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Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Evil in Pemberley House by Win Scott Eckert & Philip Jose Farmer


For over thirty years, readers have marveled at Philip José Farmer's inventive integration of popular fiction and literature's most beloved characters, in a mythical web known as the Wold Newton Family. First described in the fictional biographies Tarzan Alive: The Definitive
Biography of Lord Greystoke and Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life, Farmer expanded his Wold Newton mythos in novels such as The Other Log of Phileas Fogg, The Adventure of the Peerless Peer, Time s Last Gift, Hadon of Ancient Opar, Flight to Opar, The Dark Heart of Time: A Tarzan Novel, and Escape from Loki: Doc Savage's First Adventure.
The Evil in Pemberley House, an addition to the Wold Newton cycle, plays with the Gothic horror tradition. Patricia Wildman, the daughter of the world-renowned adventurer and crimefighter of the 1930s and '40s, Dr. James Clarke Doc Wildman, is all alone in the world when she inherits the family estate in Derbyshire, England old, dark, and supposedly haunted.

Review:
Enjoyed this Gothic novel this was a first for me picked it up at the local library on a impulse. Patricia has had a rough time lately after the death of her parents and now her husband. She thinks when a letter comes from England that she is off to a new life and is up for the Challenge where upon she is considering excepting the families estates and the titles that go along with them but from the very beginning of stepping off that plane she is kidnap abused and almost raped by her three captors a cousin she has never met before now abandons her to have a sexual interlude with a barmaid along the way on her drive home and once she gets there to Pemberly she thinks she is finally safe. Well she was wrong there !. Everybody in that house has a reason to want her dead. She has to keep her wits about her just to survive . She is having visits from a ghost who she believes is now having sex with her during the middle of the night. There is only on person on her side and looking out for her. There is quite a lot of secrets that unfold throughout this book. But someone who has left her a stack of books next to her beside to read which she later learns is the history and effects on Pemberly house just that the names are change and she is starting to make sense of things. But i have to say the ending to this mystery was the best surprise ever! Leaving you wondering if there will be a sequel to this book after all.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs (Glory St. Claire, Book 5) (Paperback) by Gerry Bartlett

 A customer Review:
For vampire Glory St. Clare weight loss has never been an option, since vampires go through all eternity with the exact same body they had on the day they were changed. Work-out, starve yourself, get a tattoo, a piercing - doesn't matter - one night of healing sleep and you're back to the exact body you started with.

Four hundred years ago, when her on-again/off-again boyfriend Jeremiah (Blade) Campbell III turned her vampire, Glory's voluptuous body was ideal for that time - fast forward to the 21st century and now she's slightly cubby. And that's bad enough when you are running a vintage dress shop in Austin, Texas, but in Hollywood Glory can't help but feel self-conscious of her size twelve body in a size zero world.


Newly turned vampire, rock star Israel Caine (Ray to his friends), was literally dumped on Glory's doorstep and she became his mentor, teaching him how to survive his new `life'. Soon the tabloids link Ray and Glory together and to defuse the gossip they pretend to be engaged. Ray has been nominated for a Grammy award and Glory accompanies him to Hollywood to walk the red carpet at his side. Of course, the tabloids are having a field day making fun of Ray's fat fiancée.


Enjoying the active Hollywood nightlife, Glory learns of a new weight loss drug for vampires. In spite of the astronomical expense, she starts taking the drug. The very first night, Glory wakes before sunset and, if not for the intervention of her body guard, she would have fried in the sun's rays. Unfortunately, there are even more potentially fatal side effects.


Blade insists Glory stop taking the drug because its inventor is a MacDonald and the MacDonalds and Campbells have been feuding for centuries. Blade is certain Glory is being used as a tool in the MacDonald/Campbell feud.


But, the pounds are coming off and the Grammy's are just a few days away...


Will Ray win the Grammy? Will the feud between the Campbells and MacDonalds finally erupt in the war to end all wars? Will Glory live long enough to find out?


If you are new to the REAL VAMPIRE series, witty dialogue, fascinating adventures and a captivating cast of characters are just a few of the reasons all five books are must reads! Each stands alone, but read one and you'll be hooked. 

Review: 
I enjoyed yet another book by Gerry. Her books are great. They are nice easy reading and you can't help but get caught up in Glory's escapades. This time she finds sometime willing to help her lose weight but he happens to be her lovers greatest enemy. She want's more then once to be thin and is doing what ever in her power to do  taking diet supplements and exercising vigorously, drinking blood from a mortal. But she is having side effects from the supplements and crazy dreams that leaves her sleep walking and almost into the sun a few times if not for her body guards. If she keeps this up it just might kill her. But some good side effects have come from this she is awake during the day more and more each day and has seen the sun come up after centuries of going without.As always there are always problems along the way people trying to kill you, your fake lover wanting to be your lover in truth, a jealous Scotsman in your bed and your attraction to you bodyguard Rafe who is a shifter (dog) at the moment but is totally handsome when he is a man. What more could a a vampire ask for lol.


Glory St. Claire: Book 5

Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs

Glory St. Claire: Book 4

Real Vampires Don't Diet

 Glory St. Claire: Book 1

Real Vampires Have Curves

Glory St. Claire: Book 2

Real Vampires Live Large

Glory St. Claire: Book 3

Real Vampires Get Lucky


Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Pirate Bride by Shannon Drake aka Heather Graham

Those who survive the wrath of Red Robert would never guess the pirate's secret—Red Robert is a woman, masquerading as a man. Yet though the swift steel of her sword has spread her reputation to the farthest corners of the map, there is only one treasure she seeks—the blood of her lifelong nemesis…Blair Colm.
Shipwrecked on a desert isle with the handsome Logan Hagarty, she soon rediscovers her femininity in the irresistible captain's arms. But their paradise skies darken with the appearance of their common enemy. Now the two must summon all their strength and cunning to best the evil Colm, and protect the fierce love that has grown between them.

Review:
I enjoyed this story.I loved how a women became a Pirate but disguised as a man and to be a feared pirate known as Red Robert without anyone knowing. She took her tragedy and turned it into a plus and eventually found love. Although she holds revenge in her heart she learns to love and puts and end to a life long hatred to rest by hunting the man who wronged her with her new love Logan.



Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand (Kitty Norville, Book 5) by Carrie Vaughan

A customer review:

#5 Kitty Norville paranormal series. Kitty, a werewolf, and Ben (formerly her lawyer, now her fiance and pack mate) finally get fed up with planning a big traditional wedding and decide to get married in Las Vegas, much to the chagrin of Kitty's mother. They plan on combining business with pleasure by having Kitty do a live version of her radio show, The Midnight Hour, at a theater in Vegas.

However, things start falling apart when Kitty is asked by Rick, Denver's Vampire Master, to carry a message to Vegas' Master, Dom. It gets worse when the happy couple arrive at their hotel only to discover that there is a gun convention taking place at the hotel--and Ben recognizes several Hunters--as in, werewolf and vampire hunters--in the crowd. Then there's magic shows featuring real magic and an animal act featuring several lycanthropes. Kitty begins to wonder if her show will ever get done and begins to wonder at the wisdom of their Vegas wedding plans--which were made to simplify everything--and when Ben is kidnapped hours before the ceremony is to take place, she begins the search for him in a state of near-panic.

Does their wedding ever take place? You'll have to read it to find out! Another good entry in this paranormal series, although this one did seem a little fragmented and scattered compared to previous books, not quite as good. Looking forward to the next one, though!

In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan (Paladins of Darkness, Book 3)


Review of a friend:

Barak q’Young is a warrior for the Others, the people of another dimension and the number one enemy of the Paladin warriors. Barak has a gift and wouldn’t use it to help his people escape their world, so he was banished. The only way to live his life is to escape his world and try it in the human world, where the Paladins warriors are living. He earns the respect of the Paladin leader Devlin, when Barak save the life of his wife Dr. Laurel and is put to work by the Paladins. He is assigned to assist Lacey Sebastian, a young geologist.

Lacey Sebastian is a geologist, working to predict the earthquakes of their world and hopefully knows when a portal between the two worlds opens. The moment she hears about her new assistant Barak, an ex-warrior of the Others, she is a little disgust. But the more she works with him and spends time with him; she discovers he is not much different from the Paladins warriors and her brother. Now she finds herself attracted to her enemy, even if he is a friend to the Paladin leader and his wife, her brother wouldn’t approve it. But then Lacey is kidnapped and her life depend on the love of her lover.

In darkness reborn by Alexis Morgan is the third book in her Paladins of Darkness series and another great one. Just like the previous book I was lured into the book from the very beginning and find it difficult to put the book down.

Barak q’Young is a warrior with a gift. He refuses to use that gift to help his people escape their world and was banished. Now he is living in their enemies’ world, along with some of their warriors. Because he saved the life of Laurel Young, the wife of Paladin leader Devlin he is accepted in this world, but not all Paladins are happy about that.
Lacey Sebastian is a geologist and hopes to find a way to predict earthquakes, so they know when a portal between the two worlds opens, hopefully saving a lot of life of the Paladin warriors. Now she has to work with one of their enemies and isn’t happy about that, but can she ignore the attraction between them.

The sub characters, meaning the Paladin warriors are fabulous. Especially Devlin and Trahern, both tough and strong warriors who found women and love in their strange lives. Laurel Young and Brenna Nichols are the women in the warriors’ lives and try to help Lacey deal with her attraction to Barak.

I only can say that I love this series and cannot wait to read the next book Redeemed in darkness. The story will be about Paladin warrior Cullen and Barak’s sister Lusahn, one of the Others.

 

Dark Warrior Unleashed (The Talions, Book 1) by Alexis Morgan

Ranulf Thorsen is the enforcer of the Kyth people and is living alone for centuries on his mountain. But his isolation is about to change, when the Grand Dame of his people summons him and of course he obeys. The Grand Dame Judith has promised Ranulf his freedom, when this last mission is complete. He has to find the person responsible for the fires in large places and endangering the humans. Investigating the last crime-scene Ranulf soon discovers that the fire starter is not human, but a rogue Kyth and the only way to stop this traitor is trough the Talion laws and that means him.

Kerry Logan is a young woman and a little different than others. She discovers that dancing in big crowds calms her down. During her last night out dancing, she finds herself in a fire. But what Kerry doesn’t know is about the strength and power within her, waiting to come out and now she is using this power to save a lot of people from dying in the fire. She gets help from a gorgeous stranger and together they get everyone out. After her check up with the ambulance workers, Kerry’s eyes meet those of a terrifying man and she knows she just looked into the fire starter’s eyes.

Ranulf felt the huge attraction between him and Kerry, but cannot ignore his duties to his people and Grand Dame Judith. But when the fire starter turns his sights on Kerry, Ranulf has no choice but to protect her. And when Kerry’s true background comes to the service, Ranulf knows he’s found his true mate.

Dark Warrior Unleashed by Alexis Morgan is the first novel in her Talions series and it was a real jewel for me. I’ve read her novels of the The Paladins series and loved those too, so it couldn’t go wrong with this one.

This story is about a gorgeous Viking warrior Ranulf Thorsen, who is the enforcer for the Grand Dame and his people, the Kyth for centuries. But he needs peace in his life and he will be release of his duties after this last mission, a rogue Kyth is setting crowded places on fire and attends to kill humans. That is how Ranulf meets Kerry, a young woman who loves to dance and calms herself down by doing that. Both of them are helping the crowd of the dancing club escape from the fire and from that moment their world turns upside down, especially when the fire starter sets his eyes on Kerry. Ranulf cannot let anything happen to Kerry and takes her back to the Grand Dame’s compound, where she will be safe. But the huge attraction between them makes it difficult for Ranulf to concentrate on his duties.

The Grand Dame Judith is the most powerful of the Kyth and their leader, but she is slowly fading away after the death of her mate. The moment Judith meets Kerry she knows she found the right person to take her place, especially when she discovers the hidden powers within Kerry. Kerry is one of them, a Kyth and has the powers to lead their people.


  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket Star; 1st Pocket Star Books Paperback. Ed 
  • July 29, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416563423
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416563426
  • Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches

Night Huntress by Yasmine Galenorn Sisters of the Moon: Book 5

A Customer Review :

Delilah D'Artigo isn't your average girl, she's half-Fae, half-human, Were-tabby, and Were-panther, as well as being one of the Autumn Lord's Death Maiden's. She has enough on her hands with having to be all of these things. Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, her boyfriend Chase mutters another woman's name in his sleep. This throws her for a loop, and she's not sure whether she should be upset because he could be cheating on her, even though she had told him she had slept with Zachary Lyonnesse of the Rainer Were Puma Clan. Life as a Fae isn't about fidelity, as they aren't monogamous, but with her half-human blood she feels the green head of jealousy looming on the horizon. It doesn't make matters any better when the cat in her feels as though someone has just stepped on her turf.

With the appearance of the fourth spirit seal, the D'Artigo girls must get together to collect it before Shadowwings cronies can get their mitts on it. But when Chase gets himself captured by Karvanak, a deadly Raksasa general of Shadowwings army, Delilah has to decide whether Chase's infidelity is even a major problem, now that his life is on the line.


This is the fifth installment to the Sisters of the Moon series. Delilah D'Artigo is honestly my favorite character of all the combining books. She has problems, and she's not afraid to admit it, but she knows when it's time to fight she needs to put them aside and do whats right.


I wanted to like this book more than I did, but I just couldn't. The storyline itself is fabulous, with lots of history and information to make your brain just have a field day. There are plenty of Fae, Demons, and other otherworldy creatures that will be sure to give you your weekly dose of supernatural. The one thing I can't get over is how these girls just collect men like I collect books! I know, I know, that shouldn't be a major problem because it's just a book, but I'm purely monogamous myself, and it's hard for me to get into their many relationships.


All in all, I do recommend this book purely for the story line itself. If you love Fae, Witches, Weres, Dragons and the like, your sure to love this book. I highly recommend you start from the beginning of the series with Witchling, the story of Camille D'Artigo. I can't wait to see what happens next with the sisters in the newly released Demon Mistress. There is also a seventh book on the horizon for 2010, Bone Magic.