Tuesday, May 31, 2016

New Releases ~ week of 05/30/2016



A Hero of France by Alan Furst (#14 Night Soldiers)
At Any Cost by Mandy Baxter (#4 U.S. Marshals)
Back Lash by Chris Knopf (#7 Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mystery)
Blood Lust by Alexandra Ivy (#3 Sentinels)
Center of the World by Leeland Artra (#2 Endless Horizons Sagas)
Chasing the Heiress by Rachael Miles (#2 The Muses's Salon)
City of Spies by Nina Berry (#2 Pagan Jones)
Dirty Love by Meghan March (#2 The Dirty Girl Duet)
Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt (#10 Maiden Lane)
Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer
Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon (#6 Matthew Corbett)
Fulfilling Promises by Kennedy Layne (#5 Red Starr)
Grilled For Murder by Maddie Day (#2 Country Store Mystery)
Heart of a Bad Boy by Sugar Jamison (#3 Destiny)
Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long (#1 Hellcat Canyon)
Hunt for the Garde by Pittacus Lore (#15 I Am Number Four: The Lost Files)
Hunted by the Dragon by Michelle M Pillow (#4 Captured by a Dragon-Shifter)
Into the Whirlwind by Kat Martin (#2 Boss)
Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen by Alison Weir (#1 Six Tudor Queens)
Lana and the Laird by Sabrina York (#3 Untamed Highlanders)
Lone Star Nights by Delores Fossen (#2 McCord Brothers Trilogy)
Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas (#2 The Ravenels)
Money by Jillian Dodd (#10 The Keatyn Chronicles)
Nil on Fire by Lynne Matson (#3 Nil)
Primal Instinct by Tara Wyatt (#2 Bodyguard Series)
Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan (#1 Made in New York)
The All-Star Antes Up by Nancy Herkness (#2 Wager of Hearts)
The Angel Wore Fangs by Sandra Hill (#7 Deadly Angels)
The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood (#1 Clan Kincaid)
The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter (#12 Lords of the Underworld Series)
The Emperor's Revenge by Clive Cussler, Boyd Morrison (#11 The Oregon Files)
The Fairest of Them All by Cathy Maxwell (#2 Marrying the Duke)
The Ghost by Monica McCarty (#12 The Highland Guard Series)
The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy (#1 The Uncharted Realms)
The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury (#2 Sin Eater's Daughter)
The Thief's Daughter by Jeff Wheeler (#2 The Kingfountain Series)
The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman
Torn by Cynthia Eden (#4 Last Option Search Team)
Ultimate Vengeance by Nancy Haviland (#4 Wanted Men)
Unbreakable by Max Henry (#2 Fallen Aces MC)
Under The Surface by Anne Calhoun (#4 An Alpha Ops)
Wedding Bel Blues by Maggie McConnon (#1 Belfast McGrath)
Wicked Love by Michelle A. Valentine (#3 Wicked White)

Friday, May 27, 2016

Book Review ~ Shaman Rises

Shaman Rises (Walker Papers #9)
by C.E. Murphy
published by Harlequin Luna
Genre: Adult, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, 

**Received egalley from publisher and netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

Summary (Goodreads): Joanne Walker has two choices:

Defeat the enemy…or lose her soul trying

For over a year, Joanne has been fighting the Master—the world's most abiding evil entity. She's sacrificed family, friendships, even watched potential futures fade away…and now the Master is bringing the final battle to Joanne's beloved Seattle.

Lives will be lost as the repercussions of all Joanne's final transformation into her full Shamanic abilities come to her doorstep. Before the end, she'll mourn, rejoice—and surrender everything for the hope of the world's survival. She'll be a warrior and a healer. Because she is finally a Shaman Rising.

My Thoughts: I did my usual procrastination on reading this, being the last book of the series. I'm still not sure how I feel about it after finishing. I enjoyed the book and was mostly happy with where everything ended up but there was still a feeling of something being off.
The main thing that threw me off was a death of a character. It wasn't something that happened in the middle of battle or at any time that would makes sense. We don't even see it happen.  Joanne turns around and looks and this person is dead. It comes up in another twist later in the story but still just felt like it was more for shock value than furthering the story in any way.
There was also too much going on at times. Trying to fit in every character that ever appeared in the series took up time that could have been more focused on Joanne's and the Master's stories. I wanted more of Joanne and Morrison, more of Morrison, more depth to the characters that we have come to love over the course of this series. Instead we have one epic battle after another. This isn't always a bad thing. There was plenty of action but not a lot of connection. When you thought they were done there was another tragedy happening that Joanne had to run off to fix.
This all sounds like I should have hated this book but I didn't. I still really enjoyed reading it just wanted more since it was the last time we were going to be with this group as it is. I'm happy for those that got their HEAs just wish it hadn't felt so rushed and chaotic.

Rating: 4

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

This Week's Reads


~Only two this week. Still catching up on some books from previous weeks.


Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro
Odditorium #1 (Goodreads)
**I actually saw the second book in this series first and loved the cover. It's design is like this one but in mostly teals. I have better luck with MG books when I pick them up based on the cover first.
A 12 yr old chimney sweep becomes apprentice to Grim at the Odditorium which is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew.










Age of Myth by Michael J Sullivan
The Legends of the First Empire #1 (Goodreads)
**Received this from the publisher and netgalley.
I've not read anything from this author but have been wanting to. Saw this on netgalley and decided to request it. It takes place long before his Riyria series but does not rely on or spoil anything of that series.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

New Releases ~ week of 05/23/2016



A Blade of Black Steel by Alex Marshall (#2 The Crimson Empire)
A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray (#2 Charmed Amish Life)
Anarchy by Jaymin Eve (#2 The Hive)
Armored Attraction by Janie Crouch (#3 Omega Sector: Critical Response)
Aunt Dimity and the Buried Treasure by Nancy Atherton (#21 Aunt Dimity)
Charged by Jay Crownover (#2 Saints of Denver)
Cowboy All Night by Vicki Lewis Thompson (#5 Thunder Mountain Brotherhood)
Deep Dark by Laura Griffin (#10 Tracers)
Demon Hunting With a Dixie Deb by Lexi George (#4 Demon Hunter)
Discovering You by Brenda Novak (#10 Whiskey Creek)
Easy For Keeps by Kristen Proby (#4.5 Boudreaux)
Exile for Dreamers by Kathleen Baldwin (#2 Stranje House)
For 100 Days by Lara Adrian (#1 A 100 Series)
Ghosts of Karnak by George Mann (The Ghost #3)
Glass Ceilings by A. M. Madden (#2 True Heroes)
Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham (#18 Krewe of Hunters)
Incriminated by M G Reyes (#2 Emancipated)
Lorn by Laurann Dohner (#3 VLG Series)
Make Me Forever by Beth Kery (#8 Make Me)
Return to the Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz (#2 Descendants)
The Hunt by Megan Shepherd (#2 Cage)
The Lost Compass by Joel Ross (#2 The Fog Diver)
The Mammoth Book of Cthulhu edited by Paula Guran
The Shark by Mary Burton (#1 Forgotten Files)
The Sorcerer's Daughter by Terry Brooks (#3 Defenders of Shannara)
Until June by Aurora Rose Reynolds (#2 Until Her)
Walk by Cora Brent (#6 Gentry Boys)
Wicked and Wilde by Jenn Stark (#4 Immortal Vegas)

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Influenster #SuperMomVoxBox Product Reviews



I was lucky enough to be chosen for the Super Mom VoxBox from Influenster (website/referral link). Everything included is something that someone in the house will use.  Besides the products there is a coupon for a free Daisy sour cream. We have used this brand before and liked the squeeze bottle for some things but not others.

**All products were complimentary for review purposes and did not influence my opinions. 

Suave Kids Purely Fun: Son used this. Worked well on his hair he doesn't usually use conditioner so there was a difference from that. He did get some in his eyes and said that it still stung but only a little and stopped very quickly.
Suave Coconut Oil Repair: I only used a little of this but I liked what it did for my hair. During the summer my hair gets oily easily so wanted to use sparingly. My hair had a nice shine to it and it kept all the flyaways under control. I also really loved the smell.
Secret Outlast: This is the type of deodorant I use daily. I've tried other types and always end up coming back to Secret. I like the way it feels (non sticky) and it lasts throughout the day with me feeling like it has to be reapplied.
Palmolive Fusion Clean: Our house is older and does not have a dishwasher so this is another thing that we use daily. This is a baking soda and lime combo. It started making suds as soon as the water hit it and I liked the fact that they stayed until I was done with all the dishes. It also worked well in removing any dried food that hadn't been rinsed off. 
Plackers Flossers: Kids Flossers with a fruit smoothie flavoring. My son thought they were easy to use but said there was no flavor to them.
Pilot Acroball pens: We received one each of the PureWhite and Colors (Pink). I liked these pens. Favorite thing was the cushioned grip. It is definitely more comfortable to hold while filling out paperwork. Our son loves writing and drawing things out on paper and will probably get more use out these. He's not crazy about pink (the only color he dislikes) but will still use it.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

This Week's Reads


The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
The Trials of Apollo #1 (Goodreads)
**One of my favorite middle grade/ mythology authors. Apollo has never been one of my favorites, no matter which author was writing him. Still looking forward to reading this one.














Lumiere by Jacqueline E Garlick
The Illumination Paradox #1 (Goodreads)
**Another book on my netgalley dashboard. I started this at one time and really liked it but put it down. Hoping its still enjoyable and I can stick through til the end.














The Summer Dragon by Todd Lockwood
The Evertide #1 (Goodreads)
**Picked up purely on the cover, brought home on the description. There's just something about the yin yang made out of light and dark dragons that I really like.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

New Releases ~ week of 05/16/2016


An Exquisite Marriage by Darcie Wilde (#3 Regency Makeover)
Beyond the Ice Limit by Douglas Preston (#4 Gideon Crew)
Blood Flag by Steve Martini (#14 Paul Madriani)
Boar Island by Nevada Barr (#19 Anna Pigeon)
Circle of Jinn by Lori Goldstein (#2 Becoming Jinn)
Courtin' Murder in West Wheeling by Michael Allen Dymmoch (#2 West Wheeling)
Dark Alpha's Demand by Donna Grant (#3 Reaper)
Good Girl by Lauren Layne (#2 Love Unexpectedly)
Grand Theft Retro by Diane Vallere (#5 Style and Error)
In the Clearing by Robert Dugoni (#3 Tracy Crosswhite)
Lost and Gone Forever by Alex Grecian (#5 Scotland Yard's Murder Squad)
Make Me Remember by Beth Kery (#7 Make Me)
Mercy by Michael Palmer and Daniel Palmer
Moving Target by Marquita Valentine (#3 Target)
Murder Comes by Mail by Ann Gabhart (#2 Hidden Springs Mysteries)
My One and Only by Terri Osburn (#3 Ardent Springs)
Rock-a-Bye Bones by Carolyn Haines (#16 Sarah Booth Delaney)
Saving the Whole Wide World by Judd Winick (#2 Hilo)
Scarlet Rain by Kristin Cast (#2 Escaped)
Shelter for Elizabeth by Susan Stoker (#5 Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes)
Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by Lynne Hinton (#3 Divine Private Detective Agency Mystery)
Tall Tail by Rita Mae Brown (#25 Mrs Murphy (with Sneaky Pie Brown))
The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson (#2 Medieval Fairy Tale Romance)
The Brightest Stars of Summer by Leila Howland (#2 Silver Sisters)
The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (#1 The Crown's Game)
The Dark War by Angela Addams (#1 Dar War)
The Devil's Cubs by Leena Lehtolainen (#3 Bodyguard)
The Fireman by Joe Hill
The Highwayman by Craig Johnson (#11.5 Walt Longmire Mysteries)
The Murder That Never Was by Andrea Kane (#5 Forensic Instincts)
The Reverse of Perfection by Christi Barth (#2 Bad Decisions)
The Second Life of Nick Mason by Steve Hamilton (#1 Nick Mason)
Thirty-Six and a Half Motives by Denise Grover Swank (#13 Rose Gardner Mysteries)
Tower of Swallows by Andrzej Sapkowski (#6 Witcher)
Turn Me Loose by Rosalind James (#3 Paradise, Idaho)
Zigzag by Bill Pronzini (#42 Nameless Detective)

Monday, May 16, 2016

Book (graphic) Review ~ I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1

I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1, Madly Ever After

by Skottie Young
published by Image Comics
genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fairytales

**received e galley from netgalley as a free read in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): From superstar writer and artist Skottie Young (Rocket Raccoon, Wizard of OZ, Fortunately, The Milk), comes the first volume of an all-new series of adventure and mayhem. An Adventure Time/Alice in Wonderland-style epic that smashes it's cute little face against grown-up, Tank Girl/Deadpool-esque violent madness. Follow Gert, a forty year old woman stuck in a six year olds body who has been stuck in the magical world of Fairyland for nearly thirty years. Join her and her giant battle-axe on a delightfully blood soaked journey to see who will survive the girl who HATES FAIRYLAND.

My Thoughts: This volume was as disturbingly cute as the cover looks. Gert wished to go somewhere and ended up in fairyland. All she had to do to leave was finish a simple quest and find the key. 27 yrs later Gert and her guide Larry, along with her trusty battle axe, are no closer than when they started. Mainly due to Gert not being the brightest anything anywhere.
The violence and humor is over the top and very fitting to the story. Felt very sorry for the narrator's, not a job anyone wanted.
The two best parts are the final confrontation with the queen of Fairyland and the artwork. The final page is a culmination of both these things. The cover is what made me want to read this and every page was filled with the same type of art. I've never seen/read any of Young's work before this but will definitely be looking out for more of it.

Rating: 4 

Some more of Gert and her battle axe 

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Armchair BEA 2016 ~ Surviving Fictional Worlds

Armchair bea website
Today we'll talk about surviving fictional worlds. We all know that sometimes, the worlds we love in fiction can be dangerous. Which fictional worlds would you want to live in? Which worlds do you never want to dive into? Which worlds are you content to stay behind the glass, so to speak, rather than wishing to dive through the page? And once you get there, what would you do?

**I think I wouldn't mind Kenyon's Dark Hunter world. It's modern day but with the addition of supernatural beings. At the same time not sure I would want to live in NOLA in her world.
They are watching
by Nightscream 452 (DeviantArt)

I wouldn't mind exploring Hogwarts. Maybe not as a student but I'm sure I could find plenty to do and see.
Back at Hogwarts
by Alea Lefevre (deviantArt)
Sticking with the UF/ Fantasy theme. I was reading a Jim Butcher graphic novel from his Dresden Files series and realized I wouldn't want to live in his Chicago. Between the mafia, councils, vampire courts and everything else you can think of there is nowhere you can turn to get away from it all.
The Dresden Files: Your Story
by charro art (DeviantArt)
Have a Happy and Safe Reading Weekend!

Friday, May 13, 2016

Armchair BEA 2016 ~ Beyond the Books & Beyond the Blog

Armchair BEA website 
Here on Day 3, we are moving our focus beyond the traditional format of the media we consume and create!
Beyond the traditional form of the novel, what are your favorite alternative forms (graphic novels, audiobooks, webcomics, etc)? Do you have any favorite works within these alternate forms? How do you think the changing format affects the reading experience?

**I've tried a couple of audiobooks but haven't really been able to focus when they are playing. If I don't have something in my hands I feel like I should be doing something and forget that I'm supposed to be listening. I should probably try one when I'm walking or something.
**Of the things listed the one I read the most are graphic novels. I'm even more picky with these than regular books. If I don't like the graphics it does not matter how good the story is, I cannot get into it. For me it started with some of my favorite UF book series, Jim Butcher's Dresden series (Goodreads) and Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series (Goodreads).

This branched out into other types of graphic novels. The first and still one of my favorites is the  Fables series (Goodreads) by Bill Willingham. The last volume came out in 2015.

Another set I read for the first time this year is the Runaways by Brian K Vaughn (Goodreads). I'll admit to not liking his Saga series as much as everyone else did but I did like Runaways. The graphics and story just worked better for me in this one than in Saga.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Armchair BEA 2016 ~ Aesthetic Concerns - Books & Blogs

Armchair BEA home

Welcome to day 2 of Armchair BEA. To find out more click the link above.
Today is all about aesthetics! The first part of this topic is concerned specifically with the books, the second with our blogs.

Books: I've found lately that I judge books by the cover a lot more than I used to. If I'm turned off by the cover I won't even read what it is about. This also comes into play with styles/genres. If it looks like a contemporary novel I tend to skip over it. I've been coming across more uf/fantasy (especially YA) that have more contemporary cover. An example is Melissa Marr's Seven Black Diamonds
Nothing about this cover say Faerie. Not only that but a war between the fae and humans. If it hadn't been for the author's name I wouldn't have read the blurb to see what it was about.





These are a couple of examples of what I think of when looking for UF or Fantasy.

Blog: I don't know if it is because this is more of a hobby for me or not but I don't really brand my blog. The only thing I really do is use the same pic across social media sites but that is about it.
My reviews tend to change as I do. Sometimes I want something simple and others a more detailed review. Lately, I've been featuring books more than reviewing them. I find it easier to talk about why I picked a book to read rather than what I liked or disliked about the same book.


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

This Week's Reads



Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker by Tom Delonge
(Goodreads)
**I picked this based on the cover. There's something creepy and interesting about it. I also really like the colors and style of the whole piece.














Delilah Dirk and The King's Shilling by Tony Cliff
Delilah Dirk #2 (Goodreads)
**I really liked the first one and have been looking forward to reading this one.















Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
Sword and Verse #1 (Goodreads)
**I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately and really loved the cover of this.

Armchair BEA 2016 ~ Introductions

Armchair BEA Home

1.  What is the name you prefer to use? Kristina D

2.  How long have you been a book blogger? A little over 5 years. I have always done this as more of a hobby or just a place to vent and keep track of thoughts on the books I'm reading.

3.  Have you participated in ABEA before? Yes, I think this will be the third time.

4. What is your favorite genre and why? Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. Really any fantasy. Why, because when I read it is to escape everything around me at the moment. I want something I can get lost in that doesn't have a bunch of real world problems.

5.  If you could choose three characters to have lunch with, who would they be and why? Acheron from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters, he has been around forever and I'm sure has plenty of stories to tell.
Bran from Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series. Same reason as above. My favorite character from these series and would have plenty to talk about.
Alexia from Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate (or Lord Akeldama)They both just seem like they would be a lot of fun to spend some time with.

6. Do you have a favorite book? If you cannot choose a favorite book of all time, pick your favorite book today - just this second.
Not a specific book but Kenyon's Dark Hunters series is my favorite series. There have been a few along the way that I haven't enjoyed as much but this is one of the few that I still buy right away. Another favorite is J.D. Robb's In Death series.

7. What book are you most excited for on your TBR? What are you most intimidated by? 
Excited to read This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab. I've liked most of her books and look forward to when she releases a new series.
Most intimidated: Not sure if intimidated is the right word but I tend to put off finishing series. I just cannot bring myself to read the final book in some of my favorite series. Usually this is because I've read too many that just end badly and don't want the same fate for my faves.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

New Releases ~ week of 5/9/2016


Chew, Vol. 11: The Last Suppers by  John Layman, Rob Guillory
Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern (#3 The Country Club Murders)
Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd (#2 Treasures of Surrey)
Escorting The Player by Leigh James (#3 The Escort Collection)
First Offense by Marti Green (#4 Innocent Prisoners Project)
From Friend to Fake Fiance by Jules Bennett (#2 Mafia Moguls)
Her Colton P.I. by Amelia Autin (#5 Coltons of Texas)
His to Love by Stacey Lynn (#1 Fireside)
Island of the Sun by Matthew J. Kirby (#2 Dark Gravity Sequence)
Make Me Feel by Beth Kery (#6 Make Me)
Maybe Tomorrow by Zoe Dawson (#2 Laurel Falls)
Prowled Darkness by Carrie Ann Ryan (#7 Dante's Circle)
Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot (#2 From the Notebooks of a Middle
School Princess)
Shared by Love by Nancy Corrigan (#3 Kagan Wolves)
Special Delivery Baby by Sherri Shackelford (#2 Cowboy Creek)
Terigan's Trials by A. K. Michaels (#2 Guild of Dragon Warriors)
The Countdown by Kimberly Derting (#3 Taking trilogy)
The Last Remnant by Pam Brondos (#3 The Fourline Trilogy)
The Sign in the Smoke by Carolyn Keene (#12 Nancy Drew Diaries)
The Skeleth by Matthew Jobin (#2 Nethergrim)
Theodore Boone: The Scandal by John Grisham (#6 Theodore Boone)
Unrivaled by Alyson Noel (Beautiful Idols #1)
Walleye Junction by Karin Salvalaggio (#3 Macy Greeley Mystery)

Friday, May 6, 2016

Book Review ~ The Beast

The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14 )

by J.R. Ward
published by NAL
genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, PNR, 

Summary (Goodreads): Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…
 And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

**I tried to come up with a review that did not include any spoilers but really couldn't. There may be some things given away below from this or previous books.

My Thoughts:  I haven't read these books in order since the first 6-7. Some I just was not interested in and others I just haven't gotten around to. I read the Shadows but not the King so there may be some things I've missed.
With the length of these books being so long I think I'm going to break my thoughts down by person/couples/family.
Rhage, Mary, Bitsy: I like Rhage but don't love him like most. He is the most romantic out of all the brothers but I found it annoying at times. This may be more the slang the author uses rather than the character. As far as him and Mary, I came away from the book just thinking their story was nice or sweet. It felt kind of bland to me. Throw in the newly orphaned child and you have an insta family. Bitsy sudden change from quiet speaking to no one to outgoing happy child was way too fast for me. As the main story for the book, like I said, it was nice and seemed to come together in the end.
Xcor, Layla: The couple for the next book The Chosen. I will either be skipping this one and reading the spoilers or waiting until a bunch of the review come out. Layla is one of my least favorite people in this series. She has been since she first showed up and she hasn't done a lot to change my feelings. Unfortunately, I like Xcor, but don't see how he can redeem himself to make this coupling acceptable to everyone else. If it ends up being just who he's related to, it won't work for me. At the same time, I want to see him and the rest of the BoB teaming up with the Brothers.
Assail, his Cousins, Markus: There's something about Assail that I like even though I know I shouldn't. I felt his story moved further along in the book than anyone else's. There were still moments that were questionable. I don't know what happened in the last book but I didn't really understand how he could do somethings that he did if he is bonded (?not sure if he is?) with another female. I'm also not sure how I feel about him and Markus, he just seemed to latch onto him awfully quick. I hope Ward uses Markus as something more than Zsadist 2.0.
Vishous and family: Not sure what was up with V in this one. He just seemed off. I've never been a fan of him and Jane but having him say that their relationship is clinical (or something similar) was not normal behavior. I also don't understand how the Scribe Virgin can just leave. This was not explained well enough for me. She is the creator of the race, how does she just go and appoint a successor at a later date? Another thing I need more info on. Lastly, is the Omega. I want more of him. The lessers have become a joke lately. They are not believable as bad guys and sending the guys out to fight them just feels like busy work. One of my favorite moments in this books was when the Omega showed up in the field where some of the brothers were. You could feel the tension and fear from V while he was trying to keep and him and his Brothers hidden. This is what I want in villain.
Overall, it was a good book. I came away with the feeling that it was a "nice" story which is probably not what you want to feel after reading a Ward book. While I want to know what happens next I just don't know if I can bring myself to read a full book about Layla and her dramas.

Rating: 4

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

This Week's Reads



Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town #1
(Goodreads)
**Dresden is one of my favorite main characters and I pick them up whenever I see them.















Gotham Academy, Vol. 2: Calamity by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl
(Goodreads)
**One of the few lately that I enjoyed both the story and the graphics in Vol 1.













Catching up on my NetGalley dashboard:

Hidden Huntress by Danielle L Jensen
The Malediction Trilogy #2 (Goodreads)
**Book 1 was a 5 star read for me. Haven't seen much about book 2, hoping it is as good.















Shaman Rises by C.E. Murphy
The Walker Papers #9 (Goodreads)
**This is the last book in this series and I'm sorry to see it go. Not a lot of books/series out there about Shamanic warrior/healers.