Review of Out In Blue (Return to Sanctuary #1) by Sarah Gilman

Title: Out In Blue (Return to Sanctuary #1)
Author: Sarah Gilman http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Source: ARC Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance – Archangels and Demons
Format: ebook – 250 pages
Release Date: August 2nd 2011
Entangled Publishing Website
Author's Website

In a violent world where fallen archangels are hunted for their valuable plumage, Wren knows one thing for certain: the human woman who saved him from a poacher attack will die if she stays with him. The demon responsible for his parents’ gruesome deaths two decades ago pines for the chance to rip apart any woman who stands under Wren’s wing.

Wren doesn’t expect Ginger to stay by his side once she discovers his ability to drain life with a mere touch, yet she lingers. When an unusual talent of her own reveals the location of Wren’s father, Wren’s isolated world implodes. With the help of the demon protectors he’s sworn never to trust again, Wren risks everything to rescue his father, confront the demon who stalks his and Ginger’s every step, and claim his eternity with the most courageous woman he’s ever known.

Rating -

Sexual -

My Review -

First off Out in Blue felt more like an UF novel then a PNR book because of the storyline surrounding the archangels and demons. There was a developing romance between the two main characters, archangel Wren and human Ginger, but the few scenes where the two were intimate read more at a YA level versus that adult level that I am accustom to reading. However, this does not take away from the book it being an interesting novel dealing with the dangerous existence that archangels and demons face trying to exist among humans who want to see them eradicated from the earth.

Wren is an archangel who has decided to live alone and not to trust anyone after the deep betrayal that rocked his existence and forced him to live in solitude from the other archangels. His heartache and sense of despair makes the reader become attached to his plight and wish for him to finally feel something for someone or allow someone to touch his lost soul.

Ginger is that person who may be able to make Wren open up his heart and soul once again. Ginger being raised by a demon after her own parents were killed has always felt a kinship to them and archangels then to her human counterparts who she sees as barbaric in their pursuit to hunt archangels for their feathers. When Ginger rescues Wren she finds that she is drawn to him by some force and is willing to sacrifice everything in order to ensure his safety.

In the process Wren and Ginger find that although they have known each other for a short time period they know that what they feel for each other goes at a deeper level then lust but a connection of souls that were fated to be together. The dramatic events that occur following Ginger's rescue of Wren and their desperate attempt to escape from the hunters on their trail and a nemesis from Wren's past who is bent on destroying everyone in his path makes this a page-turner that will be difficult to put down.

There are some surprising revelations that I will not reveal as to not spoil it for readers, but what I can say is that at 250 pages a lot of action and plot revelations occurs that leaves the reader surprised and wondering what is going to happen next. This is a wonderful start to a series that looks at archangels differently then other novels have and presents a storyline with so many possibilities that readers will be anxious to reader the next installment in the series. I for one can't wait to see what will happen next.

Review of Soul Reborn (Key to the Cursed Series - Book #1) by Jean Murray

Title: Soul Reborn (Key to the Cursed Series - Book #1)
Author: Jean Murray
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy - Gods, Goddesses and the walking dead
Format: ebook - 282 pages
Release Date: April 6th 2011
Author's Website

THE HUMAN REALM, HIS BATTLEFIELD

Asar, the Egyptian God of the Underworld, has been tortured and left soulless by a malevolent goddess, relegating him to consume the very thing he was commissioned to protect. Human souls.

DEADLY SECRETS BETTER LEFT UNEARTHED.

Lilly, fearless commander of the Nehebkau huntresses, is the only things standing in the way of the goddess' undead army unleashing hell on earth. Now an empty shell of hatred, Asar vows to kill the goddess and anyone involved in her release, but fate crosses his path with a beautiful blonde huntress who has a soul too sweet to ignore. But Lilly has a secret-one she is willing to sell her soul to keep. If the Underworld god discovers her role in the dig that released the goddess, she will lose everything, including his heart.

Rating -

Sexual -

My Review -

This is the first book in the series by Jean Murray and I want to start off by saying I was blown away by this book and I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series. This book had elements that would satisfy not only fans of paranormal romance but also urban fantasy fans as it combined Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, the walking dead, betrayal, and the world at peril against the backdrop of a hot and passionate romance.

The premise of the book is that a strange plague has infected the world that has turned humans into the walking dead who crave the hot blood of humans. The only defense the humans have against these walking dead is a league of Nehebkau huntresses who made it their goal to eradicate them from the world especially for Lilly. Until that point in time that was the only thing that was important to her until her encounter with a strange, powerful creature who turned her existence upside down. The moment she meets Asar she finds herself drawn to him and vice versa. Who wouldn't be drawn to the God of the Underworld who not only radiates power, but seduction with his gorgeous, muscular physique, shoulder length black hair and dark piercing eyes.

Asar has his own curse that he has had to endure that has left him with only hate and revenge to fuel him until he meets Lilly. There is something about her that tames and soothes him that he cannot explain since he has no soul to soothe. Yet the more time he spends with Lilly the more he finds himself opening doors within himself that he thought were shut closed for eternity.

The building sexual tension between the two of them grows so intense that when they do get together they sizzle off the pages. All I can say is Asar really knows how to rock a woman's world, literally, and the way he is described and what he does will make you wish you had him for yourself.

The other thing I want to mention is the author not only did an marvelous job of writing passionate scenes that were so hot that you wanted to put the book down to find your significant other at that very moment, but also writing such strong emotional scenes that you felt your heart ache with pain and sorrow.

The secondary characters were also so amazing. They didn't appear as fillers as some do in other books, but were so well fleshed out that you wanted to know more about them. At some points they provided some wonderful light comic relief within the story with the main characters.

This is a must read that will satisfy readers who want not only a hot, passionate romance but also action that will keep you glued to the pages and wanting to know what is going to happen next. I was extremely impressed at how much action did occur in this book and what makes me want to read book 2 is it ends with a cliffhanger.

As soon as Book 2 is out I plan to get my copy and savor getting reacquainted with everyone and continuing where the story left off and finding out what is going to happen next with these wonderful characters.

Sugar and Sin (Eververse #1) by Stella and Audra Price

Sugar and Sin (Eververse #1)
Stella Price and Audra Price
http://www.stellaandaudra.com

Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / Erotica

Dark Urban Fantasy Romance. What would you give for a second chance? Astrid, a witch, has often wondered what would happen if her lover, Fallon, a teleport demon, came back to her. After a year apart it seems fate will bring them together once more, and their relationship is going to be tested with a new threat to their lives and the lives of their friends. A reckoning is coming, and its time to choose sides. When the exiled demon prince Cassiel gives Astrid an offer she can't refuse, will her relationship with Fallon pay the price?

MY REVIEW:

SEXUAL:

Sizzling HOT!

Absolutely fantastic and enjoyable read. This hot story is full of sexy and endowed demons with lots of stamina that is guarantee to have you licking your lips and drooling heavily. All the characters were totally addicting with their humorous personalities and bad ass abilities and attitudes. The interaction between them had me cracking out loud in laughter. The plot and demon world was well creative and left me wanting to know more about these crazy demons in their quest for power, revenge, and their sexual lusty appetites. I am totally hooked and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

"Dark Descendant" Mini-Review

"Dark Descendant"
by Jenna Black

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: April 26, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.

Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . . Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy....

My Mini-Review: 

While I think fans of Urban Fantasy will enjoy this book, it was too dark for my tastes. I liked the idea of the characters being descendants of mythical gods. The gods were from the mythologies of different cultures, some well known, some lesser known. Even with this great starting point, the violence and cursing turned me off of this story. I suppose those aspects appeal to readers of the genre though because it seems to be common in Urban Fantasy books. I like the tone and voice in my reads to be a little softer and gentler, not so aggressive and in-your-face. I think I would like to try one of the author's YA fantasy books, because the grittiness might be toned down.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5 
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 3/5

 
Bottom Line:I would recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers because of the twist on the mythological characters, but this book didn't quite fit my tastes.

"Etched in Bone" Review

"Etched in Bone"
as Adrian Phoenix

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: Feb 22, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

SON OF A FALLEN ANGEL. FORGED IN VAMPIRE’S BLOOD. SWORN TO A MORTAL WOMAN. IF DANTE FALLS, THE WORLD FALLS WITH HIM. . . .

THREE LEGACIES ETCHED IN BONE

More beautiful and powerful than any creature the world has ever seen, Dante Baptiste has become the supreme target of the three worlds that spawned him. The mortal agents of the Shadow Branch have tried to control his mind through psychological torture. The vampire elders who guide nightkind society have plotted to use him in their bloodthirsty bid for power. And the Fallen have waited for millennia for Dante to claim his birthright as their Maker. But Dante belongs to no one—except the woman he loves. . . .

ONE PASSION SWORN IN BLOOD

Determined to face the Fallen and the world on his own terms, Dante hopes to piece together his shattered past and claim his future, with FBI agent Heather Wallace at his side. But in Heather’s human family awaits an unexpected enemy. One who could rip Heather from Dante’s heart and fill the holes with bullets. One who could force Dante to choose his darkest destiny—as the Great Destroyer. . . .

My Review:

This Urban Fantasy wasn't really my style, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. While I'm still not really a fan of the genre, I was able to see both the good and the bad in this story.

I liked the author's voice, it was much more natural than the other Urban Fantasy books that I've read. She wasn't trying so hard to say how hip, cool, and funny her main character was. Heather was much more natural, she just was cool and hip, she didn't have to use forced dialogue to prove it.

I also liked Heather and Dante's ability to speak to each other through their bond. The author was able to do a lot with it. Also, while the emphasis was definitely on the hot, passionate side of their relationship, you could tell they really loved each other too. There were even some tender moments that surprised me.
 
However, I wasn't into all of the violence in the book. That's part of why this isn't the genre for me. A lot of it felt like it was done for shock value. There was a lot of cursing in the book too, many times multiple times on the same page. I'm not against cursing, but this amount was distracting to me. 



Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This was a well written tale for fans of Urban Fantasy, the rest of us may just not get it!

Review: No Rest for the Wicca by T.C. Lotempio

Title: No Rest for the Wicca

Author: T.C. Lotempio

Source: Review Request

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Authors Website: www.freewebs.com/toni1953/

Format: pdf

Communing with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad – until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance. Someone’s killing pureblood witches- and the SFA’s convinced Morgan’s heritage (her father was a voodoo priest) could be instrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John – an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing – the two of them fight their attraction for each other as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world.

REVIEW:




SEXUAL:




Dee's Thougts:

Morgan Hawkes is half Wicca and the other half Voodoo roots. Suffering from the guilt she feels for her partners death, Morgan decides to forego homicide and takes a role as paranormal investigator or ghost buster. Until a rash of murders begins near the local university.

Cole St. John is an Inheritor vampire and a member of Special Forces Agency. Due to Morgan’s unique bloodline Cole feels she is the perfect partner to hunt down the killers and possibly his perfect woman. At first Morgan refuses, then her cousin, Xia, is almost the next victim and Morgan decides to join the hunt.

For me this novel was bogged down with to many different species of demons, and types of witches. Due to the overload I never got to really know and enjoy who the characters were and what they were capable of. Also, some of the content rambled a bit. I found myself tempted to skim ahead on more than one occasion. As far as the love scenes go they came up short for me. I would have liked to see more detail in the romance aspect of the novel.

All in all, the world the author is building has great potential, but came up a bit short in this novel.

Review Hunters & Prey (Immortalis #2) by Katie Salidas

Title:Hunters & Prey (Immortalis #2)
Author: Katie Salidas
Authors website
Source: Requested review
Genre: Urban Fantasy- Vampire
Format: Novel eBook, Kindle and today it is in print at amazon

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

My review
Rating-

Sexual-

 Katie Salidas writes another great adventure for Alyssa and her clan called Hunters Pray. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Again you get a mix of Urban Fantasy, romance and Dark Fantasy. I love how Kate can mix these genre’s together and write a good book that each one can enjoy.

Alyssa is still trying to settle in her new vampire life and she finds she is having awful dreams. One night while she is out feeding she runs into trouble and runs to her old hangout where her and Fallon always went to when she was human. From there Alyssa causes a turn of events that gets her and her old friend Fallon into deep trouble with the vampire hunter Quentin. Quentin has a suspire for them and they are very hard to kill.

I loved Fallon coming into the story and will be looking forward to reading more about her in this next book. You get to read the rest of the vampires in the clan and you also read Alyssa and Lysander romance gets deeper this time around.

I recommend this book to UF readers that doesn’t mind a good sex scene and romance readers that likes reading some on the dark side.  
Its best to read this series in order.
Series order
1. Immortalis Carpe Noctem
2.Hunters & Prey

Review Immortalis Carpe Noctem (Immortalis #1) by Katie Salidas

Title: Immortalis Carpe Noctem (Immortalis #1)
Author: Katie Salidas
Source: I bought at the authors website, when she was offering autographed books
Genre: Urban Fantasy- Vampire
Format: eBook or Paperback. Mine was a paperback 325 pgs
Authors website

Explore the emotional upheaval that is the transformation from human to vampire.
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: An unyielding thirst for blood as well as the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her new-found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

My review:
Rating-

Sexual-

Immortalis Carpe Noctem is a great mix of Urban Fantasy, romance and Dark Fantasy. It’s very hard for me to enjoy reading a UF book with me being a true romance reader, but this story I really enjoyed and I am looking forward to reading the next book. Be warned this story has some scenes are brutal. You get murder, rape and these vamps kills their human blood host innocent or not. I liked the way this story is written in Alyssa POV you get to really know her.

Alyssa is waking home alone when a man stops her and asks a question, as Alyssa answers she has no clue that the turn of events to come next would change her life forever. She has a hard time coping with her new life even with her savior Lysander teaching her and helping her all he can. You find Alyssa is stubborn and whines a lot. Then again I guess I would whine too, if I had to go thorough what Alyssa did.

Lysander is very protective with Alyssa and as you read you’ll find out it’s not only because he is the one that turned her. Lysander is very lonely and is in need of someone like Alyssa to keep him on his toes.

I recommend this book to UF readers that doesn't mind a good sex scene and romance readers that likes reading some on the dark side

Book two is Immortalis Hunters & Pray

Review An Everlasting Bite by Stacey Kennedy

An Everlasting Bite (The Blue Bloods #1)
Author Stacey Kennedy
Requested review
eBook
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance- Werewolf
Authors website

Love is born between strangers, yet built upon a bond soul deep―one Alpha’s vow to protect his mate from looming danger, all the while, mending her soul and stirring her wolfish desires.

A vicious Werewolf attack in Plymouth, Minnesota leaves a young woman violated, bitten and now, transformed into a Werewolf. But Rynn Murphy doesn’t have to face this transformation alone—she has her mate by her side. And the charming Briggs is eager to ease her into this new life and mend her battered soul.

With only weeks to adjust to her new fur, Rynn begins to understand what it truly means to be mated to the Beta, secondhand man to Valor, Patriarch of Wolves. Their leadership over the Alphas brings them in contact with the Montana Alpha, Hendrix. He is in a desperate state to find his abducted daughter. Valor and Briggs agree to give aid in her rescue leaving Rynn to tag along.

But this mission is not without danger. And soon, they discover the ones who have taken this young wolf do not want her found and will stop at nothing to keep her hidden. Or so it may seem, as bodies begin to drop around them, the murderous attempts start to appear more as a hit than a smoke screen—leaving only one question, who is the intended target…

 My review
Rating-

Sexual-

This is Stacey Kennedy’s new spin off from her Magic Sword series called The Blue Bloods series. This is my favorite by Stacey, the others are very good, but this wolf story just satisfied me in all the right areas. I loved everything about this book from the dangerous action to how Stacey wrote the wolves. You cant have to much dominant Alpha;) As always Stacey gives you romance, hot sex and leaves a happy ending. This book has an excellent mystery I never guessed it to be blank LOL you thought I was going to say it NOPE… So take a walk on the wild wolf side and give this one a try.

With this being a spin off you can read her Magic Sword series to find out more about this couple and I would suggest it, they are good books, but Stacey tells enough so you don’t really have to go back and read the Magic Sword series to understand this one.

Few spoilers

Rynn was thrown into this world by a horrible experience with a wolf, Now she is settling in and becoming more comfortable with her new life. In some new turn of events Rynn helps in a dangerous adventure along the way she finds her dead beat parents and she also finds this adventure will hit closer to home than anyone realized. I love reading Rynn and how strong she is, as each turn of events unfolds she becomes even stronger. She also finds out she has some special abilities.

Briggs is now one of my favorite wolves. He is strong and protective and knows how to take care of Rynn. In this new adventure he finds he has to step up and claim his mate sooner, then he has to deal with her dead beat parents and it doesn’t stop there, when things start to unfold his mate will be in the crossfire, will he be able to keep her safe or will he lose her? You have to read and find out.

A little warning here these wolves are more hard core killers then in your romance books.


This book gets a Top Bite Award

Review Gothic City Lights by Brindle Chase

Gothic City Lights
Author- Brindle Chase
Ebook- erotic paranormal-succubus demon and angel
I received this ebook for review form the author
Authors website




Book description

It was just a fling. Lilith Templeton had no clue he was a human agent working for the angels. No big deal, but she got caught and Mother Superior, Portland’s most powerful angel, wants penance. Or death, Lilith’s choice. Being a lowly half-demon and therefore not a participant in the never-ending war for souls, she knows it's insane to cross the full-blood demons like Mother Superior wants. But opting out isn't an option: do or die. For additional penance, she's paired with an angel who not only ignites her lust but something more. Lilith wants to fall in love, to know what it was like to share herself with just one man. Yet since succubi needed to stay sexually satisfied, falling in love with the angel of chastity is a mistake she can’t afford.

Gabriel would have never second-guessed his choice to ascend through the virtue of chastity. Until he meets Lilith. Now, his ascension would be forfeit if he cannot vanquish his need for her. Having no choice but to ignore the fire burning inside them, they work towards tempting the demon cult’s human leader into revealing the hideout. Lilith, sexually irresistible half-succubus, is the perfect bait. Get in, send the signal and wait for the angel to rescue her. Oh and not get killed, or tempt the angel. Simple, right?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content and graphic language.

Laurie's review
rating-

Sexual-

What’s not to like when you mix a half- Succubus demon with a virgin angel, and one she shouldn’t dare touch. I really enjoyed this ebook, the sexual tension is off the charts.

lite spoilers
Lilith is a half- succubus demon that finds she needs a purpose. While she is in Gothic City Lights club looking for her next sexual encounter. She’s already had everyone in the bar twice, so she wants someone different. When she notices a glow from a cigarette she cant help but see who it is. When she gets to the table she finds tonight’s special sitting with a Bible of all things. Lilith thinks he is lost, but nope he is to bring her to mother superior herself for a job that the angles cant take total care of. Mother Superior tells Lilith one thing in taking on this task and that is not to take Gabriel’s Virginity (ya, right). Can Lilith hold out. It may surprise you how long she lasted, it did me.

What I liked most was that for a succubus demon Lilith had urges, but after she seen Gabriel she couldn’t act on any of them no matter what the consequence to her demon side. Gabriel mad me mad in a few places he just never seem to take Lilith demon side in consideration. I really liked the story. It did drag a bit in the middle for me, but picked back up and was nonstop the rest of the way through. I look forward reading more form this author.

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

Unholy Ghosts- Downside Ghosts book one
Author Stacia Kane
Urban Fantasy
Mass paperback 325
Authors website




Book description
The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

Laurie's review
rating-

 
Sexual-

 

For a Urban Fantasy this book was good for me. The New world is ruled by a church called Church of Real Truth, Stacia explains the world really good and it doesn’t take up the whole storyline. There is lots of hard core action and one somewhat hot scene between Chess and Lex.

Chess has to have her drugs, if not she ends up with the itch. Bump is her supplier. She is in head over heals in debt with him. Bump gives her a ghost hunting job to help pay for what she owes him. From what I read I didn’t get the whole thing that she was so attraction to Bump’s enforcer there was a little tension there but that’s all I found. But when Lex kidnaps her, so he can get her to do something for him, then you’ll see the attraction kick in.

I had a one big problem with this book that is, the dialogue with the drug lords and their people. Here is a few lines “Ain’t you got no people be worried?” or this passage “Bump got the pull. Bump already got that place wide up, see, wide up. But Bump gotta problem. Bump planes-planes carrying them sweet pills you ladybirds like bumps plains crash. Something attacking the planes, dig? Make the go all silent.” Turns they off. This is though the whole book so make sure you can stand this kind of talk between the characters. Even if they talk like this, I found it annoying to read. I will say I enjoyed it enough to try the second book. I really didnt like all the pills Chess pop's but I'm intrested to see where the author takes this.

Work in Progress... Thursday?

I know, I know, I said I was going to spend February reading.

I did read Hush, Hush, and Evermore (and the Hunger Games and half of Catching Fire again), and I started a number of other books. I just haven't finished them yet. I even read a good chunk of Percy Jackson 4 yesterday on the streetcar. It's pretty good, just like the others, and the stakes are higher this time around.

The thing is, I just haven't been compelled to devour a book in a while. (Apparently, Suzanne Collins has ruined me for all other books. ;D )

Not to mention that I keep having these ideas, hearing these voices, thinking of plot revisions. First it was for my urban fantasy, which I just finished a third draft of.

Now it's EVANGELINE. Based on some recent feedback I was mulling over, last night I finally came up with a way to bring some of the elements into play earlier. It's going to be LEGEND... wait for it... DARY! LOL.

Most importantly, my passion for a story I was about to give up on has been rekindled. Which is a good thing, right? Eh, I don't really know anymore!


After I finished grad school, during which period I barely read for pleasure at all unless a new Harry Potter just came out, I promised myself all I'd do was read books. I went through a period where I rabidly caught up with series I loved or books I'd heard great things about. Then one day I had an idea. And I started writing. That idea didn't wind up going anywhere--not yet, anyway--but it got me back on the path. That's how I know I'm a writer. Though books were my first love, writing is my true love.

Sure, keeping yourself well-read is important, but if the muse strikes, is it more important to listen to her? I mean, this is why I started writing in the first place--yeah, I've read good books, but I've also read a lot that frustrated me or let me down in the end. I want my books to be someone's favorites someday. The kind of books that inspired others to become writers. Not that I want a fandom, or anything (although reading fan-fic would be kind of awesome). I just want to bring great stories to life and have others enjoy them. So I'm juggling three works in progress right now, hoping that one of them will be the first I share with the world.

Which is why my tbr pile comprises an entire shelf in a huge bookcase. Those stories aren't my "babies". I'll neglect them as long as I need to in order to care for my own. And when my babies start giving me headaches again, or I'm at a point where I can't work on any of them yet, my tbr pile won't have gone anywhere.

I made a promise to myself to read more books this year, but getting my novels ready to query has always been my first priority. And frankly, I find working on three works in progress to be less draining than investing hours in a book I wind up wanting to throw across the room.

What say you, world?