Tricks for Free

Title: Tricks for Free

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: DAW

Series: InCryptid, Bk 7

ISBN: 9780756410407

Length: 346 + "The Recitation of the Most Holy and Harrowing Pilgrimage of Mindy and Also Mork" + "Price family Field Guide to the Cryptids of North America Updated and Expanded Edition"

Obtained: Library paperback copy

Comments: I do like this series.  I know it isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.  Of the siblings, Verity remains my favorite, but they have all grown on me including Antimony.  She is on the run in this book, which means no Aeslin mice, so I was glad to have the short story at the end from the perspective of Mindy (and Sam, Antimony's... potential boyfriend).

Anyway, Antimony finds a hiding place from the Covenant (evil or misinformed or both group of "Van Helsing" types, who hunt all "monsters", not vampires) while also keeping away from her family (in order to protect them from unwanted discovery and attention).  She has secured a position at a theme park that is apparently runner up to Disney in both Florida and California - in this case Florida.  Coming from her recent Carnie type experiences, this seems an ideal fit.  But she is having issues with a burgeoning magical side.  Plus, she's seen an uptick in strange and unlucky events that may draw the Covenant's attention no matter how cautious she is - not to mention people are dying.

This series is really one that should be read in order, even though the books switch perspectives between siblings (this is the second Antimony book); they tend to build on each other, especiall these last few.  I look forward to the next book, That Ain’t Witchcraft, which will be another Antimony book.

The King of Bones and Ashes

Title: The King of Bones and Ashes

Author: J. D. Horn

Series: Witches of New Orleans, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781542047104

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I haven't quite decided if I enjoyed this book.  I'm leaning toward no.  And yet, I plan on reading book 2, The Book of the Unwinding.  There are quite a few characters to get to know, and perspective alternates among a few of the most prominent. 

Alice has experienced a rough childhood, including being institutionalized.  But now her grandfather has passed, and her uncle has fetched her from the asylum.  Magic is weakening (or is it?) and Alice's family and coven are mourning (or are they?) and Babau Jean, the horror and bogeyman of Alice's childhood has returned (or has he?).  

The story is dark, depressing, conflicting, ... hence, I couldn't quite grab onto any one part that I could really enjoy or connect with.  The story, the characters, ... perhaps the setting, to some small extent? But no, not that either.

Hopefully the second book connects more.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

Author: J. K. Rowling [Website] aka Joanne Rowling aka Robert Galbraith [Website] ; Illustrated by MinaLima [Website] aka Miraphora Mina [IMDb] and Eduardo Lima [IMDb]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Series: Fantastic Beasts, Bk 1 (spinoff of the Harry Potter series)

ISBN: 9781338109061

Length: 284 pages + "Glossary of Film Terms" + Cast & Crew"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Of course I had to read this.

Comments:

I really enjoyed the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie.  At the time of watching it, I had a hold on the screen play but was still waiting for my place in the queue.

When I finally started reading, I was astounded.  I've always read books then watched movies, and there were always differences.  But as the screenplay this is the exact dialogue in the exact order and with all the descriptions.  I had vivid images of what had been portrayed on screen popping up as I read.  My imagination just isn't that good.  And I was able to see names I had missed while watching or understand a couple parts that I may have missed the significance of while watching.  I was also able to catch the parts I had missed with restroom breaks for myself and the kiddos.

The only drawback is, I REALLY wish I could see it again now.  I don't know.  Maybe I will.

Anyway, I gather the movie is part of a series, so I'm hoping for the same in regards to published screenplays.

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them AND Quidditch Through the Ages

Title: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Author: Newt Scamander ; J. K. Rowling [Website] aka Joanne Rowling aka Robert Galbraith [Website]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books ; Obscurus Books

ISBN: 0439321603

Length: 42 pages

Part of a box set released through the U.K. Comic Relief

Title: Quidditch Through the Ages

Author: Kennilworthy Whisp ; J. K. Rowling [Website] aka Joanne Rowling aka Robert Galbraith [Website]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books ; WhizzHard Books

ISBN: 0439321611

Length: 56 pages

Part of a box set released through the U.K. Comic Relief

Why these books?:

I - ahem - read both of these for the Summer Reading program (Red Cover and Sports Book).  They are certainly for all ages, correct?

Plus I wanted to read Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them before the movie and screenplay.

Comments: 

I had held off reading these all these years because I was uncertain of what I'd find.  They were both quick and interesting reads.  

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them is a copy of Harry Potter's textbook, so every time there was a notation, I was mentally trying to place when on the timeline it might be referring to.

Quidditch Through the Ages is more of a history (a copy of the Hogwarts Library copy).  I found myself most interested in the part about the various teams from around the world.  It was especially timely reading after the watching some of the Olympics.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two

Author: J. K. Rowling [Website][Harry Potter the Play Website][IMDb]  aka Joanne Rowling aka Robert Galbraith and John Tiffany [Harry Potter the Play Website][IMDb][Playbill] and Jack Thomas [Harry Potter the Play Website][IMDb]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Series: Harry Potter, Bk 8 (or a Harry Potter spinoff)

ISBN: 9781338099133

Length: 308 pages + "About the Production" ; 2 Parts, 4 Acts

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Hello.  Harry Potter.  But I was also able to use it as a format I don't usually read for the Summer Reading Bingo.

Comments:

It's been awhile, so I don't remember all the details of the original Harry Potter books.  The format took some adjusting, but after the first bit where it's glossing over years of events, I settled in.  Much of the story touches on the gloom that can be "real life" where bad things happen, where people don't always understand each other, where prejudices still exist, and where your "good guys" and "bad guys" aren't always so clear cut.  And it had a bit of the butterfly effect going on (not my favorite theme, but I guess it suited the story).

I haven't read any reviews (I've been rather scared to), so I don't know if people generally liked it or not.  It sounds, from the quick bits I've heard IRL, like there have been mixed feelings.  On the one hand, I was okay with the way it ended in book 7.  On the other hand, I had no objection to discovering Rowling's tale of Albus's life (so very different than imagination might have had it).  Overall, I enjoyed it.

Midnight Crossroad

Title: Midnight Crossroad

Author: Charlaine Harris [Website][Facebook][IMDb]

Publisher: ACE

Series: Midnight, Texas, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425263150

Length: 305 pages

Obtained: Purchased at a convention so I could get an autograph/picture with Charlaine Harris

Why this book?:

I wanted to read it eventually because I have enjoyed Charlaine Harris's writing in the past, and I knew it was connected to the Harper Connelly series which I finished in January 2014.  I needed to read it now because I offered in in a paperbackswap.com game, and needed to get it in the mail.

Comments:

I quickly found myself interested in Midnight and the "characters" (I mean that it multiple ways) that inhabit it.  I found (to my surprise) that not only is Manfred from the Harper Connelly series in this book, but also Bobo from the Lily Bard series.  I knew there had to be other characters from other series, so I've gone looking.  Sheriff Arthur Smith is apparently from the Aurora Teagarden mysteries (Found this thanks to LibraryThing).  I'm not entirely sure who is from the Sookie Stackhouse series.  It has been so long since I've read any of them (2009)... between my memory slipping and potential name changes...  But I'm sure at least one character is from that series.

Anyway, so beyond spotting familiar characters among the pages of the story,the story itself was interesting.  Manfred is setting up in this quaint little town.  He fits in rather well, as he's as different and accepting of different as the other residents.  He's with many of these characters at a picnic when they discover that Bobo's missing girlfriend is actually dead and there is a murderer among them.  But figuring out who that might be amongst such a tight-knit group where you don't ask questions and leave each-others secrets be is not so easy.

I look forward to reading more about the residents of Midnight, Texas when book 2, Day Shift, comes out May 2015.

Dark Witch

Title: Dark Witch

Author: Nora Roberts [Website] [Facebook] aka Eleanor Marie Robertson Aufem-Brinke Wilder aka J. D. Robb aka Sarah Hardesty aka Jill March

Publisher: Berkley Books

Series: Cousins O'Dwyer, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425259856

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's Nora Roberts and the first in a new trilogy.  Plus I love the ones set in Ireland.

Comments:

I always enjoy a Nora Roberts book (or at least always since she 90s or so).  And this was no exception.  The characters are likeable, the storyline interesting, ...

But I've come to recognize something else I can expect to feel about Nora Roberts books.  The characters are so perfect.  Oh, don't get me wrong.  They all have their flaws.  Pride, tempers, perfectionism, self-confidence issues, etc.  But somehow even their growing through and past those flaws seems so fluid that it adds to that perfection.  And that, in turn, plays on my weakness of self-doubt etc.  Which has odd result of being enjoyable and depressing balled into one.  How does that happen?

But you probably aren't here to read about my insecurities, so let me give my thoughts on this book in particular.  Iona has traveled to Ireland to meet her cousins, learn about her magic, and take on her role against an enemy that has faced their family for hundreds of years.

So she spends the book learning about her powers, herself, her history, and of course, falling in love, all while working with the horses she loves so much.  As for the evil the cousins O'Dwyer face, well he has maintained his power over all these hundreds of years, but it is finally time to defeat him... but maybe not all at once.

I look forward to reading the second book in the trilogy.

Dead Man's Deal

Title: Dead Man's Deal

Author: Jocelynn Drake

Publisher: HARPER Voyage

Series: Asylum Tales, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780062117885

Length: 371

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It is the second in a series.  I enjoyed the first.  I was in the mood for some fantasy.

Comments:

I really like Gage's character.  He's a good guy with power (restrained though it may be) and morals.  A good combination to have.  He has loyal friends and is loyal and protective in return. 

This story also brought in more of Gage's family, which was an interesting twist as normally a wizard wouldn't see their family after leaving as a young child.  This gives some additional insight into Gage's character.

Of course he does get into his scrapes.  I mean, the book begins with Gage needing to get out of a sticky situation.  A situation that has resulted from actions taken in the first book.  And I have to say the largest impression made on me by this book is how it ends.  Because I could only ask, uh oh.  What next?  How's he going to handle that?  What other problems are going to crop up?  Because as surely as he settles one problem, there will be another, most likely bigger, one to take its place.

Anyway, this won't be for everyone (I know while I really enjoyed the first book, at least one friend couldn't bring herself to finish it), but I'm a fan.  And I don't know when the next book will be coming out, but there are some shorts I will try in the meantime.

Steadfast

Title: Steadfast

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: Daw Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 9

ISBN: 9780756408015

Pages: 298

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a Mercedes Lackey fan.  And I enjoy the Elemental Masters series.

Comments:

So there are certain subjects (such as abuse and rape) which are incredibly hard for me to read.  That is, I have a very weak stomach when it comes to reading that kind of scene.  If that's the majority of a book, I simply can't read it.  Fortunately, while this book does have some of those subjects, the rest was as enjoyable as I find many (not all) Mercedes Lackey books to be.

I did like Katie, Jack, Lionel, and the rest of the music hall group/performers.  I was surprised, but not disappointed, in how mellow the Fire elemental mages were in this.  But perhaps that is because most of the others seen throughout the series have been masters.  Or maybe because characters, like people, are different and unique.

The setting/background was also interesting - working at a circus and music hall with illusions and special dances, etc.  Particularly the illusions, as those are always fun and interesting to watch, and while hearing them described can't be as good, it comes in closer than I would have imagined.  The story is apparently based on The Steadfast Tin Soldier, a tale I'm not familiar with.

So something I noticed while reading this book... I'd be into the story and reading relatively quickly then I'd get to a point and have to pull back, because I'm suddenly remembering this is a Mercedes Lackey book.  I'm not sure quite how to explain this, except that sometimes I felt like the characters were "channeling" (a term I've seen writers use - hope I'm using it correctly) ML instead of the other way around.  It was that same voice that goes from book to book, but it came off somewhat strongly.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  And I don't mean it to sound so negative either.

In general, I appreciate ML's voice.  Why else would I be a fan of her books?  I mean I can't wait to read the next book in this series or in the Valdemar world.  Which brings my to my overall - I enjoyed this.  I zipped through it actually - always a positive.

Angel's Ink

Title: Angel's Ink

Author: Jocelynn Drake

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Series: Asylum Tales, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780062117854

Pages: 338

Obtained: Advance Reader Edition provided to the local library... then made available for employee's to take

Comments:

I was giddy with pleasure when I found this on a cart in the staff lounge of my library.  I read the first couple books in Jocelynn Drakes Dark Days series, and I'll be honest I didn't keep up with it.  But I knew I liked her writing so finding this uncorrected proof was exciting.  And I enjoyed the story too.

In her author bio, Jocelynn says her writing "influences" include: Raymond Feist, Simon R. Green, and Kim Harrison, as well as Oscar Wilde and Mary Shelley.  I could see Simon R. Green and Kim Harrison in this (not that she copied anything, there was just a familiar feel).  I haven't read any of the others named so I couldn't say how similar or dissimilar this is when it comes to them.

Anyway, I really liked Gage, his friends, and the world-building.  Gage did seem to get into way more trouble than any character could possibly handle, and the ending... well it's a conclusion in a way, but it was more cliff than I like.

This book is due out in October of this year.  And I'm definitely planning on reading the next book in the series (it seems untitled as of now).  I need to know what's happening to Gage next.

Reserved for the Cat / Unnatural Issue / Home from the Sea

Reserved for the Cat (Elemental Masters, Bk 6) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy) -

This book was another angle into the world of magic in Lackey's Elemental series.  I liked the characters and found the story interesting.  I gather from other reviews that it's a loose twist on Puss in Boots, but I'm not as familiar with that fairy tale, so I can't really compare.

Unnatural Issue (Elemental Masters, Bk 7) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

With this book you go back to the beginnings of WWI.  I really liked Susanne and I was really glad to see more of Peter (the Peter from The Serpent's Shadow's "twin" friend).  According to reviews this is based on the fairy tale Donkeyskin.  I've never even heard of it and know NOTHING about it so can't compare.  Anyway, something I forgot to mention with Phoenix and Ashes, but which is true for both it and this book, is how seeing the movie War Horse made the war aspect come more alive to me.  While I learned about the war in my history classes, it wasn't so real untill I visually "saw" it.  No-mans land, the trenches, etc.

Home from the Sea (Elemental Masters, Bk 8) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

So this book brought back Nan and Sarah of The Wizard of London.  (Though apparently Nan and Sarah were originally introduced in the short story 'Grey's Ghost' found in the 1999 anthology Werehunter.)  But the main focus was Mari and the Selch.  I enjoyed both the Selch lore and the Welsh setting for this one. What I did NOT enjoy was the pages (yes, multiple pages) basically copy/pasted out of  The Wizard of London.  I think maybe I'd have been better off if I hadn't been reading these back to back.  Nevertheless it was an enjoyable enough story - if a bit on the lighter than usual.  Supposed to be based on East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Tam Lin, and The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry.

It looks like there is an anthology due out at the end of this year.  I've never read any of the Valdemar anthologies, and I don't know that I'd want to read this one.  They're usually compiled of short stories by other authors in the world Lackey's written... and she edits.  Not my cup of tea.

Elemental Masters... The Fire Rose; The Serpent's Shadow; The Gates of Sleep; Phoenix and Ashes; The Wizard of London

The Fire Rose (Elemental Masters, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

This is the first in this series, but I hadn't read it before.  I really liked Rosalind, and while Jason isn't very likeable at first, that changes.  Like the Beauty and the Beast story this parallels, Rosalind find the kindness of Jason under his outer appearances.  Beyond this, the the world of Elemental Masters is being introduced, including how the elements fire, earth, air, and water relate to the rules of magic.  In addition, the book is set around the time of the 1906 San Fransisco quake.  So the time adds an extra element to the story.

The Serpent's Shadow (Elemental Masters, Bk 2) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've actually read this multiple times, but of course I had to read it again as I work my way through this series.  Maya and Peter are both great characters.  Maya is a female doctor in London during a time when that's hardly heard of...women still don't even have a vote.  But not only is she female, she's also of mixed blood.  Her father was English, her mother was Indian.  This "half-breed" status is another huge point of prejudice.  Peter Scott is a water master, but not of the usual aristocratic blood accepted by the circle of Masters in London.  So when it comes to trying to face the darkness recently come to England, Maya's aunt who practices a foreign and dark magic, Maya and Peter struggle to get any help.  This one has some parallels with Snow White.

The Gates of Sleep (Elemental Masters, Bk 3) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I'd only read this one once before.  Probably because I have trouble with stories where characters are essentially trapped, which Marina certainly is through part of the book.  Anyway, it has a Sleeping Beauty twist to it.  Something I noted upon my most recent reading of it... The phrase "the thought was parent to the deed" was repeated about 5 times give or take once.  I do like Lackey's books, but this isn't a favorite.

Phoenix and Ashes (Elemental Masters, Bk 4) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've read this before, but I didn't remember it at all.  I didn't even recognize the story as I re-read it.  Speaking of the story, this one is a twist on Cinderella.  Eleanor's father comes home one day with a new wife and two step-daughters.  Not long after her father goes off to fight in the war (World War I) and promptly dies, leaving Eleanor at the mercy of her stepmother and stepsisters.  Big twist?  Eleanor is magically held captive in the house.  (Well, there's a little more to it than that, but I don't want to retell the story.)  Despite the captive thing (uh- I'm seeing a theme here), I liked this one better than The Gates of Sleep.

The Wizard of London (Elemental Masters, Bk 5) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

This was a new-to-me read.  It's a bit different from the previous books in the series.  Instead of focusing on an Elemental Master (though the Wizard of London is one), it focuses on Talents.  That is people with things like clairvoyance, mediums, etc.  These talents include a husband and wife that run a school to help children like this, and two young children recently come to the school.  This story, I believe, takes place prior to the other books in the series.  It may come fifth in publishing order, but chronologically I believe it would be first.  It is apparently based on The Snow Queen, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

 *********************************************************************************

Anyway, on to an overall impression while reading this series...

I've noticed (and if you read my post on Intrigues and Changes, this is the point I couldn't remember) that Mercedes Lackey's characters including (or maybe especially) the children are much wiser than I would ever be.  The teachers always ask questions intended for the the students to come to some deep revelation.  The student then proceeds to do so.  The teacher responds with pride and praise.  This is done over and over through series after series.  There are other similar characteristics as well.  I guess it's part of her "voice."

A little para-fantastic-al

A Perfect Blood (The Hollows, Bk 10) by Kim Harrison (library copy) -

Another enjoyable addition to the Hollows series.  I really enjoyed seeing more of Trent in this one.  There were some things I'm having trouble remembering, and I think I may need to re-read some of the series (when will I cram that in?).  In any case, this series always leaves me wanting more, so I look forward to reading book 11, Ever After which I believe is expected in 2013 (2013! That's FOREVER from now!) as well as trying the graphic novels Blood Work and Blood Crime, though I'm hesitant about those.

Retribution (Dark Hunter) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (personal copy - purchased during Borders closing sale) -

I forgot I had this or I would have read it before the most recent Dream Hunter book.  Fortunately, that didn't matter.  I was happy to see Jess "Sundown" Brady finally get his story.  And the dark-hunter books finally dipped into American Indian mythology, which I should have loved.  And while the book was fine (it suited what I was in the mood for perfectly), I had hoped for more in Sundown's story.  Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series (highly connected to this one), Time Untime.

Murder Abounds in this Post...

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson, Bk 3) by Darynda Jones (library copy) -

 I don't think I have much more to say than when I posted on the first 2 books in this series.  I love the humor, I could do without the sex stuff (though I know others enjoy that part), and I'm definitely interested to see what happens next.  In particular for this book, I especially appreciated the ending bit... it was intense and emotional.  Book 4, Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, is due out this October (I think).

It Takes a Witch (Wishcraft Mystery, Bk 1) by Heather Blake aka Heather Webber (library copy) -

A witch cozy with a twist.  I enjoyed exploring that twist.  I liked Darcy as a character and found myself intrigued or charmed with several secondary characters.  And I appreciated the way the victim went from being someone to dislike to someone to feel sympathetic towards (I really wanted to say sorry for or pity, but those terms sound more negative than fits).  I look forward to reading the second book (due out in August) A Witch Before Dying.

Buried in a Book (Novel Idea Mystery, Bk 1) by Lucy Arlington (library copy) -

I picked this up knowing it was book related and excited to read it.  I found out the main character, Lila has a teenage son and I felt a bit more cautious.  In my experience, teenagers (as characters) can so often make a story less enjoyable.  Fortunately, I still enjoyed this book.  There's a trailer, but I couldn't find any code to embed it, so I'm stuck with a link.  I plan on reading the second book, Every Trick in the Book.

ETA: I'm pretty sure I saw a reference in there about a certain cozy mystery with a cupcake theme. Hmm... wonder what book that could be? ;p

An Appetite for Murder (Key West Food Critic, Bk 1) by Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleib (library copy) -

I have read and enjoyed Roberta Isleib's advice column books, so I know I like her writing.  I liked Hayley for the most part, but there were a couple things (I'm not sure I even really know what they are to describe) that irritated me a bit.  I think maybe how dependent she was on her friends or maybe that she repeated over and OVER how she had moved to the Key West for her ex.  On the other hand I was a fan of her restaurant reviews and her appreciation for cats.  I will read the next in the series, Death in Four Courses.

What I've been reading...

Since they cozy challenge ended I've still been reading mostly cozies with a couple paranormal romances tossed in.

Pumped for Murder by Elaine Viets
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay (re-read)
Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle
Blonde with a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Chick with a Charm by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Quickstep to Murder by Ella Barrick
Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston

I'm currently reading How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale.  This is the first attempt that has made it past the 1st chapter (I've a few false starts over the past year), so I'm good for now.

Web of Lies

Title: Web of Lies

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: May 2010

ISBN: 9781439147993

Pages: 400

Series: 2nd in the Elemental Assassin series

Book Description (from back cover):

CURIOSITY IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GET ME DEAD ONE OF THESE DAYS. PROBABLY REAL SOON.

I'M GIN BLANCO. You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I'm retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren't aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coal-mining tycoon. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I'm a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn't made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man ... dead or alive.

Comments:

I can't afford to buy new books, and the library didn't have this. So I put in a purchase suggestion (pointing out that they already had the 3rd book, Venom), and voila. I could finally move on with the series. And move on I did. Like Spider's Bite, I really enjoyed Web of Lies. The characters are great, Gin included. The storyline is interesting. And I'm always hoping Gin gets through.

The only thing I didn't care for as much was Detective Donovan Caine. I kinda wished Gin would just get over him, open her eyes, and look around. Because there was a much better guy in the background. The moment he (the other guy... don't want to say too much) was introduced I thought he was perfect for her.

But the story is moving on. I already checked out Venom and read it as well (post to come).

Over Hexed

Title: Over Hexed

Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson

Publisher: ONYX Paranormal Romance

Copyright Date: 2007

Print Date: October 2007

ISBN: 9780451412485

Pages: 319

Series: 1st in the Hex series

Book Description (from back cover):

The key to finding true love...

Banished. Until their unconventional techniques land them in hot water, Dorcas and Ambrose are the matchmaking sex therapists for lovelorn witches and wizards. The Grand High Wizard has exiled them to the very conventional and unmagical town of Big Knob, Indiana. Population: 947. But that doesn't mean they've given up matchmaking....

...is a good hex life.

Now they're doing it for mere mortals — although all agree: Sean Madigan is something of a god. Because he's tired of being the town sex object, Dorcas and Ambrose strip him of his appeal and then introduce him to his destiny, Maggie Grady. This time winning a girl's heart won't be so easy for Sean. It means rediscovering the charms buried beneath a gorgeous surface, and finally proving himself to be more of a man than ever before.

Comments:

This is another book that wasn't quite what I expected. Awhile back I think I remember reading some reviews that said this book wasn't as good as they hoped, so my expectations were low. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually an enjoyable read. Parts of it were corny, but in general I found the characters and story interesting.

I would say I plan on reading the next book, Wild and Hexy, but that fact is I have so many books to read and not enough time. Continuing just isn't a priority, despite the book being enjoyable. However, if I should come across the next book by chance, I'll probably read it.

"Familiar"

Title: "Familiar" from Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love

Author: Michelle Rowen

Publisher: RP Teens

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: July 2010

ISBN: 9780762439492

Pages: 32

Book Description (from back cover):

'Til Death Do Us Part...

For those who thirst for accounts of paranormal romance, Trisha Telp has compiled some of the most thrilling tales of forbidden love in this collection. First crushes and last rites; dark spells and bright magic; forbidden lovers and enchanted beings—and always , always hungry games of desire. Puckers up for a darkly sweet collection of ghosts, shape shifters, fairies, unicorns, vampires, and demons in tales from today's biggest writers of the paranormal persuasion.

Comments:

I actually made up a post-it note for this so I'd remember.  What follows are my notes (parenthetical notes are my current interpretations of what I had joted down)...

Cute. Short, obviously. Not a lot of depth possible. As much as possible crammed in. (Referring to depth.) Leaves a lot to the imagination. (I'm pretty sure I meant this in a positive way.) Good Characters. Quick ending. (Apparently I wasn't in the mood for complete sentences.)

Anyway, I had intended to read all the short stories then write a line or two about each one, hence the post-it note. As that isn't going to happen, I thought I'd share my thoughts on what I did read.

Secondhand Spirits

Title: Secondhand Spirits

Author: Juliet Blackwell (Julie Goodson-Lawes)

Publisher: Obsidian Mystery

Copyright Date: 2009

Print Date: July 2009

ISBN: 9780451227454

Pages: 313

Series: 1st in the Witchcraft Mystery series

Book Description (from back cover):

Lily Ivory is not your average witch. Her spell-casting powers tend to draw mischievious spirits while keeping normal humans at a distance. But now her vintage store could give her a chance to make friends in San Fansisco.

Lily hopes for a normal life when she opens Aunt Cora's Closet. With her magical knack for vintage fashion — she can sense vibrations of the past from clothing and jewelry — her store becomes a big hit.

But when a client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area, Lily may be the only one who can unravel the crime. She tries to keep her identity a secret while investigating, but it's not easy — especially under the spells of sexy "myth buster" Max Carmichael and powerful witch Aidan Rhodes. Will Lily's witchy ways be forced out of the closet?

The Author Speaks:

Julie Goodson-Lawes is also part of the sister duo that makes up cozy author Hailey Lind (of the Art Lover's Mystery series). She has a blog that appears to cover both here.

Comments:

I read this about a month ago (for Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-Thon) so I don't remember much of my impressions. What I do remember is that I found it to be a quick, enjoyable read. That I would like to read more of the series and author. And that Lily has a great familiar in Oscar the goblin/gnome/gargoyle/pig (yes that last bit is pig).

Black Magic Sanction

Title: Black Magic Sanction

Author: Kim Harrison

Publisher: eos

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: March 2010

ISBN: 9780061138034

Pages: 487

Series: 8th full-length book in the Hollows series

Book Description (from dust jacket):

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle — mind, body, and soul

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter — and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment — at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

Comments:
This finally came from the library and with perfect timing... I was able to read it during the Read-a-Thon. Anyway...

Rachel's becoming more comfortable taking the "smut" and using black magic. All well and good since she still won't compromise her morals as far as taking life, etc. The combination makes for some nice personal growth.

I have to say, of all the characters surrounding Rachel, the one that gives me the most difficulty is Trent. I find myself liking him, and then he does something horrible, and I'm all, "Self, how can you like this guy?". But then something else will happen to give a glimpse of a characteristic I do like and... I'm sure you get the point. Anyway, I figure this indecision is due to good writing, so... =)

Anyway, I enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to reading book 9 whenever it comes.