A Book Obsession..

Bloodfever

, by KT

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Fever #2

Mackayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a dark, deadly realm unlike any she ever imagined. In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year old book of the blackest magic imaginable that holds the key to power over both the worlds of Fae and Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae, who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman; and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries, the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them...

Mac starts to see a new side to herself in this book. She calls the two different sides "Savage Mac" and "MacKayla Lane." For most of the book she is trying to find a new balance between the two, but it seems it will only be a matter of time until "Savage Mac" takes over considering everything that keeps happening to her. She is having a hard time trusting anyone (rightfully so), and her savage side seems to be her best protection. I hope she is able to at least keep some of her MacKayla Lane side as this is what gives her some softness and prevents her from being completely ruthless like Barrons.

The sexual tension between Mac and Barrons is ratcheted up to a whole new level. I think its only a matter of time till one of them caves. They seem to be drawn to each other like moth to a flame, but both fight it tooth and nail. I love the banter and general friction between the two of them. In this case opposites don't just attract, they clash, fight, and combust. Barrons may be many things, but Mac can always count on his protection. Even though she may not trust his motives in other things, she knows her life is as safe as it can be in his hands.

V'lane steps up his attempts to woo Mac, but she adamantly refuses his "gift" of protection. You really shouldn't trust a "death-by-sex" fae, even if he promised to not harm her. Well, you really shouldn't trust any fae at all considering everything that's going is their doing. Mac is a smart girl and doesn't trust him at all. He is yet another player in this game that seems to want her and use her how they see fit.

Mac sure was put through the ringer in this book, and the events are changing her, hardening her. I think she will become a true force to be reckoned with, the only question will be, "At what cost?" This is a great second installment with plenty of action that will only suck you further into Mac's world. A very good read!

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Bloodfever: The Fever Series (A Mackayla Lane Novel)

Darkfever

, by KT

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Fever #1

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae...

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands...

MacKayla, also known as Mac, starts out as just a typical blonde 22 year old in this book. She's flighty and a little shallow, and loves the color pink, her only worry in the world is what she wants to wear that day. Everything changes when she gets the worst phone call of her life, the one that tells her that her sister, Alina, has been brutally murdered in Dublin. When she finds out the police have stopped investigating Alina's death, Mac sets out to find the killer herself. She quickly gets in way over her head when she runs into the mysterious Barrons and finds out she can see the Fae, a very rare talent. The Fae do not like to be seen, so Mac must learn everything she can from Barrons quickly if she is to have any hope of survival.

While she still has a ways to go, Mac did come a long way towards growing up and character growth. She was raised in a very sheltered life, and when she is thrown into this "new" one, it really showed. However, after much protesting, she finally started to realize that she couldn't just hide her head in the sand anymore. She is very important to the fate of humanity. I think with some time she will truly become a force to be reckoned with. Even at her most flightiness in the beginning, some of her inner strength showed considering only someone with a solid constitution would be able to fly across the ocean to a strange country to track down a murderer. Yes, this idea is a little foolish, but requires strength none the less.

I loved Jericho Barren's character. He is a gruff, opinionated, very masculine character. He does everything he can to get rid of Mac in the beginning, but when she gets too deep he takes her under his wing. He insists its not for altruist purposes, that he only is helping her because she can be of use to him. However, every so often he shows a slight softness under that gruff armor. I have a feeling a love interest is brewing between the two. I think the two would work well as they would balance each other out, with Mac softening him, and he would toughen her up some.

This book was really good, while mostly a world building book as it did take a while for anything to really happen. However, I didn't mind the initial slowness of the book, as Mac really needed things thrown at her slowly to give her a chance to grow up a little each time. It ended on a cliff hanger, while frustrating, makes me very eager to read the next installment. This book was a little dark, with no real romance, but there seems to be a definite potential in the future for that. It is a very good first installment in a series, and I cannot wait to see what more is in store for Mac.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Darkfever (Fever Series, Book 1)

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop (4)

, by KT

On fridays I participate in both Follow Friday and the Book Blogger Hop.

Follow Fridays is hosted by Parajunkee's View, and is just Fridays.

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books, and runs Friday to Monday. There are new rules for the hop, so make sure to check out Crazy for Books for the details.

This week's hop question is:

How many books are on your to be read shelf?

Well, that is a tough question since I don't really have an actual shelf since most of my books are ebooks for my kindle. I only buy signed hard copies for display. On my amazon wish list I have 46 books, but those are all firsts in a series, so it is many times that number. That wish list also does not include the next installments of any series I have already read. So, my best guess would be at least two to three hundred easy.

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

River Marked - Mercy Thompson #6

by Patricia Briggs

Publication Date: January 25, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: River Marked (Mercy Thompson, Book 6)

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Me...more Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She’s never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River—one that her father’s people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help…

I love the Mercy Thompson series. The covers are just amazing! I cannot imagine being able to paint that well. I really am excited to finally learn a little more about Mercy's heritage.

Total Eclipse

, by KT

Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden #9

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin, her husband, the djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that destroys the magic that keeps the world alive. The poison is destabilizing the entire balance of power, bestowing magic upon those who have never had it, and removing it form those who need it. It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos-and doom.

Now that Joanne and David sacrificed their powers to stop Bad Bob, they have to set out to find a way to get them back. Unfortunately, the black corner they created becomes a problem as it starts to kill the Djinn that are on board the ship with them. Once they finally reach shore, Joanne realizes that although their mission is a suicide one, they must take the risk. They may just be the only hope at stopping Mother Earth from wiping all trace of humanity from the earth. There are more than a few bumps along the way, but what else can you expect for a danger magnet like Joanne.

I was really glad Joanne and David got to enjoy a little time together before they set out on this crazy journey. He was a little awkward at first since being human is completely different for him, but quickly got the "hang" of it. It was really sweet and nice to see them together completely as equals, something they have never experienced before. This time together seemed to give the little break they both needed before they set out on a path that almost guarantees their destruction.

When a series ends it almost always is bittersweet for me. It is really to see the characters finally get some resolution. However, it is always sad to have to say goodbye. I think this series ended at just the right time. I don't think Joanne could have suffered and recovered from much more without it being completely unbelievable. The resolution came as a bit of a surprise, but it worked well. It wasn't happily ever after for everyone, but that does make it a more realistic outcome, even if some things really stink. Joanne and David finally find their peace and get something they never thought they could have. All in all it was a great end to an absolutely great series.

Once again I'll say that this series is truly a must read. Its a long, crazy adventure that makes you care for the characters and root for their success and ultimate survival. You will be amazed at the things Joanne survives and how she holds to her integrity and determination to save others throughout even the worst of times. Two thumbs way up!

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Total Eclipse (Weather Warden, Book 9)

Cape Storm

, by KT

Cape Storm by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden #8

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin and her new husband, the Djinn David, are running from a malevolent hurricane bent on destroying her. Joined by an army of fellow Wardens and Djinn onboard a hijacked luxury liner, Joanne has lured the storm into furious pursuit. But even their combined magic may not be enough to stop it-nor the power-mad ex-Weather Warden controlling it...

Now that Joanne has been claimed by a demon mark, she really cannot be trusted. Still, she sticks to her main character trait of always having to save the world, and sets out with the rest of the wardens to go and try to stop Bad Bob. I can honestly say I never expected the man behind the sentinels would be Bad Bob. It is kind-of ironic that the man who really started Joanne's crusade to save the world would be the one to show up in the end, and mark her with yet another demon. It will take everything she has, plus a little insurance to ensure Joanne doesn't become the conduit of destruction Bad Bob wants her to be.

It seems no matter what Joanne and David do, some outside force keeps trying to rip them apart. I had hoped their wedding would somehow give them five minutes of peace and happiness. This was a pretty foolish hope considering she planned the wedding to draw her enemies out, but it still would have been nice. Even through this book, they don't really get to spend much time at all in marital bliss, but they do seem to make good "use" of the time they do get. Sometimes the heat dies down in characters over times, but that is definitely not the case here.

I was pretty disturbed over seeing Joanne's dark side. I understand it really wasn't her, but the demon mark controlling her. It just was really hard to read when she was doing such horrible things. But, being the fighter she is, it never truly consumed her, there was always some part of her still in there. When she does get control back, the guilt consumes her even though she had no choice.

While there were a few moments of levity, this book was jammed packed with action, danger, and despair. It had more than a few shocking moments, with the ending being the worst of them all. Its going to take a lot for Joanne and David to dig themselves out of this mess, if they can at all. Be prepared for one heck of a fast paced read that looks to be gearing up for one heck of a finale.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Cape Storm (Weather Warden, Book 8)

Gale Force

, by KT

Gale Force by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden #7

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is on vacation when her Djinn lover, David, asks Joanne to marry him. She’s thrilled to say yes, even if some others may be less than happy about it.

Unfortunately, Joanne’s pre-marital bliss is ended by a devastating earthquake in Florida. And she can’t ask David and his kind for assistance. Because the cause of the quake is unlike anything Joanne has ever encountered—and a power even the Djinn cannot perceive.

Planning a wedding can sometimes drive a normal person insane. However, a wedding for Joanne can only be a recipe for disaster. Not only is Joanne a danger magnet, but everyone seems to want to prevent the wedding. The djinn don't want to stop it to make sure they cannot be bound as slaves again due to the vows David will make. Many wardens are against it due to lingering mistrust from the djinn attacks. But, the biggest danger might just be a new group called the Sentinels. They want the complete and total destruction of the djinn, as well as any warden who stands in their way. Of course, Joanne being who she is, is target priority one.

I was glad Imara wasn't really dead, but her new life is sort of bittersweet. Now that she is the new Earth Oracle, she cannot really leave her post inside that church. She really isn't the same anymore, she is so much more. Imara can no longer make decisions to support either of her parents, as she must serve Mother Earth above all. I was really hoping to see more of the mother/daughter dynamic that really only lasted one book, but it just does not look like that will be possible now. In the end, Joanne really did lose her daughter, even though she still is alive.

I found David's lack of trust and belief in Joanne in this book to be a little frustrating. I understand that being a djinn, he really knows "everything." But you would think after all they have been through together he would trust her when she says something is there even if he cannot see it. It was explained that the stuff actually made djinns incapable of understanding, but I still thought the bond between him and Joanne would have surpassed that.

This book was a little slower paced than the previous ones. I saw it as more of a bridge book. I don't think it was quite up to the par set by the other books, but it was still pretty good. There is only two books left in the series, and I can only imagine whats in store for Joanne before she finally gets some peace. Well, I hope there is at least a little peace in store for her. She's been through so much, its amazing shes even still trying at all.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Gale Force (Weather Warden, Book 7)

Teaser Tuesday (3)

, by KT

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is from Cape Storm by Rachel Caine. I just finished this book last night, and since I have not started a new book yet, this is it for the teaser. This one comes from 97% of the way in according to my kindle. (Sorry, no page number, that's one of the very few downsides to the kindle)

"It was a combination, of course. Words, and deeds. Fides mihi. Trust me. And his hand, giving me his heart. Fides mihi."

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (3)

, by KT

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Here's what I read this week:

Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane (Review)
City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane (Review)
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells (Review)
The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells (Review)
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (Review)
Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (Review)
Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (Review)
Windfall by Rachel Caine (Review)
Firestorm by Rachel Caine (Review)
Thin Air by Rachel Caine (Review)

Here is my list for the upcoming week:

Gale Force by Rachel Caine
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

After that I'm not really sure what is up next. Its all going to depend on what I see that is good for my kindle.

Thin Air

, by KT

Thin Air by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden #6

After preventing Mother Earth from destroying the planet, Joanne Baldwin lost her memories thanks to Ashan the djinn-and they will remain lost forever unless Joanne can recover her identity-and destroy the demon who is impersonating her, fabulous shoes and all...

The ending events of the last book were absolutely horrible emotionally. Ashan, the leader of the djinn who are against humanity killed Imara and completely wiped away all of Joanne's memories in an attempt to destroy her as well. This was all done in retaliation for stopping his plot to destroy humanity. In the beginning of this book Joanne wakes up naked in the snow with no knowledge of who she is. She is rescued by Lewis and David, but that does not go very smooth at first since she has no idea who they are. She reluctantly decides to trust them since they do seem to be helping her. Much to their surprise they realize she is now manifesting a new power category, earth. Lewis is the only other person who has manifested all three powers, so her new power really scares all of them as they do not know what it means. Joanne has always been powerful, but this takes it to crazy extremes and will make it interesting to see where it leads.

While trying to get back to warden headquarters to try and find out how to restore her memories, she runs into a demon who looks just like her. The demon has stolen her missing memories and idenitity, and if Joanne isn't careful she will lose everything to it. Joanne's position in the wardens is not something you would want a demon to have access to, as it would give the demon the means to cause a great amount of damage.

I cried so hard when Imara died. Even though she was only she was only around for such a short time, she was such an important part of Joanne's life. She had to make the heart wrenching decision to chose all of humanity over her daughter. It almost is a good thing Ashan stole Joanne's memories because I don't know if she could ever really forgive herself for choosing to not save her daughter, let alone function with that pain. At least for now she doesn't remember any of it, so the potential anguish at least isn't preventing her from going after the demon.

I almost didn't want to read this book because I didn't want to see and feel Imara's absence. Although it was really heartbreaking at times, I am glad I read it. The ending of this book gave a little bit of relief, but things are extremely tenuous at best. It wouldn't take much of anything to make everything come crashing down. I'm sure the next book will show even more craziness being thrown at Joanne, and luckily she has the new earth powers to help support herself.

Rating: