The Dragon Delasangre: Dragon Delasangre, 1 by Alan F. Troop

The Dragon Delasangre: Dragon Delasangre, 1 by Alan F. Troop

Here, at last, are the confessions of one Peter DelaSangre, who tells of his life on an island off the coast of Miami...of his lonely balancing act between the worlds of humans and dragons...and of the overwhelming need that gives his life purpose: To find a woman of his own kind...



My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a little surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book. It is not in any way to be confused with the typical Paranormal Romance books available in this genre. Peter DeLeSangra is a Dragon. A cold blooded, human eating. dragon who can shape shift into human form as well. I bounced back and forth from feeling revulsion for Peter to feeling pity for him. The storyline introduces us to Peter well into his life, as he searches for his life mate, a female Dragon, who will be his wife and life partner. I am not even sure what it was that kept me so engrossed in the story of Peter's life, but I was and I picked up book #2 immediately after finishing this one last night.

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Crooks, Crimes, and Christmas (Wwl Mystery, 473) by Susan Slater, Ed Gorman, Irene Marcuse

Crooks, Crimes, and Christmas by Susan Slater


Four Festive Tales Of Foul Play . . . With All The Trimmings

A Way to the Manger
Susan Slater

A local teen is missing and Native American psychologist Ben Pecos begins to piece together some disturbing facts. The girl, a high school basketball star, harbors a dark and painful secret, one that puts her on a collision course with a ring of human predators.

The Santa Claus Murders
Ed Gorman

Iowa lawyer turned private eye Sam McCain stumbles over a dead Santa at a Black River Falls Christmas party. Sam knows the real tragedy is that the victim will hardly be mourned. Sam begins to look for answers and finds deception, blackmail and . . . A second body . . .

What Child Is This
Irene Marcuse

It's Christmas morning and New York Social worker Anita Servi goes out to buy bagels -- and comes home with a baby. The infant belongs to a struggling addict trying to go clean, but it was the woman's sister who handed Anita the baby -- as well as the mystery of his mother's murder.

The Gold Band
Michael Jahn

When NYPD Captain Bill Donovan finds a gold ring inside a Christmas goose, his curiosity gets the better of him. His investigation leads to Manhattan's meat district, where he finds himself sorting through a rash of break-ins, a henhouse full of ex-cons and the kind of mayhem that promises a holiday to remember.


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I almost gave up reading this book after finishing the first story - 'A Way to the Manger'. I found it hard to get into the characters. Seemed like I was missing a lot of background information about the relationships involved. There really was not a mystery per say and the plot itself was not that entertaining. But I stuck it out and read the next story which was much more interesting.

I actually enjoyed all of the last 3 stories about equally. Each was interesting in it's own way.

I really liked the main characters in all 3 of the stories and would not mind picking up some of the series books that they are in.

Overall an interesting introduction to some new authors.

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Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


When 11-year-old Marty Preston chances upon a mistreated beagle pup in his hometown of Friendly, West Virginia, he is not prepared for the ethical questions he has to face. Should he return the dog to its owner, only to have the animal abused again? Should he tell his parents? Should he steal food to help the poor creature? Marty's efforts to cope with these questions provides the moral backbone for this story, which is presented in a language and manner that will be understood by third- and fourth-grade readers. The heart and beauty of this 1992 Newbery Medal winner lies in lessons children will take away with them.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reading this with my 5th Grade Literacy Circle.

This was a wonderful story about the lengths that a boy will go to in order to save the dog he has grown to love. It is gives a lot of insight into how one lie can lead to another to the point where you lose you way. How hard work and determination can pay off in the end. Totally enjoyed reading this with my 5th graders.

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Covet (Fallen Angels, #1) by J.R. Ward

Covet by J.R. Ward


Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.



My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Being a big fan of Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I started reading this book with high expectations. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed.

The first book in a new series which has some similarities to the BDB series was a definite 'stay up all night and read' book. The premise of the book -- angels versus demons in a final deciding battle to rule -- is an interesting one.

Jim Heron is the one chosen by both sides to be the 'quarterback' in this final game. He has enough good and evil in him to satisfy both sides.

I love the fact that the Fallen Angels are big bad Harley riders (one of the similarities to BDB).

I can not wait to see where Ms. Ward takes this series. I will be waiting none to patiently for the next in the series to see how she is going to carry on the storyline!

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Fade Out (The Morganville Vampires, #7) by Rachel Caine

Fade Out by Rachel Caine


Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again...

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger-and way more dangerous-than anyone suspected.



My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Totally enjoyed this seventh book in the Morganville Vampires series. I really enjoyed Claire's further development into a young woman as well as her developing relationship with Michael.
The storyline was great, loved learning more about Myrnin and Ada, as well as Amelie and Oscar's relationship.

I am really looking forward to the next in the series!!

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May Bird and the Ever After: Book One (Paperback) by Jodi Lynn Anderson

May Bird and the Ever After: Book One by Jodi Lynn Anderson


Most people aren't very comfortable in the woods, but the woods of Briery Swamp fit May Bird like a fuzzy mitten. There, she is safe from school and the taunts and teases of kids who don't understand her. Hidden in the trees, May is a warrior princess, and her cat, Somber Kitty, is her brave guardian.

Then May falls into the lake.

When she crawls out, May finds herself in a world that most certainly does not feel like a fuzzy mitten. In fact it is a place few living people have ever seen. Here, towns glow blue beneath zipping stars and the people -- people? -- walk through walls. Here the Book of the Dead holds the answers to everything in the universe. And here, if May is discovered, the horrifyingly evil Bo Cleevil will turn her into nothing.

May Bird must get out.

Fast.



My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reading this with my 9 year old dd to encourage her to read bigger books.

1/10/10 -- Finished reading this with my daughter. It really is a quite enjoyable story. Fun and well written. We are both looking forward to reading the next 2 books in the series as well.

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A Touch of Dead (Southern Vampire Mystery Short Stories) by Charlaine Harris

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris


Every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written—in one special volume—from the New York Times bestselling author.

New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her “spunky” (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written—together in one volume.

Stories include “Fairy Dust,” “One Word Answer,” “Dracula Night,” “Lucky,” and “Giftwrap.”

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gotta love Sookie!! I got this book in the mail yesterday and finished it last night. It was great to get all of the short stories together in one place. I do have all of the anthologies that these stories appear in but it was nicer to sit down and read them back to back in one book. My favorite was probably the last one -- 'Gift Wrap' simply because it was a fun story. The story about Sookie's cousin Hadley filled in some of the background that I felt was missing concerning Hadley's death in the regular Sookie books. I really enjoy this series and loved reading this book!

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Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith


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Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her parents are dead, and her hybrid-werewolf first love is threatening to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. Then, as she and her uncle are about to unveil their hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef. Can Quincie transform their new hire into a culinary Dark Lord before opening night? Can he wow the crowd in his fake fangs, cheap cape, and red contact lenses — or is there more to this earnest face than meets the eye? As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms, and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything? TANTALIZE marks Cynthia Leitich Smith’s delicious debut as a preeminent author of dark fantasy.


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was okay. I know that it is a teen book but to me it was just a bit too juvenile. The plot was a bit disjointed and the ending, while I saw it coming a mile away, was a bit abrupt and unsatisfying. The characters were a bit too shallow. I suppose it would be an okay read for the younger teen into vampire romance, but there are so many great teen paranormal books out there that this one really does not make the list for me.

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