Archive for the ‘Jeaniene Frost’ Category

Eternal Kiss of Darkness 
I LOVED it! In fact, I would have easily pulled an all-nighter, but my iPad quit before I was ready to (husband didn’t recharge it for me after his day of playing with it). But it held up well. I started the book late Friday evening and read straight through until 4am. It kept me captivated, on the edge of my seat, and I *sighed* my butt off throughout.

There was just something about this couple that sucked me right in, and they felt *right*. It was tense, exciting, chilling and heartwrenchingly sad – but incredibly and believably romantic. It had just the right amount of angst. I didn’t roll my eyes once! I know I’m *feeling* the book when my reading automatically slows down and I absorb and revel in the moments – does that ever happen to you? Conchita, you had it right! It WAS to be “savored slowly like a decadent desert”

But…I’m going to make a slight admission here, and I hope I don’t scandalize some too badly with this comment – because I DO love Cat and Bones (they are one of my favorite book couples): Cat and Bones show up a few times in this one, but incomprehensibly, they somewhat irritated me! I found myself wanting to get back to Mencheres and Kira. This couple gave them a run for their money.

So here’s how it goes (but I’m going to keep it limited) because really, you need to experience this one for yourself, in all of it’s glory.

Mencheres is an old vampire. Very old. Ancient even. And he’s sick of “living”. After years of battling the one woman he truly loved – his evil wife Patra, and years of battling every other enemy out for his power, he’s ready to hand over the reins to someone else, and leave his seemingly meaningless, loveless “life” behind. His “visions” no longer coming to him, all he sees is darkness when he looks into the future. He deduces that his time has come. He’s tying up loose ends, and then he’s letting go.

“I am weary,” Mencheres said. In that moment, he felt the weight of all his years pressing on him; the countless strife, guilt, and toil swelling with merciless relentlessness. Suddenly he wanted Radjedef to know that his schemes for an elaborate vengeance would never come to pass. “You should have struck at me before, old friend. When I still have the desire to give you the fight you sought.”

Something passed across the Law Guardian’s face, as if he just now realized Mencheres wasn’t feigning his apathy.

“You would never abandon your people, Menkaure.”

Amidst his mental exhaustion, Mencheres felt a glimmer of satisfaction. Did Radje finally grasp that his chances for revenge were slipping away?

“That is true, which is why I gave Bones the gift of my power when I merged my line with his.”

One evening, as he is being attacked by ghouls in an abandoned warehouse, a human female (Kira Graceling) hears the commotion, and her law abiding, “save one life” mentality decides that she must help. Trained in the police academy, and toting a gun, she strides in ready to apprehend. Her world changes forever when she realizes the monsters she is seeing are real and unwittingly becomes a part of a vicious paranormal attack that no mortal can possibly live through (and she almost doesn’t).

Mortally wounded, she bleeds out, changing Menchere’s plans when he realizes he must abandon his original intentions and save her. He gives her his healing blood, and takes her to his home to recuperate, intending to erase her memories once she wakes. Problem. It’s not working.

“Look into my eyes, Kira. Nothing happened this morning. You never went to the warehouse. You never saw me. You went home, fell asleep, and nothing else happened…”

His voice deepened until it vibrated with something more than his usual accent. The pressure in Kira’s mind intensified, but her head didn’t feel like it was about to snap off her shoulders. Maybe he wasn’t trying to kill her. It hadn’t taken this long for him to kill the others at the warehouse. After several more moments staring into his impossibly bright eyes, Kira tried to reason with him again.

“That’s exactly what I’ll say. Whatever you are, whatever they were, I don’t want to know about it. I just want to forget about it.”

A frown creased his features. “Impossible,” he muttered. His eyes brightened even more. “Nothing happened this morning. You walked home, you went to bed…”

“Got it,” Kira said, blinking. Looking into his eyes was like staring into two green spotlights.

He was on the other side of the room before her next blink, looking at her with the same wary speculation she’d bestowed on him before.

“You are immune to my power.” A short laugh came from him. “This is a memorable day indeed. Perhaps it’s because I gave you my blood to heal you. That could interfere with my mesmerizing you now. Once you get it out of your system, you will be susceptible again.”

He chalks it up to his powerful blood in her system, explains the whole situation to her, and tells her to give it a week with his promise of release once he can mentally “undo” what she knows about the paranormal world. After an unsuccessful (but funny) escape attempt, she concedes.

During that week, she realizes that despite being held captive, her captor is extremely charming, respectful and treats her wonderfully. She has full run of the property, can use the phone, and essentially feels like she’s on vacation. She meets his human “donors”, his associates, and even somewhat gets to know him. And although she is suspicious of what he actually does with his “mind” techniques, she finds herself undeniably attracted to him.

A funny little moment when she finds him in his pool, and she mentions something that prompts him to leap out of the pool, panicked and shush her with his finger:

Kira’s eyes fastened there, widening. Oh. My. If the vampire hadn’t still had a finger to her lips, she would have licked them in reflex.

“Some things must never change,” a deep voice noted, as his finger left her lips to raise her chin.

Kira reluctantly tore her gaze away to meet Mencheres’s dark eyes. They were devoid of his former anger, and the corners of his mouth twitched. Her distracted mind finally translated that he’d repeated her earlier chastising remark, and she laughed.

“Guilty,” she admitted, resisting the urge to drop her gaze again. No wonder the vampire didn’t wear swim shorts.

Intent on not being a “Stockholm Syndrome” victim, she resists her feelings. She finds her attraction deepening, however, when on her last day with him, he helps her with something incredibly important in her life, and then releases her, trusting her to keep quiet, despite her knowledge of his world.

“Does this mean…that I’m never going to see you again?”

Kira’s voice cracked faintly as she asked, causing pain to slice through him. Did she feel something for him as well?

But by now, her world and her heart has changed forever and she finds herself unable to simply return to her previous life without him.

Despite its being several days since he let her go, Kira didn’t seem to be able to get Mencheres out of her mind.

It shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. In the six days she’d been with Mencheres, he’d shown her that two other species existed alongside humanity, saved her life, saved her sister’s life, fascinated her, tempted her, bitten her, and against the best interests of his kind, released her. Why wouldn’t she be thinking about him? Every time she saw or spoke to her sister, Kira was reminded of Mencheres, let alone every time she walked past the warehouse on her commute from the subway to her apartment. His impact on her life had been enormous, and now that he was gone, Kira felt an acute sense of loss.

She begins taking steps to find him (his location and how to contact him – she never learned), and with these attempts, she lands herself in some serious hot water!

And THAT, my friends,  is where the story begins! You thought that whole first part was fun and intriguing…HA!

From her attempts to locate him, to the dangerous situations which force Mencheres to make rash and life altering decisions, to revelations that open a whole new world for both of them, this book is a thrill ride of peril and romance.

So that’s it. If you thought you weren’t at all interested in Mencheres and his story (like I found myself thinking when I heard his book was next), think again! I’m certain you will love him. There are TONS of parts that I wanted to quote (his thoughts and his deep emotions that connected me to him so deeply) but again, I don’t want to give it away. I’ll let the author’s genius slow buildup of who he is, his charm, and his sensitive and sensuous side work it’s magic on you.  He feels real and alive and he easily stole my heart.

First Drop of Crimson
I was anxiously awaiting ANYTHING from this author, considering how much I love her Night Huntess series, and was thrilled her spin-off was about Spade, the “best friend hottie”.

While it was worth the read, and I did enjoy it thoroughly, I didn’t latch onto the “love story” part as much as I did with Cat and Bones. Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazingly tender moments with Spade, and he proves to be a very steamy male, but his emotional connection to the heroine happened so easily (almost too easily).

Denise, Cat’s human best friend, lost her husband (also human) during a preternatural battle. Wanting to avoid that world, Denise severs all ties with every non-human she has met, including Cat. Still mourning her husband’s death a year later, she also loses her aunt and two young cousins to “heart attacks”. Followed home one night by a demon, she is informed that one of her ancestors (who basically made a deal with the devil), has gone missing, and it is up to her to find him. If she does not, more of her family will perish. Their lives in exchange for her handing the ancestor over.

“Your ancestor Nathaniel backed out of a bargain with me.” Raum’s voice felt like phantoms in her ear. “He managed to lock me away for quite some time, but I’m back and I want my payment.”

Denise shook her head to clear the awful images from it. “How can I do anything about that?”

“Because he must be hiding with vampires or ghouls,” Raum purred. “I can’t go into their world, but you can. Find him for me. Bring him to me, and I’ll leave you and the rest of his spawn alone.”

Side note: that whole part was super creepy, and my electricity went out just as I got to it. Sitting by candlelight, without a sound in the house, and my tiny book light on my e-reader, the part when a little girl comes knocking at her door….eeeeeeeeeeek!! Don’t do that part in the dark!

Okay back to the book:

Not having a clue who she is looking for (other than the horrifying images the demon has supplied her), she attempts contacting Cat and Bones for their help. Unable to get a hold of them, she reluctantly turns to another vampire acquaintance (Spade), who obligingly comes to her rescue. Of course, his very nature freaks her out (considering all the slaughter she had seen barely a year ago):

“Ah, you’re awake,” Spade said, closing his cell with a click. “Ordered you breakfast, considering you didn’t touch your food last night.” His mouth curled in a grin. “You’ll be pleased to know you slept through my breakfast. Perhaps now you’ll be able to keep your appetite.”

“You eat the room service employees every time?” Denise asked, shocked.

“Of course. But don’t fret on their behalf. I always tip well.”

Spade, determined not to care for the human (he’s suffered in the past from doing that very thing), explains that to keep their cover as they investigate, she must act as his “property” (following his commands, not questioning him in public, act as his lover – hey wait..that one sounds too convenient – haha!)

Forced back into the supernatural world, she begins experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (at his vampire gatherings no less), and his all too caring reactions to her, start raising eyebrows. After he seats her to his right at his table (instead of behind him as “property” should be seated), allows her to argue with him publicly, comforts her during a panic attack, and then calmly escorts her to their car after she vomits into his designer shirt…

My dear Denise, you have no idea. “It changes things,” he said at last. “No one would believe you’re merely my property after tonight.”

As they grow closer as friends, they have no choice but to acknowledge the undeniable attraction that has been plaguing them since they first met:

Spade’s voice was very soft. “Get up and walk away from me, Denise, or I will take you up on your offer.”

His gaze pinned hers, that green glow penetrating. She knew he wasn’t using his power on her, because her mind felt clear, but she was drawn in nonetheless.

She had to end this bewildering attraction she felt for him. Now, before it got any stronger. If she was lucky, she’d have a PTSD attack on the spot.

“Go ahead, vampire,” she replied, equally soft.

Spade’s mouth was on her throat before the last word left her.

However, they struggle with a few new issues. The demon has infused Denise with his essence, causing her some physical changes that throw a monkey wrench into the whole situation (and let’s just say that while human blood is tempting enough to a vampire, Denise’s blood is pure ecstasy). While they hunt for her ancestor, and dodge the demon, Denise now carries a secret that puts her whole life (and their future) in question.

Lots of action in this book (typical of this author’s storytelling). Good vs. evil, emotional struggles, wanting to protect the protector, jealousy, sizzling hot passionate interludes, funny quips, even Cat and Bones, it’s all here!

Oh and Ian (their other friend) got even sexier in this installment…alas, his book in this spinoff series is not the next one, but that’s okay. As long as Ms. Frost continues regaling us with their world, I will read everything with gusto!

I was lucky enough to find this book one day early. I LOVED this book! Loved it! I have read a ton of books that have somewhat entertained me lately, but this one kept me wide awake until the wee hours of the morning, and then I woke up again a few hours later (purposely) to read some more before work!

It sucked me in quickly, and I was once again, right at home with Cat & Bones and the crew (despite it  having been many months since the last book in the series). I wondered if I would have any difficulties enjoying the action packed pace, again (as opposed to all the sugary vampire romance I’ve found myself reading lately). Not only did I get right in into it, I think I simply prefer this style. While the romantic tension is always an important part of this series, the lover’s turmoil is never “eye rollingly bad” (their “issues” always seem quite authentic and valid).

Bones and Cat discover that the haunting nightmares she is having, lately, are actually dream manipulations by an opposing (and handsome) vampire trying to claim Cat as his own. While she insists she doesn’t know him, secrets that are slowly revealed indicate a past that could alter her perception of life as she knows it, and threatens to tear apart the only true loving relationship she has ever known.

Bones continues to be possessive, protective,  and downright sexy;

“I think I should go to Don,” I said finally wiping my eyes. “He has facilities I don’t know about, and they’re built to withstand bunker-buster bombs. I could wait there until things calmed down. And then I wouldn’t be jeopardizing everyone around me-”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Bones filled the doorframe behind Spade. I hadn’t even heard him come up the stairs; he’d moved almost as silently as Fabian. Green glinted in his eyes, and his expression was granite.

“In case you weren’t paying attention, Kitten, I’ll say it again. You’re not going anywhere. Not to Don or to anyone else. You’re mine, so don’t mention leaving again.”

The writing is as witty as always. Cat’s internal musings are hilarious. Her “speak before she thinks” ways, and the reactions from her entourage will keep you laughing out loud!

Here’s an example. Do you remember Mencheres (the ancient Egyptian vampire who is head of Bones’ line? Serious and wise, and all powerful?) His usual “serious” side takes on a silly twist. While the crew is discussing a serious and potentially dangerous issue, Cat finds herself irritated by his personality:

“Then you remember the dream,” Mencheres stated. “That bodes ill.”

The fear of that made my reply snappy. “Hey, Walks Like an Egyptian, how about for once you drop the formal stuff and talk like you live in the twenty-first century?”

“The shit’s gonna splatter, start buggin, yo,” Mencheres responded instantly.

I laughed and re-read that twice. Such a spontaneous reaction, and it endeared me to the usually “scary” Mencheres.

The connections between the numerous characters continue to grow. I adored everyone, and relished the huge support each character lends to the other, regardless of unresolved tensions. Vlad was particularly wonderful, and had a few sweet and compassionate moments, himself.

Everyone around Cat soon finds themselves fighting deadly battles, that threaten to erupt in an all out war, while Cat struggles for her own sanity and memories of her past, and battles to keep Bones and her together.

Chapter 17 was devastating. The blowup between Cat and Bones felt so real, so intensely desolate. Here’s is a tiny excerpt. It doesn’t come close to the emotional force of this confrontation played out in the entire chapter, but if this doesn’t hook you into wanting to read more, I don’t know what will…

Bones still didn’t look up. “If you’ve come to say goodbye, you needn’t bother. I don’t need a tearful explanation. Just walk out the same way you came in.”

A lump rocketed up in my throat. “Bones, that’s not-”

“Don’t touch me!”

I’d been about to smooth my hand across his back when he knocked my arm away so hard, it spun me.  Now Bones was looking at me, and the rage in his gaze pinned me where I was.

All I can say is I want more!!! Thank you Jeaniene for your incredible imagination and clever writing.

In the meantime, I have a favor to ask. I have given out recommendations to my readers as to what I recommended after the whole Twilight saga.

Now that I know I prefer this style of paranormal romance/adventure, what would you recommend to satiate me until her next installment? Maybe I should just re-read the whole series again? Yeah…that sounds like an idea!

This one is more along the lines of the whole “Vampire Politics” thing. Power struggles, vampire creation, creating new teams, and incredible potential for loss.

Very ancient vampires who have heartaches and power struggles of their own decide to forge opposing alliances to exact revenge, and absorb more power from those they oppose.

Bones (and Cat) rise higher in ranks, but not without battling numerous opponents (all of which have their own vendetta and reason for fighting him). Past enemies become allies, and new (and much more dangerous) enemies become the obstacle.

This book continues to be funny, heartwarming, and scary all at the same time, and I am just so thankful that the “heartache part” wasn’t actually written into a cliffhanger! Jeaniene takes good care of us (and her vampires) in this one, and this book is well worth the constant struggles.

Some of my favorite parts:

• Bones can now read Cat’s mind! (this can get quite funny at times)
• “Vlad” (yah that Vlad!) shows up, and actually warms the heart on occasion (along with the occasional chuckle as he too, can read Cat’s mind!)
• Loved when Vlad and Bones were having a slight “pissing” match, and Bones says:

“Get stuffed. Don’t you have more publicity stunts to pull”? Bones shot back. “How about chatting with another writer who can smear your name into greater popularity?”

“What, did Anne Rice not return your calls, mate?” Vlad asked scathingly.

Best read in this order:

• Halfway to the Grave
• One Foot in the Grave
• At Grave’s End
• awaiting release: Destined For An Early Grave
  Coming July 28, 2009 – Book Four in the Night Huntress series

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not yet started on book TWO (this one) do not read this until you get halfway through that book… it is just as good as book one – BUT, maybe don’t read this review yet). It’s not that I give it away, exactly, but I worry!

Good times, Good times!! I put down book one, and found solace in this book.

This book actually picks up a few years from the first one, which, at first, put me in a tailspin (considering how the first one ended)…

Cat, now a hard-assed, smarter, wiser, Special Agent (with a wonderful supporting team), determined to do her absolute best! As in the first book, we actually get attached to some of the “closer” friends in the group (in this case, her work colleagues), and catch a glimpse at what could be, if it were not for the huge hole in her heart (hey I don’t blame her!)

Bones comes back in the BEST way, but not without some turmoil and angst! Just enough to keep us turning the page.

I loves the twists and turns of this one! Emotional rollercoaster, desperation of how could they possible make this work considering her obligations, some deadly encounters and then an amazing discovery that blows this whole thing (her job and her relationship with Bones) wide open! A few sex scenes in this that are beyond steamy (and you thought the first one was hot!)

One of my favorite parts: A little deeper explanation (from Bones) about the “no panty vampire hunting” requirements amongst her fellow colleagues – that was a priceless scene!

“That thing I told you about no knickers making a difference when it came to luring vampires…well. I might have stretched the truth a bit”

Another favorite part: The knock down-dragout fight between Annette & Cat (and their trying to keep “innocent” about it, as if they were doing Pilates, when Bones walked in, and found the bloody knife in Cat’s back pocket)

“Unless Pilates has become downright lethal, I’d say the two of you were fighting. Fighting so loudly, in fact, that I could hear you miles away.”

It can’t get any better than this (or can it? – book three next)…

Best read in this order:

• Halfway to the Grave
• One Foot in the Grave
• At Grave’s End
• awaiting release: Destined For An Early Grave
  Coming July 28, 2009 – Book Four in the Night Huntress series

Ahhhhh yes – I read this one to hold me over while I waited for the remainder of my ”Anita Blake” series to arrive in the mail (I had just finished the first 4 books, and was anticipating more of that crazy drama!)

But guess what? I was so enthralled with this new series (aka “The Night Huntress” novels), that I did not put it down until I got through it (Anita arrived, but had to wait)!

This series is action packed, funny AND romantic! It made me laugh out loud numerous times, and captured my attention, so much, that everything (and everyone else) went ignored.

Ok, since I am not a “pro” at book reviews, I will do my best to not give out any spoilers (that simply drives me crazy!), but I can’t guarantee that I will not give away too much info. I will do my best, though!

Synopsis: Catherine (aka “Cat” or better yet “Kitten”), was born half vampire (and irritated enough by this fact, that she made it her life mission to kill ALL vampires). She is human enough to be able to eat regular foods, not need blood, and appear fully human, however she is significantly faster, stronger, and heals better, than most humans, allowing her to fare well against some of the vampires she preys upon.

Her kills are swift and to the point (and she uses her “feminine wiles” to attract her “victims”), however, she meets her match, when she encounters “Bones” (I picture him as “Spike” from the “Buffy” series – he is described as having bleached blond, short wavy hair, British accent, all around bad boy in leather!)…

After an unfriendly beginning between the two, they eventually fall into some sort of partnership, where he trains her, and helps expand her Vampire abilities, and they become an unstoppable killing vigilante duo (all in the name of justice, of course).  They forge a wonderful intense bond, and of course encounter many dilemmas along the way (some of which spill into future books, and make for a GREAT storyline).

Let’s just say, I was lucky enough to have gotten into this series when three of its books had already been published. Had I been obliged to wait for the next in the series, after the way the first one ended, I would have gone crazy! This is one. good. book series. I hear there is another one coming out in a few months. I am ready and waiting!

Some of my favorite parts include the meeting with the beautiful vampire “Francesca” (Cat’s jealousy is just roaringly funny here)

Another funny part: “Cat” had just finished a conversation – and a little unexpected/unwanted contact- with a dirty old ghost and, appalled by it, was re-counting it to “Bones”:

“Winston poltergeisted my panties, that’s what!”

Best read in this order:

• Halfway to the Grave
• One Foot in the Grave
• At Grave’s End
• awaiting release: Destined For An Early Grave
  Coming July 28, 2009 – Book Four in the Night Huntress series