Saturday, May 29, 2010

Keeper of the Flames (Daughter of Destiny, Book 3) by Jenna Solitaire

Keeper of the Flames (Daughter of Destiny, Book 3) Keeper of the Flames by Jenna Solitaire


My name is Jenna Solitaire, and I am the Keeper of the Boards. With the elements of Air and Water at my command, I now go in search for the most dangerous Board I have sought so far—the Board of Fire.

From the searing desert of the Middle East, Jenna and Simon travel to the ancient city of Pompeii, following the clues to the hiding place of the Board of Fire—also known as the Board of the Flames. But Peraud is hot on their trail, and is more determined than ever to claim the two Boards the Keeper already possesses. Jenna must also contend with her growing attraction to Simon, who is torn by his desire for her—and his sacred duty to the Church.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another wonderful book in the Daughter of Destiny series. Jenna is learning more about the boards, what it means to be the Keeper and about herself. She is maturing and changing as her struggle to control the boards continues.

Can not wait to read the final book and see how this all works out.

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Keeper of the Waters (Daughter of Destiny, Book 2) by Jenna Solitaire

Keeper of the Waters (Daughter of Destiny, Book 2) Keeper of the Waters by Jenna Solitaire


My name is Jenna Solitaire—and I am the Keeper of the Boards. I have the Board of Air. And every day, I hear the voice of the Board of Water calling to me. Somehow, I must find it and master its powers--before someone else does...

Having mastered the power of the Board of Air, Jenna travels to Jerusalem to find the Board of Water. She is accompanied by Simon Monk, who seeks the Boards on behalf of the Vatican. Jenna doesn’t trust Simon, but he’s her only source of information about the Boards. In Jerusalem, Jenna meets Saduj, a local guide who claims to be able to help them find the Board they seek. Simon is suspicious, but Jenna finds herself strangely attracted to Saduj. Jenna must find the Board before it awakens and causes unimaginable destruction. But will she lose her heart—and possibly her life—in the process?



My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Quite enjoying this series. Surprisingly more than I expected. Fro a teen novel it is well written and quite the page turner. Looking forward to reading more.

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Keeper of the Winds (Daughter of Destiny, Book 1) by Jenna Solitaire

Keeper of the Winds (Daughter of Destiny, Book 1) Keeper of the Winds by Jenna Solitaire


My name is Jenna Solitaire and everything I thought I knew about myself, my family, and my future is wrong. My life is not my own. It never has been. I just didn’t know it—until now…

After the death of her grandfather, nineteen-year-old Jenna Solitaire finds an ancient wooden board hidden away in the attic of his house. Scorched by fire and covered in mysterious symbols, the board fascinates her—and scares her—at the same time. As does Simon Monk, the handsome stranger who has come into her life, claiming to know about the board. Even more frightening is the voice whispering in Jenna’s head, calling her “Keeper.” Does Jenna have power over the winds, as Simon claims? Is she truly the Daughter of Destiny?


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Surprisingly good start to a 4 books series. Enjoyed the idea and find the fact that the author is the main character interesting. Definitely going to read the next 3 now and then give them to my daughter to read.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10) by Charlaine Harris

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10) Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris


Sookie Stackhouse has finally settled into a relationship with the Viking vampire Eric, and her errant brother Jason seems to have his life in order, too. But all the other people in Sookie’s life – Eric himself, her former lover Bill, her friend and boss Sam – are having family problems. Eric’s maker shows up with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow, the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling, and Sam’s brother’s marriage is about to take place... or will it? The furor raised by the coming out of the two-natured has yet to settle; some people are just not ready to sit down to dinner with a man who turns into a dog. And Sookie herself is still recovering from her last ordeal. She’s definitely improving, physically and mentally, but she’s always going to have some dark moments now. The werewolves tell her that there have been strange and ominous passers-by in the Stackhouse woods; now Sookie is about to come face-to-face with one of her more distant relatives...

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Somewhat disappointed in this installment of Sookie. I guess I am just expecting too much, but I felt like I had been cheated after waiting a long year for the next book. Too many politics and not enough action. Sookie's obsession with family bothers me. She needs to understand that family is not always blood relatives. Lots of bits of things going on in this book, but no closure on most of it.

Hoping that we see a lot more action in the next Sookie when it comes out, sigh, next year.

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Sunday, May 9, 2010

Deep Blue (Beck Easton Adventure, A) by Tom Morrisey

Deep Blue (Beck Easton Adventure, A) Deep Blue by Tom Morrisey


A suspense-filled search for hidden treasureand hidden truths.
While University of Michigan graduate student Jennifer Cassidy is researching the family history of Cecilia Sinclair, a long-deceased Southern expatriate, she discovers that something of great value is hidden in a spring near the family plantation in Florida. Jennifer contacts Beck Easton, a cave diver and former Marine, to help her. When Beck finds a map, it sets off a race for gold, and both pro- and anti-Cuban groups follow Jennifer and Beck as they travel from Florida to the Bahamas to Lake Huron, tracking clues that pre-date the Civil War.
After nearly losing her life, Jennifer is confronted with the meaning of Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And she realizes that she will have to make a decisionwill she pursue gold and glory or God?


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very interesting read. I read this because my own little hick town is featured in the book. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Wonderful mystery that leads to a very interesting take on history. Main characters were enjoyable and enjoyed reading about the diving aspects of the book. Would definitely read more by this author if I came across it.

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Saturday, May 1, 2010

Undead and Unwelcome (Undead, #8) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unwelcome (Undead, #8) Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson



Betsy Taylor has problems that only a vampire queen/suburban wife could possibly understand. Such as taking the body of her werewolf friend Antonia-who died in her service-to Cape Cod, where she's not sure if the Wyndham werewolves will welcome her with fangs or friendship. Meanwhile, her posse back in St. Paul is sending frantic e-mails alerting Betsy to her half-sister's increasingly erratic behavior. Looks like the devil's daughter is coming into her own-and raising hell.



My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another fun chapter in Queen Betsy's life. These are such quick reads that I almost feel cheated. It goes by so quickly and then we have to wait, wait, wait for the next one.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Laura in the next book.

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Scar Night (Deepgate Codex, #1) by Alan Campbell

Scar Night (Deepgate Codex, #1) Scar Night by Alan Campbell


An insane angel, a bitter young assassin, a drunkard desperate to enact a father's revenge, and a naive boy angel wrapped in a dark steampunk setting...

In the city of Deepgate, suspended by chains over a seemingly bottomless abyss, there are two angels: one, an untested boy, the last of his line, forbidden to fly and unable even to wield the great heirloom sword of his legendary ancestors; the other, a psychotic murderess mad for revenge - or redemption.
When one of the city's own turns against its people, bringing enemies to its doorstep, both seek a powerful magic at the bottom of the chasm - and learn that what lies below is far more sinister than they've been taught to expect.


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting read. Different than my typical read and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, but I do have a couple of complaints. This book was mostly about world building, but I still have trouble imagining what Deepgate is. We get the basics, but there seems to be a lot missing. How and why was Deepgate created? What is the abyss? I just feel like the author spent a lot of time getting us acquainted with the world, but did not go into any depth.

The characters are well developed and likable. I really want to read more about what happens with Dill, Rachael and Carnival.

For me the books was just getting good when it ended. So I am looking forward to the next book which I hope to be able to get to soon.

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