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.
Everlasting Desire – Spotlight & Review
Everlasting Desire by Amanda Ashley
Book Description:
“DESIRE BURNS FOREVER
The clientele at Shore’s clothing store includes some of L.A.’s sexiest bachelors. But none of them affect Megan DeLacey as deeply as the dark-eyed stranger who strides into her boutique one evening – and keeps returning, night after night. Megan is drawn to Rhys Costain even as she fears him. Because his reason for being there is clear -he wants Megan, with an intensity that’s both tempting and terrifying…
For almost five centuries, Rhys has lived alone, using women as it pleased him and never wanting more. As Master of the West Coast vampires, it’s his duty to eliminate the ancient vampire who’s draining humans on his turf, putting all of their kind at risk. But Megan’s lush beauty and vibrant warmth is blinding him to a danger that will soon engulf them both – and tear him from the only woman who can satisfy his darkest hunger.”
My Thoughts:
I’ve been a fan of Amanda Ashley for well… forever! I liked the plot, pacing and the world-building, but it pains me to say that I wasn’t a fan of the main female character in this story. (Sorry Amanda :() I loved Rhys and everyone else, but I just couldn’t lose myself in the telling of Rhys & Megan’s tale because I didn’t like Megan’s personality. I wanted to give her a good shake. (Please remember that this is just my opinion & my likes and dislikes in a main female protag. You may very well find her charming & fun). For me, she was a bit too old-fashioned or prissy and she vacillated a bit too much in her decision-making for my liking.
On to the story itself… Rhys Costain is definitely one sexy as all get out vampire and his alpha personality definitely works for him! When one of the oldest vamps in existence comes into his territory, leaving a lot of dead bodies in his wake, Rhys has to find a way to protect those he cares about and find a way to defeat Tomas Villagrande, the ancient who means to take over his domain. Tomas is truly cold and cruel. He has a disregard for humanity as well as for others of his kind who get in his way. He’s a consummate villain and Rhys has definitely met his match.
Sadly, I was more interested in the action parts of this book than in the romance because I couldn’t make myself care about Megan and what happened to her. But, lucky for me, there’s plenty of action, danger and romance to whet my appetites and did I mention that Rhys is sexy? 😉
Buy Everlasting Desire at:
Find out more about Amanda Ashley & her books at her website!
Honeymoon Of The Dead – Spotlight & Review
Honeymoon Of The Dead by Tate Hallaway
Book Description:
“No honeymoon is ever exactly perfect, but mine won’t even get off the ground. Literally! After an extremely eventful wedding—and that’s putting it mildly—Sebastian and I are about to jet set to Transylvania for some quality R&R. Yeah, I know it’s not exactly every girl’s fantasy honeymoon but it suits me just fine.
But thanks to a vengeful frost demon, Sebastian and I—and our plane—are stuck in exotic Minneapolis, Minnesota. And honestly, it wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t seeing gods and goddesses everywhere I turn. I’m starting to think my new visions might be caused by the goddess possessing my body, because ever since she moved in I’ve been getting theses weird waves of dizziness and seeing beings of a higher power. And let me tell you, there are plenty in Minneapolis. Go figure.
Now I’m learning quickly that dealing with gods and demons—not to mention running into some people I would have rather left buried in the past—doesn’t leave much quality honeymoon time for me and my new vampire hubby…”
My Thoughts:
Sadly, this is the last book in a five book series, but that aside, it was a wonderful read! I really liked Garnet & Sebastian. They were both fun, funny, flawed and believable characters set amongst a crazy supernatural background. Great characters, fast paced plot, mayhem and hilarity ensue while Garnet and Sebastian attempt to go on their honeymoon. I was totally satisfied with the ending as well, though I wish there were more books to come. I highly recommend this series to fans of a fun paranormal romance read.
It’s a habit of mine to collect all or several of the books in a series before reading it and I know that I will be going back to read the entire series now that I’ve read Honeymoon Of The Dead. It’s not my usual practice to read the last book first, lol, but I had no trouble following along and it really intrigued me to go back and start from the beginning! So I have to get my hands on one more and I will be having myself a Garnet Lacey read-a-thon. 🙂
Some good news is that Tate Hallaway is hard at work on her new YA series about a Vampire Princess of St. Paul. The first book, Almost To Die For is due to hit the shelves on August 3rd, 2010. You can read a synopsis here.
Buy Honeymoon Of The Dead at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Find out more about Tate Hallaway and her writing at her website.
Free YA Vampy Gothic Novel – Marta Acosta
I just wanted to share this with you all seeing as how you’re all made of awesome and deserve a great free read! 🙂 Marta Acosta, author of the hilarious Casa Dracula series has written a YA Vamp story and she’s posted it online for everyone to read for free. It just doesn’t get much better than that!
Book Description:
“Foster teen Jane Williams survives in her gritty world by keeping to the
shadows. When she’s invited to attend the elite Birch Grove Academy for
Girls on a full-scholarship, it sounds too good to be true. She even gets
to live on her own in the old groundskeeper’s cottage in the middle of a
Birch Grove. Everyone is so Jane, especially the elegant and pale
headmistress and her gorgeous sons.
But soon an unknown enemy is threatening Jane and she begins to have
questions about the headmistress’s family…and another scholarship girl
who disappeared. What secrets are people keeping and what’s the real
reason Jane was invited to this school? What’s she willing to risk for
this once-in-a-lifetime chance?”
Read or download The Shadow Girl Of Birch Grove for free! Let me know what you think after you read it. 🙂
Kimberly Frost – Spotlight On…
Would Be Witch by Kimberly Frost
Book Description:
“The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket—an heirloom that happens to hold Edie’s soul—is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it’s time for Tammy to find her inner witch.
After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers—and a 007 savoir faire to boot—but the locket isn’t the only heirloom passed down in Tammy’s family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.”
Barely Bewitched by Kimberly Frost
Book Description:
“Welcome to Duvall, Texas, where new witch Tammy Jo Trask has just unleashed an accidental Armageddon…Oops.
Tammy Jo’s misfiring magic has attracted the unwanted attention of WAM, the World Association of Magic. Now, a wand-wielding wizard and a menacing fire warlock have come to Duvall to train her for a dangerous mandatory challenge. But is there more to their arrival than they claim?
When a curse leads to a toxic spill of pixie dust, the town comes unglued and the doors between the human and faery worlds begin to open. To rescue the town and to face the impossible magical test, Tammy needs the help of incredibly handsome Bryn Lyons, but WAM has declared him totally off-limits. To avoid deadly consequences, Tammy probably ought to follow the rules this time.
On the other hand, rebellion is an old Texas tradition.”
My Thoughts:
I can not stress enough how much I LOVED these two books! Hilarious! The only thing I don’t like is that it took me so long to pick them up and read them, (I’m kicking myself in the butt over that now). Kimberly Frost has created a wonderfully kooky series filled with magic, mayhem, sexy men and enough hijinks to keep you flipping the pages long into the night.
Tammy Jo Trask is a breath of fresh air. I laughed so hard at some parts of the book that my stomach hurt! She’s got that “southern sass” down to a “T” and I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Halfway Hexed, which I hear Ms. Frost is currently hard at work on. If you like witches, wizards, vampires and fae mixed in with romance, mystery, comedy and flair, then do not miss out on these awesome books! I highly, highly recommend them.
I give both books 5/5 Fangs
Buy Would Be Witch at:
Buy Barely Bewitched at:
Find out more about Kimberly Frost at her website
Bone Magic – Spotlight & Review
Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn
Book Description
“We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy–and sexy–operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah is a two-faced Were who turns into a golden tabby when she’s stressed. And Menolly’s a vampire who’s still trying to get the hang of being undead. As for me? I’m Camille D’Artigo, a wicked-good witch who’s learning death magic with my youkai-kitsune husband. Until now, the Moon Mother’s pretty much ignored me, but she’s about to take me on the Hunt of my life…
Another equinox is here, and life’s getting more dangerous for all of us. The past is catching up to our friends, Iris and Chase. Smoky–the dragon of my dreams–is forced to choose between his family and me. To top it off, there’s a new demon general in town and we can’t locate her. And when the Moon Mother and the Black Beast summon me to Otherworld. I think I’m just going to reunite with my long-lost soulmate. But once there, I’m forced to undergo a drastic ritual that will forever change my life, and the lives of those around me.”
My Thoughts:
Bone Magic was quite simply, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I guess you all want to know why I think it’s so awesome huh? That’s going to be hard to do without giving away spoilers, which I do not do here on SVR. I’ve followed this series since book one, Witchling, and with each successive novel in the series, Yasmine manages to ramp up the stakes, the world-building, the tension, the relationships and the danger. I am totally wrapped up in these characters and their world!
Bone Magic is told from Camille’s perspective and some major, and I mean MAJOR stuff happens in this book. I could not put it down. I was seriously considering getting the toothpicks out to force my eyelids to stay open so I could keep reading when it got too late, lol. One snippet is that Camille is finally reunited with Trillion, woo hoo! Some more of Smokeys’ and Iris’ back story is told for those of you itching to know more about them, and Camille, as it says in the blurb, goes through a “drastic ritual” that forever changes her life. This book, this series and this writer get two enthusiastic thumbs up from me. I can not wait for the next book in the series, Harvest Hunting which will be out October 2010, though there will be an Otherworld novella in the up-coming Inked anthology, out on January 5th, 2010.
Pre-Order Bone Magic at: Chapters Amazon
Pre-Order Inked at: Chapters Amazon
Find out more about Yasmine Galenorn and her books at her WEBSITE
Dracula The Un-Dead – Spotlight & Review
Dracula The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker & Ian Holt
At last—the sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula.
( Overview of Book)
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the prototypical horror novel, an inspiration for the world’s seemingly limitless fascination with vampires. Though many have tried to replicate Stoker’s horror classic-in books, television shows, and movies, only the 1931 Bela Lugosi film bore the Stoker family’s support. Until now.
Dracula The Un-Dead is a bone-chilling sequel based on Bram Stoker’s own handwritten notes for characters and plot threads excised from the original edition. Written with the blessing and cooperation of Stoker family members, Dracula The Un-Dead begins in 1912, twenty-five years after Dracula “crumbled into dust.” Van Helsing’s protégé, Dr. Jack Seward, is now a disgraced morphine addict obsessed with stamping out evil across Europe. Meanwhile, an unknowing Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school for the London stage, only to stumble upon the troubled production of “Dracula,” directed and produced by Bram Stoker himself.
The play plunges Quincey into the world of his parents’ terrible secrets, but before he can confront them he experiences evil in a way he had never imagined. One by one, the band of heroes that defeated Dracula a quarter-century ago is being hunted down. Could it be that Dracula somehow survived their attack and is seeking revenge? Or is their another force at work whose relentless purpose is to destroy anything and anyone associated with Dracula?
Dracula The Un-Dead is deeply researched, rich in character, thrills and scares, and lovingly crafted as both an extension and celebration of one of the most classic popular novels in literature.”
My Thoughts
A truly fantastic sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula! I was completely engrossed in the continuation of the tale and found the depiction of all the characters to be true to form. Told in several points of view provided the opportunity to “see through the eyes” of different characters. A wonderful plot mixed in with great story-telling kept me flipping the pages to see what would happen. I’m crossing my fingers that there will be another book to continue Quincey’s story.
I’m thinking that Dracula The Un-Dead will become a literary classic much like it’s predecessor. Dacre Stoker & Ian Holt have definitely accomplished their quest to continue the story and do it with a distinctive style! Bravo!
Buy Dracula The Un-Dead at:
Immortal Sins – Spotlight & Review
Immortal Sins by Amanda Ashley
(from back cover)
“Three centuries ago, vampire Jason Rourke succumbed to temptation with a wizard’s lovely daughter – and that brief taste of pleasure earned him a powerful curse. Trapped within a painting, unable to quench the hellish thirst that torments him, Jason has given up hope of escape until Karinna Adams purchases the painting and unwittingly frees him. At first, Jason plans only to enlist Kari’s help in navigating this strange new world so he can find and punish the wizard who entrapped him. But Kari’s enticing sensuality and innocence incite a growing need in Jason to touch and taste her, to possess her utterly. For the gulf between them – and the danger that awaits – is nothing compared to a potent, primal hunger that will last for all eternity…”
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Jason and Kari’s journey! Karinna is your average contemporary woman who encounters a totally exciting paranormal experience and rolls with the situation with grace and determination. Jason Rourke is a sexy as all get-out alpha vampire who wins Kari’s heart and mine too.
I love my Urban Fantasy, but I also love a terrific Paranormal Romance and this book satisfies my need for an HEA. Amanda Ashley delivers, as always, a great love story filled with passion, danger, excitement, and colorful characters who jump off the page into my mind’s eye!
Buy Immortal Sins at Chapters
Buy Immortal Sins at Amazon
Go to Amanda Ashley’s website to find out more about her and the books she writes.
Night Rising – Spotlight & Review
Night Rising by Chris Marie Green
From the Publisher
Hunted – Exclusive Book Trailer
I’ve been a fan of P.C. & Kristin Cast’s House Of Night series since the beginning, so when I recieved an email today with the awesome trailer for Hunted, asking me to share the excitement, I was happy to oblige. (Although an ARC would’ve had me doing fan-girlish squeeing around the house, lol)
View the Trailer HERE (Sorry, WordPress won’t allow me to embed it)
You can READ The First Chapter!
HUNTED is the 5th book in the series and here’s the pertinent info.
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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