NINE BY NIGHT Newsletter Subscription Drive & Giveaway!!!! #AmReading

Soooooo....this happened last weekend.

Yes, you are seeing that right. Our box set, NINE BY NIGHT, was #1 on Barnes & Noble NOOK this weekend. Woot, woot! We also came pretty close to cracking the Amazon Top 100, which is HUGE!!!! 

So as a thank you, we NINE BY NIGHT authors are hosting a fantabulous giveaway to share our success. Enter to win over $500 in gift cards, book swag and other prizes. All you have to do is sign up for our news letters -- and since we all write urban fantasy, so that's pretty cool, right? 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

And if you haven't picked up NINE BY NIGHT yet, you can do so at the following retailers: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBOFBWU

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nine-by-night-sm-reine/1120036206

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=k9UmBAAAQBAJ

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nine-by-night-multi-author/id899869932

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/nine-by-night-a-multi-author-urban-fantasy-bundle-of-kickass-heroines-adventure-magic

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/457085 

Omnilit: https://www.omnilit.com/product-ninebynightamultiauthorurbanfantasybundleofkickassheroinesadventuremagic-1584229-166.html

Readers benefit when authors work together #AmReading

Readers may not be aware of this, but the book industry is unique from most other businesses in that authors love to support other authors. I’m sure this seems strange; authors are after all, direct competitors when it comes to selling their products (books). It’s not like you see Coke and Pepsi joining together for cross promotions. So why does it work so well for books?

It comes down to the readers. Readers don’t read one book, love it and then never read another book for the rest of their life. No, they read a book, love it and try to find another book they will love just as much. For this reason, the more active readers are, the more books they read, the higher book sales are for everyone.

Recently, I was asked to participate in a book bundle called Nine By Night that consists of nine novels, written by nine urban fantasy authors, priced very low at 99¢. Why would authors do this? I mean, it’s practically giving our work away. Easy. Because each of us brings our own fan bases to the table, and we are able to introduce our fans to other great authors. “Collaborating with other authors is a great way to connect with new readers and cross-promote. Plus, it's fun to hang out with other people who write in your genre!” says author Althea Sharp.

You might think getting together nine creative-types to work on a joint project like this would be difficult, but the Nine By Night experience has been great! Each of us has different strengths we bring to the table. Some of us are good at the technical work of formatting and publishing, while others are stronger at marketing and promotion. “I always learn something new when I collaborate with other authors,” says author Boone Brux. “Seeing how others they approach writing or a new release inspires me to tweak my own approach.” The diverse group gives us a lot of talent to draw from.

When asked about how the collaborative experience has been for her, author Lindsey Buroker said, “This is my first time doing a collaborative project, but I've been impressed with all the work people have done already. There's only so much you can do in terms of marketing and promotion on your own, but we have an opportunity to reach a much greater audience since nine people will be plugging the bundle to their email lists and social media contacts. It's already been a great experience!”

For readers, book bundles are great because they give an affordable way to discover new authors that they might otherwise not have taken a chance on. Since most bundles are organized by a common genre or theme, it’s less risky to purchase a bundle when it contains at least one author that you already are familiar with.

Nine By Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure, & Magic is available now everywhere e-books are sold.

Get Nine By Night today for only 99¢

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBOFBWU

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nine-by-night-sm-reine/1120036206

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=k9UmBAAAQBAJ

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nine-by-night-multi-author/id899869932

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/nine-by-night-a-multi-author-urban-fantasy-bundle-of-kickass-heroines-adventure-magic

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/457085

Omnilit: https://www.omnilit.com/product-ninebynightamultiauthorurbanfantasybundleofkickassheroinesadventuremagic-1584229-166.html

RELEASE DAY!! Nine books, Nine Authors -- 99 cents!! #UrbanFantasy

Nine books. Nine bestselling authors. Nine heroines that take names—and chances—while confronting dark foes, whether by force of arms or magic, that threaten their entire world.

Over two-thousand pages of epic reading await! Let the adventures begin.

From NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author, SM REINE, WITCH HUNT –– Shaman on the run. Isobel Stonecrow speaks with the dead...for the right price. She brings closure to the bereaved and heals broken hearts. But when she resurrects someone for the wrong client, she ends up on the OPA's most wanted list.

From NYT and USA Today Bestselling author, C.J. ELLISSON, DEATH’S SERVANT –– Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his werewolf alpha one too many times. He returns to Virginia to find work and meets a young waitress, Raine. As their relationship progresses, Jon's embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle.

From bestselling author, LINDSAY BUROKER, TORRENT –– When Delia chose to major in archaeology, she imagined herself as the female Indiana Jones of the Southwest. She didn't imagine herself stumbling across decapitated bodies in old mine shafts or learning that monsters are real…

From bestselling author, ANTHEA SHARP, SPARK –– What if a high-tech game was a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie? Superstar gamer Spark Jaxley's life might look easy, but she's part of an elite few who guard a shocking secret; the Realm of Faerie exists, and its dark magic is desperate for a foothold in the mortal world.

From bestselling authors BOONE BRUX and C.J. ELLISSON, DEATH TIMES TWO –– The V V Inn has a ghost problem. New grim reaper, Lisa Carron, accepts the job. She quickly learns the hotel is full of the dearly departed—and she’s working for vampires. Throw in Asa, a young vamp hot enough to melt the Arctic ice, and Lisa realizes she’s way out of her element.

From bestselling author, JC ANDRIJESKI, ROOK: ALLIE’S WAR EPISODES 1-4 –– Like most humans, Allie distanced herself from Seers, a race of human-like beings discovered on Earth. Yanked out of her life by the mysterious Revik, Allie finds out her blood may not be as “human” as she thought, the world is nothing like it appears to be...and she has more in common with Seers than she ever wanted to believe.

From bestselling author, ANNIE BELLET, JUSTICE CALLING –– Gamer. Nerd. Sorceress. Jade Crow lives a quiet life running her comic book and game store in Wylde, Idaho. After twenty-five years fleeing from a powerful sorcerer who wants to eat her heart and take her powers, quiet suits her just fine. Surrounded by friends who are even less human than she is, Jade figures she's finally safe. As long as she doesn't use her magic…

From bestselling author, JESI LEA RYAN, ARCADIA’S GIFT –– Teenager Arcadia (Cady) Day’s family tragedy unleashes a hidden power. After experiencing what can only be called a psychic episode, her home life crumbles. As her emotional control slips away, Cady begins to suspect that her first psychic episode was just the beginning…

From Urban Fantasy author, KARA LEGEND, WILD NIGHT ROAD –– One innocent hex sets off a chain reaction of trouble among the shifters of the Kinraven that threatens war between werewolves, seraphim and witches. Lilith Darke will do anything to be free of her seraphim master. All hell breaks loose when rival packs face off only to discover a new, deadly threat that will take all their magick to survive.

Get yours today for only 99¢!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBOFBWU

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nine-by-night-sm-reine/1120036206

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=k9UmBAAAQBAJ

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nine-by-night-multi-author/id899869932

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/nine-by-night-a-multi-author-urban-fantasy-bundle-of-kickass-heroines-adventure-magic

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/457085

Omnilit: https://www.omnilit.com/product-ninebynightamultiauthorurbanfantasybundleofkickassheroinesadventuremagic-1584229-166.html

Cover Reveal - NINE BY NIGHT #AmReading #UrbanFantasy

Another fabulous cover by Damonza! What do you think?

NINE BY NIGHT

About NINE BY NIGHT

"From vampires to empaths, to the grim reaper himself, this bundle will keep you on the edge of your seat. I dare you to try and put it down!" SHANNON MAYER - author of THE RYLEE ADAMSON NOVELS and THE NEVERMORE TRILOGY

Nine books. Nine bestselling authors. Nine heroines that take names—and chances—while confronting dark foes, whether by force of arms or magic, that threaten their entire world.

Over two-thousand pages of epic reading await! Let the adventures begin.

From NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author, SM REINE, WITCH HUNT –– Shaman on the run. Isobel Stonecrow speaks with the dead...for the right price. She brings closure to the bereaved and heals broken hearts. But when she resurrects someone for the wrong client, she ends up on the OPA's most wanted list.

From NYT and USA Today Bestselling author, CJ ELLISSON, DEATH’S SERVANT –– Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his werewolf alpha one too many times. He returns to Virginia to find work and meets a young waitress, Raine. As their relationship progresses, Jon's embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle.

From bestselling author, LINDSAY BUROKER, TORRENT –– When Delia chose to major in archaeology, she imagined herself as the female Indiana Jones of the Southwest. She didn't imagine herself stumbling across decapitated bodies in old mine shafts or learning that monsters are real…

From bestselling author, ANTHEA SHARP, SPARK –– What if a high-tech game was a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie? Superstar gamer Spark Jaxley's life might look easy, but she's part of an elite few who guard a shocking secret; the Realm of Faerie exists, and its dark magic is desperate for a foothold in the mortal world.

From bestselling authors BOONE BRUX and CJ ELLISSON, DEATH TIMES TWO –– The V V Inn has a ghost problem. New grim reaper, Lisa Carron, accepts the job. She quickly learns the hotel is full of the dearly departed—and she’s working for vampires. Throw in Asa, a young vamp hot enough to melt the Arctic ice, and Lisa realizes she’s way out of her element.

From bestselling author, JC ANDRIJESKI, ROOK: ALLIE’S WAR EPISODES 1-4 –– Like most humans, Allie distanced herself from Seers, a race of human-like beings discovered on Earth. Yanked out of her life by the mysterious Revik, Allie finds out her blood may not be as “human” as she thought, the world is nothing like it appears to be...and she has more in common with Seers than she ever wanted to believe.

From bestselling author, ANNIE BELLET, JUSTICE CALLING –– Gamer. Nerd. Sorceress. Jade Crow lives a quiet life running her comic book and game store in Wylde, Idaho. After twenty-five years fleeing from a powerful sorcerer who wants to eat her heart and take her powers, quiet suits her just fine. Surrounded by friends who are even less human than she is, Jade figures she's finally safe. As long as she doesn't use her magic…

From bestselling author, JESI LEA RYAN, ARCADIA’S GIFT –– Teenager Arcadia (Cady) Day’s family tragedy unleashes a hidden power. After experiencing what can only be called a psychic episode, her home life crumbles. As her emotional control slips away, Cady begins to suspect that her first psychic episode was just the beginning…

From Urban Fantasy author, KARA LEGEND, WILD NIGHT ROAD –– One innocent hex sets off a chain reaction of trouble among the shifters of the Kinraven that threatens war between werewolves, seraphim and witches. Lilith Darke will do anything to be free of her seraphim master. All hell breaks loose when rival packs face off only to discover a new, deadly threat that will take all their magick to survive.

NINE BY NIGHT releases 8/03/2014 on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other e-book retailers. 

Review: “The Immortal Rules” by Julie Kagawa

In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

 

New Julie Kagawa series?  Vampires?  Dystopian?  Yes, please!!!!  I totally loved Kagawa’s Iron Fey series, so when I heard she had a new book out, I jumped at it. 

Allie is a fabulous YA heroine - tough, smart, brave.  This girl is a true fighter.  The world she lives in is bleak and desperate, but Allie is a true survivor.  It is a testament to her character that she makes the ultimate decision to chose life as a vampire over death.  That said, Allie hates the vamps and will do all she can to maintain her tenuous hold on her humanity. 

The world that Kagawa builds is rich and scary.  It was like I was in it, feeling the hunger, the darkness, the pain.  These are not sexy, brooding vamps who want to be human.  These vampires are true predators who view humans as food.  The rabids--a cross between vampires and zombies--are even more terrifying.

Zeke is a true good guy.  He’s noble, a formidable leader, kind.  He’s on a mission to lead a small group of humans to the city of Eden, a city he’s not even sure exists.  Zeke’s faith is the perfect foil for Allie’s skepticism.  Together, they make a strong team with undeniable chemistry. 

The entire last chapter of this book held me on the edge of my seat.  I am so in love with this book and can’t wait for the next installment in the series. My only complaint is that the Allie is Asian in the book, but the cover shows a more Caucasian looking girl.  I always get sad when publishers “white wash” their covers. 

Overall, I give The Immortal Rules...

Plot - 5 bookmarks

Character Development - 5 bookmarks

World Building - 5 bookmarks

Love Story - 4 bookmarks (Was not the main focus of this book, but I expect it to grow in importance over the series.)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Brenda Song (Allie), Armie Hammer (Zeke), Juno Temple (Ruth), Kit Harington (Kanin)

Review: ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ by Seth Grahame-Smith

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

 

On a recent trip to the theatre, I caught the new trailer for the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter movie.  It looks amazing!  So knowing that the book is usually better than the movie, I thought I’d check it out. 

Readers of my reviews know I love vampires almost as much as I love history.  This was a mash-up made for me!  And I did like it...I just didn’t love it. 

I think what I liked best about AL:VH was the mixture of fact and fiction.  You could tell the author was passionate about his subject matter, because the research that had gone into this project alone was impressive.  Weaving the vampire stories into the slave trade was genius.  I also learned some things about President Lincoln that I didn’t know.  (Did you know Mary Todd Lincoln had mental problems?  I should read up on the First Ladies sometime.) 

The action was also really good.  Abe wielding his big axe and chopping the heads off of vamps is just too cool! 

My favorite character in the book was Henry Sturges, Abe’s vampire mentor.  In fact, I wish there had been more of Henry in the book.  He was a vampire who led the hunting of other vampires.  We learn why eventually, but the mystery of him was compelling.  I wish the author would write a sequel with him as the main character. 

So if I liked history and the action and Henry, why am I left lukewarm?  For me, books are about forming an emotional connection with the characters.  I love it when my heart races along with theirs--when I experience the terror/elation/heartbreak/love the character feels as if it is happening to me.  While I found this book incredibly interesting, I failed to connect emotionally with the characters.  It was like I was almost there--poised right on the brink--but never actually fell over the edge.  I’ve always thought the photos of President Lincoln make him look wooden.  The character of Abe in this books kind of came across the same way.  A couple of times, I almost put the book down, but the concept and the history ended up pulling me through. 

Overall, I give Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter...

Plot - 4 bookmarks

Character Development - 3 bookmarks

Historic Elements - 5 bookmarks

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Eric Bana (Abraham Lincoln), Henry Cavil (Henry Sturges)

Review: ‘Scent and Shadow’ by Mercy Loomis

“For college student Amanda Bairns, nothing is more important than finally taking control of her life. But when the sexy, sociopathic vampire Gabriel Chapel forces her to drink his blood, Amanda has four weeks to discover which means more: her freedom and her humanity, or the power Gabriel offers.” – Smashwords description

Click the photo to purchase

Just in time for Halloween, Mercy Loomis releases this little gem of a vampire novel.  As most of you know, I have never met a vampire that I didn’t like.  That being said, Gabriel has to be one of my favorites so far.  He is everything that a vampire should be—cold, sexy, dangerous, animalistic…not in the least bit human.  I dig a good vampire romance as much as anyone, but this time of year, I’m looking for less romance and more horror.  Scent and Shadow delivers.  There are some hot, steamy scenes, but don’t go into this book looking for a happy little ending, tied up with a neat little bow. 

Amanda is also a very interesting character.  She’s not your typical college student.  Amanda has some serious control issues.  When Gabriel forces his way in and begins to take over her life, she finds herself in a battle for her humanity.  The only problem is that the battle lines get blurred and it becomes hard for her to remember what it is she is fighting for. 

The world of the Aether Vitalis is a fully developed web of paranormal creatures, ranging from vamps and shifters to mages and fairies.  It’s a world both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.  I can’t wait to read more from Mercy Loomis!

Overall, I give Scent and Shadow…

Plot – 5 bookmarks

Character development – 5 bookmarks

World building – 4 ½ bookmarks (For more information on the Aether Vitalis world, check this blog post out. http://mercyloomis.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-is-aether-vitalis.html)

Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Aidan Turner (Gabriel), Kat Dennings (Amanda)

Review: ‘Bloodlines’ by Richelle Mead

“When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.”

I can’t tell you how excited I was to get back into the world of Morois, Strigois and dhampirs!  Bloodlines is the start of a brand new series set in the Vampire Academy world.  I must say, I worried a bit about the new series being narrated by the uptight Sydney, but I should have known there was more to her than what we saw in the last series.  Under pressure from the Alchemists because of her involvement in helping the vampires, Sydney is desperate to prove her loyalty, even if it means entering the vampire world once again. 

Even though this is a new series,  I strongly feel readers should read the Vampire Academy books first.  There are many overlapping characters—Adrian, Jill, Sydney, Eddie, Abe…even Rose & Dimitri—and in order to get the full effect of this book, you need to have a full understanding of their back stories.   I’m not saying that the book can’t stand on its own, the plot is solid and complete, but without the background knowledge, the reader would not get the full effect.   And while the story was contained, Mead also laid a whole new framework for plotlines to come.  I’m so excited to keep reading!

The new setting of Palm Springs was also an interesting choice.  Basically, as Queen Vasilissa’s only living relative, plenty of enemies in the Moroi community want her dead.  For her protection, she is sent off to a human boarding school.  The heat and sun of southern California serve as a natural Strigoi deterrent, but this time, the villains may not be so obvious.  Sydney and Eddie are sent with Jill for her protection and Adrian is forced to go because of his new supernatural connection with Jill.  Along with many old favorites, we are introduced to a plethora of new people.  At times this feels a bit confusing, but I’m sure as time goes on, they will start developing their own personalities. 

Overall, I give Bloodlines…

Plot – 4 ½ bookmarks

Character development – 5 bookmarks

World building – 5 bookmarks  (Love the new stuff with the Alchemists!)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Emily Browning (Sydney), Ed Westwick (Adrian), Josh Hutcherson (Eddie), Nick Verreos (Abe), Elle Fanning (Jill)

Review: 'Lover Unleashed' by J.R. Ward

J.R. Ward has another bestseller on her hands with the latest installment of her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Unleashed, otherwise known to fans as the Payne and Manny book.  However, Payne and Manny are not the stars of this book, nor is their storyline the main plot of the novel.  It is widely known that fans were upset with the ending of Viscious and Jane's story in Lover Unbound.  This book is Ward's attempt to solidify V and Jane as a couple by working through many of the problems fans had with their first book.  (Namely that V is still too f'ed up to live happily ever after, and Jane is a ghost.)  V is half-crazed with worry when his twin sister is brought into the clinic with a potentially paralyzing spinal cord injury.  He reluctantly lets Jane bring in her old boss Dr. Manny Manello, even though he hates the guy.  V's story progresses with him finally battling out these demons of his past in order to finally give himself over to Jane completely.  There is a very touching scene between him and Butch toward the end which is quite well done.  Overall, there is a feeling of satisfaction in V and Jane's storyline that Lover Unbound missed.

It's pretty obvious that Manny and Payne have locked onto each other from the beginning.  Even though Manny is a human, he gets all "mine" with her and starts spouting off vampire scent.  While both characters are likeable enough, there just isn't a lot of drama involved with their love story.  The virgin-heroine-having-to-be-taught-sexual-love-from-the-experienced-man thing is rather annoying.  It was cool when Marissa was inexperienced because her crazy marriage to Wrath provided an interesting twist, but with Payne, it comes across as cliche. And the way that Manny “cured” Payne’s spinal cords injury?  It was so ridiculous that I almost laughed out loud.

There is a new group of male vamps introduced in this book also.  In a painfully written flashback, we see Payne killing her father, The Bloodletter, for his abuses against V.  (More on the "painfully written" part in a minute.)  This sets the scene for Xcor, the Bloodletter's son, to want to avenge his father's death by finding the mysterious woman who killed him.  In the present, Xcor and his gang act as a rogue band of brothers, killing lessors and other horrible humans in the old country.  Now that the lessors have relocated to the New York to go after the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Xcor and his buddies have no one else to hunt.  They decide to travel to the U.S., and Xcor has his sights on Wrath's kingship.  I suspect this will be a major story line in the next book. 

A couple of storylines were conspicuously missing.  Tohment, Lassier and Murder do not show up in this book at all.  Several other characters including Xhex, John Matthew, Revenge, Phury and Zsadist get barely more than a mention.  Even the lessors had only a tiny part in this book.  The Quinn/Blay storyline which has been building now over several books doesn't progress much (to my incredible disappointment); although, we are given a clue that Layla will play a significant part in their tale. 

Now, about that painfully written flashback... Let me just say that one of things I love about Ward's writing is her modern vernacular.  The brothers all speak with cool street slang which lends toughness to their characters.  That being said, the dialog in her flashbacks and the way Xcor and Payne speak in the present made me want to throw the book across the room.  Tossing in a "mayhap" or a "verily" every other sentence does not make historical dialog.  The only thing it does is give the reader a headache.  And why is Xcor still talking like this?  He is the same age as the rest of the brothers.  How come their speech has evolved while his hasn't?  I get it that he has been living in England, but they don't talk like this either!  Ward seriously needs to do something about this horrible dialog in her next book or her readers will mutiny.

Overall, I give 'Lover Unleashed'...

Plot –3 1/2 bookmarks (The V and Jane stuff was great, but the resolution of Xcor’s vendetta against Payne was stupid.)

Character Development- 4 bookmarks (Again, mostly do to V and Jane. Payne is still pretty cardboard to me yet.)

Love Story- 3 bookmarks (Again, the V and Jane story developed nicely, but the Payne and Manny story was boring.)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading)  - I see Wrath almost as a cartoon or comic book figure.  Not a real person.  Rachel Weisz (Beth), Carrie-Anne Moss (Xhex), Chad-Michael Murray (John Matthew), Tom Felton (Lash), Kirk MacLeod (Phury), a bald Kirk MacLeod (Zsadist), Orlando Bloom (Rhevenge), Kevin Alejandro (Vishious), Brad Pitt (Rhage), Megan Fox (Bella), Mark Wahlberg (Butch), Marion Cotillard (Payne), Joe Manganiello (Manny)

Review: 'Dead Reckoning' by Charlaine Harris

We are now at book eleven in The Southern Vampire Series, and the momentum seems to be winding down.  Upon last check, there are only two more novels planned for the series, and if books ten and eleven are any indication, we are headed for a slow and painful conclusion. 

 

In this installment, Sookie Stackhouse is on the defensive yet again.  Someone is out to get her and repeatedly attacks Merlottes Bar.  Eric is struggling under the oppressive Victor, the new Regent of Louisiana, who is antagonizing him into a fight so he has an excuse to kill him.  Pam's human lover is dying of leukemia, and she wants to turn her, but Victor refuses to give his permission.  There is something Eric is not telling Sookie which is putting distance between them. 

 

This book has some major developments--the blood bond changes, Sam is promoted to best friend status, Sookie learns more about her family and where her telepathy comes from, and there is a major problem with her relationship with Eric.  Unfortunately, between these major developments is a series of slow, only semi-interesting, scenes where Sookie is being victimized in one way or another.  It's all feeling a little bit repetitive at this point.  Harris should not have brought Sandra Pelt (Debbie's vengeful sister) back.  She seemed like more of a distraction than a integral part of the story.  There is a scene with Sookie hiding in Bill's hidey-hole with him that feels completely contrived.  No one cares about Bill any more!  Rather than coming across as sexy as Harris probably had intended, it seemed creepy and weird.  And don't get me started about the weird scene where Sookie comes home to find a naked Alcide sleeping in her bed for no apparent reason.

 

Speaking of not sexy...there was no chemistry at all between Sookie and Eric in this book, leading me to believe their relationship is ending.  In past books, the sparks between them practically set the pages on fire (book four--hello!), but this book showed no emotion between them.  When Eric finally tells Sookie the problem that he's been keeping from her, she hardly reacts at all.  We're used to Eric being the stoic one, but even he seemed to be showing more heart than she did. 

The book is also full of continuity problems.  Harris's timelines just don't add up.  She reveals that Eric and Niall have been colluding for years and Eric has been reporting to him about Sookie.  Supposedly, it was Eric's report to Niall that caused Niall to send Claudine to her.  How is that possible when Claudine showed up in book four when Eric had amnesia and he didn't know she was part fae until book seven?  There is also the fact that vamps can't be around fae without wanting to drain them, making this close working relationship between the two improbable. 

 

Problems with continuity generally mean the author did not have a strongly built world to begin with and is making things up as they go along.  Another sign pointing to this is that sudden appearance of the cluvial dor, a faery love charm which grants one wish.  You just know that Sookie is going to use this wish on something completely ridiculous like to make Eric human or something.  The cluvial dor makes things too easy for Sookie and too convenient for Harris as a writer.  She basically can do any implausible thing she wants now under the guise of this faery magic.   

 

I will continue with this series because I feel I have so much invested in it already, but I can't say that I'm counting down the days until the next book.

 

Overall, I give 'Dead Reckoning'...

 

Plot - 2 1/2 bookmarks

Character Development - 2 bookmarks

Love Story - 1 bookmark

Sex Scenes - 1 bookmark

World Building - 2 bookmarks

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - I can't help it.  All I see in my head anymore are the actors from the TV show.  The show has some good casting though.

Review: VAMPIRE VOSS by Colleen Gleason

Vampires in Regency England…what’s not to love? 

Like many women of the time, Angelica Woodmore’s sole responsibility is to find a suitable husband.  But she is far more interesting than the insipid and silly society girls.  Angelica lives with a dark knowledge. She has a psychic ability to see people’s deaths.  This ability is both a gift and a curse, for she has to live with the knowledge.  When her brother and guardian goes missing, she and her sisters are placed under the guardianship of her brother’s business associate, the mysterious Earl of Covindale.

Enter Voss Arden, Viscount Dewhurst.  Voss is a 148 year old vampire who is, in typical vamp fashion, only out for himself.   Learning of Chas Woodmore’s disappearance and of his sister’s rare talent, Voss seeks to employ her services.  Voss is a wonderfully brilliant character!  He is conceited, selfish and a prankster.  He aligns himself with no one and deals out information to the highest bidder, regardless of what side they are on.  He wants to use Angelica’s ability to learn information that he will be able to sell.  What he doesn’t count on is how lovely she is and how badly, he wants to possess her. 

Angelica soon learns that her brother Chas has run off with the sister of a nasty vampire, Cezar Moldovi.  When a group of his henchmen begin tearing up the town to find Angelica in order to punish her brother, Voss’s long buried protective instincts kick in.  He finds himself battling his urge to drain and bed her. 

This book has plenty of action and romance and fun characters.  The chemistry between Angelica and Voss is hot, but at the same time, it is not the typical “bad boy in need of the love of a good woman.”  Voss is a servant of Lucifer.  As such, he is completely self-absorbed, a literal slave to his desires.  His inner battle and it’s outcome are probably my favorite elements of the story. 

Angelica is also a wonderful character.  She’s a proper young woman of her time, but also incredibly tough.  She doesn’t allow Voss to push her around.  Her journey as a character revolves around discovering her inner strength.  There is a fabulous image of her barefoot and bleeding on the floor of a room destroyed by murderous vampires clutching a makeshift stake to her chest, ready to fight for her life.  My description can’t come close to how beautiful this image was. 

The reviews of it on Amazon are mixed, but I enjoyed it.  The sister Maia irritated me, but I think she was supposed to.  There are two more in this series coming out this spring, and I plan to read them. 

Overall, I give Vampire Voss…

Plot – 4 bookmarks

Character Development – 4 ½ bookmarks

Love Story – 4 bookmarks

Interpretation of Vampire Lore – 4 bookmarks

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Shannon Woodward (Angelica), Charlie Hunnam (Voss)