Holy. Crap. That was just freaking amazing! It's been a while since I've read a good Urban Fantasy and Rachel Caine writes some of the absolute best....moreHoly. Crap. That was just freaking amazing! It's been a while since I've read a good Urban Fantasy and Rachel Caine writes some of the absolute best. She'll have you completely enthralled and leave you scared as hell of the weather and mother nature. Sweet Moses! If you've read her Weather Warden series you definitely need to check out Undone. It's a spin off on the Weather Wardens and so freaking good! Same world (loved that a bunch of old characters make appearances in this new one), same writing style but a different focus. For those that haven't read the series. Mother nature is more or less out to get us and the Wardens (Earth, Fire and Weather) along with Djinn can manipulate storms to help protect humans. Then, of course, there are wayward Wardens and Djinn and internal battles between the two sides that add to the threat to humans. The writing is action packed and fast paced, the plots fascinating and like I said they'll leave you good and scared of the next storm that pops up around you. There's an edgy sort of anticipation while you're reading too. Can you tell I loved this one?! If you're looking for a romance book this isn't it, at least so far. There are some hints of a potential relationship but so far just a good urban fantasy that's dark, gritty and full of action.
The spin off is focused on Cassiel, a Djinn that has been "undone" (basically death for a Djinn) and the Rocha family who are Wardens. There's a lot of tension and a lack of trust between them all. Especially her partner Manny's brother Luis. He's rough of Cassiel though they do eventually come to an understanding of sorts. Cassiel's a little awkward and it was interesting to watch her Djinn instincts, that she's superior to humans, war against her new emotions and the attachments she's forming. Loved her! She's very matter of fact, literal and fierce when the people she's accepted are harmed. And you seriously do not want a pissed off Djinn on your hands.
"Why did you destroy Manny's office, then?" "I--can't breathe--" "That is the point of choking you," I pointed out. "Haste, please, if you want to live."
There's a lot of turmoil in the world of Djinn and Wardens and attacks are not coming at the Rocha family. That's where all the action come into play. Death threats, murder, kidnappings, weather attacks, gangs. But it goes deeper than just the Rocha family and Cassiel and Luis are left to figure out who is behind all the chaos and destruction. Even though there were a lot of issues between the two I loved the pairing and look forward to seeing how their relationship changes over time. They're both determined and fierce fighters who may struggle with morals from time to time but are people you'd want on your side.
Caine does some things to her main characters that I just couldn't believe. She's just an insane author and takes some pretty big risks. Half way through Undone my mouth literally dropped open. I was so completely dumb struck by what happened to the main group of characters. Damn the woman can put you through the wringer but really in the most excellent way. That's really all I can say without throwing in some major spoilers but damn I so didn't see it coming!
Really this was just an excellent book and I enjoyed every aspect of it. I'm dying to see what happens next. If you haven't read Caine she's a master at cliffhangers so be sure to have book 2 on hand. Can't believe I didn't plan ahead this time Learn from my mistake people.
Another brilliant story from Karen Marie Moning. I don't think she could write a bad book if she a...moreOriginally posted at Herding Cats & Burning Soup
Another brilliant story from Karen Marie Moning. I don't think she could write a bad book if she actually tried. I'll admit going in I wasn't all that interested in Adam Black's story, he just never grabbed my attention, but oh my God it was fantastic! I'm so a Drustan girl but Adam did a damn fine job of nearly edging him out as my favorite Highlander. The story was both action packed and interesting. Adam being banished from Faery by the Queen and made not only human but invisible. And if that wasn't enough to complicate his life throw in assassination attempts, a plot to overthrow the Queen and a single woman who could see him and might just be his salvation. Was just excellent.
And though she knew better than to ask, she did it anyway.“Okay. You got me. What’s B.A.?”
“Before. Adam. After Adam, you drive a BMW. I take care of what is mine. That Toyota wasn’t safe.”
Figured that arrogant beast would define himself as the dawning of an epoch.
Adam Black just might be the most arrogant, cocky, smug bastard I've ever spent time with and I absolutely loved him and his gorgeous self for it. He's one damn entertaining man who brought a lot of humor to the story. He had that whole protective, possessive alpha male going on that was just delicious too.
“He would be, she now knew, a whole lot dominant in bed and a little bit dirty."
Oh. My. I loved that we got to see a more human and vulnerable side to Adam along the way as well. How much he wanted to be seen for who he was and not just the preconceived notions everyone seemed to have about him. You really can't help but love this man. He really needed someone who wasn't afraid to stand up to him or put him in his place and Gabrielle seemed up for the challenge. They turned out to be a great couple. She's so fiery and I love that she'd fight back whenever she could and stood up for herself. She could be a complete hellcat and it was fantastic! I even loved how she'd go into little rants when she was flustered, tired, scared. It was so endearing and always had me smiling right along with Adam by the end of them.
“The Tuatha De do not speak of Tuatha De matter to"--he gave her an icy sneer--"mere mortals."
"Well, mister-mere-mortal-yourself," she bristled right back at him, "maybe you'd better get used to it, because whether or not you like it, you need at least one of us 'mere mortals' to help you become a pompous-asshole-fairy-thing again."
He tried to maintain his icy stare, but his lips curved despite his efforts and he shook with silent laughter. A pompous-asshole-fairy-thing. The indignity of it. Had any of his race ever been called such a thing? Nothing cowed the woman. Nothing. "Point made, ky-lyrra," he said dryly.
And oh my swoon! Drustan, Daegus and their women all showed up!! I absolutely loved how KMM used them in the story and that they immediately accepted Adam into their homes and were there for him. Made me love those boys even more.
The Immortal Highlander had me completely captivated, laughing out loud more than once and by the end had me bawling. It was a fantastic ride. Wonderful characters that made a fantastic couple, lots of action, sexy highlanders and getting to visit old friends, and the BIG gesture. I've got absolutely no complaints. I loved every second of it. If you're a fan of KMM, irresistible alpha males, fiery heroines and just a damn sweet love story you need to read this one. It seriously won't disappoint. (less)
Was it campy? Yeah, yeah it really was. Did I love it? Hell yeah I really did. How could you not l...moreOriginally posted at Herding Cats & Burning Soup
Was it campy? Yeah, yeah it really was. Did I love it? Hell yeah I really did. How could you not love a book that starts with the hero losing a fang in a blood donor sex bot? I mean, really?!
Roman pressed the handkerchief against the gaping hole where his right fang should be. "Thit."
"You could use your own healing powers to seal the vein shut," Laszlo suggested.
"It would be clothed permanently. I'd be a one-thided eater for all eternity." Roman removed the bloody handkerchief from his mouth and reinserted his fang into the whole. ... "Sir, I suggest you go to a dentist." Laszlo picked up the fang and offered it to Roman. "I've heard they can put a lost tooth back."
"Oh, right." Gregori snorted. "What's he supposed to do, waltz into a dental office and say, 'Excuse me, I'm a vampire and I lost a fang in the neck of a sex toy.' They're not going to be line up to help him."
I really enjoyed the world Sparks created where Vampires are still in the PNR closet and there's a battle going on between the modern vampires, who drink fake blood, and the Malcontents who still want to snack on people. After the whole sex bot debacle tensions rise even higher when Roman saves his human dentist from a Malcontent hitman that's been hired to eliminate her and decides he's going to protect her.
Right from the start there's an attraction between Vamp Master Roman and human dentist Shanna but it takes a while for things to really heat up since life and a lot of nosy vamps keep getting in the way.There's this whole Vampire Mind Sex thing, where they don't even have to be in the same room, that was...interesting. Kinda hot in an odd way until everyone living in the house tried to join in. Ack!
I really liked Roman. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and feels incredible guilt over being a vampire but he's sweet, thoughtful and pretty sexy. You just want to hug the guy and show him all of the good things he's done. Shanna though can be a bit hard to warm up to. She has a tendency to be irrational and doesn't handle finding out about vampires well at all. But once she settles down she's not bad and she does add a lot of humor to the storyline.
The support characters...OMG...fanfreakingtastic! LOVED them. A dozen Scottish highlanders? In kilts? And deep, sexy accents? Yes, please! There were a lot of side characters which could get a little confusing but they were so much fun and so entertaining I didn't mind having to sort them out. From the Scottish highlander vamps that provided security to the kinda geeky modern day vamp scientists. They added a fantastic layer to the story and I seriously cannot wait to read all of their stories.
She smiled. "You're looking hot, dude."
Gregori strutted toward the door. "I'm too sexy for my cape, too sexy for my fangs. Too sexy." He whirled in a circle, then struck a disco pose with a hand pointing at the ceiling. "Too sexy!" He left with a flourish of his cape.
Shanna grinned. "I think he enjoys being a vampire."
In the end I thought it was a fantastic start to a series and a lot of fun to read. If you go into this one expecting serious, dark vamps you're going to be damn disappointed. But if you can embrace a bit of over the top humor, some dramatics and just take it as light hearted entertainment you'll probably have a blast with this one like I did.(less)
Shelter Mountain, book two of Carr's Virgin River series, was a fantastic read. Carr really doesn'...moreOriginally posted at Herding Cats & Burning Soup
Shelter Mountain, book two of Carr's Virgin River series, was a fantastic read. Carr really doesn't hold back and takes you on an emotional ride in each of her books. From spousal abuse to teen pregnancy, dealing with miscarriage and life altering injuries. Her characters experience so many difficult things and do so with such grace. They're people you quickly grow attached to and ones you can't help but find yourself caring about and worrying over. The world she weaves is one that feels honest and believable and easily draws you in and leaves you wanting more. The relationships aren't too hot and steamy right away but more of a slow burn and in Preacher and Paige's case a really slow burn. I actually like the change of pace and getting to see the hero/heroine spending weeks or months getting to know and trust each other before the relationship develops into something more.
I loved Preacher's character in book one so was pretty excited to read his story. He's a huge bear of a man. Intimidating, solitary, quiet, and shy when it comes to women. Then Paige and her son Christopher stumble into the bar on a rainy night and everything changes for him. I loved getting to see Preacher change as the story went along. To soften a bit, realize he wanted more from his life than just being a cook and hunting. Carr did an amazing job getting across the emotional state and frame of mind of Paige who was a battered wife and on the run with her young son. How much fear and how little hope she had because of the abuse she suffered was heartbreaking. Pairing her with a woman-shy Preacher who was there to protect her but didn't push her relationship-wise was fantastic. I loved the two of them together and how their relationship developed. And that he'd do anything to protect and care for her and her son even if it meant her walking out of his life.
“Can't any of us stand up to those women?" "Nope," said at least three men in unison.
My only disappointment was the use of secondary characters. I usually love when they come back into the picture and you can see how they're doing but in this case they ended up seriously overpowering the main couple. Half way through the book it was almost as if Carr lost inspiration for the main couple leaving them with hardly any part in the storyline. She'd get back to them with a paragraph here or there but having major events taken place behind the scenes. [highlight for spoiler] Like the freaking proposal! We don't even get to see that happen. Just get told about it after the fact. That was pretty disappointing. The second half of the book is basically a continuation of Jack and Mel's HEA, a set up for future characters and a chunk about teenage Rick's life. It was all beautifully and emotionally written and I loved seeing all of the other characters but I was expecting a full novel about Preacher and Paige and felt a bit jipped how their story amounted to being more or less a novella. So a little disappointment for me but I'm still loving the series and the emotional reaction her writing brings out and am looking forward to diving into the rest of the series. (less)
I really enjoyed Donovan's Angel. It's a sweet, charming, has a little humor mixed in and a lot of small town drama. Paul, who's the town preacher, is...moreI really enjoyed Donovan's Angel. It's a sweet, charming, has a little humor mixed in and a lot of small town drama. Paul, who's the town preacher, is going about his business when his new neighbor falls into his life. Literally. As in, right out of a tree and into his garden. Martie's a tree climbing jazzercise teacher that plays baseball with the guys and wears wild crazy clothes. And Paul, he's completely and utterly smitten with this woman whose puppy who keeps stealing his things and bringing them home to his mistress. His purple socks, favorite boxers, every marigold in his flowerbeds.
I loved Martie and Paul as a couple. The two are so different from one another but absolutely perfect together. Martie's a free spirit wild child who fully embraces life balances Paul's quiet reserved soul. He's grounded, loves what he does and has a gentle, easy going spirit.
"You like playing with fire, don't you, Paul?" "Only since I met you."
Their relationship/courtship is really adorable. Martie is always trying to walk away from Paul because she doesn't think she's proper enough for a minister but Paul knows from the start that Martie is his future and the man gives chase. Just couldn't help but smile at his determination to win Martie over. He likes her just how she is, loud "honky tonk music", wild clothes, scandalous moments, the whole package. He just has to convince her that it doesn't matter what the town thinks. And man the little biddies in town make it rough on them.
This is short story and an older one. Was written back in 1986 plus it's kinda sorta a Christian romance so it's fairly tame and not nearly as racy as today's mainstream romance books tend to be. I kind of liked having a little change of pace and things being left to the imagination just a bit. Was a nice read about finding where you belong and overcoming small town opinions. Loved it!
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