The Mists of Time

Title: The Mists of Time
Author: Susan Squires
Series: Da Vinci Time Travel Series (Book 3)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Time Travel


Diana Dearborn is a romance novel writer who is currently struggling with her latest novel. Although she's published, she's never experienced great fame from her books, perhaps because she's writing about something she doesn't know about.

Diana was found as a child in Chicago with no memory of anything but her name, and speaking only a language that no one could identify or decipher. She is adopted by a loving set of parents, and unfortunately has recently lost them both. She doesn't think she's very pretty and that she may have a stalker.

Diana is given the book from Lucy in the end of the previous book. She decides to check out the time machine and takes a trip back to Camelot. Much like Lucy, she encounters a man who is hurt and brings him back to her time to get him stitched up. She lets him stay at her home for a few nights and introduces him to modern times.

Gawain is Diana's suspected stalker, only he isn't. Gawain was sent back in time by Merlin to protect Diana. She has accidentally brought back a villain who is going to try and take over the 21st century. Gawain has to keep her safe and help her to defeat the villain.

This story was "believable." I enjoyed the fact that the man that Diana brought back didn't just happen to be her true love. She brought back the villain and everything starts to go wrong. Even after they send him back to his own time they find they have messed with the past and it shows in the future.

Where the other two books in the series don't really encounter any change in the future due to meddling in the past, this one does. That to me made it seem more "real."

Diana getting her memory back and learning about her past was at times very touching and made me cry. Gawain is such a devoted knight to her and it's incredibly romantic, even if he does beat himself up about things constantly. This may have been my favorite in the series.

A Twist In Time

Title: A Twist in Time
Author: Susan Squires
Series: Da Vinci Time Travel Series (Book 2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Time Travel


Lucy was given DaVinci's by Frankie at the end of Time for Eternity. To Frankie, it just "felt right." No explanation was given to Lucy as to what the book was for. Lucy seems to have an obsession with the book and carries it with her all the time. Oddly enough she discovers that her friend, Brad, is working on a machine and the book goes with it.

Brad manages to fix the time machine and then he and Casey, his boss, decide that they must make sure it is fixed and send someone back in time to bring something back with them. Lucy is chosen and she is sent to the past and in the few seconds that she is there is defended by a man against another man. The man who defended her got mortally wounded and she accidentally takes him back with her to her time. She arrives months later to find that Brad and Casey think she has stolen the time machine. They have interrogated everyone in her life as well as rented out her apartment and other time sensitive things.

When Lucy returns she gets the Viking, Galen, to the hospital and gets his wound stitched up. The two go to Lucy's friend who convinces them that Brad and Casey would only hurt them and helps them to get new identities and run away.

Lucy and Galen run away to a boat in a bay and live on the boat. The two learn to communicate with each other, initially in Latin and eventually in English. They are drawn to each other and magical type things seem to happen when they come together.

Eventually Brad and Casey find them and Lucy and Galen have to fight for their lives and go stand up to them so they can stop living in fear and hiding.

I adored Galen's character. His confusion of the modern times was interesting and his protection and attitude towards Lucy was touching. My favorite parts of the book encompass the two of them learning to be together on the boat.

I enjoyed the fact that the vampire element of the story was taken away leaving us with a time travel novel instead.

Time for Eternity

Title: Time for Eternity
Author: Susan Squires
Series: Da Vinci Time Travel Series (Book 1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Time Travel



Frankie is a vampire in the 21st century, she was made a vampire in the 18th century. Her maker was a vampire she thought herself in love with, but she didn't know what he was. She was made a vampire and then abandoned by him. This has caused her to always move on in life, never letting anyone get close. This has also made her hard and bitter. Frankie is working as a bartender when one night another vampire comes in and upon seeing/hearing Frankie's bitterness, let's Frankie know that she has a time machine which could let Frankie go back and fix her life. Although she doesn't 100% believe, Frankie decides to check it out and finds out it's real. She transports back to the time when she became a vampire.

To make things interesting, as soon as Frankie is anywhere near her 18th century self for the first time, she is sucked into the same body as her old self. This means that 18th century Francois, who has no idea about vampires and what she is there for has run of the body. She only hears a voice, which is Frankie. Francois thinks she's going a little crazy when she keeps hearing a voice telling her to kill Henri.

The Henri the second time around is nothing like the Henri that Frankie remembered. Henri dotes on Francois and the two fall in love with each other enough to risk their lives for one another. Their story is taking place while France is in an uproar and people are being mobbed and beheaded left and right. Francois learns of a kind Henri who does his best to make things right secretly.

It doesn't take too long for Frankie to realize that she is going to change the past, but not in the way she thought.

I have never read a book by Susan Squires, nor heard of her. I've been racking up a ridiculous amount of Border's Bucks lately and ran out of things to buy with them so I picked up this entire series.

I thought the story was perfectly matched between romance and the turmoil of France and Francois/Henri's involvement. I find that too often one is more focused on then the other and it can be either good or bad, but this was a fantastic blend.

The characters grew to have their own personalities and I thought I could smell cinnamon when Henri entered where I was reading. The passion between the two at times was red hot. I am all to excited to see where the series moves to next.

Play of Passion

Title: Play of Passion
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changling (Book 9)
Genre: Paranormal



Indigo is a strong independent woman and a lieutenant of the SnowDancer pack. She is the most dominant female of the pack, and just 2 steps down from the alpha. Being such a strong dominant, she has some issues with mating and dominance. She always thought that she would fall for a guy who was more dominant or about the same level as she. Her partner in many pack dealings, Drew, seems to get under her skin. She allows him the general pack skin privileges, but eventually he starts to take things further. Indigo seems to enjoy it, but is conflicted on the stance of dominance.

Andrew, Drew is the pack's tracker. He embodies a carefree attitude and seems to be on good terms with the entire pack. He's a bit of a playboy when it comes to the ladies, but it seems that he remains on good terms with them all, even after the fact. Drew doesn't really fall anywhere in the dominance line up. He is a dominant male, yet because he is a tracker he doesn't fit in the line-up with the lieutenants. This is what confuses Indigo so much. She doesn't have much of a chance against Drew, who pours on the charm. He has had feelings for her his entire life, and now is finally acting on them.

The two's relationship is all over the place while they learn what works for them. In the midst of it all, the Psy-Changeling war continues with the Psy becoming more involved and almost pulling the wool over the Changelings' eyes in their own territory.

I just realized that somehow I missed Book 8, Bonds of Justice. It doesn't seem to matter to this book, although I have intentions of reading Bonds of Justice next.

As usual these books are steamy. The characters seem to three dimensional and I can connect with them on many levels. I enjoyed the fact that the war seem to take a real backseat to this story and that's how I like it.

Unlike some past books, I did feel like Indigo's issues regarding dominance and Drew really did come up. He stepped over her and got her reprimanded by alpha Hawke and had to then try and convince her that he wouldn't do it again. Her problems didn't just magically disappear, but it appeared more that they worked on them.

Hawke's story is finally being shared. I cannot wait to see things between him and Sienna come to head. Interesting that it is being released as a hardcover. I guess he's alpha, what else would I expect?

Spun By Sorcery

Title: Spun By Sorcery
Author: Barbara Bretton
Series: Sugar Maple Series (Book 3)
Genre: Paranormal/Contemporary Romance



After Chloe beat Isadora in Book 2, she and Luke are ready for a big, hot breakfast. Only problem is that they seem to have lost Sugar Maple. Their beloved town is no where to be found. The two and Janice start a trek to Salem to see if they can find any information on their missing town.

The idea is that since the Sugar Maple original townies were from Salem, that someone must have stayed behind and there must still be magic in Salem.

The roadtrip to Salem is anything but ordinary or safe. The trio have several near death experiences, which leads them to believe that they are indeed on the right track. When they finally arrive, things seem relatively normal and not very magic like, until everything seems to happen at once.

Luke finds some interesting information on a never aging resident of Salem, Chloe is attacked in an antique shop and Janice finds something a bit off about Penny. They figure out where Sugar Maple went, and start the epic battle to win back the town.

Although it was interesting to learn a bit more about the history of Aerynn and how Sugar Maple came to be, this book was missing the "magic" of Sugar Maple. It was almost a book about a roadtrip gone horribly wrong, without any humor. I can see how it may be an essential part to the series, but now that everyone is back in Sugar Maple, I can't wait for Book 4. Especially after the teaser at the end.

The Red Pyramid

Title: The Red Pyramid
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Kane Chronicles (Book 1)
Genre: Juvenile Fiction



Carter has spent his life traveling around the world with his dad, an archeologist. His mother died at a young age and the only other family he has is his little sister Sadie, who lives with their grandparents in London. He sees Sadie twice a year.

Carter and his Dad are picking up Sadie for their biyearly Christmas visit and they go to a British Museum for a private viewing of the Rosetta Stone, an important piece of Egyptian history. Carter and Sadie are told by Dad to lock the curator in his office and to stay out of the room. But when they see strange light coming from the room, they go inside and their lives are changed forever.

Dad is trying to channel a God to "make things right" When releasing this god, he actually releases a total of 5 gods, each of which find a human host body to inhabit. Both Carter and Sadie, although they don't know it right away, become hosts to gods.

Much like the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the author takes mythology to a whole new level. Sadie and Carter embark on a journey full of gods, Egyptian mythology and trying to save the world.

It looks like it's going to be another fantastic series. I cannot wait for the next book!

Nightshade

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: Nightshade (Book 1)
Genre: Young Adult



Calla is a Guardian. Her soul has two parts, human and wolf. She can choose to be either at any time and unlike most wolf lore, doesn't rip out of her clothes or have to worry about whatever she is holding. Her clothes and items shift with her, even though she's just a wolf with no clothing or items, they still exist somewhere.

Calla has been destined to mate with alpha Ren and the two are going to start a new pack. This is all put together by the Keepers. The Keepers are the group that run the Guardians. The Keepers provide (clothes, shelter, food, cars, ect.) for the Guardians and in return the Guardians patrol and keep things safe. The Keepers word is law.

Calla and Ren have known about their match since birth and relatively accept it.

Calla is doing her patrol one day and comes across a human boy (teen) who is about to be killed by a bear. Calla saves him and gives him her blood which has healing properties so that he doesn't die. If the Keepers found out about either of these actions Calla would be in series trouble. Go figure the next day when the boy, Shay, shows up at school, he is the new kid.

Calla is attracted to him and has to fight her heart to stay with Ren.

In addition to the love story, there is a whole complex world that you learn about in the perfect pace. I quickly devoured this book and couldn't get enough of the world they were in.

I found it interesting, usually when I read a book where the heroine is torn between two main male characters, there is a strong opinion on my side of who the winner should be. I never feel torn as the character does, but cannot figure what takes them so long to figure it out. In Nightshade, this was not the case. I knew who Calla would end up with, but I must admit I wasn't so sure that was who I wanted her to be with in the end.

There was no definite ending to this book, it has set us up for the next installment, Wolfsbane, but definitely had no ending.

Happy Ever After

Title: Happy Ever After
Author: Nora Roberts
Series: Bride Quartet (Book 4)
Genre: Romance


Parker, the coordinator and "general" of Vows, is perfect. She always looks immaculate, she can fix any problem and has the up bringing that lets her know how to act in any situation. She is one of the "Browns" and that should speak for itself.

Malcolm has had a less then perfect childhood, including being knocked around by an uncle, an unfortunate accident that almost killed him and other not so great relationships.

This romance has been leading up throughout the other books, and unfortunately the best I can say once again was it was okay. I don't know if I've changed through the years leaving me to feel like Nora Roberts just isn't putting out the same quality stories as before, or if she's already hit the high note in her career and is going south.

That being said, I did enjoy the story but much like the others there wasn't much meat to it. Perfect flowers, perfect cake, perfect photos, perfect couples, just perfection from Vow. The relationship between Parker and Mal didn't have much in the way of bumps either and the few they did encounter were swiftly smoothed out an unrealistic too short of time.

Hopefully when her next book comes out, which we know there will be more, she can redeem herself.

Chains of Fire

Title: Chains of Fire
Author: Christina Dodd
Series: The Chosen Ones (Book 4)
Genre: Paranormal



Samuel Faa is one of the Chosen Ones, a Mind Controller and an impressive lawyer. He has had a rough childhood with a butler for an adoptive Dad, who thinks Samuel cannot rise above that station in life.

Isabelle Mason, another Chosen One and a healer, is the adoptive daughter of a wealthy family who just happens to have Samuel's Dad as a butler.

Isabelle and Samuel have had an attraction since they met at the ages of four and five. They've dated twice and both times ended less then amicably. That said, there is always a tension between the two of them now that they are Chosen together. Their lives are woven together between their families and work and they are often thrown together.

The two go off to save an kidnapped abandoned child and after saving the child are caught together in an avalanche, narrowly escaping. They are trapped in a tomb like basement due to the avalanche, and old feelings run high.

Another intriguing addition to the Chosen Ones series. I enjoyed seeing the characters just give in to each other, although I really felt like the two of them should have gotten their marks and enhanced powers before they did. I think that the meeting with Osgood was kind of a cop-out for their greatest fear.

Stroke of Enticement

Title: Stoke of Enticement
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changling (Book 4.5)
Genre: Paranormal



Zach, a DarkRiver sentinel, has to pick up his nephew at school. His nephew hit another student at school because they had said something mean about his teacher, Annie. When Zach walks in the classroom he is immediately attracted to Annie.

When Annie was younger her leg was shattered, which has left her with a slight limp and different sorts of emotional issues. Zach talks her into going on a tour of the Pack lands and the two quickly spend all their time together.

There is a little blip when Annie appears not to be accepting the Mate bond because she is afraid. Her parents use to be madly in love, but now her father all but ignores her mother. Annie does not want a life like this for herself. A short conversation later, however, and the bond is made and she knows that she is safe.

This was a short story found in The Magical Christmas Cat. There are 3 other stories, although none of them are by any authors that I've heard of.

This story was short and sweet. I picked up this book in the dollar bin at my local bookstore, knowing that there was a Psy-Changeling story in it. One thing I always dislike about the short stories is that they have little substance to them and hardly much of a conflict. You barely seem to get to know the characters and their story is over.

Aside form that, the story was adorable and I have always loved the fierce protection offered by Changelings to their mates.

Three Nights With A Scoundrel

Title: Three Nights With A Scoundrel
Author: Tessa Dare
Series: Stud Club (Book 3)
Genre: Historical Romance



Lily was the deaf sister of Leo. She has been living by herself at her home with no real issues. But her cousin is coming to take over and while she figures that no cousin would throw her out, there are others who wish her to be married.

Namely Julian. He has tried to get the two previous books hero to marry Lily, but they've fallen in love with others. The main dilemma is that Julian himself is in love with her, but doesn't feel that he is worthy of her love. He is commonly born and has a past that he is none to proud of. None the less, when Lily decides she wants him, there's not much that he can do.

Surprisingly, this was my favorite of the series. Julian went from that one character who I couldn't stand, to my favorite. He was so sweet and has had such a difficult life. I loved his interactions with Lily. Her deafness plays a role in the story, but isn't hugely present. I thought it very well done and full of touching (and steamy!) scenes.

We find out who murdered Leo, and it is rather anticlimactic. Although since I wanted to know more about the living characters relationship then how Leo died, I wasn't bothered by it.

Tessa Dare has fast become a new favorite author!

The Fledgling Handbook 101

Title: The Fledgling Handbook 101
Author: P.C. Cast
Series: House of Night (Extra)
Genre: Young Adult



I was anticipating a little bit of behind the scenes House of Night information. A book that would fill us in on anything that was maybe a subtlety in the books that had been missed. I was quite wrong.

The Fledgling Handbook starts with an Introduction and then is broken up into 5 "chapters," each giving you different types of information.

The Introduction was my favorite part. It gave pictures of each of the emblems that the different formers wear as well as a little information of what they mean. Since this has been discussed before in the books, I found these pictures and information helpful. There was also a tentative schedule of what a day looks like at the HON.

1) Vampyre Biology - This chapter included some pictures of before and after being marked as well as after the change. I thought this too was interesting, seeing the differences that come about as they change into a vampyre. It also touches on Imprinting and the Warrior Bond. Unfortunately, it was downhill from here.

2) Rituals - Each ritual starts with a story about where the ritual came from followed by a description of how to do the ritual. Since I have no desire to preform any of these anytime soon, I really didn't care for this section.

3) Nightkind Elementology - Holidays that are observed at the HON and a Vampyre twist on astrology (Nightkind Elementology) You pick your element based on when you changed. It was okay to read, but unlike astrology, there wasn't one for me to look for.

4) A Brief Intorducion to Vampyre History - If this was brief, I'd hate to see extensive. This was a lot of fairly dry history. I'm not a history girl and this chapter was the worst for me.

5) Words of Hope from Fellow Fledglings - A kind of funny chapter. There are quotes from famous people, such as Shakespeare, as well as pictures of the speaker with their crescent and tattoos.

This book started off strong, but was sorely lacking. It really could have had nothing to do with the House of Night and seems like it will be for only the most die hard fans.

Misguided Angel

Title: Misguided Angel
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Series: Blue Blood (Book 5)
Genre: Young Adult




Jack and Schuyler are continuing their search for a hidden gate. This takes them on adventures around the world and wondering who they can trust.

Mimi is named the Regent and has to deal with the exposure of vampires and the burning of some more fellow classmates.

Oliver is trying to live his life without Schuyler and creates an interesting bond with Mimi (one I personally would like to see explored more)

We are also introduced to a new character, Deming Chen, a Venator brought in to help with the deaths. She has the ability to see what we would call auras, and looks like she's going to play a part in the next book as well.

This book is quite short and honestly, when I was done I felt like I had learned little and was slightly confused about what I did learn. As I've mentioned in the past, I feel like this series has so many turns and surprises that it is difficult to give it a good review without a bunch of spoilers.

I see why this book may be essential to move the storyline along, but of the series this was quite forgettable. I am excited about the next book, however, which is suppose to revolve around Jack and Schuyler's bonding.

Love in the Afternoon

Title: Love in the Afternoon
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: Hathaway Series (Book 5)
Genre: Romance



Beatrix is the youngest of the Hathaway family. She is not your typical lady of the times. She loves nature, animals and wearing breeches.

Christopher is away at war and then comes home with emotional as well as physical scars left from the battles.

Prudence, a friend of Beatrix's, was sent a letter from Christopher while he was still away at war. He wishes for Prudence to write back to help him get through the horror that is war. She is unimpressed by the things he talks about, and Beatrix offers to write back for her. Beatrix feels that someone should write back to him and starts to routinely write back and forth with Christopher.

But she signs all of her letters Prudence, thinking Christopher would not want any letters back from her. He once had said that Beatrix should be left in the barn with the horses. She was hurt and remembered that, but was able to put it behind her to help him in his time of need.

The two fall in love and Beatrix sends Christopher a letter telling him she can no longer write to him. Since she has been masquerading as Prudence, she is hurt too much by loving him and he not knowing who she is.

Christopher comes back from the war and seeks out Prudence. He expects the woman who he has been conversing with through the letters and wants to marry her. Eventually, since Beatrix and Prudence are nothing alike, he figures out that he was not actually exchanging letters with Prudence. He also figures out it was Beatrix and the two have somewhat of a whirlwind romance.

I adored the letters that the two wrote back and forth. There were so many beautiful passages and words of love. The two seem well suited for each other and I enjoyed seeing Beatrix finally get her chance at love.

The only issue that I had with the storyline was Christopher and his post-war issues. They were a legitimate concern and I thought very well written until he seemed to just take a stance and get past one concern he had. I felt like after all of the development of his problems, that they deserved a more thorough chance to be resolved.

The Reckoning

Title: The Reckoning
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers (Book 3)
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal


The Awakening ended with Derek, Simon, Tori and Chloe being safe with Andrew and a group of supernaturals who are against the Edison Group and what they are doing. Or so we thought. Of course, that is not the case and the group has to think of another way to run and get away from a few individuals in this group.

It is all about who to trust and what to do. Are they doing the right thing to get away or just running into the arms of the enemy. It takes them several attempts to seemingly get it right.

This is the last installment of this trilogy. There will be another trilogy (Darkness Rising) that comes out in April. It will not involve the same main characters, but will be set in the same "world" and I think eventually there will be some crossover.

I continued to enjoy the budding relationship between Derek and was sad when the book ended. It ended very much on a starting of a new relationship, but after watching the two struggle, I would have loved to see something of them together. I really felt for Simon and Chloe when she had to turn him down and could barely keep from covering my own face in embarrassment.

We see the return of some other characters: Liz, Aunt Lauren and the Edison Group. A very suspense-filled second half of the book. I thought it was a decent ending for this trilogy, but a good way to leave things open for the rest of the series to come.

Heart of the Matter

Title: Heart of the Matter
Author: Emily Giffin
Series: None
Genre: Adult Fiction; "Chick Lit"



Tessa and Nick have a seemingly perfect marriage to the outside. He is a plastic surgeon (skin, burns, reconstruction - not choice plastic surgery) and she is a stay at home mom with their two kids, ages 2 and 4. He works a lot and is called away on the night of their anniversary for an emergency.

Valerie is a single lawyer Mom with her son Charlie, 6. Charlie falls in a fire at a birthday party and badly burns his hand and face. This is what Nick is called away for on his anniversary.

In short - Valerie and Nick have an affair. We see their relationship grow and Tess and Nick struggle with problems.

I have read all of Emily Giffin's books and wonder why I do. This time it seemed to just go too far. I'm not saying that it was not well written or that the characters weren't believable or three dimensional. But when I finished this book I felt cheapened and depressed.

Waking the Witch

Title: Waking the Witch
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld (Book 11)
Genre: Paranormal


Savannah is no longer the spoiled, unpredictable young girl that she was when we first met her. She is now 21 and just trying to prove that she can take on her own case.

While Lucas and Paige are on vacation in Hawaii, Savannah gets a call from a friend of Lucas' about a case that he wants someone to work on. Savannah jumps on the chance to prove that she can work on the case alone.

She finds a small rural town in Washington, where there have been 3 murders over a large year span and what looks like some supernatural occurrence. Savannah gets a little more then she bargains for with a witch hunter, Druid, more witches and a type of "religion" that borders on supernatural. She is there to find the killer, without getting killed herself.

I really enjoyed seeing this part of Savannah. She is a grown woman and trying to make her way in the world and not be exactly the same as the do-gooding Paige and Lucas or her dark magic Mom. She shows a lot of her personality and her struggle to become her own person, a person I think I would like to hear more about.

I did not, however, feel like this was part of the Women of the Otherworld series. There was little to no interaction with many of the characters that we have known and read about for so long. The only person we see is Adam, and I love the connection that is growing between the two. I'm interested to see what's next after the cliffhanger at the end of the book. Spellbound is Book 12, released in 2011. It is again going to feature Savannah.

Hunger

Title: Hunger
Author: Michael Gran
Series: Gone (Book 2)
Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction



It's three months after that adults "poofed" and food is running low. No more candy, cookies or ice cream for these kids. Now it's a jar of Relish or Can of gravy if you're lucky. Unfortunately, this doesn't look good for the neighborhood pets/strays. Although it's not described or mentioned directly, there are enough hints to know that just about all pets/strays have also been eaten.

In addition to the food shortages, it appears that the normal kids are getting powers as well. Most seem to be for defensive/survival reasons. Not to mention the continuing mutation of the animals in the area.

There is a little less of Caine vs. Sam in this book, but it does come up again, giving this book a suspenseful ending.

There is a quote on one of the books' cover that says this is like a modern day Lord of the Flies. To me this was a huge turn off. I hated that book in high school. It's one of the few books that I just can't stand. Although I had such strong feelings about that book and such mild ones about the Gone series, after this installment, I totally see why it is marketed as that.

I highly enjoyed learning more about the FAYZ and why exactly this is all happening. It has a fairly reasonable (as reasonable as a science fiction story can be) explanation behind it all. Again, I had somewhat of a hard time getting through the book - it was interesting enough that I wanted to continue to read it, but not so much that I couldn't put it down or would go out of my way to read it.

At the end it appears that the kids are trying to start to recreate some sort of civilization in the FAYZ. I'm guessing their world will continue to crumble in the final story - Lies.

The Awakening

Title: The Awakening
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers (Book 2)
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal


When we left Chloe in the last book, she had been betrayed by her Aunt Lauren, recaptured and was stuck with the Edison Group. In this installment, we learn that the Edison Group was a group that has been working on genetically altering supernaturals. That way other supernaturals can have children without worrying so much about their powers. Their goal isn't to take the powers away permanently, but to have the powers show up when the kids are older and ready for them.

The Edison Group doesn't like to fail, and when they feel like one of their subjects is a "fail" then they are killed. Because of this Chloe is able to have contact with Liz, who has finally gotten control of her powers (a little too late).

Chloe escapes from the Edison Group with an unlikely partner, Tori. The two meet up with Simon and Derek at the rendezvous point and continue on their journey to find someone they can trust and to get some help. Simon and Derek decide they should start looking for their father's friend, Andrew, who they were always told they should contact in case of an emergency. So starts the groups trek to New York to find Andrew and hopefully some answers.

The four get separated in two groups: Derek & Chloe and Simon & Tori. We follow Derek and Chloe in their attempt to get to New York and Andrew. Although, when they get there, it looks like Edison Group beat them once again.

This was an edge of your seat treat. I enjoyed the relationship that is growing between Chloe and Derek and can't wait to see that explored more. Another little twist that I noticed, being a Women of the Otherworld reader, is the overlap. Derek and Chloe meet two werewolves that talk about The Pack and how they chop up Mutts and spread the pictures. This was Clay from the Otherworld series.

There is something about this series that really sticks with me. After I read the first book, I dreamed about it, and I did again with this book. It's such a mental delight.

Burned

Title: Burned
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Series: House of Night (Book 7)
Genre: Young Adult

At the end of the last book, Zoey’s soul had shattered and she followed Heath to the Otherworld in pieces. Burned was the story of how her friends helped her get her soul back together and return from the Otherworld.

Steve Rae imprinted on Rephaim, the head Raven Mocker and #1 son of Kalona. Their relationship in this book seems so sweet to me. I love seeing Rephaim’s good side and how he tries to battle his naturally bad self for Stevie Rae.

Overall, I was sorely disappointed with this book. So far I’ve enjoyed each of the House of Night installments, but this one (I can’t believe I’m going to say this about a fictional Vampire story) seems a little more far fetched. I think one of the things that was missing was Zoey’s normal character. She was present in the book, but only as a slip of herself in the Otherworld.

The next release is Awakened.

The Darkest Lie

Title: The Darkest Lie
Author: Gena Showalter
Series: Lords of the Underworld (Book 6)
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Gideon is the keeper of Lies. He cannot utter any truth without being overwhelmed by pain and incapacitated. It has gotten to the point where he cannot even call anyone by their name, because that indeed is a truth. Most of the Lords have gotten use to "Gideon Speak." They know he means exactly the opposite of what he is saying. Gideon can also tell if what anyone is saying is truth or lie.

Scarlet is the keeper of Nightmares. She cannot be awake during the daytime, as soon as the day hits she falls into a sleep that she cannot be woken from until it is nighttime again. While she is asleep, Scarlet visits others in their dreams and gives them nightmares, which satisfies her demon.

Gideon has tattoos of a pair of eyes, lips and the phrase "To part is to die." These things haunt him in his dreams and he gets the feeling that it is someone that he should know. Everything connects when Scarlet is captured by the Lords and thrown in their dungeon. Gideon meets her and knows she is the one he dreams of. Scarlet then drops the bomb on him that they were/are married. Gideon has no idea how he cannot remember her, but he is drawn to her none the less.

He decides he's going to "kidnap" Scarlet so they can learn each other and he can learn the information she is hiding. It drives him nuts that she has memories of him that he cannot remember. The two have to work together against the Gods and Hunters.

Initially I had a difficult time with this book, having to read everything twice. Once in Gideon Speak, then thinking about it and translating it to what he really meant. After I was a bit into the book, however, I didn't notice anymore. There even becomes one part where Gideon is able to speak the truth without being in pain. I was amazed at the skill used for this part of the book, I could immediately see a different Gideon, one who wasn't weighed down by the need to lie.

There are so many twists and turns to this story, which I guess reflects on the story being about lies. I never really felt a pull toward Gideon, but as usual, this story was written in a way where I became emotionally invested in his well being. I loved learning that his demon (Lies) is a female.

Next up in the series is Amun, keeper of Secrets story. The Darkest Secret is currently set to be released March 2011.

The Summoning

Title: The Summoning
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers (Book 1)
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal



Chloe is a 15 year old student at a prestigious art school. A good student, a daughter who behaves, an all around good girl. One day she has her first period and while cleaning herself up in the bathroom at school, decides to dye red streaks into her blond hair as well. As she's leaving, she's spotted by a custodian who yells and chases her.

Chloe stammers an excuse and flees. Only when he catches up to her and her hand goes right through him does things seem not right. She freaks out, and is sent to Lyle House. Lyle House is a home for mentally distrubed teens. Their goal is to get them on medication, help them learn about their problems (Or is it?). They diagnose Chloe is schizophrenia and start her on medication.

Things still seem a bit off and when another teen at the house, Derek, tells her she's not nuts, she's a necromancer. She starts to believe him. She and Derek, along with other paranormals of the House hatch a plan to get away and look for Derek and Simon's (Derek's "brother," a sorcerer) Dad. Things seem to go from bad to worse when things don't all go their way.

I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and when I realized she wrote this series (whose books I always see at Target) I jumped at the chance to read it. This was another quick read, one that I had to find out what happened in. There are many loose ends, that should be tied up in the next books in the series. I am so intrigued to learn more about Chloe's necklace.

Keys to the Repository

Title: Keys to the Repository
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Series: Blue Blood (Extra)
Genre: Young Adult


I was highly disappointed in this book. I went into it knowing that it wasn't the next book in the series in the way of a storyline, but instead just information on characters and what not. That being said, I didn't feel that there was much information there that was new/relevant. I disliked how it seemed to me basically to be a quick retelling of the other books so far in the series.

I felt that reading the information/stories about the vampires in their previous lives was a bit difficult. I know of few of their angel names, but not all of them. This led the stories to seem to be about totally different people.

There were a few tidbits that made reading it not totally worthless, and I highly enjoyed the first two chapters from Misguided Angel, the next book in the series.

Gone

Title: Gone
Author: Michael Grant
Series: Gone
Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction



Imagine if in the middle of one day, everyone the age of 15 and over just disappeared. "Poofed" right where they were, didn't "die" just poofed. Well, I guess I can't imagine, because I would have poofed too.

That's what happens. One day Sam was sitting in class, the teacher was teaching and then he just wasn't. The worst part about this over 15 poofing? On your birthday when you turn 15 (to the second when you were born) you poof too.

The main kids at Perdido Beach try and put some order together. In the midst of this Caine and his posse from Coates Academy show up in an organized car procession and proceed to take over. He creates his own rules, and delegates jobs. Children are replacing the roles of: Mayor, Fire Chief, Deputy, Caregiver and even someone to run the McDonald's.

Caine runs the city in a very dark, you'll be beaten if you disagree way. There isn't much that anyone can do about it, until they discover "the power." Select children have different abilities. They can suspend gravity, run at a super speed, telekinesis, an ability to shoot green-white light, teleport and others.

Add into the mix talking coyotes, flying snakes and other oddities and you have a world filled with new and strange things. The kids start to fight for control that centers around twin brothers, both with major power. Caine wants a world of fear and punishment, where Sam wants to run things in a nicer way.

It's a race to their 15th Birthday, and the hope that they can beat whatever causes them to poof on that day.

About a year ago I read The Girl Who Owned A City I had anticipated Gone being similar, although I don't think it was too much. Gone had a much more Science Fiction feel to it.

I enjoyed the book overall, but did feel that it was a little repetitive and I felt like it could have been a little shorter. I'm definitely going to move on with the series, I'm highly intrigued with "the darkness" and want to see if what they think caused the disappearance, really did.

An Echo in the Bone

Title: An Echo in the Bone
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander (Book 7)
Genre: Historical Romance/Time Travel



Jamie and Claire continue to try and walk the line through a very dangerous America. The duo (and sometimes Ian) bounce all over America and try to navigate battles to the best of Claire's knowledge. They decide at one point to go back to Scotland and return "Young" Ian to his family. Unfortunately, that homecoming is not as sweet as it should have been. When all is said and done they are again in America at the end of Echo.

Brianna and Roger are having an interesting time adjusting to the times. They buy Lallybroch in present day and there is something lurking about that is terrifying Mandy. Jem gets in trouble for yelling at his teacher in Galic, and Roger finds a new calling.

A fair amount of the story also follows William, Jamie's son. I wasn't impressed with most of his passages because they told mostly of the war. One thing I've mentioned before, is that I dislike the books that are centered more on the war and happenings then the relationships. I understand that they are an essential part to the stories, but sometimes I wish there was a little less battle description.

I felt like the last 100 pages or so were just amazing. Fast paced and full of action. I cried again this book, and hate when a beloved character is killed off in a less than peaceful way.

I think that this book seems like the climax of their stories. So much happened and so many things are left open. I never felt like any of the other books were too much of cliffhangers, but this book is definitely a cliff hanger.

Time to wait for book 8.

No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales From A Stand-Up Dad

Title: No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales from a Stand-Up Dad
Author: Jay Mohr
Series: None
Genre: Non-Fiction, Comedy



I had stumbled across this book being mentioned in a couple of blogs that I read, so I felt like I too had to read it. It was funny, it made me laugh out loud. I don't even have kids and I enjoyed it still.

There are some superb ideas such as the "Crowns" the name of a Crayola box of crayons with classic colors such as: wed, lellow, gween, ect. I think Crayola should totally do this. Not to mention the, "I'm going to s**t my pants lane," similar to the carpool lane, but a lane that every once in a while we really do need.

Goddess of Spring

Title: Goddess of Spring
Author: P.C. Cast
Series: Goddess Summoning (Book 2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Carolina is a middle aged bakery owner who just found out she owes the IRS a lot of money. She's decided to do something to expand her bakery to make more money to pay them off. She finds a Goddess Cookbook and follows the ritual, which includes making a offering to a Goddess, to make a new type of pizza. Near the end of this ritual a Narcissus grows on a tree. Lina smells it and is whisked away to trade places with Persephone.

Persephone needs to grow up and her Mother has concocted the plan of Lina and Persephone switching places for 6 months. Lina wall travel to the Underworld to bring joy to the undead while Persephone will try and breathe new life into the bakery.

The story then follows pretty much only Lina and her Underworld Adventures. On her way to meet Hades, she meets a young spirit who she adopts as a keeper of sorts. Then she meets Hades.

Who would have thought that he could be a romantic love interest? And a fabulous one at that. This book blew me away. I had gotten it from the library once, but returned it before I read it. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing. Hades is a majorly lovable (yet often gruff) character. So many interactions between he and Lina made me laugh out loud, or sometimes burn with lust. I also enjoyed all the contractions that were made from the mythology stories that I already knew.