The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake, #14) by Kerrelyn Sparks

The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


He's Out of Control

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he's ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There's even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal's gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

~~~~~

Another enjoyable read in the Love at Stake series. Dougal finally gets his chance at love. The vamps make some headway in their war against the Malcontents and we get to revisit several of the couples that have been featured in earlier books. Love this series!!



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Slashback (Cal Leandros, #8) by Rob Thurman

Slashback by Rob Thurman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I stopped and let them circle me, first because it was intriguing and, second, because, honestly, what could they do? Only knives, but all armed, and that made them even more interesting. Interesting. Fun.

Playtime…

Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living. But years ago—before they became a force to be reckoned with—the brothers were almost victims of a very human serial killer.

Almost.

Unfortunately for them, that particular depraved killer was working as apprentice to a creature far more malevolent—the legendary Spring-heeled Jack. He’s just hit town. He hasn’t forgotten what the Leandros brothers did to his murderous protégé. He hasn’t forgotten what they owe him.

And now they are going to pay… and pay… and pay.…

~~~


I am glad that Thurman seems to be going back to the action that I enjoyed so much in the earlier books in this series. A lot of information came out in this book. Robin's tie to the Leandros brothers. Things that happened in the past that relate to who and what the brothers are today. A lot of loose ends were tied up, but at the same time a lot was left open to the possibility of new story lines. I have not seen anything about rather another book is in the works for this series but with all of the things still left open I am certainly hoping so.



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UR by Stephen King

UR by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As quickly as a spider spins its web, King reminds us why he's the master of the novella - a format which, up until now that is, one might have thought is fast disappearing. In his new novella, UR, King is at his unsettling best as he examines the future of the written word - for better or worse. Following a nasty break-up, lovelorn college English instructor Wesley Smith can't seem to get his ex-girlfriend's parting shot out of his head: "Why can't you just read off the computer like the rest of us?" Egged on by her question and piqued by a student's suggestion, Wesley places an order for Amazon.com's Kindle eReader. The [pink?] device that arrives in a box stamped with the smile logo -via one-day delivery that he hadn't requested - unlocks a literary world that even the most avid of book lovers could never imagine. But once the door is open, there are those things that one hopes we'll never read or live through. Firm, gripping, and deftly written by a craftsman at the top of his game, this is King at his crisp, clear, page-turning best.

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This was a good, quick read. The ending came a bit abruptly for me. I was reading along and went to turn the page and was like "what?" I was not expecting an ending right then. lol Loved the glimpse into the Dark Tower series. I always love how King manages to bring other books into each of his stories.

Definitely worth the time that it takes to read.



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Doubletake (Cal Leandros, #7) by Rob Thurman

Doubletake by Rob Thurman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Half-human/half-monster Cal Leandros knows that family is a pain. But now that pain belongs to his half-brother, Niko. Niko's shady father is in town, and he needs a big favor. Even worse is the reunion being held by the devious Puck race-including the Leandros' friend, Robin- featuring a lottery that no Puck wants to win.

As Cal tries to keep both Niko and Robin from paying the ultimate price for their kin, a horrific reminder from Cal's own past arrives to remind him that blood is thicker than water-and that's why it's so much more fun to spill.

~~~~~~



I am glad that the author has gone back to her excellent use of nonstop action to keep the novel moving along. I am glad that Cal has begun to accept what/who he is and that the author moved away from all of the philosophical waxing that was rampant in the last couple of books. I love the relationship between Cal and Niko and the fact that nothing can ever come between them. The introduction of Grimm allows us to explore the Auphe aspect of Cal from a different point of view. We can now see what Cal could have been if not for the bond with Niko while still holding on to the possibility that Cal can retain his humanity.



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Undead and Undermined (Undead #10) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There’s no guarantee in life.
Or for that matter, death…

Vampire queen Betsy Taylor has awoken in a Chicago morgue, naked as a corpse. Her last memory is reconciling with her husband, Eric Sinclair, after a time-traveling field trip to hell (literally) with her sister, Laura. Now, she’s Jane Doe #291, wrapped in plastic with a toe tag. Betsy can’t help but wonder, what in hell happened?

For starters, she and Laura didn’t time-travel alone. What followed them had a wicked agenda: to kill Betsy in a time when she was young and vulnerable and end her future reign as queen. But it’s not just Betsy’s future that’s taken an unexpected detour. Everyone in her circle, alive or undead, is feeling the chill. Betsy can’t let the unthinkable happen. It would be a cold day in hell if she did.

~~~

I actually enjoyed this book more than the last one in this series. Maybe because I have had time to get over the trauma of the ending of the last book and I can see where MJD is trying to fix it. Maybe it is because I know that this is the second book in a three book arc in the midst of this series and I am hoping for some wonderful conclusion to this horrifying story line. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book so that I can see how MJD plans to redeem herself with the story of Betsy's reign of terror!



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Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse, #13) by Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart....

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough…

~~~~~



This was a good ending to Sookie's story. I think that she ended up with who she should have and the loose ends were wrapped up nicely. Been a very enjoyable sojourn in Sookie's life through this series. Glad that the author wrote a nice clean ending to Sookie's story.





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Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12) by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

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This read a bit like a mystery and the pace was much calmer than recent Sookie books. Not to say that it was not enjoyable. I liked the fact that things were not so crazy and hectic. I can see where the author is cleaning up loose ends in preparation for the last book in the series and I look forward to seeing how she leaves Bon Temp and all of it's residents at the end.



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Wall-to-Wall Dead (A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #6) by Jennie Bentley

Wall-to-Wall Dead by Jennie Bentley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Avery Baker never thought she’d leave Manhattan, until she inherited her aunt’s old Maine cottage and found her true calling—home renovation. But when Avery goes to work restoring a condominium, she discovers it’s another condo owner who’s been condemned...

Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money. It seems like a simple project—and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.

But they didn’t expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo, Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone’s comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she’s doing some snooping of her own—and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her...for good.

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Another okay read in the series. I guessed who done it fairly early on, just did not know why. This is kind of a ho hum series for me. I can live with or without it.



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