Tons of people have heard about Betsy the Vamp Queen. This book is MUCH better than the previous story. This had more plot, fun, twists and was a breeze to read. Just in time for the holidays too!!! Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson..truly, another fun read!!
The buzz that you've been hearing about, this book called Dark Lover by
J.R Ward is accurate. Provided that you've been hearing good things about it.
It is one that will quickly become a favorite...depending on your "taste" for paranormal romance. It delivers!!
Be Mine Forever was a fine paranormal read as well. Not the same caliber as Dark Lover, but close. Close enough to recommend.
This was the first book I've ever read that was written by a .....oh geez, I don't know the PC term...a truly talented sista, a black woman who knows how to write great action, romance and balances her culture with style. I say "her culture" because there is a STRONG element of inner city speak. Her use gives us readers a healthy dose of flavor without turning us off by confusing us with a dialect that is unknown and unheard in many parts of our great country. Never-the-less, it enhances the story. It made me feel as though I was reading about another world and it is really, to a white girl like me...or whatever the PC word is for me....geesh....its like walking on eggs here.
I mean I really, REALLY loved this story, but I have to make you understand that this style of writing in new, fresh and exciting for me. For others, its no big deal, its how they really talk, relate and are. Cool. The first book, Minion, by L.A. Banks is awesome. You don't get everything you think you aught. And you know what? That's OK. because the author comes through with gusto in the following books. Unfortunately for me...my entire library system only has a few of Ms. Banks books...the one after this would be The Awakening..and both libraries that have it on file.....it's overdue...one is by at least 3 weeks. Something tells me the books are so good, someone wants to keep them!!!
So , I had to jump to the next book in the series. I was worried that I would be kind of lost, you know, by not reading in order? My fears were unfounded,
Mz. Banks knew how to weave the past into the present books so I was up to speed. The Hunted. The story goes like this.::::"Having successfully averted a vampire civil war, vampire huntress Damali Richards heads for Brazil to investigate a series of horrific killings perpetrated by a vicious female were-demon and her crew in retaliation for the deaths of her people." I would recommend this book..oh YES!!!
The next book in line that I would have read is BITTEN, but once again, the library system fails me. Sooooo I'm going to read the one AFTER that..this one is called The Forbidden and it is next on my TBR pile. This one is ::"Damali and her fellow members of the Guardian squad confront their ultimate nemesis in the evil persona of Lilith, the consort of the Un-Named One, who has been summoned from the seventh level to open the portals of Hell and destroy Damali and her associates."::
Don't they sound exciting????!!!!!!
Really, give L. A. Banks a try. She's worth every minute.
A taste of Crimson is another great entry into the Crimson City chronicles started by Liz Maverick. This one was fresh in ideas and action. Loved it!
This was adorable... Charmed and Dangerous by Lori Wilde
:: "When her thrill-seeking twin, Cassie, gets in over her head, former Olympian Maddie Cooper rushes to the rescue and joins FBI agent David Marshall to find her missing sister, reclaim some stolen art masterpieces, and fall in love." ::
I've read many people liking this author..Mary Balogh and the book is
The Famous Heroine... it goes like this :: "
Entering high society after rescuing a duke's son, merchant's daughter Cora Downes feels like a fish out of water, which is complicated by a misunderstanding that results in her engagement to blueblood Francis Kneller. "::
Sorry to say...although it was cute...and it had it's moments...if I were going to consider it as a "keeper", I wouldn't. But then, that is me. And as you've read in the past, historicals and regencies are NOT my thing...but I do try to give them a chance every now and again...seems only fair. Right?
Next is a good one.....
""When her identity as a vampire is discovered, Daphne Urban is forced to take on the role of spy for the U.S. government in exchange for her life, but her mission for Team Darkwing, to use her seductive wiles to get close to a shady arms dealer with ties to terrorists, is undermined by the interference of sexy vampire slayer Darius della Chiesa.""
I liked this story. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I really thrilled to the idea of a Vampire Spy....it is such a cool idea!
Well, I guess you are up to date on my favorite thing to do....share what I've recently read. Or in one, case, what I'm about to read.
So, What good stories have YOU read lately??? Hmmmm?
LOL, like we have time this time of year, right? **grin**
12 comments:
I'm sensing a theme with the Vampire books. I'm sorta careful with those because I don't like a lotta violence. How were some of those on that scale?
LOL, Brandy.
You are right!
There's a big difference , I think, in written violence, some just write it as it is, and some describe it in too much detail.
Tell you the truth...I'm not sure if my level of acceptance is on par with yours.
I can only say that I wasn't bothered. However, you can do what my Mom does with the "bodice ripping " parts...she skims and skips until she gets back to the "story", I guess you could do the same. All these books have a great story behind them. Hence my recommends.
That's what is SO great about a library...if you don't like it, its not like you're out of the $$ And in a dilemma as to what to do with the book after.....
I've only read a few that truly pushed my "horror" button...the rest, *shrug*, it's fantasy writing...I guess you could say that I employ a "willing suspension of tolerance"...based on the plot, story and characters involved.
Does that make any sense???
Believe it or not, the violence in the later Anita Blake books got so bad that I couldn't read them any longer. The descriptions of the crime scenes alone were pretty horrifying.
And then, of course, I made the movies I've made. Wacky me. :)
Seriously, though, the ad copy for the Vampire spy novel is...um...
Okay, I have to admit it, Michele: I burst out laughing when I read the advertising copy. The book sounds like it might be great, but the copy itself was so over-the-top that it just gave me the giggles. Still does, to be honest.
Of course, now I have to compile my list of books I've been reading...
If you want to try an historical, and seeing as they usually aren't your thing, but paranormals are, Michele, you might want to keep a lookout for the first book in Kathryn Smith's new Brotherhood of Blood series: Be Mine Tonight. It comes out in summer 2006 and it takes place in Victorian England . . . but the heros are vampires.
LOL, Avindair!!
You laughed,hmm? You know..that's really great! Even trying to be "serious" I still managed to find something to get you to smile. Cool.
I'll look forward to your list.
Should be interesting... :-)
As far as the violence with Anita's world..yeah, it seems that the more "IN" with the monsters that she becomes, the more she can tolerate..so the bar has to be raised for her character to react the way WE would for lesser acts of violence.
Of course, that's only my opinion.
It's actually a great discussion topic. Thanks for bringing that up!!!
HI, Bonnie!
You mean I have to wait until 2006??!!!
Actually, it sounds really interesting. Thanks for the heads-up.
That's a good point about Anita, Michele.
Truth be told, I personally thought that the series really soured when it stopped being Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter and became Anita Blake: Monster F***er. Just MHO, of course.
I have to tell you, too, that I linked to your blog and made this cover one of my latest entries. Partially to share that ad copy, but also to mention that I'm actually probably going to pick up the book anyway. ;)
Thanks, Avindair!!
That's super nice of you.
I've read one or two of Balogh's larger regencies, and I thought they were good. She isn't one of my must have writers, but I do love regencies. I adore the time frame - probably my mind was warped after seeing Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester. That dark, sardonic, laconic type nobleman - yummy! Currently, my fav long regency historical writer is Julia Quinn. She makes me laugh. I also just finished Teresa Medeiros' AFTER MIDNIGHT. The hero is suspected of being a vampire...and there are vampires in this book. It was a good read, and I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
Oh wow, I like Timothy Dalton..I can visualize that character..what was the movie called? I might try to get it..
OK, I've read a few by Julia Quinn..Its In His Kiss? That was good. Yes, I laughed and that, for me, makes ita good read. I'd forgotten about her. Thanks for the reminder.
Oooh, After Midnight? OK, I'll add that to my TBR pile. Right now I'm starting The Companion by Susan Squires..this is, I think, a Vamp story set in England..a regency..so I'm open. I'm not sure if it truly is a vamp or a microbe or something that infects and has a symbiotic relationship that kinda controls the infectee by requiring blood to survive. I'm not too sure..only into 3rd chapter.
Thanks for a great comment,Kelli!
I met LA Banks at RWA this summer at her workshop and made a comment during the workshop. Later she saw me walking around and stopped to talk for awhile. I didn't get to know her well, but she's so interesting to talk with. Very encouraging toward other authors. Very funny speaker!
One thing I recall her talking about is that the first two go together. Not just because they are in a series, but they were written together as one huge story. I can see her moving her hands in the shape of a rainbow describing that if you read just Minion, you only get to the midpoint of the arc. Anyway, great recommendation here.
The vampire book I'm muddling through is not very good. I picked it up at the casino gift shop and wish I'd just gambled the money instead. I need to read a good book now!
Oh Wow!! I am , like, SO envious that you got to meet L.A. Banks.
That is incredibly cool.
I realized at the end of Minion that the Awakening was important to read, but I couldn't and still can't get ahold of it.
That's why I was so pleased that she put enough in the next book so I wasn't lost.
Thanks for the great story!!
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