The Panther’s Lair Author: Esmerelda Bishop Paranormal Spicy Romance Reviewed by: Delenn
“The Panther’s Lair”, by Esmerelda Bishop is an erotic tale of pure carnal delight.
A seductive one night stand filled with mind blowing sex was all Sydney was really looking for; she gets more than she bargained for when she meets a Tom that exudes an air of pure sexuality. Sydney seems to have the worst luck with men, so after her last attempt at a relationship goes dangerously wrong, she decides a one night stand is just about all men are good for. Deciding it’s
time to test her theory, Sidney ventures to a hot new club called, “The Panther’s Lair”, to find her man. Much to her dismay pickings at the club are slim, that is until the most drop dead gorgeous guy with the cheesiest pickup line ever catches her attention. Ms. Bishop’s internal dialog for Sydney was just hilarious; her constant internal monologues when she initially
meets Raimond were outrageously filled with sexual connotations and suggestions that had me laughing out loud in their spontaneity. Although there was minimal character development for Raimond, the character’s presences does envelope the reader in a sexual haze. I liked that Raimond was forced into precarious situations where he found himself testing the limits of his own control over his feline nature during his pursuit of Sydney. Undaunted by Sydney ’s ruse, Raimond showed the lengths he was willing to go to find her when he was able to turn the tables on her, by towing her car. I just loved
how that Sydney ’s plan just backfired on her. The sexual interludes between Sydney and Raimond were masterfully crafted and were absolutely the driving force that really allowed the novel to flow at a steady pace. “The Panther’s Lair” is a fast paced erotically infused novel that I highly recommend and look forward to reading additional works from Ms. Bishop. Other Books by Ms. Bishop
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Great Reads by The NOR Staff.......................................5
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Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal by Roxanne Rhoads ....................................................................................39
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The Battle by Michael Davis........................................49
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Dark Streets by Bill Shears..........................................57
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Cooking Up A Storm With Kyrainse............................71
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Author Interview by Tammie King..............................76
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SFF Insider by Shartyrant............................................83
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Tantalizing Tidbits by The Book Nerd..........................94
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History Bits by Lilyraines...........................................105
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Teen Reads by MonicaBBB........................................108
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Manga Insights by Lexile...........................................128
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The Wild Irish Sea By Loucinda McGary Drawn together by a force they can’t resist...
The telepathic image of her twin brother fighting for his life sends Amber O’Neill rushing to the rocky shores of Ireland. Desperate to find him, she turns to reclusive local inspector, Kevin Hennessy. An Ideal Wife By Gemma Townley
How to ruin a perfectly good marriage: become an Ideal Wife!
Married to the man she loves—sweet, sexy Max—Jessica Wild-Wainwright is blissfully happy . . . except for one tiny little problem: She never confessed to an (almost) tryst with Max’s biggest rival right before their wedding. Eaten up with guilt and facing down threats of exposure, Jessica decides to give Max what he clearly still lacks: the Ideal Wife. With the help of her friends, she will become perfect in every way: doting, devoted, domestic—everything Max deserves. Struck by Conscience By C.K. Green
I, Charisma Mansfield, do solemnly swear that... I never asked to be popular. I never asked to be voted Prom Queen. I definitely never asked to have an invisible pixie perched on my shoulder whispering her opinions into my ear 24/7. But of all the things I never asked for, this is the worst one yet— when brooding but gorgeous Heath Ruvelas (my next door neighbor and the guy I used to be best friends with before jr. high) rescued me from drowning in the school pool. My already bizarre life would never be the same.
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Great Reads
Magic in the Blood By Devon Monk Working as a Hound—tracing illegal spells back to their casters—has taken its toll on Allison Beckstrom. But even though magic has given her migraines and stolen her recent memory, Allie isn’t about to quit. Then the police’s magic enforcement division asks her to consult on a missing persons case. But what seems to be a straightforward job turns out to be anything but, as Allie finds herself drawn into the underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic. The Search By Nora Roberts
The #1 New York Times-bestselling author presents a riveting novel where a canine search and rescue volunteer fights danger and finds love in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.
To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle’s coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare... Spider’s Bite By Jennifer Estep My name is Gin, and I kill people.
They call me the Spider. I’m the most feared assassin in the South — when I’m not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don’t use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
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Night Owl Reviews™ WEtap Media, LLC ™ 2459 SE TV HWY #153, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 NightOwlReviews@gmail.com Editor-In-Chief: Tammie King Associate Editor: Sarah McDermed Associate Editor: Kim Wollenburg Advertising: Tammie King NightOwlReviews@gmail.com © Night Owl Reviews 2010
These are just a small portion of the reviews that Night Owl Reviews has available on our website. For a full listing and the most up to date reviews visit our website www.NightOwlReviews.com. Reviews are provided by our review staff. Reviewers get books via NOR and we get books direct from the publishers, authors and publicists. Reviews are based on reviewer thoughts.
Q & A With Author Mary McCall
Question:
Please tell us your latest news?
Answer: My first novel, Highland Treasure, is scheduled for release from Eternal Press on August 7, 2010.
Q & A With Author Michael W. Davis
Question:
If you could be one of the characters from this book – Who would you be? And why?
Answer: The hero Mark Daniels of course. I modeled him after me. For the same reason they call him Moose, they called me Big Mike. Plus he adorns his wife, like I do mine. Got to love the big brute.
Romance by Mary Eason Time and Time Again - The best upcoming historical romance for your summer reads
Can you imagine what it would be like to live in another time? Perhaps the Viking period or when pirates ruled the waters. Perhaps you’d choose the Victorian period. For me, if I could live in any period of time gone by, it would be in the wild, wild west. As a writer, I began my career reading historical romances. Some of you may recognize them as being called the bodice rippers. The definition of the Historical romance is any novel set before World War II, but it can include a wide array of subgenres ranging from Regency to Medevil, Tudar, Elizabethan and lets not forget, the Western. Today, the historical romance has become a
mainstay in the romance publishing industry. Through ups and downs and some very lean times, the historical romance genre has stood its ground and evolved with time to become an alltime favorite amongst readers of romance. Many greats have launched their careers in the genre. To name a few, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, Liz Curtis Higgs, Madeline Baker, Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood, Kinley Macgregor, better known as paranormal romance author Sherrilyn Kenyon, has weaved many a tale in the historical romance genre. Amanda Quick, also known as Jayne Castle and Jayne Ann Krentz, soars to new heights with book 6 of her Arcane Society series.
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Catherine Anderson has been writing historical romance novels for years. And there are so many more. So, let’s go back in time and take a look at some great upcoming historical romances.
High Plains Bride (Thorndike Press Christian Historical Fiction) By Valerie Hansen Emmeline Carter was prepared for danger on the new frontier. But she didn’t foresee the tornado that tore their wagon train apart. Now her father is dead, her mother and sister are injured and their twin wards
are missing. There’s nowhere to turn but the fledgling Kansas settlement of High Plains. Town founder Will Logan steps in to search for the twins and house the Carters...for now. He’s not cut out for family life long-term. But Emmeline’s got her own ideas, and when this high plains bride chooses her groom, nothing will get in her way!
ISBN-10: 1410428117 Available now in Paperback and Kindle. Large Print August 11, 2010 The Brazen Bride (The Black Cobra Quartet) [Mass Market Paperback] By Stephanie Laurens USA Today bestsell-
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ing author Stephanie Laurens adds a dynamic, sweeping tale to her extraordinary adventures. They’re bold, courageous, resolute . . . ex-officers of the Crown united against a deadly traitor known only as the Black Cobra. Shipwrecked, wounded, he risks all to pursue his mission—only to discover a partner as daring and brazen as he. Fiery, tempestuous, a queen in her own realm, she rescues a warrior—only to find her heart under siege. Bound by passion, linked by need, together they must brave the enemy’s gauntlet to win all their hearts’ desire. ISBN-10: 0061795178 Publisher: Avon (June 29, 2010)
Highland Warrior [Paperback] By Hannah Howell
Fleeing an obsessed suitor, Fiona MacEnroy rides recklessly into Scotland’s wildest hills and is captured by a horde of well-armed men. Instead of battling for her life, she finds herself swept away by a powerful stranger and carried off to a remote, forbidding keep. Oddly, here at Scarglas, a place shrouded in mystery and the black reputation of the rogue clan MacFingal, Fiona feels a strange, comforting sense of safety...and a consuming passion for its rugged land. Spellbound by Fiona’s beauty yet determined to fight the longing she ignited, Ewan MacFingal plots to ransom Fiona back to her kin. Sworn
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to protect his eccentric clan against the dangers invading Scarglas, he refuses to be weakened by the power of a woman whose every glance and touch tell him that she is everything his heart desires. Now, as pride and passion war within, dark peril and forbidding secrets will force them to trust what has yet to be spoken - the unshakable power of a timeless love. ISBN-10: 1420111779 Publisher: Zebra; PF edition (July 6, 2010)
Give Me A Texas Ranger [Paperback] By Jodi Thomas, Linda L. Broday, Dewanna Pace, Phyliss Miranda
When Nurse Ellie Anderson whispers her dreams to Mitchell Clark, the wounded ranger has a new battle on his hands. For the sweet beauty’s words awaken his every protective instinct and he knows he’s found a woman worth fighting for. When Stoney Burke finds Texanna Wilder in need of rescue, he’s caught between his hardened heart and his duty to his best friend’s lovely widow. Marriage is merely a solution to keep Texanna safe, but Stoney is suddenly aching for his wedding night. Forced to take feisty Kate Stevenson into custody, Hayden McGraw has his hands full. But when he discovers the spitfire is on his side of the law, they’re soon working as a team - up close and very personal.
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Thomas Longbow only plans to use Happy Devine as his cover on his latest assignment. But the passion that explodes between them threatens to expose his plot and his heart. ISBN-10: 1420111744 Publisher: Zebra (July 6, 2010) Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker [Paperback] By Syrie James
A THRILLING, PAGE-TURNING TALE OF ADVENTURE AND FORBIDDEN PASSION... Syrie James approaches Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula with a breathtaking new perspective--as, for the first time, Mina Harker records the shocking story of her scandalous seduction and
sexual rebirth. Who is this magnetic, fascinating man? And how could one woman fall so completely under his spell? Mina Harker is torn between two men. Struggling to hang on to the deep, pure love she’s found within her marriage to her husband, Jonathan, she is inexorably drawn into a secret, passionate affair with a charismatic but dangerous lover. This haunted and haunting creature has awakened feelings and desires within her that she has never before known, which remake her as a woman. Although everyone she knows fears him and is pledged to destroy him, Mina sees a side to him that the others cannot: a tender, romantic side; a man who’s taken full advantage of his
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gift of immortality to expand his mind and talents; a man who is deeply in love, and who may not be evil after all. Soon, they are connected in a way she never thought humanly possible. Yet to surrender is surely madness, for to be with him could end her life. It may cost Mina all she holds dear, but to make her choice she must learn everything she can about the remarkable origins and unique, sensuous powers of this man, this exquisite monster, this ... Dracula! ISBN-10: 0061923036 Publisher: Avon A (July 20, 2010) Devil’s Prize ($4.99 Value edition)
[Mass Market Paperback] By Kat Martin
Determined to match wits with Damien, the scandalous Earl of Falon, Alexa Garrick recklessly consents to meet him at the whist table. More than #90,000 in losses later, Alexa discovers that money isn’t what Damien has in mind. Convinced that his brother Peter killed himself because Alexa had spurned the attentions of a “penniless second son,” Damien is determined to see that Alexa pays for his family’s loss. The earl’s suggestion that they meet privately to discuss her debt intrigues Alexa, as does the handsome earl himself. But when their meeting is observed and Alexa’s reputation ruined, as he planned, Damien offers to marry her
to protect her honor, deluding himself into thinking that a loveless marriage will be but another form of revenge. Martin’s (Bold Angel) story is delightful and her character insights astute. Though Damien might easily have slipped into villainhood, the author rescues him with scenes that ring true-as when he visits Peter’s grave with his mother. Martin also deftly manages the sometimes tricky task of injecting humor without compromising her characters or making them jokey.
ISBN-10: 0312532598 Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (June 29, 2010) Bedding the Enemy [Paperback]
By Mary Wine
Laird Keir McQuade is a newcomer to his title, and has much work before him to restore the McQuade honour. Finding a wife is an excellent start. He’s dutybound to go to court and swear homage to his king anyway, a perfect opportunity - were not court women trussed in stupid fashions and corrupted with false mannerisms. Of course, not every lady hides behind a powdered face... Helena Knyvett may be a daughter of the aristocracy, but in truth she is little but a pawn in her brother’s ploys for power. Her smallest acts of defiance carry a heavy price. But one honourable man among a crowd of dandies could give her all she needs to change her fortunes - and set her free...Among the
ruthless ambitions of England’s powerful, love at first sight is a dangerous game. But the treachery, scandal, and treason that follow can unleash as much passion as it does adventure... ISBN-10: 0758234678 Publisher: Brava (July 27, 2010) The Deadliest Sin [Paperback] By Caroline Richards Dark Dreams
They had haunted Julia Woolcott all her life, but the strangest of all began with an invitation to a scandalous house party, and a game more dangerously arousing than any she-d ever imagined. Unbound Desires
Driven by his ruthless ambition, Alexander Strathmore would do anything to come face to face with the mystery man who-d challenged him to first debauch Julia, then destroy her. Deadly Sins
A wild shot-a frantic carriage ride through the night-a forbidden seduction. Rakehell adventurer and sheltered spinster, Alexander and Julia will break every rule of propriety to chase down their nemesis and consummate their unlikely passion. -A finely wrought tale, rife with twisting secrets and dangerous hungers. Exquisite!---Sylvia Day, National Bestselling Author Before becoming a
novelist, Caroline Richards worked in advertising and marketing in North America and Europe. Currently, she lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband. If there-s one thing she loves more than escaping into a good book, it-s writing one. ISBN-10: 0758242751 Publisher: Brava (August 31, 2010)
Whispers of Love [Paperback] By Rosie Harris
It is 1914 and Christabel Blakemore is happily preparing for her wedding when she receives the shattering news that her fiancĂŠ has drowned at sea. Heartbroken, she tries to piece her
life together, but she soon discovers she is pregnant. Knowing that she cannot bring up a baby alone, an increasingly desperate Christabel has little choice but to seek assistance from her brother, Lewis. He finds her cheap lodgings in the poorest part of Liverpool and helps get the baby adopted, promising to never speak of the child again. Just as her life seems about to return to normalcy, Christabel’s mother suddenly takes ill, and she is forced to return home to look after her. But here she finds life ever more difficult and envies her brother’s wife, Violet, who has just had a new baby. Christabel finds herself filled with remorse and regret about what she has done, and wonders if she will ever be free from the fateful deci-
sion she made.
ISBN-10: 0099527421 Publisher: Random House UK (August 31, 2010)
So, relax, grab your favorite beverage, and curl up with a fantastic love story from another time.
Until next time, All the best…
Mary Eason is the author of books such as “A Night to Remember” and “Root of All Evil”. You can find Mary online at http://www.maryeason.com.
Two steamy classics from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster Fantasy Brandi really means it when she says “Oh, you shouldn’t have” to her sister’s outrageous birthday gift—a five-day dream vacation to a lovers’ retreat…lover included. Just what is she going to do in paradise with sexy stranger Sebastian Sinclair? Anything and everything she wants. Tantalizing Josie Jackson was growing tired of a constant stream of yawn-inducing blind dates, courtesy of her dear, meddling sister. But Nick Harris wasn’t the stuffy, straitlaced workaholic that Josie had come to expect. In fact, he was just the opposite—tall, dark and ready to give little Miss Josie Jackson a night to remember.
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Alien Revealed By Lilly Cain Carina Press 4.5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick “Alien Revealed” by Lilly Cain, starts off with a bang that will really grab the reader’s attention; the vivid descriptions of Alinna’s Anxieties, her concern for the passengers of the other aircraft and the ensuing crash landing are so elaborately described for the reader that the entire sequence really delivers a riveting opening to the book. I really enjoy that although Alinna was an observer, she was not at the top of the list of operatives in her field; her slight ineptness gave credence to her worries over her current situation. Her latest predicament really puts her back against the wall; if discovered by the humans, her command’s diplomatic
mission could be compromised, yet if she were to succeed in her objective, the results would benefit both species. Alinna’s Inarrii’s L’inar nerve lines were one of the most unusually, yet highly erotic aspects of the character; Ms. Cain’s choice to visibly display Alinna’s emotional state though their use really adds credibility to the concept of visitations to earth by an alien race. The aspect of Alinna’s need for sexual release further emphasized the alien differences between the races and added a level of sexuality to the character that really enhanced the books overall theme. The reader can tell from the opening introduction of Major David Brown character, that he is hard core military. A soldier’s soldier; driven in his need to command his own unit and is willing to endure
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whatever it takes to achieve that goal. I liked that David was the standard military soldier, yet he was at constant odds with his attraction to Alinna and the ramifications, should he stray in her direction. His dream walking sequence with Alinna was full of sexual intensity and was one of the most satisfying erotic alien encounters that I have read to date. “Alien Revealed”, is a great read! Ms. Cain’s exceptional character development, extensive use of very human emotions to convey to the reader the depth of each characters personalities and motivations really allows the book to progress at a steady pace. The tantalizing scenes of sexual pleasure were sensually written and truly conveyed to the reader the level of chemistry emanating from the characters. I highly
recommend “Alien Revealed” and look forward to reading additional works by Ms. Cain.
Reviewed by Delenn
Wedding Favors By Allyson James, Nikita Black, Sheri Whitefeather Penguin Group 4.5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Wedding Favors is a trio of decadently sinful adventures experienced by daring bridesmaids who have come into contact with the magical fountain endowed with sensual powers invoked by a voodoo queen such as Marie Laveau, her daughter or another practitioner of the dark arts. The fountain’s motto, “All That You Wish” frees each of the bridesmaids to satisfy their sexual fantasies, whether it is with the owner of the maison
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itself, as part of a ménage a trios with the God Eros’ son or as the submissive of a sexy inn proprietor. Nikita Black’s Binding Her Heart details the freeing of Tessa Kittredge’s heart as she places her body into thrall to sexy Treves Duchesne, owner of the former bordello that houses the mysterious fountain. Allyson James’ Mortal Sensations explores the ramifications of Eros’ son Alexi interfering once more in mortal affairs by enhancing the relationship between Madison Rainey and the hot star of her secret fantasies, Thomas Dupree. Sheri Whitefeather describes a bondage dungeon located in the attic of a bed and breakfast inn that features in the Dungeon Dreams of one of the inn’s guests, particularly after she makes a pilgrimage to the infamous fountain. Wedding Favors is a siz-
zling collection of erotic stories that combine the steamy ambience of New Orleans with mystical intervention that allows three women to experience their wildest sexual fantasies. Each author expertly depicts a masterful man who is able to satisfy the woman who is there to support her friend the bride and in turn reaps a satisfying and sensual partner brought into her life by the fountain known as the “Jaillissement de Plaisir”which fulfills its promise so delightfully. Reviewed by ELF
The Wild Irish Sea By Loucinda McGary Sourcebooks 4 / 5 Stars Take two cups of magical Celtic legends, a half a cup of suspense and danger, a cup
Romance of hot romance, add quarter cup of the sixth sense, and a quarter cup of wild Irish landscape and people and you have Loucinda McGary’s latest treat to devour. A tasty treat it is. A wonderful concoction of magic and romantic suspense. Wild Irish Sea grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the finale. Cindy doesn’t rush the romance, as many do, but does stir in the natural effects of danger and attraction to hold together a good romance. There’s plenty of conflict and distrust to overcome for Kevin and Amber to have their Happy ever after. Kevin is a man with deep scars from loss; he’s dark, moody, and reclusive. Being a police inspector, he has been trained to see facts not whimsy and certainly not telepathic abilities.
Amber is a ray of sunshine in Kevin’s life. She too has faced scars, but hasn’t let it close her off. She has a deep attachment to her brother, and the mutual ability to hear him and feel him. When she arrives on Kevin’s doorstep, she is exhausted, barely able to put together a coherent sentence. She is a woman of strong inner guards. She has to cope with Kevin’s disbelief, a community hiding the truth of smuggling and willing to sabotage her efforts to find her brother. She also has to deal with the added enhancement Ireland has on her abilities. People can’t really read minds, human or animal, or can they? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read many for review, but this was a joy rather than a job. Well paced, has a good strong romance, factual legends to enhance the tight suspense. Well done.
Romance Reviewed by Sia McKye
Vow of Seduction By Angela Johnson Kensington Publishing 4.5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Sir Alex de Beaumont has been a prisoner of war for many years and the only thing that has kept him from losing all hope is thoughts of his wife and the vision of how she made love to him on their wedding night. After Alex is able to escape the prison that has kept him caged up for so many years, Alex discovers that the wife he left behind is planning to marry another man. Lady Katherine suffered betrayal and loss after her husband left her right after their wedding night without any warning. Now, years later after being presumed killed
during a battle, Sir Alex de Beaumont returns to stop Kat’s wedding to Sir Luc de Joinveille. Sinister plots have been set into motion way before we meet our main characters and their current dilemmas. Someone is determined to eliminate Kat and cause Alex as much pain as possible in the process. In order for Alex to have any chance at reconciling and gaining forgiveness from Kat, he must find out who was responsible for his betrayal and capture, as well as who is trying to kill Kat. What is the purpose of a good quality historical romance novel for you? For me it is to take me away into another time and place where I can imagine being the female protagonist and living the romantic interlude. Those of us that enjoy this type of novel will eat this one up in a day. You will love these two strong characters and feel their pain and struggles with each other
Romance as well as against the hidden dangers that loom nearby. I would immediately recommend this book to all lovers of historical romance. Reviewed by Dreamweaver Golden Heart By Kate Hofman Dark Castle Lords 4 / 5 Stars
Jamie Christopher is a young man with many things on his plate. He has a mother who has been disabled in
the automobile accident that killed his father; he’s working to keep the 2 family businesses afloat and is involved in a somewhat casual affair with a local nurse. He has a generous heart and tries to help those that need assistance. Jamie does have some emotional baggage; the drunk driver who killed his father managed to flee before justice could be served, he and his mother did receive an insurance settlement, however this incident is not really closed in Jamie’s heart. His parent’s accident also kept Jamie from being able to finish his train-
Romance ing to become a landscaper, which would be financially beneficial to both him and his mother. Jamie gets a very lucky break when a famous and rich advertising executive takes an interest in his mother’s flower shop and starts to frequent the place. Martino Ortona is in Florida due to his wife’s health, they recently purchased a very nice home and he is interested in the local businesses of the area. Jean Christopher is clearly the role model for Jamie’s generous heart, she has befriended Martino and this leads to Martino hiring Jamie to work on his garden, sight unseen. It is while Jamie is working in the garden that Martino realizes that Jamie has the face and figure that he wants for a large advertising campaign for a new client. He and Jamie work
out the details to enable Jamie to leave his mother‘s side for 3 weeks to become a model. Jamie’s experiences as a beginning model are very entertaining, from the cougar like account executive to the somewhat crazy hair stylist who wants to shave Jamie’s shoulder length hair. His adventures kept me turning the pages. Jamie’s generosity of spirit leads him to provide a temporary haven to a young woman who in turn leads him to locate his father’s killer. Jamie is able to provide the police with the man’s location and there is a resolution to that aspect of his life. However, as the saying goes “No good deed goes unpunished” and his generosity also back fires when the young woman he helped turns into an unstable stalker in his life. It is this
Romance young woman’s behavior that finally forces Jamie to realize that he is no longer satisfied with his casual affair with Cyndi, the local nurse who is helping him with his mother and it is very rewarding to watch their relationship change and grow. If I have any complaints with this story it is that Ms. Hoffman almost made Jamie too good. His “golden heart” made him somewhat naïve and that did come back and bite him a few times. Other than that this was a very fun book to read and also highlighted that fate does have a way of rewarding the generous. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Hoffman writes next. Reviewed by Maria
Department 57: Crystal Tides
By Lynne Connolly Loose-Id 4.25 / 5 Stars Architect Kai Murdoch has just returned to Cromer for a little R&R—and for a merman, that means a nice late-night swim. His discovery of another merman, Tyler, and his wife Zoe, rouses more than just his interest: it’s been a long time since he met another like himself. Now, finally, he might have found the right lovers to make himself feel whole. Zoe loves the idea of being with both Tyler and Kai, and Kai wants it too. Tyler likes to watch but at first is resistant to his attraction to Kai. Zoe is an archaeologist, half-human and half-Talent, working on an underwater dig off Cromer, which is suddenly attracting all kinds of interest—of the wrong kind. With Zoe and Tyler in danger,
Kai calls in the Department 57 team of Talents to find their common enemy. Along the way, as the threesome learn to depend on each other for protection as well as sexually, Tyler learns that Kai is truly meant to be a part of his and Zoe’s life. Liquid Tides is part of the Department 57 series, but also works as a stand-alone title. The exotic setting— along with the exotic and sexy mermen—makes a great erotic romp as well as adventure story under Connolly’s deft writing. Reviewed by Preternatura Risking Eternity By Voirey Linger Ellora’s Cave 3.75 / 5 Stars
Dominicus has been trapped on Earth and cut off from all angelic communication save his best friend Ren. Ren has
forever denied him, but without him Dom has no one. That is, until he is sent to take the soul of Maggie. Only, her soul is the most pure he has ever encountered. Dom will risk his own soul to battle the demons, literally and emotionally. Dom knows he will Fall, but will it be into the arms of Maggie or into the gates of Hell? RISKING ETERNITY is a short work packed full of emotion and action. I am not a fan of male/male relationships; however, Linger kept it short and sweet but also with plenty of passion and emotion. I do not really know what to think or how to describe Dom. I did not dislike him by any means, but his character is hard to give a specific description. Maggie, on the other hand, is very head strong. She knows what she wants and just how to
get it. Renatus is solemn and, the reader can tell, lonely. His feelings toward males in relationships and the contradiction of his emotions toward Dominicus are obvious. Linger did her research. Many stories concerning angels and demons are ironic in the fact that the angelic characters act (in the Christianity sense) like as much of a demon as the demons. Dom and Ren having feelings for each other and Dom and Maggie’s premarital sex is quite a sin. The rest like the Most High, the way that souls go to hell are chosen, and such are much closer to correct than most. This is fiction, so of course Linger had lots of wiggle room. For readers looking for a reprieve from vampires and werewolves, I recommend RISKING ETERNITY. Reviewed by Sapphire
Worlds Apart By Kris Norris Resplendence 3.25 / 5 Stars Samantha is Captain of the Starship Grier and earned it the hard way. Through fighting and earning the respect, if not fear, of her crew. As alone as a person can be she makes the tough choices that make her a good captain. Then fate strikes and she finds herself crashed on a planet inhabited by genetically engineered slaves long left to their own devices. Trying to mesh her crew with these mistrustful people is going to be a challenge, as well as her own attraction to their leader, Griffin. Griffin leads his people as best he can. Fighting tradition as well as the harsh planet they live on, he’s overwhelmed when Samantha and her crew crash on his planet. Instantly drawn
to her he concludes she is his intended mate: the one he can bond with both emotionally and psychically. Withstanding the bigotry of both their people as well as an unknown assailant determined to bring down the colony, they both fight to survive. Can they bring their two worlds together? I was thoroughly into this book in the beginning. Well written and well paced, I was able to follow the story and felt the tension and emotions building between Sam and Griffin. Then the author took a sharp left turn and lost me. Adding an incident that caused a rift between Sam and Griffin could have been done differently. The story jumped from them being together to Sam feeling pain after they had been separated a while, and this was too abrupt. Rather than ease into the story line change, the reader was thrown into
the middle of a crisis and it was very distracting. The initial joining of Sam and Griffin was very erotic and enticing, and I looked forward to more. Unfortunately I didn’t get it until much later, and it was missing the magic that was present in the beginning. As stated, the relationship changed drastically and the reader was left to struggle to catch up. My most profound problem was if they were psychically connected, how could Griffin believe what he was told and hurt Sam the way he did? While it all worked out in the end, as all good romances should, I felt this story could have been more. Reviewed by Chris
Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal by Roxanne Rhoads
Roxanne Rhoads is a story stumpet, tome loving tart, and lover of all things paranormal. She is also a freelance writer and the author of erotic paranormal romances.
So far it’s been a scorching hot summer full of sizzling paranormal and urban fantasy readswith plenty more to come. My must have book list for July includes Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler (July 1), Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill (July 6), Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair (July 6) and Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
(July 27). Squee- four of my very favorite authors all with new releases this month, you know I’ll be busy reading. What’s on your must have list? Maybe some of July’s other hot new releases like July 6’s most anticipated booksTomb with a View the newest Pepper Martin Mystery by Casey Daniels, My Way to Hell by Dakota
Cassidy, or just maybe it’s Undead and Unfinished book 9 in the Queen Betsy series by Mary Janice Davidson (adding that one to my wish list as I type…). I know one I am looking forward to is the P.N. Elrod anthology Dark and Stormy Nights being released on July 20. It features shorts from Jim Butcher, Carrie Vaughn, Deidre Knight and more top notch UF authors. Stacia Kane and Marjorie M. Liu both have new releases on July 27. City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 3) and A Wild Light (Hunter Kiss, Book 3) Now let’s visit with a couple
authors. I have short interviews with Nicole Peeler whose second book in her new Jane True series, Tracking the Tempest, hit shelves July 1st and on June 30 Linda Robertson’s newest Persephone Alcmedi book, Fatal Circle, was released. SQAL with Nicole Peeler by Roxanne Rhoads RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into NP: My newest release is Jane True Book 2: Tracking the Tempest. It’s the sequel to Tempest Rising. The book is urban fantasy that’s heavy
on the mystery and the sexy sexy. RR: Can you describe your heroine or hero in 3 words? NP: My heroine is sweet, sensual, and snarky. RR: Name one unique trait about your heroine or hero NP: I think Jane is uniquely strong. She’s not a warrior woman, and she wasn’t raised to go around pummeling people. But she’s got an inner strength that I recognized in some of my really strong female friends and that I tried to replicate in Jane. RR: Name one thing your main character would never leave home without
NP: Her Converse sneakers. And probably some sort of snack food. RR: If an actor or actress was to play your heroine or hero, who would it be? NP: Maybe Emma Stone with dark hair and contacts. Someone pretty, but not in a glamazon sort of way. RR: Name the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book NP: Hmmm . . . that’s gonna have to be split between Ryu (pronounced Roo) and Anyan. Ryu’s sexiness comes from his experience: boy has been around the block. As for Anyan, his sexiness comes from his being so grounded. He knows who he is and what
he wants, and I don’t think there’s anything sexier than that combination. RR: List three adjectives that can describe this book NP: Both Tempest Rising and Tracking the Tempest are sexy humorous, but they have a deeper, darker underbelly. RR: What’s the heat level: arctic winter, flirtatious, romantic, sizzling, or scorched panties hot NP: It’s sexy . . . somewhere between romantic and sizzling. ;-) RR: Sum up your book in 2 sentences or less NP: In Tracking the Tempest, you not only begin to
see what Jane can do, as a supernatural, but you learn how to make a really mean lentils dish. RR: And please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is____________ NP: The fans! For sure! RR: And last but not least when can we expect to find your book in stores: NP: Tempest Rising is on shelves now; Tracking the Tempest is out July 1st; and the 3rd book, Tempest’s Legacy, hits shelves January first. SQAL with Linda Robertson by Roxanne Rhoads
RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/ category it falls into (best description): LR: Fatal Circle will be available June 30 and it’s Urban Fantasy.
nection with the goddess Hecate are no accident. RR: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book?
LR: (Persephone) Destined. Determined. Daring.
LR: Menessos steps more to the forefront in Fatal Circle, driven by his desire for Persephone (Seph). His dangerous unpredictability is very sexy. (But Johnny fans fear not: he’s still smokin’ hot!)
RR: Name one unique trait about your heroine
RR: Can you sum up your book in 2 sentences or less?
LR: She’s the predestined Lustrata, “She Who Walks Between Worlds,” and as this character discovers more and more about what that truly means, it becomes clear that her witch heritage and her con-
LR: With the fairies intent on war and the witches loyalty to her waivering, Persephone moves into the vampire Menessos’s haven for safety. While Johnny goes with her, his duties as Domn Lup demand much
RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words?
of his time, leaving her alone and surrounded by vampires as she discovers the darker costs of being the Lustrata. RR: And please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is… LR: Having my dream come true and being published.
Getting emails from people who have read and enjoyed my stories, and seeing them at conventions, is so wonderful! I spent over twenty years writing different stories and dreaming of this; having people I’ve never met read and enjoy a book I wrote--finally!--is just an incredibly happy feeling.
A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.... Being a witch doesn’t pay the bills, but Persephone Alcmedi gets by between reading Tarot cards, writing her syndicated newspaper column, and kenneling werewolves in the basement when the moon is full — even if witches aren’t supposed to mingle with wolves. She really reaches the end of her leash, though, when her grandmother gets kicked out of the nursing home and Seph finds herself in the doghouse about some things she’s written.
The Battle
Part 5 – The process By Michael W. Davis (www.Davisstories.com) “The Battle” is a series of articles about one author’s real-life trip through a minefield of experiences as he’s learning to deal with personal difficulty. There is no ulterior purpose, other than to share thoughts in the hope others may find counsel in the shared journey. It is my belief that much of fear is derived from uncertainty. From the outside looking inward, the mind will play with your emotions, amplify the true negative implications of things you have never experienced before. I know that was the case for me. Each time I sunk deeper into the halls of the medical process to cure my cancer, a new procedure or process would be inserted into my schedule and for days I would ponder the scope of the new experience. For that reason, I will share my perception of the actual solution process to outcast the demon from my throat. This article is very direct so if you want to remain in the dark, you might pass it by. For each step in the process, I will provide my assessment of the degree (0-10) of yuck (pain/discomfort) that I endured. Nose probes – To explore why my voice had disappeared, the throat doctor inserted an optical tube into my nostril and extended it down into my throat. They enter the nose because of the gag reflex. I had heard all kinds of horror stories about this procedure, but my first nose probe was only a 1 on the
yuck scale. I felt nothing going in and only a slight movement coming out, no pain at all. The doctor clearly had the gift. He did use a numbing squirt in my nose ten minutes before insertion and that worked very will. The second nose probe was by a different doctor and he did NOT use a nose spray. This time my misery rose to a level 6. I’m going to talk to this doctor next time and strongly encourage the nose spray. I don’t lament nose probes now if I know they are going to use the numbing spray.
Needles – I’ve always been one that hated needles. By the second week, I had been poked so often, it became routine. I would just sit down, extend my hand, “Here” turn my head, and that was it. The yuck factor declined from 6 to 1 after the first six intrusions.
PET scan – I had heard real horror stories on this one. For me personally, there was very little discomfort except that derived from my large shoulders. I was required to wear a straight jacket device on my arms which was slightly discomforting after 30 minutes but no real big deal. I had also heard that the isotope they shoot into your body burned; not for me. I felt nothing. Even the medieval restraining mask was a piece of cake. I closed my eyes and could breathe fine. I would put this as a 2 yuck a meter only because of the problem for me to go 40 minutes without a nature call. I’ve decided next time to tell them I need a nature call half way in and I’m sure they will accommodate. I no longer lament PET test now that I’ve experienced one. Chemo treatments – I
had been told that chemo treatments could be rough because many become nauseous from the treatment. In my particular case, the chemo was administered once every three weeks for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the radiation treatment against the tumor. I was given medicine before the treatment to fight off nausea. For 6 hours I sat in a lounge chair with about 25 other people lined in a row as three liters of liquid was dripped into my veins. There was no discomfort. You are allowed to work on your laptop as wife and family sit by your side. The nurses and doctors were truly compassionate, understand what you’re going through and did every thing they could to easy the mental anguish. Other than being hooked to a tube for 6 hours, this was a 1 on the yuck scale and I did not lament follow on treat-
ments. The process may be applied differently at other facilities or for other forms of cancer but this was nothing (negative) like I expected. You do have to monitor yourself post treatments since, I presume some, toss their cookies, and the doctors become extremely worried about such incidences (dehydration). For that reason we spent the night of chemo treatments at a local motel near the hospital since they warned if things came up, we should race to the hospital. In terms of my reaction to the chemo, I will admit that I’ve never experienced anything so difficult in my life. For 7 days, everything that touched my lips, every smell made me gag, ever with four different medicines in my body to fight that reaction. I also sleep 20 to 22 hours a day. Each chemo treatment became worst and when coupled with the burning in
my throat, it was difficult to crawl to the top of the mountain near the end of my treatments, but I will. This part of the experience I would classify as 10 on the yuck scale. Note that many chemos do not cause this reaction at all and are barely registered by the patient’s body, but not mine.
Radiation treatments – In my case, I received 8 x-ray bursts ranging from 14 to 42 seconds 5 days a week for 8 weeks. I would lie on a table with a mask formed specifically to my ugly face and clamped to a rig in the table to immobilize my head (any movements would be a major no-no). In preparation for these treatments, every person I know, every doctor I saw, expressed those treatments would be a dip into the pits of hell, and they were right. The reason? The x-rays literally burn the flesh
inside your throat; a very tender part of your body essential to the daily function of eating and drinking. The mask is to minimize collateral tissue damage, but it still occurs. The side of your neck exposed to the beam experiences severe sunburn and your throat becomes sore to such an extent that they install a feeding tube in your stomach to bypass your throat. Experience has show that many patients suffer to such an extent, they refuse to swallow and stop taking in food or liquids. The tube is installed prior to the treatments as a contingency in case you shut down your intake. Was the pain as bad as every one predicted? Hard to believe, but yes, it was horrendous. By the final series of burns and chemo, I didn’t really know who I was anymore. My entire existence had diminished to surviving another hour of ra-
zor blades in my throat, and every 30 minutes stopping my violent coughing sessions which in turn would lead to a severe gagging response. This too became a 10 on the yuck scale near the end. Esophageal penetration – From start to finish I encountered two sedated (in hospital) insertions of equipment down deep into my esophagus or stomach. I expected this to be about a 5 yuck factor, but afterward I would rate this as a 2. I was put to sleep and other than a significant sore throat for one day, it was minor. I did find the stomach tube discomforting. It was always there and difficult to protect during showers. I became sensitive to movement of my center torso because I was physically aware of its presents. I did not like the stomach tube at all.
I’ve tried to provide a fair assessment of the process and discomfort I experienced during my four month treatment period (from diagnosis of cancer to post processing). The next post will be the last in the series and offer my take on the ultimate cost (impact) to myself and wife to cure my cancer and to deal with post treatment side affects. Till than, have a good month.
Greetings suspense lovers and welcome to “Dark Streets,” the first entry in what we hope will be an enjoyable and enlightening exploration of the type of fiction writing that holds you in the grip of its prose. And yes it must be prose, mustn’t it? When’s the last time you read a suspenseful poem? If it’s been since Poe’s “The Raven” well it’s been that long then. It’s no coincidence that Poe is also the inventor of the detective story. [http://www.mysterynet. com/edgar-allan-poe/. Barring poetry, and other
more “literary” and academic prose forms, the works we like reaches into all genres, because when you get down to it, suspense is a matter of holding a reader’s attention. Other genres? Yes. Westerns, for instance, have a strong association with suspense as outlined here [http:// www.januarymagazine.com/features/ westernmyst.html and http://januarymagazine.com/ index.html] by Bill Crider. “After all, what are Westerns about? Murder, extortion, robbery (banks, stagecoaches, trains, Wells Fargo offices, you name it), kidnapping
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and rustling, that’s what. And of course they are about the stranger who comes into the corrupt town and cleans it up, pretty much the way the Continental Op does in Dashiell Hammett’s Red Harvest.” For historic fiction, you have Brother William of Baskerville solving riddles in a dank medieval Italian monastery in The Name of the Rose, [http://www. themodernword.com/eco/ eco_works_fiction. html] Umberto Eco’s amazing first novel. And there’s plenty of hard-boiled sci-fi, including the book on which the film Blade Runner was based, P.K.
Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. (http:// www.philipkdick. com/works_novels_androids.html In this sense then the suspense/ mystery novel is not merely a genre, it is a sort of “metagenre” that tends to unify many others, so that the surroundings, technology and the human (or humanoid, or other sentient being) mindset detailed in the work denotes merely the setting. If you haven’t seen this lecture on the History of the Thriller/The Art of Suspense [http:// www.ken-follett. com/taos/index. html] by acclaimed novelist Ken Follett it’s well worth your time, and is a good
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starting point for defining our criteria. From there, it’s a matter of stakes. At the one end of our suspense spectrum, there are the big stakes: cities in danger, national security issues, the planet (or some planet) about to be destroyed. These are the stuff of blockbuster thrillers. If the stakes are more personal -- redemption, honor, a treasure, or even just trying to stay alive -- and the hero is in the thick of the action with her skin and/or that of love ones, or other innocents, at risk, then it’s a hard-boiled suspense. If it’s a matter of who’s-thekiller, with a sleuth only semi-officially – or perhaps
only academically -- attached to the outcome, then you’re at the other end of our scale, no less interesting and still a platform for good thinking, and writing, but somewhat narrowly defined as a mystery. We’re mostly interested in that fairly wide swath in the middle of that scale above, aren’t we? Somewhat lower than the techno-thriller, stakes-wise, and with the hero more viscerally enmeshed in the outcome But such fictional worlds are relative. To a troubled, tortured or driven person, their own problems are the world. So come along on our run through the gamut of human folly, pettiness, avarice and
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evil out there in the Dark Streets. RECENT READS: Evil for Evil by James R. Benn is a mystery set during World War II. We don’t really need an immediate grabber, and generally have more patience with the stories starting out bit slow. But when it begins in the middle of a soap opera, while name-dropping historic personages – Churchill. Rooosevelt, George C. Marshall, Eisenhauer and his driver and rumored mistress Kay Summersby -- the hopes are not high. By the end of two chapters, no matter how short, you’d want to have at least some hint of where you’re headed. This one was easy to put down. Down
it went. Too bad. A World War II setting would normally be right up our alley. ~~~
Rolling Thunder by Chris Grabenstein is a fun read, especially for those who’ve spent time around the unique culture of New Jersey’s barrier island resort towns. Some forced dialogue and a bit of too-obvious funny naming of seaside establishments, but the composite fictional Jersey Shore town of Sea Haven will have you guessing which parts may have been inspired by your own favorite Garden State summer destination. Whimsically written, though
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be prepared for heavier language toward the climax, verging on distraction. The solution is well-worked out and clear. There are insightful characterizations throughout, especially our narrator and his partner John Ceepak, the rock steady uniformed cop who you’ll associate with Dudley Do-right long before the association actually appears in the text. And someone’s gotta say it, might as well be me...a good beach read. ~~~
Cemetery Road by Gar Anthony Haywood is a gritty redemption-themed, smalltime street crime story, but written big. Handy, a tinkerer and former petty thief, travels across half the continent
to his home town of Los Angeles and to a spot in his past 30 years ago. A friend who he’d teamed with to carry off the Big Score has been murdered. But his amateur investigation of that crime also serves as a channel for his long-delayed settling of some personal scores with himself. Some quite writerly passages: “What I failed to understand is that no plan is impervious to chance, No matter how scrupulously rehearsed or executed, the designs of mortal men will always be as prone to the unexpected as cloud patterns in the sky.” Recommended.
Bill Shears is the author of Kite, a science fiction comedy set in Earth orbit. You can find Bill online at: http:// infinitybound.com
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Suspense / Mystery The Deepest Cut By Dianne Emley Random House 3.5 / 5 Stars Her young daughter calls the man who assaulted Nan Vining, “T.B.Mann” (The Bad Man) but the Pasadena homicide cop uses other words to describe her unknown assailant. Now, a year later, Nan is determined to find T.B. Mann. If that means breaking a few department rules and stealing evidence, so be it! As she puts together the pieces of the puzzle, Nan is convinced the man she is looking for is someone obsessed with women who wear uniforms. Apparently he stalks her, kills her and then adorns the victim with a pearl necklace. Creepy! Complicating her obsessive search for T.B.Mann is Nan’s developing relationship with Detective Jim Kissick. Although she might like to take
a little detour down Romance Lane, right now Nan’s first priority must be finding the serial killer she knows is hiding out there in the shadows. What the attractive cop doesn’t realize is that the mysterious T.B. Mann isn’t done with her yet. He plans another confrontation and has baited the perfect trap to bring them face-to-face again! This is the concluding novel to the author’s “cut” trilogy (“The First Cut” and “Cut to the Quick”). And, as is only fitting, she has saved the best for last. Reviewed by BobWalch Fiend By Karen Lewis Smashwords 4.25 / 5 Stars
To say Lily Foyle has had a troubled life is an understatement. When she was six years old, her parents died, leaving her in the care of her aunt and
Suspense / Mystery uncle. When she was nine, her uncle was incarcerated for the murders of three prostitutes. Now 25, Lily is addicted to drugs and working in a seedy sex club. Detective Neil Slater suspects there may be more victims and that Lily may have witnessed something that may help him find out the truth behind these horrible murders. With the help of a psychologist, he tries to get Lily’s help. The trouble is, Lily doesn’t remember anythingand she really doesn’t want to. There also may be someone else who wants Lily to keep those memories repressed. More bodies turn up and the list of possible suspects and accomplice’s keeps grow. As the story moves on it gets more violent and Slater finds it harder and harder to resist his growing attraction to Lily. I found most of the charac-
ters very unlikable, with the exception of Slater and maybe Lily, herself. I thought Neil’s fellow cop, Tony Blake was exceptionally rude and mean, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. A book like this needs it’s “bad guys” as well as “good guys” and I actually think that helps to keep you guessing on who is guilty to innocent. I also wasn’t sure what to make of a side story involving the psychologist, Anne, or if it was really necessary to even include it, but I will say it threw me off course. Overall, I always enjoy a good suspense story and this definitely fit the bill. The author had me really guessing on what really happened and I always find that a plus. If you like murder mysteries and don’t mind references to kinky sexual acts or really nasty crime scenes, then you will enjoy this story. As it neared the end, I was still on edge and
Suspense / Mystery amazed the author got it tied up in such a short story. Reviewed by Lisa
Margarita Nights By Phyllis Smallman McArthur & Company 3.5 / 5 Stars As a reader, your satisfaction with Margarita Nights, by Phyllis Smallman, is likely to hinge on how you take to the main character, Sherri Travis. Sherri starts with credentials for a murder mystery well within normal bounds. She’s a bartender who’s a bit stretched out financially; she’s separated from her philandering husband, and she has loads of interesting friends. Per normal, we get a tawdry view of her home territory, in this case a cluster of small communities on Florida’s western coast. Sherri has the misfortune of becoming a
suspect in a murder case. And if you are a typical reader, you take to this heroine quickly and start rooting for her to start using those latent deductive powers sure to be activated by the rising tide of evidence against her. So far, so good. But then a funny thing happens. Before too long, Sherri starts doing things we suspect aren’t very sensible. As we delve into her background, we learn even more about her that’s shabby. More importantly, she isn’t showing us the classic mix of admirable qualities we’ve come to expect in a heroine. The turning point comes in chapter twelve. Here a drinking binge pushes her close to self loathing and, in an instant, the trashy aspects of Sherri we’ve been overlooking and giving her the benefit of the doubt about, flash into prominence and become etched qualities that can no
Suspense / Mystery longer be denied. From this moment on, our original urge to cheer her on is replaced by a wondering whether she can succeed in spite of herself. If nothing else, this makes her unique. Her persona by mid story is a combination of snide humor, self depreciation, and loyalty to friends. Here’s an example from page 124 of how Sherri views herself. This man had a way of making me feel really stupid, something I don’t need any help with. The book does have other qualities in its favor. The writing is very good, with smooth prose, vivid descriptions, and a few figures of figures of speech good enough to transcend the genre. The characterizations are also of high quality. We get an unusually large cast of believable characters, vividly described, and animated by good dialogue. True, a pre-
ponderance of these are low-life types, many of them close friends of Sherri, but several do have novelty appeal. There’s even a lopsided homosexual relationship that snakes in and out of the story, leading eventually to a lighthearted episode of Christian bashing, and at a funeral, no less. There are some wasted story motions with repeated searching expeditions into a wilderness slum for a witness, but it does add realism. Downside is the drag on plot pace. The story’s suspense is well crafted in the early chapters. Part of that is the mystery’s dual nature, i.e. we don’t know for sure that a murder has been committed. So for more than half the book the possibilities are nearly unlimited. Unfortunately, the denouement is a bit of a letdown, with the villain being predictable from his/her entrance into the story. On balance, Margarita Nights is an attractive read on several levels. But for most
Suspense / Mystery readers, Sherri’s appeal will be determining. The author gives us a heroine with trash appeal that’s out of the ordinary. Reviewed by Edelweiss Eight Days to Live By Iris Johansen St. Martin’s Press 5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick
Jane MacGuire is Eve’s adopted daughter. She has grown up to become an artist. When Jane was a teenager she started having strange dreams about a man for the past. She has no idea who he is or even if he is real. The dreams keep happening every night. She feels compelled to paint a portrait of this man. After she is finished painting the portrait she names it “GUILT”. Jane’s friend, Celine, in Paris owns an art gallery and talks
her into having a showing of her paintings. And into also giving an interview to a local paper. The gallery showing is a big success. Someone even offered a large sum of money for the “GUILT” painting, but Jane refused to sell it. When Celine is killed and Jane is attacked her old friend Jock, comes to the rescue. He is now working with the CIA and they heard chatter about a total hit being put out on Jane. A total hit means all of Jane’s friends, family, and anyone who helps her is also marked for death. No one knows why a secret religious cult has marked her for death nor why her death has to happen on April first. With Eve safe at MacDuff’s Run and Joe working with the CIA, Jane alone with Jock go on the hunt for someone with information. Jane also calls in Seth Caleb (from Blood-
Suspense / Mystery games) to help. Seth is a hunter, he has strange abilities that will help Jane find the person who put out the hit on her. In a small way Jane trust Seth but the attraction that she feels for him scares her. Seth and Jock will do anything in their power to protect Jane. But will it be enough? For not only is Jane at risk but so is Eve. Ms. Johansen brings us the ninth installment of her Eve Duncan Forensics series. This story centers mainly on Jane more so than Eve. Ms Johansen brings back some of the characters from earlier books to this story, so that we may learn more about them. The Eve Duncan books just keep getting better with each one. She is able to keep each story fresh and different. This book will join my other Eve Duncan books on my keeper shelf. Reviewed by Robin
In Frankenstein: Lost Souls, Dean Koontz puts a singular twist on this classic tale of ambition and science gone wrong, to forge a new legend uniquely suited to our times. It is a story of revenge, redemption, and the thin line that separates human from inhuman.
NightOwlReviews
Cooking Up A Storm
With Kyraninse
Title: Talking with My Mouth Full : Crab Cakes, Bundt Cakes, and Other Kitchen Stories
By: Bonny Wolf Rating: 4.5
Evocative, wry, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, one can read this gem by Wolf as a cookbook or one can bring it into the kitchen as a warm confidante. Bonny Wolf does a stand-up job of presenting food in most of the ways that matter, yet without ever veering into either preaching mode or being elitist about it. She talks about the importance of eating meals together as a family, but also admits that it doesn’t have to be dinner and that some-
times, being human, they failed. It’s alright though, her son didn’t turn out to be a drug addict or a felon because she missed a few of his meals as a child and had to have the babysitter defrost hot dogs from the
freezer. Her essay on family cookbooks and their importance to the families who keep them and the mothers who think of their children when compiling them was moving and perhaps even inspiring. Although my mother and grandmother have probably never followed a recipe in all their years of cooking -- perhaps I can pass something along to my children. Recipes with titles such as “Aunt Roza’s lemon bars” or “Aunt Nora’s aunt’s famous garlic dip with two whole heads of garlic”. The book is a fun romp through recent history: Wolf is engaging, entertaining, and dispenses curious trivia with casual largesse without ever being dry or boring about it. For example, I thoroughly en-
joyed the piece on Bundt pans, their origin, their rise to popularity, and then their fall from favor with the more snobbish crowds along with casseroles. Then there’s her transporting, funny, and almost Proustian ode to toast. Apparently, one cannot pay too much attention nor be too obsessive about toast and what you put upon it. She then embarks upon a journey into her gadget drawers and memories. When she speaks so fondly of pots and rolling pins cherished by generations of her family, I look at my cooking ware, all new and gleaming, and sigh a bit that I will probably never cradle a broken wooden salad bowl in my arms and speak of my tools as old friends. I may adore the convenience that my
hand blender brings me, but nothing other than annoyance registered when it gave up the ghost a few months ago. At the end of the book, I found myself sighing over the loss of her companionship. Much the way a long ramble with a friend can inspire and rejuvenate, I found Wolf’s company to be both soothing and engaging. I would have been happy to have spent another 200 odd pages with her. I did sometimes feel cheated when she would speak so eloquently about a certain dish, only to find that it wasn’t included in the recipes at the end of the chapters. Perhaps she will write another book and there will be another chance for those recipes to be released from carefully kept family cookbooks.
Pick up this book and bring it into the kitchen or to bed with you. I daresay you won’t be disappointed. How could you be when here’s a friend who tells you not to panic at the beginning of the recipe for seafood paella? Kyraninse lives on the East Coast and enjoys cooking and reading.
Author Interview Maya Rodale http://www.mayarodale.com
by Tammie King Hi Maya. It’s great to have you here for your third book. Please tell us your latest news? I have a new book! A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN is the first in my Writing Girl series, which is like Sex and The City gone Regency. An important disclaimer: so far, my reviews for GROOM are so far better than those of the recent SATC movie. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? When I was dreaming up my Writing Girl books, I wanted to write heroines that I love to read—one’s that a daring, and unconventional, and live life on their own terms, including getting married and live happily ever after. I also wanted to highlight women that defied expectations of what a woman was capable of, especially in the Regency period. Thus, the Writing Girls— four women who write for The London Weekly, the most popular newspaper in town. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Since I handed in the manuscript for A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN
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(as you might expect, it’s all about weddings), I have gotten engaged and started planning my wedding. And oh my lord I had no idea of the horrors that come along with wedding planning (just creating a guest list is a landmine). I might have dared to include more of that. But on the whole, I wouldn’t change a thing with GROOM. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I have three favorite authors: Eloisa James for her gorgeous, smart writing. Julia Quinn for her sweet sense of humor. Loretta Chase for her sharp sense of humor. Do you have a specific writing style? More light and funny than dark and brooding.
Do you see writing as a career? Yes—one of them :) Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I actually had these grand plans to be a rock star, but I got so frustrated with the dynamics of a band, lugging equipment and the late hours. That’s when I turned to writing. I had always been a big reader, so it was a natural next-step to try writing something that I would want to read. Do you have any advice for other writers? Write every day. Brace yourself for rejection. Keep writing anyway. How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your
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books? I actually come from a family of writers, so it’s almost expected. However, my family is amazingly supportive. One of my cousins told me they had all pre-ordered copies of A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN to take on their beach vacation. What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time? So far I’ve been a student (under grad and grad) while being a writer. Now that I’ve graduated, I have a day job—in addition to writing romances. So I haven’t exactly been a full time writer, but I dream of it. What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both? I used to be a pantser and now
I am the most hardcore plotter. I’m talking spreadsheets. I’m talking day-by-day, sceneby-scene outlines of what happens when and where and how everyone feels about it…all in color-coded spreadsheets. When I get to writing the book—after the outline—I do the entire thing in dialogue only and then I go through twice more to flesh it out, adding feelings, description, etc. Do you have a favorite object that is pertinent to your writing? If so what is it and please describe it. (Pen, Coffee Cup, Pet, Blanket, Chair) – Feel free to send along a picture if you like. Other than my laptop, I’ve been attached to my coffee mug that I bought while I was living in London (and dreaming up my A Groom Of One’s Own and the other Writing Girl books). It says “A Room Of
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One’s Own.”
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Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen and a comfy place I am a creature of routine. My writing ritual is this: get up early (how early depends upon how near my deadline is), make and drink coffee while writing for the first hour or two of every day. I like to start my day with a lil’ bit of romance.
Thanks for joining me Maya. I look forwad to your latest book. Author Bio: Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence and it wasn’t long before she was writing her own. Maya is now the author of multiple Regency historical romances. She lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own. Please visit her at www.mayarodale.com.
Nine years ago, Richard Allen fled England and his controlling father. Determined to live his own life, he took to the sea and settled in the Caribbean.
Thrilled that her solicitors have finally come up with a way to free her from her betrothal contract to the Earl of Manford’s son who abandoned her years ago, heiress Julia Miller is ready for the marriage mart and hopes to find that perfect someone at her friend Georgina’s ball.
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SFF Insider
by Shartyrant
Science Fiction & Fantasy News & Reviews Dragonfly Falling: Shadows of the Apt 2 by Adrian Tchaikovsky is the sequel to his fantastic Empire of Black and Gold where the reader is first introduced to his diverse world of beings whose abilities are based upon various insects. The world is complex and the writing is fast paced as we continue with adventure and campaigns of the diverse protagonists from the first novel who are desperately trying to stop the invading Wasp Nation from dominating all the kinden (vari-
ous tribes). The story also touches on various themes dealing with xenophobia and spirituality to politics to technology vs. natural born abilities. Highly recommend this series as the second novel is actually better than the first! 5 out of 5 stars!
Blood of the Mantis: Shadows of the Apt 3 by Adrian Tchaikovsky continues with the Wasp Empire’s invasion of the Lowlands. The Lowlands are starting to come together while the Wasp Empire is starting to crumble. This installment focuses more on the internal workings of the insatiable Wasp magic-wielding inapt
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kinden. A forgotten race is introduced and the original bands of resistance fighters are pursuing their own individual goals. The story stays fast paced and highly original. This invasion story goes beyond the typical themes of good and evil while asking questions of where technological advances should go and whether one’s intention justifies the means to get to the end. I love this series and highly recommend it! 5 out of 5! Need more! Set in America during 1926 in an alternate world where America is in a cold war with Great Britain, Ghosts of Manhattan by George Mann is a
story that blends steampunk with noir vigilante superhero style. The story focuses on The Ghost who uses various steam powered equipment to help him fight crime in a city overrun with crooks. His main battle is with the murder, The Roman. Very reminiscent of characters like The Shadow, The Phantom and Batman, the story is predictable, but filled with action and violence. An okay story that reads fast despite some flaws. Recommend for fans who want to try a noir style hero with no superpowers, but technology and his own wits. 3.5. Stars out of 5 stars.
Science Fiction & Fantasy WWW : Watch By Robert J. Sawyer Penguin Group 4.75 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Brilliant, clever, and emotionally engaging -- Watch is definitely a book worth picking up. I appreciated how Sawyer used science that is current today, twisted it a bit, and gave it believable life in the form of Webmind. Although there is quite a bit of jargon and sometimes Caitlyn, her father, and Matt seem to retreat into their own little world where scientific knowledge is presupposed, there’s always enough explained that the science and the plot driven by said science makes sense. In a especially good touch, Sawyer doesn’t neglect Caitlyn’s changes and maturing for the perhaps
more interesting changes in Webmind’s growth. Her shift to sight, her own idiosyncratic reactions to being sighted and how that affects how her value judgments, her ventures into philosophy with Webmind, and how her relationship with her parents changes subtly for being sighted. For that matter, Webmind’s reaction to Caitlyn’s desire that he should work to make the world a better place is interesting and I especially love how he extended that desire to include Hobo. That was a touching and thoughtful sequence of events, particularly the way Webmind went about it. I did start to wonder about Webmind’s near Godlike status in the book though. Could one not draw an analogy between his instant retrieval of all available information to near omnipotence,
Science Fiction & Fantasy his answers to all the emails akin to that of a god answering prayers, his refusal to interfere with free will oddly analogous to that of the Christian God’s but somehow less hurtful because of his other more tangible offerings? I can’t wait for the next book although I shall be quite sad to see the trilogy done and I particularly can’t wait to see if that promise Webmind makes will come back to haunt him. What if she requests his demise at the behest of the governmental Big Brothers? I can’t wait to see. Reviewed by Kyraninse Under Heaven By Guy Gavriel Kay Penguin Group 5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick
From the opening when the
son of general who had served the Emperor of Kitai is nearing the end of a two year period spent mourning his father by burying the dead of a battle many years in the past. What is interesting is that the dead are not only his own Kitai, but those of the Targu as well - hence they are the dead of both sides of the conflict and the area is neutral ground for them both. The man - Shen Tai - buries the dead out of filial piety and, yet, he is rewarded with an extraordinary gift: 250 Sardian horses. To a man in Tai’s position, this gift is beyond belief as he considers himself to be a simple man and these horses are so highly prized that just one of these horses is a great gift and four or five of them is more than enough to have the person wind up with great rank and to earn him a jealousy that
Science Fiction & Fantasy could very well kill him.
Under Heaven is Shen Tai’s story as much as it is the story of those he meets - either to help him or kill him. It is a sweeping saga that invokes the kind of imagery that both sweeps the reader along like a flood and finds still pools for the reader that allow the reader to rest before plunging him or her back into the torrent. There are over 570 pages to the book, there were other things that needed doing, but Under Heaven kept calling me back again and again until the last word was read. What drew me back was not only Mr. Kay’s imagery, the characters draw you in as well - their outlooks, how they interact with their world, each other and their insights into themselves and how others see them. It is also a
book that invokes a time long since gone and the intrigue, jealousies, measures, countermeasures that went along with it. And the masks that are worn that may or may not be penetrated by those who surround each individual as well as the sacrifices committed for another’s sake. A book that is well worth reading, keeping on the shelf, and to read again once in a while. Reviewed by Lilyraines ARK By Stephen Baxter Penguin Group 4 / 5 Stars
The year is 2041 and the world is almost entirely flooded. Holle Groundwater is one of several individuals that make up the Candidates. These members have been carefully selected based on their genetic diversity and intelligence. Holle has been
Science Fiction & Fantasy training for her mission since she was six years old. Heavily controlled by what government is left in the United States, the mission is to leave Earth and to travel light years away to another Earth like planet, preserving the human race. Though many Candidates are chosen to train, only a select few will actually go. Families are torn apart and relationships are ended as the entire focus is on the one goal, the mission to colonize human life elsewhere. This book spans across many years in the making of this one mission, from 20252081. The amount of information that goes on during these years is to such a degree that it seems difficult to know where to actually narrow important aspects to include in the story and where to jump forward to the next
time frame. For the most part, I felt the author did a good job of telling a huge story with so many complex ideas. However, I felt that descriptive ideas fell by the wayside that would have given a lot of support to the overall story. There wasn’t room for a lot of description; this book went on and on and on as it was. I personally would have enjoyed knowing more descriptive information at each section of the book, such as knowing more of what a character’s internal dialogue consisted of, more description of the character’s feelings, or simply how did characters carried out everyday activities while in a ship that does not have the same luxuries as they once did on Earth. Regardless of the lack of description I preferred to have, I felt that I understood how each central character
Science Fiction & Fantasy was constructed. Being as the time of humans on Earth was coming to an end, the morality and empathy that seemed important in the past was not as important as a collective team working together on a project. Each character seemed distant and somewhat cold being as they could not afford to give anything more of themselves than their skills and intelligence.
However, there was enough detail to get a sense of what motivated each character to behave or engage as they did. The most descriptive parts in this story seemed to revolve around the mechanics of the mission, such as concepts about warp bubbles, speed-of-light travel, and nuclear physics. For the Sci-Fi/ Space Travel junkie, I assume that this would be more than entertaining to them. Though thoroughly fascinating, these
Consorts of Heaven
When a naked, amnesiac stranger is found outside a remote highland village, he is taken in by Kerin, a widow whose unconventional ways are tolerated because her son Damaru is “skytouched.� All skytouched are able to affect matter, and are tested by the Beloved Daughter, the living goddess who rules the world from the City of Light. If he is found worthy, Damaru will become a Consort of the skymothers, the gods themselves.
concepts are not matters that I spend a great time thinking about or marveling in. When I got to these parts, and they seemed to go on and on, I started to gloss over in my mind without really meaning to. What did fascinate me the most, and a subject matter that I do tend to spend a great deal of time on, is the moral dilemmas that were presented in each situation. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I would do in each situation, if I would do what I thought was right due to my feelings or because it was the most logical answer. I am unsure if there will be a sequel to this book. If there is, then I hope it will pick up where this story left off. When finishing this book, I felt like there were more questions than there were answers, like there was unfinished business to attend to. I felt that I had spent a lot
of time reading this book that I wanted a more definitive ending, tying it up into an idea I could leave with. Reviewed by Isis
Lioness’ Heart By Valerie J. Long eXtasy Books 3.75 / 5 Stars Zoe Laforge is a gorgeous, bad-ass killing machine with Crouching-Tiger-HiddenDragon type of surreal abilities. After a run in with an assassin followed by bogus police officers (all of whom she feels obliged to kill), Zoe is pulled into an FBI Witness Protection Program. Seeing her tremendous intelligence and warfare skills, she’s recruited to an elite government group. There she meets Matt, a
man who seems able to melt her ice-cold heart. Meanwhile danger lurks behind every corner and Zoe’s skills are put to the ultimate test. Lioness’ Heart Heart was about Zoe and her awesomeness more than anything else. It read like a Jackie Chan kung fu movie. Death and violence reigned supreme. It seemed the plot existed merely as a means to put bad guys in Zoe’s path. Lives were discarded with ease while Zoe doled out her idea of justice to her fair share of abusers. If you enjoy violent, gory scenes you’ll like Lioness’ Heart. Spellcrash By Kelly McCullough Penguin Group 4.75 / 5 Stars - Top Pick
Ravirn saves the day, again! Except this time with an
ending that even while I saw it coming, maybe, was still unexpected. The idea of Ravirn, or Raven, being recruited by Cirice was nice, given how they last parted, and the chance to stick it to all the Fates and Hades was priceless. I also liked the division of Eris and Discord. However, Ravirn being the Multiverse’s only hope is wearing a little thin. Yes, yes, he’s the Hero-Trickster, but really, why is he always the ONLY one who can save everything? Aren’t there other Chaos hackers out there -- oh. Maybe not. Still, I really wish everyone would just leave him alone. Besides, now that Themis is no longer Necessity -- oops, shouldn’t have said that yet . . . . . . Reviewed by Roza
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Tantalizing Tidbits by The Book Nerd
What in the heck is a blog and why is everyone in the world using one? If you’re blog challenged like I am, and have no clue what the term even means, it’s actually short for Weblog. Wow, that sounds super sexy doesn’t it? Basically it’s an application that’s timestamped and dated, letting people make comments. With 6 e-mail addresses, I’m destined to get an invite from someone to check out a blog EVERY day. In fact, I receive about 3-7 notes asking me to check out someone’s site daily. To be honest, it’s darn near impossible for me
to keep up with them all, but I really try my best. But just because I don’t have time to check out all those blogs, I was still curious to see how many people are not only blogging, but who’s specifically talking about books. Apparently this blogging thing is super popular and according to Bloglines, http://beta. bloglines.com/topfeeds you can actually get a list of the top blogs, and I do mean “top”. These blogs are so in demand that on average 300-400 people respond to whatever is being discussed. Who has that kind of time? Can you imagine something being this important that you want to share it ALL the time? Certain ones pop up
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religiously – The New Yorker, USA Today, Pitchfork Media and something strangely called “Boing, Boing” I know you’re dying to know what that one is, but I stopped at the Bo… To find out more, you’re on your own. There are blogs for cooking, dining, political news, entertainment, computers, music, health and just about anything else that pops in your brain. And guess – what? They even have awards! Take a moment to check out The Webby Awards and you can find out about all types of blogs that are going on. Some were familiar, but a few that I found interesting were www.mashable.com, www. makeitright.com, www. brokensecrets.com, www. factcheck.som, www.beliefnet.com, www.failblog.org, www.theonion.com, and
www.teenagecancertrust. org. If you haven’t noticed by now, something is seriously missing from this list. If you guessed romance books or ANY type of book, you’d be right. As big a deal as these awards are, why in the world are there no GIGANTIC awards for book blogs, or even better, what happened to romance novels?? Finding good sites that blog about books can be a little like finding a boiled egg in a row of 20. You either have to know what you’re looking for or someone has to tell you. KatieBabs, a good friend of mine who reviews books, is a published author AND owns a really neat blogging site called Babbling About Books and More, apparently read my mind. She’s also one of the few people who knows my real identity,
but that’s another story. She comes up with some of the most interesting and funny topics. Well, okay, maybe not as funny as me. *g* But I’m not going to hold that against her. Not only is there a place that recognizes novels, but there’s actually an entire week when bloggers are appreciated from September 13-17. SERIOUSLY! The official term is called the
Book Blogger Appreciation Week, but if that’s too much to remember, BBAW works just fine. You’ll be able to take a look at blogs you may not have heard about, but are super important and different. Www.bookbloggerappreciationweek.com gives a ton of categories – Best Eclectic Book Blog, Best Poetry Blog, Best Romance Book Blog, and that’s just a few. “My Friend Amy” her-
Extreme Danger Skinny-dipping in a stranger’s pool-it’s as close to reckless as good girl Becca Cattrell has ever been. But the house Becca picked for her midnight swim just changed owners. And her harmless escapade has landed her at the mercy of a brutal, terrifying organization who’ll make sure she doesn’t live to tell a soul.
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self a blogger, gives you all the info you need to sign up, and her kindness and good works are well known. While I’m no expert on this blogging stuff, there are certain things needed to gain my attention and keep my interest, and the blogs below hit the mark.
www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com - Owned by Candy and Sarah who are off the hook and totally hilarious!!! You definitely want these ladies to be your friends, and not get on their bad sides. These ladies have won BBAW Best Romance Blog in 2008, and they were nominated for four other categories in 2009. In addition, they’ve even been in the magazine, People. They’re funny and shameless, but make no mistake – these ladies are prolifically
gifted, and know how to give solid reasons of why they like... or don’t like a book. These ladies rock! www.thebookbinge.com – With 423 followers and counting, Casee, Rowena and Holly know how to keep things jumping at this site. In addition, they’re the 2nd out of a whopping two blogs (remember smartbitchestrashybooks.com?) to be nominated by BBAW for Best Romance Blog in 2009, and there’s a good reason for that. They know what they’re doing, give honest reviews, and stay up to date consistently. Even better, their reviews are right on target and sometimes irreverently funny. A recent review of Crush on You by Christie Ridgeway had me laughing out loud, and I was totally on board. The other
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reason I enjoy this site is that they feel exactly the same way I do about libraries. Love ‘em!
www.goodreads.com - If you haven’t at least heard of this site, I’m wondering about you and saying, “hmmm”. Twitter has won awards for social networking, but this site is a massive party that’s all about books, friends that are reading books, authors, reviews, trivia games and all the stuff that readers want to know. There are even groups for people strictly into romantic suspense and dare I say it – BDSM to name a few. Whew, I even met my first “pain slut” – her words, not mine, who’s really into historical romance and suspense novels. Just get on it once and you’ll see how busy and addictive it can be. I wouldn’t
be surprised if people actually hook up and get married from meeting on this site. Come on, I dare you to sign up to be my friend. *g* Babbling About Books and More http://kbgbabbles. blogspot.com - Yes, she’s a friend but that doesn’t mean I go around giving kudos out willy nilly. This site gives you a little bit of everything, from books to movies to various articles on other web sites, but the first thing you’ll notice is her love of cats. I heart them too, endearing to KatieBabs forever. She’s diligent about bringing up a topic each day for discussion, or she’ll do a review, or she’ll talk about something that’s totally off the wall and will have you in stitches when she asks WTFckery Or Not? You Decide. In addition, you’re bound
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to see KatieBabs’ name as a Guest Blogger on quite a few sites, including Publisher’s Weekly, or she may just jump in with a few quick responses. I think she’s been holding out on me and has found a way to clone herself. That, or she’s really 1/3 of triplets.
www.smexybooks.com How’s that for a cool name, huh? When I stumbled across this, I was immediately intrigued by the name of this site and when I took time to view the content, I was even more pleased. Mandy and Tori have done a great job of alphabetizing reviews, offering up some neat contests, and they’re really into the paranormal world and urban fantasy. If you’re a fan of JR Ward, you’ll see some mention at this site to keep you up to date, and they do an awesome job of
discussing various topics to keep your interest. Urban Fantasy and Paranormal fans unite!
www.nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com - Oops, that would be me, huh? Well not exactly, as this is the brilliant brainchild of the Tantalizing Tammie King. This is a fantastic place to blog, meet authors and win lots of prizes. In fact, quite a few authors frequently hang out at Night Owl and they have lots to say.
These ladies initially had me going bonkers due to the similarity in names, but once you check out their sites, you’ll see they’re both very unique and fun. www.thebookvixen.com Like me, this lady prefers to stay incognito, so I have no clue who she really is. Not
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unless I pack up and head to California. What’s even stranger is that out of all the blogs I’ve mentioned, she and I have the most in common. She had to be practically bribed to read the Twilight series by Stephanie Myers, then ended up hooked, and I had to be darn near dragged to the store to pick up JR Ward’s Brotherhood series, and I’m now going through withdrawal once I’ve finished her latest novel. In addition, BV is the Goodreads Librarian with close to 800 friends. You may notice right away that BV is a fan of frogs and that’s how she rates her reviews, which is totally endearing and delightful. Get five frogs and you’re in- even better, she even has a rating to tell you if she didn’t finish a book along with the reasons why. Not many bloggers (or reviewers) take the time to
do that, so I’m impressed. Plenty of prizes to win, too! This lady knows her stuff, and is well worth your time.
www.fictionvixen.com Sophia has been blogging for just about a year and already has close to 400 followers from Google, 100 fans from Facebook and close to 400 friends over at Goodreads. Most people just accepted her as FV until recently, and now everyone wants to know her name. I’m super pleased to see that FV is going for the Best Romance Blog with BBAW and wish her all the best. FV gives vivid reviews that help you get a good portrait of the story, and she’s wonderfully engaging. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a JR Ward fan like me, so she gets extra hugs for that! She uses hearts with FV in the middle to rate her books, which I love.
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There are a lot of opportunities to win cool stuff, and she offers up plenty of fun things to talk about. Check out this site for the pure fun of it!
www.loveromancepassion. com - Finally, I came across this site and loved the pure simplicity and romance of her title. But Keira’s clever tag line, “Because Books Don’t Fall Asleep Afterward” absolutely had me wanting to hug her with glee. Once I started moving around the site, I loved her Top Ten Heroes, which got a lot of comments; to be honest, I don’t know if I could narrow mine down to 10, but kudos for the effort. She even has the guts to ask people what they would like to see on the site and how she can improve. Thumbs up for that! In addition to loving Regency, historical American
time periods, Young Adult, and paranormals with vampires, Keira has intrigued me because tortured heroes are her favorites, and I have to agree.
But enough about all this and on to my all time favorite subject – ME. The other day I went in for my semiannual breast exam and sonogram, which was clearly the highlight of my day. The receptionist there who’s about 70 something is quite a character and greeted me with, “Hey Ms. Booknerd, I’m tired already”. Never mind I was only the 2nd customer of the day. After she did some testing with another patient, she came back to advise me that with all the people around, it seemed like someone other than her should be working. She paid no attention to the 4 other nurses standing there, star-
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ing at her in surprise. You may have noticed that we’re still in the month of July, but that didn’t stop Mrs. Jenkins from belting out a rousing selection of Jingle Bells to entertain us, before leaving to fill in some paperwork. When she came back again to let me know I was next on the chopping block, she
confided that she was tired of looking at little breasts, big breasts and everything in-between breasts all day and was ready to go home. I probably should have told her to “blog about it”, huh? Hugs,
The Book Nerd
Nicky Epstein Knitted Flowers
Bestselling author Nicky Epstein creates a garden of knitted flowers sure to charm her legion of fans.
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History Bits by Lilyraines Whether it’s Ian Fleming’s James Bond, Len Deighton’s Bernard Samson (Spy Hook, Spy Line, Spy Sinker) or Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, spies (and spying) hold a certain fascination amongst readers (and movie goers). Considering that, what of the field of espionage in nonfiction? Terry Crowdy’s The Enemy Within: A History of Espionage provides a good start. I am of two minds about the book. I enjoyed reading it because it was set at a good pace and covers espionage as an institution from ancient times through to modern times. Mr. Crowdy
also cites examples from the various time periods of how spies and the tradecraft they plied have shaped various historical events. Another item I found to my liking is the Bibliography in that the reader, if he or she so chooses, can explore the field further. What has me waffling a little bit is that, in the chapter involving ancient times, a few incidents from the Bible were cited
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(i.e., Joshua, Samson (or more specifically Delilah discovering the source of his strength), etc.). I have no issue with the Bible as religious text, just as a source for this type of book. I would also have liked to see a little bit about the actual tradecraft involved as opposed to just a discussion of well-known (and not so well-known) examples from history.
Readers may find the following books of interest: Shadow Warriors: A Study in Command, Tom Clancy with General Carl Steiner (ret.) and Tony Koltz This book is the third volume of Tom Clancy’s commander series and focuses on the Special Operations groups of the military such as the Rangers, SEALs, Delta Force and Green Berets, as well as other groups that are less familiar. General Steiner,
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one of the co-authors, was head of the Special Operations Command during the first Gulf War. The book provides a good overview of special warfare during Vietnam, strikes on the Achille Lauro, operations in Panama and Desert Storm, and a chapter on September 11 and the aftermath that followed.
Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe by Mark Thiessen Provides an excellent overview of the CIA’s section of the intelligence world post-September 11, 2001.
The Spy.. series, Aline, Countess of Romanones The Spy Wore Red, The Spy Wore Silk, The Spy Went Dancing, and The Well-Mannered Assassin are the books in the series and cover Aline’s work in Spain for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, precursor to the CIA), where she also married a Spanish count. The Well-Mannered Assassin is more fictionalized than the others, but all are a good read. I hope you found at least one history book to check out this month.
Teen Reads by MonicaBBB
Summer Teen Reads There are so many books coming out this summer. Are you looking for a great read for lounging by the pool or sitting on the beach towel staring at the waves? How about a great read to help you do a bit of procrastinating when the leaves start to fall and you need to start raking? I certainly have a great list for you.
1. Hearts at Stake and Blood
Feud by: Ayxandra Harvey Hearts at Stake and Blood Feud are two great novels, Hearts At Stake being the first in the series by: Alxandra Harvey. These are great for older teens looking for a great paranormal adventure. The characters are fresh and exciting; sure to keep you reading through the hot summer days. 2. Shiver and Linger by: Maggie Stiefvater Shiver is the first in the Mercy Falls Wolves series by: Maggie Stiefvater. These stories have such a unique twist on the old werewolf tales and touching characters that will have you tearing up. These books are great touch-
ing reads for long rainy days. 3. The Ghost and the Goth by: Stacey Kade The Ghost and the Goth is a fun contemporary paranormal. It has just the right amount of teen angst, ghosts, and sarcasm. Great for a summer reading club with your friends.
4. Iron King and Iron Daughter by: Julie Kagawa Who doesn’t love a great fairy tale? Iron King being the first in this series by Julie Kagawa is chock full of fairies. These are great books that will have you glued to them for days.
Awesome for lounging by the pool, perfect place to thaw out the Ice Prince. 5. Nevermore by: Kelley Creagh Need a great story that will spark your mind and get you ready for next years English class? This is the tale for you! Take on the dark world of Edgar Allen Poe while you have time in the morning, he has always been best saved for mornings... not nights.
6. Study Series or Glass Series by: Maria V Snyder The last book in
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and great strong female characters. Perfect reads to start a new school year.
MonicaBBB is a lover of books and more books!
Torment by Lauren Kate
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
the Glass Trilogy, Spy Glass, comes out towards the end of the summer. All the books in this series (each set is a trilogy) are full of magic, adventure,
Some of these books are my all time favorites. I hope you enjoy reading them as much I do!
Young Adult
Night Owl Reviews
Radiant Shadows By Melissa Marr Harper Teen 4.75 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Devlin is the Fairie Queen’s Bloodied Hands or assassin. He was created by the High Queen, Sorcha and her twin sister, Bananach, the Queen of War. He needs the blood of both to survive but he serves Sorcha. Never since he was created has he ever not followed her orders until he was ordered to kill Ani, a young halfling. Ani’s father is the leader of the Hunt. Her mother was mortal and died when she was just a tot. Ani’s dream is to run with the Hunt but her father forbids it, scared that she will get hurt. Ani isn’t like any other fairie. She feeds off emotions like the Dark Court but she also needs to feed off touching skin. She also needs to learn to control her hungers before she kills someone!
Devlin hasn’t seen Ani since he was suppose to kill her. Meeting her in a club and having his emotions drained wasn’t what he was expecting. He’s helped by Seth, a mortal that was made fairie by Sorcha. Sorcha sees Seth as her son and heir. She wants him back in Fairie with her and not in the mortal world. As her emotions start clouding her judgment, she goes to far with her desires. Bananach wants Seth dead and who better to kill him than Ani. Bananach is willing to start a war to accomplish her goals and take on the Dark Court. Where will this power struggle end? What is it about Ani that has powerful fairies wanting to kill her or have her kill? This is the fourth book in the Wicked Lovely series. You do not need to read the previous books to enjoy this one but the previous ones would give you a
Young Adult bit more background information on what is going on.
While there are 4 courts within this world, High, Dark, Summer and Winter except for being briefly mentioned the Summer and Winter courts do not have a major role in this book. This makes it very easy to quickly come up to speed on what is happening. However, this is still a very complex world. Though only two of the courts are actively interacting, there are lots of elements in each one and the mortal realm is also widely traveled. Yet, as complex as this world is, within a few pages it is easy to follow the story and how the world is laid out. The characters are interesting. There is more to being a fairie than goodness and light. There is chaos and control and packs and solitaries. Devlin and Ani are unique as is Rae a friend of Devlin who doesn’t
have a physical body in Fairie and can dreamwalk. Loyalties are given and occasionally broken. And Gabriel won’t let Ani run with the pack even though he’s her father. He also won’t let her have a boyfriend, much less a kiss! I really enjoyed this fast paced, action packed story. I didn’t want to put it down because I knew something interesting was going to happen within pages and the suspense was gripping. When I finished, I was ready for more so I hope there is another book or two in the works for this festinating world. Reviewed by Terri
Alex Van Helsing : Vampire Rising By Jason Henderson Harper Teen 5 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Alex has just been transferred
Young Adult to Glenarvon Academy after an accident at his old school. One night soon after his arrival he decides to take a walk when he hears a scream, which he follows to a freshly dead body. Alex sees a woman running off so he follows and confronts her. He realizes that she is a vampire when she bares her fangs and attacks. Managing to fight off the vampiress, Alex kills her. Later, one of his teachers, Mr. Sangster, who is involved with a secret vampire-fighting organization, tells Alex that he is a descendent of a worldfamous vampire hunter, Dr. Van Helsing. When walking around the school grounds at night, he sees a van filled with vampires. Following the van he sees the notorious vampire leader, Icemaker. Alex is fated to fight the Icemaker after two of his friends are kidnapped. Read the book to discover how Alex will fight vampires, save his friends, and discover himself, all while
attending school. I really loved this book. Books about vampires and zombies are some of my favorites, and this book had it all. I thought it was really interesting since it was about one of Dr. Van Helsing’s descendents. It was a great book since it contained vampire uprisings, kidnappings, fights, and excitement all happening to a fourteen-year-old student like me. I recommend this book to all vampire literature fans, anyone going through Twilight withdrawal, and anyone who just likes a lot of action and excitement in a book. This was a fang-tastic book!!!! Reviewed by ReaderGirl Once Dead, Twice Shy By Kim Harrison Harper Teen 4 / 5 Stars
Madison Avery doesn’t believe in fate—until a combination of fate and free will brings her to
Young Adult live with her dad (which her mom thinks is a good thing for her since she can’t stay out of trouble at home), gets her a pity-date (“you got your boss to get his son to ask me out? what?”), and kills her (at her junior prom. On her seventeenth birthday. of all the luck.). Now, after having claimed the amulet of the timekeeper who killed her (which is the only thing that keeps her looking like she’s alive), she has to learn how to live with death. If that’s even possible. But the dark timekeeper who killed her isn’t happy, because she’s got his amulet, and she’s not all the way dead (just sort of dead). Teaming up with Barnabas—who may or may not be a fallen angel—and the light time keeper, Chronos (or Ron for short), a guardian angel (who she forces to guard someone else) and enlisting the human help of her ex-prom date Josh (who she didn’t real-
ize she had a crush on), she has to attempt to save her soul. All in a day’s work for a dead high-schooler… right? This was the second time I’ve read Once Dead, Twice Shy. I still can’t figure out what the title means. Whatever it means, it was a pretty exciting book. There wasn’t a second of “down-time”. Madison was always up to something, learning something, running to—or from—something, or saving someone. Every chapter had little pieces of the puzzle, and the way it all fit together at the end, was priceless, hilarious, and promising. I will say that I don’t like where the story picks up. I think Harrison should have actually included the beginning of the story, where she gets killed. I read it before I read this book, and I would have been rather lost without it. It was a short story included in Prom Nights from Hell. I don’t care if this is technically a “book 1” in the series. It should have been book 2, or at least had the beginning
of the story included in it. I really liked Madison. I liked her character (though not some of her choices—but hey, if I was a dead seventeen year old trying to keep her dad from knowing that she could bend time, I probably would have made those same choices) and I liked her interior monologue. She was serious enough to be nerve-wracking and exciting, but sarcastic enough to give everything a touch of comic relief. I really didn’t like Josh in the short prequel to this book, but as his character began to be more clear, I really started to like him. I hope things turn out well between him and Madison. I would have liked a little more romantic tension between them, but what was there was clean and innocent—a little too innocent for Madison Avery. I don’t particularly like Kim Harrison’s writing style. It’s very casual, it has those dreaded fragments, and it’s nothing out of the ordinary. However, her way of describ-
ing both physical images and emotional feelings was very good, and I could see everything, hear everything, and feel everything her characters were experiencing. As I mentioned above, I liked the comic relief. I also liked her lack of language through the story. Madison had her own set of “words” and phrases that she used that weren’t offensive in any way, and it made the story much more enjoyable. However, the only word I can think of to describe her writing is mediocre, and that and the lack of tension between Madison and Josh are the only reasons I don’t give this book five stars. Content: clean of language, violence, and sexuality of any kind. Thank you Harrison, for writing clean YA fiction! Reviewed by Haley Knitz
My Ultimate Sister Disaster : A Novel By Jane Mendle St. Martin’s Press
4.75 / 5 Stars - Top Pick Boy, did this take me back. For anyone who has ever had the “perfect” sister who was a real pain, (and you let them live :)), this is the book for you. Franny and Zooey’s somewhat strange parents used the characters from the J.D. Salinger book to name their lovely daughters. Zooey is the perfect girl; she is beautiful, a prima ballerina just embarking on a fantastic career; the center of attention; and…well… you see how this goes. Franny is your normal, everyday teen with issues, who wants nothing more than to have her sister’s good looks so she can land the boy she’s wanted forever - River. River is the editor of the school newspaper and Franny is a first-year staffer, trying to use the time with River to show him what a great writer and all-around great girlfriend she would be for him. Unfortunately, she also has to find a way to get rid of his current girlfriend who
belongs in a fashion magazine. Franny wishes she could talk to her Mom who is on a “mission” in Kenya; or, at least get her father to pay attention to her, but he’s too wrapped up in Zooey’s career and his own high-end clothing store. In fact, he barely stays home anymore, and leaves a drawer full of cash so the girls can get take-out every night. When the unthinkable happens and Zooey is dropped on stage during a rehearsal for her big role of Juliet, her leg breaks and her dreams shatter. While recuperating at home, Franny and Zooey slowly find themselves learning about the realities that the other sister has to face each and every day. And slowly they find themselves realizing that they’d both been terribly wrong about the other. This is a fabulous story. It really teaches you that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I, too, had a perfect sister with
perfect grades and, what I thought, was an all round perfect life. What I didn’t know was that the perfect sister was jealous of me as well. As we grew older we learned that sisters are really the best friend you’ll ever have because the one thing they will always have for you is complete and utter loyalty. After finding common ground, you also learn quickly that although YOU can pick on your sister, nobody else better! This is a solid story for both adults and young adults. Enjoy! Reviewed by Amy
Evren: Enter the Dragonette By Maeve Tee Sapphire Blue Publishing 4.75 / 5 - Top Pick I remember how much I hated the silly girlie girls in high school. (Being an incorrigible tomboy myself.) And at times I thought Deli was just as stupid as those girls I went to school with. But then again...
I have to admit I love this book. Deli and Lucian are fantastic. The romance and simultaneous animosity between them is great. They give and take between Lucian., Deli and Dyvian is so realistic. The world around them is vividly described and captures your interest just as the characters capture your heart as you read. I have a terrible weakness for Dragons. And this book is just the thing to get my fix. Imagine having the spirit of a dragon, being able to fly and shape shift.. Dreams come true for me but very difficult for a young woman to get used to. I was impressed with the depth of the relationship between the three main characters. It was so very realistic and reminded me of the friends I had when I was in school. I am so very looking forward
to seeing what the next installment of this fantastic series holds for Deli and her Chevalier Brothers. Reviewed by Cgrotpeter
13 to Life : A Werewolf’s Tale By Shannon Delany St. Martin’s Press 4.75 / 5 - Top Pick On the outside this sounds kind of like every other young adult paranormal you can think of: mysterious new boy (and siblings) begin attending the local smalltown high school, girls go ga-ga, our narrator or main character is constantly in his company, sparks fly...oh and that annoying problem, that may be supernatural even, keeps rearing its plot point head. Here’s where Delany does it different. Our narrator, Jessie, is completely 100% normal. There is nothing, except maybe her pistol shooting, that is special about her in a paranormal way. As a human she is determined to help others out
as much as possible. Like the elderly at the nursing home she volunteers at for school and the former Queen Bee who used to torment her, but is now a sorry broken doll. In other words Jessie does her best to ‘fix’ things so everyone is happy and comfortable. I’m hoping Jessie stays normal too. Other than some weird coincidences surrounding her and Pietr, I think she will stay normal. Throughout the novel Delany teases us with information regarding the werewolves. Jessie sees a huge animal’s teeth and eyes on her farm. There’s reported sightings in a nearby town. Newspaper articles detailing the ‘Phantom Wolves’. Even some subtle clues as to who is a werewolf (not that its a surprise). More than the werewolf problem however, Delany brings the Russian mafia into the mix, learning to cope with grief and guilt and what makes a person
a man instead of a beast. It felt like redemption was the major underlying notion. Jessie was seeking redemption for treating her mom so carelessly while she lived. Sarah was seeking redemption for how she used to behave. Pietr was seeking redemption for a curse he never wanted. Their stumbling ideas on how to achieve this redemption is what drives the story. Some of the secondary plot lines got a shorter stick on development. For instance Derek; his interest in Jessie seemed all over the place and I couldn’t quite get if he was truly playing her or if it was genuine interest. Wanda, a female friend of Jessie’s father’s, just kind of... appeared and had answers at one point. One being Max (Pietr’s brother)’s interest in Jessie’s friend Amy. Since this is the first book in the series, I expect a lot of the answers will be forthcoming in the preceding volumes, but sometimes my questions got in the way of my immersing myself in the
book. I was highly anticipating this novel and it was not a let down at all. I’m looking forward to the second book, due out in early 2011, and finding out more what happens after the ending scene! Reviewed by Lexile
Glimpse By Stacey Wallace Benefiel Smashwords 4.5 / 5 - Top Pick Zellie Wells is just another ordinary teenager it seems. That is, until her sixteenth birthday arrives and her life drastically changes for her. While at her birthday party, which was held in the basement of her dad’s church, Zellie seems to have to confront more than just her crush on Avery Adams. When he takes her hand and leads her onto the dance floor, she glimpses her very first vision and unfortunately it’s wrapped
around Avery’s death. She sees the both of them in an accident while they’re older adults, covered in blood and she’s pregnant. Snapping out of her vision, she really doesn’t know what to make of what just happened to her. Not knowing how else to handle the situation, Zellie decides that it’ll be better if she doesn’t tell anyone what she saw in her vision. She fears she’ll be labeled a freak or even a black magic witch. But as time passes and Avery and her start becoming more serious, her parents freak out over them having a relationship. Zellie doesn’t understand what the big deal is that they’re in love with each other and want to be together. Then she finds out the most bizarre thing. The visions she’s having are hereditary and quite dangerous. If Zellie and Avery stay together, her visions will come true and Avery will die. What is Zellie to do now that she knows why her parents are acting so crazy over her rela-
tionship? Does she tell Avery the truth about having visions and seeing his early death or does she decide to sever their ties in order to change his future? Would Avery even believe her if she did tell him the complete truth? I found this YA novel to be very engrossing and I enjoyed getting to know Zellie on such a personal level. My heart went out to her because not only was it hard enough trying to be a normal teenager who’s now in love for the first time, but also she has to learn what these visions are all about and how to deal with them. This would all be overwhelming for any sixteen-year-old and I felt that Ms. Wallace-Benefiel did a remarkable job steering Zellie through the many obstacles that were presented to her. I had the pleasure getting to know the characters and the author conveyed them as real people in the story not just cardboard cutouts. She also sprinkled a bit of teenage humor throughout that made me
laugh out loud. Overall, I have to say that I really enjoyed this first book in the Zellie Wells series and eagerly look forward to reading the next book! Reviewed by Diana Coyle The Turning: What Curiosity Kills By Helen Ellis Sourcebooks Fire 3.5 / 5
Mary lives with her parents, and her sister Octavia, both of them being adopted. One day she lets a stray cat in through her bathroom window. It goes nuts and everywhere the cat’s tail touched her leg, bright orange fur sprouted. The next day Mary tries to hide the fur with knee high socks, but is distracted by a wonderful earthy smell. She becomes obsessive finding the source of the smell, tracking it to an enemy’s gym bag, and the coach discovers it’s pot. What Mary doesn’t realize is that the boy who gave it to her enemy
is the boy she has a crush on. Later that night, Mary and her sister spend the night at a friend’s house. When Mary enters the bedroom, the friend’s cats circle her, refusing to calm down until medicated. The girls decide to make prank phone calls, and Mary calls her crush, Nick. Nick comes over to the apartment. Nick knows what is happening to Mary and helps her get through the transformation. After Mary, her sister and her friends discover that Mary is “turning” they must try to find a way to stop it from being permanent. This was an okay book because of the way the author described Mary’s “turning” and the process she had to go through but it was too “girlie” at times for my taste. Fans of “Gossip Girl” and “Animorphs” will enjoy this book but Twilight fans might find it lacking. Reviewed by ReaderGirl
NightOwlReviews
Manga Insights
Fushigi Yugi
(aka “The Mysterious Game” or “The Mysterious Play” depending on who you ask) is Watase Yuu’s eighteen volume epic about a hapless Japanese student named Miaka and a harem of cute guys. Okay there’s more to it then that, but when you get down to it Fushigi Yugi is all about Miaka. Miaka and her best friend Yui find a mysterious book called the ‘Universe of Four Gods’. Without warning they are sucked into the book and thus begins the most dramatic and bloody decline of a friendship you may ever read about. Miaka becomes the Priestess of Suzaku, Yui becomes the Priestess of Seiryuu and they’re both on
by Lexile
the same quest to summon their rival Gods and be granted that one wish. Technically speaking Miaka’s original quest--to summon Suzaku--ends in volume 13. Volume 14 then picks up a new quest to save Miaka’s beloved and manages to draw out a story that had a satisfactory ending. This is an older shoujo from the early 90’s, so the art style is very clearly ‘Big Eyes Small Mouth’ with bishounen (‘beautiful’) boys running around. Thankfully though, Watase’s style clearly improves and tones down the shoujo elements. Watase is a master at drawing action scenes. Despite this being, very obviously, a shoujo the seven Celestial Warriors of Suzaku and the seven Celestial
Warriors of Seiryuu duke it out in ways more reminiscent of shounen manga. None of the drawbacks though, very rarely do any of the characters ‘level up’, and if they do its usually at a hefty price or extremely temporary. Fushigi Yugi is also steeped in Chinese mythology; from the ‘Universe of the Four Gods’ (which resembles ancient China) to the Celestial Warriors, there is quite a bit derived from the Chinese culture. There are downsides-Miaka is possibly one of the most annoying, undeserving main characters ever conceived. She eats everything in sight, tends to say insensitive things, tramples roughshod over people’s opinions and is whiny. Her rare moments
of brilliance are few, with the rest of the time taken up by at least two cast members mooning over her while the reader wonders how she manages to survive contemporary Tokyo. VIZ released the series back in the late 90’s in 18 individual volumes, but recently they re-released the series in omnibus form, with the final volume 6 out in June.
Lexile is...your friendly, neighborhood otaku. She’s been known to wander aimlessly through bookstores, correcting customer misconceptions about manga for years--much to the chagrin of her tolerant friends and ire of the bookstore employees. You can find her at her personal blog Poisoned Rationality if she’s not busy with the mundaneness that is real life.