by: Mario Acevedo

Number of pages: 368

This was another new author challenge book.

Usually modern vampire stories are written by women, but Acevedo brings a unique twist to the standard. Ex-Operation Freedom vet, now vampire, Felix Gomez has turned to “normal” life as a detective.

His vamp powers add a twist and provide an edge to the standard detective. He’s called to Rocky Flats, Colorado, by an old friend to investigate the cause of an outbreak of nymphomania.

Really, nymphomania… that’s a problem, right?

Before you think this is an erotic romance, think again…it is a detective story with an edge and a lovely one at that.

Gomez bumbles almost as badly as Columbo, but, like Columbo, has a method and it works.

What works better is Acevedo’s writing. It is brutally honest, direct, and poetic. Where else can you get a line like this:

No mistress of the dark, she looked more like a matron of the refrigerator.

I LOVED it! Thanks to Jackie from LE for turning me on to this author.

Overall book rating: 9.75

by: Toni McGee Causey

Number of pages: 341

I don’t know how to rate the character believability for these books.

Bobby Faye is unlike any heroine you’ll ever find. She’s ballsy, yes, but a walking tornado. Mayhem and explosions follow her like baby ducks.
And the story, oh! Loved the twists, the triangles, the plot unveiling. This is an amazing action mystery with a touch of romance that rampages through the backwaters of Louisiana like alligators in April. (read book to understand reference) Bobby Faye has a limited amount of time to deliver her great-great-something-grandfather’s iron (yes, iron) tiara to a mobster who has kidnapped her no-account brother. But she loves her brother and would walk through swamps, salt mines, junkyards, exploding oil rigs, and even through the net of FBI and local police, to get it to him in time.
Add in gun-runners, a mysterious man who is in the “acquisition” business, bank robbers, and ex-boyfriends and you have one of the best books written. If you can keep up.

I love this stuff!

Overall book rating: 9.5

by Kat Richardson
pages: 352
(part of the Literary Escapism New Author/League challenge)

In overview, my introductory step into the Grey was engaging, and an act of will power since I kept getting pulled away to do the mundane normal world stuff like work and help with the grand-baby. By the time the big build-up climaxed, I was distracted and left standing on the outside looking in, rather than being immersed in the story.

On the back cover:

Harper Blaine was your average small-time PI until a two-bit perp’s savage assault left her dead—for two minutes, to be precise.

This simple incident leads to a series of increasingly bizarre encounters. At first, Harper blames it on the knock to the head she received, but as things get weirder, she fears (like most of us would) she is going crazy. On the dubious advice of a doctor, she seeks out Ben and Mara Danzinger who tell her what she is seeing is what they call “the Grey.” Or in other words, the world between this reality and the afterlife.

Harper’s world gets more bizarre after a routine missing person case she is working on unveils yet another connection to the Grey.

In classic Hammett-noir fashion, the cases Harper pursues, and the connection to the mysterious increase. The stakes get higher, and the characters get darker. The reader starts to doubt the motives along with the detective and the drama rises to a deadly level.

Wonderfully engaging, and the beginnings of a great series.

8.5 out of 10

by Ellen Byerrum

This fun …wait…FUN romp through the life and times of an investigative DC FASHION reporter is a unexpected diamond. The work is enjoyable and easy. The tension cute and unpretentious. The leading lady not a diva, and not angsty. The perfect blend of reality and mayhem.

Writing: 8, characters: 9.5; plot: 8.1; conclusion: 8.5 Please read… a 8.5!

by Kelley Armstrong

This is the first of the “Women of the underworld” books by Kelley Armstrong I have read. The set up goes like this: Half demon tabloid reporter Hope Adams is dragged to Miami to investigate a gang of supernaturals who are causing trouble for the Cortez Cabal. Far from being a cheesy knock off of a paranormal “Godfather” this engaging book flows craftily through a urban fantasy world that has been well-constructed and is rich with intrigue.

Hope’s mission is complicated by the arrival of her estranged “boyfriend” the werewolf, Karl Marsten. Karl’s mission? To make sure Hope doesn’t end up dead. The stakes are high and the action and adventure are higher.

Overall: Extremely good read, recommended. 9.3

by Gemma Halliday

What is a girl to do in Hollywood? I’m giggling here. This crime and ditz story rolls along with the steamy power of a tinsel-town steel locomotive. Shoe designer (yes, someone actually does that job…) Maddie Springer can’t keep her Jimmy Choo’s out of trouble. That’s doubly bad cause she’s dating Eric Estrada-worthy hunk detective Jack Ramirez.

Damsel in distress with internet porn stars adding campy fun. Great stuff.

Overall: 7.5 Despite the typical formula, Halliday manages unique corkscrews that keep you guessing.

by Jim Butcher

Normally I’m too cheap to buy hardcover. I’ll admit. I’d rather wait an additional six months to a year to get my hands on a paperback than shell out twenty plus for a book. That is SOOOoooo bad on so many levels (especially since someday I’ll be one of those authors begging for people to buy my books in hardcover). But once in a while there are books (especially if you can get them with the Borders discount card ) that are WORTH $23.95 USD. Small Favor is one of them.

There have been complaints that the hero of this series snarls too much. Yes there were at least two snarls in this one but it doesn’t detract from the overall joie de vivre that is Chicago’s foremost Wizard/detective/warden. Small Favor continues the snarling adventures of Harry (He’s in the book…) Dresden as he is called upon by the queen of the Winter Court for a favor he owes. What is this favor, you ask? He has to save gangster Gentleman Johnny Marcone from the clutches of an even evilier foe. Hum? Conflict of interest? The romp brings back the Carpenter family with a very poignant opening scene that contrasts clearly with the rest of the book. There is a reason Harry continually gets beat up for things that he doesn’t have to stick his nose in. We see that view of the world and at least one more time of the normalcy that is threatened when magic couples with malice. These insights have us cheering Harry and gang and crying along with them.

A very powerful, yet fun book.

Overall: Amazing despite the snarls. 9.9

Or…The quickie reviewer reads quickly.

Holidays are Hell

by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki Pettersson

What a novel idea, pick a bunch of paranormal shorts (or commission a bunch of paranormal shorts with one thread, holidays. We’ve got Christmas (Winter Solstice actually) with Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel - EXCELLENT story which is actually a prequel to her Clint Eastwood inspired titles about Rachel Morgan, Thanksgiving (The Harvest) weakest story of the book by Pettersson (what’s up with all the extra letters in her name?), Actual Christmas (Run Run Rudolph) Funny entry by Sands, and Chinese New Year (Six) A most unique entry by Liu. You’ve got witches, shape changers (in a sci-fi sort of way), Vampires (the really scary and gross kind), and other…I don’t know what to classify Pettersson’s zodiac people as.

Overall: 8.1 Throw out the Pettersson work.

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon

by Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, PN Elrod, Katie MacAlister, Marjorie M Liu, Rachel Caine, Caitlin Kittredge, Lilith Saintcrow, and Ronda Thompson

So many authors, so little time…Let’s go down the line, shall we?

Stalked by Kelly Armstrong

OMG Werewolf honeymoon. What does a wolf really want to do for a honeymoon? I can tell you it isn’t hole up in a five star hotel and … well there’s that too but frankly it’s boring to werewolf Clay Danvers who’s big idea of fun would be hunting down the idiot stalking his wife. (Must read for humor and mayhem)

Heorot by Jim Butcher

Grab your Cliff Notes on Beowulf. Got em? Now get a dark beer if you like that sort of thing. Now read…Done yet?

OK, savor the beer AND the story. That good!

Roman Holiday or SPQ-arrrrr by Rachel Caine

Skip. I’ve had enough of supernatural pirates.

Her Mother’s Daughter by PN Elrod
This was a Huh? read up until the end. Don’t get me wrong, I like vampires, gumshoes, and roaring twenties…but the action was just slow. It ended well though. Not the best story, but worthy.

Newlydeads by Caitlin Kittredge

This story would have been SOOOoooo much better if I’d read the back story first. If you’re a fan of her other works (which I haven’t read) then by all means read about Jack Winter and Pete Caldecott (girl Pete, no mano a mano stuff here).

Where the Heart Lives by Marjorie M. Liu
This prequel to the Dirk & Steele series reads more like Hansel and Gretl meets Amish frontier tales than a paranormal. There’s no actual honeymoon unless you focus on the back story. All in all, eh.

Cat Got Your Tongue? by Katie MacAlister

*snicker* That’s not all the cat got. Ok, playing nice. This little romp through haunted Fyfe Castle has Raphael St. John and his new bride solving a mystery centuries old. There’s ghosts, curses and mayhem. Fun read, but odd.

Half of Being Married by Lilith Saintcrow

New bride Kat finds out her husband is a wolf in human clothing, but I guess that’s ok because she has some secrets of her own. Communication is key here. Good read.

A Wulf in Groom’s Clothing by Ronda Thompson
Men and their hunting cabins. Why do they insist on disappearing every full moon? Laura finds out why… cute but not great.

Overall: 6.8, not the greatest anthology

Wild Thing

with Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M. Liu, Alyssa Day, and Meljean Brook

Well, I didn’t read the whole thing. What does that say?

Maggie Shayne’s story wasn’t bad until the ending. OMG NO ONE gets over things that quickly!

Overall: 5 Printable, not readable.

by Charlaine Harris

There is a certain quality that literature has that sets it apart from regular stories. It may be a nuance, a phrase, the character voice, the setting, the reactions of supporting characters, or that certain intangible thing that makes your heart tense with emotion.

An Ice Cold Grave is the continuation of Harper Connelly’s adventures. Her talent? Finding dead bodies. Not the nicest of careers. With the help of her step-brother Tolliver, they are on the trail to find a missing teenager. But this isn’t an ordinary case. There’s more than one missing boy.

And Harper finds out how many more.

This chilling tale is a “don’t miss” read. Not only are you gripped by the unfolding drama, but you are touched by Harper’s personal tale.

Writing: I used to think I liked Sookie’s (another Harris character) voice better than Harper’s. This book proved me wrong. It’s all the genius of the author. I could only wish to write as well. 10

Characters: There are no cardboard cutouts allowed in Harris’s works. This book is no exception. Whether it is the aging grandmother, or the town police chief, supporting actors have as much of a tale to tell as the leads. There is a chilling discovery at the end when the killer is revealed. There is also warmth. 9.5

Plot: Suspense, heebie-jeebies, tension…it’s all there. Served up with a chill. 10

Ending: With the strength of the novel in its words, the ending wrap up falls a bit soft. The climax is spectacular, but all things must end. Without the wrap up, a 10, but with it… um? 9.2

Overall: Not quite as good as the last book I read by CH (A Secret Rage) but that was a stand-alone tale. 9.7

by Simon R. Green

It’s an odd feeling to put on a pair of shoes you haven’t worn in a while. Your feet become so accustomed to the nuances of tight new shoes that your old shoes feel loose in comparison. I bring this up because “The Unnatural Inquirer” (the latest in Simon Green’s Nightside series) is just like that old pair of shoes. It’s loose, comfortable, everything you love about an old pair of shoes, but it lacks the “new” feeling.

Sure, the story is new. There is new trouble to be faced, Walker is more of an enigma than ever, and Suzie Shooter has a couple of walk on scenes. But the main thing I felt that lacked was some of the tension of the prior books. Now that the BIG BAD is gone (sorry, if I spoiled things for fans new to Simon Green) it just seems as if John Taylor is strolling through the case with a lackadaisical ease he didn’t have before. I don’t think I like the old shoes much anymore. But I’ll still bring them out and wear them once in a while.

Writing: Green is his usual paranormal noir self. There are witticisms, collected descriptions of the bizzarro world that makes up the Nightside, but overall it was phoned in. 7.0

Characters: John Taylor, Suzie Shooter, Walker, The Collector…they’re all here. There’s a cameo by Alex Morrisey (he gets more lines than Suzie), and the assorted baddies that wait ’til the last few pages to be revealed. I love all of them, and it was nice to see the dust settle once again in the Nightside. I miss Razor Eddie. 8.0

Plot: Tightly woven mystery despite the lack of tension. That all stems from the apocalypse aversion in the prior couple of novels that made things SO intense. It’s like a Buffy episode following the destruction of a notorious bad guy; it’s there, it’s funny, it’s…eh. Something had to follow Lilith. 8.1

Ending: I’m going to root for John and Suzie ’til the day I die. Well, maybe not, but I liked the way it ended for now. 8.3

Overall: 7.9