Review: Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning

Series: Fever #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy/paranormal romance

Published: Oct 13, 2011 (2007)

Publisher: Gollancz

Source: For review

MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets. In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious. For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

My thoughts:

I can't say that a lot happened in this book, well ok things happened, but not in the aspect that we got to know any big secrets. Moning is holding on to those for sure, but then there are more books in this series.

I liked Mac more in this one, she was starting to hold her own. But then she did go from sunloving beach girl to trying to find her sister's killer. And I do like that she has not let go of it completely either. The love for sun and colors is still there. 

Barrons then, I actually did not think he was that big an ass this time around. I do not know, he just has his own agenda and goes for that. He does try to protect her, sure the chemistry I can't see, but yes I kind of...like, no, approve of him. 

The OOP being hunted here is an amulet. And she will also deal with the repercussions from the last book. There are people who are not happy, and the bad guy, yes a very gross bad guy. The Unseelie Fae are also shown a lot and there is this scary vibe over it all. You really feel how Dublin is falling deeper into darkness. 

What did I think then, I do not trust those Fae seers, they have their goal and no I can'r trust them. V'Lane is his usual death by sex self (a little toned done though) and I sure do not trust him. That leaves Barrons and his secrets that I just want! 

It is those secrets that make me want more. So it was a good thing that Moning leaves a tiny clue that is really nothing. She makes me want more. 

And again I feel that this book is not straight up UF, sure there is really no romance around but I will still call it UPR. Because there is really not that much ass-kicking around either. It is an interesting mix all together. 

Conclusion:

It is a Dublin I would not want to visit, but a Dublin that is great to read about. Dark, twisted, scary and no idea of whom to trust.

Cover:

I like the landscape

Guestpost and giveaway: Linda Poitevin - Sins of the Angels

Linda Poitevin is on my blog today with a guest blog and there is also a chance to win her new book Sins of the Angels.

Six reasons I write in a coffee shop

Believe it or not, my favorite place to write is my local coffee shop. While I can do many things from my home office (currently a corner of my dining room), getting deep into the creative mindset I need for the world-building behind The Grigori Legacy series isn’t one of them. You’d think that a public place would provide too many distractions, but in truth, it’s just the opposite. Here’s why:

1. There is no Internet connection and hence, no avoidance of work through Twitter, Facebook or (ahem) “research.”

2. I can’t see the piles of laundry, crumbs on the counter, dust-puppies running across the floor, overgrown garden, stack of bills to be paid, or any of the many, many other excuses for avoiding work (and trust me, when I hit a snag in writing, just about any excuse to wander away from my computer will do!).

3. No one there wants to know what’s for dinner, if I’ve seen his/her [insert misplaced item here], when I’m going to get groceries, or if I can drive him/her to the bus stop. In fact, if I have my iPod and my earbuds, no one speaks to me at all. This kind of anonymity when you’re a mother is a special bliss. J

4. There are no cats trying to climb onto my shoulder, sit on my keyboard, nuzzle my chin, or chew on the pencil with which I’m writing. Nor am I left dusting off my lap, computer, and desk after such a visit.

5. There are no dogs pacing the floor with squeaky toys (ee-eee, ee-eee, ee-eee), trying to talk me into a walk, chasing the above-mentioned cats, or hopefully dropping balls onto my desk (he’s a very tall dog). 

6. I’m less inclined to snack. At the coffee shop, I can’t just wander over to the fridge or cupboard whenever I like, and having to pay for every bite makes me a lot more discerning about how many bites I really need. Plus, fewer trips away from the computer makes for more words on the computer.

How about you? Are you able to work from home on whatever it is you do, or are you as easily distractible as I am? Any secrets you can share to lessen those distractions? 

Thank you Linda :)

GIVEAWAY:
Open to US &Canada and International winners

2 copies of Sins of the Angels

If you are located in the US or Canada you can choose between a print or a e-copy.

If you are International then you can either win a e-copy from netgalley, or tell me if you want to put your name down for a print copy. Linda will be picking 3 international winners to win print copies at the end of her blog tour.

1. Ends Nov 3rd

2. Just go ahead and enter :)
You can also answer Linda's question of course

The rest of the Blog Tour:
Tuesday, October 25                    Supernatural Snark
Wednesday, October 26              Fiction Vixen
Thursday, October 27                   Yummy Men & Kick-Ass
                                                                     Chicks
Friday, October 28                        Vampire Book Club
Monday, October 31                     The Book Pushers
Wednesday, November 2            Brooke Reviews
Thursday, November 3                 Magical Urban Fantasy
                                                                     Reviews
Monday, November 7                   I Smell Sheep
Tuesday, November 8                  Rabid Reads
Wednesday, November 9            Bitten Books

Thursday, November 10              A Tale of Many Reviews
Friday, November 11     Canadian Remembrance Day
                                                                  (no tour stop)
Saturday, November 12               Book Chick City


Linda's Webpage

Reviews: Smokin' Seventeen and Lenore

Series: Stephanie Plum #17
Genre: Mystery/chick-lit/romance
Pages: 308
Published: June 2011
Publisher: Bantam
Source: library

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

My Thoughts:

I am not going to say much because by now I am mostly annoyed at myself that I keep on reading these books. The theme is always the same. 

Grandma Mazur shows her gun, Lola eats and flirts, a car explodes, Steph can't catch her bad guys, and she thinks about Morelli and Ranger and how she can't make her mind up. Yes, I get it! And that is what happened here. She got it on with both of them and nothing was resolved at all. Sighs. 

Still the moment I saw it at the library I got it and read it the next day. I am a sucker for punishment it seems. Because they are funny, sadly not laugh out loud funny any more. But still smiling funny. 

But what I have to say it, make your mind up! Just choose a damn guy. And as for the plot, so easy to figure out.  Arghhhh, she is never going to choose is she? Why can't some authors end a series on top instead of dragging it out until it bleeds and screams? 

But in the end, better than book 16.

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Lenore: Noogies #1 by Roman Dirge

Graphic Novel

112 pages, published 1999

A collection of the first four issues of the popular Lenore comic book series. Lenore: Noogies is a romp into the dark, surreal world of a little dead girl. Featuring stories about limbless cannibals, clock monsters, cursed vampire dolls, taxidermied friends and obssesed would be lover and more fuzzy animal mutilations than should be legal. Lenore is one of the funniest, darkest comic books on the marketplace today.

I loved it! It was cute and creepy and utterly amazing. The style was weird and what more can I say, just read it. So freaking cute! 

Best series about a little dead girl ever, a girl who tortures animals. Yes like I said creepy ;)  I am so glad that I found one more at the library.

Lenore: Wedgies #2

112 pages, published 2000

Wedgies is the second collection of the popular Lenore comic book series. Written and Illustrated by Roman Dirge, Wedgies follows the adventures od a cute little dead girl. Lenore tackles bunny impersonations, tea parties from the dark side, an encounter with the "toof hairy" and tons of bad stuff that might give you cooties.

This volume collects issues 5-8 of the Lenore series and also contains a brand new, never before seen, color Lenore story.

Best comic I have ever read :) Who thought a creepy, cute little dead girl would be so fun to read about. A girl who accidentally kills her kitties. 

If I were to recommend a comic then yes it would be this one. Creepy and cute is just a perfect match. Oh and do not forget funny too, because that is sure is. Very amusing in a morbid way.

Review: The Viscount and the Witch - Michael J.Sullivan

The Riyria Chronicles Short
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 5400 words
Published: October 2011
Source: Free on author's page, but you can buy it too

Eleven years before they were framed for the murder of a king, before even assuming the title of Riyria, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater were practically strangers. Unlikely associates, this cynical thief and idealist swordsman, were just learning how to work together as a team. In this standalone first installment of The Riyria Chronicles, Royce is determined to teach his naive partner a lesson about good deeds. 

My thoughts:

I do not have to say it again, but short stories are so hard to review and mostly they just leave me, wanting more. Then there are the good ones. This one left me satisfied but also wanting more. In a good way. I was happy with the story I got but I also really need more since it was so good. 

What I liked the most was the dry humor, or perhaps he was just series when he said those things ;) Oh just read it and see. A fun fantasy story, a perfect story to read while waiting for more, or as I did, in preparation to read book 1. And omg I want my pre-order book to arrive now! 

If this is his style then yes I do recommend it to other readers.

I also felt that you do not have to read this book before reading book 1, since this one was written after book 1 was already written. But it is a good place to start if you want to know his style.

Though I must say, doesn't it sound like a HR book ;)

Rating:

More please.