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Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Third Fate by Nadja Notariani (Tour)

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 Synopsis:
 'One Fate be granted mortal man, used for evil or good as the inner voice directs. Alas, the divine spark draws the eyes of the Fates, the Second Fate sparingly gifted by their hands. Be warned offspring of the gods; guard your gifting well


For if the Third Fate
be unleashed, the soul lays bare before one so touched by the gods.' ~

Cautious and quiet by nature, Paige Kinnell watches life unfold from the sidelines, maintaining her simple existence as a shield to hide behind. But underneath her shy, careful ways, Paige senses a disconnect with the world around her, indulging instead her ever curious interest in the legend and lore of time nearly forgotten.
One chance encounter with an ancient of the undead begins an unraveling of reality as Paige knows it, leaving her to sort through dreams and enchantments, discovering along the way that one's Fate can be mere illusion, and that the consequences of opening her heart to another may cost dearly.

Cael Maccinnis, the handsome Highlander she's met, seems the answer to every unspoken longing of her heart, even as he awakens dark, secret desires buried within her soul. As strange and unnerving changes begin occurring in her mind and body, Paige has no choice but to face her life's unnatural turn and confront the frightening implications. For within Paige's past a secret lay dormant, hidden even from her. This truth, guarded well and wielded by the Fates themselves, becomes the catalyst invoking the power of The Third Fate
Review:
I have read a little on the third fate already, an author or two wove it into their story line and perhaps that was why I signed up for this tour. The sheer fascination of someone who would be able to wield such great power.
I think one of the best aspects of the book was that the main character was a librarian, a shy and meek woman  whose personality is quite common in people I pass or communicate with in my day to day life. It made it very easy to relate to the characters and fall further into the story as if they were friends of my own relating their life events.
I am also a sucker for accents, in men and women they are absolutely to die for. Yes it is girlie of me but I just fall head over heals when it comes to an accent. I know there have been plenty of stories where they just throw the accent in there without any research or thought put into it. It is just something there to make the character different and often it doesn't fit leaving an awkward feel to the scene. Luckily this was not the case for the Third Fate.  The accent flowed smoothly and if I closed my eyes and pictured the words I could just picture a strapping Scottish man purring out that brogue as he spoke.

Unfortunately with all the pros's there was also some cons, one of them being how patchy the entire story felt. Especially in the beginning, I actually had a hard time keeping up with all the switching and being unable to tell the difference between past and present. It was almost enough to make me put it down before finishing it, much as I hate to do it. It also got to feel a little rushed towards the end, Everything just fell into place without any detail. Some of the things I wished would have had more if not turning it into a sequel.
I loved the story idea however, it is one that kept me entertained through the entire thing.

Rating:
3.5 Ravens

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Burnt Offerings By Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake #7)

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Synopsis:
"You can't trust anyone who sleeps with the monsters."

That's what I've always said. That's what I've always believed. But now I'm the one sharing a bed with the Master Vampire of the City. Me, Anita Blake. The woman the vampires call the Executioner. From part of the solution, I've become part of the problem. So it hits close to home when an arsonist begins to target vampire-owned businesses all over town -- an arsonist who seems to want to destroy more than just property. It's the monsters who are in danger now. And it's up the the Executioner to save them from the inferno...
Review:
Fire can be a beautiful and deadly thing, Anita knows this especially as she has to deal with figuring out the who's and why's of the fire bugs bombing the city.
We get a little bit of a teaser with Asher in this book, and personally ,while he might not have been my favorite of men on her dance card, I have always felt so sad for him. Asher just seems so lost and alone, in constant need of assurance that he is beautiful and not to be tossed aside because of his scars.
We are also introduce to Nathaniel. Who is one of my favorite men in Anita's life. I love the wereleopards in general, they are actually my favorite lycanthrope in the series.
The council is in town and we get to meet allot of big bad vampires that are the things of nightmares, to the point even Jean Claude is scared, and I will say their power is impressive.
I think my favorite power came from Warrick, it was a complete shocker and the absolute joy that came from him was just priceless.
To find out the who done it's, meet the new faces popping up in Anita's life and the flames that ignite the passion in this fiery woman's heart grab a book and tune in.

Favorite character:
Jason, he is such a sweet flirt.

Rating:
5 Ravens

Monday, April 23, 2012

Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #5)


Synopsis:
In Laurell K. Hamilton's New York Times bestselling novels, Anita Blake, vampire hunter and animator, takes a bite out of crime-of the supernatural kind. But even someone who deals with death on a daily basis can be unnerved by its power...

When Branson, Missouri, is hit with a death wave-four unsolved murders-it doesn't take an expert to realize that all is not well. But luckily for the locals, Anita is an expert-in just the kinds of preternatural goings-on that have everyone spooked. And she's got an "in" with just the kind of creature who can make sense of the slayings: a sexy master vampire known as Jean Claude
Review:
I thought it was a little interesting the title choice. Right before I picked this book up my soon to be mother in law and I were reminiscing on ways our parents would make us behave. One of the ways her parent's kept her in bed as a child when nap time came was to threaten her with Bloody Bones. A Bogey man that would get her if she didn't listen and got up out of bed.
Turns out there is a folk tale about Bloody Bones that takes care of naughty children and punishes them.

I loved the way things were switched up instead of the familiar vampire and lycanthrope Hamilton throws in some Fey culture and villains. If you are a fan of this author, chances are you have read her Merideth Gentry, series, another of my favorites and you know that just like these there is alot of thought put into it.
So when it came out about a real Bloody Bones in this book, I was thrilled.
I actually got a little worried for Anita in this series.
Seraphina, Missouri's master vampire was certainly a handful and I actually bit my lip with worry to the point that it actually bled, as I raced across the pages waiting to see how she was going to get herself out of this one.

I have said it before and I will say it again, Kudos to Laurell K. Hamilton who has created a heroine who uses her brains and brawn to get out of situations, who sticks with what she believes in and doesn't need a white knight. I would be proud for my children to look up to Anita and want to be like her one day.
Rating:
4.5 Ravens!

The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #4)


Synopsis:
In Laurell K. Hamilton's New York Times bestselling novels, Vampire Hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake is an expert at sniffing out the bad from the good. But she's about to learn that nothing is ever as it seems-especially in matters of the not-so-human heart...

Dating a werewolf with self-esteem issues is stressing Anita out. Especially when something-or someone-starts taking out the city's shape shifters
Review:
In this book, we are introduced to Marcus and Raina, the leaders of the werewolf pack, and all around sadists.  There is a power struggle in this book between Marcus and Richard. Richard wants to be the leader but he is not willing to kill for the position, so he is unable to attain the Ulfric (Pack leader) position.

Shape shifters are missing and Anita has no clue where they are going, they find a skinned man in the lake, and because he is immortal he is able to at least tell them some clues that ultimately lead to the villain.

I love this book because it gave me a little bit more back story around Marcus and Raina, I had always known Raina was the bogey man to the werewolves, making snuff films and sadistic ways of getting off, literally, but it was interesting to see that Marcus allowed it because he was in love with Raina. Go figure.

It also gave me some more of Richard and Anita,  and while through the series Richard hasn't been my favorite in the running for Anita's heart it was nice to see that sweet honey moon phase of their relationship.

I enjoyed the villain in this story. It was not the usual bad guy this time, it actually required some thinking and stealth since most of the shape shifters weren't out of the closet yet about their curse.

One of the best thing's about Anita is that no matter what fight she gets into, if she gets hit, she has a scar. I have read books where there have been some knock down drag out fights and they both walk away without a scratch, but in Anita's series it is almost like she is proud of her scars because she is a survivor and she is a woman to admire, even if she is not real.

Rating:
4.5 Ravens.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

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

 Synopsis:

A rogue master vampire hits town, and Anita gets caught in the middle of an undead turf war. Jean-Claude, the Master Vamp of the city, wants her for his own-but his enemies have other plans. And to make matters worse, Anita takes a hit to the heart when she meets a stunningly handsome junior high science teacher named Richard Zeeman. They're two humans caught in the crossfire-or so Anita thinks
Review:
The word is out that Anita is Jean-Claude's human servant, and that he wants to talk to her. Anita, while fetching information on a police case, meets up with an informant at a well known vampire bar, where it becomes clear that the new master of the city is requesting her presence.
In this book, Anita comes face to face a creature she though extinct.
I want to point out once again the amount of research I am sure that has to go in these books, the fact that she takes enough time to do it really reflects in her story and how well it is put together.
This is also the book where Anita and Richard meet, and boy, when they have to explain where they first saw each other, I wish I could see their faces because it is a doozy.
Anita is caught between two master vampires, both of which want her as a servant because of her power as not only an animator but as a necromancer, a rarity the cause of which is revealed later on in the series.
It never fails to provide kick butt fight scene's, sarcastic sassy scene's that make your lips twitch with amusement and the kick in the gut as a relationship starts.
Unlike in some books where the main characters fall in love within the first five chapters, Laurell K. Hamilton gives them time to actually date and get to know each other and their history.
Rating:
5 ravens!

The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #2)


Synopsis:
Harold Gaynor offers Anita Blake a million dollars to raise a 300-year-old zombie. Knowing it means a human sacrifice will be necessary, Anita turns him down. But when dead bodies start turning up, she realizes that someone else has raised Harold's zombie--and that the zombie is a killer. Anita pits her power against the zombie and the voodoo priestess who controls it.

In The Laughing Corpse Anita will learn that there are some secrets better left buried-and some people better off dead...

Review:
It has always amazed me the sort of trouble Anita finds herself in. And, it isn't because she is a bad person, it is because she is a good person with some morals, despite all the killing she does, she is still one of the best super hero's I know. Laurell K.Hamilton has created a super hero that is real, a woman hero that the girls can look up to because of her kick butt and taking names attitude that comes with a side of sass and justice. I would be proud to grow up like her.
As the body count starts to rise Anita finds herself face to face with one of the most powerful voodoo priestess's alive.
It doesn't help that her mouth and attitude pisses off the priestess. So yes folks, this time it is zombies, not vampires but zombies Anita finds herself facing off against.  When animator's run amok and don't realize their power they loose control of a powerful zombie and Anita finds zombies climbing into her window wanting a piece of action, in the non-sexual sense.
How does Anita escape this? Who is the big bad? And why did they loose control of the zombie? What is the amazing feet that surprises even Anita?
To find out, pick up the book and give it a read, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
4.5 Ravens!
Favorite Charrie:
Anita Blake

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Anita Blake Giveaway!

Hello everyonge!
This giveaway was purely by accident, I was inspired to re-visit Anita when I came across the first
six books at Half Price books, I just so happened to buy two of the Lunatic Cafe however.
Which is your gain!
I am actually glad because this is where Anita's life seems to heat up love triangle wise!
So Up for grabs is one paperback copy of Lunatic Cafe and some random swag that I figured I would pass no.

Synopsis:
In Laurell K. Hamilton's New York Times bestselling novels, Vampire Hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake is an expert at sniffing out the bad from the good. But she's about to learn that nothing is ever as it seems-especially in matters of the not-so-human heart...

Dating a werewolf with self-esteem issues is stressing Anita out. Especially when something-or someone-starts taking out the city's shapeshifters






Rules:
1. Follow the Rafflecopter instructions, leaving your name and E-mail or your GFC if asked. If you don't your entry will be void.
2. You will have 48 hours after I have contacted you to reply or I will move on to someone else.
3. You must be 18+ because of graphic content, not so much sex  but violence.  I don't know what your mommies let you read after all.
Thanks and enjoy!


Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (Book 1 in the Anita Blake series)



Synopsis:
“My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me “The Executioner”. What I call them isn’t repeatable.
Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I’ve seen their victims. I carry the scars…
But now a serial killer is murdering vampires—and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer… “
“In a world where vampires, zombies and werewolves have been declared legal citizens of the United States, Anita Blake is an “animator” – a profession that involves raising the dead for mourning relatives. But Anita is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she’s often employed to investigate cases that are far too much for conventional police. But as Anita gains the attention of the vampire masters of her hometown of St Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself – the source of her unusual strength and power.”

Review:
Laurell K. Hamilton is by far one of my top three favorite author's, especially when it comes to the paranormal world. He ghouls and ghosties are always so well researched that you almost learn something with each book she puts out. I love that she gives a little background behind each of the paranormal aspects so you can even go check it out if you find yourself caught up in their myth/legend.
Because she is one of my top, if not my favorite because her books have yet to get repetitive, I am doing an Anita Blake re-read. This week and next all you will see is Anita Blake's story and get the chance to own one of the books for yourself.

Another great thing about Hamilton's works is the fact that even though the books are a part of a series they are still able to be read by themselves. Yes, you miss some of the history behind the characters but you are not totally lost in her compelling reads.
I have always been a fan, ever since I picked up the 14th book in the series Dance Macabre at a Marsh store when I was a teenager. Ever since then I became hooked on the Anita Blake series and then the Meredith Gentry series.

Because I had started at the 14th book I have had to work my way backwards and kind of play catch up. Luckily I was at a Half Price book store when I stumbled on a couple of books that I didn't recognize in the series, a bonus for me because I am always looking to read some of Hamilton's works, another bonus was that they were huge books.

I got home and much to my surprise I had gotten three in one books, so I got the first six books in the series, which in my opinion is better than a diamond ring. Some girls need jewelry or shoes, I need books and I told my fiancé that.

All throughout the series you will hear about Anita having killed a master vampire, it is one of the big bad things that make her the Executioner and the Vampire's boogey man.

I loved finding out how it all started with Jean Claude and Anita,
the sheer sass of Anita is what sells the book for me. She is always my favorite smart alec kicking butt heroin. Who needs a Prince charming when you have Anita?

This book is full of blood and gore, a mystery that is in need of solving and a love Anita just wants to hate. So check it out.

Favorite Charachter: Zebrowski, who can make me snicker even when he is knee deep in gore.

Rating: 5 Raven's!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop



Hello Everyone! I hope this holiday is spent with your family and friends.
I am very excited for this hop because we have a fabulous prize this time.

I am going to be giving one lucky winner Sherrilyn Kenyon's newest book, Infamous and having read it I can say that it is honestly an awesome read. So good luck and make sure to keep on hopping!

The Rules:
1. I am not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail.
2. I will be shipping this from the book depository so please make sure you are shipped to.
3. You must leave your GFC handler if not, you will be disqualified.
4. You will be notified by e-mail and you then have 48 hrs to respond, if you don't I will go on to the next winner.
5. You must be 18+ to enter due to the fact that not all parents allow young ones to read what I read as a kid.



Disclaimer


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of numerous Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by the Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*