New Releases ~ week of 9/30/2013

**First of the month and it's a big one

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (#6 in Highland Pleasures)

Glittering Promises by Lisa T Bergren (#3 in Grand Tour )
Shadowlark by Meagan Spooner (#2 in Skylark)
Enigma by Moira Rogers (#6 in Southern Arcana)
Vigilante by Christin Lovell (#7 in Vamp Chronicles )
Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage by Valerie Bowman (#3 in Secret Brides )
Hero by Alethea Kontis (#2 in Woodcutter)
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (#3 in Mara Dyer )
Endless Knight by Kresley Cole (#2 in Arcana Chronicles)
The Lady in Red by Maire Claremont (#2 in Mad Passions)
Katies Forever Promise by Jerry Eicher (#3 in Emma Raber's Daughter)
Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance (#6 in Cassandra Palmer)

The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M Valente (#3 in Fairyland)
In the Heart of the Highlander by Maggie Robinson (#2 in Ladies Unlaced)
Possession by J. R. Ward (#5 in Fallen Angels)
Skating Under the Wire by Joelle Charbonneau (#4 in Rebecca Robbins)
Kick Start by Josh Lanyon (#5 in Dangerous Ground)
The Training by Tara Sue Me (#3 in Submissive)
Spy's Honor by Amy Raby (#2 in Hearts and Thrones)
Torn by Kim Karr (#2 in Connections )
Hunter's Moon by Lisa Kessler (#2 in Moon)
Drawn Together by Lauren Dane (#6 in Brown Siblings)
My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster (#3 in London Steampunk)

Perilous Shield by Jack Campbell (#2 in Lost Stars)
Golden Malicious by Sheila Connolly (#7 in Orchard Mystery)
Ghost Gone Wild by Carolyn Hart (#4 in Bailey Ruth)
Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen (#20 in Eve Duncan Forensics)
Born in Chains by Caris Roane (#1 in Men in Chains)
Hereafter by Kate Brian (#2 in Shadowlands)
Targeted by Katie Reus (#1 in Deadly Ops)
Poisoned Prose by Ellery Adams (#5 in Books by the Bay Mystery)
Darkness Rises by Dianne Duvall (#4 in Immortal Guardians)
Treecat Wars by Jane Lindskold, David Weber (#3 in Star Kingdom )
Splinter Cell: Blacklist by Peter Telep (#2 in Tom Clancys Ghost Recon)
Dragons Run by Robert Asprin, Jody Lynn Nye (#4 in  (Dragons))

Pharaoh by David Gibbins (#7 in Jack Howard)
Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles (#1 in Wild Cards)
Claimed by the Demon by Doranna Durgin (#2 in Demon Blade)
Tainted by A. E. Rought (#2 in Broken)
Treacherous Kiss by Ella Dominguez (#3 in Crimson Kisses)
Three Can Keep a Secret by Archer Mayor (#25 in Joe Gunther)
Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano (#1 in Internment Chronicles)
Midnight's Temptation by Donna Grant (#7 in Dark Warriors)
Zom-B Baby by Darren Shan (#5 in Zom-B)
1636: The Devil's Opera by Eric Flint (#16 in Assiti Shards)
A Good Dose of Pleasure by Zuri Day (#2 in Morgan Man)
The Colton Bride by Carla Cassidy (#37 in Coltons)
Bastion by Mercedes Lackey (#5 in Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles)

Murder and Marinara by Rosie Genova (#1 in Italian Kitchen Mystery)
A Finder's Fee by Jim Lavene (#5 in Missing Pieces Mystery)
Death, Taxes, and Green Tea Ice Cream by Diane Kelly (#6 in Tara Holloway)
Drizzled with Death by Jessie Crockett (#1 in Sugar Grove Mysteries )
Chili Con Carnage by Kylie Logan (#1 in Chili Cook-Off)
Buried in Bargains by Josie Belle (#3 in Good Buy Girls)
Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder by Sara Rosett (#8 in Mom Zone Mysteries)
Plaid Tidings by Mia Marlowe (#1 in Spirit of the Highlands)
Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears (#2 in Jason Stafford)
Expatriates by James Wesley Rawles (#4 in Patriots)
An Untamed Heart by Lauraine Snelling (#1 in Songs of Blessing)
A Family for Christmas by Winnie Griggs (#3 in Texas Grooms)
A Bride for Noah by Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith (#1 in Seattle Brides)

A Royal Wedding by Helen Perelman (#2 in Candy Fairies Special)
The House Next Door by P J Night (#16 in You're Invited to a Creepover)
Silver Bells by Deborah Raney (#2 in Songs of the Season )
Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas by Sugar Jamison (#1.5 in Perfect Fit)
The Wager by Rachel Van Dyken (#2 in Bet)
A Wolff at Heart by Janice Maynard (#7 in Men of Wolff Mountain)
Blackstone and the Endgame by Sally Spencer (#4 in Inspector Sam Blackstone Mystery)
Allure by Lea Nolan (#2 in The Hoodoo Apprentice )
Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman (#19 in Leaphorn & Chee)
Year of the Demon by Steve Bein (#2 in Fated Blades)
Villains Rising by Jeramey Kraatz (#2 in Cloak Society)

Bloodlust by Helen Harper (#5 in Blood Destiny)
Cursed by S.J. Harper (#1 in Fallen Siren)
Love and Lists by Tara Sivec (#1 in Chocoholics)
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia (#1 in Legion)
Fire Storm by Andrew Lane (#4 in Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins)
Pretenders by Lisi Harrison (#1 in Pretenders)
Return to Me by Lynn Austin (#1 in Restoration Chronicles)
Autumn Bones by Jacqueline Carey (#2 in Agent of Hel)
Perfect Season by Tim Green (#6 in Football Genius )
Gilt Trip by Laura Childs (#11 in Scrapbooking Mysteries)
Mousemobile by Prudence Breitrose (#2 in Mousenet)

Exile by Shannon Messenger (#2 in Keeper of the Lost Cities )
Secrets by Jane Adams (#8 in Naomi Blake)
Blue Moon by James Ponti (#2 in Dead City)
The Christmas Surprise by Wanda Coven (#9 in Heidi Heckelbeck)
The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (#4 in The Heir)
The Ghosts of Mayfield Court by Norman Russell (#9 in Inspector Jackson)

Book Review ~ Daughter of the Sword

Daughter of the Sword (Fated Blades #1)

by Steve Bein
published by ROC
genre: Adult, Historical, Urban Fantasy, Asian

Summary (Goodreads): Mariko Oshiro is not your average Tokyo cop. As the only female detective in the city’s most elite police unit, she has to fight for every ounce of respect, especially from her new boss. While she wants to track down a rumored cocaine shipment, he gives her the least promising case possible. But the case—the attempted theft of an old samurai sword—proves more dangerous than anyone on the force could have imagined.

The owner of the sword, Professor Yasuo Yamada, says it was crafted by the legendary Master Inazuma, a sword smith whose blades are rumored to have magical qualities. The man trying to steal it already owns another Inazuma—one whose deadly power eventually comes to control all who wield it. Or so says Yamada, and though he has studied swords and swordsmanship all his life, Mariko isn’t convinced.

But Mariko’s skepticism hardly matters. Her investigation has put her on a collision course with a curse centuries old and as bloodthirsty as ever. She is only the latest in a long line of warriors and soldiers to confront this power, and even the sword she learns to wield could turn against her.

My Thoughts: I loved this book more than the time it took me to read it shows. I've been in a reading slump and this made a large dent in pulling me out of it.
I often read and enjoy crime and mystery books and the additional of historical Japanese storytelling mixed in just put it over the top.
Mariko was a great lead. She is a strong female in a world where anything else would not work. As the only female detective, in a culture that is not very accepting of females in that position, she has no choice but to be tough. That said, she is not an emotionless robot. There were a couple of times were you could tell her heart was overruling her discipline.
My favorite parts were the chapters that went back in time and told the stories of the three swords. I could have read a book just on their history and been happy. The author did a great job weaving the old and new together in a way that when they meet up, it was seamless.
Overall this book worked on many levels. It kept my attention at a time when I was having trouble keeping any interest in a book. It was a great mix of old and new where the swords as much a main character as Mariko is. Another plus, book two comes out next week and I am looking forward to reading more.

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday ~ The House of Hades

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4)

by Rick Riordan
published by Hyperion
expected release date: October 8, 2013
genre: Fantasy, YA/MG, Mythology

Summary (Goodreads): At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?
They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

**I really love these books and have wanted to know what happened since the end of book 3.

New Releases ~ week of 9/23/2013

*Links go to Goodreads

**End of the month so another big list

On Midnight Wings by Adrian Phoenix (#5 in Maker's Song)

Unchained by J Lynn (#1 in Nephilim Rising )
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (#2 in Shining)
Inhuman by Kat Falls (#1 in Fetch)
Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce (#3 in Circle Reforged)
Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait by Grace Burrowes (#5 in The Duke's Daughters, #8 in Windham , )
Always On My Mind by Jill Shalvis (#8 in Lucky Harbor)
A SEAL Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear (#12 in Heart of the Wolf)
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (#1 in The Reckoners)
Autumn Whispers by Yasmine Galenorn (#14 in Otherworld )
Bound By Night by Larissa Ione (#1 in Bound By Night)
The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone (#2 in Bad Boys of Crystal Lake)

Midnight Lies by Ella Grace (#2 in Wildfire)
Inheritance by Malinda Lo (#2 in Adaptation)
One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands (#19 in Argeneau Vampires)
All Is Fair by Emma Newman (#3 in Split Worlds)
The Counterfeit Mistress by Madeline Hunter (#3 in Fairbourne Quartet )
The Whatnot by Stefan Bachmann (#2 in Peculiar)
The Bride Wore size 12 by Meg Cabot (#5 in Heather Wells Mysteries)
Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery (#14 in Fools Gold )
Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (#2 in White Rabbit Chronicles)
Deep in Crimson by Sarah Gilman (#3 in Return to Sanctuary )
Mirror, Mirror by J. D. Robb (#37.5 in In Death)
Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster (#3 in Love Undercover)
Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher (#3 in Where The Heart Lives)

Pinocula by Obert Skye (#3 in Creature from My Closet)
Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier (#21 in Lucy Stone Mysteries)
How to Tame a Wild Fireman by Jennifer Bernard (#5 in The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel )
Razor's Edge by Martha Wells (#1 in Star Wars: Empire and Rebellion)
So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl (#3 in Jackson)
Obsession by Jennifer Lyon (#3 in Plus One Chronicles)
The Night is Forever by Heather Graham (#11 in Krewe of Hunters)
A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway (#1 in Baskerville Affair)
The Field of Wacky Inventions by Patrick Carman (#3 in Floors)
Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman (#4 in Tales from Lovecraft Middle School)

Chupacabra by Roland Smith (#3 in Grace and Marty)
Two Times as Hot by Cat Johnson (#2 in Oklahoma Nights)
Classified by Fern Michaels (#6 in Godmothers)
The Fallout by S. A. Bodeen (#2 in Compound)
Deck the Halls, We're Off the Walls! by Dan Gutman (#2 in My Weird School Special)
Open Flame by Lacy Danes (#2 in Dragon's Fate)
A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron (#2 in The Dark Unwinding)
The Magic Rings by Paula Harrison (#7 in Rescue Princesses)
Search the Dark by Marta Perry (#2 in Watcher in the Dark )
Soul of Fire by Laura Anne Gilman (#2 in Portals)
The Plague Forge by Jason M. Hough (#3 in Dire Earth Cycle)
Going Once by Sharon Sala (#1 in Forces of Nature )

Fatal Strike by Shannon McKenna (#10 in McCloud Brothers)
Shadow's Curse by Alexa Egan (#2 in Imnada Brotherhood)
Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre (#10 in The Sullivans)
Cry Woof by Sarah Hines-Stephens, Jane B Mason (#3 in Dog and His Girl Mysteries)
Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan (#2 in Lynburn Legacy)
Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman (#1 in Sky Jumpers)
The Golden Statue Plot by Geronimo Stilton (#55 in Geronimo Stilton)
The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane (#3 in Forensic Instincts)
The Ravens of Solemano by Eden Unger Bowditch (#2 in Young Inventors Guild)
A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods (#10 in Chesapeake Shores)

Darkbeast Rebellion by Morgan Keyes (#2 in Darkbeast)
Roxy's Story by V. C. Andrews (#2 in Forbidden )
King's Mountain by Sharyn McCrumb (#10 in Ballad)
Cut to the Bone by Jefferson Bass (#8 in Body Farm)
Hitler's Secret by William Osborne (#2 in Hitler's Angel)
The Magician's Bird by Emily Fairlie (#2 in Tuckernuck Mystery)
Lion by Jeff Stone (#2 in Out of the Ashes)
Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower (#1 in Andi Boggs)
Task Force by Brian Falkner (#2 in Recon Team Angel)
The Dragon at the North Pole by Kate Klimo (#6 in Dragon Keepers)
Raids and Rescues by Bryan Chick (#5 in Secret Zoo)
Dr. Maniac Will See You Now by R L Stine (#5 in Goosebumps Most Wanted)
Frosting and Friendship by Lisa Schroeder (#3 in It's Raining Cupcakes)
A Radiant Sky by Jocelyn Davies (#3 in A Beautiful Dark )
Making the Team by J Scott Savage (#2 in Case File 13)

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is now hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

Q.What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are your favorites to read to them?

A.
Hubby got me this book for Mother's day when I was pregnant with our son.

One of my son's favorites... we had to buy 3 copies over time since he read it so much

and of course there is the whole collection of Dr Suess books, but this was the one that got memorized. 

Currently Reading ~ Another reading slump

It seems I've found myself in another mini (hopefully) reading slump. I read Styxx last week and had no problem getting through the 800+ pages. Since then I've had trouble getting anything to keep my interest.
I just started Daughter of the Sword which has an interesting mix, with the story taking place in both historical Japan as well as modern day. I'm about 100 pages in and hoping that it keeps my interest the rest of the way. It also sounds like a promising start to a new Urban Fantasy series with the second book coming out in Oct.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ The Curse Keepers

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The Curse Keepers

by Denise Grover Swank
expected release date: November 19, 2013
genre: New Adult, Fantasy,

Summary: The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.
Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.

The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.

**I'm not familiar with this author and I'm not sure about this genre. That said, this sounds like it could be a promising story if it's done right.

New Releases ~ week of 9/16/2013

*links go to Goodreads

Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz (#1 in Heart of Dread )

Dexter's Final Cut by Jeff Lindsay (#7 in Dexter)
The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J Sullivan (#2 in Riyria Chronicles)
The Lonely Lake Monster by Suzanne Selfors (#2 in Imaginary Veterinary)
Thankless in Death by J. D. Robb (#37 in In Death)
No Way Out by Alan Jacobson (#6 in Karen Vail)
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (#2 in Raven Cycle )
The Wicked Within by Kelly Keaton (#3 in Gods & Monsters)
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas (#1 in Elemental Trilogy)
Saving Raphael Santiago by Cassandra Clare (#6 in Bane Chronicles)
Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye (#2 in Gods of Gotham)
She Can Scream by Melinda Leigh (#3 in She Can...)
Once We Were by Kat Zhang (#2 in The Hybrid Chronicles )

Deadly Heat by Richard Castle (#5 in Nikki Heat)
Long Gone Man by Phyllis Smallman (#1 in Singer Brown Mystery)
The Taming of the Tights by Louise Rennison (#3 in Misadventures of Tallulah Casey)
CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh (#3 in CassaStar)
A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers (#1 in A Little Too Far )
The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter, J. T. Ellison (#1 in Brit in the FBI)
The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason (#1 in Stoker & Holmes)
Beneath the Bleak New Moon by Debra Purdy Kong (#3 in Casey Holland Mystery)
What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer (#2 in What Once Was Lost)

My Spy by Dana Marton (#2 in HQ: Texas)
How to Entice an Enchantress by Karen Hawkins (#3 in Duchess Diaries)
United We Spy by Ally Carter (#6 in Gallagher Girls)
Battle of the Ampere by Richard Paul Evans (#3 in Michael Vey )
Dancing by Laurell K. Hamilton (#22.5 in Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter)
Dumb Jock: The Musical by Jeff Erno (#4 in Dumb Jock)
Johnny Alucard by Kim Newman (#4 in Anno Dracula)
Anarchy by James Treadwell (#2 in Advent)
The Secret Sea Horse by Debbie Dadey (#6 in Mermaid Tales)
Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M. C. Beaton (#24 in Agatha Raisin)
Fatal Tide by Pete Nelson, Lis Wiehl (#3 in The East Salem Trilogy )
Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff (#2 in Lotus War Trilogy)
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud (#1 in Lockwood & Co)
The Shogun's Daughter by Laura Joh Rowland (#17 in Sano Ichiro)

Book Review ~ Styxx

Styxx (Dark-Hunter #23)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon
published by St Martin's Press
genre: Adult, Paranormal, PNR,

Summary (Goodreads): Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

My Thoughts: I'm not going to cover everything that happens in this review. This is a huge book with a lot going on and even more characters. I also don't want to spoil any of the surprises.
Ms Kenyon has said that you do not need to read Acheron in order to read this book. I can see where that is possible but don't understand why you would want to. Styxx's story is tragic in so many ways but knowing Ash's side of the story just makes it that much more so.
Nick is my favorite but Ash has always been right there at the top. I cannot tell you how many times I wanted someone to knock him upside the head. I understood why he acted how he did in their human lives. They both went through unspeakable things but the fact that he wouldn't listen or look at his brother's side when they were older (much older) just irritated me. I loved when Urian threw it all back in his face and made him see things he didn't want to.
This also changed the way I looked at Ryssa. I was like Styxx and just wanted someone to shut her up. I also felt bad about feeling this way knowing what happens. At least with Acheron it was kind of understandable but she had no excuse other than she was a spoiled princess.
I've had problems with some of the pairings in this series but the romance also worked for me in this book. I liked Beth/Bet'Anya.  The fact that she was/is order to her father's chaos really helped when it came to soothing Styxx's turmoil and giving him moments of peace. I also liked how she wasn't afraid to stand up to Apollo or any of the others when it came to Styxx.
Overall, I was happy with this story. I had no idea that I needed this book in this series considering how many other character's stories I'm waiting for. It was a great read and felt like it happened at the right time. With everything that is going on having one more person (using that loosely) on the good guys side cannot be a bad thing.

Rating: 4.5-5 I couldn't/can't decide
 

New Releases ~ week of 9/9/2013

Smoke by Ellen Hopkins (#2 in Burned)

An Unlucky Moon by Carrie Ann Ryan (#3 in Dante's Circle)
Antigoddess by Kendare Blake (#1 in Antigoddess)
The Final Descent by Richard Yancey (#4 in Monstrumologist)
The Untamed Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (#5.5 in Highland Pleasures)
Thankless in Death by J. D. Robb (#37 in In Death)
Rogue by Gina Damico (#3 in Croak)
Revealing Us by Lisa Renee Jones (#3 in Inside Out Trilogy )
Thornhill by Kathleen Peacock (#2 in Hemlock Trilogy)
The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood (#4 in Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place)
Wild Born by Brandon Mull (#1 in Spirit Animals)
Breaking the Rules by H. B. Heinzer (#2 in Back to Brooklyn)

Boston Jacky:  Taking Care of Business by L. A. Meyer (#11 in Bloody Jack Adventures)
Second Watch by J A Jance (#21 in J P Beaumont)
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton (#24 in Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries)
Rocky Road by Josi S Kilpack (#10 in Culinary Mystery)
Past Regrets by Shelley Munro (#2 in Love and Friendship )
Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills (#1 in Briarcrest Academy)
Vamp, Inc. by Serena Robar (#3.5 in Half-Blood Vampire)
The Show Must Go On! by Kate Klise (#1 in Three-Ring Rascals)
Monsters by Ilsa J Bick (#3 in Ashes Trilogy )
Curse of the Chupacabra" by Michael Hebler (#2 in Chupacabra )
Designed to Death by Christina Freeburn (#2 in Faith Hunter Scrap This Mysteries)
Damned if You Do by Michael Brandman (#12 in Jesse Stone)
23 Years on Fire by Joel Shepherd (#4 in Cassandra Kresnov)

Book Review ~ Omens

Omens (Cainsville #1)

by Kelley Armstrong
published by Dutton
genre: Adult, Supernatural, Paranormal, Mystery

Summary:  Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

My Thoughts: This was a nice change of pace from what I've been reading lately and really enjoyable.
It kind of reminded me of why I enjoy JD Robb's In Death series. Where that is murder mystery mixed with futuristic sci fi, this is more mystery mixed with the supernatural.
That being said, my favorite character was the town of Cainsville itself. While both Olivia and Gabriel had a lot of promise as lead characters in the series they didn't fully grab my interest. I was more taken in by the setting and the story. From the Elders to the gargoyles, the cat and the return of the ravens I just wanted more of the  town. We don't really get specifics on the Elders they are just mentioned a few times., but at the end of the book they are the ones I want to keep reading about. I also enjoyed the different omens that Olivia can see, when others can't, that provide clues or guidance for what's about to come.
Trying to force a romance into this story was what knocked this book down for me. Just for one book I would have liked to see the author just let them be friends. It felt forced and I didn't really care for them together (nothing actually happens, it's just strongly hinted and can see more coming in future books). Olivia supposedly was just about to get married and yet by the end of the book (which doesn't cover a long time period) she's already having feeling for Gabriel. All the while protesting that she is not going to be the one to try to change him from the one night stand guy he is. It just didn't work for me, others won't have a problem with it.
Overall, this was very much story driven for me and the ending with The Hunt on the way and killer from this story screaming that he works for the Huntsman had me ready for the second book. I'm also interested in Olivia's dad and finding out who committed all the other murders not just the one solved in this book.

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Dark Bites 

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

published by St Martin's Press

expected release date: January 21, 2014

genre: Adult, Anthology, Paranormal, PNR

Summary: The fans asked for it…

All in one volume, all of the short stories that Sherri has written for St. Martin’s Press. Best of all, it will feature Fear the Darkness (first time in print) and a brand new, never before seen story.

Included novellas:

House of the Rising Son (First Time in Print)- Aricles

Fear the Darkness (First Time in Print)- Nick

Winter Born- Dante

A Dark-Hunter Christmas- Gallagher

Shadow of the Moon- Fury

Until Death We Do Part- Velkan

Phantom Lover- V’Aiden

A Hard Day’s Night Searcher- Rafael

Where Angels Fear to Tread- Zeke

Love Bytes- Adrian

Santa Wears Spurs- O’Connell

**This is one of my favorite authors and series. Just picked up Styxx and cannot wait to read the short stories I haven't had a chance to yet.

New Releases ~ week of 9/2/2013

Blue Forever by Nina Bruhns (#3 in Men In Uniform)

The Last President by John Barnes (#3 in A Novel of Daybreak)
Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire (#7 in October Daye)
I am Alice by Joseph Delaney (#12 in Wardstone Chronicles/ Last Apprentice)
The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star by Susan Wittig Albert (#4 in Darling Dahlias)
Murder of a Stacked Librarian by Denise Swanson (#16 in Scumble River Mysteries)
Hearts of Sand by Jane Haddam (#28 in Gregor Demarkian)
Hunter's Heart by J D Tyler (#4 in Alpha Pack )
A Time for Home by Alexis Morgan (#1 in Snowberry Creek)
Never Go Back by Lee Child (#18 in Jack Reacher)
Ritual Magic by Eileen Wilks (#10 in World of the Lupi)

Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber (#2 in Lady Darby )
Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon (#24 in Dark Hunters)
The Cakes of Wrath by Jacklyn Brady (#4 in Piece of Cake Mystery)
The Protected by Shiloh Walker (#4 in FBI Psychics)
Everything for Us by M Leighton (#3 in The Bad Boys)
High Passion by Vivian Arend (#2 in Adrenaline)
Blood Cursed by Alex Archer (#44 in Rogue Angel)
Eventide by Shelley Shepard Gray (#3 in Days of Redemption)
Dead Is Just a Dream by Marlene Perez (#3 in Dead Is ....(Spin-Off))
Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes by Gina Lamm (#2 in Geek Girls )
Mykonos After Midnight by Jeffrey Siger (#5 in Andreas Kaldis)
Eternity by Elizabeth Miles (#3 in Fury)
The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark, Carol Goodman (#3 in Fairwick Chronicles)
To Wed a Wicked Highlander by Victoria Roberts (#3 in Bad Boys of the Highlands)
Deceived by Randy Wayne White (#2 in Hannah Smith)

Maddaddam by Margaret Atwood (#3 in MaddAddam Trilogy )
Mission: Cavanaugh Baby by Marie Ferrarella (#25 in Cavanaugh Justice)
Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan (#24 in Dark Carpathians)
The Grim Company by Luke Scull (#1 in The Grim Company)
Children of the Revolution by Peter Robinson (#21 in Inspector Banks)
The Art of Stealing Time by Katie MacAlister (#2 in Time Thief)
Endwar: The Missing by Peter Telep (#3 in Tom Clancys Ghost Recon)
Personal Space by Anna Branford (#4 in Violet Mackerel's)
Dark Fathoms by James Axler (#113 in Deathlands)
How to Date a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase (#2 in Flirting with Fangs Trilogy)
Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren (#2.5 in Beautiful Bastard)
Gabriel by Grace Burrowes (#5 in Lonely Lords )
The Outside by Laura Bickle (#2 in Hallowed Ones)
Girls' Night Out by Lauren Dane (#2 in Visits to Petal)
Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon (#2 in Love in the Balance)
Sunny and the Snowy Surprise by Laura Dower (#3 in Palace Puppies)
The Given Sacrifice by S. M. Stirling (#7 in Change)
Soul Kissed by Erin Kellison (#2 in Shadow Kissed)
The Lord of Opium by Nancy Farmer (#2 in Matteo Alacran)
Bran New Death by Victoria Hamilton (#1 in Merry Muffin Mystery )
First-Degree Fudge by Christine DeSmet (#1 in Fudge Shop Mysteries)
Going Through the Notions by Cate Price (#1 in Deadly Notions Mystery)
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross (#1 in Maine Clambake Mysteries)
Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan (#1 in Amish Quilt Shop Mystery)
Silent Knife by Shelley Freydont (#2 in Celebration Bay Mystery)
The Wife He Always Wanted by Cheryl Ann Smith (#5 in School For Brides )
Killing a Cold One by Joseph Heywood (#9 in Woods Cop)
The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness & Perfection by Megan McCafferty (#1 in Jessica Darling's It List)
Hope Flames by Jaci Burton (#1 in Hope )
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill (#1 in All Our Yesterdays)
The Mayan Secrets by Clive Cussler, Thomas Perry (#5 in Fargo Adventure)
True Spies by Shana Galen (#2 in Lord and Lady Spy)
A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry (#1 in Family Skeleton Mystery)
The Transfer: A Divergent Story by Veronica Roth (#0.1 in Divergent)
Under a Graveyard Sky by John Ringo (#1 in Black Tide Rising)
Slammed by Kelly Jamieson (#3 in San Amaro Singles)

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.

**Mostly library books lately but I did request one (turned into more while doing this post) from netGalley so thought I would share.


NetGalley
The Republic of Theives by Scott Lynch (Gentleman Bastard #3)
The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (The Heir Chronicles #4)
Her Ladyship's Curse by Lynn Viehl (Disenchanted & Co. #1)

Library
Omens by Kelley Armstrong (Cainsville #1)
Shadow City by Diana Pharaoh Francis (Horngate Witches #3)
Replica by Jenna Black
Weather Witch by Shannon Delaney
Stormbringers by Phillipa Gregory (Order of Darkness #2)