Thursday, June 30, 2011

Book Review: Changeling

Today's review is on Cate Tiernan's Changeling, book #8 in her Sweep series.

After the excitement of The Calling, Morgan is asked by the Witches Council to get close to her half brother Killian and her birth father Ciaran.  This would be no easy task and the sakes are high.  The coven run by her friend Alyce is about to be attacked by Amyranth.  Morgan has just 14 days to stop it.

Morgan finds a certain kinship with both Killian and her father, and often struggles with her decision to take on this "mission".  She has broken up with Hunter against her true feelings for him because she doesn't know if she will be a good witch or a bad witch.  With all of the drama going on in her life, her school work has begun to suffer.

In the end though, Morgan is faced with making the choice between good and evil.

I truly enjoy this series and highly recommend it.

4 of 5 stars!!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Book Review: The Calling

Today's review is on The Calling by:  Cate Tiernan

The Calling is number 7 in Tiernan's 15 book Sweep series.

Morgan has had a vision.  She saw various predatory animals surrounding a young wolf.  The young wolf was going to be killed.  When she tells Hunter about it, he in turns informs the council and the next thing you know they are off to New York with Bree, Robbie, Sky, and Raven.

While there Morgan meets Killian in a club.  He turns out to be Ciaran's son.  The same Ciaran that killed her mother, the same Ciaran that is the leader of Amyranth.  The Council thinks that Morgan's vision is going to come true.  They think that Ciaran is going to kill his own child.

While Hunter is out searching for Killian, Morgan has another vision and is led to a building.  Once inside she is bound by other witches wearing masks of animal faces.  The same types of faces in the vision.  She is who the coven has been waiting for, she is who they are going to drain and then kill.  However, when Ciaran does what Morgan calls the "Wicca mind meld",  he realizes that she is his daughter and can not go any further.

Once Morgan knows the truth, she feels that she is becoming evil like her real father and decides to break up with Hunter.  After all, how can he love someone that is half pure evil?  The only problem with that is that now Hunter has the strength to tell her how he truly feels about her, which makes it all the more difficult to say good bye to him forever.


4 of 5 stars

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Karen E Taylor Review's


Today's book review is on Hunger by: Karen E Taylor


This one book actually contains the first two books in the series, and though I have read this book back in May, I have just one word to describe it.  WOW!! 


Even though the week that I had chosen to read this book was chock full of practices and performances by my two children I still managed to finish the first book, BLOOD SECRETS, in just three days.


The story of Deirdre Griffin, fashion designer, and vampire is full of mystery, love, and loss.  At sometimes even bringing a tear to my eyes.


There is only one person who knows Deirdre's secret, and that is her best friend and former lover Max.  For years she has depended on Max for support, comfort, and unsuspecting prey.  But now, Deirdre realizes that there is another like her roaming the city.  She is both excited to learn this but is also angered because this other vampire is draining his prey and leaving a trail that leads police to her.


With surprise Deidre finds that she has fallen in love with Mitch, a detective for the police department working on the case.  The scenes with Mitch are erotic without going into to much detail, leaving plenty for the mind to fill in, which is a skill not many writers have.



Towards the end of the first book, Deidre finds that her best friend Max has been keeping something from her all these years.  He is the one she has sought all of her immortal life.  He is the monster that had created her, and her world comes crashing down when she has to end his life, perhaps at the cost of Mitch's. 


4.5 of 5 stars

--------------------

Today's review is on Karen E Taylor's second book in Hunger titled Bitter Blood


Bitter Blood picks up just two years after Deirdre Griffin leaves New York.  She has been in Europe working with her business partner as a pub owner until a young "Yank" comes looking for her.  But this Yank is not whom she expected to see.  It is Chris, Mitch's son, and he has come to Deirdre seeking help for his father.


Mitch has been in institutionalized because he has been seeing mythological creatures...vampires.  They have be haunting and tormenting him.  Finally seeming to give up on any one believing him, Mitch stops talking about the vampires and just hums an old song.  That is until Deirdre returns to New York and visits him in the hospital.  She goes to  his side and sings the words to him and receives an unexpected welcome home "gift".


Mitch recovers and both he and Deirdre are back together, but not without problems.  Max for one, may be dead, but he is still along for the ride in an most unusual way, and he's not the only ghost in town.  There are also others who want revenge for Max's death and they want blood.  Deirdre's to be exact, after she confesses to Max's best friend Victor that it was actually she who killed him.


Mitch and Deirdre go through many up's and down's in Bitter Blood as both new and old character's are added to the mix, with surprises around every turn of the page.


I have already ordered the remaining books in this series and will anxiously await their arrival.


4.5 of 5 stars

Monday, June 20, 2011

Book Review: Spellbound

Today's review is on Spellbound by:  Cate Tiernan

Spellbound is the 6th book in Cate Tiernan's Sweep series

During the regularly scheduled circle time of Cirrus, Morgan finds that Sky and her coven Kithic are also there.  Hunter and Sky have decided it would be a good idea to combine their two covens.  In doing so, there would be 13 members in total.  When this option is presented to the members of both covens, Morgan steps up and says that she feels it is a good idea.

After the circle meeting, Hunter offers to drive Morgan home.  Someone or something has let out all of the break fluid from Hunter's car and both he and Morgan barely stop the car safely.  Then at the coven meeting, the staircase a the back of Hunter's and Sky's house gives way.  It was sawed by someone, but who?

Then one night Cal meets Morgan.  He has left his mother for her.  Morgan realizes though that she truly loves Hunter and is finally able to let what she had with Cal go.

In a heart warming twist of faith however, Morgan realizes that Cal had truly loved her, paying the ultimate sacrifice for her.....his life.

I knew that once I reached the last three chapters that I would be weeping by the end of the book.  The only thing that kept the tears from overwhelming me was the fact that I was surrounded by hundreds of people.  (I'm in Las Vegas today.)

I love, love, love this series!

4 of 5 stars

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Book Reiew: Awakening

Today's review is on Awakening by Cate Tiernan

Awakening is the 5th book in the Sweep series, and as the last I found I really enjoyed it.  Perhaps I am getting soft in my old age, but I did find myself smiling some and crying just a bit too.

Cal and Selene have fled town leaving Morgan with not only a hole in her heart, but a hole in her life.  She tells her family simply that she and Cal had gotten into a fight and that she broke up with him.  She then realizes that the birthday gifts that Cal had given her are more than likely spelled so that he can have some control over her.

While getting advice from Alyce on what do do about the spelled gifts, Morgan finds out that David's aunt; who actually owns Practical Magick; has died leaving a large debt.  The store may have to close.
Surprisingly however, the debt is forgiven.  Hunter suspects David has invoked the dark spirits to help him with the debt problem.

The romantic tension between Morgan and Hunter comes to a head when they finally kiss.  Hunter has found that he has fallen in love with Morgan and it seems that she may feel the same way about him.  Will there budding relationship continue?  I'll have to read book 6 to find out.  And, I'm not ashamed to admit that I ordered the rest of the series today too.

4 of 5 stars!!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Book Review: Hit List

Today's review is on Hit List by:  Laurell Hamilton


I have read all of Hamilton's Anita Blake series and have never been let down.  Each installment leaves me begging for more except for one, that is until now.


There is someone is on a killing spree in a manner that is inhumanly possible.  The body's are literally torn apart and Marshal's Anita and Edward have been called in to help capture the "monster" who is responsible.  When two of the other Marshal's are wounded along with Anita, Edward calls in Spotted Horse and Olaf as backup.


The Mother of all Darkness is out to possess Anita yet again, and she is using those who can not be named to get to her. 


The over all book was pretty flat.  The sexual tension that is prominent in the other books is lacking in Hit List.   To that I say to Hamilton....that was part of the enjoyment!! Even the interaction between Anita and Olaf was flat.  I feel so left down.  I mean I have been waiting anxiously for this book and it was just Blah.  I certainly hope that the next installment in the Anita Bake series is back to normal!


I hate to do it, but I can only give Hit List a GENEROUS 3 of 5 stars.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Book Review: Dark Magick


Today’s review is on Dark Magick by Cate Tiernan

Dark Magick is the 4th book in Tiernan’s Sweep series and I have to say that with each book I read in the series the more I enjoy them.

In Dark Magick Morgan finds out that Cal and his mother are also Woodbane witches and that they practice “traditional” magick.  Traditional meaning that they practice dark magick.  She also learns that Cal has been helping his mother find other Woodbane witches to join her coven.  His job was to find the female witches, get close to them, make them fall in love with him, and bring them to his mother.  His job didn’t include him falling in love with one, but he did fall in love with her.

When Morgan refuses to go with Cal to see his mother and the other witches, he locks her in his Seomar, his sanctuary in the pool house.  The next thing Morgan knows is that the pool house is on fire.  Sending out a witch message to anyone that could help her, she is rescued by Bree and Robbie.

Book 4 is packed full of adventure, suspense, and heart ache for Morgan.  I could not put it down, anxious to find out how things would turn out.  Thank the Goddess I have books 5 and 6 with me this week!

4.5 of 5 stars!!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Book Review: Blood Witch

Today's review is on Blood Witch by









Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Book Review: The Coven

Today's review is on The Coven by:  Cate Tiernan

The Coven is the second book in the sweep series, and though I enjoyed reading it it was not as good as the first book, Book of Shadows.

The book begins each chapter with entries in the Book of Shadows of Morgan's mother then goes into the main story.

After finding out that she is a Blood Witch, Morgan gets the courage to confront her parents and find out why they have been keeping the fact that they are witches from her and her sister.  In doing this she finds that she is in fact adopted.  After reading her birth certificate she begins searching for information on her birth mother.

One evening while the coven is at Cal's house, she finds a secret room where there are multiple books.  There are numerous Books of Shadows, and among them she finds her mother's.  While questioning why Cal's mother has her mother's Book of Shadows, Cal and his mother enter the room.

The Coven was an enjoyable read, and I finished it in just one day.

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Sweep-Book of Shadows

Today's review is on Sweep: Book of Shadows by:  Cate Tiernan

I had often seen this series at my local Borders bookstore but never thought to purchase it.  So when my sister handed me her copy while I was visiting her I didn't hesitate to check it out.

Morgan Rowlands thought she was just an ordinary girl, but when a new student; Cal Blaire, comes to town she finds that she is so much more. 

Cal invites Morgan and some of her friends to a party where he tells them about Wicca.  You see Cal is a witch looking to start a new coven.  Morgan finds herself drawn to Cal and to Wicca, but doesn't understand when her mother "freaks out" when she finds books on the subject in her room.

At the Samhain celebration where Morgan and her friends become official students and members of Cal's coven; the Cirrus Coven, she finds that she too is a blood witch.

Good books are those that seem to flow easily and end to early in my opinion, and this is one such book.  I look forward to reading the rest of the 14 books in this series.

4 of 5 stars

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Book Review: Dead Girl in Love

Today's review is on Dead Girl in Love by Linda Joy Singleton


Dead Girl in Love is the third and final installment in Singleton's Dead Girl series.  With a 4 out of 5 stars for Dancing, I had had high hopes for this book but was let down.

In Love follows along nicely after Dancing with Amber taking on one more Temp Lifer job.  Her BFF Alyce is in crisis, and Amber had no idea of what her friends home life was really like.   With her mentally unstable mother and trying to find the grave of her baby sister it's no wonder.

Gabe is also back.  This time with the offer to teach her how to tap into power, but she later finds out that that is not what he really wanted.  Gabe is lonely, and thinks that he has finally met his soul mate in Amber.  When she refuses to go with him willingly he takes over Eli's body and threatens to kill him.

Even with all of the adventure; and I use the term lightly; the book is lacking.

3 of 5 stars

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Book Review: Dead Girl Dancing

Today's review is on Dead Girl Dancing by:  Linda Joy Singleton

Dead Girl Dancing is the second installment in this series and is much better than the first!

Dancing picks up right where Walking leaves off.  Amber is now "living" in the body of Sharayah Rockingham. You read right, "Rayah" is the older sister of Eli, the boy that she "maybe-loves".  At least she has the GEM; the guidance manual; to help her this time.

Rayah has changed so much after her relationship with Gabe went south.  She basically dumped all of her friends and has become a notorious party girl.  Plus, she has been getting threatening notes and texts.  Before Eli can come to the aid of his girlfriend/sister though, Rayah's new friends Sadie and Mauve take her to Venice Beach for spring break.  Amber realizes that not only does Rayah need some help, but so do her new friends.

As with all good YA books, everything works out in the end.  Even Eli has a chance to fulfill his dream of being a singer!!

YEA!! for Singleton's Dead Girl Dancing.

4 of 5 stars

Monday, June 6, 2011

Book Review: Dead Girl Walking

Today's book review is on Dead Girl Walking by:  Linda Joy Singleton


I found this book while on vacation in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was in a great used book store called Bookmans.  I paid just $5 for it!  What a deal!


Amber has high ambitions, and excellent math skills.  What she doesn't have is a good sense of direction, in fact her friend Dustin teases that she could "get lost walking out of her bedroom".  So it's no surprise that even in death she takes a wrong turn and ends up stuck in another persons body instead of her own, and not just anyone's body, but the body of the most popular girl in school.


While trying to get back to her waiting body, Amber finds that people are not always what they seem, especially when she tries living the life of Leah Montgomery.  Each day Amber learns more as to why a popular, beautiful, and wealthy girl like Leah would try to end her own life, and she does everything in her power to "fix" things.


An original idea and a good read for 8-13 year old's.  I will have to keep my eye out for other books by this author.

I give it 3 of 5 stars!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Book Review: Purpose

Today's review is on the book Purpose by: Kristie Cook

Puropse is the second book in Cook's Soul Savers series and sadly is a big flop in my opinion.

The first quarter of the book focuses on Alexis and her self loathing.  Even with Tristan being gone for 7 years she still mourns his loss to the point where I as a reader became bored out of my mind.  She is so distraught that her mother has pretty much taken over as a parent of Alexis' son Dorian.

Finally, when I was just about ready to put the book down and never pick it back up, Tristan comes back into the fold.  I was hoping for much more adventure than actually happened.  I still felt that Cook hasn't identified her audience properly as the more romantic and steamy moments left me hanging.  If your going to write steamy, then do it.  Don't stop short, or don't do it at all.

I was amazed at the lack of attention that Dorian received throughout the book.  Even when reunited with his father.

This book didn't leave me hanging on the edge of my seat, it just left me hanging.

Sadly this book earns just 2 out of 5 stars.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Book Review: Promise

Today's review is on the book Promise by: Kristie Cook

Promise is the first book in Cook's Soul Savers series.  As I have read other books by Cook, I was looking forward to excellence; however, I found Promise to be average.  If I had to give it a letter grade, it would be a C.

The story is centered on the lives of Alexis Ames, a 19 year old girl with the strange ability to heal herself.  With this, she and her mother are forced to move when others notice this ability or when they begin to notice that Alexis' mother doesn't seem to age.

When Alexis and her mother move to Florida and Alexis begins college things seem to get better for her.  She even finds a handsome boyfriend in Tristan Knight.  As Alexis struggles with whether or not to tell Tristan about her strange ability she finds that he himself has strange abilities too.  You see, Tristan was created to destroy Alexis and the others like her, but he won't because he left that life behind him and now he is hopelessly in love with her too.  This relationship is the literal match made in Heaven and Hell.

With the Daemoni; Tristan's creators; out to either get Tristan back or destroy Alexis things get a little difficult for the couple, but they seem to hang on.  That is until Tristan vanishes.

Many times in this book I found myself trying to figure out if Cook's audience is YA or adults. The parts where things heat up between Alexis & Tristan in particular.  I guess I may never know.

3 out of 5 stars