This was my first foray into the Kate Burkholder world and I am sure that I will find the time to go back and read the previous books. I have never reThis was my first foray into the Kate Burkholder world and I am sure that I will find the time to go back and read the previous books. I have never really read any kind of books about the Amish, so that aspect really intrigued me and kept my interest. I also loved that the book took place not far from where I live in areas that I may visit, which adds a touch of realism to a book of fiction.
First off, don’t let the fact that this is book 8 in a series put you off – especially you OCD types out there who absolutely must read books in order. Among the Wicked can be easily read as a standalone book without any loss of critical information. Actually, the fact that it was part of a series made me happy that I now have something to get back to at a later date.
I was quite fascinated with the Amish side of things. I’ve always wondered about their community and while this book does not purport to be a guide to the Amish, it did describe their simple way of life quite effectively. I loved the fact that Kate was raised Amish herself, but that she chose to life away from their community. I enjoyed how Kate was able to insert herself into the community and how she gained the trust of the women around her.
This book kept me glued to my seat. I think I devoured it over the course of 2 days. And what an unexpected twist – I never saw that coming.
My only criticism is that Kate spent a lot of time out in the cold walking, riding a scooter, and sometimes even without the requisite amount of warm clothing and foot covering. Winters can be bitterly cold and it amazed me that she never suffered from frostbite.
Initial Thoughts: A solid installment in the Jessica MacClain series however I feel that it could have been a novella ending at around the halfway poiInitial Thoughts: A solid installment in the Jessica MacClain series however I feel that it could have been a novella ending at around the halfway point. The second part of the book dragged a bit. I am still invested in the series and am eagerly awaiting the next book.
The Review: Pure Blooded is the fifth installment in Amanda Carlson's Jessica MacClain series. This book continues the ongoing adventures of Jessica MacClain, a female werewolf and her pack. This is by no means your regular werewolf tale (no pun intended!) - Jessica is a special werewolf and in this book we learn more about her abilities.
What makes this series special is the combination of supernatural beings who work together. Jessica's pack includes witches, a vampire, even a reaper. The antagonists are also quite a challenge for Jessica and her friends. I was also very happy to see that Jessica got some time with Rourke, even though it never seems to be enough one on one time.
Pure Blooded is a solid installment in the series. While I enjoyed the book, I felt that while it resolved a big problem for Jessica about halfway through, the second half of the book lagged a little. Despite my small criticism, Pure Blooded was action packed and kept me on the edge of my seat.
I can't wait to read more.
The Jessica MacClain series is best read in order, starting with Full Blooded.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a review copy of this book.
Initial Thoughts: Another solid book in this series. And good news....more books to come!
The Review: This series keeps on getting better and better. I Initial Thoughts: Another solid book in this series. And good news....more books to come!
The Review: This series keeps on getting better and better. I know I've said this before, but author Jennifer Estep can do no wrong when it comes to her Elemental Assassins series. Her books keep me reading late into the night.
Rather than go into details about this book and spoil the series for those who have not yet caught up, let me tell you why you need to read this series.
Gin Blanco aka Genvieve Snow aka The Spider Gin is probably one of the best urban fantasy heroines out there. She's smart, resourceful, and she has a moral code. Gin surrounds herself with her "family" and odd mix of characters that she will do anything to protect. While Gin is best known for her barbecue restaurant the Pork Pit, she is also one of the deadliest assassins in her area. Gin also has magical powers - she is a stone and ice elemental.
The bad guys- The city of Ashland is a very corrupt place and the criminal elements are pretty scary. Gin has to deal with some very powerful elementals, all of whom are jostling for positions of power in Ashland.
Supporting Cast - As mentioned above, Gin surrounds herself with a large group of family and friends that support, protect, and heal her. My favorites include Gin's foster brother Finn, her sister Bria, and her love interest Owen.
The Down Home Cooking - So what does an assassin do to relax? She cooks up a storm. Author Jennifer Estep details almost every ingredient so if you weren't hungry when you started reading, you certainly will be starving by the last page. I'm still hoping that the author will release a cookbook by the end of the series.
Spider's Trap will definitely be a fan favorite. I'm very excited to see that Bitter Bite will be released next February.
The Elemental Assassins series is best read in order. The earlier books suffer from excessive repetition, however the story line is good. Later books are well edited.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocketbooks for a review copy of this book.
*I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. *
An informative book on how to achieve weight loss. For the most part, it looks to be a reasonabl*I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. *
An informative book on how to achieve weight loss. For the most part, it looks to be a reasonable diet. My only concern is the focus on a lot of organic foods which could be expensive and difficult to find in some markets. The exercise section is quite well done and as I mentioned in a status update, I would probably look amazing if I had the time to do all of those exercises daily. I did like that the book included recipes to try out as well. Personally, I do enjoy the foods that the book recommends so now I just have to stick with the plan. Darn you, real life!...more
This book starts off quite slowly and may be painfully slow for some readers. It's told from the point of view of Sandrine, who in 1894 left her husbaThis book starts off quite slowly and may be painfully slow for some readers. It's told from the point of view of Sandrine, who in 1894 left her husband in New York and traveled to Paris on her own to live with her grandmother. When she arrives at their ancestral home, she is surprised to find that her grandmother is no longer living there and that the house in under renovations. Her grandmother lives not far from the house and takes Sandrine in. Sandrine's curiosity about the house takes her back and she and the architect make some fascinating art and jewelry discoveries. Her grandmother doesn't want Sandrine to live in Paris, nor does she want Sandrine anywhere near the family home. It appears that an ancestor known as La Lune was a powerful witch and she wants to possess Sandrine.
Since the story is told from Sandrine's point of view, she cannot see the changes to her personality. Her grandmother does and she is terrified. The local Rabbi is called in to help.
While I found the beginning of the book to be a little slow, I did enjoy this book because the writing was well done and some passages were beautifully written. I loved the fact that the story took place during the 1890's in Paris where so much was happening in the art world. The addition of the spiritual world, the hunt for eternal life, and the secret societies made this book incredibly fascinating.
I also admired Sandrine. I can't even begin to imagine the hardships a young married woman would have to endure in order to escape from a brutal marriage. Traveling to Paris on her own was a gutsy move. Dressing up as a man to attend art school, even more so.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a review copy of this book.
Wonderful story, kickass heroine, some seriously cool magic. I understand from the blurb that this was inspired by Little Red Riding Hood b4.5 stars.
Wonderful story, kickass heroine, some seriously cool magic. I understand from the blurb that this was inspired by Little Red Riding Hood but I didn't really see that. In a way, I'm glad because this truly felt like an original story. Rachelle is a 15 year old girl who was an extraordinary fighter, battling evil and darkness and some very ambitious people in the court. The narrative is interwoven with the story of Tyr and Zisa which adds another dimension to the book.
Magical. Wonderful. Enchanting. Beautiful.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Balzer & Bray for a review copy of this book....more
As I was reading How We Fall, I was surprised that I was enjoying the book so much. After all, How We Fall is a book that deals with "kissing cousins.As I was reading How We Fall, I was surprised that I was enjoying the book so much. After all, How We Fall is a book that deals with "kissing cousins." My curiosity got me Googling - and guess what? In Canada, it is legal to marry your cousin. The US however, is a different story. Our story takes place in small town Wisconsin, so these guys would be a no-no. They want to go to college in California - where cousins CAN get married. Anyhow, back to the book.
How We Fall is written from the point of view of Jackie, our 17 year old narrator. I loved her voice and how she described her family. Jackie's family moved from California and is now living a granola style life with her aunt and uncle and their six children. Jackie is not a teenager with a crush - she is very much in love with her 17 year old cousin Marcus. As the older children in the combined family, Jackie and Marcus have a lot of chores and they get to spend a lot of time together. They are best friends and they fall in love. They know that their attraction is not conventional and they know that it would cause a lot of turmoil in the family, but they continue, sneaking off for time alone. Jackie sets some rules about the relationship and Marcus agrees.
It's a busy household and the parents (all 4 of them) seem to be very busy with their jobs, the farm, and the like to notice what is going on. (Enter Young Adult absent parent trope). Jackie and Marcus are caring for the young ones quite often. Jackie escapes to her old movies, the ones that the kids would never want to watch.
Realizing that they could never have a public relationship, Jackie and Marcus break it off. Marcus starts dating Sylvia, a new girl in town. Jackie meets Will through Marcus' younger brother Chris. Will is awesome and fun and wonderful and every girl needs a Will in their life.
In the meantime, all is not perfect in this small farming town. Jackie's friend Ellie is missing and presumed dead. Someone runs Marcus and Jackie off the road. A stalker has been leaving things for Sylvia. Marcus' truck gets vandalized.
With regards to the stalker, it wasn't hard to figure out - I hate when that happens. Also Jackie does a TSTL (too stupid to live) moment that had me wanting to throw the book across the room.
Overall, How We Fall was an enjoyable read with a very sweet couple.
Thank you to Merit Press for a review copy of this book...more
Ford Audio Book Club free download 9/11/14. (You need to join the GR Ford book club, add the book to your to-read shelf and they'll send you a code toFord Audio Book Club free download 9/11/14. (You need to join the GR Ford book club, add the book to your to-read shelf and they'll send you a code to download - 12/26/14 - offer no longer valid, but if you like audio books, join this club - they offer a free audio book every 6-8 weeks or so.)
This book has been getting some wonderful reviews. Unfortunately, mine isn't one of them. I listened to the audio book and I found myself snoozing and dozing off repeatedly. I'm not sure if it was the narrator - I've listened to her a few times and have enjoyed her narration. I just could not get into this story. It's probably just a case of "not my cup of tea."
I just found the book to be dull and boring and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I had no idea why the world was the way it was and having looked at some of the reviews for this book and some of the Q&A, it seems that there was a range of opinions as well.
Anyhow, thanks Ford for a chance to listen to this book. Better luck next time.
Oh, my. What can I add to the myriad of reviews that has no yet been said?
I've always avoided this series because of its rather hefty tomes. I mean, Oh, my. What can I add to the myriad of reviews that has no yet been said?
I've always avoided this series because of its rather hefty tomes. I mean, who has the time to read 800-1000 pages per book, over 8 (and I believe more) books? That's quite the commitment. I then discovered the audio book version of this series and while it took me a little while to warm up to the narrator, I now love listening to her voice and the various voices she does for each character. Let me tell you that this narrator made the book for me. She portrays each character so well, it's almost like listening to a full cast reading.
And let's just take the sexy parts for example - this narrator does a verra sexy Jamie - you ken?
I don't want to go into the plot other than the story moves along well over time and space. :)
By the way, make sure that your Ipod or MP3 player has lots of space because this book ran at about 44 hours.
11/10/15 - Kindle and Kobo free download. 8/19/14 - Kindle and Kobo free download.
I downloaded this as a freebie a long time ago and was happy to have11/10/15 - Kindle and Kobo free download. 8/19/14 - Kindle and Kobo free download.
I downloaded this as a freebie a long time ago and was happy to have a chance to read it. In a way, it reminded me a little of Twilight - new girl in the neighborhood, a family with a broody good looking guy that doesn't want her nearby, and the little sister that takes new girl under her wing.
So anyhow, this book is about a girl and her alien neighbors. They are pretty aliens; very nice to look at. She spends a lot of time insulting the rude one, who pretends he is not attracted to her. (yah, right). Bad guys arrive and ruin the moment. Hot alien gets to rescue girl (and she him).
A nice, quick read. I'll be picking up the next book soon.
OK, here's the thing: I didn't love this book, nor did I hate it. I'm a bit ambivalent at this point. I had a few problems with the plot and even moreOK, here's the thing: I didn't love this book, nor did I hate it. I'm a bit ambivalent at this point. I had a few problems with the plot and even more problems with the villain.
You see, a bunch of people go on an Eco-tour of Mexico. All's fun until our central character Eve makes a discovery. Then we are reading a book that is very similar to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, only it takes place in an isolated part of the Mexican rain forest.
The villain - he is ruthless and relentless and still fighting a jihad even though his best bud Osama is no longer of this world.
The writing was OK and the last third of this book was where the pacing picked up and I was actually rooting for Eve to get away.
I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. ...more
Initial Thoughts Fans of James Stark will love this latest installment of the Sandman Slim series. It's raining in LA and the population is leaving thInitial Thoughts Fans of James Stark will love this latest installment of the Sandman Slim series. It's raining in LA and the population is leaving the city in droves. All that's left are the Lurkers, the Golden Vigil, and a demented serial killer. This was an amazing romp through a water-logged LA and its parallel world "Downtown." Full of sarcastic wit and attitude, this book rocks!
How could I ask for more? I kept picturing Dr. McDreamy and Dr. McSteamy when I thought of Dr. Sean O'Neil, orthopedic surgeon aA perfect summer read!
How could I ask for more? I kept picturing Dr. McDreamy and Dr. McSteamy when I thought of Dr. Sean O'Neil, orthopedic surgeon and resident heart breaker. Sean is not good at relationships. His job is way more important than anything else in his life. And he likes it that way. Until he meets Elise Bonnet, the charming French cook who works at his family's lodge in Vermont. Elise doesn't do relationships either, but she is attracted to Sean. The feeling is mutual, however the two don't really know it. Loved the buildup to romance in this one - it's one of those wonderful feel good novels.
I think that what made this book so enjoyable was the writing. I had never read anything by this author before but now she is definitely on my favorites list. It also helped that I've been to the area described by the book - it is the perfect place to fall in love.
The story did not only revolve around our main characters. The supporting characters - the O'Neil clan and their various partners were wonderful to be around. I loved crotchety Walter the patriarch of his family, as well as Sean's twin brother Jackson and his other brother Tyler. I enjoyed the family dynamics in the book as well.
All in all, a nice, light romance, perfect for summer reading by the pool.
*I won this book in a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.* ...more
Initial Thoughts: This was a quick read for me. The story revolves around three teenage volunteers in Portland's Search and Rescue. On a routine searcInitial Thoughts: This was a quick read for me. The story revolves around three teenage volunteers in Portland's Search and Rescue. On a routine search for a missing man, the teens come across a body in the woods. The chapters about the murderer were very creepy - he was one disturbed individual. I was able to guess who the killer was about halfway through the book which was a little disappointing for me. I like when authors keep me guessing. I enjoyed the story, although my review copy contained many spelling and grammatical errors which I hope will be corrected before the book is released. Full review to come closer to release date.
The Review: The Body in the Woods had a promising premise. Three teens on a search and rescue mission discover a body. Now that should be interesting, right? First things first - I really liked the idea that teens could train for search and rescue. That is so cool. What a fantastic learning experience. But - these kids were left alone, without supervision. Huh? That would never happen in real life.
Anyhow, the story begins as the rescue team is dispatched to search for a missing autistic man. The teens - Ruby, Alexis, and Bran are sent to search far away from the main team, presumably to keep them out of the way. They come across a body of a recently murdered girl. The teens then realize that they may have walked right past the murderer. Was he the dog walker? The birder? The homeless man? The man carrying the duffle bag?
Personally, the best part of this book was being inside the killer's mind. His chapters were creepy and he made me want to squirm. The teenage characters were not that memorable. I recall one with an excellent recall for details and the other had ADHD and the third one had a bipolar mother. Aside from that, they needed a little more development.
The Body in the Woods was an OK read for me. I would have liked more mystery. I'm usually horrible at guessing whodunit mysteries, but I was able to guess this one halfway through. I was hoping for a twist to throw me off, but it didn't happen. I understand that this is to be a series. I am planning on reading the next book, just to see what happens and how the characters develop further.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for a review copy of this book....more
It’s not often that a series gets better and better with each subsequent book. Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassins series is one such series. ReadingIt’s not often that a series gets better and better with each subsequent book. Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassins series is one such series. Reading Poison Promise (book 11!!!) was like reconnecting with old friends. I love the world that this author has built. The town of Ashland is corrupt, its officials are on the take, the bad guys are vying to fill in a power vacuum – this is one interesting place. In the center of it all stands Gin Blanco, aka The Spider, a very efficient assassin and an even better cook.
Gin is one badass assassin. She’s tough, she’s snarky, she’s lethal, and she cares about her family. I like how Gin tries to keep her life as normal as possible. She’s attending community college, taking a course on spy literature, and she surrounds herself with a fantastic support network: her family and friends. To keep it real, Gin continues to work at her restaurant, The Pork Pitt.
Poison Promise might just be the best book so far in the series. It was action packed, full of exciting scenes, bullets flying, and general mayhem. I just could not put this book down.
I think that what makes this series so much fun to read is the diversity of characters in this world. There’s vampires, giants, dwarfs, and elementals in addition to the regular human folk. The elemental magic is different from what I’ve seen in other series.
Then there’s the men of this series. Yes, Owen is still around, but you’ll need to read the book for more info. Gin’s sexy foster brother Finnegan Lane is a perfect backup for Gin. I loved how he got Gin her very own silver Aston-Martin to wreck. Silvio was a good addition to the cast as well. I can’t wait to see him in the next book.
If you have not yet had a chance to start this series, I’d recommend you start with the first book. For those of you who may have stopped reading the series, the writing has improved significantly and the repetition has been greatly reduced.
I can’t wait for the next book – Black Widow due out November 2014.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pocket Books for a review copy of this book....more
Initial Thoughts: This is a nice, light young adult read. It's geared towards fans of Nancy Drew and other female detectives and there is an unsolved Initial Thoughts: This is a nice, light young adult read. It's geared towards fans of Nancy Drew and other female detectives and there is an unsolved murder mystery that Jex and her friends want to solve. It's an easy read and I enjoyed the quotes from famous TV/movie/book female detectives. I think that this will appeal to younger readers. If you suspend belief, you'll enjoy it more.
The Review: Jex Malone was a fun little read and it brought back memories of reading Nancy Drew books late into the night. Jex (Jessica) fancies herself to be a sleuth along the lines of Nancy Drew and she even has her very own Drew-ids Code of Honor:
"A member of the Drewids is a girl who has a detective gene busting to come out.:
When Jex visits her father in Las Vegas, she makes friends with some girls in the neighborhood and together the girls set off to investigate a cold case.
I enjoyed this book. The friendship aspect was nice, although a little too quick and easy. I loved the clever quotes from famous female sleuths at the beginning of each chapter. Jex’s inner dialogue was amusing, if not a little dramatic.
I was a little disappointed in Jex’s father. For a parent who fought long and hard for a court ordered visitation, he was strangely absent for most of the book. You’d think that he would book some vacation time to spend with his daughter. Also, come on, what type of police detective makes his computer password so easy for his daughter to figure out?
Jex Malone was a light, quick read. Young adult readers will enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and F+W Media/Adams Merit Press for a review copy of this book.
Initial Thoughts: This book reminded me a little of the first book in the series, Circle of Fire. I liked the hero and heroine in this book. Kat was aInitial Thoughts: This book reminded me a little of the first book in the series, Circle of Fire. I liked the hero and heroine in this book. Kat was a member of the Damask Circle and well versed in all things supernatural. On the other hand, Ethan is at odds with his werewolf side, not even knowing how to shift. Ethan also has some serious commitment issues. No problem - these two are hot together. Full review to come...
The Review: Circle of Desire is a little reminiscent of the first book in the series, Circle of Fire. In this third book in the Damask Circle series, children are once again going missing, kidnapped by an ancient creature known as a mara.
Ethan Morgan is quite close to the case. His niece was one of the missing children and he’s going out of his mind trying to find her. Not a good thing to do as the moon is getting full and his werewolf side is going crazy.
Katherine Tanner and her grandmother Gwen have been sent by the Damask Circle to investigate the kidnapping. Katherine is a raven shifter and an empath. Gwen is a powerful witch with psychic abilities.
The investigation forces Ethan and Katherine to work together. When they discover that the creature that kidnapped the children was a mara, they realized that this was a formidable opponent, able to summon zombies and other werewolves to do her dirty work. The mara needs to feed on dark emotions such as fear in order to breed.
The relationship between Ethan and Katherine was a little frustrating. Ethan’s behavior was ruled by the phases of the moon. In the days prior to a full moon, his werewolf became very lusty and required sexual release. Katherine was a willing partner, but she wanted more of a relationship, something that Ethan could not commit to. The sex was hot and heavy and these two are meant for each other.
I did enjoy this book however I did have a few reservations. I felt that Katherine was entirely too willing to give into Ethan, even in the middle of an investigation. Nothing’s like sex on the run, right? I also found that Katherine put herself in danger’s way a little too easily. I also found Ethan a little wishy-washy with regards to committing himself in a relationship.
Overall, Circle of Desire was an entertaining read and I am now ready to tackle more of this author’s books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for a review copy of this book.
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