In My Mailbox: November 8th

It's time again for In My Mailbox. It was a slow week, but I had a lot of reading material from last week, so it was just as well. You can see from my reviews that I was a busy reader.

I've been waiting for almost two weeks for Intertwined by Gena Showalter and finally it came in after being "in transit" for almost the entire time. Before that it had been listed on the shelf in our county library system. I missed the group review at Blog With Bite, but I'll still review it as soon as I finish. I'm not sure what the hold up was, but at least it finally came!

I also received two books from Paperback Swap:

Ecstasy: The Shadowdwellers
by Jacquelyn Frank

Among the Shadow dwellers, Trace holds power that some as willing to kill for. Without a stranger's aid, one rival would surely have succeeded, but Trace's brush with death is less surprising to him than his reaction to the beautiful, fragile human who heals him.

The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, Book 1)
by Gena Showalter

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

For more more In My Mailbox fun drop by The Story Siren!

~Moonsanity

Series Review: Mathesons, J. Ardian Lee

J. Ardian Lee (Julianne Ardian Lee)

1. Son of the Sword (2001)
2. Outlaw Sword (2002)
3. Sword of King James (2003)
4. Sword of the White Rose (2004)

Summary: Dylan Matheson is an ordinary guy with ordinary problems: family, girlfriend - the usual. He likes his life. He's happy living above the dojo where he teaches martial arts and swordfighting. He has a few close friends who share his interest in things ancient and Scottish. Then one day at a Medieval Faire, he sees a magnificent broadsword. He takes it in hand - and is transported to a time and place he has only read about.

I found all four of the Matheson books on BookCloseout.com, taking a chance on them because of the good price. I'm very glad I took the chance! I loved Dylan, the main character, from the beginning. He's witty, attractive, protective, passionate and he has good hygiene. This in itself is a rare thing in Scotland during the 1700's. They still sleep with their sheep in the winter, have no understanding of dental care, nutrition or sanitizing needles before sewing up wounds. Dylan has his work cut out for him if he's not only going to survive, but protect those around him.

The books are a quick read, but not superficial. I loved the historical tidbits the author wove into the story. I also thought she used humor to bring life to the characters, especially Dylan. The books have themes of love and loss, fighting for what you believe in, courage, faith and family. The author doesn't gloss over the beliefs or the harshness of living in Scotland during this time period. Many scenes are not for the faint of heart.

In case you were wondering, the Fae do make an appearance. After all, it is Scotland, how can they not? The tale of the Mathesons has romance, magic, fighting, political intrigue, history, humor and adventure. I really can't ask for more in a good historical romance.

I'd highly recommend J. Ardian Lee's books to fans of historical romance, but also those who enjoy paranormal romance and time travel. They are a great read!

You can read excerpts here: http://www.julianneardianlee.com/matheson/matheson.html

The author has a blog here: http://julianneardian.livejournal.com/

~Moonsanity

Series Review: Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles

Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
Publisher: Ace

The Becoming
Blood Drive
The Watcher
Legacy
Retribution(not read yet)

I finished the fourth book of Jeanne C. Stein's Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles today. I'd read the other three over the summer, buying them from Amazon. They are all quick reads, each with its own mystery that Anna must solve, usually to save lives. First, let's talk about what the series isn't: it isn't romance, nor does it paint a light, fun picture of vampires. Anna is a "crap happens, what can I do with it now?" kind of gal. She's told how she should behave and what rules she needs to follow now that she's been turned, but Anna is stubborn. She's not just going to roll over and abandon her life. In all four books she has an ongoing struggle to keep her "humanity". While I understand Anna's plight, I do find myself frustrated that she refuses to compromise or listen to any advice from those who have been through it.

The first book is my favorite but the others kept me on the edge of my seat as well. Stein is a master with action scenes. Each one kept me guessing, and in suspense. She also knows how to twist the plot and spring surprises on the reader. That, I think, is why the books are a quick read. I don't read them at a leisurely pace.

Stein's writing is witty, often sarcastic, and some what dark. I recommend this series to those who don't expect their books to end with a "happily ever after". Anna is a work in progress, and I like reading about her, despite wanting to occasionally slap her. If you know this going in and don't mind, then you'll like the Anna Strong books. If you like romance with a happy ending, then I'd steer clear. I personally want to hang with Anna, and will be reading all of her books again, plus picking up the fifth one in the series.

Read Excerpts here: http://www.jeannestein.com/blurb.htm

Jeanne has a blog with Mario Acevedo where they "cover urban fantasy, vampires, pop culture, and all things Joss Whedon." It doesn't get any better than that. Pay them a visit here:
http://www.biting-edge.blogspot.com/

Book Review: The Scent of Shadows

The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1)
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Publisher: Eos
Pages: 464

Summary: When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert. By rights, she should be dead. Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset – a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow – seeking answers to whom or what she really is ... and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.

I bought The Scent of Shadows from Amazon last week after hearing about from some of my favorite authors. I tend to look at books like Christmas gifts. I never sneak peeks. I love being surprised. This said, I also don't like waiting too long for the good stuff. The Scent of Shadows delivers in the first chapter. There isn't an introduction, or a prologue preparing the reader, so we have to figure out things along with Joanna, the main character. The book starts out at a good pace, speeding up as one revelation after another changes Joanna's life. Before I knew it, putting the book down wasn't an option.

The Scent of Shadows is not a romance, it doesn't have a "Happily Ever After" for Joanna. I would call it a dark fantasy with a possibility of a "Happily Ever After" somewhere in the distant future. The characters are often not what they appear to be. As in real life, appearances can be deceiving but in Joanna's world, taking appearances for granted can get you killed.

I don't consider The Scent of Shadows a "quick read" only because it does take a little more thought to fit together the pieces of the puzzle as the plot twists and turns. The characters are not always likable, even when they are the good guys. Joanna, the main character, will not be liked by some readers. She's a complicated person trying to figure out her place in a harsh world. I like her because she's a survivor. She's a quick thinker and she learns from her mistakes. Did I mention she's witty and sarcastic too?

I highly recommend this book to those who like their fantasy dark with fast paced action and characters who never fail to surprise. Vicki Pettersson is a very talented writer, and I am eagerly looking forward to the other books in the series.

You can read an excerpt here: http://www.vickipettersson.com/the-scent-of-shadows.html

~Moonsanity

Book Review: The Alpha and Omega Novels

Books Series: Alpha and Omega
Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground
Author: Patricia Briggs
Publisher: Ace

Note: I read this after I read the Mercy Thompson series. I haven't read the short story that begins it all in the anthology On the Prowl, which many have recommended be read first.

Summery: Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega.

I read the first book in this series last summer after reading all of the Mercy Thompson books. I had to make myself read it NOT as a continuation of Mercy's world, but as a stand alone book. Once I did that the characters and the story came alive for me. Anna had been beaten down, suffering much like a woman who's just come out of an abusive relationship, except she was abused by everyone in her pack. She's fighting to regain her confidence, her strength; to become the woman and wolf she needs to be. This isn't a quick fix. Her struggle carries through to the second book as well.

The Alpha and Omega books tell a story of love, trust, and of healing. They read quickly, at least for me, because I wanted to KNOW what was going to happen between Anna and Charles. I couldn't wait to finish one page and go on to the next. Their relationship is complicated and multi-dimensional. There is the interaction between Anna and Charles, as a man and woman, but also the interaction between his wolf and Anna. They often don't see eye to eye. The wolf would protect her to the point of suffocation. Charles, the man, knows she needs to learn to protect herself as well. Anna is trying to figure out just what she needs and wants.

Each book has plenty of action, suspense and mystery to make it an adventurous read. I love the pack dynamics as Anna tries to figure out her place with the wolves, beyond her status as a mate to Charles. I thought Briggs did an excellent job of showing the reader both Anna's take on things, and how Charles reacted to the same situation. Brother Wolf, the wolf part of Charles, is fascinating. Briggs treats him as an individual character, one we get to know and love as Anna's fierce protector.

If I found any fault with the books, it was they read so fast that I felt let down when I finished them. This, however, could be my background of reading epic fantasy novels that can easily run 600-1000 pages. I highly recommend both books to fans of Mercy Thompson, and those new to her writing.

Read Chapter One:
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/cryWolfChapter.shtml




~Moonsanity

Musical Interlude: Little Toy Gun

Today's Musical Interlude comes from the band Honey Honey. I have the CD First Rodeo, and they are very talented with a unique style. This video was directed by and co-starred Kiefer Sutherland for you Lost Boys fans:)



~Moonsanity

Book Review: The Unbound Anthology

Unbound
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Eos
ISBN: 0061699934

I picked up Unbound in the store the week it came out because I was waiting with bated breath for Jeaniene Frost's new story, Reckoning, featuring Bones, her charismatic vampire master with a scathing wit and looks to die for. Yes, that is my description. The author no doubt has her own, but I couldn't resist.  I won't lie, I read that story first and loved it. How could I not?  If you haven't read her Night Huntress books (please do) you can still read the short story because it takes place beforehand. It's set in New Orleans and will make you shiver. No, not because of Bones, but because of the creepy elements surrounding  mayhem during Mardi Gras.

There are also stories from  Jocelynn Drake and Kim Harrison. Kim wrote a stand alone story with my favorite pixy, Jenks and teenage gargoyle Bis.  If you haven't read Kim's books this is a perfect introduction to the world she has created. Jenks solves a case on his own with a little help from some friends.  I smiled throughout the entire story and so will you.

Jocelynn Drake's story, The Dead, the Damned and the Forgotten, is a prequel to her Dark Days books featuring Mira, the nightwalker (vampire) who is also known as The Firestarter.  It takes place in her beloved Savannah, Georgia, which has been home for a very, very long time now.  The books take her to places like Italy and Machu Picchu, so we don't see her at home that often.  I liked the story because it gave me a better feel for how she interacts with those she cares for, and those she has to discipline. She has to find that line between keeping her home safe and having the reputation of a heartless killing machine, all well solving the mystery of a death in her domain.

The other two authors in the book are Melissa Marr and Vicki Pettersson.  I had heard good things about both of them but hadn't read any of their books.  Dark Matters drew me into the world of Vicki Pettersson's books. After reading it,  I knew I had to get her books.  The story involves a man and a woman who are on opposite sides of a war against good and evil.  I really can't tell you much more without giving it away, but the ending is haunting.  The story is tragic on the surface, a love story, set in a time of war. I loved it.

Melissa Marr is the author of the popular Wicked Lovely book series, which is young adult.  The story in Unbound is, according to the back of the paperback, is her first adult supernatural thriller. It's called Two Lines and  I loved it! I've read on her blog that she will be writing an adult series in the future. Rather than try to describe her story, I'll let you read this quote from her blog. I could not possibly say it better:

"the question has been asked already, no, it's not a prequel or a set-up for a forthcoming book in this world. It's just a story about a glaistig, some zombie powder, some criminals, & a bit of necessary violence." (from http://melissa-writing.livejournal.com/)

FINAL SAY ON THE BOOK: I highly recommend it for fans of the authors AND to readers they are new to. It was the first analogy I've read that I loved every story in the book.

DIVERSIONS, WISDOM & DETAILS (new windows will open)
The Beyond on Blog Talk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/
An Episode with all the authors talking about "the dark world of UNBOUND, where the supernatural stalk the unsuspecting."

Kim Harrison's Website: http://www.kimharrison.net/index.html
Her quarterly newsletter is a MUST have.

Jeaniene Frost's Website: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/
Deleted scenes, interviews, podcasts and videos

Vicki Pettersson's Website: http://www.vickipettersson.com/home.html
Excerpts, videos, and pictures.

Jocelynn Drake's Website: http://www.jocelynndrake.com/DarkDaysMain.html
Essays, history and videos.

Melissa Marr's Harper Teen Page:
http://www.harperteen.com/contests/wickedlovely/
She has the coolest screensavers, ring tone and decal download! Also podcasts, playlists and a newsletter.

~Moonsanity