Missy's Twisted Tangent

I picked this book up on the recommendation of a friend and I'm soooo glad I did! I'm not sure if I would have gone for the Mary-Kay-like main character being turned into a werewolf, but I would have seriously missed out!

Marty Andrews wants to be a top Bobbie Sue girl more than anything!  She's worked so hard and knows her Color Wheel inside-out and backwards (though she'd never treat her colors that way!). But an unpleasant yet highly attractive cog has just been thrown into her wheel.  She's not a Spring anymore... no, she's an Autumn. And so would the crazy man, Keegan Flaherty, sitting across from her telling her she's now a werewolf.

Dakota Cassidy does an excellent job and pulling you along Marty's story, watching her grow and change yet never losing the essence of her personality.  I enjoyed seeing how Marty lived a glossed over life (no pun intended) and then slowly reveals her real desires, the things she really wishes for.  You also can't help but want to eat up the delectable Keegan.  There were a plethora of good characters in this story and it would be great to see the world continue. If not, then it is a wonderful ride, completely worth the read. 

I was only on chapter 3 when I picked it up this evening... and now I'm done with it! What does that tell you?  I don't lose sleep over just anything!  I laughed out loud, giggled, squeed and could not get enough of this book. 

Ok. I'm cutting you off.  Now you must all go read it!!

I loves me a good romance! I haven't read one in awhile so it was very refreshing to experience Stacia Kane's Personal Demons (only put it down last night b/c my eyes were blurred with sleep). It was a very unique story, nothing happened that I expected (I always try to guess the ending) except the love interest and THAT was yummy.

Megan Chase is a counselor who has just started her first radio show.  Her life is about helping people but she has an added ability to help her be more effective. Greyson comes into her life to warn her that she has become embroiled in something completely beyond her ken.

I'm not going beyond that b/c I don't want to give anything away! 

The characters were a delight.  Megan is a strong woman who actually takes her own counseling advice to battle beyond her own fears.  Greyson is smooth and smoldering but also a 'need-to-know' type of guy which is a little frustrating but he's so yummy, how can you refuse him?  Add the three Mr. Browns and you have some comedy relief. I love Spud. He's definitely my favorite.

This was a very good read. It was one of those 'get lost in the story' kinds. I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading Succubus Blues by lovely Richelle Mead.  I wasn't sure what was going to be like when I picked it up. The cover blurb made it sound like it would be rather comedic and the only other Kensington published book I've read is Happy Hour of the Damned (Mark Henry) and that was full of the snark, but in a deliciously evil and good way. I was very pleased to find that it had a solid story, good characters and while snarky and funny, not overly so. I also admired a great deal of the t-shirts Richelle's characters wore adorned with awesome bands and even Muppets making appearances. :) I admit, this made me just like her more.

Now, I've read a few amazing books lately, but this was one of those 'just can't put it down b/c I HAVE to know what happens next' stories which led me to break my own rule about reading in the car. I had to make myself stop b/c it really was getting dangerous but despite having a fairly strong inkling of the main antagonist, there were alot of unexpected twists and turns.

The only thing I would have to say is that it felt kind of like a romance novel in the early chapters as alot of the focus was on the protagonist's relationships.  It's not that it wasn't pertinent, but there is a small climax, then the story rollings along for awhile until there is another small climax.  I don't think that it hurt anything, but I felt there was a vast difference in pacing from the first quarter of the book to the end.  It seemed to start off slow and just gradually build speed.

I'm definitely going to read the next installment in what looks to be a growing series.  And Ms. Mead also has some Young Adult novels out that I'm interested in.  I'm sure you'll hear more from me concerning her. :)

I just finished reading Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews and could not be happier with the sequel to Magic Bites!  And to know there is a third one on the way is a huge treat!! Regretfully it will probably be close to a year til it comes out.

Kate Daniels is still a firey merc who also works for the Order.  She quickly becomes involved in a mystery and works diligently to put together the puzzle. Luckily, Curran is still around. *swoon* And JUST as yummy as before.

Ilona does an amazing job building a unique Atlanta.  You feel the city as it was so keenly. I'm always impressed by that, especially having never been to Georgia. But then she'll toss in something so random when the magic us up that I have to blink.  Personally, my favorite is the ghost-bear with antlers and fire down its back. Really. It's good stuff.

There is one printing error that is completely not Ilona's fault and probably not the editors... it's a small thing. In the word 'responsibility' toward the second third of the book (I'll not tell you the page number), there is a pi symbol.

So if you haven't already, go... BUY!! READ!!!!

I'm going to review 3 of Ms. Sagara's books at once as I read them all in one week.

Cast in Shadows, Cast in Courtlight, Cast in Secret

This series (I believe there is more coming) is intriguing and the world is so unique I couldn't put any of them down.  In fact, as soon as I finished the first one (I was on medical leave), I called my sister for any following books (she works at Borders and helps feed my addiction).  But something feels off about them, despite everything I enjoy about them (the world, the characters, the magic) something drove me crazy which I didn't pinpoint until the third book when my sister (also a fan) were discussing them.  We both decided that it was the writing style.  Don't get me wrong, Ms. Sagara writes well, but what is presented in a 3rd person POV feels like 1st person.  There are many incidences where it feels like Ms. Sagara is relating the action from the main character's (Kaylin) point of view.  After over 1500 pages I still wasn't used to it, but was so sucked into the world, it no longer mattered.  I'm eagerly anticipating her next work in the series, which I believe she is working on. (At least, I'm hoping desperately b/c I have to find out what happens to Kaylin!!)

Again, read this in January... oops.

I haven't found a Patricia Brigg's book I didn't love, and Iron Kissed is definitely worthy. Ms. Briggs keeps the same pace and humor through the Mercy series, making it easy so slide back into her world of werewolves and fae.  I couldn't put it down, barely noticing the clock as I devoured page after page. I'm so excited to see this world continue, though not directly through Mercy.  Poor Mercy needs a break anyway.  She gets beaten and bruised more than even the werewolves throughout the three books.

For those of you who have read only Ms. Brigg's Mercy Thompson series, go check out her fantasy novels, starting with The Hob's Bargain.  You won't regret it even if you are more of a Urban Fantasy reader.

I read Dog Days by John Levitt back in January while I was on medical leave so forgive the lateness of the post. :)

I was greatly looking forward to reading Dog Days because of all the interviews and reviews that were available before it came out. The 'dog' companion idea appealed to me.  A few days after my surgery I was finally up to reading and this was toward the top of my stack.  Mr. Levitt has some excellent descriptions and imagery, but beyond that... I hate to say it, but I did not get into this book at all.  The first third felt very slow so it was difficult to get into.  The magic was very confusing and I felt like some of the situations resolved too easily. Oh, and I guessed the ending by page 73.  Even wrote it in my journal to see if I was right.  Then to top it off, I was highly dissatisfied with the ending.  If his next book continues the story, I may pick it up to give him another try because I'd really love something good to happen to his main character (who I did like, along with Louie), but I'm not sure. 

Sorry, Mr. Levitt!!  :(

Dead to Me by Anton Strout... his first entry into the fabtastic world of urban fantasy.

It's a fun read full of quick wit and pithy quips.  I couldn't put it down, though I didn't thoroughly get into the book til the third chapter.  I love the characters, especially Simon whose sarcasm and dry humor keep me chuckling and the story rolling.  My favorite was the climax which mixes both action, humor and the unexpected.

Anton has taken the Ghostbusters, Men in Black and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, tossed them in a blender, added a few fish and created a great book.  He has some new twists on old ideas, new things and it has the best use of Lifesavers and fish ever in a book.

*My apologies to Anton for this short review. Surgery prevents further typing. It deserves so much more! Ado!!

To be honest, Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry was not the kind of book that I normally read.  I love to love my protagonists from the start and you have to fall in love with Amanda Feral- but you do!  Also, his style is not one that I've encountered before and not on the top of my list for what I like to read, but his technique made me forget that.

Many things kept me reading:

1. His Wit:  Mark has a way with words.  He creates wonderful imagery with just a few syllables or the turn of a phrase.  It kept me laughing, chuckling, snorting, and guffawing (not necessarily in that order).

2. Character Building: Amanda may not be my typical heroine, but he stayed perfectly true to who she is and how she thinks all the while seamlessly making her grow without losing her core.  That snot snuck it right in under my nose!!

3. World Building: I've read many amazing worlds having devoured well over 1000 books but Mark's was not only a completely new spin on some old ideas, but it was whole.  I put him in the ranks of Tolkein, Anne McCaffrey, Brandon Sanderson, and Diana Pharoah Francis (the 4 people on the top of my list) in the creation of a whole new civilization that I could easily believe (I didn't like coffee before and I'm sure as heck staying away from Starbucks now!).

A must read and a must buy. 

So, while shoe shopping yesterday, I picked up a romance novel on a whim. I haven't read one in a while and this looked like a story I'd like. I enjoy historical romances.  

Anyway... I doubt I'll ever pick up one of her books again.  It was a cute story that could have easily been 200 pages or less.  *grumble* This is the last time I'll get sucked in by cover art!!  Really!  I swear!

I can't post a picture, so: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0451222709/ref=sib_dp_pt/105-8949128-8596421#reader-link

The last book in the Aisling Grey series... sad that this chapter is over, but have hope! I believe she plans on continuing in this world from other character's points of view, which I cannot wait to see!

I laughed, I howled, I cried with laughter, and you really can't get better than Jim for a sidekick.  And what can I say about Drake other than prrrrrrr....

If you are going to enjoy this series, start with book 1: You Slay Me. (In fact, I enjoyed all the books so much that I think soon I will start over again with book one and read them all in sequence.  It would completely worth it.  I would have already but I didn't have to patience to wait to read the last one.)  Anyway, to sum up: Aisling Gray is going to finally make it to the alter with Drake- or so she thinks.  As the couple tries to tie the knot, they have to deal with demons, a dragon war, unexpected guests and other lovely mayhem... and don't forget the steamy dragon sex.  Oo yah, baby!!

A must read for anyone who like urban fantasy or romance.  The sex doesn't get in the way of the story and I think these books could have easily made it in to the fantasy section as is.

I also recommend anything else that Katie has written b/c I've read almost everything and adored every single one!!  Two thumbs up!

So, yesterday I read Goblin Quest.  Yes, the whole thing. No, I didn't have anything big going on for Thanksgiving... anyway, that's not the point.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.  Going to get the sequels as soon as I can.  Jim has a good sense of humor and I'm totally in love with Jig (the main character).  To sum up, it's the story of a goblin who gets swept in to a quest with a couple humans, a dwarf and an elf.  Some of the set-up does remind me of Dungeons and Dragons, but the best part is is that the story is from Jig's point of view.  It's told in the third person, but you get glimpses into his little goblin mind.  I laughed and got completely caught up in the story.  And it's also not predictable.  I sometimes thought I knew where things going to go and Jim would completely turn the story on me.  I love those unexpected twists.  Anyway, you know me, I hate to give too much of the story away b/c that would drive me nuts.  This is a must read for those who love fantasy with good humor and some twists from the standards.  :)

Bonus Points go to Jim C. Hines for his masked reference to the Lord of the Rings. Bravo! That was awesome.

Well, I'm not done yet. I started late last night... made an attempt to write but it was taunting me on the arm of the couch so I finally gave up once Hell's Kitchen was over.

I'm really enjoying it so far!  She has a very different voice from what I'm used to. I don't know. It's hard to describe, but it's very unique. I'll probably zip through the rest once I get home this afternoon.

Then I'll have to drop it off at my sister's once again as she steals all my good books to read them after I do... some even before I get to read them!