Wickedly Wonderful by Deborah Blake

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

This is the second book in the Baba Yaga series. For anyone who remembers my review of the first book you will know how much I loved it! I coudln't wait to get my hands on this one but sadly it took me a lot longer than I wanted it to!

First I want to start off by saying that this cover is amazing. I absolutely love the first one as well. The fact that there are dogs in it make it even better!

This story focuses around Beka, one of the only three Baba Yagas in the US and her wonderful dragon disguised as a dog; Chewie.
Beka isn't quite like the Baba Yaga of the first one. She's much more bubbly in my opinion and a lot younger at that.
Part of what I love about this book is that it centers around Russian mythology. Now that being said I'm not Russian and have no attachment to it but I still adore it.
The plot of this book was simple. Help some Merpeople who were dying from someting unknown to them (though  as a reader it was easy to guess) all the while Beka was stuck with the sexy fisherman who seemed to butt heads with her at ever crossing.
Of course it does go without saying that Chewie is the best character. Because really what can beat a talking dragon disguised as a dragon who seems to have an obsession with s'mores!?
I actually think my biggest complaint about this book was that the dog wasn't in it enough! I'm sorry, I'm a dog person. I wanted more of him!
Other than that the book sadly didn't draw me in as much as the last one did. I'm not sure what it was, maybe I didn't connect with Beka as much as I did Baba, but I did really enjoy the book and couldn't put it down. I also loved the amount of conflict that was in this book. Everyone had conflict and that was great. You got to see each character grow by the end!
Speaking of the end... I can't say I was a huge fan of it. It seemed rushed; but this is coming from someone who isn't a fan of HFE endings which this kinda seemed to be.

I loved that characters from the last book popped up- quite a bit actually- and it really made me feel like I was in the same world. I loved seeing the Riders again and was thrilled to know that they were the same ones as the last book! I also love the fact that each book ends with another letter to another Baba Yaga, the one the next book will be about.
I hate that I have to wait until February for the next one!

Grave Dance by Kalayna Price

Grace Dance is the second book in the Alex Craft series and I have to admit I was thrilled to read it!

I'm such a lucky reader because it seems like there are so many series that I'm finding these days that I just love.

So, anyone who is reading this review has probably either read my review of the first book in the series or has at least read the first book; so you know a couple details and I'll try not to spoil the rest.

For anyone who doesn't know: Alex helps the local police by raising the dead for them, in the last book she also hooked up with a guy (I was not a fan of) and I spent the entire time shipping her and Death (other words a soul collector). They have a special relationship, one that I've been having a lot fun watching.

The second book had a lot more of Death; though not enough! I'm not sure how anyone rooted for her to be with Falian (sp, I don’t have the book in the same province with me!)

In this book we get to learn more about Alex's past as well as her family line. And of course the love tringle!

The thing about this book is that it is a <I>romance</i>. Yes there are urban fantasy themes to it but the main theme of this book is the romance. I see a lot of people complain about it, but you have to understand it that way in order to enjoy it (I feel).

We also got to see some characters I loved seeing in this- like the loyal dog! Anyone who read my review of Wickedly Dangerous knows how much I love seeing dogs in my writing!

And we got to meet some really cool new characters as well.

There wasn't a lot I didn't like about this book; other than the annoying love interest, which I find cringe worthy, annoying and just confusing why she wants him so bad when she can have a nice guy like Death. 

The Waterborne Blade: Susan Murray

This is honestly the kind of book I wish I could write.

I feel like this was a classic fantasy. It reminded me a lot of works from Brent Weeks and Karen Miller in terms of how it was written; and I have to say as much as
I enjoy "light" writing most of the time, I do really enjoy reading something like this every now and then to mix it up; even though it does take longer than a day for me to finish it.

I wasn't sure I'd be able to get into this book, after all it started a little slow; but I liked our main character (Weaver). I wasn't sure if I was going to like who I assumed was the love interest, and throughout most of the book I remained feeling that way. She was iffy; and I knew I was supposed to like her, but I just couldn’t bring myself to. However I do wish the entire story was written from weavers perspective and that we got to learn more about him. I'm thrilled there is a second book out and honestly can't wait to get my hands on it!

This book was a little slow at some points, which I don't mind honestly, but more than anything I found that I really couldn’t put this book down. It was the kind of book that I "stole" time for.

You know when you love a book so much that you're like "Oh, well I need to wait 3 seconds for ____ to be ready for dinner. I can get another page read before then."

That was this kind of book for me, and I loved every second of it.

As far as side characters went there weren’t that many, I mean there were a good number but they were all introduiced really slowly and I liked that.

Actually, there isn't really anything I can say that is bad about this book and that is a big deal for me.

When it comes down to it, for me, this is the kind of book that can create a fan- and I have become a fan of that author. 

Shadows of Asphodel (Shadows of Asphodel #1) by Karen Kincy

3 our of 5 stars
1913. Austria-Hungary. Ardis knows better than to save a man on the battlefield. Even if he manages to be a charming bastard while bleeding out in the snow. She hasn't survived this long as a mercenary without some common sense.

This book was an odd book for me. It sounded really cool, actually I really liked the idea of it. But there was something about it… it felt to me like it lacked something major, maybe conflict?

I know there was some in there but it just didn't hold me I guess.

The book itself was good, I read it quite quickly actually and I enjoyed it as I was reading it, but I felt like there was a lot of filler.

As far as main characters went, again it felt like there was something lacking. I really liked the idea of this book and I really liked the idea of the characters. I love the idea of a necromancer actually! And the world that this book was set in was a great world! It was well thought out and detailed. The main character had a fun back ground, and I loved reading about her, I think more than anything it was just her personality that threw me off.

While the characters didn't do much for me I would have loved to see more about their world.

I can't say I'd read more about the characters but I would read more about others in that world!

Fools Journey by Brandon Tackett

3 out of 5 stars

This was a bit of an odd book. The thing I really didn't understand is that it is "book one: Episode three"wouldn't it just be easier to make it book three?

You can't tell that you tuned in too late right off the bat- at least I asume I turned into late? It wasn't until the love interest popped up that I thought I might be missing something.

But, the plot was interesting, and the story was good. The characters were fun (which is a big deal to me.) and I wasn't completely lost  even though I', pretty sure there were other books out before it. It was a short read, a light read but a good read. I had it done in probably 5 hours at the most and would fully consider getting more of the series.

The one thing  will add that I realllly liked about this book is that the author was able to give a date to when the next one would be out!

About Detour to Apocalypse by Michael Panush

4 out of 5 stars
This is a hard book for me to review. I loved the first one (Dead Mans Drive) and was beyond excited to start this one, but... I can't say it was what I was expecting.
First, it was a very short story. I thought it was going to be a second in the series, but it felt a little bit more like a 1.5 to me. It did start off a little slow but I love the characters and the world this series is set in.

Despite the fact that it was a little slow for me to get into by the time the action arrive I was into it! I love the main character and there isn't anything bad I can say about any of the side characters.
Despite the fact that it was so short it did keep my attention- sometimes a short read is just what you need after all!
Again, I'm a psychobilly girl at heart and I loved seeing the rockabilly themes in this book. I'm a hot rod girl and spend my weekends out in the garage with my dad- I loved hearing about the old cars and I felt like the author actually knew what he was talking about when he talked about the cars. It was nice to see something other than "Pretty 1950's car" because I see that pretty often.

More than anything this book got me excited for what is coming next, whatever that may be, and just solidified that I will be getting my hands on the next chapter (um book) in this hot rod loving zombies story.

[Excerpt] Midnight Burning by Karissa Laurel

Today I'm thrilled to be posting an excerpt from Karissa Laurel's new book: Midnight Burning! 

Chapter 1

My brother, Mani, once told me Alaska was the first place he had ever travelled where he knew he was somewhere different—somewhere decidedly not home—before he ever set foot on the ground. I didn’t understand what he meant until now. Outside my airplane window, the glassy waters of Cook Inlet reflected a bright blue late-summer sky. Dark and looming, the Chugach Mountains encroached from the east. Far to the north, the ghostly, snow-crusted visage of Mount McKinley rose above the landscape, an ancient king, high on his dais, surveying his kingdom.

By comparison, Mani and I had been raised somewhere a little more commonplace. Home was a small town in the foothills of North Carolina, over three thousand miles away. And this was the first time I had ever left it. I probably should have eased into long-distance travel in the same way I eased into a cold swimming pool—one toe at a time. A trip over the border into Gatlinburg. A weekend visit to D.C. But no, I had taken a plunge from the high dive instead, and boy, was I in over my head. 

The captain’s calm and assuring voice spilled across the cabin, announcing our approach and descent into Anchorage. Seatbelt signs chimed and flashed. A pair of flight attendants swept down the aisles, collecting trash and reminding passengers to raise seat backs and lock away tray tables. I closed my eyes, drew in a deep breath, and urged my heart to return to its regular pitterpatter pace, but it refused to obey. 

I breathed in again and trapped the breath in my lungs. Chill, Solina, I told myself. It’s only a week. I could survive anything for one week, right? And I wouldn’t be on my own. My brother’s best friend, Val Wotan, was at the airport waiting for me. Val had texted me a dozen times to make sure I hadn’t missed my connecting flights or fallen out of the plane somewhere over Canada. Val was expecting me, and I was a glutton for fulfilling others’ expectations. I also owed this trip to my brother, to the honor of his memory. How could I ever look myself in the eye again if I gave in to my doubts? If I didn't give Mani my absolute commitment? 

Read more here.

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Yesterwary by Styna Lane

5 out of 5 stars

This was an easy 5 star review. I honestly could not put this book down. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

This story is about a writer who wastes all her love and ends out transported to another world-type-thing. A very interesting idea in my opinion.

The story started off a little slow, but I quickly got into it. It wasn't what I was expecting when I went into it but it was such a great surprise! It kinda reminded me a bit of Corpse Bride in the way that someone got transported to another world type thing that could be seen as gloomy and ended out finding their happiness.

The thing I really loved this book is that I felt it showed the importance of books.

The characters were great and I ate this book up. I'm pretty sure I read it in less than 12 hours. As far as main characters go, I was happy with Demi. She was the kind of character I wanted to root for.

There were a couple dry moments, some filler and a few moments where the main characters made me cringe because of their choices- but I feel like that happens in every book.

I also want to let the lovely author know that I want to read more about Yesterwary! 

Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett

5 out of 5 stars

So, anyone who reads the blog knows that I have loved Kindling the Moon and Summoning the Night which are the first two books in this series.

I was so excited to start this book, so let's jump right into the review!

The first thing I want to say is that I ADORE their relationship. The honestly, the sexual attraction, the love that they have for each other and the way that they make it their own little thing- their own little family.

That is the biggest thing I love about this book.

This book seemed a little slow at points, I'm not really sure why maybe things were just too drawn out or there was too much filler? But none the less I couldn't put the book down. As always Jen Bennette hooked me.

The story was fun and I'm so attached to all the characters that I can't wait to read more.

To me this book is a little more on the fantasy side then a lot of other romance that I've read and I love that about it! I like that

The only thing I didn't like about this? There was a cliff hanger…. I hate cliff hangers! At least I hate cliff hangers if the next book isn't out yet.  But, I can't even bring myself to knock half a star off for that. I'll be reading the next as soon as it comes in the mail!

Really, go read this entire series right now! 

Summoning The Night by Jenn Bennett

5 out of 5 stars

For anyone who remembers my review of Kindling The Moon you will know that I loved it. I remember I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story and I saw this again in Summoning The Night- but I pushed through it.

By chapter 5 I was pretty close to being invested in it but I did feel like the first 50 pages had been drawn out- like filler- even though I found myself smiling at some points I did feel like the book was started too early.

None the less I loved his book just as much as I loved Kindling The Moon. The characters are amazing, and as any of my readers know I love seeing kids in romance novels, and it was quite a light read when I finally got into it! This book took me a long time to actually get around to reading and quite frankly I'm beating myself up for not having read it until now!

There were a few slow moments but overall I loved the plot.

This book has the ability to just make me smile. I love Lon and Candy as lovers and think the fact that they are kinda like this odd little family is adorable. I love the idea of family in urban fantasy since it isn't seen that often- at least not front and center like it is here.

I was a huge fan of Lon in the first book, and that really didn't change in this book, if anything I just ended out getting more attached to him. And Candy is one of the few main characters I actually like a lot. She comes across as very real to me and I feel like in urban fantasy there is a very cookie cutter type of main female character- I don't feel like Candy fits into that mold. As far as character development goes, there wasn't much of that but I didn't feel like that was a major issue in the book.

This book not only expands on background of the characters but also on the world, and I really liked seeing that. I find the world interesting and I can't wait to get the next one!

Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake

5 out of 5 stars

I have been eyeing this book for a very long time. A beautiful woman in leather and a pitbull?! How could I say no?!

I got drawn into this book right away. I loved the story line and I love the Russian folklore in this. I also love the fact that there is a dragon in here.

Overall I feel like the main conflict didn't completely draw me in. It was interesting and everything but I felt like a lot of it was filler-y.

It was fine with me because I loved the filler but it did I did enjoy it.

I feel like the author really made me feel and see what was going on, which was a big plus for me. By page 120 I still didn't quite feel into the main conflict, but I still couldn't put it down.

I love the writing of the author. Deborah Blake does an amazing job at weaving in detail and humor in her stories and I am really regretting not picking this up sooner!

Character wise I love it! Everyone is fine, and normally had me actually smiling as I was reading this book. I wasn't even 100 pages in before I went and got the other book so I could start it right away.

I feel like there should be a long series about these characters and I want to get to know them better.

Lets talk about them here. There may be some spoilers:

Talking-dragon-pitbull. That's right, a dragon in the form of a pitbull who talks and you know what else he does? Get people beer from the fridge!

Liam, our sexy hero. Liam is one of my favorite-sh hero's. I wasn't always a fan of his internal dialogue but  I did feel for him and I was totally rooting for them to get together!

A gang of Russian bikers- How can that go wrong?

Baba, our sexy, funny and all over fun heroine. I personally loved this main character and am reallllly hoping I get to read more about her!

I guess my issue with this book was the actual romance. Some of the terms used to describe the attraction between Baba and Leon made me cringe.

To me, this book felt like it should have had a little more back story- like maybe a previse book but it wasn't something I had a hard time understanding. I ate this book up. I stayed up all night to read it, I put off my responsibilities to read it, hell I put off my own writing to read it!

I highly recommend this book for a light read that isn't quite the same as every other light read out there. 

Broken By Kelley Armstrong

3 out of 5 stars.

Clayton doesn't do unobtrusive well. Not even when he tries, and today he was trying his damnedest.

First, I want to give a little back ground.

This series is about supernatural woman. It's not just about one character but instead about a whole bunch that all connect. This isn't the first book I've read in the series and I loved seeing reference to characters I knew from the other books. I love the idea of this series.

I like that this story is about a werewolf. I love werewolf books!

I did think that the story was very fun and original.

I really wanted to get into this book and by page 34 I was invested in the story line but… it was lacking something. It was boring but I still didn't want to put it down. I just feel like it couldn't hold me the way other books did and honestly, I found a lot of filler and a lot of boring scenes. And this is coming from someone who normally loved filler

When it comes to characters I love Zoe, and Nick. Actually the book had a lot of great side characters.

The main characters were good too, as a hero Clay was fun, and I was rooting for him, but I wasn't attached to him like I wanted to be. And while Elena was great too, I didn't have the connection I wanted to have with her.

This book ended well. There were no loose ends that needed to be tied up but the was room for another book fur sure! A book I'd probably read to be honest.

What this book did for me most of all was make me want to read more from the series and learn more about the character and the wold. 

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

3 out of 5 stars

I tossed my backpack into a corner of the studio and highfived Rodney on his way out.

This is the first book in a long series about a werewolf named Kitty.

I've read this book probably 3 or 4 times. It's something I really enjoyed the first time… really, really enjoyed actually. But the more I read it the less I enjoy it.

Warning: Kitty is a winey character! She's not always smart and she's kinda… dull. But you know what is great about the book? The hunter who wants to kill her! Of course he doesn't, he comes in as a love interest and he is a GREAT love interest.

The conflict is simple, but good and the story telling draws me in whenever I read anything by the writer. I'm not going to lie to you, it's simple and light- I would tell you to read it if you want something… well with substance.

Honestly, these are very fun books, there are really cool side characters, good mythology and the fact that they are light reads and there are a lot of them is a big plus for me because I like to be able to finish a book in a day. I'm busy and I don't like taking a while to read a book- its why I like light books. I probably would have given the rating 2 stars if not for the series. But you know what? No matter how much I find myself wondering why I read the last book, I still pick up the next one and I'm glad I have because I've found a couple gems from the series.  

Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez

5 out of 5 stars

Margle the Horrendous had a habit of collecting things.

Okay, so I lost half my notes on this book which sucks cause it's pretty much full of all the reasons you should read this book!

But I'll tell you all the reasons I can remember:

First and foremost, this is by A. Lee. Martinez, therefor you should read it! I have never read a bad Martinez book and I have never met anyone who has read a bad Martinez book. I can go on for days about how much I love Martinez, and how his writing is amazing and how I wish I could write that well, but for now I'll just try to focus on the book review.

This book started off strong! It pulled me in right away and by chapter four I couldn't put it down for the life of me.

The entire book takes place in a castle, but I didn't feel like it lacked because it only took place in one location, in fact I loved the location.

In reality I feel like this book was just one big subplot/not really a major story. That being said I still loved it! I could not stop reading it and I loved every little  aspect of it. The story was great, the characters were fun and

Like that it is not written from any one characters point of view. We all realize that Nessy is the main character but we also get to see how other characters feel or what they think. I loved seeing how other characters felt, thought and what they saw.

I love the optimistic outlook at Nessy has throughout this book and I think Martinez did a great job with the mythology/rules of the world. In other words, he did a great job creating the universe.

The characters are so good! This book takes place in a wizards castle who loved to curse the opponents he defeated instead of killing them, things brings in many fun characters who have unique curses (Examples include: Bats, bodiless people, being cursed to speak fun, owls, etc.) and each character really has their own unique fun aspect about them. One of my favorites was The Monster Under The Bed, that begins to show signs of jealously when he thinks Nessy has been reading to another monster.  So cute!

Oh! And the nurgax! How could I have forgot him? He was another great character that makes this book worth reading for sure! 

As we get to the end of the book we get to see the characters work together, and we even get to see some special characters who I won't mention as not to spoil the book!

I loved seeing The Monster Under The Bed help save the day. Over all he played such a small role in most of the book but he was such a fun character that seeing him play a heroic role was thrilling!

I loved the way this book ended. Honestly the only thing that I could say is wrong with this book is that it ended! 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"I hope it’s a dragon. I love it when they kill dragons. Pretentious reptiles, think they're so special just 'cause they can breath fire and fly. Like that's so great. Is it a dragon?"