Paperback Release Alert - Nerve

I posted about this book being on my wishlist on May 9th, 2013.
It was only available in hardback and too expensive for me, so I kept checking back to see if maybe they released the book in paperback, but it seemed that day might never come. I kept checking though, although the times in between checking got longer and longer.

Imagine my excitement when I checked last weekend and saw it was finally released in paperback last August! (And it seems they made a movie out of the book as well). you bet I bought this pearl and will be reading it soon (finally).


Nerve
by Jeanne Ryan

A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?


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Demon Thief - Book Review

Demon Thief (The Demonata #2)
by Darren Shan

What is it about:
Kernel Fleck has always known he's weird. He sees lights. Strange, multi-colored patches of light, swirling through the air. But it's not until a window opens into a demon world, with horrific consequences, that Kernel discovers his powers. As a Disciple, his mission is to hunt vicious, powerful demons to the death...

What did I think of it:
I had some trouble getting into the first book in this series, but this one was a lot better in my opinion.

The plot is simple and the big reveal for Kernel was something everyone could see coming from miles away, but the story is fun and full of action. I liked Kernel and he picks up some interesting characters on his quest through demon-filled territory.

At times the action almost overshadowed the (already flimsy) plot, but it was well written and entertaining, so I didn't mind.

I still think the Zom-B series is Shan's best work so far, but I'm a zombie addict. I will most certainly pick up the next book in this series soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a very entertaining read filled with demons.


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The Crown of the Queen - Book Review (repost)

The Crown of the Queen is releasing on its own today, so I thought I'd repost my review for those who haven't gotten their hands on this pearl yet.


The Crown of the Queen - A Twelve Kingdoms Novella
by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:
Dafne Mailloux, librarian and temporary babysitter to the heirs to the High Throne of the Twelve – now Thirteen – Kingdoms, finds it difficult to leave the paradise of Annfwn behind. Particularly that trove of rare books in temptingly unfamiliar languages. But duty calls, and hers is to the crown. It’s not like her heart belongs elsewhere. But how can she crown a queen who hesitates to take the throne?

What did I think of it:
Voodoo Bride and I are big fans of Jeffe Kennedy, so we were very happy to get a review copy of this novella.

And this is a great novella.

It serves as a bridge between The Talon of the Hawk and the upcoming The Pages of the Mind, filling in details of some events too big to put as an epilogue in the first of those two books, and with not enough impact on the second to start The Pages of the Mind with.

Still there are things happening that fans of the series want to know about. This novella gives us the events surrounding the coronation of Ursula, and gives us a glimpse into Dafne's mind. There are answers to questions readers of The Talon of the Hawk might have had, and exciting glimpses of what might come next.

Having read all the books and novellas in this series, I am not the best person to tell you if this can be read as a standalone, but honestly: Don't! Just read all the books. They're so good!!

All in all this is a delightful novella, that gave me extra information and fluff about lead characters from previous books, and that makes me eager to read The Pages of the Mind to find out what will happen next for Dafne.

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


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Zombies, Run! - Book Review

Zombies, Run!
Keeping Fit and Living Well in the Current Zombie Emergency
by Naomi Alderman and Six to Start

What is it about:
'OUR FIRST JOB IS SURVIVAL. IF WE SURVIVE, WE LEARN, WHEN WE LEARN, WE MAKE TOMORROW BETTER THAN TODAY. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN: WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP ON GOING'

The zombie apocalypse is here. We have all lost a lot, but we are surviving. Together we will overcome the outbreak but we need every man, women and child to do their bit. This is an informational guide to help you stay fit and healthy in both body and mind during the crisis. It includes:

- Indoor activities that build the strength, stamina and flexibility you need to survive contact with the zombie hordes
- Expertly-designed running, cycling and swimming programmes to build up your distance safely when venturing out for supplies
- Advice on nutritious meals when resources are sparse and treats need to be rationed
- Tips on building and maintaining a community and remaining fit of mind when humanity is pushed to the brink

The advice within the pages of ZOMBIES, RUN! will prove the difference between life and death in the coming days, weeks and months. Humans are wondrous beings; this is not the end of us.

WE CAN BECOME STRONGER. WE CAN BECOME FITTER. AND TOGETHER WE WILL SURVIVE.

What did I think of it:
I have my owner training to run with the Zombies, Run! app, so when the zombies come, she'll be able to run me to safety. So when I saw this book I had to get my trotters on it.

And this is a really cool book.

It gives lots of great tips for runners and other people who want to stay fit, as well as tips for staying safe during the zombie apocalypse, making this the perfect read for both me and my owner. We had as much fun with reading the book as with trying out some of the exercises (both doing the Dead Bug exercise as watching someone do it, is highly entertaining I can tell you).

The book is written as if it's a manual send to you by what's left of the government and next to information, exercises, recipes, and other helpful tips there are testimonials by people who are busy surviving the zombie outbreak. For fans of the Zombies, Run! app there are a few familiar names among those testimonials (Sam!).

All in all I think this book is great for those who love the Zombies, Run! running app, as well for people who love zombies and zombie survival guides in general.

Why should you read it:
It's a great guide for runners and for those people who want to survive a zombie apocalypse.


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Prisoner - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Prisoner (Criminals & Captives #1)
by Annika Martin and Skye Warren

What is it about:
He seethes with raw power the first time I see him—pure menace and rippling muscles in shackles. He’s dangerous. He’s wild. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

So I hide behind my prim glasses and my book like I always do, because I have secrets too. Then he shows up in the prison writing class I have to teach, and he blows me away with his honesty. He tells me secrets in his stories, and it’s getting harder to hide mine. I shiver when he gets too close, with only the cuffs and the bars and the guards holding him back. At night I can’t stop thinking about him in his cell.

But that’s the thing about an animal in a cage—you never know when he’ll bite. He might use you to escape. He might even pull you into a forest and hold a hand over your mouth so you can’t call for the cops. He might make you come so hard, you can’t think.

And you might crave him more than your next breath.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I've known for a long time that Carolyn Crane also writes as Annika Martin, but I thought she only wrote books that have menages in them. As I like my romances one on one I didn't pay much attention to the books she wrote as Annika Martin.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this book mentioned in her newsletter. It sounded like the perfect sexy read for me, so I impulse bought it right away.

And what a delicious read!

It's dark, sexy and so good.

I will warn that this book is not for people who do not like non-con or dub-con. Abigail gets abducted by Grayson and there are scenes that will pull triggers for some people. Grayson is someone with a dark past and it made him into someone who is dangerous and who takes what he wants. It's Abigail who makes him realize things can be different.

For me the story stays well within the lines of things I can handle in my romances. I was warned it was edgy and controversial, and I will confess that I thought the story would be a lot darker than it is.

The book is at its best when Abigail and Grayson are out on the run. The tension between them makes you hunger for a release, and I loved seeing them slowly open up towards each other. Near the end of the book other things happen and more characters are introduced, making for a finale that leaves you both satisfied where it comes to Abigail and Grayson, and hungry for more in this setting. Of the characters that have been introduced I already have a favorite who I hope will get his own book.

And you bet I will try Annika Martin's Dangerous Royals series, because as far as I can tell that's menage free as well.

Why should you read it:
It's a deliciously dark Romance read.


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On McPig's Radar - Wytchcraft

I'm so going to get my trotters on this book next time I'm on a book shopping spree.


Wytchcraft (Matilda Kavanagh #1)
by Shauna Granger

Matilda Kavanagh – Witch For Hire. No spell, charm, or potion too difficult.

Supernaturals are out of the closet, living alongside humans in a tenuous relationship. Most are just trying to live life like nothing’s changed, others would use magic for their own gain.

When Mattie creates a charm to help a half-troll catch a fairy, she sets herself up for the worst possible thing: she is now in debt to the fairy court. If she can’t find the fae prince and bring him home alive, it’ll be her head on the chopping block.


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Earth - Book Review

Earth (Elemental #1)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

What did I think of it:
I absolutely love Granger's Ash and Ruin series, so I had to give one of her other series a try.

And this is a really cool read.

I liked Shayna and her friends. They care for each other and for the people close to them. I also liked that they were comfortable with their powers. They might not know everything yet, but they aren't bumbling through this story. They get things done, and when they don't, they look for help or information. There are of course a few moments when Shayna thinks she can handle stuff on her own, but she gets called out on it by her friends.

I also liked how the paranormal elements are all based on occult and Wiccan theories and beliefs you'd be able to track down yourself in books if you searched for it. It made the magic and the things that happened feel real.

If there's one thing I can grumble about it's that I had wanted to see a bit more scenes that included other people besides Shayna and her friends. Because they interact with only a few other people, it's pretty clear where to look for the culprit. That small grumble aside I very much enjoyed this read, and I will most certainly pick up the next book in this series.

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


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