Wicked Appetite - Janet Evanovich

Wicked Appetite was way over the top even for me. I'm generally a forgiving reader but damn. Magic and Unmentionables and BUM's. A monkey that seems to understand everything and a mind reading cat. Two hunky devils and some coworkers that are way out there and just as odd.

I have to say. I didn't hate it. I laughed and the banter was pretty good. I have to say the parts with Shirley were pretty funny. Especially, with some of the things she'd come out with. I'm not as disappointed as everyone else seems to be. I enjoyed it and I really want to find out what happens further along in the book. I think that's what frustrated me most about this one. It felt more of a giant setup for future books than it did as a story of it's own.

I really wanted to get more from this one. I wanted more for Diesel and Lizzy but I have a feeling in future books we might be getting more. It was just disappointing in this episode. I really like Diesel's cousin Wulf and I know we'll be getting a lot more from both of them in the future.

So for me, I wasn't super enamored with this one but I do want more. I want to know what happens. I want to find more stones. I could with less monkey's and flying brooms.

Life Expectancy - Dean Koontz

This is definitely one of my favorite Dean Koontz novels. I think this book rivals Intensity for excitement and suspense. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to find a book that was as good as that one, but this proves me wrong.

The day Jimmy Tock is born his grandfather dies but not before predicting 5 terrible days for Jimmy. Five dates, Jimmy will have to prepare himself for. While those dates prove something terrible does happen we also learn that there are other things that come from them. The last prediction may be the end.

This book is clearly not for everyone as there are psycho clowns throughout the story. Who here loves clowns? I didn't think so. Anyway, if you can look passed that as I could you'll find a truly well thought out book. I would probably give this 10 stars if I could. You can just tell that Dean put a lot of thought into this book. Everything just comes together in the end with a twist of course.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced well thought out books. I've said before Koontz is a hit or miss but this is a home run. I laughed, I cried and I laughed some more.

Torment - Jeremy Bishop

I'd just like to start off by saying, WOW. I found myself up at 3am with blurry vision trying to read through the book. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Still, it was so good.

It's basically about Mia who's fiance was just considered MIA but what's worse is that there is a tape of him on the news telling everyone he's a sniper and was sent to kill the Russian president. Mia wants more answers, she doesn't believe it. Matt was a truck driver not a sniper. Not getting anything from anyone, Mia fakes a letter to the president from her 7 year old niece and gets invited to the White House.

Russia declares war on the US while Mia and her niece are there and they get orbited into space while a nuclear war erupts. When they get back to Earth things are very different.

This novel is filled with more than just zombies. There are so many different kinds of horror that just chase you down the entire way. It's a bit religious and that definitely isn't my cup of tea but this was done superbly. I'm very glad I read it. It was exciting, suspenseful and shocking the entire way. So good.

Deceit: A Novel - Brandilyn Collins

I wasn't really excited to read this one but because I was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't want to buy a new book just yet, I decided to go for one I'd already purchased. Once I started reading this I really got into it.

Skip tracer, Joanne, has been trying to find her best friend for 6 years. She knows Linda's husband Baxter had something to do with her disappearance and likely death. After Baxter's second wife died under questionable circumstances Joanna searches for the foster daughter, Melissa, that lived with Linda and Baxter. Now someone is after Joanne and Melissa and she's on the run and hunt of her life.

This book went from the present to the past and brought both together. The past is mainly about Baxter, Linda and Melissa's life together and the circumstances that lead up to Linda's disappearance. The present focuses on Joanne running for her life while simultaneously searching for Melissa.

Very suspenseful. It was very exciting and in the beginning it left you with lots of questions. It was fairly easy to piece together once you got into it but it was still an excellent book. I enjoyed it tremendously. Lots of deceit going on with everyone.

The one thing I didn't enjoy was all the Christianity. It wasn't a religious book but most of the characters were religious. Really mainly the ending was the most annoying with the religion. I see how some people would be into it with the questions that the book raised but for me it was too much.

Shadowfires - Dean Koontz

With Dean Koontz for me it's either win or lose. Either, I really enjoy his books or I don't. Shadowfires for me was not a great book. It's about Rachael Leben who's divorcing her husband Eric. In a rage because Rachael wanted nothing from him he storms off into a garbage truck. When his body goes missing from the morgue Rachael knows exactly whats happened.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. The description of this book wasn't that great. It didn't really depict what was going to go down in this one. Although, there were several sections of this one that I enjoyed and even laughed at. It just sort of fizzled out for me. Mainly because Koontz has to describe every last thing. I understand why it paints a pretty picture but at points it was so annoying. I think it actually detracts from the book. I heard somewhere that once you've made a sale stop selling it. I feel like all the description really ruins the flow.

The descriptions in this one became so repetitive and annoying. It was sort of the same thing over and over again. Eric's changing. Rachael didn't really seem real. I'm not sure who was supposed to be the main character. When this one ended I was glad. It wasn't like some of his other books that I have enjoyed. I didn't get this one.

The Face of Fear - Dean Koontz

The Face of Fear by Dean Koontz was a thrill ride for sure. A clairvoyant, Graham Harris has been living in fear ever since he fell from Mount Everest. It left him limping and emotionally scarred as well as psychic. Although, the clairvoyance only plays a small role in this novel I was sort of hoping for more.

While the host of a talk show is trying to defraud Harris in front of a live audience, he has a vision of the "Butcher" killing his next victim. Now the Butcher has Harris on his radar and wants to teach him a lesson. While working late Harris and his girlfriend are seeming trapped in a very large building while the Butcher stalks them. Not being able to outrun him with his limp leg Graham will have to do the unimaginable or risk losing Connie forever.

I have to admit, less than halfway through I thought I had this all figured out. I knew what was going to happen and I was a little disappointed. Did I turn out wrong or what. This book was really good. It had tons of action. I was so nervous for Graham and Connie that I was all worked up over their choices. It was almost like yelling at a victim as she runs up the stairs. "Don't run up!!!"

This was fast paced and entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. The only thing I have to complain about is that it seemed too short. I've read many Koontz books and most of them are twice as long. Or at least they seem that way to me. I have to say, not my top favorite but really good.

Me & Emma - Elizabeth Flock

Emma and Me by Elizabeth Flock was about two sisters, Emma and Carrie. Age 6 and 8. They've fallen upon some hard times. Their mother seems depressed and at her wits end and their stepfather is an abusive drunk. Very abusive.

I thought this book was going to be one of those books that you finish and you say, WOW. I can't believe that was such a good book. I expected a lot more than what I actually got out of this one. Was it emotional, yes. Was it amazing, no. Once you get to the end you're wondering ok? Now what?

I was really into this book, I thought it was going places, and then it sorted of drifted into watching two little girls go about their daily life. It actually got repetitive and boring after a short time. Not to mention the ending that I really didn't like. Maybe because there seemed to be no growth for the characters. You usually expect to see characters learn and grow but I didn't get that from this one.

For me this was just an alright book

With This Ring - Amanda Quick

With this Ring is about Beatrice who ends up on the Earl of Monkcrest's doorstep in the middle of the night. She went seeking his help in finding the Rings of Aphrodite. She believes her Uncle Reggie died after purchasing them. Thinking they were stolen and the only thing she had left of her cousin's dowry she enlists the help of Leo Drake "the mad monk" an antiquities expert.

This book was quite an interesting mystery. The suspects kept showing up dead and I couldn't figure out who was at the heart of it. Although, this book did not incite strong feelings one way or the other for me I still enjoyed the story.

There were attempted kidnappings, prostitutes, murders, brothels, even manly elixirs, and a hound that kept getting mistaken for a wolf. Some of the scenes seemed convenient and not particularly plausible but still they did not detract from the story in the least. It was enjoyable and mysterious and kept me wondering until the end.

Dark Lover - J.R. Ward

I read this on a recommendation from a review on Amazon. They mentioned how it was comparable to Sherrilyn Kenyon's books and I do love her stories so I figured, hey, why not.

Although, the story was good. I'm not going to debate that. I think the problem lies in the fact that I started this as an audiobook. The narrator was just not good in my opinion. He would be doing voices and all of a sudden the male would stop speaking in a Spanish accent or the main characters voice would change into the female part even though it was clearly still the main character, Wrath, speaking. It was so very frustrating.

Also, one other thing that bothered me about this novel is the fact that Wrath is pretty much blind. He can see shadows and outlines but more often than not he was looking into Beth's eyes. That didn't seem possible from the earlier descriptions. That was pretty frustrating.

About 70% through this one, I realized I already had a copy of the book and finished reading it on my own. Not only can I read faster, but I don't annoy myself with sucking spit the entire time I'm reading. Just, not a good narrator in my opinion.

I also thought the huge climatic battle at the end left a lot to be desired. I think it could have been described better and I also think it could have been better in my opinion. I think the main reason it was such a quick fight in the end was because the author had so much story to get through because this is the first in the series. I think she tried to explain so much.

I enjoyed the secondary characters. I am interested in reading their stories and would like to know more. I'll skip the audiobook and hopefully won't be as disappointed.

Shaken - J.A. Konrath

I'd like to start off by saying there will be no spoilers in this review. I am not that kind of girl. Shaken starts out with three different time lines for Jack. Jack is working two separate cases that all seem to come together in the third present time.

The first part shows us when Jack was a rookie working prostitution rings. She chases a John into a back alley where they both stumble upon a dead escort. That puts Jack onto a killer.

The second part has Jack looking for a psychotic killer who tortures his victims. In unimaginable ways. It threatens everything Jack knows about good and evil and what some people can do to others.

The third and most important present day time line which is mixed into both others was the hardest for me. I was getting so frustrated jumping back and forth from each time period that I was trying to read faster just to get back to the present day to see how Jack was fairing.

Jack is one of my favorite heroines of any book I have read. Shaken did not disappoint. It had me laughing to myself, laughing loud enough for people to give me strange looks and also had me tearing up. It almost seems like Jack is cursed. Things just start to go right for her and bam they turn around tenfold.

The only thing that bothered me about this one was that it felt like such a quick read. It seemed to go so fast. What I didn't bother learning before I started reading was that in addition to the original story this book also comes with a linear version. I could have read each time line in order had I so chosen. I have to say, honestly, as much as I complained about jumping around in the story, I actually preferred it.

I feel like if I had to do a time line and blend them together I'd fail miserably. Konrath was a master at it. While the time lines mixed together the seemed to go perfectly and seamlessly. I could not ask for more. Well, that's not true. I could ask for Konrath to never ever end the Jack Daniels series but I guess there is such a thing as asking for too much.

Cherry Bomb - J.A. Konrath

Cherry Bomb by J.A Konrath is the sixth book in the Jack Daniels series and where everything comes to a head with Jack and Alexandra Kork. The serial killer Jack's been chasing. I love the Jack Daniels series. It combines humor with the macabre.

Fuzzy Navel left us with a huge cliffhanger and we find out immediately what happened. It was definitely not who I expected but still very satisfying. Well... not satisfying in the fact that someone died and Daniels loses someone important to her but in the fact that it was not any of my very super favorite characters.

For me this book seemed less gruesome than some of the others I've read. I could be confusing some of Konrath's other novels with the Jack Daniels series though.

I really liked this book. I really don't want to give anything away, because I'd be sorely disappointed if it happened to be before I had a chance to read it myself. So, I won't throw in any spoilers. I'll just say that it probably was not my favorite in the series so far but it was still worth the wait. I'm looking forward to more Jack Daniels!

Draculas - Konrath, Crouch, Wilson, Strand

I was super lucky to get a copy of the up and coming novel Draculas. It is a novel that four authors collaborated on and it's about a terminal old man who purchases the head of a Dracula. Everything goes down hill from there. Shanna, was hired by Mortimer to study the head that he purchased. Jenny was the hospice nurse who he hired to watch over him. After Ol' Morty does something unthinkable they both accompany him to the hospital. Once there all hell breaks loose.

This book is like a cross between vampires and zombies. Each character was running for their lives. The more you get into the novel the more it seems to become hopeless for each character involved. You're thinking, there's no way their luck can be that bad, but guess again!

What I really find amazing about this novel in particular is that each author had a set of characters. They each wrote their own parts separately but you'd never know from reading it. It's that seamless. I never once thought to myself, huh, this doesn't sound like the last part. It just flowed.

Honestly, I cannot begin to explain the amount of gore. There's just so much. Not to mention the adrenaline ride you're put through. Will they make it? Will they not make it? In some books when there are more than 4 characters I normally get lost. Not in this case. Each character made such an impression with me that I had no trouble remembering who and what was happening to them. I think that is a testament to how well these authors write.

I was nervous, excited, disgusted, and frustrated to no end during this one. It's one of my favorites. It ended in such a way that it had its own conclusion but it could also have a sequel if the authors ever wanted to get back together. In fact, I kind of insist they do. I want more.

You can find a copy of the novel here.
http://www.amazon.com/DRACULAS-Novel-Terror-ebook/dp/B0042AMD2M

The Bleeder and other stories - J.R. Rain

The Bleeder - Leo an unaccomplished artist finds out during an accident that he can bring out his inspiration. All he has to do is bleed. While he's bleeding he paints the best pictures that sell for thousands. One day he see's his masterpiece and he knows he'll never get another chance to paint it.

This story and masterpiece was ominous. Very freaky. I'm not sure how I felt about it. I think scary is the best word to describe it. Mostly, it leaves you thinking which road would you take?

Deal with the Devil - This story was different from what I've ever read. It was basically the first chapter or edition in a comic book. Unfortunately, the comic was never made. However, that wasn't necessary. The imagery in this book made me feel like I could see everything happening as it would in a comic book. Best short story of the lot in my opinion.

It's basically about a private eye who makes a deal with the devil. They'll let his father go free if he finds the one soul that escaped from Hell. I hope that Rain completes this story. I'm itching to read more.

The Back of Beyond - I honestly didn't remember reading this one. I had to go back to recap what happened. Basically, it's about a yuruk who starts a fight in a bar. The owner doesn't want to fight but when the yuruk hits his help he has a no hitting the help policy. This story was just that a story. I had no strong feelings whatsoever.

Vampire Moon - This is a deleted scene from a book that has not been published yet. It's the second book in the Vampire for Hire book. It basically puts Samantha Moon in jail talking to the warden because she appears to have punched through a bulletproof window. Samantha insists that the glass was cracked. The warden of course suspects something else.

I enjoyed the deleted/bonus scene. I can't wait for more. I really enjoy J.R. Rain's stories. They're creative and fun. There are a lot of things going on and some even have lessons to learn. I can't wait to read more.

Moon Dance - J.R. Rain

Samantha Moon is trying to balance her family life, her work life, and her vampire life. 6 years ago Samantha was infected by a vampire. She had to quit her job as a federal agent because going out in the sun is impossible without slathering on a bottle of sunblock.

Her husband is spending more and more time at work and not coming home. When Sam was first infected he was great, but unfortunately, he's pulling away more and more. Pretty much disgusted with his cold, scary wife. Still Sam holds on for her kids.

A client walks in and asks her to find the man that shot him 5 times in the head. With her vampire instincts it should be no problem for Sam. She finds herself in the middle of a strange case and not sure of where to turn.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fairly quick read and it had a lot of characters and a lot of side plots going on but it flowed easily and I wanted to know more. I wanted to know how Samantha got this way and what she plans to do. Unfortunately, it stopped before going into all of the details but there are more books in the series to come. I'm excited to see what's next for Samantha Moon.

Teeth and other stories - J.R. Rain

Teeth - This is the prequel to Fang. A character we meet in Moon Dance the first book in the Vampire for Hire series. It's basically about a child who's canine teeth have grown in unusually long and pointy. Everyone at school calls him a freak until he finally starts believing it and biting.

I thought this was a good story. I could definitely see how bullying could hurt a child and start making them think something even if it's not true. I enjoyed it even though it was sad. It definitely gives us some back story into Fang.

My Father's Eyes - It's about a man who's father is dying and he can't be there with him. A strange customer pulls up to the bar and he's scary and yet recognizable. This was scary and weird and odd and heartwarming all at the same time. There's not much I can say without giving away the story. I don't want to ruin it.

The Fridge - State of the art technology. Everyone wants it. What happens when technology wants a please and thank you. Who doesn't want the best of the best? Rick does, or at least that's what the fridge has named our main character. This was odd and funny and sort of frightening at the same time. I mean honestly, I don't want to be at the mercy of my appliances.
Step on a Crack - Probably my least favorite short story. Not to mention this was the shortest story. It's about a young kid who is constantly stealing an old man's chocolate bars. Finally, the man has had it. He curses the boy. Just when you think all will be right with this one, it gets you.
Die Spy - A short story that sneaks up on you and makes you think. Damn. Two spy's sitting across from each other. The older mentor seems to be going through a change of heart. Or at least his conscience is catching up with him. Some things just stay with you forever. I think this short story was my favorite. Without coming out and telling you exactly whats happening it just sort of hints around it leaving you to draw your own conclusions. Excellent in my opinion.

I really only wanted the back story to Fang. What I got was much more. These stories are all great in their own right. Imaginative, wonderful, scary, and thought provoking. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Blood Born - Linda Howard and Linda Jones

I enjoyed this one. What I'm not excited about is that I have to wait a full year and a few months to read the next book in the series.

Lucas Ambrus is blessed and cursed. People forget who he is the minute they're not looking at him. It's helpful being a vampire, but unless you're the strongest of the strong vampires you won't remember him. It's difficult for him to have any connections with vampires or people.

Chloe Fallon is a conduit. There's a war brewing and her warrior is trying to come through to stop it. As more and more warriors are trying to get through the rebel vampires are taking the conduits out before they can enter this world.

Lucas happens to stumble upon Chloe as one of the rebels is trying to kill her and he saves her. What he doesn't understand is why Chloe is different and can remember him. While Lucas is trying to stop the war he also needs to protect Chloe.

There were a lot of character dynamics in this novel. There were a lot of characters I'd like to learn more about and a few characters that were cut short that I feel like I'll miss. It kept me entertained and wanting to read more and more. I didn't want to put this one down.

I was a bit disappointed at the end as it just sort of ended but I think it was mainly to setup the beginning of book two. Still, I wish it had a little more of a conclusion.

Tough Customer - Sandra Brown

This book is about Dodge who gets a call from his ex girlfriend, Caroline, from whom he hasn't spoken to in 30 years. She needs his help, but more importantly his daughter, Berry, needs his help. He's never met his daughter and she doesn't know about him.

Berry has a stalker, Oren, who's tried to kill her. Instead, he got her co-worker but before he left he vows to kill her. This novel is about Caroline and Dodge's story intertwined with Berry and the Chief, Ski.

Honestly, in the beginning I was fighting my way through this book. Dodge was acting like a petulant child. I almost stopped reading it it was that painful. He literally throws a hissy fit you'd expect to see on a 2 year old child. He practically stomped his heels and held his breatht. Seriously, what sort of 50ish year man does that?

But, I continued on. It really didn't seem to pick up until around half way through and even then it didn't pick up as much as I'd have liked. It was a tough read.

Veil of Night - Linda Howard

I know when I finish a book smiling that it was a good one. I really enjoyed Veil of Night by Linda Howard. It had my smiling and even laughing in a few different spots. It's a great mix of suspense, humor and drama.

Jacklyn an events planner has her plate full this week with six weddings. All are going reasonably well except for Carrie Edwards' wedding. She's a horrible bride and a horrible person. She is vindictive, mean-spirited and downright rude. The day she fires Jacklyn is also the day she ends up dead. Now the police have a long list of suspects and not enough evidence.

From the minute this book started I could almost tell I'd have a hard time putting it down and I wasn't wrong. It was full of likable and not so likable characters and plenty of suspects. It was pretty easy to predict but not full out predictable which was nice. A fun read and difficult to put down.

Trapped - Jack Kilborn

Trapped by Jack Kilborn is the followup to Afraid. Trapped has definitely surpassed Afraid for gore. It has to be the goriest most disgusting book I've ever read and I loved it. I thought it was really suspenseful and I could see myself lost in the woods with the characters.

Most of the time I was yelling at the characters for doing things that just frustrated me. Like dropping the only thing that would protect them. So infuriating and yet that's what made it all worth it.

While some of the book was a bit predictable most of it was not. Not even close. You just can't fathom some of the gruesome things that happen in this novel.

There are two versions of this story and I read the remake. I do have a copy of the original draft, but I have yet to get into that one. I've been told its even more sickening than the one I read.

The best thing about this book is that is is suspenseful. I'm reading as fast as I can to see what happens next. The worst thing about this book is that when you get to the gore you can't close your eyes like you can in a movie.

My opinion is to go ahead and get lost in the woods with these characters.

Locked Doors - Blake Crouch

Locked Doors by Blake Crouch was the sequel to Desert Places. I was expecting this to be a lot better than the first and I was sorely disappointed. The amount of exciting parts fell way short of the boring ones.

I found myself bored most of the book just trying to plug along. Then I'd get to a really good part and start getting into the book when all of a sudden the excitement dies and the story seems to just drag on with innocuous details. I really wanted to love this one from the get go but I just couldn't. It felt more like a chore to finish.

The ending was really good though, but you have to wonder. How much bad stuff can happen to one guy? It also left us on sort of a cliffhanger with an opening for a third book, which I will no doubt read because now that I have to much vested into these characters I just have to know what happens to them.

Desert Places - Blake Crouch

Desert Places read a bit monotonously for me. It just seemed to go from one thing to another in the same sentence. Sometimes, I'd find myself stopping and going back just to make sure what I thought happened happened.

Andrew Thomas writes horror novels. He locks himself in his lake home for months until one night finds himself in the middle of his own horror story. Someone has buried a body on his land and if he doesn't find her and call the number that's in her pocket by 8pm they'll call the police and he'll be setup for murder. And so his story begins.

It was alright as far as stories go. There is a second novel starring Andrew Thomas which I've just begun. I'm hoping the second one reads a little easier. What I really liked out of this novel that there were some pretty crazy things going on that I've never read before. That's a huge plus for me. I like to be surprised.

Psyche in a Dress - Francesca Lia Block

Psyche in a Dress is really hard to explain. Mainly, because I was confused most of the time. I was with it up until Psyche kicked Eros out for being too beautiful. After that, we either see Psyche as Echo. I don't really know. It's set in the mortal realm and the Gods are mortals but Gods in the modern day times.

What can I say about this book? Actually, I'm not really sure. I must be the only one that didn't get this book. I was so confused through the entire thing. At times I think I'd finally start to understand it when all of a sudden I'd be completely lost again.

I know it's done in the poetry lyrical way, but I just did not get it. I know most of the myths about the gods, but I just kept getting confused over the Psyche/Persephone, Psyche/Demeter, Psyche/Narcissus, etc. Was she Psyche, was she Persephone. I have no idea. I'm not sure, maybe I was putting too much thought into this but for me this was just not good.

Dogs and Goddesses by Anne Stuart, Lani Diane Rich, and Jenny Crusie

It took me forever to read this one. Dogs and Goddesses is about 3 women who find out they're descendants from goddesses. The discover this after going to a dog class that they find out is being held by a goddess, Kammani, and they're her servants. Or at least she wants them to be. However, things don't always go your way in the modern day world like they would have back in the days of Mesopotamia.

A lot was going on in this book. Some things that perhaps, didn't even have to be in there. However, for me it wasn't bad at all. I enjoyed it. Thinking back to what I've read it turned out alright. It took me a lot longer than it normally does to read through because I just didn't set anytime out for reading.

I enjoyed all the visual explanations about the colors and the goddesses powers. It may have been more exciting had they used more powers but all in all it was still good. There was a lot of on and off again relationships that started to get a bit redundant and annoying but finally at the end when it was over it all worked out.

I don't think this book will get rave reviews, but I'm not disappointed I spent time on it. I'd give it about 3 stars. One for each goddess.

Breathless by Dean Koontz

So, I read this book and I was pretty intrigued during the beginning wondering what was going on and how it was going to come together and end.

The thing about Koontz is that he has a habit of throwing in characters everywhere and then skipping around to them during chapters. It gets me so confused when there are more than 4 characters going on. I have such a hard time remembering who's who.

Another thing about this book is that it just sort of ends with no real story. I was so disappointed. The good news, I guess, is that I actually read the whole thing without skipping. If that can be looked on as positive.

I'm not even sure how to described what happened during this book. I guess the main gist is that it's about a new species that just sort of shows up one day. All the characters stories seem to come together in the end and that's that.