Book Review: Daylighters

Today's review is on Daylighters, the 15th and final installment in The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine.

First, I have to say that I have throughly enjoyed this series and have given many of the books a five star rating. This one however falls a little below the bar for me. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of action and drama, and all of our favorite characters were there. It's just that the ending was so.....blah.

At the end of installment 14, VLAD is a success, Oliver is forced to leave Morganville, Michael and Eve come to MIT to get Claire and Shane back, and Shane get bitten by some sort of "dog". Oh, and the group is introduced to yet another threat. The Daylight Foundation. Thankfully they are able to escape the Foundation and head back to Morganville where they can finally rest easy, or as easy as one can live in a town run by vampires.

Once they hit the town limits everyone is shocked when they are confronted with the local police and Michael, along with Oliver, Jesse & Myrnin are taken into custody. No longer is Morganville run by the vampires. The Daylight Foundation had arrived there to "bring them all into the light". Unfortunately, the light that the Daylight Foundation promises isn't all that bright.

Led by a former vampire; yes, I said former vampire, the fanged population of Morganville are rounded up, given shock collars, housed in the vacant mall, basically starved, and offered or forced to take the cure for vampirism. A cure that tends to kill most of the recipients.

Should Clair accept this new Morganville where humans can walk freely in the day as well as the night? Or does she protect her vampire friends? Who are the actual "bad guys"? More importantly, can Shane be cured from being an actual hellhound??

If you have enjoyed the rest of The Morganville books you will also enjoy this one. At least until you reach the last chapter. I just wish it ended with a bit more bang.

4 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon

        

Book Description: via Amazon

While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…

Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.

It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.

Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end…

Book Review: Thirty-One and a Half Regrets

                         Today's review is on Thirty-One and a Half Regrets by Denise Grover Swank

I was recently allowed to read an ARC of this latest installment in Swank's Rose Gardner Series and I have to say that I have zero regrets after reading it. In fact, this fourth installment is my absolute favorite of them all so far!

On the heels of her break up with Joe, Rose is hesitant to start any new relationship. She needs time to heal her broken heart and to come to grips with what has happened. Not only that, she needs time and an opportunity for some closure. Thankfully she is able to do all of that between Falling to Pieces and this book.

Like Mason, I was content to wait for Rose to realize that Joe really wasn't the right man for her but my patience was wearing thin at the end of Falling to Pieces, and I know that I wasn't the only one.

Now we all know that Rose's life wouldn't be Rose's life without danger and a little drama and there is plenty of each in this fantastic book.
Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be found, Daniel Crocker has escaped from prison, and Rose has to be at the nursery when Joe and Hilary make a stop along the campaign trail to present a check to the Gardner Sisters Nursery from the Small Business Association. Thank goodness Mason was there for her should she had needed him.

Yes, I said Mason. That handsome, smart, patient man who loves Rose with his entire being. The wonderful man who loves her so much that he is willing to wait until she is ready to move on. The man who has always been there for her no matter what, and quite frankly the only man she should ever be with.

Denise has mastered the art of suspense as it's clear that she know just how much she needs to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. And talk about sexual tension!! The anticipation alone is what kept me turning the pages!! When asked if I thought the sex secnes were a bit much I relayed this back: "I personally think you should keep it as it is. It shows not only the evolution of Rose, it shows a natural evolution in her relationships."

Am I disappointed by anything in book 4? Nothing at all. Am I on pins and needles waiting for book 5 already? You bet your momma's rolling pin I am.

Another sure fire hit for Swank!

5 of 5 stars
Available on Amazon January 9, 2014