TBR-Orphan Challenge Update

January is almost over, so it's time to see how I did with my TBR-Orphan Challenge.


First book I tried to read for this challenge was God's War by Kameron Hurley. I had to put it down at the 25% point though as I couldn't get into it. I just couldn't find a connection to either one of the lead characters.


Next I picked up Riveted by Meljean Brook at the advice of Jeffe Kennedy.
I'm glad I did because I really liked this one. I posted my review earlier this week.

So I reached my goal this month of reading at least 1 book that's been in my TBR-pile for more than 3 months.

I will be selecting my next TBR-Orphan soon.

If you have read a book that's been on your TBR-pile for a long time, let me know in the comments if it was worth digging the book up and what book it was of course.

Eve and Adam - Book Review

Eve and Adam
by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

What is it about:
And girl created boy…

In the beginning, there was an apple—

And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.

Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.

Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?

What did I think of it:
Let's start with the bad: it's in present tense.

There's probably tons of people who like present tense, but to me it feels unnatural and it drags me out of the story. There's only a few people who can write present tense in a way that feels natural to me and Grant and Applegate aren't among those people.

Apart from that this is a fun, enjoyable and fast read.

Eve is a bit superficial and her best friend Aislin is one of the most clueless teenagers I've come across in Young Adult books, but they're likeable enough. I liked Solo best. He's the ward of Eve's mother with his own agenda that might clash with Eve's.

The story was uncomplicated and interesting. I liked how even though it seemed predictable the story still managed to surprise me from time to time.

There were some events that could have been left out. Especially the antics of Aislin and her boyfriend Maddox didn't add anything to the story in my opinion.

But that aside I really enjoyed this book and I might reread it in the future when I'm in the mood for a fast, no nonsense YA read.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice YA read.

Giveaway Alert - Laura Bickle

There's a guestpost by Laura Bickle over at Ex Libris with the topic “How much of you goes into your heroine?”

And there's a giveaway as well where you can win any one of Laura's books!

So run over to Ex Libris and enter the giveaway!

Teaser Tuesdays - Once

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


"I've heard what happened in the wild - how that Stray took you, how he murdered those soldiers right in front of you."
"A Stray?"I asked. The photograph of my mother trembled in my hands.
(page 92, Once by Anna Carey)

Riveted - Book Review

Riveted (Iron Seas #3)
by Meljean Brook

What is it about:
A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. Fishermen tell tales of giant trolls guarding the land and of seductive witches who steal men’s hearts. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magic—and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on the airship Phatéon, flying from port to port in search of her sister and longing to return home . . . but that home is threatened when expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard.

Determined to solve the mystery of his own origin, David will stop at nothing to expose Annika’s secrets. But when disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, their very survival depends on keeping the heat rising between them—and generating lots of steam . . .

What did I think of it:
I will confess it took me some time to pick up this book.

I wasn't impressed by the romance in Heart of Steel (book 2 in this series) and I was afraid that Riveted would disappoint me as well.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

This book is right up there with The Iron Duke and Here There Be Monsters. There's a thrilling adventure, a sweet romance and plenty of cool action. I really liked the romance between David and Annika. They were a perfect fit in my opinion and I liked seeing them growing closer.

I did miss the zombies I must confess, but there's lots of other stuff happening that I won't hold the lack of zombies against this book.

There were some personal pet peeves that made me annoyed at this story at times, but as those were very personal I won't go into them here.

Overall this was a more than enjoyable book that restored my trust in this series. I really hope Brook will write more books in this setting.

Why should you read it:
It's an action packed Steampunk Romance

For the Love of a Goblin Warrior - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

For the Love of a Goblin Warrior (Shadowlands #3)
by Shona Husk

What is it about:
Centuries ago, Meryn was thought to be utterly lost--all traces of his soul given up to the ravening goblin horde. But with the curse that enslaved him now broken, he must once again learn to walk in the realm of men.

Nurse Nadine Gilbert likes working the night shift to avoid her disturbing dreams, but her mysterious new patient looks hauntingly familiar. Meryn knows he doesn't deserve a second chance, but Nadine brings out his long-buried human side. Telling her the truth about his violent past could destroy their fragile trust. Could she ever believe in the love of a Goblin Warrior?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I was unsure about this book I will confess.

I absolutely loved The Goblin King, the first book in this series, but Kiss of the Goblin Prince, book two, was quite a disappointment. Still: the most interesting parts of book two were those about Meryn, so I decided to give For the Love of a Goblin Warrior a try.

And it's so good!!!

I fell totally in love with Meryn. He's deliciously gruff, both strong and vulnerable and he has a beard. (Which he does cut short, but doesn't shave off entirely. Yes, yes, I know, most of you don't care about the beard, but I really love bearded men.)

Nadine was a really great character as well. Her past has left just as much scars on her as Meryn's past left on him, but she hasn't let that get her down. Instead she tries to make the most out of what life offers her.

The romance between them was a delight to read and was both cute and emotional. The action story line was intense and fitted in perfectly with the romance. I liked how the Shadowlands were once again part of the story, I really missed that in book two.

All in all this is a really enjoyable and delightful paranormal romance and I'm glad I gave it a try. I will certainly reread this book in the future.

Why should you read it:
It has a hot goblin warrior!

Lament - Book Review

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception (Books of Faerie #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater

What is it about:
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

What did I think of it:
This was a very nice read.

I love Stiefvater's writing and this book is worth reading just for the writing alone. It's beautiful and poetic and sets the mood for the story perfectly.

I liked Deirdre, she was a no nonsense teen, who doesn't start angsting over nothing. I also really liked Luke, who's mysterious, just the right amount of angsty and apart from the fact he kept calling Deirdre 'pretty girl', a great love interest for Deirdre. (Really: I wanted to punch him every time he called Deirdre 'pretty girl' instead of just calling her by her name.)

The story was suspenseful, intriguing and kept me engrossed from start to finish. There were some obvious plot twists, but not annoyingly so. The only thing that bugged me was that there was some unnecessary slut shaming and an unnecessary verbal cat fight. Apart from that it was a very enjoyable read.

The ending leaves room for the sequel, but if this book was a standalone I'd be happy with how things end as well. But as there is a sequel you can be sure I'll get hold of it soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautifully written YA fairy tale.

Full Blooded - Book Review

Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1)
by Amanda Carlson

What is it about:
Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

What did I think of it:
This is a really cool read.

I had some problems getting to understand Jessica in the beginning. She's very stubborn and it took me a while to open up to her. But once that happened and the action kicked in I was hooked and couldn't stop reading until I finished the book.

There's lots of other cool characters as well. I really liked Jessica's father and I loved the mysterious mercenary Rourke. He's someone that you know is dangerous, but that makes him even more interesting.

There's lots of cool action and intrigue going on in this book and it all leads to a conclusion that even though I felt a little bit cheated also makes me want to get my trotters on the next book as soon as it releases.

All in all This was a fun, fast and action-packed read and I'll be pre-ordering the next book one of these days most probably.

Why should you read it:
It's an action-packed Urban Fantasy read.

Teaser Tuesdays - Eve and Adam

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


"You know Maddox,"Aislin said. She looks down and away, her patented move to ensure I don't know how much something is bothering her.
(page 64, Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate)

Cover Reveal - Forsaken by the Others

Today I have another cover reveal for you:
Forsaken by The Others by Jess Haines.

I'm really looking forward to reading this book. This whole series is awesome but Forsaken by the Others has zombies!!!


The Others--vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night--don't just live in nightmares anymore. They've joined with he mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem...
Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head...and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town--namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who'd like to turn her into a chew toy.

On Royce's suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten--literally--in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them--and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge...

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Don't forget to visit Jess' website and find out how you can get even more chances to win!

Absolution - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Absolution (Penton Legacy #2)
by Susannah Sandlin

What is it about:
With the vampire world on the brink of civil war over the scarcity of untainted human blood, battle lines are being drawn between the once peaceful vampire and human enclave of Penton, Alabama, and the powerful Vampire Tribunal. Mirren Kincaid once served the tribunal as their most creative and ruthless executioner—a time when he was known as the Slayer. But when assigned a killing he found questionable, Mirren abandoned the tribunal’s political machinations and disappeared—only to resurface two centuries later as the protector and second-in-command of Penton. Now the tribunal wants him back on their side.

To break their rogue agent, they capture Glory Cummings, the descendant of a shaman, and send her to restore Mirren’s bloodthirsty nature. But instead of a monster, Glory sees a man burdened by the weight of his past. Could her magic touch—meant by the tribunal to bring out a violent killer—actually help Mirren break his bonds and discover the love he doesn’t believe he deserves?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This book is even better than the first!

I already loved Mirren in Redemption, but in this book he's magnificent (and he's got a goatee!). He's a very intriguing man with a horrifying past that left its scars.

Glory is a really great character as well. They fit each other perfectly and the romance between them was more than delicious. I liked how Glory has a very leading role in the two of them getting together. The scenes between Mirren and Glory were tense, romantic and emotional at times.

The action story line was intense and really cool. Although you can read this book as a standalone, the action story line was a continuation of the first book and things escalated even further. Sandlin again did a great job with the world building and I can't wait how things will resolve themselves in book three, which will be the last in this series sadly enough.

This book is a keeper and I'll be rereading it for sure. And of course I need to get book three once it releases next month.

Why should you read it:
It's got a delicious romance and really cool action.

Cover Reveal - The Outside by Laura Bickle

I got something really special to show you:
The cover of The Outside by Laura Bickle!
Below you find the cover, the blurb and the full cover art.

It's going to be an amazing looking book with a really suspenseful and awesome story!

The Outside is the sequel to the amazing The Hallowed Ones, my favorite read of 2012.


After a plague of vampires is unleashed in the world, Katie is kicked out of her Amish community for her refusal to adhere to the new rules of survival. Now in exile, she enters an outside world of unspeakable violence with only her two "English" friends and a horse by her side. Together they seek answers and other survivors—but each sunset brings the threat of vampire attack, and each sunrise the threat of starvation.
And yet through this darkness come the shining ones: luminescent men and women with the power to deflect vampires and survive the night. But can these new people be trusted, and are they even people at all?
In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, it’s up to one Amish girl to save her family, her community, and the boy she loves . . . but what will she be asked to leave behind in return?

This is the complete cover art.
Isn't it gorgeous!
(Click on the picture for a bigger picture)
The cover artist is Shane Rebenschied and the cover designer is Carol Chu.

The Outside will release on September 3, 2013 and can be pre-ordered at:
Amazon
Bookdepository

A big thank you to Laura for giving me the chance to show off this gorgeous new cover!

Wishlist Wednesday - Strands of Bronze and Gold

Bluebeard is one of my favorite fairy tales, so I'm really curious about this Young Adult retelling. I hope it manages to capture the essence of Bluebeard and will turn out to be a creepy and full of scary mysteries.


Strands of Bronze and Gold (Strands of Bronze and Gold #1)
by Jane Nickerson

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

Expected publication: March 12th 2013 by Random House Children's Books

Teaser Tuesdays - Lament

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



He pretended to be normal, and I pretended I believed him. I wanted to believe him. But I couldn't. What brand of abnormal, I wasn't sure yet. I just hoped it didn't involve axes, gags, and the trunk of a car.
(page 45, Lament by Maggie Stiefvater)

READ ALONG WITH THE WOLFIES

As some of you may know Voodoo Bride adores Vivian Arend's books about wolf shifters and loves to reread them from time to time.

So when we heard that Vivian Arend is having a Read Along Voodoo Bride had to join in and spread the word while she's at it.


Check out what it's all about here.

And reading along can even win you prizes!

So read along and enter to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Reapers Are the Angels - DNF Book Review

The Reapers Are the Angels
by Alden Bell

What is it about:
Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

What did I think of it:
I tried really hard to like this book.
It's got zombies, a dark view of the future and there's one really cool character in this book.

But I had to put it down about half way through, because I couldn't take it anymore.

First there's the writing:
Present tense and in a way that kept dragging me out of the story. Add the fact that there's no use of quotation marks or colons when someone is speaking to that and I can tell you the writing really annoyed me.

Then there's Temple.
I did not like her!
And as she's the main character there was a lot not to like. She also isn't very bright. She didn't give her real name to people, but instead she kept giving the same fake name everywhere, hence nullifying the disguising effect the fake name could have.

No positive things?
Well....
There is one really cool character who I liked from the moment he was introduced. Guess what: he turned out to be the bad guy of this story.....

In the end I just wasn't able to get through this book and if I ever see a book by Bell that sounds interesting, I will make sure it's not in present tense and has proper quotation marks before I decide to give it a try.

Why should you read it:
It has zombies and an intriguing bad guy.

Vengeance Moon - Book Review

Vengeance Moon (Earth Witches #2)
by Lee Roland

What is it about:
Madeline Corso can’t rest until she hunts down the three unknown assailants who killed her father and witch mother. Two of them are now dead by her hand. But the third eludes her while she serves time with the Sisters of Justice—a mysterious order of female warriors with ties to her mother.

The Sisters have tracked the last murderer to Duivel, Missouri, and the dark underworld of the Barrows. But Madeline’s release is contingent on her fulfillment of a mission for the Sisters. Madeline doesn’t question them, but once in the Barrows, she discovers that things aren’t what they seem.

Can she rely on Michael, a handsome and enigmatic local businessman, to help her navigate a world of men and beasts? Or will she lose her heart before the mission is complete?

What did I think of it:
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was very curious about this one. Add to that the fact that my favorite character from book one seemed to be the love interest in this book and this book became a must read.

I liked Madeline from the start. She's a tough cookie, but also really young and naive at times. The sisters who trained her were really cool as well. I was glad that my favorite of the sisters had a supporting role in the rest of the story.

Michael was just as cool and interesting as I remembered from Viper Moon, and I was happy to see him in the role as Madeline's love interest. He's charismatic, a bit creepy and very complex.

The story did once again suffer from inaction. The heroines in this series sure know how to dawdle when they should be taking action instead. Once again the villains were kind enough to plot their evil deeds based on the phase of the moon though, so no harm done.

That aside this was a fun and enjoyable book and I will certainly keep an eye out for more books in this series and by this author.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Urban Fantasy Romance.

Scent of Magic - Book Review

Scent of Magic (Healer #2)
by Maria V. Snyder

What is it about:
As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

What did I think of it:
I absolutely love the first book in this series, so I was eager to get my trotters on this one.

And it doesn't disappoint!

Once I got into the story I couldn't put it down and I read far past midnight to finish it.

I was a bit apprehensive at first because the cover story mentioned that Avry doesn't have Kerrick to rely on. I really liked Kerrick in the first book and was not looking forward to a book with no Kerrick. Luckily Snyder decided to write the book from both Avry's and Kerrick's perspective. So while they might not be together, you get to read about both their adventures.

The story was really cool and there were lots of intriguing developments, new characters and surprises along the way.

The ending made my scream in total frustration that I have to wait almost a year for the next book though: talking about cliffhanger endings!

But this book is too good to hold that against it and I'll be rereading it and Touch of Power while waiting for book 3 (Taste of Death).

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome Fantasy read.

Wishlist Wednesday - Level 2

This book is actually making its way to me at the moment as I pre-ordered it and it was send early.

It might either be a really intriguing story set in the afterlife or yet another hopeless YA love triangle mess, but I'm hoping for the former of course.



Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1)
by Lenore Appelhans

'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Expected publication: January 15th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
But already available in paperback at bookdepository

TBR Orphans Reading Challenge

I have a confession:

There are multiple books in my To-Be-Read pile that have been there for months if not years. The above book has been in my tbr-pile for so long I don't even remember when and where I bought it.

And it's not that those books are bad books. Well, at least I don't think they are. I haven't read them yet afterall, but I did buy them because I thought I'd like them.

The problem is that I do tend to grab the newest books when selecting my next read, skipping over those books that have been in my tbr-pile for a while.

So I decided to do something about it and created my very own challenge:

The TBR Orphans Reading Challenge!

I plan to read at least one book every month that has been in my tbr-pile for longer than three months!

I will post an update on this challenge every month to let you know how I'm doing.

If anyone wants to join in and can use some cheering on:
Leave a comment and I'll be sure to drop by your blog to cheer for you :-)

Now I'm off to select the first orphan.

Teaser Tuesdays - Full Blooded

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Fight. My wolf flexed in my mind, pushing for control.
I curled my fingers into fists, crushing the empty foam coffee cup into tiny bits.
(page 38, Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson)

Redemption - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Redemption (Penton Legacy #1)
by Susannah Sandlin

What is it about:
For vampire Aidan Murphy, life has never been so desperate. The vaccine used to treat a global pandemic has rendered human blood deadly to his kind, leaving them on the brink of starvation and civil war. In tiny Penton, Alabama, Aidan establishes a peaceful community of vampires and unvaccinated human donors. He dares to hope they can survive—until his estranged brother descends upon Penton and begins killing the humans. Determined to save his town, Aidan kidnaps an unsuspecting human doctor—and finds himself falling in love for the first time in nearly four centuries.

Dr. Krystal Harris thought she was coming to Penton for a job interview, but Aidan Murphy has other plans. Infuriated by his high-handed scheme to imprison her in the small town, Krys can't ignore the attraction between them. But is it love? Or does her dangerous, charismatic captor want only to bend her to his will?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is how Paranormal Romance should be:

- A hot Alpha hero
- A heroine who seems fragile, but actually can hold her own
- A sizzling attraction between the two that's not just physical
- And last: A decent action storyline that intertwines with the romantic storyline perfectly

I really loved the world building as well. The idea of a vaccine that makes humans poisonous for vampires and thus creates a food shortage is fresh and opens up a whole bunch of possibilities storywise. I was glad to see that Sandlin used those possibilities to spice up the action storyline.

The romantic storyline was really delicious. Aidan and Krys were a good match for each other and the romance build up was done really well. I liked how Krys didn't go along with the whole idea of vampires right away, but needed time to get process what was happening.

There were some really cool secondary characters and I'm glad that at least two of them will get their own story, because especially Mirren was one seriously intriguing vampire. I also really liked Hannah, a child-vampire, and I hope she will return in other books, because I really want to learn more about her.

I can advice this book to anyone who likes their vampires hunky and brooding. I'm glad to say I have the next book in this series (which will be about Mirren) in my to-be-read pile and i'll be reading it soon for sure.

Why should you read it:
Hunky, brooding vampires!

Top Pearls 2012 and The Hallowed Ones Winners

I have two winners for you:

Donnas won the Top Pearls 2012 giveaway and picked Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison.

Van Pham won The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle.

Congrats to the winners.
I've send an email to both.

Platinum - Early Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Platinum
by Jeffe Kennedy
ebook

What is it about:
Althea Grant's Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she's doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual—and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea's rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn't just fine at all—it's as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she's failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I'm in love!

You might know by now that I love Jeffe Kennedy's writing and that I really looked forward to reading Platinum. So I was over the moon when I got the chance to read and review Platinum early.

And let me say: Wow!

Platinum is both an intense and sweet read. Althea is tempted by Steel to give in to her more sensual side and to explore her hidden desires. This leads to some seriously hot and delicious BDSM situations. I loved the interaction between Althea and Steel. Next to the steaming scenes there's a really sweet romance between them and I couldn't help sighing dreamily at times.

I love how Jeffe Kennedy once again shows that true strength doesn't equal being hard and unmoving, but instead lies in knowing yourself and being able to give in to your vulnerable side as well.

All in all I fell totally in love with both this story and Steel and you can bet I'll reread Platinum often. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next book in the Facets of Passion series as well.

Why should you read it:
It's an intense and sweet BDSM read.


Expected publication: February 25th 2013 by Carina Press

Birthmarked - Book Review

Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)
by Caragh M. O'Brien

What is it about:
In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the wall and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife, Gaia Stone, who live outside. Gaia has always believed it is her duty, with her mother, to hand over a small quota of babies to the Enclave. But when Gaia's mother and father are arrested by the very people they so dutifully serve, Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught to believe. Gaia's choice is now simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

What did I think of it:
A surprisingly cool read.

I will confess I picked this book up because it was on sale. I didn't have high expectations about it; it just sounded like an entertaining Dystopian Young Adult read.

And I was more than pleasantly surprised to find that this actually a very cool Dystopian read.

The world building was done very well. Of course there are some things you could pick apart when you stop to really think about it, but overall it all sounded really believable and for once it was easy for me to let myself be dragged along with what was happening without raising my eyebrows at the world building.

I really liked Gaia, she's a very believable heroine as well. I liked how she only slowly begins to question things and how it takes being shocked to her core to actually take action.

I was also pleased this story isn't pulling any punches. Too often Dystopian stories only hint at the darker things, but keep them out of the main storyline. Birthmarked isn't like that luckily enough and shows you the things like they are.

Although there were still quite a few things left to resolve the ending didn't annoy or frustrate me. I do have to confess I immediately ordered the next book though, because I want more!

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Dystopian YA read.