starr

Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:18:36 +0100

Just started reading this one yesterday. Story begins with a fight, theft, and kidnapping! Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:15:53 +0100

Amanda Quick is Jayne Ann Krentz' pseudonyms. for her Historical Romance/Mystery Genre. I like reading her novels because they have a little mystery, a little romance, and a little action. In this book, the main male lead is a Crime Lord and somehow a morally responsible one at that! The main female character is a social reformer who is introduced as the Widow, a woman who is rescuing girls being sold to brothels. Both characters have special 'talents' (paranormal abilities) that end up bringing them together. This is part of a trilogy, but is just as effective as a stand alone novel. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun, quick read.

Summary by bn.com:
Crime lord Griffin Winters rules a vast underworld empire in Victorian London, but he fears the descent of a familial curse of madness brought on by an ancestor's alchemical experiments. Only a powerful magical artifact, controlled by a woman of rare power, can save him. Magically gifted orphan Adelaide Pyne, recently embarked on a crusade to save women from prostitution, could be that woman, and a psychic connection soon draws Adelaide and Griffin into a dangerous partnership. Fast-paced and cleverly constructed, the tale perfectly balances lively adventure, passionate romance, and the paranormal against an elaborate and refreshingly original background. Arcane Society fans will be thrilled, and new readers will find this stand-alone story very accessible.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:53:53 +0100

So I finally read the book that "I MUST read!"

I enjoyed it for what it was, a young adult action adventure story with a splash of confused romance thrown in. I don't think that it was the 'most awesome book ever' (as some people make it out to be), but I will read the others in the series.....and I'll probably see the movie at some point too. I found the book to be highly predictable, but that didn't stop me from finishing it in about a day.

Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:31:23 +0100

After reading through the Karen Chance series, I wasn't quite fininshed with the Urban Fiction genre. I started re-reading the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison. It's about another kick-ass female dealing with the supernatural community. In this series, Rachel is a witch, living with a vamp and a pixy. Throw in the elves, the weres, and the demons and it's kind of like Disney on steroids. Its wonderful. Rachel continually gets in tight spots that she somehow manages to work her way out of, usually with the help of her friends (and sometimes her enemies too). The first book wasn't such a great re-read because I knew all of the surprises already that helped bind it together, but the story continually develops and keeps you up at night reading. I only got four books in before I decided I needed to take a break. This was because I felt that I needed some new books to discuss at the book group and there are about 10 books in this series. I will pick it up at #5 in the near future.

Did I mention that a strand of genetically engineered tomatoes killed off half the human population and that the supernatural community came out of the closet?

Here is the synopsis from bn.com for the first book, Dead Witch Walking:

Set in and around an alternate Cincinnati where Inderlanders (witches, vampires, werewolves, faeries, etc.) have officially been recognized, the novel begins with Harrison's leather-loving hero, Rachel Morgan, quitting her job as a runner (a kind of supernatural bounty hunter) for Inderland Security. The only problem is that no one walks away from Inderland Security -- and lives. Her boss, an ill-tempered ghoul named Denon, immediately puts out a contract on her, and within a matter of hours, her life is officially forfeit. She finds herself evicted from her apartment and almost assassinated on a city bus.

Thank God for friends. With the help of Ivy Tamwood, a non-practicing vampire, and Jenks, a temperamental pixie, Rachel tries to begin a new life by starting an independent investigation service based in an old church in an area called the Hollows. But first she must survive the week!

Cassie Palmer series 1-5 by Karen Chance

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:54:26 +0100

When Borders was closing, I went and found the latest book in this series on sale at 40% off. I was just thrilled that it had come out, none the less on sale! Since it had been a couple of years since I had read the first four, I took it upon myself to reread the series as a fun way to build up to the newest book. Going back made me remember why I really enjoyed them so much. The first book was good, but it only gets better from there. I was really sad when I had finished all five (the last one leaves you with an AWESOME cliffhanger!)

Here is the synopsis from bn.com for book 1, Touch the Dark:

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits—talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk…a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire—and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay....

Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:45:32 +0100

Most of Nora Roberts trilogies are fun page turners. This one is no exception. I recommend all three in this series.

Book 1: Dance Upon the Air
B&N Description

When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she's finally found refuge from her abusive husband - and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago . . .

But even in this quiet, peaceful place, Nell never feels entirely at ease. Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local bookstore café - and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd. But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him - for she must continue to guard her secrets if she wants to keep the past at bay. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she's so carefully created could shatter completely.

Just as Nell starts to wonder if she'll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers from a terrible curse - one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women - and the nightmares of the past haunting her every step - she must find the power to save her home, her love . . . and herself . . .

Meet Mia, Nell and Ripley, all witches, and the enchanting descendents of the island's founding trio. Nell has just found a new love with Zack Todd; but she's haunted by her abusive husband, Evan, the man she fled from eight months ago.

Book 2: Heaven and Earth
B&N Description

Ripley Todd just wants to live a quiet, peaceful kind of life. Her job as a sheriff's deputy keeps her busy and happy, and she has no trouble finding men when she wants them-which, lately, isn't all that often. She's perfectly content, except for one thing: she has special powers that both frighten and confuse her-and though she tries hard to hide them, she can't get them under control....

Distraction soon arrives in the handsome form of MacAllister Booke-a researcher who's come to investigate the rumors of witchcraft that haunt Three Sisters Island. Right from the start, he knows there's something extraordinary about Ripley Todd. It's not just her blazing green eyes and her sultry smile. There's something else. Something he can detect, but she'll never admit. Fascinated by her struggle with her amazing abilities, he becomes determined to help her accept who she is-and find the courage to open her heart.

But before Ripley and Mac can dream of what lies in the future, they must confront the pain of the past. For Three Sisters shelters centuries of secrets-and a legacy of danger that plagues them still....

Book 3: Face the Fire
B&N Description

Mia Devlin knows what it is like to love with your whole heart - and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared - and determined to live without love.

The new owner of the island's only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia's affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference - for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a passion for Sam still burns in her heart. But she'll need his help - and his powers - to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first steps toward destiny - and come together to turn back the dark...

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:08:02 +0100

In the middle of this one right now. So far, so good.

Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:34:22 +0100

This is one of my favorite romance novels ever! It has action, intrigue, passion, to name a few. A page turner for sure. Even for you romance novel 'doubters' this is the book for you!

B&N Description

The adopted daughter of the most powerful man in town, Schyler Crandall left Heaven, Louisiana, a broken-hearted girl. Now a crisis has brought her home to a family in conflict, a logging empire on the brink of disaster, and seething secrets that make Heaven hotter than hell.

Still there are her beautiful younger sister, Tricia, with her cruel lies. . .Ken, Tricia's handsome husband, who married the wrong sister. . .Jigger, the pimp and ruffian with plans of his own. . .and Cash, proud, mysterious, and complex. It is dangerous for Schyler to even be near him, yet she must dare to confront the past -- if there is to be any peace in Heaven.

The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:59:45 +0100

I picked this book up for some mindless reading...and that's what I got. There are many romance novels out there that have a much better storyline. Also the action at the end was disappointing. I'd pass on this one.

B&N Description

Lucy Baker walks away from her high-flying legal career when she successfully defends yet another heinous criminal. Almost a year after her life-changing decision, Lucy has never been happier. Leaving New York City for the suburbs, tending her garden and her dog, Lucy is making future plans with her fiancé, Jonathan St. Clair — and getting acquainted with her neighbors, including the handsome, exasperating one next door, Wylie Wilson. But when FBI special agents confront Lucy with shocking revelations about her fiancé's secret double life, everything about her husband-to-be is cast in suspicion. Recovering from a freak accident that has left her with a heightened sense of intuition, and getting closer than she ever dreamed to Wylie, Lucy must determine who to trust — and fast, before someone breaks down her defenses and targets her....