Book Review: Dead Ever After

Dead Ever After
Sookie Stackhouse, Book 13
Charlaine Harris

Released: 07 May, 2013

Gollancz, Paperback, 352 p.
ISBN: 978-05750-9662-2

On the back....

Sookie Stackhouse has one last adventure in store.

Life has taken from her a waitress in Merlotte's Bar, Bon Temps, to part owner; from social outcast to the heart of her community; from a vampire's girlfriend to the wife of one of the most powerful vampires in the state.  She has survived explosions, revolutions and attempts on her life.

Sookie has endured betrayal, heartbreak and grief... and she has emerged a little stronger, a little wiser, every time.

But with life comes new trials...

The question is, in the end: who will love, who will live, and who will be dead ever after?

*** May contain Spoilers ****

So what did I think of this, the not so final installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series?  Having just finished it about an hour or so ago, I have to say that I like it.  I tried to stay away from all the other reviews so that it wouldn't influence my own thoughts on this book.  Now, looking at other reviews, I see that there are mixed opinions on the success of the final book.  All I can say is that I'm just glad that I finally have some closure in the whole Sookie/Eric, will they - won't they, quandary.

For me, I liked they way things were resolved with Eric.  He's been such a manipulative undead so-and-so for a long time now.  He's made his bed, and now he has to lie in it.   Although it was strange that he really has no presence in this title.  He only has one or two meetings with Sookie.  Strange, but I thought Ms. Harris would have an Eric laden finale.  However, the vamps were mostly in the background of this book.  This was a huge surprise.  No one - except for Bill - was speaking to Sookie.  Pam had a few words, and so did Karin, but that was it.  

Bill's presence however, was well executed.  There was none of the anger, sadness, manipulations, etc., that have been the broody trademarks we've come to look for.  Bill was his old self in this story.  Not overly solicitous, nor was he moody and distant.  He was the Bill that we saw in the earlier books, the one that was a good friend to Sookie.  Sam's role in DEA was not so much an unexpected twist for me, but a welcome surprise.  I've always thought that this should be the ending he had.  I can't wait to find out if they stay together (sorry, trying not to give away spoilers to those that haven't read DEA yet ;-D ).  There was a stage while reading the book that I thought Sam might be a little 'altered' thanks to Sookie's use of the cluviel dor in Deadlocked.  It would have made a nice twist, but I'm happy enough with the way the story unfurled.

Pam's promotion was great, and I'm glad that she would like to keep Sookie in her life.  The introduction of Karin was a tad unexpected, but then, those who get sent to guard Sookie's house are always unexpected.  I did wonder why we didn't get even a cameo from Bubba?   He wasn't even mentioned!  As far as I can remember, he's still alive... right?!

It was great that a lot of characters from previous books got a final look-in here.  Some we loved, and others we loved to hate.  There are more than a few suspects in the 'who want's Sookie dead' club.  And I was surprised to see Arlene back, even if it was briefly.  The real twist in the tale for me was Claude, and what he's is involved with.  I really did get a surprise when his role in the events of DEA were revealed.   

A great way to end what has been a fabulous, and much cherished, series.

Book Review - Disappearing Nightly

Disappearing Nightly
Esther Diamond, Book 1
Laura Resnick

This edition published 2011

DAW Fantasy, Mass Market Paperback, 386 p.
ISBN: 978-07564-0766-7

From the back cover...

"I'm not a heroine; I just play heroines.  Also psychotics, orphans, vamps, hookers, and housewives..."

Thus begins the first fantastical misadventure of Esther Diamond, a struggling actress who seems destined to  attract supernatural mayhem.

When bizarre magical disappearances disrupt performances in the Big Apple, Esther receives a mysterious warning not to go on with her off-Broadway show.

Desperate to say on stage rather than resort to waiting tables, Esther turns to her new BFF, Dr. Maximillian Zadok, a 350-year-old mage whose day job is protecting New York from Evil.  Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery without losing her job, Esther and Max team up with a conjuring cowboy, a banker with stage aspirations, and a flock of fearless drag queens.  Also on the case is Detective Connor Lopez, a sexy cop who has a thing for Esther, but who fearsthat she and Max may be a bigger problem than the vanishing performers.

Since the show must go on - and the astronomical rent must be paid - Esther, Max, and their friends pursue Evil to its lair in their fearless determination to find the missing performers and restore harmony to the city that never sleeps. 

Here are some of my thoughts about this title at random.

** Spoilers might be included **

Firstly, I loved the cover art!

Esther Diamond is a great leading lady.  Smart, funny, strong, independent and willful.  Just how I like my heroines.  She is very much aware of our hunky detective, Connor Lopez, and it's sweet to watch them tiptoe and flirt around each other as they try to suss each other out.  Det. Lopez is gorgeous, smart and sees just enough to know that he's not getting the full story out of Esther and Max.  He knows something is going on with Esther, but just can't quite put his finger on the cause.  I wonder how long it will take him to finally figure out the truth?

Some of the names the characters sported were quite corny, but that's part of what made them so memorable.  I mean, who could forget a woman with a name like Golly Gee?  Is it any wonder with a name like that that she was such a diva!  The drag queens were a laugh and a half.  Fabulous names, and not your stereotypical queens either.  Loved the meeting between the gang and Lopez at the bookstore.  Our Johnny-come-lately mage, Lysander, was such a stick in the mud.  Someone really needs to pull that stick right out of his tush.  Oh, and Hieronymus - yet another great name - is wonderfully annoying as the lisping assistant mage.  

I could keep going on about how this book engaged me, but it would be simpler (and a whole lot shorter) if I just put it down like this:

Pro's

• great characters
• fast paced
• wonderful storyline
• great moments - such as Connor's revelation to Esther about how his brother's have dodged the 'matchmaking and nagging mother' routine
• all the secondary characters have enough of a personality to have a life of their own outside of their part in the dialogue.

Con's

• too many voices at times!  All those secondary characters seem to overwhelm a reader (especially if you're reading into the wee hours of the morning like someone I won't name ;-D )
• what happened to Matilda?  She was such a vocal and fiery character - getting into verbal tussles with Esther - then, poof!.... she disappeared about half way through?  I thought she might have had a hand in it at one point.  Can't have a great character you love to hate, then loose them part way through.
• I also didn't like the way Lopez portrayed Esther to his mother during that phone call
• There was not enough of Det. Lopez in the story.   Perhaps in the next book he's got more page time
• I didn't think that both our main characters, Esther and Lopez, needed to have the annoying, nagging mothers.  Overkill!
• Our resident mage, Maximilian, is very bumbling at times.  For a 350 year old, you'd think he'd have a mind, and tongue, as sharp as a razor.
• Okay, I'll say it.  Hieronymus was a prat!  Enough said.
• No romance!  All we got was one lousy kiss!

So, these are my thoughts on Disappearing Nightly.  A wonderful start to a collectable series.  When I first started reading it last night, I was struck by how similar in style it was to Carole Nelson Douglas' 'Delilah Street' series.  If you like Esther Diamond, then you'll love Delilah Street.

Merry Gentry Wallpaper

Had Merry Gentry on the brain recently.  Hope you enjoy!

Feedback would be appreciated ;-D

New books on the way

Last Friday night I couldn't sleep, so I decided to do a little online retail therapy.   While online I lost track of time, too busy scrolling through the pages of books on Book Depository.  Before I knew it, it was nearly 3:20am and I still hadn't been through the checkout!  So, it was nearly 4am before the lights went out - and I'm paying for the lack of sleep tonight - but I did find some more books to add to my already overflowing bookshelves.

In preparation for future book club selections, I hunted around to find a few series that sounded good  - and that I'll be OK putting aside for a little while - and, most importantly, that I hadn't read before.

* Discount Armageddon - Seanan McGuire

* Under Wraps - Hannah Jayne, and

* Darkness Unbound - Keri Arthur

As well as these, I also bought the second book in the Esther Diamond series by Laura Resnick, 'Unsympathetic Magic'.  Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, since I still haven't read book one yet for book club, but it never hurts to be positive ;-D

Then there were 3 titles that are part of series that I've already started to read. Who could resist revisiting the very cool alternate world of Blud with 'Wicked as She Wants' by Delilah S. Dawson.  Then there was 'Dead on Delivery', and 'Dead Letter Day' by Eileen Rendahl, the next two books in her A Messenger Novel series.  And last, but certainly by no means least, is a replacement copy for LKH's 'A Kiss of Shadows'.  My original copy is falling apart (see below pics) due to very frequent re-reading (and what I'm sure was a poor gluing of the pages to the spine).  I have to be very careful when I open it these days as the pages are just sitting there :-)

My poor book!

It's finally beyond repair.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the same UK cover - and I really liked that cover, too.  I've had to settle for the US cover.  I just hope that the spine doesn't crack on this copy when you try to read the book!   Hopefully, this should keep me going for the next couple of weeks.  I'm back off to restock my wishlist!  Hope you've found a great book, or three, to read this week too.  Happy reading ;-D

Cover Art - Cast in Sorrow

Wow!  I just stumbled upon the listing on Amazon, and all I can say is "... I want in now!".  This is such a great series, and Michelle Sagara does such a fabulous job that  I each year I eagerly await the release of the next book in the series.

This title should be released on August 27, 2013 (finger's crossed).

The Chronicles of Elantra is one of my must buy series - it just keeps getting better and better.  You care what happens to these characters, and I just want to see what happens to Kaylin Neya - and what trouble she can get into!  Will she ever get to meet the Dragon Emperor?  What do the marks that cover her body mean?  Why don't the others acknowledge her powers?  So many mysteries to solve ;-D

So remember readers, 27 August, 2013 

Cast in Sorrow by Michelle Sagara.

Dark Serpent now on shelves

Yes, that's right.  The first book of the final trilogy is now available!  Dark Serpent, by Kylie Chan, continues the somewhat epic love story about our star crossed lovers Emma Donahue and the Dark Lord, Xuan Wu.

I've been following this series since I first saw the cover of White Tiger on the shelf at Bookworld - many years ago now - not long after it was first released.  There is something compelling about this twist on a mythology based story, and I have been waiting on tender hooks for all these years to finally find out exactly who, or what, Emma finally is!

My only negative is that the book has been released in trade format.  With the other books on my shelves in mass market format I don't like to have all different sizes in the one series.  So I'll be reserving my copy from the library and waiting for the smaller edition.

So until then I'm hoping to avoid all reviews - and resisting the temptation to peek!

DARK SERPENT -  BUY IT NOW!

Future Release - Archangel's Legion Cover & Blurb

Archangel's Legion

Guild Hunters, Book 7

Nalini Singh

RELEASE DATE:  October 2013

From the Back Cover:

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Oooooh, sounds so good.  The cover is awesome, and just makes me want to pick up a copy and read it now.  Can't wait for the release - have to have an Elena/Raphael fix every year ;-D  With that said, I have already pre-ordered my copy on Book Depository!  A must if you love paranormal fiction.   

Crazy Cat

Kitten little is driving me insane! 

Oh, sorry.  Were you reading that?

Not anymore! 

Then, the other night...

Oooh, lots of bubbles!

She spent over 20 minutes just watching the bubbles from all different angles.

I'd take a sip and put the glass down, and she'd be up and guarding the glass again!

Plus, she also...

Hmmm, tea... I think I like this.

Oh, were still wanting to drink this?

And this is just what I've caught her doing!  Cheeky little monkey ;-D

Book Review: And Then She Fell

And Then She Fell
Cynster Novel, Book 19
First of the Cynster Sisters Duo - Henrietta's story
Stephanie Laurens

Released March 25, 2013

Avon Books, Mass Market Paperback,
ISBN: 978-0-06-206864-4

The only thing more troublesome than a Cynster man ...is a Cynster lady who believes love is not her destiny.

Famously known in London society as "The Matchbreaker," Henrietta Cynster's uncanny skill lies in preventing ill-fated nuptials - not in falling victim to Cupid's spell.

But then she disrupts one match too many and feels honor-bound to assist dashing James Glossup in finding a suitable bride for a marriage of convenience.

A task infernally complicated by the undeniable, unquenchable attraction that flares between James and Henrietta, who continues to believe she will never fall...

I feel like such an idiot.  I'd written up the basics so that when the book arrived I could just add my thoughts, et voila! review posted.  Then life and other things got in the road and as I was looking through my postings I wondered what I still had in draft form.  Can't believe I did this, sorry!

So what did I think about the latest installment of the Cynster dynasty?  Well, it was more or less like any other of the female Cynster books!  They're all obsessed with the necklace and how it will help them meet their perfect man.  Okay, Henrietta not so much, but her sister is so ready to get her hands on it!

James Glossup was first made known to us in Simon and Portia's story, The Perfect Lover, and although I'd hoped to read his story, I had no idea that Stephanie Laurens would be trying to tied up and marry off all the characters within her books, therefore linking not only families, but merging the series as well.  Not sure whether or not I like that idea, but there have been one or two good surprises, like the Earl of Glencrae, who had not yet shown their faces in the world of the Cynsters.

Like all of the books, I did make an emotional connection to Henrietta and James, but the constant barrage of attacks on the members of the Cynster family are starting to feel just a tad unrealistic.  I know, it's a story and the author can write whatever she wants, but this is just starting to feel like been there, read that!  How many attacks could you get on a family before everyone just up and left town?  I mean, seriously!  Every female Cynster has been attacked, kidnapped or ... something.  Perhaps a change in plot is in order?

I'm hoping that the last book - due in June I think - will be the end of this world, but I can see Ms. Laurens sneaking in stories here and there through other characters mentioned.  Plus there are still books to go in the Barnaby Adair Case Files series aren't there!

All in all, I did enjoy this book.  It wasn't as captivating as say, Mastered by Love, or Devil's Bride, because we just know the ins and outs of the family and all it's connections by now.  Perhaps Stephanie will finally give us the stories on how Martin, Arthur and George married their brides?

Great for when you want a light read, with no overly complicated plot lines.  I'd recommend that you have at least a rough knowledge of the series, but you can read it as a stand alone if you choose to.

Having a lazy weekend with the Doctor

There is a decided chill in the air, but that doesn't matter as I sit on the couch, all snuggled up, watching Doctor Who.  David Tennant is - sorry, was - a spectacular Doctor.  Yesterday I ploughed through seasons 3 and 4.  Now, I've just put on the first of the 4 specials, The Next Doctor, a Dicken's style Christmas complete with Cybermen, a psychotic crimson dressed villainess and a Doctor wanna-be.  Who can say no to that?  Not me!

When David Tennant left our 'who-verse', it took me a little while to embrace Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.  He just seemed so young and all I could think of was "... he's kind of like a puppy!".  But I kept watching and soon found his quirky persona as the Doctor so engaging that I couldn't help but watch.  Love the fez ;-P

Oops, must dash.  Just finished the episode :-)

Joined a Book Club!

Yes, I finally got involved with a book club at my local library.  Okay, it was my idea and I've had the notice up on displayed for a while - but someone has finally called me!

I wanted to do a genre based book club, and paranormal romance/suspense/mystery, etc., just seemed the way to go as I own so many of those books.  I just find it a very interesting genre, and there is no right or wrong way to do things.  

So, today I finally met my fellow bibliophile, and found that I was with a kindred spirit.  Phew, that was definitely  a load off my mind.  We sat and chatted about what we've been reading, and it took us over an hour to finally decide on our first official book (as I've read, and own, so very many of these books).  Finally we selected Disappearing Nightly by Laura Resnick (book 1 in the Esther Diamond series). 

It was great to be able to talk to someone who loves to read the same type of books I do, and although we have to make a time for our first 'review', I'm looking forward to it.  Now I must leave you.  I'm off to order my book, and then get together some guidelines, question ideas, and other book club necessities.  Hmmmm... will use Fangtastic Fiction for the book club name?  Will let you know how it all goes ;-D

Happy Reading! 

Little Menace

I did mention that the new addition to the house was lovely... didn't I?  Well, after what she's gotten up to in the last 24 hours I'm prepared to make her an outside cat!

My darling Eve has not only figured out how to open up the cutlery draw - so she can crawl through to the space behind and play in said space - but, has also figure out that she can open cupboards as well as the sliding wardrobe door.  Oh, and she's also discovered that if she jumps on the kitchen counter, she can then play with the ferns, nibbling at them.  Oh GOD, she just doesn't stop!

I have yet to catch her on camera - the little dickens moves like grease lightning - but I can tell you the crashes and bangs throughout the day, and night, aren't funny!  Then she does something cute, like crash in your arms like a worn out child, with that sweet little face turned up towards you.  Darn it ;-D

New addition to home

Wow, it has been a long time between posts!  My bad, however I've been so caught up with everyday life that I haven't even opened my laptop for the last two weeks!

One of my reasons has been a half grown cat who doesn't seem to realise that she should be sleeping for about 20 hours a day!  She just doesn't quit!  But she makes up for her inexhaustible reserves of energy by being a loving and sweet natured little darling... and she's absolutely gorgeous to boot ;-D

So I've had to deal with an older cat who's got her tail in a tizz at the presence of the interloper.  They're worse than kids!  Wish me luck - I haven't slept completely through the night for the last two weeks!  Will get back to my reading once pussycat tensions die down.

Review: Lean and Mean

Lean Mean Thirteen
Stephanie Plum Book 13
Janet Evanovich

Mass Market Paperback,  Headline, 2007, 371p.
ISBN: 9780755337590

New secrets, old flames and hidden agendas are about to send Bounty Hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet!

MISTAKE #1
Dickie Orr. Stephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her arch-nemesis Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping to never see either one of them again.

MISTAKE #2
Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (a.k.a. Ranger). Ranger needs her to meet with Dickie and find out if he’s doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, he’s also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger’s favors always come with a price...

MISTAKE #3
Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire office. Now Dickie has disappeared and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can she stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, NJ is also keeping Stephanie on her toes—and he may know more than lets on about her…It’s a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum, where the ultimate prize might be her life.

I just love this series!  There is just something about Stephanie's continual cock-ups that just strikes me as funny.  This time round we see her interact with her ex-Dickie Orr (a real dick).  After the huge scene in his office, Dickie goes missing and - thanks to Joyce's big mouth - the police now have their sights set on Stephanie.  With Morelli curiously MIA, it's up to Ranger to fill the void.

Now I have to say this ... I hated Dickie!  He's such a... words don't describe him!  Maybe it's because he's SP's ex, or the fact that he is in Stephanie's own words a miserable 'dog turd'?  I don't care, I'm just glad he cops so much crap in this book.  I mean really, this was the same husband who was caught schtupping the bane of her existence, Joyce Barnhardt (although in the long run I think Joyce actually did her a favour by pointing out Dickie's short comings - pun intended).   I'm just soooo glad that SP is now with Morelli (and Ranger) and that Joe gets to slam Dickie up against a wall... ah, good times.

The deliciously dangerous Ranger is front and centre in this book (YESSSSS!) and even though Morelli meanders in and out, there is such chemistry between him and Stephanie that you can forgive it.  Dickie is the guy we all love to hate, and Joyce is her usually bitchy and manipulative self.  Grandma Mazur is as funny and irreverent as always, and Lula is just plain comedy gold.  Helen tipples, and Connie is always on hand to back up the girls.  The bad guys are by turns inept as well as scary and there are no attempts on Rex's life in this installment.

The plot line is simple to follow, and predict, with no real surprises except for the location of the key.  And since you don't need to work your grey matter so hard, it's easy to drift away and fall into the world created by Janet Evanovich.

Favourite scene:  Watching the fur fly :-P (Grandma Mazur getting woodchuck-ed!)

You don't have to have read all the previous books in the series before trying LM13, but I'd recommend it.  There are some tidbits that really don't make too much sense if you don't have all the back stories.  This is a fantastic book to take on public transport - if you don't mind people starring at you for laughing out loud - but I'd suggest that if you take it to work you leave it well out of reach.

Although not my favourite book in the series, it is a title I keep coming back to.

Rainy Days

Just great.  It's only been about 3 weeks since we'd last had torrential rain and flooding in the region - and my street - and now it's back again.  For the last two days it's been coming down in sheets.  I really shouldn't complain because this is my all time favourite weather, but I am worried about the flooding.  That being said, I'm whiling away the hours of enforced enclosure by reading a dearly loved - and always at the ready - series that never gets old.  Yes, that's right.  I've dipped back into the bookshelf for Stephanie Plum.  Now I know that I go there a lot, but there is just something about the series that just hits the spot.  It's funny and quirky, fast paced and just an all round great series - and if you love J.D. Robb, Jayne Ann Krentz, I'd highly recommend you check it out.   The characters are well written and seem to just jump off the page (especially after hearing Lorelei King's narrations).  Lula is a real card, and although I would pass out on the spot if I had her for my Granny, Edna Mazur is a real pistol.   With nineteen books under her belt for this series, Janet Evanovich has kept me interested in the eternal love triangle that is Stephanie, Joe and Ranger.   Even though we're up to book 20 this year, I have only found one or two that didn't really hit the spot with me.... plus I just love to daydream about Ranger and Morelli.  Really, who doesn't?

So, after I'm finished here I will make myself a hot cup of tea, break out the Tim Tams (Caramel, of course) and dive back into Lean Mean Thirteen.   Hope you find some fabulous books this week.

Happy Reading!