Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

Tsunami Blue
Pirates! Well more like thuggish criminals on water (called “Runners”)…in the future…But yup! Pirates. After receiving this book from the publisher, I wondered if I would get into the story considering the deviation from my usual vampire-related reading but I LOVED it! I did! It was a refreshing change of pace (well, let me re-word that, it was as fast paced as my usual books go), but an interesting change nonetheless.

The story goes like this: The world has been ravaged by Tsunamis and what is left of the United States are scattered islands. Loved ones have been killed in masses, leaving devastation and sadness in it’s wake. Orphaned children struggle to survive and stay safe from deviants. Cities have been wiped out, landmarks changed forever. What’s left of the United States is a lawless nation where survival of the fittest (by any means necessary) becomes the only law.

Goods are few and far between, and what is left behind is quickly being wasted by saltwater. Stores no longer exist, and anything that we once took for granted (like coffee for instance) becomes an incredible luxury and possible trading tool (leftover goods are the new currency). However these goods are also a liability as pirates do their “pirate thing” (you know…pillage, rape and kill) for these very items.

Kathryn O’Malley (aka “Tsunami Blue”) has the ability to predict – you guessed it – Tsunamis. In hiding on a remote tiny island (with her dog “Max”), she broadcasts the “weather” to anyone listening. While some heed her warnings, and head to higher ground, many fear her abilities and believe her to be evil.

The ocean roared in my ears, a frantic tattooed rhythm all too familiar: Danger Blue. Death. Run, run, run. In the end in spite of the tricks the ocean played on me, the death and destruction it brought with the waves, it always warned me. And the ocean was always right.

In danger of being killed by the very people she tries to save, she is in even more danger from the pirates that are searching for her, hoping to use her talents for their own devious purposes. It is well known that being captured by pirates is a sentence of slavery, physical abuse, certain rape and possible death. “Blue” knows this first hand better than most. She was raised by her pirate uncle and lived in that very environment as a child.

One evening, a gorgeous man (Gabriel Black), near death, washes up on her beach (think Mr. December from the umm…exotic dancers “The Thunder Down Under” *blush*). Caring for him all night, she quickly deduces that he is a “Runner” (the very thing she is hiding from). Or is he?

For the first time in years, I felt hope.

And Gabriel Black, the Runner, my captor, my bunk buddy, my sometime savior, my tough guy, and the father of Max, was going to help me keep it.

While at times, he seems to be trying to help her escape from Runners hot on her trail, is it possible that he is working for the “baddest” Runner of them all?

The constant danger from pirates is prevalent throughout the story. It also highlights the destruction of societal “norms” after disaster, and the constant fight for survival while some humans try to put their life back together again, creating a safe haven of their own.

However, it is not all doom and gloom. It is a sweetly written romantic paranormal tale, that takes us on dangerous adventures, escapes and infiltrations, but also allows us to partake in sweet friendships as strangers band together and become family.

Two things I found slightly vexing (but not enough to keep me from enjoying the book). “Blue” constantly seems to run hot and cold when it comes to Gabriel. She’s a bad-ass, and feels the need to emphasize it regularly. Actually, some of these moments were quite funny, so there is that

Here’s a funnier instance of her antagonizing self:

Adorable? I’d been called a lot of things in my life, but I was pretty sure that adorable had never been one of them. What was happening to my tough-girl image? When I got my knife back, I’d have to kick his ass again.

While her constant resistance of Gabriel helps keep the sexual tension and slight angst going throughout the novel, on occasion her “issues” would arise at inappropriate moments.

Also, while their connection was believable, I would have preferred more detail in their intimate moments. Wait Wait! I didn’t mean it like *that* – well okay, that would have been a plus too…tee-hee!! I meant their personal quiet time together while they seemed to connect on an emotional level. We know it’s happening, and on occasion, we get to experience little spurts of affection and sweetness, but not the kind of “stirring depth” that makes me sigh as if I’m actually experiencing the connection myself.

On occasion, I felt disconnected during their “moments”. Something always seems to divert their attention (or my attention). Perhaps had their been more “downtime” between the two…but I guess, how could there be, considering her life was in constant danger? And most importantly…is this whole “romantic Gabriel” side just a ploy to gain her trust?

Here is an example of a part that was extremely touching (if only there were lengthier moments like this, but again, while the emotional reaches an interesting depth, “Blue” pulls back):

He placed my hand on his chest. I felt his heartbeat, a beat I’d worked so hard to bring back to life. I wondered again, and not for the first time, whether, knowing what I did now, if I had to do it over, could I let him die? I didn’t want to know. Not really. I didn’t want to know that all my humanity may have slipped away that night.

“This belongs to you now.” Gabriel whispered.

“What?” I whispered back.

“My heart. You saved it. You saved me.”

I looked at him and pulled my hand from his. Not in anger, not in haste. I just couldn’t bear to touch him, this dark angel of mine, not knowing if he was my savior in the midst of all this evil or the root of the evil itself

Ok, so I’ll admit, re-reading that part, I get why she doesn’t let go completely…I do.

All in all, a great book! In fact, I *did* get attached to the characters (“Blue” is quite funny! I loved her wit – she made me laugh out loud many times).

He could sure play the tough guy. But I thought I’d seen a glimpse of the real Gabriel Black, and maybe, just maybe it was time I listened to what he had to say. If I didn’t like it, I could still throw him overboard.

LOL!!

I even mourned them slightly when I finished the book. While they’re bad-asses themselves, they are a likeable bunch (faults and all), and you’ll love where the story takes you! I hope this will be turned into a series (*hint hint*).

UPDATE:The author was wonderful enough to send a pile of bookmarks and “collector cards” for Tsumani Blue for my readers!

I have 24 sets to give away! Just leave a comment below (please make sure it’s relevant to the book), and I will send a set to the first 24 visitors that leave a comment (again – relevant to the book or my review – and if you have read the book, what was your favorite part?). Don’t post you mailing address in the comments section (just send me that by clicking on “contact me”). Since I’m covering the cost of the stamp, this is valid to the continental United States only.

And Falling, Fly
I finished this book this morning and it took me many stops and starts before I could finally complete it. It was an interesting read, and the end did succeed in ultimately capturing my attention, but I’ll admit, it took some work. The story is eloquently worded, replete with symbolism, and no detail, no matter how small, was left out. While the writing style enriches the tale and gives it depth, I found it could also be distracting.

While I have come away with my own understanding of the story, I wonder if it even remotely comes close to what the author was trying to convey. I appreciated the possibilities presented by the author, however, the complex story is confounded with both scientific and mystical reasoning.   I found myself re-reading sections to confirm that I was grasping the situation at hand, and just when I’d get into the flow of the storytelling, it would change and I would once again, be distracted by the imagery detailed so vividly.

The story is told through the perspective of two people.

Dominic is a neuroscientist plagued by past-life memories. By mystical standards, he is considered a “Reborn” (reincarnated). He disagrees and is desperate to rid himself of these memories once and for all. He is determined to prove that such memories, and delusions of being “otherworldly” (such as self proclamations that one is a vampire, fallen angel, etc..) are the result of childhood traumatic events, or brain “glitches”. He is funded by a rich socialite that is in fear for her god-daughter’s future (her god-daughter believes herself to be a vampire).

“My foundation supports innovation,” Ms. Wright said. “Your lecture today suggested the possibility of a psychiatric cosmetic surgery. If I understood correctly – and you may correct me if I did not” – Dominic nodded polite assent – “you’re postulating a technology to identify the locations of specific thoughts or memories, with the ultimate goal of disrupting only those targeted neurons to functionally erase the memory.”

He furthers his studies in a remote “hotel” in Ireland that caters to those that consider themselves “damned”.

In the midst of many intriguing “damned ones”, Dominic meets Olivia. She is apparently a fallen angel of desire, and considers herself a “vampire”. Reading the tale through her eyes, there is no doubt that she is a vampire. She hunts, feeds on blood, and live amongst others of her kind. She doesn’t feel emotions except when she is feeding off of humans. She is intent on finding love, and thinks that there might be a “loophole” in her condition if she is loved unconditionally (meaning that her lover would also have to accept her as a vampire).

If I can show him everything I am – wingscars and quills – and he can stay fallen with his fallen angel, then I might finally be free. But I’ve screwed this up every time since the fall of man. I must watch my step.

Each deeply committed relationship has failed when she has broached the “vampire” or “fallen angel” subject.

Shout yourself hoarse calling for your angel, but don’t lift your eyes to see.

Dejected, she returns to the “Hotel of the Damned” ready to accept her fate.

However, everything changes for them both, once they find each other. While they at first butt heads…

I turn to him. He looks like a warrior – proud, beautiful, powerfully built, straight and hard. I could break him for fun. “No man serves a god for its own sake, only what it might do for him,” I tell him. “You serve science with a zealot’s prayer for your own salvation.”

…they develop a friendship, that of which they had never before experienced. A sweet and funny moment that made me giggle, and eased the intensity of their communion. As they converse in a field of cows, together, getting to know one another:

“Olivia,” he reaches for my hand, but finds the apple. He takes it and throws it hard away from us. I turn to watch it fly. It tumbles up into the night and lands precisely between the eyes of a cow. I gasp, but the cow does not move.

“What will it do?” I whisper.

“It’s thinking,” he whispers back, an infuriating smile staining his warm voice. “‘It’s thinking ‘Ow! What happened?’” I stifle a giggle at his witless cow voice. The creature bends its head and snuffs the grass. “Now it’s thinking ‘Can I eat that?’” The beast raises its ghostly head, chewing.

“What’s it thinking now?”

“Nothing. It’s eating.”

“Does it know what hit it?”

“It’s forgotten.”

However, the question remains. Is she really a vampire, and are they they part of the “Damned Ones” or does science prevail? Is it all in their head?

“We are all broken, Dominic, all of us – cursed, or damned. Our fragile minds cannot span the paradox. We wish to stand out and fit in, to be unique but not alone, one with God and still ourselves.”

“I don’t believe in curses, Gaehod. Or God. I believe in reality.”

“Reality is only half the story.”

Honestly, after examining my own perception of the story, I realize that is not even the most important part. There is much more to explore, and really, perhaps a formal “discussion” of this book would unearth much more, through the contributions of each reader’s perspective. Yes…a book club situation would be great for this

It was beautiful, complicated, deep and perplexing. I almost felt as if the author had perhaps “tapped” into one of those monumental life awakening moments (you know, perhaps in a dream, she had an epiphany, and it just “clicked” for her), and was trying  to convey it to us through this narration. This one will require your complete focus and dedication but will reward you with intricately written tale of self doubt, self discovery and the most profound of powers; love.

Since I would be busy over the Christmas weekend and didn’t think I should involve myself too deeply in a new series, I found this book with two short stories. I figured they probably wouldn’t demand my undivided attention, so I gave these a go. Since I’m trying to save all of my must reads for J.Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge, I thought I’d stick with stand alones, and anthologies for the remainder of the year. I’ve been known to get too caught up in a series ignoring all else around me, and perhaps that’s not very nice during family time (hehe). However, since I really can’t go more than 24hrs without at least a little bit of reading (or I go stir-crazy), I had to do something.

So the first book I tried didn’t thrill me. Not only did the stories not demand my attention, they barely captured my attention at all. I was bored. I tried to like ‘em (I did). Meh…Oh well. I finished them at least.

First story (A Christmas Kiss): A female vampire, (drugged up by a recent dentist visit) is found wandering on the side of the road by a police officer, who ends up being enthralled by her, and takes her to his place. They "do it", she spends the night, next morning he realizes as he smells burning flesh (she is sizzling in his bed by the sunrays peeping through his curtains) that she is a vampire.

They hang out some more, work out their glaring issues, and have a sweet moment with some neighbors. By night two, there is more "doing it" and they are officially in love, bad stuff happens (nothing more than a couple of pages worth) and well you know how it goes.

Sweetest moment:

"Stay with me, Delilah."

The plea came from deep inside him. He didn’t understand how this woman had worked her way into his heart so swiftly and so completely, but she had.

"Tonight. Tomorrow. Next year. Forever."

Story number two (The Vampire Who Stole Christmas), had a bit more "depth" but really, I was still so bored. A vampire, (Drystan), angry at the world, his rich, political family are his biggest enemies. Being an adopted member of their family, he felt he was "used" for political motives, before and after his death. While protecting his brother (Ben) from a drug-deal gone back, he ends up killed instead, and brought back by a vampire who finds him. Agonizing over the story his family made up concerning his "death", he is hell-bent on revenge.

Aimee, a "Daemon" (earth angel of sorts) emotionally struggling after failing with one of her charges, is marrying said brother, and is approached by Drystan (hoping he can enthrall her away from "Ben" (as part of his revenge to the family). They get to know each other (Aimee’s able to resist Drystan’s mind control attempts, and also secretly knows what he is). They fall in love, but before Aimee lets herself go to him, she feels the need to see Drystan through his darkness. Despite wanting to avoid her Daemon "guiding" ways, she helps him come to terms with his anger.

Again sweet, but too much quiet talk and moody introspection. A few passionate moments, but I almost didn’t care whether they stayed together or not. Wait a minute. Where’s my Christmas spirit? Ok so maybe I did care a bit. I mean, the message was nice.

Sweetest moment:

"Yours. I’m yours and you’re mine, and I’m never letting you go. Do you hear me? No matter what. Nothing can make me let you go."

Lynn Viehl’s “Shadowlight” starts a new series involving a group of people called “Kyndred”. The Kyndred appear to be humans with a special power (for example, one who can sense a person’s future with a simple touch, one who can physically transform herself into someone’s true love, one who can control the weather etc…). The majority (at least from what we gather in this book) live and work amongst the regular human population, but hide their abilities. A few have found each other on the Internet, and while they do not ever meet (for fear of being tracked down), they chat regularly in an attempt to support each other and possibly discover how they have become this way.

Early on the Takyn had established a private code and found random public access sites where they could use it to leave messages for each other; it was one of the many security measures they’d put in place to protect the group.

I will admit I found it slightly difficult to follow at first, and therefore I did find my attention waning somewhat. We are introduced to slew of independent characters, and just as I was becoming interested in one character’s story, the narration would suddenly switch to a new character (that *seemingly* has no connection to the one I just read about). We are also presented stories and characters from ancient historical events, intermixed with the present, again, that seemingly have no relation to one another. Eventually, the story comes together nicely, (and I was thrilled when I started recognizing characters and understanding their situations).

The main character (Jessa Bellamy) is kidnapped by a stranger named Gaven Matthias (a Kyndred that has been following her for some time, and has an extreme affection for her).

Of all the women who had come to him over the course of time, she would know what it was to be an exile.

It was as if she had been fashioned for him, shaped and tempered to fit him, the lock only he could open, the armor only he could wear.

In another time and place he could have simply taken her for himself. Despite all her precautions, she had few true defenses. She would struggle like the wild thing she was, but in time he would gentle her. She would come to know him, and he would show her the truth of what they could be to each other.

He insists it is to protect her from an organization called “GenHance” (that work on cures for genetic defects) that want to capture her (and all Kyndred) for experimentation. Jessa suspects, however, that he might be the crazy one. While Jessa does have special abilities, she has always kept them hidden, and remains in denial over his irrational claims. Jessa battles with her attraction to Matthias, and while she feels emotionally connected to him, she fears he may be part of a greater plot that differs from all he has warned her about.

“Jessa.”

She stopped.

“If I could give you back your life,” he said softly, “I would. Even if there were no place for me in it.”

She closed her eyes, enduring the rush of emotion his voice tugged from her heart. He sounded so lonely she almost turned around and ran to him.

“You can’t,” she said, her voice breaking on the last word as she left him. I can’t.

Two characters that I did love, (making a cameo in this book), are Lucan and Samantha, who are investigating a series of gruesome murders that appear to be caused by something paranormal. I realized that they are from the author’s ”Darkyn” series, and while I have not read that series as of yet, I quickly connected to this couple. A tiny part of their love story, as portrayed in this book, captured me, and one scene in particular had me wishing I knew their history. While they had just had a couple’s quarrel, Samantha was on the phone confiding in her friend Alexandra. She realized she was drawn right back to Lucan, and, while talking to Alexandra, she stood, facing him;

““Kyn males usually go insane when they’re separated from their life companions.” Sam saw her lover’s eyes turn from misty gray to glittering chrome.

“Yeah, well, I don’t think Mike would have waited around for the strait jacket,” Alex said. “Sam, you know this works both ways. If you two split up, whatever happens to him probably will happen to you, too.”

She reached up and skimmed her fingertips across the grim lines of his mouth. “I can’t ever leave him, can I?”

“Do you want to?”

“The truth?” She could face it as well as him. “I wake up and I want him. I go to work and I think about him. I come home and I can’t wait to touch him.” She dropped her hand to his shoulder and took the last step so that she stood only an inch from him.

“I don’t think I can live without him anymore, Alex. Even if there was a way to get over this thing between us, I don’t want to.”

“Then there’s only one more question I have for you,” Alex said.

She closed her eyes as Lucan curled his hand around the back of her neck.

“Okay.”

“Why are you still on the phone with me?”

Sam laughed helplessly as Lucan took the phone from her and spoke into it.

“Good evening, Alexandra. My sygkenis bids you good night and farewell.” He listened for a moment.

“Yes, I will tell her.” He switched off the phone and tossed it over his shoulder before he scooped Sam up in his arms.

“How much trouble am I in?” Sam asked as he carried her inside, mainly so she  wouldn’t break down and cry all over him.

“None, unless you were lying to Alexandra.”

Lucan carried her into the elevator and from it to their suite. Only when they were inside and he had kicked the door shut did he set her down on her feet.

“I thought you weren’t pissed off at me,” she said carefully.

“Oh, I am that.” He tilted her face up to his. “You should know that if you ever try to leave me, I will hunt you down and drag you back to my stronghold.”

She shook her head. “You won’t have to.”

“So you say now. But understand what that means, my sygkenis.” His fingers tightened on her jaw. “Alex’s blood may run in your veins, but you belong to me, and I am not Michael Cyprien. I will not play the noble lover and sacrifice my love for you. You cannot bring someone like me out of the darkness and then change your mind about it. I am yours, Samantha. You have all of me. The beautiful mask and the monster beneath it. And make no mistake, I am a monster. One who will happily, joyfully tear apart anything that comes between us. As you yourself have already witnessed.”

Scary…but beautiful. I want more of them (and I will be procuring the entire Darkyn series soon – how did I miss it?)

Villains abound, and while I wish I could say more about the actual story itself, the author has presented it in a way to keep you guessing almost to the very end. To say much more could possibly divulge a spoiler. I will say it appears to be somewhat of a “superhero” series. A novel about abnormally gifted humans, some that have banded together for their cause, some that are clueless to the existence of others like them, that are thrown into a world they never knew existed.

So that’s it. It did get interesting, gory, scary, and I think it would make for a great movie! A little romance, and lots of danger (oh! and a great little twist in the end that made me smile!)

This novel (officially released today), has become, unequivocally, one of my favourite books (I was lucky enough to get a “sneak preview”). It is an amazing paranormal love story rivaling some of the sweetest tales. It will have you chuckling, teary eyed, and “love drunk” midway through.

Set in Victorian London, the novel introduces us to a group of six children, each gifted with a specific supernatural ability, and the ability to see (but not hear) ghosts. Their duty is to form an alliance called “The Guard” that protects humans from restless spirits.

At the time of their formation, a beautiful “oracle” of sorts, informs them of their upcoming duties, selecting “Alexi Rychman” as the group leader (the oracle seemingly has an emotional tie to him from a deep past). She informs them that they will eventually encounter a “seventh” that will complete their group but warns them of a potential threat that may mislead them into not fulfilling their destiny (which could result in catastrophic events).

“The Guard?” Rebecca piped up confused.

“That is what you will do; guard the living from the dead wandering the earth, whom you now see but cannot hear. Your Grand Work is to maintain the balance between this world and the one beyond, beside. Darkness would run rampant over your great city and beyond – and will, unless you silence his emissaries. Hold fast, for the struggle will worsen. Darkness will seek to destroy the barrier pins between worlds. And to fight this, a prophecy must be fulfilled. A seventh member will join you. She will come as your peer to create a new dawn.”

 As adults, the individuals that make up the “Guard” have attempted to lead normal lives by keeping conventional occupations. Some run a local pub, while Rebecca and Alexi have started a school (Rebecca being headmistress, and Alexi, one of the professors). Eighteen year old Percy Parker, enrolls in their school. Orphaned at birth, and raised in a convent, she has lived a sheltered life. Due to her very unique appearance (ghostly features with fair white skin, and long white hair), she is extremely shy, and self-defeating, and hides behind cloaks of scarves and eyeglasses so as to avoid the constant snickers of those around her. She also has her own rare gifts, that I will leave you the luxury of discovering. 

Percy, brilliant in language arts, finds herself struggling in Alexi’s mathematics/science class,

Nonetheless, her distaste for science suddenly seemed an extraordinary misfortune, as she hated the thought of doing poorly in a class taught by someone so breathtaking.

and the professor offers to tutor her. 

While the brooding and elegantly handsome Alexi (someone mentioned, the actor “Richard Armitage” and I concur!) keeps his professional guard up, he finds himself intrigued with Percy’s gentle disposition, and gradually helps her develop self-confidence. He also finds his own highly guarded seclusion dissolving with each of Percy’s highly anticipated visits, and opens himself up to experience the friendship that is building between them.

In an effort to make his student more at ease, Alexi did his best to appear wholly disinterested as she carefully removed her protections with delicate, private ceremony.  But then she turned to face him, clutching those items that had held her unusual features in mystery. He forced his eyes to his book.

“As you would have it so, Professor, here is your pupil in all her ghastliness.”

Alexi looked up. Though Miss Parker’s hands clearly trembled, her voice did not.

His furrowed, generally disapproving brow rose slightly, and he leaned back in his chair and took her in. Luminous crystal eyes held streaks of pale blue shooting from tiny black pupils. A face youthful but devoid of color, smooth and unblemished like porcelain, had graceful lines as well defined and proportioned as a marble statue. Her long, blanched locks shimmered in the candlelight like spider silk. Upon high cheekbones laid hints of rouge – any more would have appeared garish against her blindingly white skin, but she had been artful in her application. Her rosebud lips were tinted in the same manner.

She was attuned to even the most minuscule response. Her merciless, hypnotic gaze found his and she frowned. “You see, Professor, even you, so stern and stoic, cannot hide your shock, surprise, distaste – ”

“Distaste?” he interrupted quietly. “Is that what you see?”

If Percy had taken the time to truly consider his response, she would have noticed that his tone was far from distasteful; it was, in fact, flattering. But she plowed on, choosing hurt. “What else can one feel when they behold living flesh that looks dead?”

“You assume ghost and not angel?”

Simply, breathtaking….

Here is an excerpt from one of my favorite “silly” moments of the book. Ahhh… how am I to capture just a small part of such an amusing repartee, and have it convey enough of the “laugh factor”? I will attempt by describing the scene: The crew (minus Alexi) are having a laugh at Alexi’s expense in regards to his dark, brooding and oft too serious disposition.

Elijah grinned, unrepentant. He looked innocently at his fellows. “Me? And what of me would you tease, when Alexi so much more deserves it. I do not stalk about like one of those gothic vampir onstage at the Royal. Nor do I brood with dramatic zeal, nor can I start fires of my own accord, nor daily dress as if in mourning. Nor do the first bars of Beethoven’s Fifth seem to burst forth each time I enter a room!”

As the banter continues, and Alexi’s comrades howl with laughter, Alexi, unexpectedly enters;

Through the laughter, they failed to hear the door open and click shut, and a tall, cloaked formidable figure dressed all in black approached. His stoic features were offset only by his blazing eyes. Alexi Rychman stared down at his friends with a frown.

“Something amusing?” he asked.

At the sound of his low, rich voice, the group look up and shrieked, delighted. Elijah cried out the first notes of Beethoven’s Fifth, unable to help himself. This did nothing for the other’s composure. In fact, Michael, head thrown back in a wail of laughter, lost balance and fell from his chair.

This section had me laughing out loud, and I was hooked!

Eventually, a beautiful stranger haphazardly makes her way into their lives, accompanied by many “signs” that were prophesied long ago, on that fateful night of their integration. While they are certain that she is their long-awaited “seventh”, Alexi suspects that the “seventh” may actually be Percy. The Guard, who commonly share an earnest and fun camaraderie, feel divided as they notice a difference in Alexi’s demeanor. They fear his regard for his pupil could affect his better judgement.

Before I accidentally divulge “spoilers” for this amazing story, I implore you, for the benefit of your own happiness, to read this book (there is MUCH more, I promise you)! You will be delighted in the intriguing mystery of Percy. The potential merging of powers, with secrets that could change the fate of the world, foreboding danger along with the exquisite delight in a budding romance between a trusted teacher and his student, a lonely soul and a gentle heart, will keep you riveted until the very end. I was so deeply captivated by the story, that I completely forgot to eat!

You will be delighted in the twists and turns that will unfold in a tale full of surprises that you didn’t see coming (and you’ll find yourself heartbroken to realize you’ve reached the end), but fear not! Leanna will be indulging us with three more books in this series.

While the story, in itself is fascinating, the author has a haunting way with words, that will caress your very soul. With an abundance of romantic tension and angst, mystery, and adventure, you will be hard-pressed to put it down.

During my latest business trip out of town, I decided to take my newest book “Bloody Good” with me for the weekend. I figured, during my downtime in the hotel room. I would get a chance to immerse myself in a style of book that I do not normally read. You know me, addicted to vampire love, and all…

It was a great choice! After arriving at my hotel on Friday evening and treating myself to a great dinner in Pensacola (Zea’s Louisiana-style cooking for anyone who wants to try it – yummy!) I got a drink from the bar downstairs and came back to my room to curl up for the night with a few new characters.

Even Saturday night, after a long day at a trade show, and then spending much too much time getting to a local beach on Saturday evening, I realized I simply wanted to snuggle up once again reading my book, instead of fighting the traffic amongst fellow beach goers (I finally did get to indulge in my book once again, despite the late hour of my arrival back to my room).

While it is not the usual vampire style that I read (the vampires in this book are all BAD - and no, not the “good” kind of bad – no sexy vampires here), it is still an interesting read.

It takes place in England, during World War II, in a small town where everyone knows each other, and protectively stick by one another. Vampires have infiltrated the town, posing as family members of  certain local town folk (which we quickly realize are actually traitors of England and helping the Nazi’s). While it appears the vampires are aiding the Nazi’s, spying and causing havoc, we get a hint of things to come, that even the Third Reich are unaware of.

This book is the first of a trilogy, and while it introduces us to key characters, and hints at paranormal activities that go beyond simple vampiric activity, I felt that this book was simply preparing us for much bigger things to come in Book 2 and 3.

While I wouldn’t consider it a romance novel, there was a romantic twist to the story, which was admittedly, my favorite part (between the two main characters, the local female doctor, and her newly acquired handsome assistant) and there were a few VERY steamy scenes!

They both shifted, pulling each other closer and kissing in a wild rush of need and sheer wondrous desire.

For a few moments, they drew apart to catch their breaths. She was flushed, her eyes bright, and her chest heaving with her ragged breathing. “Peter, this is nuts. It’s…”

“What I want.”

“Me, too.”

She didn’t give him much of a chance to discuss it. Just plastered her mouth on his and kissed him.

Again.

And again.

I simply adored Peter! While he is not a vampire, and apparently, just a *mere* human, he has his own sad story to tell, and is as sweet as honey.

“Was that too much?” he asked. “Am I jumping the gun? I do love you, Alice. If this isn’t love, I don’t know what being in love is.”

She didn’t either. She’d been in love.  More than once, but not like this. “It’s sudden, Peter.” What a vapid thing to say!

“Yes,” he agreed, “but I can’t do a thing about that. I love you. Think you can love me back?”

YES! Oh YES!!!!! Oh wait..my  name’s not Alice…that question was not directed at me, was it? *blush*

Even though this genre is new to me, I am definitely fond of the characters and can’t wait to see what unfolds in the next book.  If you are a fan of this genre, (historical fiction/paranormal) you should definitely check this out.

Sidenote: By the way, you may also know this author under the name of “Rosemary Laurey”.

I purchased this book at the RT Convention book fair, (after learning about it from the author who was on the “The Good, The Bad and the Paranormal: Heroines Kicking-Ass Across Urban Fantasy Worlds” panel). It sounded really great, and she had a 2nd book in the series that was going to be released shortly (it is actually out now, so I will be reading that one soon – “Bad to the Bone”).

I just finished it yesterday, and found it extremely entertaining. There were many “chuckle-worthy” moments.

Here’s one (where the main character, Ciara, thinks she is being followed at night):

The other side of the parking lot lies in shadow, and that’s where I look-muscles frozen, eyes darting, like a baby rabbit hoping the predator won’t see me if I just stand still.

Yeah, right. Anyone stalking me might think I’ve been replaced by a mannequin. Good strategy.

Her heroine, Ciara (pronounced Keer-ah), despite being somewhat jaded (mostly about herself), is likeable, and a little vulnerable. She is street-savvy, witty, and due to her upbringing, quite reluctant to emotionally connect to anyone. 

Her male interest, Shane (a vampire), reminds me of friends I hung out with back in the “grunge” days. Sweet and gentle, introspective and a little moody. He finds solace in the music that he loves.

Ciara goes to college, and pays her tuition by scamming unsuspecting people out of money. Following her latest con that goes awry, she attempts to abandon her con-artist ways, and gets a job at a local radio station as an intern.  After meeting the DJ’s,

“What do you guys think?” David says. “Should we hire her?”

They examine me like I’m a cow at a 4-H auction. I try not to moo.

and reading through the preliminary “employee” handbooks, she learns that the DJ’s (who are only “on-air” at night) are all vampires (which of course, she thinks is ridiculous, and decides that the whole place is either playing a joke on her, or they’re collectively crazy).

She discovers the truth, however, after she invites one of the DJ’s (Shane) home with her one evening, and he bites her during an intimate interlude (his gentle shy nature suddenly melds into a more predatory air).

“Please…” Shane crawls up the bed over my legs. “It’s so good, the way you taste when you-”

“No!” I whack him hard across the face.

In a pounce faster than I can see, he grabs my arms and pins me to the bed beneath him.

His face hovers an inch from mine, jaw trembling and nostrils flaring. “That. Doesn’t. Help.”

I actually felt her fear in this part, her terror at suddenly being alone with him and faced with the realization that she was prey, and he was simply, momentarily, driven by his instinctual nature. The shy Shane that she was comfortable with was gone, and was replaced by something that she thought she didn’t believe in. She could no longer deny the obvious, while his fangs dripped blood onto her face.

Fear not! Shane redeems himself over and over throughout the novel.

“Forgive me,” he says.

I open my mouth to reply, but he cuts me off.

“Not now.” He shoves the tissue in his pocket. “Later, when I deserve it.”

He was a character that I was quite easily enchanted by. I found one moment actually rivaled a certain “meadow scene” found in another popular vampire romance book

Here is a moment that made me laugh. Ciara comes home with her best friend Lori, and Shane is already there waiting for her (a little creepy, I know, but this scene is so funny, you forget the rest). She tries to figure out how to get him to leave:

Finally I find what I’m looking for, behind an unopened container of fennel seed. I climb off the counter, clutching the little plastic jar.

“Be right back,” I tell Lori as I blur past her.

In my room I shut the door and advance on Shane, who’s sitting among the CDs again.

“Get out!” I twist off the red cap and hurl the contents of the jar at him.

He putters and spits, then wipes his moth. “What the-salt? I’m a vampire, not a slug.”

“Keep your voice down. It’s garlic salt.”

“It is?” He brushes the stuff out of his hair and sniffs his sleeve. “How old is that jar?”

Despite her obvious apprehension to continue working there, she persists with her employment.

Over time, Ciara learns of why the radio station exists, who these vampires are personally, and what issues they are truly up against.

She (and her colleagues) are faced with multiple enemies, (a few of a comical nature), while others are dangerously ruthless, and even some that are closer to home than she realizes.

Her eventual passage into personal growth, and acceptance helps balance the wrongs she has committed in her past.  By incorporating her crafty ways with her new found sense of humanity (strangely enough it is the vampires that bring it out in her), the “Wicked Game” begins!

Upon concluding this book, I felt slightly melancholy, knowing that it would be at least a year before I could continue this gripping story. There are so many separate stories that all combine and revolve around one sole, yet very important Vampire.

The second installment of the series continues with a more in-depth look into Dante’s horrible childhood, his fragile spirit, and his own personal angst. As a born vampire, his childhood consisted of living in an FBI controlled experiment that psychologically induced “kidnapped” children into becoming psychopaths and serial killers (at the hands of a rogue FBI division, headed by a Vampire and evil psychiatrist) via the means of torture, beatings, taking the toys and killing the loved ones that these particular children loved.

Dante as an adult has no true memories of his past (only horrifying fragmented images). Although his memory was blocked by the agency when he was released into society, certain memories, or keywords and names can cause him excruciating headaches, nosebleeds and seizures, and those that love and protect him are anguished by his frequent torment.

Despite being an incensed and anguished artist, the stunningly beautiful Dante practically exudes an angelic radiance that we come to realize, is due to his being “half angel” (his father is one of the “Fallen”).

Here is an excerpt from the book, when “Lucien” is being held captive in the Heaven’s (in an attempt to protect and hide Dante) and speaking with another Fallen angel who has suddenly heard Dante’s “song” (when Dante unwittingly uses his angelic powers, on earth, his essence radiates from him like a song to the Heavens)

“His name is Dante, a born vampire,” Lucien said. “He’s twenty-three years old, and he doesn’t understand what he is.”

Lilith’s eyes widened. “He’s just a child! How could you leave him alone?” She frowned. “Did you say born vampire? Fola Fior? But how can he be a Maker?”

“He’s my son,” Lucien said quietly.

We come to realize that he is a “maker” (or creawdwr), and a destroyer, and this becomes the most confusing part (at least for me) of the book. It explores the story of the Heavens, God, Angels, and the Fallen, and a whole storyline that I had a hard time completely following. Perhaps due to my Catholic upbringing, I found myself cringing somewhat at where the tale ventured, as I think, in this rendition, God (Yahweh) died, and the angels (including Gabriel and the other Fallen) are looking for a new leader/creator. Essentially, I am assuming, they need a new God, and the song of a creator on earth (Dante) is being heard from the Heavens. Lucien (Dante’s father and Fallen Angel who was once close to Yahweh) is trying to keep the angels from finding him. From what I gathered, if they discover him, they will “bind” him (I am assuming bind him to the Heaven’s) and use (and essentially) overwhelm him as their leader.

Guard him from the Fallen, llygad. They will use him without mercy.

As a whole, I love the rest of the story. However, I have a hard time allowing myself to surrender to a theoretical (even if fictitious) version of Heaven, so I think my mind was subconsciously blocking parts of this segment of the tale.

All cringing aside, the story does have an “earthly” aspect to it also, and we have enemies of all sorts (the rogue FBI division has decided to terminate EVERYONE involved in the experiments, and anyone who was involved in the serial killer investigation from the last book). Danger, is at every turn, enemies appear in many disguises, and whether human, or paranormal, or even angel (some are power-hungry), Dante and loved ones are threatened.

The romance manifests itself more prominently in book two, and while again is not the core of the story, it is an important part. Don’t forget, in Dante’s past, he has lost everything he has ever loved. While he loves wholly, he fears for those that he loves.

Why you denying your heart?

He met his reflection’s dark-eyed and dilated gaze. “Can’t trust it.”

Heather, despite having her own issues to deal with (the threat of “termination” by the FBI if she doesn’t submit to their plans for her), also devotes herself, in this installment, to protecting Dante’s “innocence”. Despite his revolting memories of himself, she sees past his fears, and works to help him fight his real enemies, and his own personal demons.

Without a word, he grasped her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers, their palms pushing together-a balance, a promise.

Beautifully described, the eerie imagery left me breathless!

Does the book end on a happy note? My lips are sealed! Do I want more? OH YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!