Hola! Bonjour! Herro! Allo!

Herro, how are ya? I'm good, thanks - let's get all that out of the way and get down to business. Life happened, some personal stuff, a few uneventful events, so on and so forth. I'd bet a dollar you don't care much, so I'll save time.

Sadly, I have fallen off and become a slacker in all things books. Writing this blog, writing my own books, reading books, reviewing books...all of it came to a very abrupt halt basically after that last post of mine back in September. [Gasp!] BUT...this is where things get exciting, guys...I HAVE REVIVED MY LIFE. I am back to reading books, writing books and back to this blog as well! Oh, my gah people. You cannot possibly understand how happy I am that this has happened. 

Given my rapid decline in bookish activities, I thought it best to start out slowly. SO, I've set my Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge to 35 books. Solid number, right? I like it, too. I am so pleased to announce that I am 6 books ahead of schedule. Not, 4. Not 1, but SIX books. *Breaks for a happy dance*  Some of you won't understand but all my bookish people who've known the struggle of a reading rut....YOU FEEL ME. And it's REAL.

So, of the 11 books, I've read so far this year, 6 of them are historical romance. Anyone who knows me is gasping or choking on coffee right now. First off, straight up romance is not my bag. Add in historical to the title, and I used to run even faster. But Tessa Dare writes a mean HR, I'll tell you that much. As a matter of fact, I think I'll get back to Once Upon A Winter's Eve. The next post you see of mine will be a review of one of her amazeballs Historical Romances.

Until the morrow!

--A.

Bound By Flames by Jeaniene Frost

***Three Stars!***

*Sighs heavily*

Okay. I had a tough time reading this. For several different reasons. The main one being that I feel this story has been dragged out excessively

I can sum up my feelings in three words: It's been done.

It's been done, I've heard it all before, they're still singing the same song...etcetera. They've been doing this for three - count them, T H R E E - books. Leila is endlessly being abducted, Vlad never ceases to lose his shit and rescue her - this Szilagyi tool always thwarts Vlad's best efforts to capture and kill him.

Singin' the same old tune.

Jeaniene Frost is without a doubt, one of my favorite writers. Definitely top 5, hands down. BUT.... she's doing too much for me now. While I understand the story being trapped inside with nowhere else to go but onto a Microsoft Office document, I feel like this story could have been told with a whole lot less words and pages.

That being said, I'm going to summarize this entire 342 page book into one paragraph. Deep breath in - GO!

Leila uses her powers to track some folks down, proceeds to get abducted and tortured, Vlad loses his shit and sets numerous things on fire. There's a bit of traveling, some corralling of strengths, Vlad sets more shit on fire in a fit of rage, they visit the famous redhead and Bones, then go rescue Leila. Leila's captors escape, of course, and Vlad vows revenge. More traveling, pick  more friends, Leila's dad is still an asshole. She uses her powers again, they find who they're looking for, they go after him and bob's your uncle, Vlad saves the day and sets shit aflame.

All the while, Leila is making excuses for his overbearing, archaic attitude about his woman, how others should treat her with the utmost respect but he can hide her away in seclusion, order her around how he sees fit and cripple her supernatural abilities anytime he decides she can't handle them.

Did I miss anything?

July '14 AOTM

Yeah, we're doing this again. Drum roll, if you please.

*Taps fingers ridiculously*

Wendy Higgins!

You've probably already read her books. But in the event that you are like me and have not, I'll give you a quick run down. Which means I'm going to tell you what I'm thinking so far. HERE is a link to the entire series on Goodreads.

Sweet Evil. Kick-ass premise, characters aren't too bad - Saint Anna is kind of dancing on a nerve though - the setting is cool. Albeit lacking detail. The writing is awesome. Ms. Higgins has a way with words that makes me want to keep reading even though at some points I asked myself "Why the hell am I still reading this?". It's one of those you-shouldn't-watch-but-you-can't-look-away kind of thing.

The one two things I can't really get jiggy with are: Saint Anna. She is supposed to be "good". But she's too good. She's crossed over to the realm of unrealistic/making it harder to suspend reality. There isn't a sixteen year old girl in Atlanta that hasn't at least had a kiss. And I can almost guarantee you that they lie all the time. And especially because of her nature, she should've been doing it all her life, but no. 

Next thing: The lack of conflict. Everything is moving too smoothly. It's all falling into their laps. Per example: Anna needs to go to California to....let's just say she has to go. She needs money for plane tickets. The neighborhood ice cream parlor hires her weird ass on the spot. Patti's tires blow and she has to use the money they saved - that's okay! Super Kai(den) to the rescue with is father's bank account and sudden trustworthiness. (I won't even go into that one. You have to read it.) Anna's like an open book and Kaiden can "read" her too easy: she learns how to conceal her emotions within the span of two pages and she's suddenly an expert. **SPOILER ALERT** Skip down if you don't want to see. She assumes her dad is an evil son of a bitch whom she'll hate and despise all her life: she meets him and - I shit you not - during the time they talk, he cries. Like four times. Because he lurved her mother.

I just can't with that. Aside from that, there's nothing that makes me want to put the book down so I'm going to keep reading until the trilogy is over.

Next up: Sweet Peril.

Although I fail to see how she stretched this story out into three books....We shall see, then shant we?

May-June '14 Book Haul!

Over the past two months or so, I've purchased copious amounts of books. I haven't read a single one aside from the new Charley Davidson, but I've bought about ten or eleven. I know. I have a problem. But....what are you gonna do?

It's a mix of adult and YA so there's a little something to please the child in me and the sometimes naughty adult in me as well. For those that can't see the picture [above] I'll name all the books in said picture.

First up, there's Cinder by Marissa Meyer. It's number one in The Lunar Chronicles and if I'm not mistaken it was also her debut. Heard many a great things about this book and I'm pretty excited to get into it. I heard she also signed a movie deal for Cinder so....yeah. That's cool, too.

Next, we have Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor. SUPER DUPER excited to read this one. I've been trying to get my hands on the ecopy from my library but that waiting list is as long as Cara Delevingne's legs. SO, I just decided to buy it. It was quicker, more satisfying and honestly, much more exciting to hold the book in my hands. I miss the feel and smell of actual books.

Then we have Unwind by Neal Shusterman. To be completely honest, I know next to nothing about this book or this author but this DAMN COVER is just SO enticing I figured that it deserved a spot on my bookshelf. Even if I never get to it. At least it's something pretty to look at for a long time. #DontJudgeMe

There's Bad Blood by the late, L.A. Banks. I've never read anything by her so I figured this was a great place to start. Again, I don't know much about the series other than the average of 4.23 stars on goodreads so...I was sold. There are six books in the series and I'm unsure if there was another she was writing when she passed....but...I'll deal with that when I get there.

Next, there's Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy. Again, don't know much about the book, the series or the author but damn. That cover is beautiful. And the average stars for the series doesn't look too bad either so....Yeah. Seems legit.

Now. Halfway Hexed by Kimberly Frost. I AM SO MAD ABOUT THIS. When I first searched the barcode on my Goodreads app, it said this was first in a series. Lo and behold, It's NUMBER THREE. This cannot be life. I started reading it already. Thankfully, I only read four pages weeks ago and don't remember much because I'd be steaming right now if I still knew what was going on.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we have Black Wings. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for this damn book! This one I did read the blurb for and I am stoked to read this! Sadly, it's not on the top of the TBR pile, as I've not even finished the seventy gillion other books I've already started reading. Like, A Shade Of Vampire. Whose 257 ebook pages are haunting me. I don't want to finish it but I feel that I have to.

SO. What books have you guys recently bought? Anything good? Leave me recommendations in the comments below!

February 2014 Author Of The Month

Okay...I have a confession. I totally started reading these books back in January.

 

I know, I know. But I just couldn't help myself!! If you've read them, you know what I'm saying. THEY'RE JUST SO FRIGGIN AMAZING. But you will see why when you find out who this author is.....annnnnnddddd she is....

Don't recognize awesomesauce when you see it? That's okay. I didn't at first either. But I've mended my ways and started reading her books about my favorite grim reaper. Still no clue? Okay....how about this one?

If you don't know now then feel free to stand in Reyes' way...or change your name to Hedeshi and try to steal from him. Whichever floats your goat.

Darynda Jones.

And I'll leave you with that until you can ease your mind with the review I'll post shortly. Because when I said I started reading them last month...I meant I finished all five in as many days. I know. I'm sorry....but I'm not.

Chicagoland Vamps #2: Friday Night Bites By Chloe Neill

**Spoilage**

***3 Stars***

I want so very badly to say I loved the second installment of the Chicagoland Vampires series...but I can't. And I'm more than a bit bummed because of that.

I thought that book two would bring about some ground-breaking character growth and story progression...I thought that Mallory would become more interesting and realize she hadn't fallen in love with Catcher after only a few days of knowing him...I wanted Ethan to rip off his shirt Merit's clothes and have his beastly way with her. I wanted Merit to stop being such an indecisive twit. But I didn't get any of that. And it makes me sad. Mostly because Ethan didn't tear anyone's clothes off. What? I'm entitled to some nudity every few fifty pages.

Merit was doing A LOT of recapping throughout a nice chunk of the book, which prompted me to skim a few pages. I mean, recapping is okay for those people that will pick up a book and read it even though they know it's part of a series and is not book one. But whatevs. I will not let an idiot ruin a book for me.

Ethan and Merit continued their dance of  "I like him but I don't want to like him because he only likes me because he doesn't really want to". Which is as crazy as it sounds. What's worse? That's basically their relationship. With the exception of Merit fawning over him one second, calling him leige and pulling her Sentinel rank and just generally kissing his ass, she's almost always bringing up him changing her without her permission.

Merit is amazing at the Katas - something pertaining to the three foot knives they carry belted at their waists. Yeah, I'm not kidding. Merit is sexy, everyone wants to bone her - Even the Mayor of Chicago which, I got the impression, that dislikes supernatural creatures but hit on her when he got the chance. Merit is strong, Merit is impressive....blah, blah, blah. Merit. Merit. Merit. 

I'm so bored with Merit. Everything is handed to her. There's no conflict, no growing into her abilities, no trials - well, not any interesting ones, at least. And she's just so hurt because her childhood friend and ex boyfriend doesn't like that she'd become a vampire. Duh. 

Your family is all rich and hoity-toity. So are their friends. You've become a mistress of the night - literally. 

There wasn't really much of anything interesting going on...Merit went to a few parties with Ethan as per his orders, schmoozed a few of the local rich folks...they "solved a case" which wasn't really a case at all. Found yet another traitor in Ethan's house and a foe from the first book which isn't really such a great foe in the first place comes back. With a vengeance. As if they don't always do that anyway....Merit pushes everyone who actually admits to caring about her away. And I'm like

Which really made me sad. I really did like Morgan. Waaaay more than Ethan's generic laid-back, blonde, cliche'd arrogant and entitled self. 

And there's this ridiculous wedge that get's thrown in between Mallory and Merit just for the sake of breaking up their friendship. Methinks Mrs. Neill wants to give the little sorceress and Catcher their own little magical spin-off. I hope not. I doubt I'd read it.

Chicagoland Vampires No.1 : Some Girls Bite By Chloe Neill

**Spoilage**

***Three Stars***

So. I finally got around to starting the Chicagoland Vamps series and honestly....I'm left with the impression of Meh. I just wasn't wowed by what I read. By no means was it a bad book...it wasn't great...I didn't love it...I didn't hate it...It was just...I enjoyed it...? I dunno. I definitely didn't hate it.



As you can see, I'm feeling a bit conflicted about it all.

Merit, our MC wasn't really very likeable for me. I mean, I get the sense that tons of people out there would and do love her because, admittedly, she was pretty funny sometimes and I admire that in a woman. But there just always felt like there was something a lot lacking in her personality for me. I mean, sure she was supposed to be smart - multiple fancy college degrees kinda smart - but she just kept DOING. STUPID. SHIT. Whyyy walk across a college campus in the middle of the night alone in any world? I mean, even if Vampires hadn't just had their coming out party a few months prior, there are still rapists and murderers afoot. And you live in Chicago. One of the most dangerous cities in the country. You should know better. And throughout the entire story, she would do stupid shit then berate herself later for doing it instead of using that Big Ole' noggin of hers the first time around. I mean, I guess it makes for good conflict in a story but I just didn't care for the simple-mindedness that Merit exhibited - and continues to do so throughout the series.

I really like the basics behind the Chicagoland Vamps series. The deal is that most Vampires are changed and then belong to a House. Which is basically Fraternities and Sororities all mixed in. Some college-based behavior still remains. IE: the immaturity some of the vamps exhibit. But that's a different thing all together! And we shall get to that soon enough.

Houses. Each House has a Master which is basically what it sounds like. Some old asked vamp who is strong, powerful, can put the fear of God in your vampire hearts, and so on and so forth. You call this Master 'Leige' and are basically his/her one-named servant.

No. Seriously. You no longer are important or individual enough to have a last name. You now belong to the House you are changed into and only your Liege is good enough for his or her last name.

But whatevaa. The premise behind the Houses was very interesting to me and I liked that I haven't read something like this in an adult...ish book. So. Everything would be going great and I'd be really liking where it was going, then Merit would do something funky and take me to a place like this

   

Par example: this baby vampire performing back-flips days after being changed after which she challenges her Master and they spar. During which he doesn't hand her her ass all chopped up into several unidentifiable pieces in a matchbox. All her fantastical acrobatics and agility got credited to her being a former ballerina.



Last I checked, back-hand springs and round-offs aren't standard training for ballerinas. but whatevs. I could get past that. Because at that point, I was kinda liking Ethan. Forewarning: That like for Ethan - 397 year old Master of Cadogan House, that is - is very, very short-lived.

Then, other times, I'd be in a spot in which eye rolling was the popular thing to do. And out of nowhere - BAM! I'd get sideswiped by something so friggin' awesome I'd be like

 

Alas, those were short lived, too.  I feel like a lot happens in this book, and somehow it was all cohesive and moved the story along but at the same time, I feel like we could've gotten to the same endpoint without Merit having to be so stupid. LOL. I'm sorry. But I'm not sorry. I want to like Merit. Really, I do. But she...I....ay dios. I did enjoy the book though so I guess Mrs. Neill can get a big fat Mission Accomplished.

January 2014 AOTM + A Few Fun Things

Just a couple fun things. 'Few' implies more than two and I don't even think there are three fun things going on in my life.... *Crickets* Yeah. Probably not.

So. I trust you all have been having a stellar new year and brought it in SAFELY.  *Gives best mom-stare...watches everyone cower behind their monitors until they nod obediently* Now that my mother complex has been eased...I come to you today with your January Author Of The Month. And she is..... *Drumroll*

CHLOE NEILL!!!!

Isn't she perty? I'd never saw her face before tonight and I thought she'd be a blonde....dunno why. Just did.

Anysnooch, I do plan on reading her other series as well but for now, I'm starting with Chicagoland Vampires. Have you heard of it? I bet ya have. I admit, I'm behind in my reading but I went through this funk thing...where I only finished 27 books last year. Yeah. Sad. BUT, you can check my last post of 2013 for a recap on those books HERE.

I'm on book three now, at the present moment but I'm moving through them rather quickly. Much faster than I imagined I would....ya know. Since that whole funk thing I mentioned. *Shivers* Reading ruts are no fun and I feel for my bookish peeps who've been there. I KNOW YOUR STRUGGLE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!

Yeah...come to think of it...I don't even have a couple fun things. But enjoy this gif! =D

Isn't it DARLING?! I like to think of it as an improvement on the original. What do you think?

I Know, I Know. You Don't Have To Say It....

Yeah, I'm not even gonna start apologizing because you and I both know I'll probably - more than likely - be apologizing again in a month or three when I've been MIA again. I don't mean to neglect this blog or my writing...it just happens. I'm tired ALL the time because of a medical issue I have and when I'm not working, I'm sleeping or trying to sleep. I'm probably spreading myself too thing with all the other things I do....anysnooch.

I've come to announce that I will be trying out a new "Author Of The Month" kind of thing. Where I read numerous books by a single author in one month and possibly review them. Anyone dislike this idea? Anyone like it? Anyone not care either way and are just here for the rainbow gifs? Yeah. Thought so.

SO. The author this month -we'll have her as July-August due to the late start - is....... Amanda R. Browning!

She posted on her facebook about wanting some reviewers for her books and you all know how much I love to write me a good review. I hear a lot of great things about her books so I'm really amped to get started. And because I am doing quite a bit more reading than writing these days, I think this AOTM thing will work out WAAAY better than I thought.

The first of her books I will be reading is Birth Of The Nyxian. You can click the picture in my 'Currently Reading' section and you will be directed to said book on Goodreads.

P.S. I am still doing the author spotlight/showcase with the author I mentioned back in June. Circumstances and deadlines with her publishers have put things on hold for a bit and because she's started writing her sequel...and other projects, I'm the last person to distract her from that. SO we will wait until she is ready. I refuse to get in the way of her career. BECAUSE I LURVE HER!

Anysnooch, if you're reading this.....THANK YOU BUNCHES for rocking out with me and sticking through my neglect and ghost-like phase for months on end. I sincerely appreciate you.

To visit Amanda R. Browning's website, click HERE.
To Follow Amanda R. Browning on Twitter, click HERE.
To 'Like' Amanda R. Browning's Facebook page, click HERE.
To become a fan of Amanda R. Browning on Goodreads, click HERE.
To purchase Amanda R. Browning's books on amazon, click HERE.


And since you guys were honest about loving the rainbow gifs.....here ya go.





You're welcome.