Book Review: The Seventh Victim by Mary Burton

Title: The Seventh Victim
Author: Mary Burton
Release Date: February 5th 2013
Publisher: Kensington Books
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley
 
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED
It’s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared…

KILL
Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack. What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he’s in Austin…

AND KILL AGAIN…
He’s always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he’s been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he’ll prove he holds her life in his hands—right before he ends it forever…

My Thoughts

The Seventh Victim is full of great writing that flows easily with interesting and complex characters and a story both intriguing and a little creepy.

I really enjoyed this whodunit and immediately liked both Lara and Beck.
The romance is slow to develop but full of snarky conversations filled with subtle undercurrents of attraction.
I followed the clues carefully, figured out who the killer was with ease, and had a lot of fun navigating the misdirections and multiple suspects. I really did like what the author did with the plot, the twist, and the final outcome.

A really well thought out story with just the right amount of mystery, creepiness and romance; with interesting, fully fleshed out characters.
I'd very happily recommend this book to all lovers of a really great read, regardless of genre - a book for everyone to enjoy.
 
An excitement filled 4 star read ;]

Book Review: Keeper of the Night by Heather Graham

Title: Keeper of the Night (The Keepers: L.A. #1)
Author: Heather Graham
Release Date: December 18th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

In their new Keeper roles, these extraordinary women must balance the fate of the world with their desires…

New Keeper Rhiannon Gryffald has her peacekeeping duties cut out for her—because in Hollywood, it’s hard to tell the actors from the werewolves, bloodsuckers and shape-shifters. Then Rhiannon hears about a string of murders that bear all the hallmarks of a vampire serial killer, and she must confront her greatest challenge yet. Together with Elven detective Brodie McKay, they head to Laurel Canyon, epicenter of the danger, where they uncover a plot that may forever alter the face of human-paranormal relations.

My Thoughts

Sadly, Keeper of the Night did not meet my expectations of a decent read at-all.

Long winded, over complicated, rambling sentences of incoherent musings, thoughts, and feelings that go on-and-on until all you want to do is throw the book against a wall (I didn't though because it was on my Kindle!).
This book held great promise with an interesting blurb, but that's where it ended.

The prologue made me cringe with its overly preachy telling of how this world came into being and who rules it, who wants to rule it, and how all the beasties are governed. I would have rather skipped the whole history lesson and got on with a story that held all those answers within the plot.

The first few paragraphs were repetitive and boring and it felt like I was reading a manual - it was a chore.

I felt absolutely nothing for the MC's and the secondary characters irked me. The plot... was meh at best, and I found myself pretty much skim reading the second half.

I'm sad to say that this is the worst book I've read from Harlequin in a very long time.
1 star :[

It's a buzz...

I.Am.Buzzing...

That is to say, I am completely humbled and blown away by the fact that I have been interviewed by one of my favourite authors, whose debut book Vengeance Born made it onto my Best Reads of 2012 list.

That's right, the lovely and talented Kylie Griffin has interviewed me on her blog, and you can read all about it here.

Book Review: Nobody's Angel by Stacy Gail

Title: Nobody's Angel (Earth Angels #1)
Author: Stacy Gail
Release Date: January 21st 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Investigative journalist Kendall Glynn is horrified when a friend and colleague signs off permanently during a live newscast, jabbing a pen into his jugular. Kendall's no expert, but judging by the strange white veil in the anchorman's eyes, she would swear he was a man possessed.

A descendant of the accursed Nephilim, Zeke Reece prowls San Francisco by night, keeping the city free from paranormal phenomena. But even he is no match for whatever malevolent force is behind a recent rash of murder-suicides. And when a beautiful tenacious reporter becomes the next target, Zeke has no choice but to stay close to her, until he can find the evil spirit and cross it over.

The closer Kendall gets to the truth, the more danger she's in. Fortunately, a sexy and mysterious masked stranger keeps swooping in to the rescue. Kendall's life depends on finding who or what is responsible for the killings, before it finds her.

My Thoughts
 
Nobody's Angel was an interesting and fast paced story, although the plot did feel a little too rushed in places. I found the story to be fun, flirty and a little dark but I couldn't shut off the cheesy 1960's Batman music playing in my head and the intermitant flashes of pow, zing, and boom etc that came along with it!

Don't get me wrong, I liked the storyline and the romance, but overall it was all just a little too simple a mystery/problem to solve. The ending kind of just fell together easily and without consequences - it was just too neatly packaged and lacked impact for my liking.

Stacy Gail's writing was pretty good and it's not a bad start for a story involving my favourite characters - angels; but I'm hoping for a bit more storytelling and character depth for Savage Angel (Earth Angels #2) which is due for a February release.

Nobody's Angel gets 3 stars from me :]

Book Review: The Water Witch by Juliet Dark

Title: The Water Witch (Fairwick Chronicles #2)
Author: Juliet Dark (Pseudonym for Carol Goodman)
Release Date: February 12th 2013
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine
(note: previously released September 13th 2012 by Ebury Press)
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

After casting out a dark spirit, Callie McFay, a professor of gothic literature, has at last restored a semblance of calm to her rambling Victorian house. But in the nearby thicket of the Honeysuckle Forest, and in the currents of the rushing Undine River, more trouble is stirring. . . .

The enchanted town of Fairwick’s dazzling mix of mythical creatures has come under siege from the Grove: a sinister group of witches determined to banish the fey back to their ancestral land. With factions turning on one another, all are cruelly forced to take sides. Callie’s grandmother, a prominent Grove member, demands her granddaughter’s compliance, but half-witch/half-fey Callie can hardly betray her friends and colleagues at the college.

To stave off disaster, Callie enlists Duncan Laird, an alluring seductive academic who cultivates her vast magical potential, but to what end? Deeply conflicted, Callie struggles to save her beloved Fairwick, dangerously pushing her extraordinary powers to the limit—risking all, even the needs of her own passionate heart.

My Thoughts

I read and reviewed the first book in this series The Demon Lover more than a year ago, and was very interested to see where this story would be taken next.

At first I was a little disappointed with the slow, conversation heavy, introduction back into the world of Fairwick; however it soon picked up and I was once again captivated by this enchanting tale.
The reader is treated to many different supernatural beings and their varying quirks, all the while enjoying the mystery and intrigue of paranormal activity in a small and entertaining town shrouded in secrets.
The plot was a little predictable overall, and I knew right off who Bill was and what it meant for Callie, but the lovely imagery and vast array of colorful characters kept me entertained.

Another beautifully written installment to this engaging story of faery, witches, succubi, nephilim, and more...
4 out of 5 stars ;]

Spotlight on...The Peculiar Blog Tour

The Peculiar Blog Tour starts today and I just thought I'd help kick it off with a bit off a Spotlight post :)

Title: The Peculiar (The Peculiar #1)
Author: Stefan Bachmann
Release Date: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Blurb:
Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.

In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words. Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings--Peculiars--and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.

One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window. Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley--Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong.

Part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part steampunk adventure, The Peculiar is Stefan Bachmann's riveting, inventive, and unforgettable debut novel.

Link to blog tour schedule

Here's the book trailer:

...HarperCollins is giving away 5 SIGNED, HARDCOVER COPIES of The Peculiar, and the GRAND PRIZE of a SIGNED COPY AND a SKYPE CHAT with the author himself, Stefan Bachmann!
(please note: this giveaway is being run by the publisher not me, please check terms and conditions)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quickie Giveaway!

I recently had the chance to read and review Bonded by Michelle Davidson Argyle, and as a thank you, Michelle very kindly sent me some gorgeous bookmarks to share with my readers :)

If you are anything like me, you love all the swaggy goodness that authors use to help promote their books; and Michelle's are particularly nice!

So...all you have to do for your chance to win one of four prizes of bookmarks is enter using the rafflecopter form, it's that easy - although there are more chances to win if you want :)

(giveaway is open internationally)

4 sets of these bookmarks to be won

a Rafflecopter giveaway