Drayton, the Taker (Drayton, the Taker #1) by Tony Bertauski

Drayton, the Taker by Tony Bertauski

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Drayton once believed he was a vampire. He doesn't know what he is. Or why he lives. He takes not his victim's blood but the silky essence of their soul during their last breath. Often mistaken for the Angel of Death, his victims sometimes ask for forgiveness. Sometimes he delivers. After all, he is not without sin.

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I very much enjoy this author's work. His writing is captivating right from the beginning and he writes with such depth that even a short novella like Drayton draws you in and keeps you reading.

I picked this first novella of the Drayton Chronicles up free at Amazon, and I immediately purchased the entire set as soon as I finished reading this.


Drayton is such an interesting character and I am very curious to read more about him, especially his origins. To read about a creature like Drayton who seems to have turned his need to consume human life into something positive makes for a very interesting read. Looking forward to reading more......



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Cat Calls by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cat Calls by Cynthia Leitich Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tiffany's grandmother sees something wild in her future -- but is 16-year-old Tiffany prepared for the powerful shape it will take? When she takes over her grandmother’s fortune telling booth for a day, some really strange things happen… CAT CALLS is a short story by New York Times Bestseller Cynthia Leitich Smith -- set in the same dark universe as her novels Tantalize, Eternal, and Blessed.

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This story was almost too short. Seemed like as soon as we were introduced to the main character it was over. I was a little put off by how there was no prior mention of shifters but the Tiff was so accepting of what she was. Would have been okay if this was tied into a series or another book, but as a stand alone just did not have enough meat.



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Haunted Love by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Haunted Love by Cynthia Leitich Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Spirit, Texas, is a town of secrets, and as the new owner of the local haunted movie theater, Cody Stryker is juggling more than his fair share. When a mysterious new girl comes to town and runs afoul of the ghost that lives in his theater, Cody’s caught in the middle and needs to figure out exactly who he can trust. HAUNTED LOVE is a short story by New York Times Bestseller Cynthia Leitich Smith -- set in the same dark universe as her novels TANTALIZE, ETERNAL, and BLESSED.
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I quite enjoyed this short story. There was enough action to keep you reading and enough depth to the characters to make you interested in what happens to them. For a short story, well written.



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Northern Bites, a.k.a. Canada Sucks: A Very Short Vampire Story by Alex M. Bright

Northern Bites, a.k.a. Canada Sucks: A Very Short Vampire Story by Alex M. Bright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There's a reason vampire stories don't usually take place in Canada.

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This was a very short, amusing story about a vampire who gets nagged into going north for the longer nights, just to find that it is not so easy getting a meal when your dinner is wrapped in several layers of clothes to stay warm.



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A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden

A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.

Originally part of an Entangled anthology.

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This was a quick interesting read. Not a lot of character development, but for a 50 page read it was not bad. Plot was good and I can imagine the world being expanded for a full length novel.



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Bedtime Stories for Children You Hate by Antoinette Bergin

Bedtime Stories for Children You Hate by Antoinette Bergin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Hate cute stories? Hate happy endings? Hate children? Not quite right in the head? If so, this deliciously twisted storybook is dedicated just to you.

Includes "Your Upstairs Neighbor Kills People" and "Blood in the Sink". You know you want this book. It can be our secret.

**NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN**



There were a couple amusing stories, a couple stupid stories, but overall a quick amusing read.



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A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones #1) by Katie MacAlister

A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


All Joy Randall wants is a little old-fashioned romance, but when she participates in a "Goddess evoking" ceremony with her friend, Roxy, Joy finds out her future true love is a man with the potential to put her immortal soul in danger. At first the ever-practical Joy is ready to dismiss her vision as a product of too much gin and too many vampire romances, but while traveling through the Czech Republic with Roxy, Joy begins to have some second thoughts about her mystery lover because she is suddenly plagued by visions of a lethally handsome stranger. Then, when she and Roxy attend a local GothFaire, Joy meets Raphael Griffin St. John, head of security, and she becomes even more bewildered because the dark and dangerous Raphael seems too close to her dreams for comfort.

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Totally enjoyed this quirky romance. I forget how much I enjoy sappy romances until I start reading them. Seems that I don't really read them as much as I probably should.

Loved Joy's personality and her humor. Enjoyed the story line and look forward to reading more about the Dark Ones and their Beloved.





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Paths Not Taken (Nightside #5) by Simon R. Green

Paths Not Taken by Simon R. Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


John Taylor just discovered his long-gone mother created the Nightside—the dark heart of London—and intends to destroy it. To save his birthplace, he will have to travel back through a very distant—and probably deadly—past.

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I am enjoying this series. In this book John learns more about his mother and her creation of the Nightside. We also get to explore John and Shotgun Suzie's relationship as it develops. Not really sure where it is going, but it is nice to see that John does have the ability to love someone.



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Wedding Day Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #8) by Leslie Meier

Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Already juggling four kids’ hectic schedules, a rambunctious dog, an attention-craving husband, and a full-time reporter job, Lucy Stone can’t possibly squeeze in another responsibility…or can she? When Sue Finch asks for help planning her daughter Sidra’s wedding to Internet millionaire Ron Davitz, loyal pal Lucy willingly dives into the world of white lace, roses, and chair rentals. What could be more perfect than a backyard Summer wedding in the Stones’ newly built gazebo?

Yet when the groom’s body is found floating beside his yacht, Lucy isn’t convinced it was an accidental drowning. From the picturesque waterfront to toney Smith Heights Road, Tinker’s Cove is awash with suspects. Now, fresh from planning Sidra’s wedding, Lucy finds herself contemplating her own funeral as she launches the harrowing pursuit of a killer who will do anything to keep from being unveiled…

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I enjoyed my visit to Tinker's Cove with Lucy and her family as Lucy helps her best friend Sue plan her daughter's wedding. It is always fun to see what is going on in the Stone household as the kids grow up and Lucy tries to deal with life as a small town housewife.

My favorite lines of the book --

"in moments the school bus wold arrive for the last time until next September. It was Monday, June 17 -- the last day of school. Watching the second hand jump forward, Lucy felt her freedom ticking away. This must be what it feels like to be a condemned prisoner who hears her last appeal has been denied, she thought."






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Hex and the City (Nightside, #4) by Simon R. Green

Hex and the City by Simon R. Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Lady Luck has hired John Taylor to investigate the origins of the Nightside--the dark heart of London where it's always 3 A.M. But when he starts to uncover facts about his long-vanished mother, the Nightside--and all of existence-- could be snuffed out.

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I am enjoying this series as we discover more about who John Taylor is and finally find out who his mother is. I love the new characters who are introduced in each book as well as seeing old faces again. Looking forward to seeing how John handles this new twist of knowing who his mother is and finding a way to save the Nightside.



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