This book is an absolute must read for fans of The Black Dagger Brother series. I struggled to put it down once. When I picked it up again, I read the...moreThis book is an absolute must read for fans of The Black Dagger Brother series. I struggled to put it down once. When I picked it up again, I read the rest straight through.
Blood Vine centers of the story of Zoey, sent to create a PR campaign for a new wine. Zoey soon discovers that her new client is a familiar face, one she's been unable to forget since their almost one-night stand. While she grapple with her unwanted emotion for a man she hardly knows, she doesn't realize her boss has knowingly set her in the middle of an ancient conflict between Vampires and Vampire hunters.
Amber Belldene weaves the history and realistic folklore of her vampires flawlessly. Her writing is descriptive and emotive but doesn't get bogged down in unimportant details and as the result, the story flows effortlessly.
The characters are diverse with not a cut out in sight. Each is instilled with a personality, motive, and flaws. Love them or hate them for their actions, they jump off the page and will not be ignored. The main pairing are both shaped by tragedy of circumstance and must overcome their own barriers to be together. The internal conflict of both seemed real and heartbreaking.
As far as I'm aware, there is another book to come. That's good because there is obviously still loose ends and a huge cast of characters to explore. The ending left me satisfied and yet, craving more of this world, the story, and characters. (less)
Debra Anastasia has done it again! Readers are in for a real treat. Bittersweet Seraphim is a book that will take you to heaven and hell, and everywhe...moreDebra Anastasia has done it again! Readers are in for a real treat. Bittersweet Seraphim is a book that will take you to heaven and hell, and everywhere in between. A word of warning-don't begin this book at bedtime. With a number of new characters and startling revelations, you won't be able to stop yourself from turning the pages. Before you know it, the sun will be creeping over the horizon. I'm not sure if there will be more Seraphim books, but I'm crossing my fingers for another. (less)
Jennifer Lane really knows her stuff when it comes to the world of competitive swimming, a fact that allows her to easily drop the reader into her sto...moreJennifer Lane really knows her stuff when it comes to the world of competitive swimming, a fact that allows her to easily drop the reader into her stories set around the subject.
What starts out as a simple college recruitment trip turns into an eye-opening experience for teenager, Abby Donahue. The characters she encounters are complex and feel altogether very real and human. Abby leaves with a new perspective on her own life and relationships.
If you enjoy Swim Recruit, I highly recommend Streamline, a full-length NA novel by the same author. Streamline deals with the difficult subjects of domestic abuse and obligation, set against the backdrop of a military academy and college swimming.(less)
This book was hard work for me and took a while to get through. It left me a little confused because I felt like giving up on it so many times but at...moreThis book was hard work for me and took a while to get through. It left me a little confused because I felt like giving up on it so many times but at the same time I really wanted to know what happened at the end.
A lot goes on in this story and I got a spooky Stephen King vibe from it, which was funny because King got a mention at one point. The characters were well developed and diverse, the writing flowed like silk and the descriptions were vivid enough to place me right in the center of the story.
On the other hand, I spent 95% of the story with no clue to what the main character was, who the creatures were or where it was all headed. Then it got to the end and I felt as if I'd been slapped around the head a few times with a deluge of information. Suddenly it all seems like the entire book was a set up for a series, like a pilot episode of a show about to be filmed.
So why the 4 stars? Because if this is the pilot, I would certainly watch the series. Yes, by the end I was hooked on these characters and this story. I think this book it well worth taking a chance on. (less)
**spoiler alert** I enjoyed this book enough that I'm interested in reading the next in the series. It's original and well written. Very dark at times...more**spoiler alert** I enjoyed this book enough that I'm interested in reading the next in the series. It's original and well written. Very dark at times, this is not something for anyone looking for a fluffy YA read. My only real issue was with the adults, especially Zellie's selfish mother. I wanted to shake some sense in to her. Clearly she had read from the 'How To Damage Your Child's Emotional Well Being' handbook. I read this on the train and actually spoke out loud at one point because I was so irritated. Worth a read. (less)
Well, that was an entertaining read. Warning: Don't read on the train like I did. Hot, Hot, Hot. I kept looking around and giggling because I was so s...moreWell, that was an entertaining read. Warning: Don't read on the train like I did. Hot, Hot, Hot. I kept looking around and giggling because I was so sure I was blushing. Honestly, Lisa knows how to write guys who blow the top clean off the hotness scale. This is one for fans of The Black Dagger Brotherhood but contains so much detail on Greek mythology and back story as to make it unique in its own right. I can't believe there is so much story packed into such a shot novella. A really great read. I will be eagerly awaiting the rest of the series. (less)
I had this for a few weeks before I got to it. I read it in one sitting on the train. A very good read with great twists and turns. I did work out the...moreI had this for a few weeks before I got to it. I read it in one sitting on the train. A very good read with great twists and turns. I did work out the big reveal a while before it was revealed but it didn't take away any of the enjoyment for me. I hated seeing the book end and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next. (less)
**spoiler alert** So, this book was a bit of a wild ride. In some respects I enjoyed it more than the first book and in some less. I enjoyed the devel...more**spoiler alert** So, this book was a bit of a wild ride. In some respects I enjoyed it more than the first book and in some less. I enjoyed the development of the characters and introduction of the new characters. Some times I got a bit lost. I felt there was a lot more info dumping about society in this book and I had to go back and read a second time.
Then there was the ending, it left me scratching my head. What happened to the two so desperate to be together? They just suddenly walked away without a fight or even a goodbye. I lost faith in the main female character because even though she didn't give in, I found her fickle and and uncommitted. A lot of what happened wasn't explained at all and left the reader completely hanging.
I still gave it three stars because I did enjoy reading it despite the above and I enjoyed Ky's POV. I expect more from the next book. I expect, given the strength of the first book, all questions will be answered. (less)
I read a lot about this book before I read it. It took me a while to get to it and I was glad to move onto the second book straight away.
I really enj...moreI read a lot about this book before I read it. It took me a while to get to it and I was glad to move onto the second book straight away.
I really enjoyed the world building. It was a complex society that still reminded me of the present in some respects. I enjoyed how information was paced, allowing the reader to absorb aspects the world building a little at a time. It sort of reminded me a little of 'Logan's run' in the beginning. I half expected there to be no old people at all. I'm glad it was at least one thing this society recognized, the value of age, even if they curtailed experience.
Over all, a very enjoyable read. Slight cliff ending, I don't think it would be possible to read this book as a stand alone as with some books at the beginning of a series. This didn't bother me too much since I wanted to know more about the characters anyway. (less)
I enjoyed this book and the combination of the different paranormals. It sucked me in early on and held my interest right to the very end. A great rea...moreI enjoyed this book and the combination of the different paranormals. It sucked me in early on and held my interest right to the very end. A great read. (less)
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I've been doing a lot of reading on Jack the Ripper and Victorian London and thought I would sink right into...moreI wanted to love this book, I really did. I've been doing a lot of reading on Jack the Ripper and Victorian London and thought I would sink right into it. It didn't happen. Basically it took me almost a month to get through because I couldn't get into it at all. I gave it 3 stars because I was glad I stuck with it and enjoyed the end scenes. I also found the details of history and the area excellent. I plan to keep reading the series.
That's just my personal preference and I probably ruined it for myself by reading while reading non-fiction on the same subject. I would still recommend to others as I think there are lots of people who would love it. (less)
After I read a few reviews comparing this to The Hunger Games, I was expecting something different to what I got. The training is similar but I didn't...moreAfter I read a few reviews comparing this to The Hunger Games, I was expecting something different to what I got. The training is similar but I didn't find many more similarities than that. I consumed this book in one day. A great read for those who love kick-ass female leads with heart. (less)
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