Rapture Untamed (Feral Warriors #4) by Pamela Palmer. © 2010 Avon Books. ISBN 9780061794704. Mass Market Paperback. Paranormal Romance. 384 pages. $7.99 US. Source: Amazon Purchase

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Synopsis
The most combative – and tormented – of all the Ferals, Jag is a predator who hunts alone – until daemons terrorize the human population. To stop them, he partners with Olivia, a flame-haired Therian temptress as strong as she is beautiful. But Olivia is no ordinary immortal. The survivor of a vicious supernatural attack, she possesses a deadly and forbidden skill – one that must remain hidden, especially from the powerful Feral Warriors.

As Jag and Olivia’s sensual dance of dominance and seduction gets wilder and hotter, a dark force sets its sights on Olivia, threatening to destroy everything she has vowed to protect. And the only one who can save her soul is the arrogant jaguar shifter she lusts for but dares not love.

Review
I really liked this book, in fact I liked it so much I read it all in one sitting.  The way the author writes is very simple to follow and very engaging. You learn about the characters through, not just their interaction with each other, but with their interactions with their enemies and friends. The H/H are not in their own universe and are dependent on everyone around them though they don’t have to be. Read the rest of this entry »

Ghost of a Chance (Ghost Finders, #1) by Simon R. Green. © 2010 Ace Books. ISBN 9780441019168. Mass Market Paperback. Urban Fantasy. 272 pages. $7.99 US. Source: review copy

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Synopsis
The Carnacki Institute exists to Do Something About Ghosts: lay them to rest, send them packing, or kick their nasty ectoplasmic arses with extreme prejudice.

The Institute’s operatives are the best of the best. JC Chance: sharp, brave, charming and almost unbearably arrogant; Melody Chambers: science-geek techno-wizard extraordinaire who keeps the antisupernatural equipment running smoothly; and Happy Jack Palmer: the telepath with the gloomy disposition, is the last person anyone would want navigating through his head.

Their current assignment: investigate a major haunting deep underground at London’s Oxford Circus Tube Station. Difficult—and dangerous—enough without the added interference of a pair of agents from the infamous Crowley Project whose mission is much simpler: eliminate Chance, Chambers and Palmer, whatever the consequences…

Review
The Carnacki Institute of London—secretly located within the walls of Buckingham Palace—is to ghosts what Torchwood is to aliens (with a little of the Talamasca Caste thrown in). Their job is to protect the Queen’s country and people from the things that go bump in the night, and also to study them and gather knowledge of the arcane.

Ghost of a Chance is the first in a new series by popular author, Simon R. Green and begins with an incredibly creepy prologue. Let’s just say, I started this book around 1 a.m. and it didn’t take long for me to get unnerved (but a good kind of unnerved.) Read the rest of this entry »

Bonds of Justice (Psy-Changeling, #8) by Nalini Singh. © 2010 Berkley Sensation. ISBN 9780425235447. Mass Market Paperback. Paranormal Romance. 368 pages. $7.99 US. Source: Amazon Purchase

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Synopsis
Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy- dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned to is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor’s closest advisers. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of catastrophic mental fracture.

Review
This book is a throwback to the first three books in the series in terms of the writing style, and that is a good thing.  I’m going to look at the character and the plots of the book.  Just a word of caution, in order for you to get the whole story of this book you need to at least read the first two books in this series. Read the rest of this entry »

Halo (Halo, #1) by Alexandra Adornetto. © 2010 Feiwel and Friends. ISBN 9780312656263. Hardback. Young Adult/Urban Fantasy. 496 pages. $16.99 US. Source: ARC supplied by Good Golly Miss Holly ARC Tours

• On sale 31 August 2010
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Synopsis
Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him?

Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There?s a new kid in town and he?s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he?s after Beth.

Review
I was so excited when I landed a spot on Good Golly Miss Holly’s ARC Tour for Halo. I’m all about some angels and the premise for this book sounded promising. And then I actually read it.

I seriously worry about the future of women (and feminism) when there’s things like this and Twilight guiding our youth … and adults. I know that may be harsh, but I’m losing my patience. Halo was practically Twilight, but with wings.

First, you’d think that a book bordering on 500 pages would actually have a massive amount of plot development, but it’s sparse at best. We have to sit through pages and pages of empty scenes to even be given a small ounce of story line. And can I just say, being a teenage girl is not all about makeup, shopping and zomg!prom! What a way to paint them as empty eedjits, eh? Oh, and by the way it’s the 21st Century, girls can ask guys to the prom too. Clichés don’t stop there though, no. They range from “poetry is for girls” and “I’m a boy, I know engines” and back. *sighs* Read the rest of this entry »

Z by Michael Thomas Ford. © 2010 HarperTeen. ISBN 9780060737580. Hardback. Young Adult/Urban Fantasy. 288 pages. $16.99 US. Source: ARC from publisher

• On sale 07 September 2010
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Synopsis
Josh is by far the best zombie Torcher around. At least, he is in his virtual-reality zombie-hunting game. Zombies haven’t existed in the real world in more than fifteen years, and the battle to defeat the devastating zombie epidemic is now the stuff of history lessons. Or so it seems.

When Josh accepts a coveted invitation to join an underground gaming league in the dark, forgotten tunnels of the city, he soon realizes that hunting zombies is not all fun and games. Real blood is spilling, members of the team are disappearing, and the zombies in the game are acting strange. And then there’s the matter of a mysterious drug called Z…

Review
It’s 2032. Antarctica is turning into a rain forest. The oceans are brown, capped with yellow foam. Books, magazines and all things made of paper belong to museums. And 15 years have passed since the great Zombie purge…

In 2017, a mutated strain of the flu caused a portion humanity to be reverted back to the reptilian brain—the part of the brain which is focused on instinctual behaviors such as aggression, dominance, and territoriality—as a primary source. From there, they became zombies and wreaked havoc upon society, finally stopped by a militant group known as the Torchers. Read the rest of this entry »

Once Dead, Twice Shy (Madison Avery, #1) by Kim Harrison. © 2009 HarperTeen. ISBN 9780061441684. Trade Paperback. Young Adult/Urban Fantasy. 256 pages. $8.99 US. Source: Wal-Mart purchase

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Synopsis
Madison’s prom was killer—literally. Now, thanks to a mysterious amulet, she’s stuck on Earth: dead but not gone. She has no idea why the dark reaper who did her in was after her, but she’s not about to just sit around and let fate take its course. With a little skilled light-bending, the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys . . . maybe), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison’s ready to take control of her own destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Review
I absolutely loved how Kim has brought us a world which makes us really question things like free will and fate … and leaves us pondering if perhaps it is the so-called “dark reapers” who have it right. The world associates dark with evil or malevolence, and sure there are those in this book which fit perfectly with that (Kairos for one), but not all is what it seems. Nothing is ever black and white. This is a lesson which both Madison (our protagonist) and her mentor, the light reaper, Barnabas learn.

I adore Madison. She’s sassy. She’s flawed. She’s clumsy. She’s not afraid to be who she is, despite that meaning people tease her for her purple hair and goth inspired clothing. Plus, she has cojones. Where others would run away, Madison swallows the fear and meets it head on. Read the rest of this entry »

The Fire Lord’s Lover (Elven Lords, #1) by Kathryne Kennedy. © 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca. ISBN 9781402236525. Mass Market Paperback. Historical Fiction/Romance. 384 pages. $7.99 US. Source: advance copy (arc). Shop Indie Bookstores or Purchase online from Amazon.

Synopsis
In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven lords, the Fire Lord’s son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father—until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married.

Review
This is my first introduction to Kathryne Kennedy so I can’t really speak on how this holds up to her previous works, but I was rather impressed. While I wouldn’t put her up there with J.R.R. Tolkien in regards to world creation, this alternative Georgian England—ruled over by six Elf Lords who have deserted their native Elfhame out of boredom—is lavish, intriguing and highly creative. It is a remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable blend of fantasy, historical fiction and high romance.

Those who love a good Regency or Georgian romance shouldn’t be intimidated by the fantasy within The Fire Lord’s Lover. The detail to life in England at that time is still the same despite the magic, Elves and dragons. We still have our lucullan nobles and well-favored cravats *wink*. Read the rest of this entry »