Visions of Heat

After reading the first two books in Nalini Singh's paranormal series, it's safe to say she's become an autobuy.

Used to cold silence, Faith Nightstar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous--aching need . . . exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating, and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced--and keep her from Vaughn.

I hesitated to read this when it first came out because I feared it wouldn't live up to the previous book, or that it would be too similar. Once I got it at July's RWA conference, I couldn't resist reading it. As often happens, I needn't have worried. This is no mere rehash of Slave to Sensation; Vaughn and Faith are strong characters in their own right. Now that I've read Visions of Heat, I'm not sure how I managed to wait before buying it.

The danger to Faith is a real one. The dark visions threaten to engulf her, so she goes to Sascha (the heroine of Slave to Sensation) for advice. In the process, she meets Vaughn. He responds to her on a visceral level, and I liked seeing the animal side of him. It's mentioned that he's closer to his changeling side than many of the others, and you definitely see that.

I also like that Faith's discovery of and integration into the changeling world doesn't come easily. As a Psy, she's been trained not to feel emotion. Vaughn pushes her to feel, but it's not a smooth transition. This is portrayed realistically and makes for a compelling story.

Singh does an amazing job of blending romance and suspense in this book. Romance may be a little stronger, but that's the way I like it. :) With an intriguing hero and heroine, Visions of Heat rates 4.5 out of 5.

Demon's Delight

Demon's Delight is an anthology I picked up at RWA. It's a solid read, though I found myself wishing a couple of the stories were longer.

From MaryJanice Davidson . . . Can a witch and a witch-hunter find common ground . . . without killing each other first?

From Emma Holly . . . A beautiful scientist in the realm of the Demon World falls in love with a human male she has experimented on--and is changed forever . . .

From Vickie Taylor . . . Zane is hell-bent on danger--the more he eludes death, the bigger the rush. Then he awakens from a near-drowning not only alive, but in the caring arms of a beautiful angel. But the ethereal Rosemary is driven by her own desires--and full of surprises.

From Catherine Spangler . . . Meet Rachel, hooker and vampire, plying both trades after hours until she meets Gabriel on the night shift. He's an angelic emissary on a mission to prove Rachel still has a sould, and to save it. But she offers him a mortal temptation he never expects . . .

I loved the concept of MaryJanice Davidson's story, "Witch Way." The hero and heroine are destined to battle each other until both die. Unfortunately, neither one wants to do it. The premise is intriguing, and I enjoyed the interaction between Chris and Rhea. However, the story could have used another 20 pages or so to make the romance more convincing. I was a bit disappointed in the love scene as well.

The next story is Catherine Spangler's "Street Corners and Halos." It was lovely to watch the wounded Rachel heal. Her backstory was intriguing, which made her a character I wanted to read about. The resolution did seem a bit too easy; however, I liked spending time with the characters, and I plan to see what else Spangler has written.

Emma Holly's "The Demon's Angel" comes next, and it's set in the same world as the story I loved in Hot Spell. "The Demon's Angel" is plenty hot, and I loved the hero. Once again, though, I would have liked to see what Holly would have done with another 20 pages. Harry and Khira have such a complex relationship simply because of the way they meet. I would have liked to see this dealt with a bit more.

My favorite story was Vickie Taylor's "Angel and the Hellraiser." Rosemary is an angel who is set to save Zane . . . if she can. At first, he appears to be a classic troublemaker; it's soon clear that there's more to him than that. Rosemary has a lot to offer him. In a nice reciprocity, she needs to learn something from Zane as well. This story brought tears to my eyes at one point. It was very nicely done.

Demon's Delight was a quick read with a nice variety of stories. They averaged out the book to be 3.5 out of 5.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Although I've had J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince since the day it was released, I only read it this month. I didn't read it immediately for a couple of reasons: (1) No air conditioning, so sitting to read a long book didn't sound at all appealing. (2) I was a bit turned off by book 5, which vexed me because of who was killed at the end. I also thought it could have used some editing. Desperately.

This month I finally had the urge to read it, so I did. It was quite good (4.5 out of 5), even though the only development I didn't know before reading was the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. I knew who died this time around--really, who else could it have been? I guessed even before a coworker accidentally let it slip.

Anyway, I'm not going to do a summary, because the Harry Potter books are so well known. I'll just discuss a few things. I imagine I am among the last to read this book, so I'm not going to do the highlight the spoilers thing. So, if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading.

I thought book 5 could have been condensed quite a bit to be more effective. I felt that way a little with book 6, though not nearly as much.

I liked the bits with Dumbledore. It's nice that Harry (along with the reader) is finally starting to get some answers. The Horcrux idea is fascinating, and it should be interesting to see Harry find and destroy them in the next book. Might Harry also be a Horcrux? It can't be ruled out at this point, and that would certainly add a dramatic touch to book 7. I suspect there will be plenty of dramatic elements in the book.

I was not surprised by Dumbledore's death, or even by the manner of it. In book 5, the one person I didn't want to die was the person who did. I expected this to be the case of book 6 . . . and it was. Dumbledore was clearly next in line.

Not sure what I think of Snape. He's so smarmy and petty, plus killing Dumbledore is not the act of a good person. But it's clear that what he's doing at the end is telling Harry how to defeat Voldemort.

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!"

And Snape prevents the Death Eater from killing Harry as well, although he says it's because "Potter belongs to the Dark Lord--we are to leave him!" (More evidence of Harry being a Horcrux?) I don't like Snape, and I'm not sure he's supposed to be likable. But I suspect he will be a crucial part of helping Harry defeat Voldemort.

Harry takes some important steps in this book: standing up for what he believes with regard to the Ministry of Magic; helping Dumbledore retrieve a Horcrux (sort of); making the decision at the end to do whatever it took to defeat Voldemort. I like watching him grow up.

I had originally planned not to read the next book in the series until someone else who read it could confirm that Harry doesn't die in it. But I don't think I'll be able to wait that long before reading it.

Unholy Sacrifice

A while back, a coworker told me about the story told in Robert Scott's Unholy Sacrifice . I was intrigued enough to run out and buy it.

San Francisco Bay area stockbroker Taylor Helzer was young, handsome, and--to all outward appearances--normal. But that was before a three-day self-awareness seminar left him convinced he was a new Messiah. In the interest of funding his own church and "saving" America from Satan, Helzer began making and selling Ecstasy and convinced girlfriend Keri Furman to pose for Playboy. She eventually left him, only to be replaced by naive, gullible Dawn Godman.

Helzer, his younger brother Justin, and Dawn formed an unholy alliance called the Children of Thunder. They wanted to score big. The brothers abducted Taylor's former clients Ivan and Annette Stineman, inducing them to sign over checks totaling $100,000. The elderly couple was beaten and stabbed to death, then dismembered in a bathtub.

Selena Bishop, 22, daughter of blues great Elvin Bishop, was ensnared in the money scam--before Justin Helzer killed her with a hammer. Bishop's mother was next, shot dead along with her boyfriend by Taylor. But despite the trio's careful disposal of the evidence in the Mokelumne River, the truth came to light when a bag of body parts floated to the surface. The trials that followed would reveal every grisly detail of one of the most bizarre murder sprees in California history--bring a modern-day Manson to justice . . .

Romance is what I typically reach for, but I break up my reading now and then with a true-crime book. Unholy Sacrifice was quite interesting, if a bit gruesome at times. That's the nature of the crime, however, as you can tell from the blurb. In any case, the book kept my interest: 4 out of 5.

This book includes information from dozens of sources, which helps put together the story. Taylor's slide downward from law-abiding and religious to law-breaking and fanatic is well chronicled, even though neither Taylor nor Justin was interviewed. I still didn't quite understand how the two men went so off-track. Perhaps nothing can explain that.

And Dawn. Her perspective offers insight into the sequence of events before and during the murders, but it's still largely a mystery why she went along with the scheme.

This is the first of Robert Scott's books I've read, but I'll certainly look for others.

Secrets in the Marriage Bed

I read one of Nalini Singh's earlier Silhouette Desires. While I liked it, it didn't lead me to look for her other books. That changed after reading Slave to Sensation. So when I saw Secrets in the Marriage Bed, I bought it. I'm so, so glad I did: 4.5 out of 5.

They were reconciling. That was all Caleb Callaghan could focus on when his estranged wife, Vicki, shared the news of her pregnancy. He was determined that this time their marriage would succeed, no matter what it took.

But was Vicki's price too high? She wanted more than his love and support . . . she demanded honesty between them, starting with his secrets. But there was something in Caleb's past he could not--would not--share. For the truth would only destroy them.

Secrets of the Marriage Bed is one of those rare books that stays in your mind after it's finished. In this case, the memory lingers not because of a showy plot, but because the story is about two adults who talk to each other and work through the issues causing problems in their marriage.

Caleb's devotion to Vicki is obvious and touching. I like the way he was determined to take advantage of the opportunity to rebuild the relationship. Vicki is an equally memorable character. Her desire for a better relationship is realistically shown, as is her wariness. I loved the fact that these two work together to make things better between them.

Smart and Sexy

I think every reader has authors whose books they really enjoy. One of those authors for me is Jill Shalvis. Not surprisingly, I read and loved her latest book, Smart and Sexy: 4.5 out of 5.

Noah Fisher has worked for months to make Sky High the most prestigious charter airline in California. He's long overdue for a break--something involving ski slopes, cold beers, and hot ski bunny babes, not necessarily in that order. The itinerary doesn't include being hijacked by Bailey Sinclair, gorgeous widow of one of Sky High's wealthiest (ex-) clients. But here they are, and being crammed in a cockpit with the scared, stubborn, unbelievably sexy former model he's been fantasizing about invokes Superman tendencies that could get Noah in serious trouble.

Bailey is desperate to find the stash of money hidden by her conniving, thieving late husband--before the bad guys he owed find her. It's a long shot, but nothing compared to the gamble she's taking by being so close to Noah. Every minute in his company has Bailey thinking about doing crazy, reckless things like touching, grabbing, kissing . . . and oh wow, being kissed right back. Suddenly, seat-of-your-pants seems like the only way to fly, and maybe it's the altitude playing tricks, but this is one trip she never wants to end . . .

The tone of the back cover suggested Smart and Sexy would be a light-hearted romp. It isn't. Instead, it's a gripping romantic suspense novel with characters who lingered in my mind long after I finished the book.

Speaking of the characters, the way Shalvis sets up the situation is perfect. Noah and Bailey aren't strangers--in fact, Noah's had a weak spot for Bailey for some time. This makes it all the more believable that he would want to help with her quest. Bailey is equally drawn to Noah; it is no accident that she tags along on a flight where he is the pilot.

I loved Noah. He's a well-rounded character with strengths and insecurities. His connection with and protection of Bailey is wonderful to watch. Bailey is initially secretive; trust comes slowly for her. The way her trust grows is realistic and compelling.

These two characters generate a lot of heat together. This book includes some of the best love scenes Shalvis has written.

The mystery is also excellent, and I loved that it complemented rather than overshadowed the romance. Smart and Sexy is the start of a series, and I can't wait to read the next one!

Innocent in Death

It's no secret that I'm a fan of the In Death series. When I heard that Innocent in Death featured a significant Eve/Roarke conflict, I wondered what it would entail and how I would like the book.

The death of history teacher Craig Foster devastated his young wife, who'd sent him off to work that morning with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked the colleagues at the Upper West Side private school. And as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids, they may have been traumatized for life.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas, of course, is more hardened to murder cases. And this is clearly a murder case. That lovingly packed lunch was tainted with deadly ricin. And Mr. Foster's colleagues, shocked as they may be, have some shocking secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to get a feel for all the potential suspects, and find out why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant . . . so innocent.

Now Magdalena Percell--there's someone Eve can picture as a murder victim. Possibly at Eve's own hands. The slinky blonde--and old flame of her billionaire husband, Roarke, from his days on the wrong side of the law--has turned up in New York, and she's anything but innocent. Unfortunately, Roarke seems blind to Magdalena's manipulation, but not to her shapely figure and flirtacious ways. And he insists that the occasional lunch or business meeting with her is nothing to worry about . . . and none of Eve's business. Eve's so unnerved by the situation that she finds it hard to focus on the Foster case. Still, she'll have to put aside her anger, jealousy, and heartbreak, for a while at least--because another man has just turned up dead, and the case is taking some strange turns and hitting some frustrating dead ends.

Eve knows all too well that innocence can be a facade. Keeping that in mind may help her solve this case at last. But it may also tear apart her marriage.

Innocent in Death is a strong entry in the series: 4 out of 5. I read the In Death books more to follow the relationships, and the way the Magdalena plot plays out is fascinating to watch. Eve's reaction to Maggie's appearance is different from anything we've seen in past books--justifiably so, since it's clear she's different from any of Roarke's other former lovers. Now I'd love to see Roarke react to one of Eve's formers . . . someone who isn't Webster. :)

Eve does something at the end that surprised me a bit, but seemed more in character the second time I read it.

Although I read the In Death books to follow the characters, I enjoy the mystery as well. This one is quite good, and different from anything we've seen in past books. I enjoyed it, I think partly because of its chilling moments. To me, it has even more impact when you listen to the audiobook.

The Nymph King

Now that I've posted an interview with Gena Showalter, it's time to write a review for her latest book, The Nymph King. I loved it: 4.5 out of 5.

Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian's touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure . . . until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom.

The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she's inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior's arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire . . .

Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there's one thing Shaye doesn't know . . .

That when a nymph discovers his true mate, she's his for life.

The Nymph King includes two components I don't necessarily love in a story: kidnapping (it's not a secret if it's on the back cover, right?) and the "true mate" idea. Showalter not only makes both these scenarios work, but creates an unforgettable love story.

I've praised Showalter's world-building before, but I have to say it again. In this book, she provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into Atlantis. It's portrayed so vividly that I could easily picture it, and it also provides insight into Valerian and the other nymphs.

Valerian is wonderful. Yes, Shaye turns out to be his mate, but that doesn't make things easier for him. In fact, he doesn't want a mate. Once he accepts that she's the one for him, he strives to win her--and I do mean win her. He has to work at it, and this results in some wildly romantic moments, such as the one that occurs when she asks him to tell her one thing he likes about her.

Shaye's a slightly less memorable character, but I loved the way she made Valerian work for her love. And her anti-greeting card idea is terrific. An example: "Congratulations on your new promotion. Before you go, would you mind taking the knife out of my back? You'll probably need it again."

I've mentioned before that there is a character in this book named Alyssa because I won a contest. Her role is short but sweet. LOL! Speaking of short and sweet, there's also a terrific secondary romance in this book.

Aussie Rules

Jill Shalvis's Aussie Rules was in my reading now column for a while now, but that's because I'm lousy at updating my sidebar. The book is actually a nice, quick read: 4.5 out of 5.

It's bad enough that gutsy pilot Mel Anderson has to clean up after her lovable but completely disorganized best friend and business partner, Dimi, while her certifiable employees make more work than they do. Now, the one man she hoped she'd never see--the man who owns the deed to her airport, thank you--is back and looking for trouble. Scratch that, he is trouble. Amazing, holy cow, more please trouble . . .

Bo Black wants his family's airport back, and he's determined to get it. This laid-back Aussie is nobody's fool. Thing is, neither is Mel. She's intense. Uptight. Sexy. And very, very tempting. Suddenly, Bo's thinking less about revenge and more about kissing and touching and falling into a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-underpants kind of forever love . . .

Now, somebody's going for broke; somebody's going crazy; somebody's going to try everything; and somebody's going to play a very risky surprise . . .

What makes this story so good? The way it focuses on the characters. As the story progresses, it's clear that a mystery needs to be solved, but the mystery doesn't overwhelm the attraction and budding romance between Bo and Mel, two real people with real emotions.

Shalvis's books often have quirky secondary characters, and this book is no exception. They aren't merely quirky, though; they also show depth. Two in particular share a very sweet love story.

I really enjoy the way Shalvis reveals the history of the airport to readers. It's shared piece by piece, which really works for this book. I also like the fact that there is no convenient misunderstanding as the mystery unfolds. That probably won't make sense unless you've read the book, but I want to be vague so I don't spoil anything. Too often in fiction, there's a convenient explanation for a character's bad behavior. That doesn't happen here, and I appreciated that.

Shalvis's next Brava will be released in April. It's also set in an airport and it looks pretty interesting. It also has a terrific cover! I'm looking forward to it.

Magic Study

Maria Snyder's Poison Study was one of the most memorable books I read last year. The sequel, Magic Study, is quite good too: 4 out of 5.

With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways--and her newfound friends and relatives don't think it's for the better . . .

Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training--especially as she's been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince--and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.

If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies . . .

It was nice to revisit Yelena's world and see how she handled new adventures. She is progressing nicely as a character, and I enjoyed seeing her cope in situations where she had more control. In Poison Study, Yelena's actions are restricted by her circumstances; here, she has more freedom. She does make some choices that seem a little reckless when I look back on them, but Snyder does a good job of making these decisions seem logical for the story and the character.

And Valek. He's terrific. I just wish he'd been in the story longer. The man is dynamic, and I loved every page that included him.

Snyder also introduces some elements in this book that make me curious about how they will play out in the future. Now, I just have to wait for Fire Study, the next book in the series.

Born in Death

Born in Death is the latest installment in J.D. Robb's In Death series. This is one series I continue to enjoy: 4.5 out of 5.

Technology has advanced in 2060 New York City, but childbirth has been the same since the beginning of time. And despite the brutal double homicide on Lieutenant Eve Dallas's caseload, she has to be there for her pregnant friend Mavis, even if it means throwing the dreaded baby shower . . .

But Mavis needs an even bigger favor how. Tandy Willowby, one of the moms-to-be in her birthing class, has gone missing, just days before her due date--not even showing up at the shower at Eve and Roarke's place that she'd been looking forward to so much. A recent emigrant from London, Tandy has few friends in New York, and no family. When Eve enters Tandy's apartment and finds Mavis's shower gift wrapped and ready on the table--and Tandy's packed hospital bag still on the floor--her spine starts tingling.

Normally, this would be turned over to Missing Persons. Eve has more than enough on her plate trying to find out who murdered Natalie Copperfield and her fiance, both employed at a prestigious accounting firm. But Mavis wants no one but Eve on the case--and Eve can't say no. She'll have to track Tandy down while tracing the deals and double-crosses hidden in some of the city's richest and most secretive citizens, in a race against a particularly vicious killer. Luckily, she has her multimillionaire husband Roarke's expertise to help with the numbers crunching. But as he mines for the crucial data that will break the case wide open, Eve faces an all-too-real danger in the flesh-and-blood world.

If you follow this series, you probably know that a long-awaited event occurs in this book, one suggested by the title. It's been a long wait. While the In Death books usually come out every six months, it's been almost a year since the previous book. I was beginning to feel withdrawl symptoms.

I love the beginning of the story, where Eve's discomfort with the concept of babies and childbirth is clear. There are a lot of nice character moments in this book, and they're really the reason I love this series so much.

The mystery is nice, too. I thought it was interesting and well-crafted, a nice change from the deranged serial killers that have been in some of Robb's previous books. I also liked the way the second mystery, Tandy's disappearance, played out.

I'd heard that Roarke wasn't in this story as much, but I didn't notice that he was off-stage (I suppose that should be off-page) as much as I'd expected. He is very much a part of this book.

I'm excited to read the next book! I can only hope it isn't as long a wait.

Must Love Dragons

Stephanie Rowe's Must Love Dragons is the next book in the series that started with Date Me, Baby, One More Time. It's a good story, even if I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book: 4 out of 5.

Theresa Nichols is a red-blooded young woman--trapped in a red-hot dragon's body. Until the chance for a real-live date with her cyber boy toy Zeke sends her running to Satan to strike a deal. After all, when you've gone without sex for over two hundred years, a night of good lovin' is worth your eternal soul, right?

Zeke Siccardi is a private detective trying to live a normal life--and outrun his dragon-slaying past. Not easy to do when his sexy online paramour turns out to be a dragon with a contract out on her life. Now Zeke has to protect a woman he was born to kill. But for the love of a fire-breathing sexpot, how hard could it be?

A book about a dragon and dragon hunter offers an instant and intriguing conflict. So why didn't I like this book as much as its predecessor? For me, it was Theresa. Her emotions seemed to vacillate constantly, which made her character not as strong as it could have been. This made the book a little less compelling for me.

I did like Zeke, and I thought he and Theresa had good chemistry.

Satan continues to amuse me. He's hilarious! He's so egotistical and yet brought to his knees by his love for a woman. The next book is apparently about his Rivka. I'll be interested in seeing how that story plays out.

Black Ice

After seeing so much talk about Anne Stuart's interview, I finally decided to read Black Ice, which has been languishing in my TBR for more than six months. I'm glad I did, because I enjoyed the book: 4 out of 5.

Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion--even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.

Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?

One of the biggest strengths of the book lies in its uniqueness--Bastien and Chloe are far from your typical hero and heroine. Bastien more so than Chloe, and watching his character evolve from someone who is cold, cynical, and uncaring to someone who is capable of love is fascinating to watch.

Chloe also changes during the course of the novel--she's grows tremendously from someone who is a bit naive to a strong survivor.

There's a rather famous (infamous?) scene where Bastien walks away when he knows that something bad is happening to Chloe. Things I'd heard about the scene were one reason I put off reading this book. In the end, I was disturbed by the scene, but not as much as I anticipated. Not sure why, other than that all the hype about it prepared me for it, and also made me expect something worse.

In any case, Black Ice is well worth reading, especially if you enjoy unconventional stories. I'm now reading Cold As Ice, the next in the series.

Date Me, Baby, One More Time

After reading several positive reviews of Stephanie Rowe's Date Me, Baby, One More Time, I decided to get it when I went to the RWA signing last month.

Justine Bennett is cursing her life. She's the Guardian of the Goblet of Eternal Youth, she hasn't left the house in ages, and it's been over 200 years since she's had sex. Oh, and the Goblet has shape-shifted into an espresso machine named Mona. Not exactly the stuff grand destiny is made of . . .

Derek LaValle is worried. Due to a family curse, he'll be dead in the pace of a week unless he finds the Guardian of the Goblet of Eternal Youth and beheads her. Which wouldn't be a problem if she weren't so sexy, smart . . . and ready to behead him right back.

I started reading this book at RWA but got distracted and set it aside. I picked it up again this weekend and read it straight through: 4 out of 5. I have to admit, it took me a while to get into the story. I loved Derek's first chapter, but once I hit Justine and Theresa, I thought, How corny. This is about the point where I got distracted.

Once I got back into the story, though, I decided that the campiness was part of the point, and I had fun reading. I loved watching Derek and Justine interact--Derek's arousal over a woman who carries weapons and Justine's excitement at the thought of a man who finds all of her weapons. Their scenes were fun to read.

I did wish there had been more detail at times, particularly in one scene toward the end. But overall, this was a fun read.

One of the book's biggest strengths lies in its originality. It's definitely a world I haven't seen before. I got a kick out of the characters, including Satan. I found myself almost liking him. I'm looking forward to the next book, which features Theresa. Should be interesting.

Angel with Attitude

I bought Michelle Rowen's Angel with Attitude at the latest RWA signing, and it was one of the first books I read when I got home. It was a great one to start with: 4.5 out of 5.

Falling naked into the killer whale tank at MarineLand is always bad news, but it's a real bummer when you've just been kicked out of Heaven. Former angel Valerie Grace is determined to reverse her banishment--Earth's just no fun. Her best friend is a slightly perverted human-turned-rat (note to self: never cross a powerful witch) and she's being tailed by a sexy Tempter Demon named Nathaniel who's trying to lure her to Hell with kisses that are almost worth the trip. With the talking rodent sneaking peeks down her shirt and Nathaniel getting more irresistible every minute, this ex-angel has only one hope: find the stolen Key to Heaven and go home. Then the oddest thing happens--Nathaniel starts to show signs of loyalty and love. And soon Val is asking herself if it is such a bad thing to have the hots for a demon.

What do I like about it? The humor is terrific, and I love Rowen's voice. There were a number of great scenes and other things I enjoyed in the story, including phrases that made me chuckle, such as one character having a "tempter tantrum" (look at the first word closely if you don't get it at first). The "human-turned-rat" offers some nice comedic moments as well.

I also thought this was an intriguing world. The idea of a Tempter Demon is a fun one, and the opposing goals of Valerie and Nathaniel naturally heighten the conflict and the romantic tension. They are a fascinating couple, one I enjoyed spending time with, although I would have loved another sex scene or two. ;)

The book kept me engaged from beginning to end. I really love how the story came full circle and did it in a way I hadn't expected.

Working for the Devil and Dead Man Rising

I've had Lilith Saintcrow's Working for the Devil on my TBR list for a few months now, and when I was offered a chance to read Dead Man Rising, the second book in the series, I decided to read them together. I'll do my best to avoid spoilers, especially because Dead Man Rising isn't scheduled to be released until September.

Here are some things to keep in mind about both books.

• They aren't romances.
• I repeat, these books aren't romances. There is romance in them, but if you read either one of them expecting a conventional romance, you will be disappointed.
• If at all possible, read the two books together. Neither book is particularly effective as a stand-alone.
• Saintcrow doesn't hesitate to put her characters through hell, literally and figuratively. If you know this going in, you'll be better prepared to read them.

Now, moving on. I liked both books. Working for the Devil earns 3.5 out of 5 and Dead Man Rising receives 4 out of 5. I read them over three days, and I'm convinced this is the best way to go. In fact, it's better to think of these as one story, similar to the way The Lord of the Rings is one story with multiple parts.

Here's the blurb for Working for the Devil.

When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot-tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.

The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a renegade demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It's an offer she can't refuse.

The Catch: How do you kill something that can't die?

A review quote on the back of the book describes it as "dark urban fantasy with a splash of cyberpunk, a pinch of paranormal romance, and a dash of gritty crime thriller," and it's a pretty good description. This book draws on a combination of genres.

I've seen other reviews of this book praise its world-building, which I agree is good. However, I felt a bit like I'd been dropped into a strange environment, and I would have enjoyed a little more explanation of terms. This can be a tough balance, because you don't want to bring the story to a stop while launching on long explanations, but I needed a little more background than I got. For this reason, it was easy for me to set the book down after reading a few chapters, which is what I did for a few days.

The story picks up at the mid-way point, and once I reached this part I had a hard time putting the book down. My favorite character is Japhrimel, although he does something toward the end that made me feel a bit ambivalent about him. Still, the ending packs quite an emotional punch. And in case you missed this the first or second time, this isn't a romance. OK? Don't say I didn't warn you.

On to Dead Man Rising.

When the Dead Call, She Answers
Bounty hunting is a helluva job, but it pays the bills. And it lets necromance Dante Valentine forget her issues--like struggling with her half-demon side and the memory of her lover's death.

Now psychics all over the city are being savagely murdered--and a piece of the past Dante thought she'd buried is stalking the night with a vengeance. Too bad she's got no way to tell which fiend--or friend--to trust. Or that her most horrifying nightmares are gathering to take one kick-ass bounty hunter down for the count.

But that's only the beginning. The Devil just called. He's looking for Dante's lover--the one he killed.

I may have been able to put down Working for the Devil, but once I reached the mid-point, I raced through the rest and through Dead Man Rising. If the first book packs an emotional punch, the emotional impact of this one is like being run over. LOL! I've been brought to tears by a book, but this one had me sobbing. And that's the main reason I don't think these should be read separately. Someone who reads Dead Man Rising without reading the first book is likely to be very upset when something happens--see the fourth bullet point above. Actually, I had read the first book and I was still upset. In fact, my stomach hurts as I think about it, and I finished the book a few weeks ago. But something else happens, and it too wouldn't have the same impact to someone who hasn't read the first book.

I can only describe reading these books as a very emotional experience, which says just how talented a writer Saintcrow is. Will I read the third book in the series? To be honest, I don't know. The roller-coaster ride is still too close in my memory. And although I liked Dante as a heroine, I didn't love her. I think I'll make the decision about reading the next book later, and I may even seek out a spoiler or two so I know what to expect. If that makes me a wimp, so be it.

Dates from Hell

I know I said I wasn't planning to go back and write reviews for the books I read in the past. However, I decided that a review of Dates from Hell would be a good lead-in for my next author spotlight. (You don't have to ask who it will be, do you?)

I was planning to buy Dates from Hell, but then I won an autographed copy from Kelley Armstrong.

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil
Kim Harrison takes us to the Hollows, where living vampire/homicide cop Ivy Tamwood, investigating a string of very nasty murders, finds herself caught between two very different men, who put every dating principle she holds dear to the ultimate test.

The Claire Switch Project
Lynsay Sands gives the power to shape-shift to a most resourceful woman, who uses it to her wickedly sexy advantage at her high school reunion.

Chaotic
Kelley Armstrong enters the Otherworld to help a beautiful half-demon tabloid reporter escape a disastrous blind date by giving her a hot lead . . . that leads her to an even hotter werewolf jewel thief.

Dead Man Dating
Lori Handeland gives the term "dating hell" a whole new meaning, when a Manhattan literary agent out on her first date in months, is forced to choose between a sexy devil and the rogue demon hunter who's out to destroy him.

I wondered whether I would like "Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil" because I tried to read Dead Witch Walking and set it aside after less than 100 pages. I just couldn't get into it. I liked this story, though. Ivy was an intriguing heroine, and I'd like to read more about her. Can someone tell me if any of Harrison's full-length books are told from her point of view? Even though I liked the book, I was very aware that this was part of a series and at times I felt like I was a step behind. 4 out of 5.

"The Claire Switch Project" was a disappointment. An incident in a lab gives Claire the ability to change her appearance, transforming herself into anyone as long as she has a picture as reference. First of all, Claire and Kyle have liked each other for years and haven't done anything about it before now. Then, at the high school reunion, Claire shifts into "Brad Cruise," a popular movie star to pose as her friend's date. I'm sure the plot was intended to be zany fun, but it struck me as juvenile and superficial. 2 out of 5.

Kelley Armstrong's "Chaotic" was the best story in the anthology. It's interesting to note that this is the first story I ever read by Armstrong. As with Harrison's story, it was clear that this book was part of a series, yet I never felt lost or behind. I'm sure readers of the series would catch things I didn't on the first read, but everything necessary to understand this story was explained. I'm planning to reread the story in the next week; it will be interesting to see the depth this adds to the story. I liked both Hope and Karl and only wish I'd seen more of them together at the end. 4.5 out of 5.

Lori Handeland's "Dead Man Dating" is the reason I wanted the anthology. I've enjoyed her paranormal stories in the past (Blue Moon especially). This one was good, but I wished it had been longer. Kit and Chavez are interesting characters and I would have liked to spend more time with them. I was surprised at the end when I realized I didn't feel like I knew Kit very well. Odd, since the story was from her point of view. Anyway, I'd love to see them again, even as secondary characters in another book. 3.5 out of 5.

The anthology as a whole rated 3.5 out of 5. It also introduced me to an author I now rank in my top five. But that's another story. :)

Bitten & Smitten

You've probably noticed that I've been reading a lot of paranormal romance lately. It's partly because I've had good luck with them. The luck continues with Michelle Rowen's Bitten & Smitten: 4 out of 5.

Dear Mom,

I might be a wee bit late for Cousin Missy's wedding. It's been a tough week. Turns out, my blind date from hell was literally from hell. Guy bit me. Next thing I know, I'm being chased all over the city by vampire hunters. And did I mention that I got fired, too?

Bright side--I met a man. Thierry de Bennicoeur. How great is that name? Anyway, he's sexy, six hundred years old, and a tad suicidal, but no one's perfect, right? And we have a deal--he's gonna show me the ropes of the vampire world, and I'm supposed to help him end his existence. Or maybe I'll just try to convince him life is worth living--no small challenge with the mostly immortal, let me tell you. I'll admit it's a complicated relationship. But with any luck, I just might have a date for that wedding after all.

Hugs and kisses,
Sarah

The back cover copy gives you a pretty good idea of the story--it's told in first-person from Sarah's point of view with a combination of comedy and drama. This POV works best when you like the main character, because you end up spending a lot of time with him or her. Thankfully, I liked Sarah, so it was easy to spend time with her.

On to a few other things I enjoyed about Bitten & Smitten. I liked the fact that Sarah's initiation into vampirism isn't smooth, and she goes through stages of acceptance. I enjoyed scenes like the one at the wedding when Sarah realizes who her cousin is really marrying. It plays out in an amusing way. And the scene with Thierry's shard is terrific as well.

There's a great secondary character worth mentioning, who is initially part of a love triangle. I hope he gets his own story.

A few minor points: Sarah takes charge of something (trying to avoid spoilers) at the end of the book, and it seemed a little silly that the other vampires hadn't already considered the solution. A small nitpick, but one that jarred me. I also wanted to see more of Thierry, in more ways than one. ;) Still, I enjoyed the book, and I'm looking forward to Rowen's next book as well as the second book in Sarah's series.

A Fine Work of Art

It looks like I've discovered another auto-buy author. I read and enjoyed Shelby Reed's A Fine Work of Art over the weekend: 4.5 out of 5.

At thirty-six, university art professor Elizabeth Gilstrom finds herself facing a bleak, lonely future when her husband leaves her for his young medical assistant. After giving up her own career as an artist a decade before, Elizabeth has nothing to show for their ten-year marriage . . . only the faded memory of a paintbrush's weight in her hand, an empty bed, and an empty heart.

She's still reeling from shock and devastation when graduate student Boone McCrea walks into her office . . . and into her bed. Boone might only be twenty-four, but he is, quite simply, one of the most attractive men Elizabeth has ever seen, a work of art that stirs wild sensations she has long repressed.

I love the older woman/younger man scenario, and the fact that they are teacher/student adds an interesting dynamic to the plot. It did cause some niggling in the back of my head--I kept thinking that Elizabeth was headed for trouble by getting involved with a student. Still, I liked both Boone and Elizabeth enough that I kept reading. I think Reed resolves the issue in a way that makes sense for the characters.

A Fine Work of Art is very much Elizabeth's story. It's told in third person strictly from her point of view. I usually prefer books that include both the hero and heroine's point of view, but in this case, I felt like I got to know Boone quite well through Elizabeth's perspective. In fact, I think it made the story more interesting to learn about Boone this way.

Elizabeth's journey from grief to moving on seems very realistic. She makes progress, backslides, and doubts herself much like anyone else would in her situation. Although Boone is part of her journey, I never felt like he was the sole reason for it. Their scenes together were very hot, though. :)

Reed is just a terrific writer. I love the vivid characters she creates as well as the unique stories she tells.

A side note: the cover of this e-book is rather startling, partly because it's different from the one shown on the Ellora's Cave website. Don't open this one at work or with kids around.

TBR Challenge: Enchanted, Inc.

This month's TBR challenge is to read a book by an author you haven't read before. I decided to pick up a book I bought at last year's RWA signing.

Title
Enchanted, Inc.

Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at, and Katie is afraid she's a little too normal to make a spash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn't help either.

Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that sells tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie's ordinariness is an asset. Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor's contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed.

She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultrapowerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it's up to Katie to pull
off the impossible: save the world and--hopefully--live happily ever after.

Author
Shanna Swendson

Year Published
2005

Why did you get this book?
I read a blog entry about it by Nicole, who recommended it. I thought the premise sounded interesting, so I put it on my list to try. When I met Swendson at RWA, I bought the book.

Do you like the cover?
For the most part, yes. It conveys a mood that's similar to the one in the book. But the woman's hair is a little weird, even for a cartoon cover.

Did you enjoy the book?
Yes, and I rate it 4 out of 5. It's told in first-person from Katie's point of view, and I like Katie. She's kind of an everywoman, so it was easy to relate to her. I like the New York Swendson creates, too. I got a kick out of the strange things Katie sees and dismisses as too strange.

Owen is the "sexy, shy, ultrapowerful" R&D man mentioned in the blurb. I like the dichotomy in the shy and ultrapowerful--and he's definitely both--although the man does blush an awful lot. You don't see that very often in a man. It would have been interesting to get into his head, but the POV prevents that.

Would you read something by this author again?
Yes. I will probably buy the next book in the series at next year's RWA.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Keeping it.

Anything else?
Just that I add my recommendation to Nicole's. It's a light, fun read.