Madhouse: Cal Leandro #3 by Rob Thurman

Madhouse: Cal Leandro, Book 3 by Rob Thurman


From the back of the book

My brother had spent a lifetime - mine, at least - telling me that I was normal, that I wasn't a monster. With his help, I';d finally realized that as long as I could remain who I was, I could survive what I was. It was only bad genes.......

Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother, Niko, aren't exactly prospering with their preternatural detective agency. Who could have guessed that business would dry up in New York City, where vampires, trolls, and other creepy crawlies are all over the place?

But now there's a new arrival in the Big Apple. A malevolent evil with ancient powers, dead set on making history with on orgy of blood and murder, is picking off humans like sheep. And for Cal and Niko, this is one paycheck they're going to have to earn..if they live long enough to collect it.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another great book in this series. I was happy that the author gave us more background on Goodfellow and Promise. I like that the guys are bringing more people (beings) into their circle of trust. I like Ishiah and the possibilities of what he is and how he fits into the story.



Loved the ending and very much looking forward to the next book "Deathwish" due out in February, I believe.


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Peaceable Kingdom by Jack Ketchum

Peaceable Kingdom by Jack Ketchum

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was my introduction to Ketchum. I have several of his books on my TBR shelf and they sound like they are right up my alley, but I thought that I would read this anthology of his first to get a taste of his style.



Unlike most anthologies I can honestly say that there were not any stories that I 'did not' like. All of them were interesting even if they did vary quite a lot in theme and 'horror' content. I found some of the stories to be 'incomplete' in a way. I know that it is probably difficult to get a lot into a 12 page story so that is not surprising. It was very interesting to me that many of the stories were set in Florida, which is where I hail from.



Quite a nice introduction to Ketchum and I look forward to getting into a full length book of his.






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Dead Over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson

Dead Over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson


Three all-new paranormal stories of lust, laughter, and love from the New York Times bestselling author, including an original novella featuring Undead queen Betsy Taylor.

With her trademark "sassy dialogue, lusty lovemaking [and:] irreverent humor"* New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson delighted fans with her wickedly sexy and wildly funny anthology, Dead and Loving It-stories in which the worlds of the Wyndham Werewolves and Undead Queens collided. Now she returns to that sensual and irresistible after-dark realm of werewolves, vampires, and mermaids in three more original novellas--including an all-new Betsy Taylor novella.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Completely enjoyed all three stories in this book.



They were the MJD classics that I have come to know and love.



Reading about Betsy and Sinclair's honeymoon was great. I always enjoy the Wyndham Wolves and I am a huge fan of best friends falling in love. The Mermaid story was a lot of fun, especially since I just finished the two 'Fred the Mermaid' books right before reading it.



Love MJD's anthologies when I am in the mood for some fun, light reading. She always delivers.


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Swimming Without a Net (Fred the Mermaid, Book 2) by MaryJanice Davidson

Swimming Without a Net by MaryJanice Davidson


As Fred the Mermaid tries to fit in with her own kind, she finds herself hooked on both Artur, the High Prince of the undersea realm, and Thomas, a hunky marine biologist. She's also caught between two factions of merfolk: those happy with swimming under the radar-and those who want to bring their existence to the surface.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another enjoyable Fred the Mermaid book. I do enjoy MJD's writing style. When I am in the mood for some lighthearted fun reading I can rely on her.



The ending of this book left me wanting to read the next one right away. Sadly I will have to wait till November but I will be picking it up then.






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Sleeping with the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid, Book 1) by MaryJanice Davidson

Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson


Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.

While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a quick, fun, typical MJD read. Loved the characters and the storyline. Looking forward to more in the series.


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Undead and Unworthy (Undead Series, Book 7) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson


Seventh in the hilarious New York Times bestselling series featuring Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor - now with a hot new look.

The series New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan calls DELIGHTFUL, Wicked Fun "is looking hotter than ever"

No one does humorous romantic fantasy better than the incomparable MaryJanice Davidson (The Best Reviews), and nobody reigns over the undead with more savvy than her heroine Betsy Taylor, back to rule the nights as Vampire Queen--and survive the days as a new suburban bride. But it's not all marital bliss. Betsy's husband, Sinclair, has been perusing The Book of the Dead, Betsy's being hounded by a ghost who's even more insufferable in death than in life, and a pack of formerly feral vampires has decided to pay an unwelcome visit

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I was not at all happy with this book. MJD mentions taking the next few books in a new 'arc' and I can only wonder if said arc is total mindlessness. I mean in past books, yes Betsy was ditzy, but at least everyone else had some sense and Betsy's ditziness was funny. In this book everyone seemed to loose what brains they once had. From Nick's constant, idiotic put downs of Betsy, to Sinclair's monosyllable comments I found the entire book to be mindless dribble. Worse yet it was not even humorous dribble. Just mindless.



Towards the end of the book I had a small glimmer that there may actually be a plot with Fiends, but even that went south (though I won't spoil it for those who make it that far by telling you why).



The ending seems to put Betsy on a new -- I am bad and everyone is going to know it -- path, but only time will tell how that will go.



I will read the next book, because I am a sucker and I previously enjoyed this series. But I really hope for the sake of this series that MJD puts a little more substance in the next book.


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The Chocolate Bear Burglary (Chocoholic Mystery, Book 2) by JoAnna Carl

The Chocolate Bear Burglary by JoAnna Carl


Synopsis

In this brand-new mystery by the author of The Chocolate Cat Caper, Lee McKinney and her Aunt Nettie, small-town chocolatiers, are about to unwittingly step into some big-time crime.

But a curious Lee won't rest until their chocolate shop-not to mention their lives-are out of danger.

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Chocoholic Mystery series and I am still not thrilled with the author's writing style. But I have been told by a reliable source that this series does get better, so I plan to stick it out.



I figured out 'whodunit' fairly early in the story. There really were no surprises. I find the main character to be a bit annoying, but was happy that the whole 'twisted tongue' thing was not as prevalent in this book as the last one.



Have #3 here on my TBR shelf so will continue to read this series in the hopes that it improves soon.


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Endurance (Stardoc #3) by S.L. Viehl

Endurance by S.L. Viehl


Synopsis

Colonel Shropana was willing to destroy the Jorenians just to capture Dr. Cherijo Torin for the Allied League of Worlds—so she felt little remorse for selling him out to brutal Hsktskt slave traders. But just as Cherijo made her escape, the man she once loved stabbed her in the back—and handed her over to the same slavers.

Alone, hated, and feared by her fellow slaves, Cherijo needs all her training to save those in need—a difficult task amidst the endless brutality of their captors, but a far better fate than being the League's guinea pig. As she struggles despreately to help those she can, Cherijo reminds herself that good doctors don't let personal vendettas stand in the way of duty. But then, most doctors aren't Cherijo Torin...

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another great book in the Stardoc series. First I have to say that I have really enjoyed this series so far. I love the characters and have enjoyed the storyline.



I do have a couple complaints about this particular book. My major complaint was that I found Cherijo's continuous 'escapes' and throwing herself right into danger again to be a bit much. The first few times okay, but then it just got to be a bit mundane --happening again and again.



I did guess who the traitor was fairly easily and I was certain of the twist with Reever long before it was revealed.



Those things being said I would still recommend this series of books to any sci-fi fans and intend to continue to read the series and in fact am looking forward to starting the next one soon!


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