Feature and Follow {10}

HELLO! For those of you who are just joining us I'm Vikki and I spend quite a bit of my time hanging out here. Anyway today is Friday, which means it's Feature and Follow time *does happy dance*. This is a meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where all my fellow book lovers get together and answer one not so simple question. Todays FF question comes from the good people at Little Red Riding Hood and Book That Thing!

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then “broke up” with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

Let me tell you about one of my best friends from a couple of years ago. Picture me, a geeky 17 year old who checked out 10 or more books from the library at a time (all PR or UF). One day, by pure chance I met a strong, opinionated, kick-ass young woman who took shit from no-one. It didn't take us long to become the best of friends.  Ok, so she may not have had the greatest wardrobe, we couldn't swap clothes and shoes that often...all she seemed to own were different coloured Nikes, and I'm more a 6 inch heels kinda girl...but I accepted that and we went on amazing journeys together. Her sense of humour had me in fits of giggles and her wit/ sarcasm only added to her amazing personality. To top it off she had a wicked cool job raising zombies and executing rogue vampires and I was always welcome along for the ride. Together we kicked vampire ass, rebelled against our stubborn (but drool worthy) Master of the City and collected cute, cuddly, stuffed penguins.
Then everything changed...
She started spending more time with the vampires, began a relationship with the Master of the City. At first I was happy for her she deserved some love in her life...but being with Jean-Claude had consequences and now she's stuck. When I last spoke to her she was in a committed relationship with more people than just Jean-Claude, shape changers and other master vampires share her bed. Before she would rather killed a Vampire (or die trying) than have sex with one, but now I don't know any more. Our adventures together began to be pushed to one side... and our friendship began to crumble. The last I heard she'd gone hunting a rogue with our mutual friend Edward...which sounds more like the woman I once knew...maybe there's still hope.

I still don't see much of Anita Blake any more, and I wish we could go back to when we first met...but so much has changed...she's changed. I don't know if we'll ever have that friendship back but I am always hopeful. I hope we can finish our journey one day Anita and I'll wait as long as it takes for you to come back to me.

It hurts to talk about the loss of any friendship but I will forever remain hopeful that one day Anita and I will resolve our issues and become best friends once more.

Got a story like mine...let me know :)
See you soon!

Review: Grimm Tidings by Shiloh Walker

Hi everyone, it's review time *bounces up and down*! I have received an ARC from the amazing Shiloh Walker from her Grimm's Circle series...meet Jacob and Celine but beware...they can and will kick your ass!

Title: Grimm Tidings
Author: Shiloh Walker
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Release Date: 24th April 2012
Series: Grimm's Circle, book 6
Source: ARC copy provided by the author.

Blurb from Goodreads:
Never fear the pain. Fear what lies behind it…
In his mortal life, the only thing Jacob liked better than money was a good brawl—until he stuck his fist into the wrong fight, and a demon sent him spinning into a new life as a Grimm.
Now, a hundred years later, he’s been called to protect someone too much like himself. A woman who could let the chains of her past drag her down unless she learns to let go. A woman who fights like there’s no tomorrow, because she clearly doesn’t want a tomorrow.
Celine thought her second chance at life would be an opportunity to fix some of her worst mistakes, to set things straight. She couldn’t have been more wrong. She’s trapped by the past and her regrets, and nothing—not even her darkly sexy new trainer, Jacob—has a blade sharp enough to cut her loose.
Chains are Jacob's specialty, but his help comes with a price. To her, the cost is her heart. To Jacob…something much more.
Product Warnings: Contains a heroine with enough fight in her to put the 300 to shame. And a hero who knows how to take a punch.

Review:
First Line - “You can chase death a little too closely.” Death was no stranger to the Grimm—men and women who dealt with the demons who managed to cross over into the mortal world. The three men stood there, staring down over the edge of the building into the alley below, watching the bloody, brutal battle taking place. Will—their leader—watched the woman closely. Few others knew him by any other name. Their leader was rather closed-mouthed, especially about himself.
I think this opening give you a good glimpse into what the book is about. Plus I love the product warning, because it's so true! Jacob and Celine are Grimm, one of the few men and women turned and brought over to wage a battle older than time itself. For the Grimm are guardian angels - their task...to protect humanity from the evil that stalks the night...evil we don't even know exists. For Celine, it's more than just a calling...it's her life, the only time she feels alive is when she is fighting, whether that be with the demons she hunts or the trainers who help her. But Celine's time is running out...she's a loose cannon, one who without the propper direction will self destruct. The task falls to Jacob to tame this wild woman, because if Celine contines down this path, she will be walking into death's open arms. Can Jacob save this scarred woman...or is she already beyond his reach?

'He leaned in and licked her cheek. The feel of his tongue sent a shudder of revulsion rushing through her and she swore, a lingering panic rushing in. Those memories, too many of them and too many of them were clear, rose up to taunt her. In the back of her mind, an ugly, depraved scream raged.
“Fear. I taste your fear…”
Hell, she could taste her fear. Taste it, feel it, hear it—
The parasei all but crushed her into the ground and that only made it worse. Sensory memory slammed into her, making it worse—the pain. It had torn through her—ripped her—no, no, no, NO!
She screamed and managed to get a hand free. But before she could make contact, the demon was gone.
Gasping for air, she sat up, scurrying backward as her eyes struggled to adjust and see.
Jacob.
It was Jacob.
A sob escaped her.
The long leather coat he wore whirled around him as he flung the parasei across the alley. Tears blinded her and she scrubbed them away. In the time it took for her to do that, he’d already killed the demon.
Killed it, and was walking toward her, his face tight with fury, his eyes cold.'

Our hero is Jacob, he's been one of the Grimm for the past century following a fight that didn't end too well. Thankfully his fighting skills have drastically improved since that day. Jacob is now one of the more fearsome fighters the Grimm have on their side...but his past still haunts him. I love the way Jacob's character is based on someone else...I'm not going to say who because it'd ruin the surprise when you read it, but I can tell you Shiloh Walkers genius is in full swing. I absolutely love Jacob, he's stubborn and completely hard-headed at times, but he also has a soft side that emerges around Celine...as does one heck of a jealous streak! Jacob has a tendency to look for a fight that he knows he can't win...and it's this trait that may end up costing him more than his life.
Our heroine is Celine. Now, none of the Grimm had a particularly good last day on earth but Celine's was particularly brutal. Murdered by parasei after an argument with her husband Celine never got to say she was sorry...and it's eating her alive. Stuck in her past, full of rage and grief, Celine wouldn't care if she didn't see tomorrow...but the Grimm can't afford to loose her and this is her last chance. You can really empathise with Celine, she's a brilliantly written character. You feel her grief and anger...and you root for her all the way through. Despite spurning all her previous trainers, the task of reaching through Celine's grief falls to Jacob, for he and he alone has the power to bring her back from the brink. Celine and Jacob have a spark between them...but can Celine let go of her grief...of her husband and move forward? Or will it destroy them both?

I really enjoyed this novella, not only was the main story between Jacob and Celine engaging but I am very intrigued by some of the other characters we meet. Red-eyed Rob is one of those characters that has a bit of a deranged air about him...the one you know has something awful in his past that has made him so cold. BUT the character I really want to know more about (and I mean that in a sat on the edge of my seat way) is WILL! He's the leader of the Grimm and the one who decides which humans to make one of them. He's their trainer and disciplinarian, but he is extremely guarded about his past...in fact just anything related to him. I'm so excited to read more about him. He has obviously awesome amount of power, that with an obsessive need to keep himself mysterious is a dangerous combination...as you can see here:

“You’re not quite ready to leave yet,” Will said, his voice neutral.
“Oh, yes, I am.” Grimly, Rob gathered up what few weapons he carried and started for the door. “I’m done with the team-player bit for now. You can—”
An invisible force froze Rob in place. “Oh, would you just stop?”
Or that was what he tried to say—he managed, Oh before he went flying across the room, slamming into the solid oak of the front door, smashing his head into it.
Will flipped him around with a twist of his mind and started toward him. “Whatever you think you know about me,” he said quietly. “You need to forget it.”

SEE! I'm so intrigued! As this was my first Grimm book (which you totally can read as a stand alone) I intend to go back and hunt down every book before this and read them immediately! Anyway I've rambled on for longer than I intended...I just loved it that much, and I hope you found it useful. The only downside is that it's only 129 pages long (I wanted more haha)...but it's 129 pages of pure gold!! I'd really recommend this of fans of the Paranormal Romance genre...because it's a superb addition :)

My Rating: 4.5/5

In My Mailbox {7}

Hello! Hope everyone's having a great weekend. So today is Sunday and that means it's time for me to show off everything I've added to my bookshelves this week! IMM is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Kristi at The Story Siren. Now I didn't post last week purely because I only had the one book in my mailbox (Tangled Threads) so I've added together the past two weeks. Enjoy!

Books I've received for review:

Blood Before Sunrise by Amanda Bonilla (Shaede Assassin #2) - Received from Author via Netgalley

“She needed a bargaining chip and this was it. Raif’s daughter’s life for hers. And he knew damn good and well I was right. Just like he’d assured me the night I’d killed Azriel, this was far from over. His daughter was alive, I knew it. And I was going to find her.”
For months Darian and her Shaede guardian Raif have searched for the Oracle who attempted to overthrow the Shaede Nation—and kill Darian in the bargain. But now that they’ve finally found the half-crazed Oracle, for their efforts they are granted a possibility too painful for Raif to imagine, and too enticing for Darian to ignore.
Darian is determined to reunite Raif and the daughter he thought was dead, but her mission quickly proves dangerous when her lover Tyler is almost killed. And when a brooding and mysterious Fae warrior offers his guidance—at an extraordinary price—Darian finds herself willing to risk everything. As her single-minded hunt turns into an obsession, and she and Tyler grow further apart, Darian finds herself caught between the man she loves like a brother, and the man whose love she can’t live without…

EEEK! So excited I received this!! I can't wait to get started on it :)

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross (Steampunk Chronicles #2) - Received from Harlequin via Netgalley.
In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.
Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.
One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

I'm quite nervous about reading this because it will be my first Steampunk Novel...but it sounds really good so I should enjoy it :) Plus the cover art is just lovely don't you agree?

Books I've Bought:

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price (Alex Craft #1)

Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.

I've heard good things about this series so thought I'd see what the fuss is about...I'm about half way and liking what I've read so far :)

Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake #3)

In Laurell Hamilton's wonderfully noir horror thrillers, Anita Blake never knows quite what is going to turn up walking the mean streets she lives on. She really does not appreciate the sexual attentions of Jean-Claude, vampire Master of the city she lives in and proprietor of the Circus of the Damned. No matter how cute he is, he is dead, and Anita gets enough of dead people in her work as zombie raiser and vampire executioner. His friend Richard strikes her as entirely more her sort of thing--sweet, polite and a high-school teacher; yet she knows with an awful inevitability that Richard probably has secrets of his own. Add to this volatile personal mix vampires with ambitions to seize Jean-Claude's throne and mount anti-human pogroms, an immortal snake-woman with agendas of her own and a hit-man with a contract on whoever the Master happens to be at the time, and Anita's problems start to be as entertaining and suspenseful as ever. Hamilton takes us to dark caverns and overlit night-clubs, and to the darker places that live inside human and formerly human sexuality--her books are terrific supernatural thrillers because she is keen to explore sexual heat as well as terror and excitement.

I'm slowly trying to collect this series...and not in order as I've already read them so when I saw this for £2 I just had to have it :)

Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #4)

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.
But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead.
Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too.
The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

Need I explain? I just love Gin and she finally tells Bria who she is in this book...I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for that to happen!

Alright, that's everything, I'm super excited about my mailbox! What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Review: A Touch of Greek by Tina Folsom

Hi everyone, today we delve into the life of Triton, Greek God and womaniser extrodinaire...but can this man be tamed by the love of the right woman?

Title: A Touch of Greek
Author: Tina Folsom
Publisher: Tina Folsom
Release Date: 30th September 2010
Series: Out of Olympus, book 1
Source: My Personal Copy

Blurb from Goodreads:
Selfish and gorgeous Greek God Triton is cast out of Olympus after seducing Zeus’ mistress and can only gain reentry if he finds a woman who loves him for his kindness and selflessness, not his beauty. When the mortal Sophia – recovering from an eye operation and virtually blind – needs a home healthcare worker, he takes on the role, hoping she will be his ticket home.
While defending Sophia from an unknown adversary, Triton’s protective instinct emerges. At the same time rival Gods do everything to doom him to failure. And even if Triton can win Sophia’s love, will he throw it away to return home, or will he lose his own heart to the only woman who truly sees him?
A Touch of Greek is the first book in the humorous and sexy paranormal romance series Out of Olympus following the romantic adventures of four Gods: Triton, Dionysus, Eros, and Hermes.

Review:

First Line: 'What would be the punishment this time? A year in Hades for giving it to Zeus' mistress du-jour? Seemed like a fair exchange Triton thought. It could be worse. He could be bridled from any sexual activities for a decade - which would suck to say the least. Anything, just not that! He'd never survive it. Not sating his sexual urges for a week bordered on excruciating, a decade would be pure torture.'

Yeah...I wasn't too keen on Triton at the start either. He doesn't exactly make the best impression does he? Thankfully there is more to A Touch of Greek than the ramblings of a sex crazed God who has the oh so brilliant idea of sleeping with Zeus' mistress!! Triton is basically an egocentric, womanising ass in the beginning, his punishment however takes the floor out from under his feet. For sleeping with Zeus' woman Triton is cast out of Olympus and stripped of his powers, he can only reclaim his rightful place IF a woman falls in love with him because of something other than his looks. Considering Triton is drop dead, let me pick my jaw off the floor gorgeous...this task is harder than it sounds.
So, the genius' they are, Triton and his friends Dionysus, Eros and Hermes decide that the best solution to this problem is to find a blind woman! Granted it's quite a cunning plan but still a little heartless, and Triton is still being a complete ass about it. But can they find a woman who fits the criteria that Triton can successfully woo?
Sophia first meets Triton in his first few days among humanity. However Sophia is the one person who has ever rejected Triton... and this intreigues him, he can't stop thinking about her. When Sophia is temporarily blinded from an accident in her home Triton senses a golden opportunity, a way to get back onto Olympus as well as purging the memory of Sophia from his mind. Triton steps in as Sophia's Home Healthcare worker to get close to her but instead of sleeping with Sophia and leaving Triton begins to fall for her...leaving doesn't sound so simple any more. But forces are determined to see Triton fail in his quest, will the couple survive the wrath of the gods or will they be parted forever?

'Triton instantly shook his head. "It'll be a cold day in Hades when I issue a blank IOU. I'm not desperate enough for that."
"I think you are. By the way, I had a look at the woman you're working on right now. Nice piece of ass. Firm tits even without a bra was quite a sight when she stepped out of the shower this morning."
Before Triton knew what he was doing, his fist connected with Hermes' face, snapping it backwards. "You asshole, you spied on her?"
The god held his bloody nose. "Hey! Since when is looking an offence?"
"You don't look at her, do you understand me?" Triton hissed. His heart was pounding as his hand continued clenching and unclenching. How dare Hermes look at her naked? Nobody was allowed to look at her, but- Triton stopped his thoughts in its tracks. Seeing Sophia in her undergarments this morning had been arousing enough. The thought that Hermes had seen her without a stitch of clothing was unacceptable. He wouldn't allow this to happen again.'

Triton, Triton, Triton...I must say he isn't the most loveable character but I did warm to him eventually. As the son of Poseidon, Triton has had it pretty easy. Which is probably why he is such an ass in the beginning, I really was not keen on him as a character. BUT as Triton slowly begins to fall for Sophia, his softer side emerges, diluting his arrogance to the point where he's almost likeable. Triton will never be one of my favourite men but I will give credit to Tina Folsom because Triton still having an arrogant air about him at the end fits him perfectly! I can't stand it when characters have a complete personality change halfway through the book, a few weeks around one woman (even Sophia) would not be enough to re-write thousands of years of being an arrogant, womanising idiot. It just wouldn't be believable. So kudos for that :)

Our leading lady is Sophia and boy does she make the book for me. She's not weak and she will stick to her convictions throughout. I honestly just loves the fact that when she first met Triton (before she is blinded) she called him a HIMBO! Which is great...and in trying to prove her wrong Triton just pushes Sophia further away. She isn't shallow at all so if anyone could break Triton's curse it's our Sophia. Sophia has problems of her own, due to a clause in her aunt's will, if Sophia dies childless then her scheming cousin Michael inherits everything she owns...something Michael is quite determined to see through. Can Triton protect her from all the 'accidents' befalling her or will a more malevolent force separate them forever?

I enjoyed A Touch of Greek to a certain extent. It's a nice light hearted read, a little bit of comedy (namely when our four trouble makers are together) and some romance. I did like the interactions between Triton and his 3 best friends, Hermes, Eros and Dionysus but was less keen on the romance aspect. Don't get me wrong A Touch of Greek is a good romance but I personally disliked some of the cruder language Triton uses, it just spoils the scene for me because it doesn't sound very romantic. It didn't completely spoil the book and I can almost forgive it because it was used during Triton's asshole phase where he didn't seem to hold women in high regard...but it does linger in my mind. Either way A Touch of Greek has some pretty hot scenes and was a breath of fresh air because I haven't read many light hearted takes on Greek mythology.

One bigger problem I had was that there was too much of a HEA... I mean suddenly the cousin out to get Sophia disappears, and then once Triton and Sophia are together EVERYONE who had it in for Triton are suddenly no longer concerned! It was all wrapped up too nicely for my liking, heck it even had a pretty pink bow on top! Not that I have a problem with HEAs but this one wasn't explained thoroughly enough for me. I still liked A Touch of Greek though and will look out for book 2, which I believe is Dionysus' book :)

My Rating 3.5/5

Feature and Follow {9}

Hi guys, welcome to V's Book Life.  If you're new here then HELLO! I'm Vikki and I'm a bookaholic...something many of those who have visited before will be well aware of. Anyway it's Friday (thank goodness) and it's Feature and Follow time! Feature and follow is a weekly meme run by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read which pulls all us bloggers together to answer the question of the week. This weeks question comes from bloggers at Amy's Book World and Word Spelunking.

Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

AWESOME QUESTION! It reminds me of the Alpha showdown being held over at Vampire Book Club over the next few weeks (if you haven't heard you should definitely check it out here!) Anyway the two characters I would love to duke it out would have to be Kate Daniels and Curran (from Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series). I know they're mated and everything and that over the entire series they have had several mini battles BUT I'd love to know who'd win a no holds barred fight between the two. Kate and Slayer (her trusty sword) are quite a team together, not to mention the sheer volume of magical punch Kate could pack if it came down to it. However Curran is...well...Curran *swoons*. He is the Beast Lord of Atlanta, basically the Alpha of all Alpha's whose warrior form is rivalled by no other. He shifts into a pre-historic lion for crying out loud. Nothing much gets to him...except Kate...so yeah I think an epic battle between these two would be very close and something I'd pay good money to see!

Want to know more? You can read my 5 Star review of Magic Bites (book  1) here!

Alrighty, that's your lot for now but who would you want to see duke it out?

Bye!

Feature and Follow {8}

Hi everyone! It's Friday and that means Feature and Follow time. This is a meme run by the lovely folks at Parajunkee and Alison Can Read and is a fab way for all us bloggers to connect and share our thoughts...as crazy as mine can be! Anyway today's question is;

Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

Oh wow, erm...I'm always nervous when there is a film adaptation because I'm petrified it's going to go horribly wrong and put me off the books. Saying that though I've never been too damaged by film adaptations in the past... meaning I haven't got to the point where I want to remove the piece of my brain that remembers the film...not yet anyway :)

I would be petrified about the BDB series being made into a film (especially Zsadists book) because I love the series so much that I can't even picture someone playing the warriors because J.R. Ward has made them so real to me. Plus you all know about my small Zsadist obsession...ok fine...my HUGE Zsadist obsession. If he were to be portrayed incorrectly I think I'd cry...*shudders at the thought*.

The blurb of Lover Awakened (Zsadist's Book)

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.
Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

Come on! I love this story...the love between Bella and Zsadist captivates me, both are scarred and Zsadist's dreams are filled with the horrors of the past. The way these two work to overcome everything they've been through is beautiful...and the end always makes me cry...no exception!

Anyway, that's my answer! Let me know what you think. 

Cover Reveal: Greta and the Goblin King

Hello everyone. Today I am very privlidged to be able to be part of the cover reveal for Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs. It looks pretty good doesn't it? I've been following Chloe Jacobs on twitter for a while now because the blurb for Greta and the Goblin King really intrigues me AND she's promised an excerpt will be sent our way closer to the release date...so September ish.
Greta and the Goblin King will be released November 13th 2012 from Entangled Publishing.

Blurb:
While trying to save her brother four years ago, Greta was thrown into the witch’s fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon.
To survive, seventeen-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape.
But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back…

Sounds fabulous right! I can't wait for it to be released so I can get my hands on a copy :)

More about the Author:

Chloe Jacobs is a native of nowhere and everywhere, having jumped around to practically every Province of Canada before finally settling in Ontario where she has now been living for a respectable number of years. Her husband and son are the two best people in the entire world, but they also make her wish she'd at least gotten a female cat. No such luck. And although the day job keeps her busy, she carves out as much time as possible to write. Bringing new characters to life and finding out what makes them tick and how badly she can make them suffer is one of her greatest pleasures, almost better than chocolate and fuzzy pink bunny slippers.

Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13260802-greta-and-the-goblin-king

Barnes and Noble pre-order: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/greta-and-the-goblin-king-chloe-james/1040613977

Additional links to Chloe’s pages:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jacobs_Chloe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChloeJacobsAuthor
Website: http://www.chloejacobs.com

In My Mailbox {6}

Hi Guys, Happy Easter to those celebrating and hope you've all had an amazing weekend. So it's Sunday which means it's IMM time! This is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, I love this meme because I get to show off my book collection :) I've had a quite but exciting week this week so here goes!

Books Received for Review:

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden #1) - received via Netgalley.
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for. 

EEEEK! So excited to have got my hands on this. Absolutely cannot wait to start reading this! Heard great things so yeah...super excited!

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen (Nightwatchers #1) - received via Netgalley.
I don't do dangerous. Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

I've been hearing good things about this too, plus just look at that cover...I love it!

Books I downloaded for free from amazon.co.uk:

A Touch of Greek by Tina Folsom (Out of Olympus #1)

Selfish and gorgeous Greek God Triton is cast out of Olympus after seducing Zeus’ mistress and can only gain reentry if he finds a woman who loves him for his kindness and selflessness, not his beauty. When the mortal Sophia – recovering from an eye operation and virtually blind – needs a home healthcare worker, he takes on the role, hoping she will be his ticket home.
While defending Sophia from an unknown adversary, Triton’s protective instinct emerges. At the same time rival Gods do everything to doom him to failure. And even if Triton can win Sophia’s love, will he throw it away to return home, or will he lose his own heart to the only woman who truly sees him?
A Touch of Greek is the first book in the humorous and sexy paranormal romance series Out of Olympus following the romantic adventures of four Gods: Triton, Dionysus, Eros, and Hermes. 

I downloaded this just before I got NetGalley approval so it's kind of both for review and for fun. I love anything to do with the Greek Gods and Goddesses so hopefully I should enjoy this :)

That's all this week. What did you get in your Mailbox?
Catch you later. 

Review: Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Hey Guys, hope you're all enjoying the Easter weekend! Another review is heading your way, this is Touch the Dark by Karen Chance, book 1 in the Cassandra Palmer Series.

Title: Touch the Dark
Author: Karen Chance
Publisher: Roc Fantasy
Release Date: 28th June 2007 (UK) | 6th June 2006 (US)
Series: Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 1
Source: My own personal copy

Blurb from Karen Chance's website:
Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits-talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren't usually dangerous; they just like to talk...a lot.
The undead are another matter.
Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking Mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection. The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire-and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay... 

Review:

First Line:  'I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the obituary.  The fact that it had my name on it was sort of a clue.  What I didn’t know was how they’d found me, and who the guy was with the sense of humor.  Antonio has never been much for comedy.  I’ve never figured out if that has something to do with being dead, or if he’s always been a morose son of a bitch.' 

This first line is pretty awesome, I know finding my own obituary taped to my computer would certainly freak me out. You think this is bad...Cassie can't even begin to comprehend how much her day is going to go down hill from here. Touch the Dark follows the story of Cassie Palmer, a clairvoyant on the run from the vampire who calls himself her master. A man she has caused no end of trouble for – but if he can’t use her gifts...no one can. Antonio wishes her dead, however his master and senate member Lord Mircea has other plans. Mircea is an old vampire. Tall, dark and handsome with eyes of liquid gold, Mircea is the Senate’s chief negotiator...oh and did I mention he’s Dracula’s older brother? Now the all powerful Senate has a favour to ask...vampires have been breaking from their master’s control and the blossoming new power Cassie has may well be the key to preventing all hell breaking loose. The use of these powers may yet save Cassie’s life but will also force her into a role she isn't sure she is ready for... that is if rogue vampires and crazy war-mages don’t kill her first.

Touch the Dark is one of my favourite books, it is also one of the very first adult urban fantasy books I read! I think I first read it when I was about 17 and absolutely loved it. The 3 main characters that feature heavily throughout the entire series are Cassie (obviously), Mircea (thankfully), and unstable but yummy war mage John Pritkin (who is just awesome). After finding the eerie obituary Cassie's life is turned upside down...not only does she find out that her room-mate is a master level vampire but something is changing with her clairvoyance. Before Cassie had only been an observer in her visions...now she is a part of them, something that can have disastrous side effects. Cassie is tough...but there are only so many betrayals one clairvoyant can take.

'I slipped again and fell on my butt, bruising it on something hard.  Some part of my brain that was still coherent recognized the shape of the object, and I snatched my gun from beneath me.  “Don’t come any closer or I’ll kill you.”  I pointed it at Tomas and, despite the fact that it was shaking wildly in my less than steady grip, I could tell he knew I meant it.  His eyes, usually soft and warm and open, were opaque black mirrors now.  I couldn’t see anything past them, and I didn’t want to.  God, I didn’t want to.
“Cassie, you must listen to me.”  I looked into that handsome face, and some part of me detached itself to watch another illusion shatter and die.  I thought I’d finally done something good, that I’d actually helped someone, saved somebody, instead of always watching every damn thing I did end in pain--either mine or someone else’s.  I should have known it was too good to be true, that he was too good.  Way out of your league, Cassie my girl, I thought as my back hit the door.  Maybe you should start smaller, adopt a kitten next time, only I knew there was very little chance that there would be a next time.'

Our heroine has to be one of my all time favourite characters, and not just because this was one of the very first books in the urban fantasy genre I’d ever read. No, Cassie wins this all by herself, she’s smart, funny and knows she’s not invincible despite the vast power she holds and the loyalty she commands. Though Cassie does have a habit of getting into the worst situations imaginable...and usually wearing the most inappropriate clothing too i.e. her ‘happy face’ t-shirt (which is covered in pieces of dead vampire) which is what she wears the first time she meets the senate...not exactly subtle or elegant. Cassie is also one of the luckiest people I know...and not just because she has Lord Mircea's attentions *sigh...*. Cassie tends to scrape through battles by the skin of her teeth she's not a trained fighter and sometimes wants to sit in a corner with her hands over her head repeating 'the big bad vampire isn't there' unfortunately that would probably lead her to getting eaten...so she fights the best she can and our girl isn't afraid to play dirty.

There is a new spin on supernatural politics and heirarchy that I haven't seen before. Plus vampires aren't the only ones who need to feed to sustain their lives...ghosts like Billy (a ghost that is anchored to Cassie's necklace) can feed off Cassie's energy. Cassie is the only one who can see the ghosts...so naturally they want to talk to her, in return they will do whatever Cassie needs...heck they even kill a master vampire for her! There is humour and suspense as well as awesome action scenes...mostly where we get to see the vampires come into their own and Cassie, not to be outdone, tries to control her newfound powers to aid them in the fight. It's gory without much romance, though you can see the beginnings of a relationship...or two. There are sex scenes but not exactly brimming with romance...though they are great to read you learn a lot about Cassie's character from them.

Touch the Dark kept me gripped throughout and I have re-read it several times (as attested by how battered my copy is becoming). Touch the Dark is a promising start and the entire series is one of my all time favourite Urban Fantasies. I can't wait for the newest addition!

My Rating: 4.5/5

Feature and Follow {7}

Hey Guys! It's Friday which means Feature and Follow time! tthis is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Feature and Folow allows all us bloggers to connect and share our thoughts on a particular topic. This weeks question is;

Q: Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

I can honestly say I've never gone out and specifically found a book because of a negative review. If I'm questioning whether I should buy a particular book I will look around on Goodreads and blogger websites to see what people think. I can admit however that I am one of those people who if they see some 1 star reviews on Amazon or Goodreads I will immediately read them *looks ashamed*. Some I don't take seriously...if there is only one line that says 'I hated it!! Only got 3 pages in before I had to put it down!' then I won't take much notice however if the reader has expanded and explained what they didn't like then I give it more credence. I like to have that balance of positive and negative because naturally one book won't be loved by everyone. I do buy books that have mixed reviews if I like the sound of the blurb and have enjoyed any excerpts...but negative reviews may cause my to proceed with caution.

Childhood memories! Happy Easter Everyone!

Alright, let me know what you think! Don't worry I don't bite (well...not as much as I used to) and I will always follow back :)
But no...I've never read a bad review and immediately gone 'I must have that'.

Happy Easter everyone!

In My Mailbox {5}

Hi again everyone. It's Sunday so time for the weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren that gives all us bloggers a chance to show off the books we have received/ bought/ borrowed for the week! This weeks IMM still contains some of last months books because I neglected this meme for a time. This should be my last catch up post!

Books I've received for review:

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards (ARC) - received from the publisher.
2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can’t travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She’s an ‘ape’, a ‘throwback’, but this is one ape girl who won’t give in.
Jarra invents a fake background for herself – as a normal child of Military parents – and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra’s role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. No hiding at back of class now. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates – a norm from another planet. Somehow, she has to keep the deception going.
A freak solar storm strikes the atmosphere, and the class is ordered to portal off-world for safety – no problem for a real child of military parents, but fatal for Jarra. The storm is so bad that the crews of the orbiting solar arrays have to escape to planet below: the first landing from space in 600 years. And one is on collision course with their shelter. 

I've already started this and am really enjoying it! Look out for my review to come!

Shafted by Kymber Morgan (a Bandit Creek Novel) - I received this as part of a Bewitching Book Tour

Is her love real or just a myth?

Returning to her summertime home of Bandit Creek, Callie Jamison discovers there’s a lot more involved to her grandmother’s legacy than a few cabins and some land, including a curse. The last thing she needs now is to fall in love.

Anteros, dark twin of Eros is responsible for avenging unrequited love, a job that’s been a lot harder since his brother succumbed to ambro-fever and has been running amok shooting all the wrong people – including Anteros.

The clock is ticking, not only on his immortality and Callie’s free will, but their hearts as well. Soon they’ll each have to decide if the overwhelming attraction they feel is the real deal or if they’ve simply been ‘Shafted’ and it’s all a cruel illusion.

Books I've Bought:

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake Series, book 1)

Anita Blake may be small and young, but vampires call her the Executioner. Anita is a necromancer and vampire hunter in a time when vampires are protected by law—as long as they don't get too nasty. Now someone's killing innocent vampires and Anita agrees—with a bit of vampiric arm-twisting—to help figure out who and why.
Trust is a luxury Anita can't afford when her allies aren't human. The city's most powerful vampire, Nikolaos, is 1,000 years old and looks like a 10-year-old girl. The second most powerful vampire, Jean-Claude, is interested in more than just Anita's professional talents, but the feisty necromancer isn't playing along—yet. This popular series has a wild energy and humor, and some very appealing characters—both dead and alive.

I lost my original copy so bought this one as a replacement - found it in a charity shop for £1.99... a good find I think :) 

Books I downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk:

Pyxis by K.C. Neal (Pyxis series, book 1)

Corinne lives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with her best friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriend Mason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s food dyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistibly alluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of a dark force that consumes everything in its path.
Pursued by shadowy figures and a crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who her grandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, she learns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams. She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.

Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young (Fire Spirits, Book 1)

For the last two years Ari’s life has been anything but normal and on her 18th birthday, when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again. 

Ari’s real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human. 

They are myth. 

They are Smokeless Fire. 

They are Jinn.

I was particularly drawn to this cover out of all the free books on offer, it's so pretty :)

Right well that's my lot for this week, let me know what goodies you received this week :)

BDB News!

Ok guys...today I heard news of EPIC proportions. You know how I am completely crazy for J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Well... next year... will bring about the most anticipated book yet. 2013 will be the year of QHUAY!!! HELL YEAH!

I was so excited by this that I jumped up, started my happy dance and promptly tripped over my rug and ended up face down on the carpet *looks embarrassed* ... I have two bruised elbows and was laughed at by my brother for a good 2 hours but it's all worth it. Qhuay aka the story of Blaylock and Qhuinn will be awesome...My only regret is that it's not coming out sooner!

May this weekend bring you more good news...this was the cherry on the top of mine and shall sustain me through the working week :)

Celebrate in style!