Morelli vs. Ranger

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich is her newest novel in the Stephanie Plum series.

Stephanie finds herself with the task to bring in Uncle Sunny, a local wiseguy and very popular, not to mention that he is Morelli's godfather.  He is so well liked that no one wants to help her on her task to bring him in.  In fact, his cronies are making life really tough for her. She is dealing with a lot of flack on the Uncle Sunny case, including being cursed, once again, by Morelli's grandmother Bella.

She has also been recruited by Ranger to help solve some local murders.  Someone is killing old woman and dumping their bodies in a dumpster.  Then there is a giraffe that just happens to wondering around the city.

Stephanie is tried of getting shot, falling down stairs, and other bounty hunter crap.  A broken finger and broken nose later, she is sure of giving up the job.  She just wants to find the granny killer for Ranger before she is done completely.

The Stephanie Plum books are laugh out loud funny.  In fact, I don't even read them in public because I have been known to laugh pretty loud from them.  This book is no exception to that.  Ms. Evanovich is a master of creating hilarious situations with Stephanie, who gets her man more by dumb luck than skill any day of the week.

But twenty books later, and Stephanie still cannot make up her mind between Morelli and Ranger.  I get they are both awesome in their own way, but damn girl pick a man.  Me, personally, I am a Morelli girl, but I have friends that are all about some Ranger.  I have a theory on that.  I have found that women that are single and never been married seem to be Morelli fans, but women who are married or divorced are Ranger fans.  Please weigh in on which Trenton hottie you prefer, and if my theory has any substance to it more than mine own experience.

If you need a good laugh, you should check this book out.

Currently Reading:
Grave Mercy
by Robin LaFevers

Another Reason Not to Trust the Fey

Ritual Magic is the latest book is Eileen Wilks' Lupi series.  It is one of my favorite series with great characters and plots in all the books.  This book includes all my favorites in it at some point.

At Lily's mother's birthday celebration, her mother, Julia, suddenly can't remember anything past her twelfth birthday.  Lily knows there is magic at work her, but it feels different from the magic she is used to dealing with.  When Cullen arrives, he confirms her suspicions that the magic is more of spirit influence that normal magic.

Lily soon learns that her mother was not the only one affected by the memory loss.  Drummond is back, and tells her she is fighting two enemies this time around, Friar with his fey artifact and something new and more dangerous.  She also learns because the magic is more spirit, that her Gift does not protect her from its affects.

She and Rule, with the help of many of their friends, must stop their enemies, both old and new, from tearing apart their world.

I simply adore Rule and Lily's relationship in these books.  Their love is beautiful, and they just seem so right for each other.  I like how they know just how to comfort the other in their time of need.

This a book had some really good plot points in them, but I have to say that I figured out pretty quick who was working with the new enemy in the book.  If you really thought about it, it was obvious.  I did like that this book allowed all my favorites back, and we got to see some of them in a new light, like Benedict and his worry over Nettie.

So there are rumors that this was the last book of the Lupi series.  I cannot confirm that on Ms. Wilks website, in fact it looks like she plans of writing more.  I really hope that this one was not the end because I still have questions and she left some pretty open points like what happened to Friar.  It seems like a bad idea to end the series, and leave the fate of the main antagonist up the air.

Loved Ritual Magic, just hope there are more books.

Currently Reading:
Takedown Twenty
by Janet Evanovich

Thieves and a Hitman

The Dream Thieves is the second book in Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle series.  This book focus more on Ronan, than any of the other characters.  Not that Blue, Gansey, Noah, and Adam aren't there plenty, but this is more about Ronan's story, like The Raven Boys was more of Blue's story.

Ronan has a special talent, which he inherited from his father.  He is able to bring objects out of his dreams.  It is a talent that got his father killed, and now others are looking for him to own this talent.  Ronan learns that he is not the only one that possesses the ability to take from dreams, and the thieving from dreams is throwing off the balance of the ley line that they awoke in The Raven Boys.

Adam is dealing with his on problems. Since his sacrifice at Cabeswater, he is has not been the same.  Everyone can feel it, but they are tiptoeing around him because lately his temper has gotten the best of him.  After he loses his recent memories after an argument with Gansey, Adam must face who has become, and step up to who he is suppose to be.

The mysterious Grey Man willing admits he is a hitman, but avoids his past at all cost.  He is the best at what he does, but this job has him reconsidering his priorities.

Then there is Blue who is dealing with her predicted future and her growing feelings for Gansey.

Maggie Stiefvater has an amazing way with words.  She makes the book flow so beautifully, even when she switches between characters, it does not feel choppy.  She has a way of making her characters feel mystical and attainable all at the same time.

I was fascinated by Ronan in the first book, and was super excited that this book would focus on his story.  I was so glad that it did not disappoint.  Ronan walks that fine line between the need to feel and suicidal. The more I learn about his family, the more I amazed I was that he was even sane, especially when you learn what his mother is/was.

The Grey Man added an interesting new aspect to the story.  Someone I really did not want to like at first, but somehow ended up thinking he was great.  While a hitman, I would not call him evil.  He is more a survivor than anything else.

The ending to this one was dozy!  It leaves me with so many questions, and theories on what will happen in the next two books.  I can't believe I have to wait like a year for the next one.  Reader problems!

Currently Reading:
Ritual Magic
by Eileen Wilks

Queen of Cliffhangers

Origin is the newest in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux series.  If you have not read the series, you need to check this one out.  If you are planning to read the series and have not, skip this review because there will be big spoilers from the previous books.

Origin picks up with Katy waking up in terrible pain after her capture by Daedalus.  She is in a new facility in Nevada, Area 51 anybody.  The "nice" folks of Daedalus are examining and testing Katy to ensure that her transformation to hybrid is stable.  

Daemon is determined to get his Kitten back.  He goes back to Mount Weather to find her.  He makes a deal with Nancy Hustler to do anything she wants as long as he can see Katy first.  

Katy and Daemon soon learn what all Daedalus has planned for them, and what is the outcome if a Luxen and hybrid have a child together.  They have to work their way out of more than one sticky situation, sometimes with the help of others like Luc and Archer.

Daemon and Katy are one of my favorite YA book couples.  I love that in the beginning is was not about love at first site, in fact they did not even really like each other.  For them it was more of getting to know each other that caused them to fall in love.  They have a fantastic banter between them that makes reading them fun and entertaining.

I loved that Origin was from both Katy and Daemon's point of view.  I thought JLA did a great job of giving each character a distinctive voice in their parts.  Even if I had not read who's part the chapter was, I could have picked out which character's POV it was in.

This book had some really great OMG moments in it, but the one where Dawson makes the announcement about Beth, I totally saw coming.

I do, however, object to one line when Katy said that Daemon looked about as cuddly as a pit bull.  I happen to know quite a few very cuddly pit bulls.  Pit bulls are awesome dogs!

I do have a little of a love-hate relationship with JLA's endings.  She is a master of the cliffhanger.  I can't believe I have to wait until next summer to find out what happens next.

Currently Reading
The Dream Thieves
by Maggie Stiefvater

Brazen

Brazen is the newest novella set in Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld universe, and finally Nick Sorrentino gets his own story. Up until now, he has been a great supporting character, especially in the books focusing on Elena and Clay.  Now Nick gets to be the star, and I, for one, was pretty excited about getting to know more about Nick.

Nick has grown up a lot in recent years, taking on more responsibility.  Including mentoring the packs youngest membranes, Reese and Noah, and spearheading the hunt to track down Malcolm Danvers.  He is smart and charming.  He has enlisted the help of a supernatural mercenary group to track down Malcolm's location so the Pack can resolve the matter.

He meets with his contact, Ness, who much to his surprise is a code name for Vanessa.  She is a former FBI, who happens to be a half-demon.  Her clumsy attempts to flirt with Nick at the first meeting starts her out on the wrong foot.

When her agent calls in trouble in Detroit, where she has located Malcolm.  Vanessa and Nick team up to hunt down Malcolm, and discover a mutual attraction to each other.

I really like Nick. Like I said before he is smart and charming, without being cocky.  He is also quite the gentleman.  I liked learning more about Nick, like he is an omega wolf, and his protectiveness of those he loves.

I thought Vanessa has a very realistic personality.  She is confident in abilities, but can admit her flaws.  I love her awkward moment of trying to flirt with Nick, but pretty much sucking at it.  I was laughing when she was tipsy and explaining to Nick her lack of flirting skills.

I thought they were a couple well fit for each other.  I was a little disappointed the way the story ended, and really wished it was longer.  I know that Ms. Armstrong said that Thirteen was her last full length Otherworld book, but I really hope she decides to give Nick and Vanessa a novel.  I think they could go so much further in their story.

Currently Reading:
Origin
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Tis the Season

Christmas Bliss is Mary Kay Andrews' newest holiday novel, and it brings back old favorites, Weezie and Bebe (Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze, and Blue Christmas).

Weezie is busy getting ready for her Christmas wedding to Daniel. It is especially stressful since Daniel is away in New York City as a guest chef.  At Bebe's instance, Weezie  makes a surprise trip up to see Daniel. She discovers that NYC is wonderful to visit, but home is truly where the heart is.

Bebe is eight months pregnant with her and Harry's child.  She is working at the Breeze Inn desk, when a lady walks in a drops a bomb on her.  She is still legally married to her second husband.  So now not only is she dealing with pregnancy, fixing up a house, but now she must track down her ex and get that divorce he promised her he filled years ago.

I simply love MKA's writing style, a little humor, a little romance, and a lot of southern charm.  Weezie and Bebe are such wonderful characters.  The things that they say and do are things I have been known to say and do.  They are a great picture of a southern woman.

Oh, and the setting in this book is one of my favorites.  Savannah is probably my favorite city.  The charm, the food, and the beauty of the city is captured so well by MKA.  It truly makes me miss living there.  Plus you get the bonus of Christmas time in NYC.

This is a wonderful little book you get you into the holiday spirit.  My only regret is that I missed being able to pick up an autographed copy and meet MKA when she was in Raleigh for a signing (Vet school problems).

Currently Reading:
Brazen
by Kelley Armstrong

More than a Plain Jane

Tempest Reborn is the sixth and final book in Nicole Peeler's Jane True series. If you haven't read the series and plan to,  this review will contain spoilers from previous books.

This book essentially picks up right where Tempest's Fury ends, with Blondie dead and Anyan being taken over by White.  After those events, Jane basically goes into a catatonic state with the help of the Creature.  She comes out of it when she realizes it is up to her to save Anyan and stop Red and White.

First big hurdle is how to kill White but not kill Anyan, which brings into play the Universe and how to keep the balance that Red and White throw off.  Next problem is how to permanently put an end to Red and White so that they cannot cause chaos in the world again.

Jane has her work cut out for her, lucky for her she has a great support group in her friends and family.  Jane learns the meaning of true sacrifice and saving the world is not as easy as it sounds.

I would love to write more about the story, but the book is so fast pace that I am afraid that I would give away too much if I wrote more.  That was nice about this book because Ms. Peeler could have easily made this book drag on.  Not to say there were not parts that didn't drag.  Like some of the battle scenes felt like they dragged and were a bit to rehearsed feeling to them.

Jane does make the final step in her transformation into the Champion in this book.  She truly came into her own power, and is no longer the plain Jane she thought she was from Tempest Rising.  Although, there were a quite a few Jane crying scenes which I though could have been toned down a little.

I did think that Ms. Peeler did wrap up her story well.  She did not leave me with unanswered questions.  Oh, and bonus points for Supernatural, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and True Blood references in the book.

Currently Reading:
Christmas Bliss
by Mary Kay Andrews

Three for the Price of One

Instead of just getting one review today, I have three reviews.  They are all from Nalini Singh's Psy-Changling Series, two novellas, Declaration of Courtship and Texture of Intimacy and one novel Heart of Obsidian.


Declaration of Courtship is the story of Cooper, a SnowDancer leutinant, and Grace, a submissive wolf.  The story takes place between Play of Passion and Kiss of Snow.

Cooper has had the hots for Grace since she arrived to his part of SnowDancer territory.  He has been restraining himself for six months and can wait no longer to make his move.  He knows he has to go slow because she is a true submissive and he doesn't want to scare her.

Grace has fantasy about Cooper, but knows nothing will come of it.  She is caught completely off guard when Cooper declares his intentions for her.

They must work through their place in the pack in order and how to trust each other to make their love work.

What I liked most about this story was the way it explained better the hierarchy in the pack.  I really like Grace will submissive she was still strong.



Texture of Intimacy is the story of Walker and Laura and takes place between Kiss of Snow and Tangle of Need.

Walker Judd is a psy who Silence was never perfect, but he has never felt the way he does now about Laura.

Laura is the SnowDancer healer who gave her heart to Walker long before he was ready to give into his emotions for her.

They must learn how to deal with their new found love.

This one was a really sweet little love story.  I liked seeing how Walker and Laura learned to deal with their feels.  I really liked their relationship with Walker's daughter, Marlee, and his nephew, Toby.  It provided for some really great family moments.



Heart of Obsidian is the newest novel in Psy-Changling series, and in it we finally get the truth about former Psy Councilor Kaleb.  In the few books before this one, Ms. Singh has hinted at Kaleb having a bigger goals than he shows outwardly.

For seven years Kaleb has been searching for the most important person to him.  When he finds her, he is not sure she is entirely sane anymore, but he will make those who took her from him pay for what they did.

Sahara is a member of the NightStar Psy clan who is a designated a backseer, but she is much more than that.  She never really condition to Silence, and as a child befriended the lonely Tk Psy who was abused by his guardian.   For year she locked her mind into a labyrinth so that her captors could not use her.  Now she has been rescued by a dark, dangerous man, but in her heart she knows she can trust him.

I love Kaleb, just going to a head and throw that out there.  He is dark and broody, but would move mountains for the woman he loves.  While his moral compass maybe a bit askew, many times he does the right thing.   Oh and we learn that Kaleb was the Psy child that saved Annie, Stoke of Enticement, when the bullet she as on as a child de-railed.

Sahara love for life is infectious.  I love her philosophy on the right way to use her powers, never do anything you would be ashamed to tell your kids. She really is the light to Kaleb's darkness.

Bonus to this book, we finally learn who The Ghost is.  The plot was great, and the ending will definitely be turning the Psy world on its head.  I can't wait to see where the series continues to go from here.

Currently Reading:
Tempest Reborn
by Nicole Peeler

Serious Book Hangover

As reward for tackling the beast that is the NAVLE (vet board exam), I read Allegiant, the final book in Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy.  This book is definitely an emotional roller coaster.  I actually finished reading it early this afternoon, but waited to write my review because need to really process all the feelings that Ms. Roth gave me with the book.  Honestly, hours later I am still a little in shock but I will soldier on.

Allegiant picks up a little after the end of Insurgent with Tris imprisoned by the Factionless for her actions working with Marcus.  With Tobias's help, she is able to avoid charges of treason, and once free, they work on rebuilding their relationship. The Factionless in charge does not really seem any better than when Jeannine was in charge.  They are trading one tyrant for another.

A rebel movement begins to form called Allegiant, who want to know that is outside the city, and bring down the Factionless.  Tris, Tobias, Cara, Christina, Uriah, and Peter leave the city to discover what is outside.  There they find out that there is a government agency that has been monitoring all along.

The government types explain to them that the human race tried genetic manipulation to weed out the bad traits in people, but that brought on another whole slew of problems which lead to the Purity Wars.  Other cities, like Chicago, were set up in order to make people genetically pure (GP) again.  Chicago has been their greatest success so far.  They look for GP's by seeing if they are Divergents, all others are considered Genetically Damaged (GD).

While the government talks a good game, Tris and Tobias soon discover there is more to them than what they seem, and that they don't really have people's best interest in their goals.

I am going to go ahead and say my biggest problem with the book is the switching between Tris and Tobias's POV.  Not that I have a problem with POV changes in general, but I felt like the writing style between Tris and Tobias was not different enough to make it feel like a different characters perspective. I understand why Ms. Roth did it, because in the end it was necessary. I just wish she had developed a different style for Tobias to make him feel more like is his own character and not just an extension of Tris's character.

She did, however, did an amazing job of resolving the the story, even if she took my heart out and stomped on it in the process.  I thought that Suzanne Collins was the ultimate in breaking my heart after the Hunger Games, but she has nothing on Veronica Roth's ability to devastate you.

One of my favorite things about this book is the way it explores the concept of Nurture verus Nature.  Is it really our genetics that define who we are completely, or do outside things influence us just as much if not more than our genes?

This whole series is a must read.  Plus you don't want to be behind when the Divergent movie comes out in the spring.  Just be ready to be emotionally raw at the end, and keeping a tissue handy wouldn't hurt either.

Currently Reading:
Heart of Obsidian
by Nalini Singh

One Lucky Vampire

One Lucky Vampire is the latest book in  Lynsay Sands' Argeneau series.  The series is about a race made immortal by nanotech that keeps them at their peak health, but the nanos require more blood than the body can provide, so the immortals have to drink blood to supplement the nanos.

Jake Colson is not happy about being a immortal, even if the rest of his family are immortals.  He turned down the chance to turn at eighteen, and was turned against his will at 51 when an attack left him at death's door.  Angry and confused he turns his back on his family and moves to Ottawa to work as a body guard.

Seven years later, he is contacted by Marguerite about protecting the niece of her housekeeper, Nicole Philips.  Nicole is a noted portrait artist who happens to be going through a nasty divorce.  Her cousin worries that her soon-to-be ex is trying to kill her for money, so Marguerite has Jake posing as her housekeeper/cook in order to keep an eye on Nicole.

Jake might have gotten more than he bargained for with Nicole. Not only cannot he not read her thoughts, being that she must be his lifemate, but someone is definitely out to kill her.

I have to admit this is not my favorite of the series.  The story really felt rushed, and I didn't get a proper amount of time to fall in love with the characters.  Jake and Nicole felt a little one dimensional, especially after they kissed because from that point the book was mostly consumed by their physical relationship.  Now don't get me wrong, I love a good steamy romance scene, but there has got to be more to the story than that for me to really get behind the book. I am a little disappointed, Ms. Sands usually does a better job of bringing her characters to life than she did in this story.

Currently Reading:
Allegiant
by Veronica Roth