Archive for the ‘My Book Reviews’ Category

I admit it….I have Terrible Fever. So much so, that today’s review will not follow my usual format (yes, it has affected my thought process that much!)

What is Terrible Fever you ask? It is caused by Stacia Kane’s “Downside Ghosts” series and has a variety of symptoms (pleasing to the reader, perhaps not so much to those around the reader).

The fever causes the reader to:

• Obsess about the characters (and particularly one named “Terrible”).
• Bite their nails, clench their teeth, and sleep only a few hours a night (staying up until 3 or 4am or waking extra early just to get a few more chapters in). In some extreme cases, they do both (as I did – meaning I was getting about 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night until I was finished reading the series).

However, the symptoms don’t end there.

• The reader will sigh frequently, and groan in agony quite a few times too.
• Upon attempting to follow a normal daily routine (like work), the obsession will continue to consume the reader’s thoughts, as they re-live the scenes in their head. This causes the reader to unwittingly ignore everyone around them and have that “dreamy” look in their eyes (or that glassy look - tee hee!).
• Every “break” the reader gets, will find them scrambling for their book, And let’s be honest, the reader will attempt to create many of these “extra breaks”. You may even hear them growling or catch them rolling their eyes at anyone who succeeds in distracting them.
• You know that fake smile you’ve seen when you’ve interrupted a reader (or given, if you were the reader interrupted)? You know the one…where you hold your breath and plaster a fake smile that looks more like a grimace? The eyebrows are raised, with feigned interest in what the “interrupter” is saying. Yeah…it happens ALOT here… 
• But the worst symptom, and it happens to the best of us, is when the reader suddenly breaks out in “Downside-speak”. Yes, it happened to me. And it wasn’t pretty. Husband confused…worried expression…eyebrows raised. I assured him I was not having an “episode”, but it did cause me to chuckle and contemplate how funny the brain is…
• And of course, as with ALL great and addictive series, once it is over, the reader will insist upon talking about it incessantly, even trying to incorporate little “tidbits” of the book into normal daily conversation. Yeah…it’s best to join a “Terrible Support Group” when that happens (I’ve joined “I Gots Terrible Fever” on Goodreads). Luckily I also have “Lily” – she understands my predicament. Although…she is the one who introduced me to this addiction. Hrmmm…

Ok so what’s the series about? It’s awesome, but I’m simply going to paste in this morning’s chat with my mom about the series and how she needs to read it (she’s a paranormal romance addict like us). It’s kinda ”raw” - just me, in my full excitement about the series, trying to tell her about it in general, without spoiling it. It would be too easy to give spoilers away, and since it is an ongoing series, I really don’t want to do that for those who haven’t read it yet. I think I did okay…

Maryse says:
ok mom
listen

Gisele says:
I’m all ears… (eyes)

Maryse says:
remember that book series that Lily reviewed on my website – where she’s calling you and telling you about Terrible?

Gisele says:
yes

Maryse says:
oh boy 
I read it

Gisele says:
yeah the pimp

Maryse says:
I LOVED it
well he works for the pimp (breaks legs and stuff u know haha)
the first book was good but #2 and #3 blew me away
it is somewhat action (because there are mysteries she has to solve and lots of dangerous situations) bad ghosts loose, plus enemies etc…
u know the stuff – keeps it exciting
but the love triangle between her and Terrible and Lex (another drug dealer- the opposing one)
WOW
riveting
and I don’t think it’s considered a romance series…but her personal life is so interesting, so realistic – nothing fake about it. You feel it.

Gisele says:
really!… I guess it’s another series I’ll have to read

Maryse says:
OH YES
its not vampires
its humans
but something happened where ghosts overtook the world, and everyone now realizes there are no gods

Gisele says:
really? not vampires and it’s good?

Maryse says:
and ghosts are bad so to get rid of the ghosts witches and people with magical abilities form a “Church” and do witchcraft, magic, banishing spells etc and it works – so the new “Church” is magic

Gisele says:
that sounds really interesting!

Maryse says:
run by witches (elders the whole thing) they are also now law
they protect everyone from these ghosts etc… it’s good (although I cringe at the no God thing)

Gisele says:
yeah… I can understand that

Maryse says:
bad stuff happens and some ghosts get out
they are supposed to be locked in their own “Underworld” where it is supposedly peaceful 
but they’re dangerous so that is the “adventure part” (every new assignment “Chess” takes – she’s the main character and a strong witch) but
she needs pills to cope (past issues in her childhood, plus all the freaky stuff she sees)
so that’s how come shes stuck with these dealers
and she also has to work for them (possible ghost issues in their “territory”)
but since they dont want the “law” (the church) involved in their areas they hire her privately
And that’s where Terrible and Lex fit in…(Terrible helps her and protects her cause its a VERY bad part of town
SO GOOD mom

Gisele says:
really!!!! send me the title of the series and the author

Maryse says:
ok
I mean it mom
it’s convoluted a bit when she talks about her spells – it’s very descriptive as she’s performing her magic
sometimes I found myself skimming a bit to get to the REALLY good parts but there are LOTS of good parts

So there it is folks. My “chat” series description is missing a lot of good stuff. But really, Stacia Kane knows how to make you feel the story, the situations, and the characters. I’ll let her narrate the stories the way they need to be told.

Oh also – a little piece of my chat with Lily today, because I forgot to tell you guys. Terrible isn’t the typical hero. Let’s just say…he’s not handsome. In fact, “Chess” considers him “ugly”. So how is it that we can all heart him so much? But don’t let the chat snippet below fool you into jumping to conclusions spoiler-wise…Lex is pretty special too… You’ll see.

chatting with Lily…

Maryse:
in fact
I thought to myself
how am I gonna be able to crush on an ugly book hero?
I dont get these girls
and then I thought
I already know too much of the story that he won’t take me by surprise
and I just KNEW I’d love Lex more
but nope…
Terrible won me
won me terribly

so I get it
and it was just in a book?? how?
that’s how good Stacia is…she can WRITE so well that they become real
u see them the way you SHOULD see them

Oh and, speaking of Lily (and her reviews of the books), here they are (to get a little more detail on what each book is about):

Lily’s Book Review of Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
Lily’s Book Review of Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane
Lily’s Book Review of City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane

I LOVED this series so much, that I’m reading anything “Downside-related” that I can find. I’ll be devoting the next few posts to the series (and to Terrible!) – I still need my Downside “fix”! I’m not ready to let go yet. So yes, folks, it’s gonna be a “Terrible” weekend

Series Reading Order:

1. Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)
2. Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts, Book 2)
3. City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 3)

I’m so excited! I’ve been waiting anxiously for No Mercy (Dark-Hunter Novels). The time is drawing near, and we will once again be able to immerse ourselves in the Dark-Hunter/Were-Hunter world (Yay Dev!!)…

Available September 7th from St. Martin’s Press is #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s latest release in her widely loved Dark-Hunter series, ‘No Mercy’.

“Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before…..”

Let’s watch the trailer, shall we?

Link to trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=067W4Kvqa4g

Sherrilyn Kenyon website containing book synopsis and much more:
http://were-hunter.com/

This one was intense! The romantic despair was off the charts, and scorching hot. While some might find it to be a bit much, my "romance sweet tooth" was greatly appeased

So, way back in the 1500′s, there is this absolutely GORGEOUS mortal in Scotland (Sidheach AKA "Hawk " – who is perfect in EVERY way), and he has caught the eye of the Fae Queen. Hawk is desired by every female, but takes none into his heart. In essence, he is the 1500′s version of a "player". A total heartbreaker, he has managed to anger many females who swore to make him theirs. The Queen is amused by his reputation and greatly intrigued. She flaunts his prowess to her equally gorgeous royal (and immortal) Fae subjects.  Now suddenly they are extremely jealous too, and a few in particular start scheming against the human Highlander. And you know those pesky Fae….once they start causing trouble, it can have devastating effects on the mortal world.

And their scheming turns one particular woman’s (Adrienne) world upside down. Plucked from her home in 1997, she finds herself suddenly in the lap of some abhorrent Scottish Laird that is preparing his daughter’s wedding to the notorious "Hawk".

"What!?" you ask? "I thought you said Hawk didn’t take anyone into his heart!"

‘Tis true – he does not. However, he has also made his King very jealous and the King is forcing him to marry this Laird’s daughter, Janet (considered the most unattractive and crazy loon in the land – but nobody really knows since nobody’s ever actually seen her). If they do not marry, both this woman’s family and his own, will be exterminated. Evidently, Hawk’s not happy. But his luck is turning (sorta) cause what he doesn’t know is that the Laird’s crazy daughter is dead. And this gorgeous creature (Adrienne) that has "magically" appeared in the Laird’s lap, will do the trick just fine!

And the fun begins! From trying to discern what just happened to her life, to being forced in accepting her role as "crazy Janet" and marrying the luscious Hawk, to resisting his every advance, Adrienne’s feminist fortitude is being tested at every turn.

"Am I so displeasing then?"

"Yes."

He stared. Gazed about the room. Studied the rafters. No mysterious answer was hovering anywhere to be found.

"The lasses have always for me most comely," he said finally.

"Maybe that’s part of your problem."

"Pardon?"

"I don’t like your attitude."

"My attitude?" he echoed dumbly.

"Right. So get thee from my bed and from my sight and speak no more to me this night."

"You’re the damnedest lass I’ve ever met."

Oh and she’s also resisting the equally gorgeous "Adam Black" (Hawk’s blacksmith). Yup! There’s a love triangle! YAY! Oh and did I mention? She HATES beautiful men. She’s been played before…

After Hawk finds Adrienne gazing in awe at Adam Black, they have a heated (and funny) conversation of her rules in their "marriage" vs. "Hawk’s rules" (keep in mind – this was back in the 1500′s, and the whole context of this conversation was "lighter" in tone than what this quote appears to be):

His laughter rolled dangerous and heavy. "Enough. Now we’re going to count Hawk’s rules." he held up his hand and began ticking fingers off. "First, you’re my wife, thusly you’ll obey me in all things. If I must command you to my bed, then so be it. Second" – his other hand rose and she flinched, half expecting to be hit, but he cupped her face firmly and glared into her eyes – "you will stay away from Adam. Third, you’ll give all pretense of being delighted to be married to me – both publicly and privately. Fourth, fifth, and sixth, you’ll stay away from Adam."

And a tiny portion of one of my favorite scenes. The lead-up to this "plea" is scorching hot, but I’ll let you experience it in it’s entirety. This quote doesn’t do the whole scene justice, but it does convey the emotion nicely…

"Say my name, lass, for the love of God!" Hawk roared. He was shaking with a mixture of barely restrained passion and disbelief that she could respond to him so erotically, so completely, yet still withhold his name. "If there is any chance for me at all, Adrienne, call out to me! If you can’t even say my name, then I stand no chance of ever gaining your love!"

His last plea was the agonized cry of a wounded animal; it laid open her heart.

This book is fun! fun! fun! And exciting. And sexy. And passionate beyond compare. And even a bit scary and sad…You’ll love joining them on their journey, dealing with their pasts, while adjusting to their present and possible future. Read it!! I’m addicted to the series, and will be starting book#3 tonight.

And here is the original cover – below (as per the author’s website):

Rob Ashton was Beyond the Highland Mist’s original cover model.

 
City of Ghosts
Dear Maryse,
 
I am writing this letter from somewhere near Downside, dig? I am hunting a black 69 Chevelle, cause I know that only Terrible is driving that car in these parts. I just got done with Stacia Kane’s 3rd book in the Downside Ghosts series and I am convinced she wrote it just for me. This book brings us into an intense case with the Black Squad – one they put a binding spell on her over. Chess can not mention the case to anyone, or the ghosts of the original elders will literally come back to get her. This is a VERY highly paid job, but Chess is an odd girl. She is a witch with the church, her official title being a debunk-er – her job is to seek out people looking to defraud the church by making false ghost claims, but she also has a big nasty secret from them.

“Most Debunkers spent their money on actual things, rather than just buying anything they could swallow, smoke or snort. Unlike Chess.”

She ends up paired up with Lauren, a Black Squad member and the Grand Elder’s daughter to boot. Instant dislike on both sides is rampant and as they begin to investigate the dangerous rebel group who is showing signs of trying to overthrow the church. Fighting with psychopomps, dark dangerous magic, Lauren who she’s not sure she can trust and then we can never forget the fresh problems with Terrible. Betrayal is nothing that is easy to forgive, and to say Terrible is not the forgiving sort is an understatement. Unfortunately for both her and Terrible (as he is doing his best to avoid her all together) fate jumps in with both feet.

“Her sigh felt dragged from the depths of her soul. Great. Working for Bump again.” and of course that means lots of forced interaction with Terrible.

At one point in the investigation she is plunged into a nice neighborhood and has this astounding thought

“Suburban generic, right down to the coffee shop sharing the parking lot, so the yuppies could have their frothy caffeine fixes before they even left the property. Funny how addiction was socially acceptable-even a status symbol-when it made people extroverts rather than introverts.”

I love this book because Chess’s drug problem is there, but not as heavy as in the other two books – this one focused more on her relationships with others. She is very profound at times and at one point thinks

“How the hell did people do this, this emotion-and-forgiveness thing? How did they stand these feelings? She could barely handle it and she had lovely, necessary, reason-for-living drugs to smooth over the rough spots. How did people do this shit sober?”

Speaking of relationships, her one with Terrible is rocky and rough, rough, rough.

“But she never thought about the way Terrible looked, at least not that way. He hadn’t been ugly to her for months; he’d gone from just being a face she was familiar with to being a face she loved to look at, a face that made her….happy. Who gave a shit what anyone else saw when they looked at him, when they saw the crooked, many times broken nose, or the scars, or the jutting brow or thick jaw and heavy muttonchops? She knew what she saw, and that was all that mattered. Knew what was behind those hard dark eyes, and wanted it more than anything.”

As in the past where there is interaction with Terrible there is interaction with Lex to follow – even after they “breakup”. Poor Chess continues to have trouble with being connecting to people and is dismayed to discover she is finding comfort with other people instead of just her drugs.

“People, she was discovering, were like cockroaches: If you allowed one in, more were sure to follow.”

She has amazing revelations in this book, and although I will tell you this one detailed more of the fighting and some gore, it was mostly centered around the relationships. Chapter 31 – cheese and crackers! And let me tell you Chapter 32 found me smiling. This book ended well but makes me wait for 2011. It is official – I am in love with the Stacia Kane Downside Series, and more than just a little with a drug dealers enforcer….it’s just Terrible, I tell you. Terrible.
 
Your Progeny,
Lily

———————–

Make sure to check out Lily’s own awesome blog – “Lilium’s Realm“ - she’s hilarious and my mom (Lily’s “Grandmaker”) is addicted to Lily’s darkly humorous side, as am I!

Unholy Magic 

left on Maryse’s voicemail:
12:36am: Maryse! Oh my goodness I am so in love! I told you I was reading that new Downside series by Stacia Kane, right? It’s that new urban fantasy series based around the idea that in 1997 “Truth” was revealed and ghosts took over and killed tons of people. The only ones able to help was a small church that believed in magic, and once they restrained the ghosts and put them back in the ground (called The City) they took over the government and religion, because there was now proof there are no gods. The main character is Chess, a witch who works for the church but is heavily addicted to pills. This is an awesome series, that reads easily (except for Downside speak which is easy enough to pick up).
 
1:15am: Hey, my Maker! So dig this, after being poisoned while busting an illegal witch Chess heads to a local club to hang with Terrible, her drug dealers muscle when they get the call to come inspect the body of a murdered prostitute. This isn’t all that uncommon, but her eyes are missing, and that is the third body in Downside that has turned up like that. Locals are claiming it must be “The Cryin Man” but Chess doesn’t think it’s a ghost.
 
1:36am: Awesome scene while at another prostitutes murder site, Chess has just declared that it is not the Cryin Man killing these whores.

“You ain’t know nothing,” a man scoffed. “How I’m supposed to trust some junkie Churchwitch-”

The words sliced through her like razor-sharp fangs. Her face flooded with shame, so hot she imagined it steamed in the icy air. At least it wasn’t difficult to identify the speaker. All she had to do was look for the man with Terrible’s fist locked around his neck.

“Ain’t think I hear you right,” Terrible said in a calm, quiet voice. “Wanna louden up?” The man shook his head His eyes bulged. He looked like a bug, with his hands clenching into tiny useless fists. “You sure? You got else to say, you best say it now, instead of later. Now we got us watchers. Later might not be true, dig?” The man dug.

1:55am: You know I really get a serious kick out of the way her drug dealing pimp Bump is described. He is vulgar and wears fur pajamas. He wants her to her to pretend to be a hooker to catch this hooker killing ghost-catching ghosts is her job after all, and mentions she might even want to turn a few tricks and “could help herself.” You got to love Terrible’s reaction to this…

“She ain’t do it, Bump.”

So as she is sitting there-stoned out of her freaking mind- she has this thought “She wasn’t considering it, not really….but he did have a point. It was her job. Save the cold, and the disgusting suggestion that she might actually turn a trick or two wasn’t a half bad idea. That was the problem with Bump. Despite the fact that he was practically a textbook villain – she expected him to grow a mustache to twirl any day- his ideas made sense.”

I guess if you’re stoned, but really this does not sound like the Chess we know.
 
2:28am: I know you LOVE triangles so you are going LOVE this book. The tension between her and Terrible are off the charts, but there is still one small problem of Lex, the rival drug dealers main man, that she has been sleeping with for months. After an extremely personal moment with Terrible and a step back for both of them Chess has a very sorrowful thought

“Why was she do determined always to do the exact wrong thing?”

3:05am: I can’t wait to see how this book ends! Turns out Slobag (the rival Lex is with) is having the same problem in his territory, and wants to meet with Bump. That means Bump wants her at that meeting with him and Terrible, and Lex is going to be there. Slobag knows Chess is sleeping with Lex, and if Bump suspects she is with the enemy he will have Terrible kill her, without a doubt. So how does one act when faced with being stuck between two rival drug dealers she has obligations to and the man she is sleeping with and the one she calls her best friend?

“When had being an addict gotten so f-ing hard? So exhausting? It had been so easy for so long; she had a steady supply, she kept to herself, nobody bothered her. Now she was constantly up to her ears in intrigue and complications, being torn in every direction but her own, all thanks to her need for those pills.” 

But don’t be fooled, just because she can admit she has a problem doesn’t mean she’s ready to do anything about it.
 
4:24am: Maryse, I am heartbroken, torn and ripped up. The ending of this book is so harsh. I am really glad City of Ghosts is already out, my goodness the withdrawal would have been brutal. For some reason I keep finding myself cheering for the pillhead witch and the drug dealers muscle as they face danger and horror that even they didn’t see coming, sometimes ghosts aren’t the only big bad out there. A wonderful read that deserves all the praise it has been getting. As you know I have gotten quite picky over the last few months and this is by far and away the best new series of the year for me. I need you to come feel my forehead…..I think I’ve come down with a case of Terrible fever.

Make sure to check out Lily’s own awesome blog – “Lilium’s Realm“ - she’s hilarious and my mom (Lily’s “Grandmaker”) is addicted to Lily’s darkly humorous side, as am I!

Ok, so….am I about to trade in my sexy vampires for some intense and breathtaking highlanders? WOW!! On a whim I read the first book in this series this past weekend, and was completely hooked! And now I need the reading order to continue (cause I just can’t stop thinking about the first book —> I HEART Hawk and I need more).

So while I gather my info, I thought I’d publish it for your use, too This definitely counts as paranormal cause there’s time travel, and those pesky fae (and well of course, it kinda “mingles” with the author’s “Fever” series that I love)

The author states:

I’ve been told by readers that the first five stand alone, however I believe the reading experience is richer if read in this order:

• Beyond the Highland Mist
• To Tame a Highland Warrior
• Highlander’s Touch (Highlander Series #3)
• Kiss of the Highlander
• The Dark Highlander
• The Immortal Highlander
• Spell of the Highlander
• Into the Dreaming (a novella as found in the “Tapestry” anthology)

Unholy Ghosts
Hey guys. I am over here today to make a long distance call to my Grandmaker. You would be shocked to your toes to find out how much it costs me on my cell to call her.

Hey Grandmaker, how are you? Oh, yes ma’am me and mine are good. I called today to tell you something HUGE. I am in love. Swoon over the Moon LOVE! Le Sigh. His name is Terrible and he is beyond wonderful! He’s also a drug dealer, but I get ahead of myself. Let me tell you how we met.

On Twitter everyone was all a-tweeting about Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane. I read blog after blog talking about how great this series was. I was a little wary. I have to admit I have not be in love with any of the new series new releases. I know this was published in 2009, but I was still a little “meh” about trying it. So Maryse and me got together and said “Why not? We will read it together?” So we shook on it and off we went. Well you know me, I can’t ever wait for nothing. So this weekend I dove in, and ooo la la I am in LOVE. I heart this book.

As this is Urban Fantasy it is sort of a new reality. In 1997 The Truth was revealed. There is no God, hungry savage murderous ghosts exist and the only way to stay safe from them to align with The Church. The Church uses magic to keep them contained and banish when needed. It also pays well those who report authentic haunting but beware if you’re lying, because those sent to investigate also help to punish those who try to steal from the Church. The Church of Truth employs Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch, as a Debunker, and ghost hunter. Life is not easy for her, she is a rebel by refusing to live on church grounds choosing to live in Downside and is a drug addict, this is something the Church must not find out about.
 
So what happens when her drug dealer Bump decides she is going to pay him 400% interest on top of what she owes him or she can choose to do him a favor and get rid of a few ghosts for him? What do think? She agrees, but finds herself escorted and aided by Bump’s thug henchmen Terrible. Terrible’s name says it all, but his look just underlines the fact, and his antisocial manner just adds the exclamation point:

“Are you really driving a hundred and twenty?”
Terrible shrugged again.
“Not real verbal, are you Terrible?”
“This time he glared at her, the greenish lights from the dash highlighting the astonishing ugliness of his profile. His crooked nose–it must have been broken several times–the way his brows jutted out like a cliff over the ocean, the set of his jaw. She held her hands up, palms out. “Okay. Just making conversation.”
“Dames always wanna talk.”
“Not like there’s anything else they’d want to do with you.”
Terrible reached forward and turned up the radio.

I thought – man that is harsh Chess. She gets so nasty to him sometimes. Anyways she is plagued trying to find out what is going with some ghost airplanes when something really bad happens. She discovers someone has called forth a strong evil ghost and it is gaining power. She has some profound moments of thought that often times caught me unaware:

“With magic almost anything was possible; all objects had energy, and energy could be manipulated.”

And just because things in her life were not stirred up enough she gets kidnapped by a rival gang. She is told she must do something unthinkable to remain in their good graces, and being in their good graces including being alive. So what do say to a handsome, sexy and mysterious kidnapper with ultimatums?

“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Aye, you do that, tulip. You think hard. And when you decide, you let me know.” he dug a scrap of paper from his back pocket and produced a pen from his boot. “This is my number, dig? Call me when you know what you wanna do. Or if you decide you wanna let me see that ink, aye?”
“That’s not going to happen.” She took the number, tucked it in her pocket.
“You’d be surprised, tulip, what happens when you not expecting it. Surprised, indeed.”

She also finds amazing strength inside herself, in times when there just might be little to no hope.

“Terrible thought she was brave. She remembered it now, heard his voice in her head as if he stood next to her. “They scared. Not you, though.” Terrible thought she was brave, and if he – a man whose name was Terrible, a man whose path people scrambled to get out of – thought so, it must be true. She could do this, she would do this.”

I really loved Chess, maybe because of the drug addiction. It was nice to see a heroine that was not perfect and maybe because she was tough but knew her weaknesses, like when she was terrified and doing her best anyways. Terrible caught my heart by not being perfect as well, he isn’t pretty, but it was time for some flawed, dark, and underbellyish heroes to rise up. I was rolled up in the suspense and danger and rooting for drug dealers, witches with pill problems and magic to save the day. 
 
One side note is about Downside Speak. It is like English only a little different, dig? If you read historicals and did fine with those, and read the Black Dagger Brotherhood and picked up on the lingo you’ll be fine, true?
 
Grandmaker, I tell you go out and get this like yesterday. For the first time in a long time I bought the second book the second I turned the last page on this one. I think I hear Maryse and you know she is going to want to talk to you. Hey Sweetpea! Grandmaker is on the phone! By Grandmaker, I know with your love for Rehv you will welcome Terrible with open arms!

Note from Maryse: Thank you Lily for hanging out with my crew! This series sounds awesome and “Terrible” intrigues me terribly ….not terribly goodlooking, but unbelievably crushworthy huh? You’ve mentionned him all week, so I’m anxious to read this!

Make sure to check out Lily’s own awesome blog – “Lilium’s Realm“ - she’s hilarious and my mom (Lily’s “Grandmaker”) is addicted to Lily’s darkly humorous side, as am I  

My Sister is a Werewolf
Cute and fun (and really really HOT!!)! I always feel like I can relate to Kathy’s characters. Unlike many of the paranormal books I’ve been reading lately, her characters aren’t as “ancient” and still retain many of their very human qualities. They continue to concern themselves with mainstream human lifestyles, are emotional, and experience a range of insecurities, that of which us “mortals” can comprehend. And, what’s more, they fall in love with “mere mortals” too!

I guess, when all is said and done, when I read a book and “escape” my world, I don’t want to escape too far. I want to feel like it’s “normal” (or still somewhat realistic, as if even I could be a part of it). Our world…just “cooler”. Kathy Love, Lyndsay Sands, and even Kerrelyn Sparks deliver these kinds of stories. Characters with a modern feel. Paranormal people you’d expect to have as neighbors, or maybe even work with,  meet in a bar… *ahem* OK anyway…speaking of meeting in a bar, onto this story:

Elizabeth, the recently reunited sister of the Young brothers, is lonely (and antsy). After having lived a long life with her rough, rude and obnoxious “werewolf pack” (a biker gang that was the complete opposite of her genteel ways), she has escaped. Now living (in hiding) in the same town as her brother Christian, she is desperately trying to find a cure to reverse her “werewolf-ness”. Succeeding would mean she could finally be free of being the pack leaders mate. Cheating, abusive and psycho, her “mate” forced her into a situation she might not have accepted knowing otherwise.

One evening, “antsy-er” than usual, she goes to her brother’s bar, and finds herself uncontrollably attracted to a man (Jensen) at the next table. Her new world quickly turns upside down (but in a good way).

The man was looking at her. She’d felt his gaze before she’d actually seen it. Their gazes met, and even in the dim light, she could see his eyes were a mixture somewhere between brown and green.

Again her body told her this was what she needed. This was what she’d been wanting. He was what she wanted. She continued to stare, meeting his gaze, until he looked away. Still she watched him. Unable to do otherwise. The need was in control now.

From Jensen’s perspective:

This was too damned weird. Yet he couldn’t stop glancing at the stranger. She sat, perfectly still, her attention trained on him. She didn’t even seem to register the man beside her. Jensen shifted, his body reacting to that steady gaze as if it was a touch, stroking over him, teasing his burning skin.

I’d liken it to “love at first sight”. While she might not admit that, her extreme, undeniable, reaction to him leads her to act in ways that would normally embarrass her. Regardless, she is unable to deny her lust for him. The “werewolf” in her forces her to claim what is hers, by whatever means she can. The human in her cringes when she recalls her actions.

And what actions they are! Wooooohooo hot hot – scorching hot! She practically stalks him in a predatory,way, over and over again, and while all of his senses let him know something is off, he can’t deny this gorgeous creature that demands he ummm…”give it up”. 

His fingers itched to touch her, but instead he said, “This is crazy.”

She reached out and caressed him again, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. Soothing him, encouraging him. He caught her hand and pulled her back against him, kissing her. She caught the back of his head, tasting him with greedy demand.

While they sexually explore their obvious attraction, they begin to develop a deeper connection as they get to know one another. But things are never easy in a paranormal/human relationship.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You don’t understand. I can’t be with Jensen.”

“I know it’s scary, but – ”

“I can’t be with Jensen because even if he would accept me, I’m mated.”

Mina stared at her. “Oh.”

Not only does she have to contend with hiding her “nature” from him, she also continues to fear that her horrible “mate” will find her before she has found her cure.

And unbeknownst to her, Jensen also has a past of his own that he is still trying to get over – the loss of the love of his life, Katie. That, along with a few deep regrets and apprehensions, keeps the angst going strong in this tale.

There is one part of the book that I thought was going somewhere (it seemed like it was definitely set-up that way), but in the end, it didn’t happen. I’m not sure if the author abandoned that storyline, or if I simply missed a part, or if it will be explained in future books, but that would be my only complaint. I won’t say what it is, since I don’t want to spoil anything but it DOES have to do with Jensen.

Their emotional, physical and even life-threatening journey together will keep you entertained, and her protective brothers will have you laughing and feeling all warm and fuzzy (after they’re done bullying the new man in her life, that is). All in all it was a great, well-rounded, charming read!