Sunday, October 24, 2010

Breed by Owl Goingback

BreedBreed by Owl Goingback

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There is a dark underside to the sunny city of St. Augustine, Florida. An ancient evil is awakened in the Tolomato Cemetery, and is intent on stalking and destroying the citizens of the town. The evil creature, a Shiru, was believed to be a mythical beast from ancient Indian legend. The legend says the Shiru once roamed the earth attempting to mate with the women of the local Indian tribes in an effort to breed, but the Indians recognized the danger and hunted them down, destroying their hideous deformed offspring. But this legend is so old, that almost no one in modern day St. Augustine knows of it, and if they did they wouldn't believe it...that is until one, summoned by three women dabbling in black magic, crosses over from the dead. Now the Shiru is determined to get revenge on the human race, and to breed with a strong woman with an ancient blood line. Unbeknownst to her, local tour-guide, half Cherokee Ssabra Onih, is the Shiru's target. Fortunately for her, and the rest of the town, the spirit of Chief Tolomato comes to guide her, and enlist her help to hunt down the evil Shiru and send it back to the underworld. At the same time city police officer, Jack Colvin is working hard to track down the perpetrator of a series of grisly murders. Soon Colvin's and Onih's paths cross, and they join forces with the help of Chief Tolomato and other friendly spirits, in a desperate attempt to stop the seemingly invincible Shiru.



An okay read. I enjoyed the fact that it was set in St. Augustine. Being a Floridian and having visited St. Augustine on several occasions it was fun to read about it. The storyline was okay, the plot was good enough to keep me reading. Not a lot of 'horror', but some moments.



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Saturday, October 16, 2010

Steward of Song by Adam Stemple,

Steward of SongSteward of Song by Adam Stemple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Stemple explores the complications of family ties in this shimmering sequel to 2005's Singer of Souls. American musician Douglas Stewart has imprisoned his former mistress, the evil but beautiful former queen Aine, and now rules the Daoine Sidhe. Douglas's sister, Bridie, a former cop, thinks he killed their grandmother and is scouring Scotland for him. Their brother, Scott, an Iraq war veteran tormented by hallucinations, is stuck caring for the baby who has mysteriously appeared on his doorstep. Fortunately, Mundoo, a mysterious Native American god, is around to provide parenting advice. When the siblings reunite in the realm of the Sidhe, Bridie and Scott must decide how much Douglas, who seems to be taking a turn for the megalomaniacal, can be trusted with his newfound power. Stemple riffs off Native American and Celtic myths with ease while skillfully depicting a world where any move can have dire consequences.



Wonderful follow up to 'Singer of Souls'. In fact this book was twice as good as the first. I read it in a day which is always a sign that a book is too good to put down. Highly recommend this fantasy novel to all.



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Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple

Singer of SoulsSinger of Souls by Adam Stemple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis
From the son of fantasist and children’s author Jane Yolen, an assured debut novel of dark fantasy

Publishers Weekly
At the start of Stemple's wonderful fantasy debut, his first solo effort (he's collaborated with his mother, Jane Yolen, on children's music books), Douglas "Doc" Stewart, a recovering heroin addict and talented street musician, flees Minnesota for Scotland and his Grandma McLaren, who welcomes her grandson with open arms but warns, "I've buried three husbands and I'll bury you, too, if need be." Doc's subsequent success as a busker in Edinburgh strengthens his resolve to stay clean. During the Fringe arts festival, he meets a fey young woman, Aine, who gives him the gift of sight distilled in white powder he shoots into his arm. This ability to perceive the faery world puts him in grave danger after Aine is abducted by a strange priest, Father Croser, who uses his own magical sight for evil purposes. A "bogie" (or mischievous spirit) enlists Doc's assistance in rescuing Aine, but Doc soon finds himself drawn into a faeryland that's alarmingly similar to the world of addiction he thought he'd escaped forever and an erotic adventure that holds shocking consequences. Fans of Charles de Lint and Clive Barker will find much to like.



Great read. An interesting take on Fairies. Douglas was a likeable character and the storyline kept me wanting to read.

I did not care much for the ending, but am already well into the second book and I am enjoying it just as much as the first.



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Saturday, October 9, 2010

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi (Succubus Diaries #1) by Jill Myles

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi (Succubus Diaries, #1)Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Who knew an angel could get a girl in so much devilish trouble?

Jackie Brighton woke up in a dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her breasts grew overnight, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever . . . with a fallen angel.

Of course, she only remembers gorgeous Noah’s enormous, er, package. And their steamy shower sex. Hmm . . . and the dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a seductive Itch.

With help from Noah and fellow succubus Remy Summore, Jackie adapts to her new lifestyle—until she accidentally strikes a deal that sends her lover into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands Jackie, Remy, and the queen’s wickedly hot right-hand man into the middle of a fierce battle for an ancient halo.

But how’s a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy’s so hard to resist



Has potential. I like the storyline, even if some of it is a bit far fectched. Looking forward to seeing where the author goes from here.



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Numbers (Numbers #1) by Rachel Ward

Numbers (Numbers, #1)Numbers by Rachel Ward

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris
wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!



This was a good, but heart breaking book. I liked the characters and the storyline was okay. Will read the next book when I can get my hands on it.



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Saturday, October 2, 2010

Lilith's Brood (Xenogenesis #1-3) by Octavia E. Butler

Lilith's Brood (Xenogenesis, Books 1-3)Lilith's Brood by Octavia E. Butler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dawn: After nuclear war destroys the world, Earths survivors are rescued by the miraculously powerful Oankali aliens- who survive by merging genetically with primitive peoples without their permission.

Adulthood Rites: Desperate to regain their world, childless humans seek to cleanse the alien taint by kidnapping hybrid children. But the raiders are blind to the truth of Earths new children.

Imago: The futures of both humans and aliens rest in one young beings successful metamorphosis into adulthood.



A very interesting read from Octavia Butler. Keeping in mind that this is actually 3 book sin one, it took some time to read, but was enjoyable.



Very interesting take on aliens taking over the world, and so much more that that. Thought provoking to say the least.



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Plaster and Poison (A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #3) by Jennie Bentley

Plaster and Poison (A Do-It-Yourself Mystery, #3)Plaster and Poison by Jennie Bentley AKA Bente Gallagher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Ex-New York designer Avery Baker left the bustle of the big city to start her own home renovation business in Maine. But as she renovates an old carriage house on behalf of a soon-to-be wed friend, she stumbles across a lifeless body-a person known all too well by the blushing bride. The small town is abuzz with big suspicions, and Avery realizes she must unravel a matrimonial murder.



Very much enjoying this series. Great characters, interesting mysteries and some nice do it yourself tips. A series that I am going to continue reading without a doubt.







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