Review: Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

Blue Diablo
Author:Ann Aguirre
Release Date: April 7, 2009
Publisher: Roc
Corine Solomon Book #1
ISBN:   0451462645
ISBN13: 9780451462640
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Other women change their hair color on a whim or to impress a new boyfriend; Corinne Solomon dyes hers because she's running scared. She's a handler, a paranormal who can touch something and almost instantly know its history and, if she's lucky (or unlucky) its future, too. Now hiding out in Mexico, she wants to keep a low profile, but when people come begging for her help, she can't refuse, although she knows that she should know better .

Why the heck did it take me so long to read this book? I have had it on my reader for at least a year and just kept on passing it by. What a mistake that was and I'm glad I finally opened it up and started reading it. Corrine was a very like-able character, I enjoyed her gift, she can pick something up and find out the history of it or the person that owned it but it comes at an expense to her as she is usually seriously burned on her hands from the reading. Chance her ex lover/boyfriend and her have a difficult working relationship throughout the entire book. I really like Chance but I can see Corrine's hesitation to be anything more then being friends with him. He does sound hunky though. The supporting characters were all interesting and engaging. I especially liked Eva, you could tell from the moment she came into the story she was going to be a fantastic addition to Corrine's life. BLUE DIABLO also happened to be the first Ann Aguirre book and if her writing is as fantastic as it was in BLUE DIABLO I will have to check out her other books. I think BLUE DIABLO was a fantastic start to what will be a great Urban Fantasy series and I'm excited to pick up HELL FIRE.

I gave it 4/5 stars

New Releases April 3-9

Mon April 4

Rage (Horsemen of the Apocalypse #2) by Jackie Kessler

 

Tue April 5

 

Alien in the Family (Katherine "Kitty" Kat #3) by Gini Knoch 

Blood Sin (Awakened by Blood #2) by Marie Treanor

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare

Dark Enchantment (Dark Magick #3) by Anya Bast

Deadworld by J.N. Duncan

The Demon and the Succubus (A Sisters of Darkness #2) by Cassie Ryan

Eternal Kiss (Mark of the Vampire #2) by Laura Wright

A Hard Day's Fright (Pepper Martin #7) by Casey Daniels

Haunting Desire (Mists of Ireland #3) by Erin Quinn

 Hidden Embers (Dragon's Heat #2) by Tessa Adams

Magic on the Hunt (Allie Beckstrom #6) by Devon Monk

Mona Lisa Eclipsing (Monère: Children of the Moon #7) by Sunny

Navarro's Promise (Breeds #24) by Lora Leigh

Plague (Gone #4) by Michael Grant

Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black

Red Mortal (Gods of Midnight #4) by Deidre Knight

Shady Lady (Corine Solomon #3) by Ann Aguirre

StarFire (DemonSlayers #3) by Kate Douglas

Teeth: Vampire Tales Anthology

Vampire Dragon (A Works Like Magick Novel #3) by Annette Blair

Vowed in Shadows (Marked Souls #3) by Jessa Slade

If you see a mistake or know of another release that is not listed let me know!! Happy Reading

Review: Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez

Hunting Human
Author:Amanda E. Alvarez
Release Date: March 28, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
eISBN:  9781426891434
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Netgalley.com

For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.

But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries—and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within—and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

I was enthralled with the story from the first chapter. The book was emotional, full of action, filled with a wonderful cast of characters its an all around great book for any shifter lover. The sexual tension between Beth and Braden was fantastic, not to overwhelming but aggressive enough to make you want them to hurry it up already. I loved Braden's family. The support and love were felt with every word Alvarez wrote about them and it was all completely believable. I dont think this is supposed to be a series, but I would so read another Beth book from Amanda and hope she writes one as I'm positive Beth has more to share and explore.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Week in Review 3/27-4/2

Books Ive Bought/received

* Bloodspell by Amalie Howard- ARC- From publisher for blog tour

* Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley- ARC- From publisher for blog tour

* Hounded by Kevin Hearne- ARC- Librarything Early Reviewers win

* Pale Demon by Kim Harrison- Win from Michelle's Book Blog

* License to Ensorcell by Katharine Kerr- Bought at Borders

* Con & Conjure by Lisa Shearin- Bought at Borders.com

* Deadworld by J.N. Duncan- Bought at Borders.com

* Hellfire by Ann Aguirre- Bought at Borders.com


Books I read

Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
Hell Fire by Ann Aguirre
License to Ensorcell by Katharine Kerr
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Con & Conjure by Lisa Shearin

Reviews posted

Glimmer by Vivi Anna
Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks
Betrayal by Lee Nichols
Seeing for the First Time by Nicole Zoltac

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* New Releases for the week.

* Want to win a Kindle 3?? UFI Is participating in Moira Roger's Wilders Mate Kindle Contest stop on by the post to see how you can win. 

* The winner of the copy of The Truth About Vampires by Theresa Meyers has been posted. 

* Vivi Anna joined us Wednesday for a guest blog and Giveaway. Giveaway ends 4/6

Review: Seeing for the First Time by Nicole Zoltack

Seeing for the First Time
Author:Nicole Zoltack
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Publisher: Echelon Press
What you See is What you get Book #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Author for Review 

For the last ten years, Ana has spent summers with her Gram. With nothing to do, the closest beach two hours away, and Gram, who Ana is convinced is crazy, always in her garden talking to things that aren't there, Ana is bored out of her mind.

One day, Ana sees strange colors floating around Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can "See" them, and there are others who can see things. Ana's a Seer, too.

When Gram gives Ana a book that explains about the many different creatures, like selkies, unicorns, vampires, and others, Ana gets curious. She is shocked when she comes across the entry about famous werewolf hunting parents.

Determined to learn where she fits in, Ana's summer gets a lot more exciting as she sets off to find out what she can "see." Only problem is, she's not sure what to do when she finally discovers the truth. And she's not sure she'll live to tell anyone.

SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME is the first of a series of 6 short stories titled What you see is what you get. It is an extremely fast read at just 17 pages. The characters definitely were likable and the story was catching. Ana is strong willed and didn't freak out completely and lose her head when she had all the reason to. I had an issue in the beginning, Ana goes from saying her Gram is completely crazy in one paragraph and just a couple paragraphs later she has completely accepted her Grams explanation of what they are and turns to being extremely excited about the information with no hesitation and it just seemed like a way to fast turn around for a teenager. Other than that I enjoyed the little journey as Ana figured out what kind of seer she is.


I gave it a 3/5 stars

Review: Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Betrayal
Author: Lee Nichols
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Haunting Emma Book #2
ISBN:   1599905698
ISBN13: 9781599905693
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: From Author for review 

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive—one a snarky teen boy, the other a British scholar—Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good. As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

I was REALLY surprised by this series. I won book one DECEPTION from Goodreads and immediately contacted Lee to see if she was looking for reviewers for book 2 because I was just blown away with how much I truly enjoyed reading DECEPTION. Ive read plenty of ghost story's but the author takes it a step in a different direction and it totally works for me. Full of twists and surprises Emma and her friends kept me happy to read more. The explanation of all the different ghost keepers continues and new characters are introduced. Emma learns more about her family and who she is. I had a bit of a hard time with Emma and Bennett's relationship and the way the ending plays out with Bennett, I'm not sure where Lee is taking it but I guess that is part of the reason I will keep reading lol. It was a fun and fast read and I will be picking up SURRENDER when it hits the shelf.


I gave it 4/5 stars

Review: Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks

Surrender the Dark
Author:L.A. Banks
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: Pocket
Angels/Celeste Jackson Book #1
ISBN:  1451607784
ISBN13: 9781451607789
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher for review tour

Celeste Jackson has fought all her life against a fog of hallucination and substance abuse, but it’s not until she meets her protector, Azrael, an angel who has left the safety of the Light, that she learns of the evil forces that have been trying to ruin her, and why. A fierce battle for control of the mortal realm is brewing, and only Celeste—with the help of the Remnant, her half-human, half-angel brethren—can stand in the way. Together, Celeste and Azrael must gather an army of sensitives to defeat the dark powers that have ruled humanity for centuries, but time is running out. If Azrael surrenders to his growing desire for Celeste, he risks being trapped among humanity forever. But the longer he stays, the harder she is to resist. To save the world, Celeste must draw on her own dark experiences with addiction to help Azrael overcome the one temptation that could possibly make him an eternal prisoner—his obsession with her.

I'm going to hide now before you start reading this to dodge the rotten tomatoes you are going to throw at my head for going against the grain. I just could not get into this book as a whole. I have said many times before I dont enjoy books that are heavy on the religious/spiritual side and I have to say SURRENDER THE DARK has been the heaviest with religion I have picked up. If there was a category labeled Paranormal religion this would be at the top of the stacks. It wasn't just the heavy religion stuff that threw me off but the over explaining of things as well. There was seriously pages of inner dialogue from both Celeste and Azrael that could have been cut with no complaint on my end and the book would not have suffered at all for it. Sure there was some great action, characters, and supporting characters but I just could not get into the story as there was just so much religious talk attached to everything. Now to be fair YES this is a fallen angel book so I do expect there to be some sort of religious mythology and talk in the book but there was just way to much of it for me personally to enjoy the rest of the story. I will not continue reading the series, it just isn't my cup of tea.

I gave it a 2/5 stars