The Grind Show – Review
The Grind Show by Phil Tucker
- Pub. Date: May 2011
- Publisher: TransientMe LLC
- Format: NOOK Book (eBook)
- File Size: 636 KB
- BN ID: 2940012613851
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“For those who can see demons there is but one maxim: hunt them down until your luck runs out, and then hope for an easy death.
Or so Jason thought until one hellish night in a desert ghost town leaves his life in ruins and his soul tainted with demonic power.
Now the tables are turned and he’s the prey, forced to fight a running battle to keep himself and his friends alive. But at what price is he willing to buy his freedom? The demons care nothing for collateral damage, and as the death toll mounts the darkness within him grows stronger, making it ever harder for Jason to resist the allure of his newfound powers… “
My Thoughts:
This was a high action supernatural thriller with interesting twists and turns. Definitely “guy friendly” fiction. Why only a 3.5 rating, you may ask, and it’s because I am conflicted. The book is really well written with great characters, story arcs, dialogue, action, danger and reminded me of an episode of Supernatural in a way, but I kept putting it aside to read other books. Several times. Does this reflect on the writing itself? Or does it have more to do with what I was really in the mood to be reading at the time and the fact that I still prefer to be reading a hard copy of a book instead of on my eReader. I do not know! I feel bad for the author who has been ever so patiently waiting for a review of his book, which really is an awesome read.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal thrillers and as I said it is definitely “guy friendly”. I would also classify this as adult fiction as there’s some gore and horror elements that are aptly described. I’ll keep this one short because I still haven’t made up my mind about it. (Sorry Phil). I’m just keeping my review honest as always.
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Find out more about Phil Tucker and what he’s working on at his website.
Buy a copy at:
Tori Reviews – Symphony Of Blood
Symphony Of Blood by Adam Pepper
- Pub. Date: July 2011
- Publisher: Adam Pepper
- File Size: 622 KB
- BN ID: 2940012772657
- ASIN: B005E8S6AE
- Available in: eBook formats
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“Hank Mondale, a rough-around-the-edges P.I. with a small drinking problem and a large gambling problem, needs a break. With his landlord threatening eviction and his bookie threatening worse, things look bleak.
Until real estate mogul Thomas Blake calls with an incredible story: a monster is trying to kill his daughter. Hank figures she’s probably some whacked-out spoiled brat, but desperate, Hank takes the case to track down the supposed monster. It seems that people around Mackenzie Blake are disappearing. It’s obviously no coincidence. Was Hank hired to unwittingly aid a wealthy murderess? Or is there really someone…or some thing, trying to kill Mackenzie Blake?
A symphony plays that only It can hear. But there will be a special performance, just for her.”
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading the story, but it felt like something was missing from it. It just wasn’t long enough for me. I am a big fan of reading longer books. I don’t feel like enough information and background were provided about the story in short book format that it is written in. I feel like the author needed to add more details and back ground about the murderer.
A drunken and gambling detective is hired to find, stop and kill the person who is trying to kill a rich man’s daughter. As the detective investigates, he finds out about several other murders. Some of the victims either worked for the Father or knew the daughter. Who is the murderer? The truth may shock you.
I feel that the author should have provided more information on the murderer, and there should have been some more background provided on the other murders that were done. I just felt like there could be more to it, something was just missing. Although, I like the author’s idea and did enjoy the book but I didn’t think it was fantastic.
Tori
Find out more about Adam Pepper and what he’s writing at his website!
Click here to read the first chapter!
Buy a copy of Symphony Of Blood at:
Tori Reviews – The Paladin
- Paperback:272 pages
- Publisher:Sunbury Press, Inc. (May 2011)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:1934597449
- ISBN-13: 978-1934597446
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“Larry is an angel of the Lord… retired. To avoid final judgment and a rather warm room without a view he seeks to make amends by helping humanity against spiritual darkness. Unable to directly interfere, he must use a human to do his dirty work, or as he calls them… Paladins.
A lonely kindergarten teacher, Harriet Smith, dreaming of romance and an exciting life of high adventure, has no idea that she has been chosen… that is until she is kidnapped by a five-year old, and reborn as the sultry, Maggie Black.
Maggie is about to find that the world is a far different place than she could have ever imagined as she faces shape shifting hit men, psychotic witches, and a four thousand-year old living weapon of mass destruction. Fortunately, Maggie isn’t alone, as Silas Cole, a deceased Paladin, comes to her aid, possessing the body of his murdered great-grandson. Maggie soon falls in love with the dashing Silas, but finds that to save humanity, she must sacrifice the man she loves.”
My Thoughts:
I didn’t know what to expect when I started to read The Paladin but to my surprise I really enjoyed reading the book. The author had a lot of action, suspense and even some romance. It was a very fast read for me and I really enjoyed the book. I loved all the characters especially Maggie who goes from being a school teacher to a tough fighter. It was as if she was meant to be in the role she was chosen for. I found her character very fascinating and found her to be a strong character who was truly alone until she met Silas Cole.
Maggie and Silas fall in love, but I felt that the author rushed their romance and some parts of the story a bit. I thought that he could have slowed the story down some and even given more details in the book. Overall though I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading future books by this author.
Tori
Find out more about Ken Newman and his books at his website.
Buy The Paladin at:
Black Heart Loa – Spotlight & Review
Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix
Format:Mass Market Paperbound
Dimensions:432 Pages
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN – 10:1439167923
ISBN – 13:9781439167922
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“An eye for an eye is never enough.”
Kallie Rivière, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice.
The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as an unnatural storm-the deadliest in a century-is born. As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself. To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Vallin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup garou designed to steal her heart-literally.”
My Thoughts:
Black Heart Loa, the second book in Phoenix’s HooDoo Series, continues the story right from where Black Dust Mambo left off. Once again, I was blown away and totally caught up in Kallie’s story. Adrian has a way of writing very earthy characters and it always feels like you’re right there in the thick of it with them. Layne, well, what can I say about him? I want my very own Layne! 😛 But I also want my very own Dante, Lucien or Von from Adrian’s Makers Song series too, lol. Adrian has a way of writing the male leads in such a way that they just get under your skin and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading the book. Seriously, can I put at least one of them on my Christmas Wish List? Please? (I know that the female characters are written just as well and I love the relationships between them & other characters as well as their personalities, but I don’t lust after them so… lol )
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that Adrian Phoenix was born and raised in the Bayou’s of Louisiana! She captures the atmosphere and the language so well with her writing. Adrian is a true master at her craft and skillfully weaves intricate stories so “life-like” that you almost believe that it could really be happening to these characters. I’m dying to read the next book in this series! I want to know more about what happens next to Kallie, Layne, Belladonna, Divinity, Jackson and all the characters. I loved the introduction of the Were’s into the series. Ahhh I need to know more, lol. Adrian, do you need a beta reader? Can you write faster? 😀 As Adrians’ writing always does, she took me on a super awesome, crazy roller coaster ride along with the characters, the circumstances, the emotions, the danger, the suspense, the supernatural elements and the romantic entanglement. I loved every minute of it!
Find out more about Adrian Phoenix and her books at her website.
Buy Black Heart Loa at:
Midnightloon Reviews Bloodlust
- Paperback:304 pages
- Publisher:Berkley (MM); Original edition (July 5 2011)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0425242137
- ISBN-13: 978-0425242131
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“ONE TASTE IS ALL IT TAKES
For those who feast on blood, Jillian Conrad is a fatal attraction. After being injected with a serum that made her blood both irresistible and deadly to vampires, she was used as a pawn to assassinate the vampire king. Now, the vampires want her eliminated.
Hunted and unable to return to her old life, Jillian desperately seeks to prevent the poison in her veins from killing her. And she must find a way to help her dhampyr protector, Declan, whose exposure to the serum has split his personality into one part uncontrolled desire, and one part stone cold killer.
But an even greater danger is rising. The Amarantos — a secret society of vampires — is seeking the infant daughter of the slain king to complete their quest for true immortality. And if they succeed, no one, living or undead, will escape the darkness.”
My Thoughts:
What can I say but , “WOOT WOOT!!”. I read the first book two months before the release of this one, so I didn’t have to wait as long for this books publication (Sweet :P). My two new favourite protagonists are back in action in the second volume of the “Nightshade” series. Between the two books only one week has passed, but the characters circumstances have changed. Being on the run is one thing, but with the poison inside her blood slowly killing her, Jill’s week keeps getting worse. Declan, her protector becoming bipolar doesn’t help ease her tension either. In these stressful times Jill has to make several sudden and life altering decisions that will affect more than just herself.
While it did take me a couple of days to read it, meaning I could put it down, I still enjoyed the book. A couple of times during Bloodlust, I stopped and thought, “I wasn’t expecting that to happen!” It is moments like that, those unexpected scenes that keeps a book interesting. and makes me realize I’m never going to be able to become a detective because my deductive stills seem to lean towards the obvious. While really good books have twists and turns that all make sense in the end.
Find out more about Michelle Rowen & her books at her Website.
Buy Bloodlust at:
Midnightloon Reviews Nightshade
- Paperback:352 pages
- Publisher:Berkley (MM); Original edition (Feb 1 2011)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0425239829
- ISBN-13: 978-0425239827
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description:
“DESIRE IS IN THE BLOOD
Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires. But she’s just become a living, breathing weapon against them. Attacked by a desperate scientist, she is injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to vampires. And when the scientist is gunned down in front of her, his secrets die with him.
Declan Reyes was only half-vampire, but he hates them with all his heart. He knows that the poison in Jillian’s veins could finally destroy the undead kingdom. Also, the serum has had an unintended effect, making her blood irresistible to all vampires—including Declan, whose bloodthirsty traits are driven into a frenzy by her.
Driven by duty to protect her and by instinct to crave her, Declan takes Jillian into his shadowy world of blood and battle. But he soon realizes his increasing need for her may be a different kind of hunger…”
My Thoughts:
After reading other books by Rowen and loving them, I was excited to see this new series. Personally, I have read many vampire books, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of any half-vampire ones. After reading the book’s description, the thing that caught and held my interest was the whole idea of the female protagonist being poisonous to the main male character.
Once I started reading, the characters and plot came to life for me better than I expected! Jill is trying to wrap her mind around the sudden turn that her life has taken. Her need to learn a whole bunch of new information to survive and inevitably for someone to lean on through her tough time who can explain it all. Declan is a scarred and emotionally stunted man who takes everything his father says as gospel, who fears that one day he too will become what he hates, and hunts. Combine the two together and you get a great story of two people searching for answers of truth, with a bit of Stockholm syndrome mixed in to keep it interesting.
4.5 out of 5
Find out more about Michelle Rowen & her books at her Website.
Buy Nightshade at:
Daughter Of Smoke And Bone – Spotlight
The cover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone – the trilogy of urban fantasy crossover novels by award-winning author Laini Taylor – has just been unveiled
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
will launch on September 29th. The book tells the story of an angel who fell in love with a devil. It did not end well.
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Kaoru. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters and demons that delight and enthrall those around her; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages – not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that colour.
Her life straddles two worlds: the human and a place that is Elsewhere. She has never really known which one is her true home, but now the doors to Elsewhere are closing . . .Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out..
The Girls With Games Of Blood – Spotlight & Review
The Girls With Games Of Blood by Alex Bledsoe
Book Description:
“Listen to what I tell you, son, every word is true
The sisters haunt the night, and might fight over you
Nothing can steal your soul and stamp it in the mud
Like being the new play-pretty for the girls with the games of blood…
The old song warns of the beautiful Bolade sisters, Patience and Prudence, whose undying rivalry was said to stretch even beyond the grave. But Count Rudolfo Vladimir Zginski has never heard the song. A suave Continental vampire, staked to death more than sixty years ago, he has risen to stalk the Southern nights of Memphis, Tennessee, circa 1975. Although new to the modern world, he has quickly developed a taste for its hot blood, willing women, and high-speed automobiles.
Yet the seventies are not without their perils, even for so cunning and ruthless a predator. Zginski’s insistent pursuit of a cherry 1973 Mach 1 Ford Mustang soon brings him into conflict with a legendary redneck sheriff with a short temper and a big baseball bat. His dangerous fascination with an enticing undead chanteuse and her equally seductive sister, threatens not only his own ageless existence, but that of the small group of modern-day vampires he has grudgingly taken under his wing. Zginski has already escaped limbo once, but can he free himself from the tangled web of the girls who play games of blood?
Alex Bledsoe, author of Blood Groove, returns to he world of the undead with a tale of fast cars and vengeance that never dies….”
My Thoughts:
Here’s the thing, I couldn’t finish this book. I picked it up several times and kept putting it aside again. Maybe if I had read the first book in the series, Blood Groove, I might have been able to get caught up in the story, but it just didn’t hold my interest, sadly. I was really looking forward to reading it as so many of my favorite authors liked it, but it just didn’t work for me. I made it to page 116 after a few attempts to read it and am having a difficult time trying to talk myself into continuing when I have so many other books to review. I’m choosing to just give up and move on.
It is written well with interesting characters and an intriguing plot, so I can’t say that I recommend or don’t recommend it to others. You have to judge for yourself, but for me, it just didn’t work to keep me interested. It is a different style of urban fantasy than I like.
Tyger Tyger – Spotlight & Review
Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
Book Description:
“Teagan Wylltson’s best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures–goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty–are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn’t worried. Her life isn’t in danger. In fact, it’s perfect. She’s on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She’s focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.
Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn’s a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he’s crazy or he’s been haunting Abby’s dreams, because he’s talking about goblins, too…and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby’s right. The goblins are coming.”
My Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed this book. Kersten Hamilton has written a grand adventure with danger, suspense and a touch of romance thrown in. The characters are rich and full of personality. I also loved the sidhe, goblins, shape-shifters and the world building. Teagan and Finn are great together! I loved Teagan’s grandma, she’s a spitfire.
I like that Teagan has a good head on her shoulders and knows what she wants in life. Her younger brother Aiden was, as any child his age, blatantly honest and provided some comic relief with his observations. What can I say about Finn? He’s the perfect match for Teagan and I look forward to seeing how this relationship develops in the next book.
I’m not sure if this book is classified as Young Adult or Middle Grade. I personally think that it might be a bit scary or dark for a younger readership, but it’s an awesome book for teens. Just my opinion though. The evil fae villain that Ms. Hamilton has throughout the story is truly cold, cruel and other-worldly. The folklore weaved into the story was great!
Buy Tyger, Tyger at:
Find out more about Kersten Hamilton and her writing at her website!
Minder – Spotlight & Review
Minder by Kate Kaynak
Book Description:
“Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it’s not exactly a nurturing place.
Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control.
A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people’s nightmares don’t always stay in their own heads. But it’s still better than New Jersey.
Especially once she meets the man of her dreams…”
My Thoughts:
When Kate Kaynak first asked me if I’d be interested in reviewing Minder, I was intrigued with the book premise because it sounded somewhat similar to the movie PUSH. Am I ever happy that I accepted because I LOVED it!! I was totally caught up in the story and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next to Maddie, Trevor, Drew, Rachel, Hannah and the rest of the Ganzfield kids. The romance developing between Maddie & Trevor is sweet and the premise, plotting, pacing and world building were great!
Packed with interesting concepts, action, danger, romance and the fortitude and determination of a bunch of great teens with special abilities, Minder is a terrific read for both teens and adults. I liked reading how these kids have to learn to accept and deal with their various talents, both the advantages, disadvantages and difficulties of having special abilities. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series, Adversary, to see what happens next! And thankfully, the third book, Legacy, will be out in January, 2010 so it’s not too long of a wait. 🙂
Buy MINDER at:
Find out more about KATE KAYNAK and The Ganzfield Series at her website.
About Me
I read Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Light Fantasy, Young Adult and Graphic Novels in said genres. I’ve also been known to read the odd historical romance if they involve uber-sexy highlanders, vikings or knights & if they involve some time travel and a lot of humor. Heh! 😀 If any Authors, Publicists or Publishers would like their books reviewed or would like to schedule a Guest Blog or Giveaway please contact me at sidhevicious@gmail.com
Please see the BIOS page for more info on our reviewing style and for other info.
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