Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Summary from GoodReads 

Masque of the Red Death

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books @GreenwillowBook

ISBN 0062107798 (ISBN13: 9780062107794)

by Bethany Griffin (Goodreads Author)

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her...

 I start off buy saying WOW, Masque of the Red Death is a Beautifully written story of horrific times.

Ms Griffin has penned an engrossing new telling of Poe's tale. Doing so in such a lyrical and tightly written manner that I am left wanting more NOW!~!~! 

I found Araby to be an interesting protagonist, while she is young she has endured a lot in her years: the death of her brother; the loss of her parents attention; heartbreaking loneliness; and the fall of the world as she knew it. With April the Prince's niece, she finds a new world of fantasy, dresses, makeup, and a way to forget and not feel for a while. This new world is the Debauchery club. There she meets a mysterious tattooed boy named Will she is instantly drawn to and who isn't as heartless as he initially seems. She also meets Aprils brother, a poet loving black sheep of the family Elliott, who runs the  Debauchery club and can give her the numbness that she so longs for. 


Relationships are forged with such care that I was totally immersed in this world the author has created. Ms Griffin did a wonderful job world building making it very easy to picture the devastating effects that are brought on by the dreadful plague that was unleashed on this world. Thanks to the Prince who controls everything, only the rich can afford the precious masks that may help them to survive. Arabys father a scientist and inventor seems to be the only hope in the bleak world in which they are forced to live.


The story that ensues is one that is filled with love, friendship, trust, betrayal, choices and hope.  There are so many twists and turns you may need to wear a seat belt when reading it ... I'm just saying :)

I absolutely adored Masque of the Red Death and whole heartily give it 5 Stars...

The ending left me breathless and certainly pining for the rest of the story, I will be waiting anxiously for the next installment in the series. 
 A special thank you to Nancy the Ravenous Reader for the loan :)

Review: Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Review of Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Graveminder

Descriptionfrom Goodreads.

With Graveminder, Melissa Marr, the bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, delivers her first novel for an adult audience—a captivating story of the living, the dead and a curse that binds them to two special families.

In the town of Claysville, Maylene Barrow bears a duty to the newly departed that keeps all she knows and loves safe. At each funeral she performs the same unusual ritual: Three sips from a silver flask followed by the words, "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead, and her granddaughter Rebekkah must go back to the place—and the man—she left a decade ago. But she soon discovers that Maylene was murdered—and that there was good reason for her odd traditions: Beneath placid Claysville lies a shadowy land from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron Montgomery, can set things right once the dead begin to walk.

Suddenly Rebekkah is struggling with more than just her grief—she’s forced to deal with a centuries-old bargain, dark secrets, a complicated romance and a frightening responsibility: to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.

Here I go.... Wow Melissa Marr has stunned me again with her wonderful wording and her vivid imagination, she has blown me away. I am in love with the strange little town of Claysville and it's inhabitants, Like:

Maylene the Gravemider, who starts out the story with her rounds at Sweetrest Cemetery. You will get a tiny crumb of the fact that there is something different about Claysville, and there is a secret bargain. The phrase "Sleep well, and stay where I put you." is Genius, it caught my imagination as soon as Maylene first utters it.

Rebekkah who has been running away her entire life from the only place and the only man who made her fell like she was home.

Byron, Rebakkah's many times ex-boyfriend who is determined NOT to fall back into his old habit of always being there for her, and who has recently returned to town.

When Rebakkah gets the message that her Grandmother is dead she has no idea what a hornets nest she is about to step into, or the fact that the dead are walking and it is now her responsibility to put them where they belong. Thank goodness when Rebakkah was a child she paid attention to all the rituals Maylene did when she would help her grandma make her rounds, not really wondering why, it's just the way it was.

I love that Maylene and Byron's father tried to protect Rebakkah and Byron from their destiny as long as they could. And that you get the slow unraveling of family secrets and the choices that were made along the way.

Who else but Melissa Marr could not only have me wanting to get to know a character that does very bad things, but also have me wanting to take care of her and root for her to get a little.... ummm...Closure with her own past.

I found myself totally engrossed in the mixing of times and perceptions of the residence of the shadowy world that abides under Claysville, and was left wanting to know more of Charles and his strange realm.

It is very hard not to give away the twists and turns that you are guided thru in Graveminder, but needless to say I loved everyone of them.. I give Graveminder 5
outta 5 stars, Tis Awesomeness!!

If you have not already read her Wicked Lovely series Get to it! It is a MUST read.
On a side note I got my copy of Graveminder from Bookperks and it came with a spiffy flask that I got signed by Melissa Marr.. how freaking cool is that. ooh ooh and I got an awesome GM Toe-tag signed too...

Review: Minder (A Ganzfield Novel) by Kate Kaynak

Minder by Kate Kaynak
First in the Minder Series

Amazon Description
Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place.

Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams..

When I was thinking of reading Minder, I went to the author site and took a look at the Book Trailer.. I have to say please don't judge a book by it's trailer :) OK book==> Bad Trailer. I liked the music I liked the description.. but not the cartoon. Seriously Lame.

Minder is a very interesting premise for a story it is kind of high school clicks mingled with -x men.

The first part of the story is the world building, then she introduces the romance element, then lastly suspense and intrigue. I enjoyed the psychological thriller part of the book. But each part was very compartmentalized.

Maddie is a normal 16 year old girl until she is attacked ... that is when she finds out that she is special and has powers she never could have imagined.. She is what they call at Ganzfield a Minder (she can read others thoughts and.. well you will find out). There are other groups: Charms, ( who can push others to do what they want) and Sparks, (they have the ability to control fire).. well you get the idea. While the premise is very good and I did like the story, the repetitive themes put me off (the instant love for instance) . How many times can you read the same *jist of* I love you so much but we just met, the connection...
I liked Minder enough to give Adversary the Second Book a try.
The Third in the Series is Legacy, and the forth book in the Series is ACCUSED.

Even though I was not crazy about Minder I give it 2 stars Worth the Read.

Review Lover Unleashed by JR Ward

Good Reads Description:
Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

Her I go short and sweet:

Ohhhh My Where to Begin........ I have to say I love love love The Black Dagger Brotherhood books. When I read Vishious's story (Lover Unbound ) (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5) when I got to the end it was a WTF moment!~! *insert evil skunk eye and point it at the Warden*

As much as I was looking forward to a new BDB I am thrilled to say We have been given Vishious 2.0 *insert happy face here*

There was some V-uch moments color me happy... there was some tragic Quay action going on too. And I was soooo right about Butch being....... *insert gag in to mouth* But as I like to keep my reviews spoiler free .. which is killing me right now cauz I reallly want to spill some.. but I digress..

I very much enjoyed getting to read Payne and Manny's Love story but was seriously happy To have much of the story intertwined with the other brothers. Especially so much focusing on Jane and Vichous. We not only get to have some major insight to the past that Payne and Vichous lived, but also got to meet some new characters. The Bad ass Group known as Xcor and his Band of Bastards, ggggaaaadamn these are some serirous bad boys. I am looking forward to getting to see what trouble the new bad boys in town are going to trhough in to next few books. I was hoping to get to "meet" Mhurder but he was nowhere to be found.

All in all I was thrilled with Lover Unleashed, I got just what I wanted MORE... More Manny, Payne, Vichous, Jane, Butch, Marissa, Blay, Saxton, Quinn, Wrath, George, Beth... sigh.. I got MORE... did ya hear me... So I give Lover Unleashed 5 outta 5 Tis Awesomeness!~!~!

Review: The Countess by Lynsay Sands

The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after . . .

Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened . . .

Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title . . . only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife"— certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband" . . . and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts...

Ok Here I go..
I am much more familiar with Ms Sands Argeneau Vampire Series than her Historical Novels, I decided if they are half as funny what the hell, I will give it a try.
The Countess reminds me of the screwball comedies of the 40's mixed Think Arsenic and Old Lace mixed with Weekend at Bernie's, some of the action was enough to me me laugh out loud.

At one point when the butler was describing what he saw, the scene so well described very funny indeed. What Ms Sand delivers is a Funny, Charming, Sexy tale. A fun start to a new Trilogy
Thank you to Net Galley for the e-arc.

Review: The Vespertine (Vespertine #1) by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine (Vespertine #1) by Saundra Mitchell
description from goodreads

It's the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Ok Here I go..

When I first thought of reading The Vespertine I really thought I would not like it... it was a period piece set in 1889, there would be no Hot Vampire or Awesome supernatural beings.. It is going to be BORING.. Then I started reading it maybe it caught my interest so quickly because it is set in Maryland where I live, I have been to Baltimore to many times to count. Or, maybe it was because I knew the setting, with its familiar places like the Inner Harbor, Druid Hill, Mt Vernon Place and Greenmount cemetery (one of my favorite places to take photos>>!!!).

For whatever reason, I was quickly immersed in their world. Their manner of dress and the atmosphere that Ms Mitchell created were so vividly described down to the sounds and smells, without forcing some sort of history lesson or being too wordy to understand.

Here is an example of Why I LOVE THIS BOOK===> "Before I boarded, I turned back to look at the city of my summer. All the huddled row houses clung together, making blocks of streets, and neighborhoods of blocks. Horse cars rang their merry bells, and Arabers called-- apples apples apples and an orange! oranges! All the color of it seared on my skin, red brick white marble, blue skies."

Ms Mitchell's style of writing is very melodic, and her story telling is wonderful. I feel that she caught the essence of these characters and I truly wanted to find out what happened to them. I was left curious about some untold futures, and I was also left saying what a wonderful read.

Amelia, thrust into an unfamiliar world was sent from her home in Maine by her brother to find a suitable husband, instead she found Zora her distant cousin and two became fast friends. She went in search of a husband and found a life.

Now I am not going to spill the beans about what the twists of the story are, but let it be known there are some good ones :O) I can't wait to read more...

I have serious love for this one... Well done to Sandra Mitchell and thanks to NetGalley for the wonderful read. I will be purchasing a Hardcover copy to add to my collection. Twitter @SaundraMitchell.

Review: Ruined by Paula Morris

" Welcome to New Orleans: City of Voodoo and Beauty. Of Hurricanes and Hauntings..."

Amazon Description.. Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.

A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.

As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

My Review...

I was entranced by this book. Ms Morris has a wonderful writing style. You can tell she has a great affection for the South and New Orleans.

While I was reading Ruined I could imagine that I was in New Orleans, wondering amongst the tombs....

Murder, Lies, Betrayal, Secrets, a Young Spirit and a 150 year old Curse.... Ruined has wonderful plot twists and turns, just when you think you have it all figured out... zing.. another twist. I love a book that I don't have figured out in the first quarter of the book (even if at the time I think I do :O)

The book starts out with Rebecca being forced to move to New Orleans while her father's work takes him to China. She will be staying with her colorful "Aunt," her fathers oldest friend, a free spirited taro card reader and her daughter.The private school is far too classist for Rebecca. She just wants to do her time and go home.The town's snooty rich kids are getting away with anything they want. One night Rebecca hears them going into the Lafayette Cemetery across the street. It is locked after dark. Curious, she follows them into the forbidden cemetery where she runs into the first girl that is kind to her, Lisette. But what is this little girl doing in such a place at night.. is she .. could she be... a Ghost?? Rebecca is warned to keep away from the cemetery and the privileged teens.

What ensues is a wonderfully evocative story that I don't want to spoil for you by giving away too many details. :O)

You will get to follow along with Lisette's story of life and death and the strange routine that she had been forced to follow for over 150 years... Rebecca's journey of discovery within post Hurricane Katrina New Orleans a town with history,secrets & traditions.

Ruined is a wonderful mix of past and present... I give Ruined 5 Stars

Review: The Van Allen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.


I have just finished the fourth installment of the Blue Blood series, The Van Allen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz. Over the 4 books I have come to care about the characters in this series. My goodness did Ms de la Cruz mess with them!

The story starts off a year after Revelations left off. Schuyler Van Allen and Oliver Hazard-Perry are on the run from the Conclave after Schuyler has been convicted of killing her Grandfather Lawrence.

There are so many plot twists and turns that my head was spinning.... ohhhhh not him........ ohhhhh not that.... geeeeze..... Nooooo way.... It is truly a compelling suspenseful and complex story. You have to pay attention more in this installment. A lot of the back story is filled in. The book POV rotates between, Schuyler’s, Mimi’s and Bliss’s viewpoints.

Lets not forget that Mimi Force joined forces with Kingsley Martin (*My favorite Character*)as part of his Venator team. They search for Sophia the Watcher. I liked the interaction between Mimi and Kingsley,
also the way the Characters changed and grew as the story progressed.

With the Love triangle :O)? getting more complicated between Jack, Mimi Schuyler, Oliver,and........ ohhh no I am not going to spill da beans...

And Brother... the way this story ends I am sure that there will be some major plot twists and surprises. I can't wait to see what Ms de la Cruz has in store for us next! I feel that this is the strongest plot driven story of the series.

it is really a 4 1/2 :O)

Review: Bitten By Cupid

Vampire Valentine by Lynsay Sands
Mirabeau LaRouche knew she had a job to do, but she never expected her assignment to take her through New York City′s dark, dank underground-in her bridesmaid gown, no less! And when her partner turns out to be mortal private investigator Tiny McGraw, Mireabeau knows it′s no ordinary Cupid′s arrow that has struck her heart this Valentine′s Day.

Review: I have been a fan of the Argeneau Series since I first found this fun Vamp Family. This time we get to visit with some of our Favorites! With the long awaited Multiple Weddings!

While Tiny McGraw has his private eye duties to help get a young new vamp to safety. He is a bit worried when he finds out that the Matriarch of the family has suggested him for the job... His new partner is Mirabeau a Rogue Hunter. She has a brokenhearted past and has never opened herself up for love. But when Marguerite interferes it usually means someone is going to fall in Love. This was a wonderful companion to the Beloved Argeneau series. It left me wanting much more. So I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment Fall 2010 – Born to Bite - Armand’s story – Book 13

Hearts Untamed by Pamela Palmer
Ten years ago Zeeland left D.C. to join the Therian Guard, needing to put some distance between himself and the still-too-young Julianne. Now he′s returned, in the midst of a Valentine′s celebration to find Julianne more beautiful than ever, still angry at him for leaving, and up to her lovely eyebrows in an intrigue that threatens both of their immortal lives.

Review: Pamela Palmer is a new Author for me! And I have to say WOW! I soo enjoyed this short story that I have ordered the rest of the Feral Warrior books.

This is a stand alone story so you wont get lost not knowing what the previous stories were. Julianne is a beautiful young woman with a secret. No one around her seems to see through her deceptions that all is well, until Zeeland returns unexpectedly. At once he knows there is something a miss. What ensues is a well crafted story of love and fruition. This story will wet your appetite for more of this world.



Kiss and Kill Cupid by Jamie Rush
Kat Morgan has no use for Valentine′s Day, since hearing other people′s thoughts puts a real damper on any kind of intimate relationship. When she overhears the Killer Cupid serial killer targeting her for his Valentine′s Day murder, Kat is terrified. But is Adrian, the one man whose thoughts she can′t hear, her savior, or killer?

Review: Jamie Rush has penned a interesting story about a woman, Kat Morgan. She has a special gift, she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. When she enters a coffee shop for the job interview of her dreams, she hears the thought of a killer... Who could it be.

She looks around and sees no one especially sinister. She goes and joins her perspective new employers, Adrian and Owen. While she having her meeting the killer takes a special interest in her. He thinks about her interesting outfit and what he would like to do with her scarf. Kat has never met anyone that she couldn't hear their thoughts. Until Adrian. Will he be her rescuer or her demise.....

Review, Demon Princess by Michelle Rowen

Demon Princess by Michelle Rowen

As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her growing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?
Ok here is my review, Demon Princess by Michelle Rowen.. It was wonderfully different, not your formula teen love story. I love the cover. I have to say if I were browsing in a bookstore it would definity catch my eye.

The characters are very relatable. Great story, well thought out relationships. This story grabs you right away and never lets go! Wicked fun! Nikki thinks that she is finally going to have a "Normal" life for once. She has just moved again. Her Mom has remarried again. But this time she has a true friend. Who just happens to be one of the most popular girls in school. She has a date with one of the most popular boys in school...... She should have know her normal wouldn't last.

Turning 16 is hard enough. But getting summoned by the father you never had and he is A Demon, King of the Shadowlands. Nikki finds herself drawn to Micheal a mysterious boy that has come to take her to her father. Of course she believes none of it.....until... something ticks her off. She will never be quite the same.


My head is already trying to figure out what will be the focus of the next book in this series. Demon Princess Book 2 Reign Check. Lets just say I really hope that Demon dad Desmond gets to see the love of his life again! sigh. 4 outta 5 stars

Review: Lover Avenged by JR Ward

Lover Avenged by JR Ward
Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood.

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a symphath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

A Spoiler free review....
OK here it goes.... Hold on to you seatbelts your in for a bumpy ride! :O)
Lover Avenged is a wonderful roller coaster of a ride!! I loved each and every page. There was never a point in Lover Avenged that I was tempted to skip forward a single word. I thought this book was excellent. The pacing was very good and really advanced the story-line arc.
Rehevenge the Symphath has always been a complex character. He is good (brother, son), bad (drug dealer, murderer,all around hard ass), loyal (friend, employer) but newly added to the list is a kind and sympathetic lover! Rehevenge has always thought he would never deserve to be loved.
Ehlena is a good person. She is a kind, thoughtful daughter and nurse. Her life has not been an easy one. With her fathers illness and reversal of fortune. She fines it very hard to find time or the energy to have a social life.
All Vampire's know the law that any Symphath has to be reported and sent to the Symphath colony, as soon as they are found out in the Vampire socity.
We get to see many more of our favorites than we have in some of the other books. Wrath,Beth, Thorment, Lassiter, John Mathew, Xhex and iAm. There was a very good balance of story lines. Ms Ward has her Bro banter down to an art form. As well as more of Lash and his new found evil strength.
It has also set up the next book in the series, Lover Mine - John Matthews book, and OMG I can not wait.



I give Lover Avenged YYYYY outta 5 Y's Tis Awesomeness!! My first perfect read of 2009.

Hunted by PC and Kristin Cast

Amazon Product Description Hunted a House of Night Novel What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you?At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down.

Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well – they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home – but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Eric, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?
MILD SPOILER ALERT...........................

Here is my little review..........
So much of the book seems to do nothing but recap the ending of the previous novel. That was a bit of a waste of time.
The whole Zoey, Erik, Heath, and Stark "thing" is becoming increasingly annoying and unrealistic. As much as it is common for teens to be "boy-crazy," usually they are able to choose one person and stick with them for a more a blink of an eye. Zoey can't even stick with one character for more than a page. Just pick one already! (Well, pick Stark....I have really started to dislike Erik and feel Heath just too obsessed... ;O)
The story was moving right along until they group headed back to the House of Night.
I anticipated a much stronger story from Kolona, Neferet and the rest of the evil doers. Zoey seems a little easily gotten out of trouble. To many quick fixes in this installment.
As a result, my favorite character is Aphrodite. She's much more interesting and complex.
She is true to her self and isn't going to change for anyone. Plus her love for Darius a handsome brave Son of Erebus (can you tell I am digging there part of the story)
But despite the flaws that I feel are glaring in this installment of the series, I will read the next one. After all, the major strength of this series is the ability to create suspense and leave great cliffhangers. I have very much enjoyed the rest of the series. I truly hope the next installment gives more answers than questions. And Doesn't have the end of the installment pretty much at the same place it started out.

YY out of 5 Y's "Worth the Read"

Review: Stakes and Stilletto's

Here is My Review of Stakes & Stilettos by Michelle Rowen

Newly vamped Sarah Dearly wants her normal life back, but fate is fighting against her. She tries to get a regular job and gets staked in the interview, only to be rescued by a masked vampire who calls himself the Red Devil. Then a wallflower-turned-witch curses her, making her a bloodthirsty, sun-allergic nightwalker--the worst vampire there is. As if all that weren't enough, she can't get married because her 600-year-old boyfriend, Thierry, is in a centuries-long marriage of convenience he can't escape.As Sarah's nightwalker tendencies make her more dangerous, even to those she loves, she'll have to counteract that curse, unmask the increasingly intriguing Red Devil, and get a commitment from her man. But if that's what it takes to secure her happiness, Sarah is ready...even if it means embracing her inner vamp to do it.

Stakes and Stilletto's is the 4th installment in the Immortality bites series.
It is hard to believe that all the books take place in a 10 week time frame!
Poor Sara has gotten herself into a mess this time! All She wanted to do is go to her high school reunion, with her gorgeous 600-year-old boyfriend. Add to the mix a mysterious stranger. Vampire hunters. An angry ex class mate that just happens to be a witch. And her Thierry's wife..

This book is packed full of twists and turns.
I love a book that isn't predictable.

Thierry melted my heart in this one.


I cant wait for TALL, DARK & FANGSOME!! Which will sadly be the last in the series.

If you love Vampire's and you haven't already checked out this series, you should.
My rating: YYYY of 5 Y's " I Really Liked It!"

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Well here is goes!
I am going to try my hand at a review........


The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé.

Ok I picked up this book just because of the Title.

Then after I started reading it I found a most charming but unlikely family to fall in love with. From the vegan animal loving adoptive parents and there down to earth daughter Jessica. Then enter spoiled arrogant Vampire prince in training. Who never had a loving relationship with anyone. And a strike of a brilliant idea to have the letters to home showing his growth was such fun.
The scene between Lucias and Jessica's mother were just touching.

The only change I wish had been made was to have a little more.....at the end. Just a few more pages.....
I realize it is a YA.... So I sincerely hope there is a sequel. Well that is my first review of 2009.

so outta 5 posible Y's

I give it
YYYY