Archive for June, 2009

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“Storm of Shadows,” Christina Dodd

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Pros: Fantastic characters and romance; gripping plot
Cons: One slightly overused series premise; some minor confusion over the prophecy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 9/1/2009.
Visit Christina Dodd on the web.
Also posted on Epinions.com

 

From the back of the book:

When the world was young, twins were born. One brought light to a dark world; the other, darkness and danger. They gathered others around them, men and women destined to use their powerful gifts for good or evil. Today, their descendants walk the earth as the Chosen, and the ultimate battle is about to begin.

Rosamund Hill has spent her life buried in her parents’ work, as well as her own, and has been perfectly happy tucked away with her research. Then, in one day, two men turn her world upside down: slick, gorgeous Lance, and dark, brooding Aaron. Both of them want the same thing, information about a prophecy, and both of them are willing to nudge, seduce, and influence Rosamund to get it. Lance, however, is willing to kill—whereas Aaron finds himself becoming more and more taken with the frustrating academic. And more mysteriously, as he and Rosamund work to uncover the prophecy, his powers as one of the Chosen become stronger.

 
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Posted in Horror & Paranormal, Romance & Erotica | Permalink | 5 Comments »

“Guac Off,” Nathan Myers

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Pros: Simple, delicious, hilarious
Cons: …
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (published 2009) courtesy of Chronicle Books.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Ahh, guacamole. Is there another food that is as decadent and yet healthful at the same time? Avocados have a rich taste and creamy texture. Sure they’re fatty, but they’re exploding with healthful nutrients. Nowadays you won’t just find avocados in food—you’ll find them in shampoos and skin treatments. They’re buttery and flavorful, and when you mash them with a little lime juice and salt, and serve with tortilla chips, they’re divine. But maybe you’ve already discovered that there’s more to guacamole than that. Some chefs add chopped tomato. Others add diced chilies. Perhaps you’ve experienced one of the more “out there” guacs with fresh herbs, mashed fruit, or a variety of veggies in it. While there are purists who run in horror from such concoctions, Nathan Myers encourages you to explore your options in Guac Off!

 
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Posted in Food Type-Focused, Ingredient-Focused | Permalink | No Comments »

“World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War,” Max Brooks

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Pros: Characters well-crafted, good use of pacing
Cons: Can get a little technical in places

 

From the back of the book:

We survived the zombie apocalypse, but how many of us are still haunted by that terrible time? We have (temporarily?) defeated the living dead, but at what cost? Told in the haunting and riveting voices of the men and women who witnessed the horror firsthand, World War Z is the only record of the plague years.

 
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Posted in Horror & Paranormal | Permalink | No Comments »

Rene is our new reviewer!

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Just wanted to let our readers know that Rene is our new reviewer; she’s getting her feet wet with a few reviews right now, such as the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies review that just went up. The “about” page has the usual notes about the kinds of books she likes to review, and you can tell who posted which review by looking just under the title for the byline. Enjoy!

Posted in Administrivia & News | Permalink | No Comments »

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Pros: Jane Austen’s wonderful plot and text
Cons: Some elements felt forced

 

Elizabeth Bennett is a young woman trained in the arts of war; her enemies are the zombies rising from the earth of England. Added to her woes is the presence of Mr. Darcy, who has accompanied his friend from London to the village of Meryton. The two are quickly at odds with each other, despite Mr. Darcy’s growing feelings. Will misunderstandings and ideals keep the two from each other? Or will zombies get to them first?
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Posted in Horror & Paranormal | Permalink | 5 Comments »

“Killer Summer,” Ridley Pearson

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful plot, characters, mystery, etc.
Cons: Wanted a bit more of a couple of characters; it seemed like a few details were missing
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
Also posted on Epinions.

 

Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming is just trying to reconnect with his nephew through a little fly fishing. Unfortunately it seems he can’t leave the job behind, and when he spots a suspicious truck driving past, he has to investigate. When he realizes he’s interrupted the kidnapping of a courier and the theft of the courier’s expensive cargo, he’s determined to figure out who’s behind it.

Walt’s nephew, Kevin, is still reeling from the death of his father and all the family shock waves that created. He’s working at the local inn when he meets Summer, the daughter of a wealthy movie-maker. Summer’s a headstrong girl who’s chafing at her father’s overprotectiveness and is determined to go her own way—with Kevin’s help. Unfortunately, the two of them are about to cross paths with a complicated heist and some dangerous people…
 
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Posted in Thriller, Adventure & Mystery | Permalink | 1 Comment »

“Forbidden: The Temptation,” Samantha Sommersby

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Pros: Basic story & sex scenes that some will enjoy
Cons: Inconsistencies; hand-waving plot developments; stilted dialogue; non-sexy “sexy” scenes; confusions; thin characters
Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Author Marketing Experts, Inc..

 

Jacob Madison was injured a year ago during a rock-climbing trip. He was saved by werewolves, and still hasn’t forgiven them for making him one of them, even though he’d otherwise be dead. Now it’s his turn to save someone, as he finds Allison hurt in a snowstorm. He’s determined to do it without turning her, however. They just start to find a bit of peace—and a whole lot of passion—in each other’s arms, when trouble comes knocking. There’s a rogue werewolf turned serial killer on the loose, he’s after one of Jake’s new “friends,” and Allison knows a lot more about the situation than she’s letting on.
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Posted in Horror & Paranormal, Romance & Erotica | Permalink | 9 Comments »

“First Rider’s Call,” Kristen Britain

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful epic fantasy in a fantastic world!
Cons: Some of the bad guys were unnecessarily foolish
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

When I received a review copy of Kristen Britain’s long-awaited First Rider’s Call, thankfully I realized that I had a copy of her previous Green Rider sitting unread on a shelf, and started with that. It was a wonderful, layered, epic fantasy novel with delightful characters, gripping action, and engaging world-building. In it, Karigan G’ladheon found herself drawn unwillingly into peril and intrigue when she swore to finish delivering a dying messenger’s missive to his king. As much as she believed herself to be a normal girl, destined to become a merchant like her father, circumstances said otherwise: one of the magical brooches of the legendary Green Riders accepted her, and she began developing some unusual abilities. Soon she was hip-deep in dark magic and political intrigue alike.

In First Rider’s Call, Karigan is still resisting the call of the Riders, and has returned to her father’s merchant clan. Until, that is, the ghost of the First Rider, Lil, calls to her so irresistibly that she ends up riding halfway to Sacor City in her nightgown! Finally unable to bear it any longer, she returns to her duties—and just in time. A sentience has awoken in Blackveil forest near the hole in the wall, and it’s testing its boundaries and waking old powers. While it goes after those trying to repair the wall, using them to its own ends, it sends others after Karigan for some unknown reason. Meanwhile, Karigan tries to keep the Green Riders functional as their Captain goes mad, their barracks burn, and their powers fail.

 
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Posted in Fantasy | Permalink | 2 Comments »

“Green Rider,” Kristen Britain

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Pros: Gripping epic fantasy with wonderful characters!
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

I just got a review copy of Kristen Britain’s First Rider’s Call, the sequel to her 1998 novel Green Rider. Usually when I get a sequel as a review copy, I’m stuck jumping in at the middle of the story and hoping the author gave each book some measure of autonomy. In this case, I blinked at the cover, thought “don’t I have a copy of Green Rider that I never got around to reading?” and ran off to dig it out. Next morning, I settled in to give it a read before starting in on the sequel. I’m so glad I had it sitting around, because I’m hooked on Kristen’s world and characters and can’t wait to find out what happens next!

 

Karigan G’ladheon is on her way home alone from school. She got into—or rather, won—a fight with the wrong nobleman’s son, and was suspended after he complained to influential family members. As she contemplates facing her wealthy merchant father and telling him of her failure, she comes upon a dying man, one of the Green Riders, the king’s own messengers. He insists she take an oath to deliver his message safely to the king, and gives her the golden winged-horse brooch he wears.

Nothing in Karigan’s life will ever be the same again after that meeting. She’s pursued by assassins and a mysterious “shadow man.” The Green Rider’s horse has a mind of his own, and doesn’t hesitate to take her where he wills. The ghost of the Rider seems to follow at her heels, and a few mysterious allies also pop up to lend a hand. Karigan is certain she’s hip deep in something that’s none of her business, but every indication is that whether or not she likes it, she’s already become a Green Rider.

 
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Posted in Fantasy | Permalink | 4 Comments »

“Shoot to Thrill,” Nina Bruhns

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful characters; tons of action & adventure
Cons: Maybe a little melodramatic, but that’s also a plus…
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 8/4/2009.

 

Kick Jackson is a former spy & sniper who lost his team—as well as some of his leg—to terrorists his last time out. The government is calling him up to go after a terrorist only he can recognize, and he’s determined to stay out of it. In his attempt to hide out in the home of a beautiful ER nurse, however, he only ends up accidentally dragging her into his inevitable mission.

Rainie Martin is a strong and capable nurse despite her deep anxieties and a childhood trauma. She’s mad as hell when she gets roped into helping Kick get off of painkillers before his mission, but she can’t abandon him when he isn’t quite ready to go in time—so she agrees to take part of the trip with him, and a surprise attack leaves her stuck in the middle of a war zone.

 
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Posted in Romance & Erotica, Thriller, Adventure & Mystery | Permalink | 5 Comments »

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