the author has really developed his style and you'll also see how events start to weave together.

There are no continuity issues in the Dresden series -- which makes it unique on that point alone. However, everything ties together and does so in a way which is artful. If you make it to the third, you'll be hooked -- you probably won't be madly in love until book 5 but you'll appreciate the way the author has constructed the characters. Really, the series is more of an excerise in this-is-how-to-write-a-series than an author writing about a near-and-dear world. That's not to say Butcher isn't fond of Harry but the series isn't self-indulgent to the author's fantasies or personas.

Vampy is right, it's not perfect -- but we do love our Dresden.

Rachel, you're welcome.  Amazon lists seem to be the easiest way to organize my favorites.  Hopefully my lists will help others too.  I'll keep updating as new titles become available.

The 3rd Alpha & Omega book is slated for Fall 2011.  No word on dates or titles yet.   I also really like this series compared to Mercy Thompson.  It has a bit more romance and the heroine is not as annoying.

Has anyone read the Violet Eyes series by Stephen Woodworth?  A friend of mine just marked it as to-read on Goodreads and when I went to check it out, it (and its sequels) had fairly consistently good reviews.  It looks like there are 4 books total, taking place in the present day, where there are a class of people with purple eyes who can channel the dead.  I've never heard it of it before but am now rather intrigued and thought I would see if anyone has read it?

Wolfy, have you read the new October Daye book yet? I just got it today and while I am knee-deep in Fire and Ice series I'd love a preview of the new book.

Nope not yet.  But I think it's my best option since I just finished the Nice Girls Don't series.  I attempted to start Murphy's new book Truthseeker this morning, and so far I'm not impressed.  I'll let you know how it is once I finish it.

What is the Fire & Ice series?

Well Michelle and Tracy turned me onto RR Martin's Fire and Ice series -- think The Sopranos meets Middle Earth and you've pretty much got the gist. It's a fantasy series that is wonderfully layered and driven by characters rather than their cool powers, swords or love of mead (although there is that element).

The series is being adapted into an epic new HBO series to be released in spring 2011 called Game of Thrones (same title as the first book) starring Sean Bean (sigh) and the first book is really good. There are only 4 books in the series but they're each in excess of 800+ pages and I'm only wrapping up the first in the series but I am completely engrossed... Tracy and Michelle were right about this one.

Loads of Shakespearean plots and characters -- it's heady stuff.

oh, now I remember that this is the series ya'll were talking about before.  Is it YA?  Is the author male?  Is there any love interests or is it straight up fantasy?

It is definitely not YA, the author is male (George RR Martin), and there are some love interests but not in the same way as we find in PNR -- hard to describe, but more that you learn whom the characters love as time goes on.  There is love, I would say, but not romance.  But the story is told from multiple characters' viewpoints (and more characters narrate as the series progresses), and no one story controls, although I think we all have our favorites.  I love Dany, for example, but I know others don't.

Thanks M for the description.

Rachel, I'm starting October Daye #3 now, I'll let you know how it turns out.  Don't bother w/ Murphy's Truthseeker.  I couldn't get past the 6th Chapter.  It's that bad.  I think I'm just not into necrotic know-it all protagonists.  That's probably why Mind Games was also not a favorite of mine.

To expand on Michele's comments -- while it's not romance-genre love but there is love between characters in this epic that is very tangible and which resonate with the reader, mostly this is in the form of love for friends and family but that can be as compelling as romantic love when well written.

One of the better literary devices the author uses in the telling of this series is that it's told from multiple characters' points of view so you find yourself looking at events from a variety of perspectives and also being privy to the inner thoughts of multiple characters makes it easy to bond with characters who may be on opposite sides of a conflict but you find yourself embracing both of their causes.

My favorite character at this point is a toss-up between a dwarf lord who while not chilvalrous, is still a just man and rapier wit and my other favorite is an exiled 14-year old princess who repeatedly manages to rise from the ashes like a phoenix from the ruins of her life. I even have a surprisingly empathetic opinion of a different 12 year old princess who made a terrible mistake the repercussions of which result in a war. Having all of the different points of view gives the reader perspectives you might not normally have if you just looked at the events.

To enjoy this series, you do have to be predisposed to embrace epics and complex arcs told in anywhere from eight or more voices. It's big. Really, really big.

I'll also add that there are times as your reading Game of Thrones (and the subsequent books) when you think the story line contains unnecessary information but be patient because it's all important. Eventually you see each character's back story resurface and it can be pretty jaw dropping when you put it all together.

Martin is also great at making you reevaluate characters. There are characters that you're sure you hate but then as the story goes on, you become really conflicted because almost no one is completely good or evil- except for a couple of characters that are obviously completely irredeemable. You almost feel guilty for cheering for some of these characters because they've done some truly unforgivable things.

Not sure how old this is, but this it's the first I've heard of deleted Night Huntress scenes.  Frost posted a slew of scenes that didn't make it through editing. I haven't checked them out yet, but I'm pretty excited to read them.

http://jeanienefrost.com/deleted-scenes/

& My Updated Coming Soons:

Coming Soon-1 Sep-Nov 2010

Coming Soon-2  Nov-Dec 2010

Coming Soon-3  Jan-Mar 2011

Coming Soon-4  Apr-Jun 2011

Thanks for the new lists!

Just finished An Artificial Night.  It was a very good read, and thought it much better than book #2.  Only thing that dismayed me was that there was little to no relationship movement for the protagonist.  A Book #4 teaser is in the back of book #3.  Due out Mar 2011.

I found another series about the TDD fae that's not YA. Not that I have anything against YA but it's nice to get some sexy bits here and there. The series is written by author Anya Bast and is called Dark Magick. There are 2 books out now. The reading order is Wicked Enchantment and Cruel Enchantment.

The author's website includes a link to the world she's built, called Piefferburg, which is a prison of sorts for the fae. It appears she put a lot of thought into it.

Judy, I second the Enchantment books.  A little PNR heavy but I did enjoy Wicked Enchantment.  I have't had a chance to read the 2nd book yet.  Bast has another book coming out Nov 2, tittled Jeweled.  Not sure if this is a standalone or a new series.

Where is everyone?  It's been very quite around here lately.   Recently I've been knee deep in the Real Vampires series.  Very funny & entertaining series about a voluminous & vivacious vamp named Glory.

BTW, lots of UF new releases this Tues (28th):

http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Soon-1-Urban-Fantasy-Sep-Nov-2010/lm/R2FAKNL63Q8H63/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

Well, I am finally emerging from under the 4000+ pages of the Fire and Ice series -- more on that in a bit.

First on my list is to catch-up with Trixia from Rob Thurman's Trixter series -- angels and demons in Las Vegas with some groovy twists. Then I am taking your reccomendation and going to see what our friend Toby Daye has been up to. I really like that series and I am smitten with the author, between her October "Toby" Daye series and her Newsflesh trilogy, I think Seanan McGuire's star will rise, the woman has chops and can really write.

After that, I'm open to suggestions.

Jeez, that's a lot of pages for a series.  I haven't read either series yet.

The Toby Daye books are good, but I feel a little unsatisfied with how slow the relationship for the protagonist is going.  From what I've read it will take one step back in the next book.  And I would like to hear more about her daughter.  I have a signed copy of FEED, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I'm still reading the Real Vampires Series, which is pretty good. Then I'm off to read the new Elemental Assassin & Edge books that came out this week.

When you are finished and ready for suggestions here is my list:http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Fantasy-Fantasy-Best-of-Fav/lm/R20HXLE5JOAZUO/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

I'm really interested in what you think of Feed -- I really enjoyed it and found the book to be surprisingly elegant in how it unfolded. One of the aspects that impressed me was how the author contextualized this future world, everything from how entering a building to how people meet each other is explained and I really fell further into the story for having that context. More impressive to me was how well she explained the world of online publishing and journalism -- I work for a magazine's website and Mira/Seanan really hit the nail on the head in terms of how things work from the finished product to all of the minutia behind the scenes. I also found the premise, of bloggers taking over the media interesting because it's already happening. So again, I found another angle to the book that pulled me in on yet another level. Of course, the story is good -- really good. I'm not going to give anything away, but this moves at a quicker pace once you are acclimated to the world in which the story exists.

I am really looking forward to the second installment in the series, but no release date has been set yet.

Fire and Ice.

This is a series I want to do the hard sell on but I haven't quite gotten around to it, maybe I'll try now.

It was reccomended to me by Michelle and Tracy -- and they locked me up into it when they tipped me off to the new HBO series for 2011 starring Sean Bean. I've read all four books in the space of a couple of weeks which should be a testament to how gripping they can be once you get into them.

This is an epic series. We're talking War of the Roses, epic here. There are characters who are shadows of some of the great characters of Shakespeare -- there's an Iago, an Ophelia, Lady MacBeth, a Caliban and some Titus Andronicus. It's fantasy but it's not bogged down in wizards or lore but there is still magic and mythical creatures. The author isn't easy on any of his characters -- that is not to suggest he's gimmicky or writes things for shock-value, rather it is to say that it's not predictable but nothing comes at you from left field either. Everything is lovingly constructed and artfully executed.

The books are told from multiple points of view -- you will get different perspectives of events which is something that none of the other series we are reading in this forum have done -- all right, the Fever series dabbled with Dani's voice but imagine getting Barrons' point of view and even Christian's, you'd not only have different perspectives on the immediate events surrounding Mac but you'd also find yourself involved in other facets that Mac has considered or is even aware of -- in the hands of a lesser author, this could be an unholy mess (see the most recent season of True Blood as a case in point), but George RR Martin is a maestro and the Fire and Ice series is cohesive and coherent in all four books. His characters are richly layered -- almost no one is what you think they are at first, but it's no so much that they change as you get to see them as they are, good, bad and confused. It's compelling stuff.

This is a series that will have a few hundred thousand more fans once the series is released on HBO in 2011.  I've already got a new bus-buddy who is reading the series too. If you don't pick it up now, and I don't begrudge anyone from not jumping into a book that would make a really good doorstop, then I predict many of you will once you see the HBO series because these characters, this story and this world is too tempting not to want to dig into more on your own.

That said, it's time for me to take a look at Wolfy's list... they always have something new for me on them that I end up really liking.

The next book in the Newsflesh series is Deadline, and it is suppose to come out May 2011.  Book #3, Blackout, comes out tentatively on May 2012.

For me I have to have at least a hint of romance, b/c my life is that boring and I need to get a little excitement wherever I can get it.  That said, I really don't dig on straight Romance and not much in the way of PNR.  I like UF w/ just a bit.

That's just my opinion in regards to books.  I will definitely be all over the HBO series.  I <3 Sean Bean.  And yeah, I will more than likely get on the Fire & Ice series bandwagon once I'm knee deep in the tv series.

No big romance in the Newsflesh series at this point -- althougth the supporting cast of characters does get laid (that counts for something right?).

There is big love in the Fire and Ice series -- but what would an epic be without love? There aren't are intense sex scenes, but they are present. More to the point,  it's not a young adult series like Tolkein's work -- you really wouldn't hand off the Fire and Ice series to a group of middle school students and I think some high school parents would object as well, there is graphic violence (there is a war afterall), there is sex and there is a world of psychosis at play. There is also tenderness, romance, gentleness, chivalry and the battle of the ages of free will vs destiny.

No, there isn't one romance to suck you in but there is a lot of big, heavy, emotion at play and you will find yourself cheering for certain characters and there hopes and dreams -- it's impossible not to care about these characters, even if you're pulling your hair out at their mistakes. I think of Tyrion and it's impossible not to have your heart break for him... this is a series where you will find yourself emotionally invested before the end of the first book and what will surprise you is who you find yourself attached to.

Starting the first book is a bit slow going because you're placed in the middle of an ancient family who is entertaining a king and dozens of characters will be thrown at you, you will be acclimated by the middle of the book but it's a little tricky at first which is why waiting for the television series might be more appealing because after the first couple of episodes, a reader would have the lay of the land.

There are helpful appendixes in the back of the books as well.

Sooner or later, Wolfy will bite -- winter is coming and you cannot resist the Starks who are the wolf clan.

well Rachel, you've pulled me in. I am going to check them out for sure. They sound awesome and like they have a little bit of everything.

well, guys been checking out what you guys been reading and which books to get, i think like the idea of knowing when and what book to get while you wait for your favorite book to come out.

so i'm going to take your suggestions and check it out online and thank you soooo much cos i can't bear it if i not got any book to read, as i get bored easily.

Hi! Jumping in here from the Sookie forum ( mostly just a reader though). I also LOVE Dresden Files. The first book was the weakest and I was wondering if I should continue- but starting from Book 4 or so the world Jim Butcher created is incredibly compelling. Multi- dimentional, complex characters, fascinating world, choices and dilemmas, no easy answers, well written, often very funny. I am totally in love. And throughout the books I developed trust in the author- the details match, the ends meet, characters change through time,  logic rules within the created fantasy world. I came to the Sookieverse more as a sci-fi lover - and got obsessed with  CH's world. But the last couple of years I am losing my trust due to continuity problems and stagnation... and am so happy that Dresden Files keep me interested in paranormal series. I tried Night Huntress but, while enjoyable, it did not grab me enough to continue. I am waiting to read Fever Series till November ( my life becomes stressful then and I'll need some escape). Currently I downloaded Neil Stephenson's Snowcrash- wonder how I'll react to cyberpunk.

Thank you all for your ideas and recommendations!

Hi Novella! I'm sooooo glad we got another Dresden fan here. I also agree with you. The first Dresden book is weak and I think I only really realized how incredible the books are and how hooked I was when I read book 6 or 7. It's such an amazing series. Jim Butcher is a God! I'm DYING to read the next book. Changes was awesome and gut wrenching!

Oh and I think you should try the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. It's great, I think you'll enjoy it. Let us know!

Thanks, VampAngel! I'll put Kate Daniels on my shortlist, for sure. See you in the Dresden thread:)))

Rachel, I'm so glad you enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire series -- they are definitely a huge undertaking and aren't for everyone so I am never sure if those I recommend them to will feel the same way, but I really did find myself getting completely lost in their world for awhile.  Even now, having finished them awhile back, I find myself thinking about them and wishing Martin would just get the 5th book done already.  I agree that the device of alternating the story from different characters' perspectives is really effective -- by the 4th book, as someone else noted above, you really are rooting for characters that you thought were the most awful bad guys in the first book.  It's kind of amazing how seeing things from other people's perspectives can shift the entire story -- it does make you wonder how some of the other books we've read would make you feel if only you saw things from eyes other than Anita's, Sookies', Kate's, Georgina's, etc.

On the recommendation of VampAngel and others, I picked up the Kate Daniels books and sped through them this weekend -- I have about 1/3 left of the 4th book and really liked them.  Kate and her series are all the things that Anita should have been -- Kate is a vengeful badass for a reason, not because her college boyfriend rejected her because she wasn't sufficiently light-skinned.  Kate has immense powers for a reason -- not because the author seems to have ongoing wish fulfillment issues.  In any event, I really liked these and will continue the series.

I did get stuck with Dresden after the 2nd book -- I just wasn't enjoying them all that much.  I've got the third book at home and so will probably read it at some point, but not next.  I'm not entirely sure what I'll start next.

For those following the Elemental Assassin, Venom is a Superlative read.  Best of the three books IMO.

For those following the Night Huntress series, Frost just announced that the series will end with 9 books & Vlad will be getting his own Two Book series.  Tentative release date is 2012.  I know there are a lot of Vlad fans out there, that will be happy to hear this.  Hopefully this spin-off won't feel as rushed as her other two, since it will be spread out through a couple of books.

Vlad gets his own 2-book deal? Of course he does, he is the Impaler after all!

Sounds like the fans are having some impact on what she writes.  Vlad is a fan favorite, besides the two leads.  I hope his story is done right.  Reading the last Cat & Bones Short and Chap 1 of the next, it looks like the Huntress series is back on track.  I guess it never went off track.  But that first spinoff was a bit of a disappointment.

Quick recommendation, Song of Scarabaeus was an excellent read.  More SF than UF, but engaging enough for me to overlook the technobabble.   Great romantic tension, but I wouldn't classify this as a romance, as not much physically occurs in the 1st book.  Also, the book ends w/ little resolved.  So, if you hate cliffhangers, I would wait for the release of Book #2, prior to delving into this one.

Thanks for the reccomendation, I've put it on my swap wish list!

thanks Rache for the reco for Touched by an Alien. I'm almost finished, it's cute. Gotta love the shout out to Riki-Tiki-Tavi

I'll definitely be reading Touched by an Alien prior to the release of the 2nd book.

I just finished another really enjoyable read (I'm so on a roll).  Grave Witch was a little more than I expected.  Price really knows how to write some steamy scenes.

I'm glad you liked Touched by an Alien -- I was laughing most of the time I was reading the book and I just adored the Dazzlers.

Today I finished the newest October "Toby" Daye book and like Wolfy, I really liked it. I understand the frustration about the romantic tension with Tybalt but I think we're going to see a whole lot of Tybalt in the next book, he had some irons in the fire and from what he showed us in this installment, he'd been holding back from Toby because he thought she did something -- not sure what but he's clearly confused and cares for her very much.

I liked the direction this book went with Toby's personal development -- instead of fighting everything, even herself, she let others in and let herself be accountable for the role she plays and the obligations she has to people as a friend. You don't see that sort of growth in most UF/PNR -- it's usually all about opening yourself to new powers or sexual experimentation but what Toby had to do was accept responsbility for herself and for other people and to admit her own limitations and accept those and the consequences as well.

That much of the story was driven by almost ancient children's rhymes and myth was brilliant. Seanan McGuire is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.... she's smart without being smug or pretentious and I don't get the sense that she's injecting her own persona into either of her series, they're very different and I admire her range.

I will definitely check out Grave Witch -- I could use a little sugar in my bowl (so to speak)

I agree w/ you Rachel, but after three books, I just thought there would be a little more development w/ the leads. Don't get me wrong, I thought the story was superb, albeit a bit dark.  Speaking of which, does it feel as if the books in this series are getting darker?  I know she also writes a dark UF/Horror series, which may also be influencing her other writing as well.

Best recent reads:Elemental Assasin #3, Song of Scarabaeus, Grave Witch, & Sparks.

I hate to oppose the overwhelming majority, but I just couldn't get into Bayou Moon for some reason.  I skimmed the book, after reading about 60% of it.  Not a bad book, but I just wan't feeling it. I sort felt the same way about the previous Edge book, but I actually completely read that one.

I just finished Feed by Mira Grant (pen name of Seanan McGuire) and I have to agree with Rachel that it's a really fantastic book. It's much more cerebral than your standard zombie story with great characters and interesting plot twists. It's equal parts horror/political thriller, all delivered through characters that you grow to care a great deal about.

I think fans of Max Brooks' World War Z will like this one; it has the same real feel to it that World War Z does. (By the way if you haven't read World War Z yet, it's phenomenal) McGuire does a really good job of imagining how life would be in the wake of a zombie (viral) outbreak- the freedoms you would lose in order to stay alive, what social interactions would be like if you couldn't be sure if the person next to you was virus-free. It's just a really well written, thoughtful, fresh take on what can be a very tired, predictable, blood bath-ridden genre.

KINDLE giving AWAY SANDMAN SLIM as an ebook

It's a wickedly funny, very butch, black humor read -- I am absolutely in love with this series. Free is free, you've got nothing to loose.

I had a blast with the second book in the series, Kill The Dead which really pushes the series forward on a few levels and also had one scene that made me start giggling to the confusion of my fellow bus riders on my morning commute.

well, the convo that you all talking sounds really intresting, any chance if any of you can give me the authors name that you seems to be reading at the moment, might be a lot to get but who cares, if damn good, then i bloody well get it!

The author of Highborn will run you down if you don't like her book.  I left a 4 star review for the book, and the author attacked me and my review.  What a crazy.  The link to the crazy is below.

 http://www.amazon.com/review/R3RYLX4Q06CJ13/ref=cm_cr_rev_detup_redir?_encoding=UTF8&cdPage=1&asin=1439191735&store=books&newContentID=Mx26U8QNL2ZUC5R#Mx26U8QNL2ZUC5R

Ohh Steph. I'm laughing and laughing. So I've had a little-look see at the 'offending' Amazon review and read the response. (more laughter, breath in, breath out) Next step was internet stalking. I'm a big fan of author internet stalking. Check out what Ms Navarro has on her website.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

HIGHBORN CONTEST!

HIGHBORN is out and available!

The first three people to review HIGHBORN on Amazon.com will win a free yvonnenavarro.com T-Shirt. My choice based on availability of size and design. So... who wants a T-Shirt?

 

What about you Steph? Do you want a t-shirt?   Is the contest only for the first 3 reviews that she agrees with? *wipes tears from eyes*

LMBO, I haven't even read the book and now I am tempted to write a completely fictional review just to get a reaction. It's bad to tempt me this way.

I'm not even sure why she decided to pick on me, b/c most all of the reviewers gave her 4stars.  I have since injected some positives and clarified some of my complaints.  Still, it's often tough to write a below avg reviews, when fan girls or crazy authors are trolling to defend their obsession or craft.  In any case, I'm hanging tough and refuse to be bullied by the Buffy the Vampire writer.

Nor should you be. It was an honest and balanced review and the bottom line remains that you gave her 4-stars which is a strong reccomendation. I have little to no tolerance for authors or artists who cannot accept balanced and throughtful critique because it's a core part of the creative process and necessarry to measure and validate the work.   Overall, your review was a good one -- and she should have been focusing on the bottom line and respected your right as the reader to see points where future work could improve, even if she disagrees she should have respected your comments as thoughtful reflection on her work, that's all.

Too bad about the t-shirt.

Chica can keep her free t-shirt and her book too.  Is it too late to ask for a refund?  I should go straight to the publisher or my lawyer to claim pain and suffering.  Okay, I go too far, but this is not a new author and she should know by now that not every review is going to mirror what she thinks of her own work.

If you are now intrigued by the book, go for it.  But frankly I've read better.  Recent better that comes to mind is the Elemental Assassin, Price, Toby Daye, and Storm Walker books.   Read at your own Peril. 

Laura, ITA.  The Edge books definitely didn't blow up my skirt.  I actually skimmed part of the second one. Because of the nature and pacing of the book, they seemed very cookie cutter & formulaic compared to Kate Daniels.  Predictable = Boring, in my book.

This is also my problem w/ the Huntress Spinoffs, especially #1.  Although they weren't as Disney like at the Edge books.  They felt artificially rushed, in order to wrap up to a neat ending.  Of course, both stories are well written, so I can't say it was a complete waste of my life.

Laura, there will only be 2 Books in the Edge series.

BTW, I just put together a blog this week.  Let me know what you think.  It's still a work in progress, so please be nice.  http://ufobsession.blogspot.com/

That's cool Steph. I hope you have a lot of fun with it. I like the scroll at the bottom for upcoming releases.

I saw Queen of Shadows on your TBR list & was completely psyched to read it b'c of the glowing reviews on Amazon as well.  It ended up being only meh for me for various reasons.

Thanks Laura, I really appreciate the kind words.  Yes it's fun, but very consuming, but not as difficult as I thought it would be.  I'm not an IT, so I've already had quite a few challenges standing it up.  Very much a work in progress, but I think it's sort of getting there.

I'm bummed to hear that about Queen of Shadows, b/c I was really looking forward to it.  But one thing I have found out is that you shouldn't always judge a book by it's reviews.  Case in point- A Hunger like no other.  Yuk.

My-B.  Correction on my previous post.  I just read that Andrews is now contracted for 2 more books in the Edge series.  Oy vey, more Edge.  If they planned this all along, then why make the books singles?

Oh no, don't go by me though on QOS. You might like it. I know many times I don't agree w/the popular vote but this time, I'm really not. People seem to really love it.

I read it w/a friend of mine & we pretty much have the exact same tastes & she liked it much better than me. She saw my issues but liked it well enough to look past them.

For me QOS didn't work b'c by the end, logically it didn't stack & when that happens, I have a harder time overlooking things as a whole. I definitely have a criteria in my head for things that check my boxes, this missed the mark for majority of them.

I'm with you on the reviews. I barely judge a book by them anymore. I find a lot of sites are generally glowing. I felt Amazon used to be more balanced but not so much anymore. If I go to an overwhelmingly highly rated book, I try not to spoil myself too much but I always go straight to the lower reviews to skim them. I take it on board but then give the book the benefit of the doubt. 7 x's out of 10, I agree with the lower reviews in the end. Even some of my top series, I even understand certain gripes about them. Esp. Anita or Merry.

Here's a question - can you consider a series a favorite anymore if you stop liking it or just feel it's ventured into mediorcre-ville at some point?

I actually hated A Hunger Like No Other & "hates" a strong word as we all know.  However, that's slipped just a strong dislike & another book in a dubious series has replaced that honor.

Yet another series with majority high marks; Book 3 in the Riley Jensen series by Keri Arthur.

I absolutely cannot forgive an author who allows her MC to willingly sleep with the same man who in the previous book, raped her for 8 days straight while she was mostly unconscious, just b'c she's a horny werewolf & needs to get some. Really now...what kind of message is that!?   IMO, Arthur should be strung up instead of celebrated & her editor should've been right there with her.

Not to get on my soapbox but it is such an incredibly conflicted & irresponsible message to send to woman readers, the mind boggles.  And sadly, I've yet to read a review which picks Arthur up on this.

The craziest part, which left my jaw slack was that the book only got more disbelievingly ludicrous from there if that were possible.

Not only is it completely glossed over like it never happened but Riley proceeds to have sex w/2 more men & the way that whole scenario plays out is truly astounding it is so utterly tacky.

LoL, I have noticed that you don't always follow the majorities, so I'll take that into consideration.  I have a sample of the book, so I'll make the determination to read the entire novel by that. In any case, I'm glad that you choose to speak your mind, and not allow others to determine your likes.  At least you are respectful of others, that may differ in your opinion.

I think you are right about Amazon's declining rating system.  People are more willing to give high marks and are consistently being deterred from giving anything less.  I know b/c I've been on the receiving end of such a censure, by the fan girls and even the authors.

Do I still consider a series a favorite, even though the last book or two have been more than meh?  That's a tough one.  Case in point, The Walker Papers.  This series had lots of promise, and now I just don't know what to think with authors new direction and the unfulfilled promises.  I still have this series in my favorites queue and holding on to the hope that it will turn around.   So, I guess my answer is yes; I have kept declining favorites on my list.

In regards to the sleazy writing of Cole & Arthur, I just chalk it up to the nature of the genre.  I don't typically read it for that reason.   It seems that there is a lot of other people that enjoy this type of plot line that usually follows this genre.  As long as there is an audience, there will be a market for writing such books.  I can't fault either the reader or author for making it available; I just know I won't be joining them again.

On a different note, do you have any suggestions for the title of my new blog?  I just put something up at the beginning b/c I couldn't think of anything else at the time, but now I'm not sure if I'm keen on it.

Steph    

I have noticed that you don't always follow the majorities, so I'll take that into consideration.

LQTM...I swear, it's not intentional it just ends up that way. I chalk it up to the Virgo in me.   

I know b/c I've been on the receiving end of such a censure, by the fan girls and even the authors. 

Yeah, that's actually happened to me on Amazon.

You know, at this point, I understand the culture of policing & trolling - esp. on forums such as these. It's bound to happen & people are bored & basically, it's a whole 'nother level of interacting where you're defintely garaunteed a voice. Makes being a cyberstaker & shit stirrer tempting b'c it validates that voice being heard.  But I don't understand it on places like Amazon.

Amazon is all about reviews. It is set up to be rated by the public, for the public - good, bad or indifferent. It is not place for author's or author's friends to police & when their feelings are hurt - try to chastise, berate, complain about what's being said. They shouldn't be allowed to single out or try & polarize an opinion. It is for public consumption period.

If they don't like what's being said then don't put your stuff out there for the public or read the reviews. It's that simple.

So, funny story......I was rec'd a book pretty hard by someone who saw a review of mine. We both didn't like a particular series & so she commented. She went off my comments section (in almost every persons comments actually) about how bad this series sucked & to try this other one she loved.

So I got it & started reading it. It was SO bad..I mean the worst book I've ever read. Juvenile banter to the point of it almost being parody  of old 'golly-gee Beaver' sitcom's. It was incredibly forced.  Grammatical, syntax & spelling errors everywhere plus the author was exclamation crazy. Practically every sentence of dialog ended with an exclamation no matter what people where saying. I'm not exaggerating.

Needless to say, I was really surprised this was rec'd so hard.

So I went back & investigated a bit.  Come to figure out that it was a self-published book. Not only that but that reviewer was following almost all reviews on that other series we read & in the comments section was pimping this series really hard to others too. So then I went to the website of the author to read more about her. Then I compared the reviewers bio & her faves list & put 2 & 2 together. I figured it had to be the author herself or her friend. Most likely the author b'c there were way too many similarities.

Then I reviewed & I called the reviewer out. Not by name, b'c well...that would be particularly rude & I was already totally frank in regard to the book in my review, but I did say how I found the book & I that I couldn't help but think it must have been the author herself or her close friends.

Oh man - she was pissed. She said she wasn't the author or a friend & then basically proceeded to insinuate about my level of intelligence by implying I don't know what the hell I'm talking about b'c I didn't get it. Now I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer at times but I know crap from crap. I also know what I like, what I don't & why & I trust that.

Anyway, it was expected. I figured if she really was the author - I'd get a lashing. And I did ... twice.

In her 1st round of attack she tried to stay calm & asked me all these questions about why I found the characters shallow etc...but oh, she was simmering.

So I answered, respectfully (I thought anyway - I even started my response with, "with all due respect") & kept it fairly brief.

Her 2nd comment was totally off the rails. Talk about a lecture! She basically went off  for paragraphs explaining what kind of a reader she is & how it takes a certain type (her) to appreciate books like these & then she explained her approach to books. She threw in a bunch of thinly veiled passive aggressive remarks about being evolved or some baloney like that. It was crazy defensive & also very challenging.

I just pretty much told her to drop it. She thinks I didn't understand her whereas I know she didn't understand me & the bottom line was there wasn't anything in the world she could say that would make me think differently about these books so let's just agree to disagree.

And that was that. I am 99.9% convinced it was the author. So not only are they stalking but posing as a general consumer as well. This is also why I am leery of excessively high marks.

do you have any suggestions for the title of my new blog?    

What are you trying to achieve with it or say with it? Maybe just focus in on your goal/point in starting one & play off that?

not sure if this has been added but Vampire Academy is good and so is the Mortal instruments series, but twilight ect isnt exactly written well, the host is good but meyers twilight wrighting is poorly articulated and im not saying i have good grammer ect because i dont but the plot is kinda crappy and she could have written the books way better.

here r some more good books:

13 to life, by shannon defany

kismit knight phd vampire psychologist series

vampire for hire J.R rain

jinx and her werewolf marisa chenery

marked elisabeth naughton

shiver maggie stiefvater

highland guard series by monica mccarty

lonely werewolf girl martin millercall of the wolf madelaine montague

mary wines books are good and so are liz cravens

Laura- Oh lordy, this sounds like my recent encounter w/ the Buffy the Vamp slayer writer-Yvonne Navorro.  Now that was surreal, especially b/c she isn't even a new author, and should be past stalking any and every review she doesn't agree with.  At least she had the cohones to attack me and my opinion out the open, and not behind some ghost identity.  There some real nuts out there, however educated or literate they might be.  I'm just glad I can safely ignore these types, by walking away from my computer.

Torque- I'm not typically a YA fan, but I do love Mead's writing & world building.  The only YA books I've read are the Twilight series & the Host, and ITA agree w/ you about those books.  Are your other recs YA books?  

It’s a little off topic but since it's been a little while since I’ve posted and I wanted to give you an overview of what I’ve been reading that might be of interest to you all.

Let’s start with the material I think will have the greatest appeal to the members of this forum and that is Christopher Farnsworth’s Blood Oath.  The story is about a vampire who was captured by our government in the 19th-century and who swore a blood oath to serve the President of the United States (all of them), and also to protect the citizens of this country from all threats (natural and some not so natural threats) – and it’s really good. This is the first book in a new series that is a mash-up of political-thriller-meets-vampire-meets-monsters-meets-buddy movie… the only thing missing is a hot romance but there’s even some sex so I think it’s safe to say that all of the bases are covered. What makes this book worth reading is that the author has a different take on the proforma vampire who is losing touch with his humanity conundrum – this isn’t the sentimentality of Twilight but it’s not a blood bath either, rather what we have is a thoughtful, energetic and very well constructed book that was a solid page-turner from start to finish and I highly recommend to anyone who needs a good book to read while traveling. You will be fully engaged and there are some very original twists on some modern plot devices that I think you’ll all appreciate. In my opinion, this is the best new vampire series I’ve read in the past two years and I am really looking forward to the second book’s release next year.

I've got more to reccomend but I've also got some cooking I am juggling.... wish me luck.

Wolfy-Are your other recs YA books?  13 to life is a YA book but still pretty good, so is shiver, and lonely werewolf girl are as well but the others are more adult. but they are all really good and deffinatly worth reading, the authors of all those books have written other good books as well but im not sure about Defany, Stiefvater or rain because i have only read one or two of their books.

There is also another book im reading called kiss me deadly by michele hauf which is good so far along came a demon by linda welch.lord of the isles by debbie barrett is good and hunger of the wolf by madelaine montague is good to.
 

Montbriac- sounds good and once you get past the OMG edward sparkles ( does that mean his dick sparkles as well?...probs lol)  which by the way is kinda dumb you realise that the book supports stalkerish (watching bella sleep) and controlling behaviour (not letting her go out with friends or keep her car) but he also lies to her about pretty much everything, and the books seem to support teenage guys who never age going out with girls who are less then half their age aka nessie and jake, and what kind on name is renesmee anyway?

so theres my rant about twilight or twatlight as i so affectionatly call it, hope you enjoy my blogging

oh and just as an after thought robert pattinson plays a really bad edward they put to much makeup on him