Pride (Shifters, #3) by Rachel Vincent

Pride by Rachel Vincent

I'm on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human. I'm two for three. A goner. Now we've discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It's up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc's help, I think I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council. If I survive my own trial…


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love this series. Faythe is on trial for her life, accused of infecting and then murdering her human ex-boyfriend. Seems that a couple of the Alpha's on the Tribunal determining her fate have a personal vendetta against her and she could be facing the death penalty.

When a couple of hikers go missing in the area and the Pride picks up scents of strays they are forced to take action. Finding a stray tabby was not in the plan, especially one who does not seem to know what she is. Faythe is the only one who can earn the tabby's trust and find out what is going on which of course puts her right in the middle of the danger, again.

Can not wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.


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Dark Advent by Brian Hodge

Dark Advent by Brian Hodge

In a deserted midwestern department store, a few people banded together for survival. But beyond their temporary haven, an evil was stirring, an evil that preyed upon human weakness for its own twisted ends.



My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a good read. I have pretty much been glued to it for the last 2 days cause I did not want to put it down. A lot of similarities in this book to 'The Stand' by Stephen King, but I am pretty sure that this book came out a couple months before King's book based on the copyright dates.

This is pretty much the typical, apocalyptic plague wipes out most of humanity leaving groups of good and groups of evil battling each other for survival, book. The characters are very well developed. The storyline keeps you wanting to read and the ending is a bit of a surprise. I would highly recommend this to any fans of 'The Stand' or ' Swan Song'.


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Murder By Numbers: A Sudoku Mystery #2 by Kaye Morgan

Murder By Numbers: A Sudoku Mystery by Kaye Morgan


Puzzle master Liza Kelly must sharpen her pencil-and her wits-to solve a calculated killing. Second in the Sudoku mystery series--from the author of Death by Sudoku.

Taking on the role of publicist puts Liza in the center of the action on the production of the film Counterfeit, where inflated egos and artistic temperaments clash both on set and off. But when one of the film's major players is found dead, Sudoku Maven Liza realizes that the numbers don't quite add up. Now it's up to her to investigate the cast and crew in order to determine just who wrote this death scene.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first book in the series. The mystery in this one really had nothing to do with Soduko, and in itself was not that interesting. Liza's thought process in trying to figure out who done it was rather drawn out and repetitive. Will continue with the series to see how the next book is, but was not overly impressed with this one.

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Death by Sudoku: A Sudoku Mystery (Sudoku Mysteries) by Kaye Morgan

Death by Sudoku: A Sudoku Mystery by Kaye Morgan

Maiden's Bay is a small, scenic town on the Oregon Coast where citizens get their number fix thanks to Liza Kelly-Sudoku Maven with the Oregon Daily. Her challenging puzzles sharpen the mind, and her deductive skills unravel even the most enigmatic clues.

Liza enters a Sudoku tournament in which her old friend and competitor turns up dead. Now, she must think outside the boxes to find a murderer.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable first book in a the cozy Sudoku Mystery series. The main character is likable as are the supporting characters. I enjoyed the coded Sudoku puzzles part of the mystery and overall it was a quick fun read. I like the two men in Liza's life. Not sure which I would choose for her but look forward to getting to know them both a little more. Love Mrs. H, Liza's matchmaking next door neighbor. Looking forward to reading #2 to see where the author goes with the story.
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Deathwish (Cal Leandros, Book 4) by Rob Thurman

Deathwish by Rob Thurman


In a nightmarish new york city, life is there for the taking...

Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko are hired by the vampire Seamus to find out who has been following him—until Seamus turns up dead (or un-undead). Worse still is the return of Cal’s nightmarish family, the Auphe. The last time Cal and Niko faced them, they were almost wiped out. Now, the Auphe want revenge. But first, they’ll destroy everything Cal holds dear...

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another enjoyable story about Cal & Niko. The Auphe who managed to survive their last encounter with Cal & Niko are back and bent on revenge. They have promised to kill everyone that Cal cares about and only then deal with Cal himself. We also meet Cherish, Promise's wayward daughter (who btw Niko knew nothing about). Needless to say she is NOT a chip off the old block.
I do have a complaint. I very much disliked how the author jumped back and forth between Nik and Cal narrating the book. Each chapter would change from one to the other and I did not like it. If anything I think it took away from the story since we got a lot of introspection from each character as well as the story.
Looking forward to the next chapter in the lives of Nik & Cal.
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Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6) by J.R. Ward

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward


In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance saga, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other--six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love...


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another great book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
It has been a year since I read the last book and I don't remember Phury being so messed up. But it was wonderful to get to know him better. Even more so with this book was the fact that so many things were happening in the whole Brotherhood story. It really is like stepping into and immersing yourself in a whole new world. I love getting to know the boys better (John, Blay and Qhuinn). I liked finding out more about Rhev and I love where the books are going. Can not wait to get my hands on the next one. I hope that JR Ward keeps the Brotherhood around for a long long time. I can not imagine not having another book to look forward to.
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Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Troy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off a New York subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high school dropout guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troy's dad thinks Curt's a drug addict and Troy's brother thinks Troy's the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curt's recruited Troy as his new drummer—even though Troy can't play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troy's own life, forever.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good read. Realistic fiction with a look into the world of teens who do not fit in or conform to what society accepts as the norm. Instead of being about how society sees these kids it is more about how the kids see themselves and how they think society sees them. I love the way the author created the main characters of Troy and Curt and the humor that she used to write about them. I love the way that Troy evolves after becoming friends with Curt and learns to accept himself for who he is. Abrupt ending, but the possibilities are there!!
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The Lost by Jack Ketchum

The Lost by Jack Ketchum


It was the summer of 1965. Ray, Tim, and Jennifer were just three teenage friends hanging out in the campgrounds, drinking a little. But Tim and Jennifer didn't know what their friend Ray had in mind. And if they'd known, they wouldn't have thought he was serious. Then they saw what he did to the two girls at the neighboring campsite--and knew he was dead serious.

Four years later, the 60s were drawing to a close. No one ever charged Ray with the murders in the campgrounds, but there was one cop determined to make him pay. Ray figured he was in the clear. Tim and Jennifer thought the worst was behind them, that the horrors were all in the past. They were wrong. The worst was yet to come.

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an okay read. I really would not classify it as horror, even though that is what it says on the spine. It is your basic murder story. Ray Pye murders a couple of teenage girls and gets away with it. Two cops know he did it but can not find the evidence they need to convict him for it. Four years later we get a glimpse into the life of Ray, see the cops push him on the murder, and see him break. The end is pretty much the only really horrific action of the book and it was tame compared to a lot now days. I look forward to reading some of Ketchum's other books, but this was probably not a great introduction to his work.
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The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

What was with that bizarre fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin? Why would a miller claim that his daughter can spin straw into gold? Why would the king believe him? And why would a odd little man that can spin straw into gold do so in exchange for a tiny gold ring? The story is just silly. In an attempt to make sense of it all, Vivian Vande Velde retells this wayward fairy tale, providing six alternative takes on the classic account. All six are woven into rich chronicles - all of which are far more intriguing and revealing than the original tale.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute book with 6 different versions of the classic fairy tale 'Rumpelstiltskin'. The only version that I really did not care much for was the 1st one - 'A fairy tale in bad taste' - about a troll named Rumpelstiltskin who wanted to eat a human baby. My favorites were the 2nd story - Straw Into Gold & the last story - As good as gold. I really enjoyed the author's note at the beginning of the book explaining why she did not like the original version of the story.


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Growing Wings by Laurel Winter

Growing Wings by Laurel Winter


When 11-year-old Linnet discovers she is growing wings, her bewilderment is confounded by her mother's obvious distress. As it turns out, her mother also grew wings on the cusp of adolescence, only to have them cut off by her mother. Linnet's life seems to speed up rapidly after her shocking discovery; she soon finds herself alone on her estranged grandmother's doorstep, and shortly thereafter, at a type of secret residence for winged people like herself. As she tries to adapt to a life she never expected, Linnet struggles with desires common to anyone who has ever wanted desperately to fit in, while simultaneously seeking to embrace uniqueness.

This unusual novel will strike a chord with young readers who long to both blend in and stand out. Linnet is a sensitive, strong, fallible girl, easy to relate to (in spite of her unusual physical traits). Her adventures as she tries to learn how to fly (just having wings isn't enough--it takes hard work and practice), make friends, find her mother, and, with her winged community, avoid being noticed by the media, make for an entirely new kind of science fiction-fantasy story--one that soars. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an enjoyable story about a young girl, Linnet, who suddenly starts to sprout wings. She finds out that her mother also had wings when she was young, but they had been cut off by her mother, making her a 'cutwing'. When the Linnet begins to quesiton her mother it is more than her mother can take and she takes Linnet on a journey that ends up at a hideaway in the mountains where other winged people, as well as other cutwings, are living in seclusion. Here Linnet explores her newly grown wings as she experiments with flying and tries to deal with the impact that the wings have on her life and her future.
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