Review: Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Truly, Madly
Author: Heather Webber
Publisher: St. Martin's, February 2010
Mass Market Paperback, 305 pages
Available at: B&N, ABE & Powell's.

Summary: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing engagement ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who works upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

I've been reading a lot of dark urban fantasy, which I love, but because I read so much I have to insert a cheerful, light read every now and then so I don't start growling at my family. I asked for an Advanced Reading Copy of Truly, Madly from Good Reads back in December because it sounded like a charming mystery romance. It truly is that, and more. Lucy Valentine, the main character, is witty, smart, and has a special gift that has made her feel like the odd woman out since she was a teenager. Her parents, and grandmother tend to make her life crazy, and we learn just how crazy in this delightful read.

The author's writing style is friendly and light, but not over the top or superficial. Truly, Madly is a mixture of mystery, romance, adventure, and humor. Though I wouldn't call it paranormal romance it does have a paranormal element. There are twists and turns throughout the book, and the ending was a surprise, which is always fun for me when I can't guess the mystery. Lucy's love interest, Sean, is a former fire fighter turned private investigator who doesn't want to share his past, but is drawn to Lucy, despite the mystery that also surrounds her. The scenes between them sizzle, even though they both hold back. Yes, it's a PG romance, but it's a good one!

Truly, Madly is the first in a series of Lucy Valentine novels, which I think will all be great reads. Ms. Webber's characters are full of life, and she makes readers want to learn more about them and their lives. Fans of romance and mystery will really enjoy Truly, Madly. It's the perfect novel to read this month, in honor of St. Valentine's Day and all that is love.

Definitely, Maybe- A Lucy Valentine Original Story by Heather Webber. (It's free!)
http://www.sheloveshotreads.com/?p=1053

Enter to win a double heart Tiffany pendant, complete with the little blue box!
http://www.lucyvalentine.blogspot.com/




~Moonsanity

League of Reluctant Adults Challenge!

Yes, I'm jumping on the wagon late, but it IS before Midnight and it's still February 1st! I've been following The League of Reluctant Adults blog for quite awhile now and have been reading their books as fast as I possibly can since they are full of paranormal goodness. Today they added one of my favorite authors, Rob Thurman, to The League. I could no longer resist joining the NAC Mini-Challenge: League of Reluctant Adults from Literary Escapism. The challenge called out to me, and dared me to join in a snarky, yet somehow mesmerizing voice(within my mind, of course). "Join you freaking idiot, join! Or I shall rant and rave at you for an eternity or until you lose what little sanity you have left."
Here is the shortened scoop on the challenge, but you can get the details by clicking the above link at the challenge site:

The Challenge will run from February 1st through the 28th. All reviews must have a February 2010 date. The goal is to read up to 5 different authors from the list. (View Here) The idea is to try a new author (it is a New Author mini-challenge), however, if you’ve already read all 20 of them, you can still participant, but don’t re-read a novel. Try something new.

I will update the challenge on this post as I read the books.
I wonder if that voice will stop nagging me now?

BOOKS READ
(Reviews linked from the titles)
1. Madhouse by Rob Thurman
2. Immortality Bites Books by Michelle Rowen
3. Night Life (Nocturne City, Book 1) by Caitlin Kittredge
4. Dead to Me by Anton Strout

5. The Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo
6. Greywalker by Kat Richardson

~Moonsanity

Congratulations to Our Contest Winners!

I determined the winners of the contests for a copy of Veracity and a copy of The Devil in Merrivale by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/. Below are the two winners, whom I have already emailed. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone for leaving your comments and suggestions!

Veracity Winner:

Melissa (My World) said...
I have to say I thought I would have to read all three of these books in High school when I got there. And to my surprise I didn't have to read even one of them. I was really surprised. I think they were starting to be part of the contraversy everyone talks about so the school stopped before a big deal was made of them.Although part of me wishes I did. This book does sound good!

(Please stop by and visit Melissa at her blog: My World...in Words and Pages.)

The winner of the copy of The Devil in Merrivale:

E.J. Stevens said...
Great giveaway! My favorite mysteries as a kid were the Agatha Christie 'Miss Marple' books. I devoured them. (Everyone should visit E.J.'s wonderful blog From the Shadows!)

~Moonsanity

Review: Pleasure Unbound, Larissa Ione

Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1)
Author: Larissa Ione
Publisher: Forever
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages

Summary: Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable-and let Tayla possess him, body and soul...

I've been following Larissa Ione on Twitter for awhile now, and her Demonica books were recommended to me over and over. They sounded intriguing; the teasers say the first book involves demon doctors in disguise, and my husband is an RN in an inner city Emergency Department. I'm thinking a couple of the ER people I've met could indeed be demons in disguise. *snicker* Last weekend my copy of Pleasure Unbound arrived from Amazon. I was almost afraid I'd be disappointed because I had heard SO MUCH about this book.

Pleasure Unbound starts out with a scene in the Emergency Department of Underworld General Hospital. (Yes, that's UGH.) The demons aren't in disguise in this hospital because it's run by demons to treat demons, not humans. Right from the start we learn a few things:

All demons are not evil.

Demons tend to have sarcastic wits and quick tempers.

Demons love sex, some WAY more than others.

The book is fun and dark at the same time, but it's not until we meet all the main characters and start to figure out that all is not black and white in the Demonica world that we start to care about what happens to them. Larissa Ione's characters are complex and all is not as it appears to be. At first we see humans vs. demons; hatred on both sides with no room for compromise. The book is not a fast, fun read, but instead a sexy, dark, witty read that takes the reader through many emotions including anger, sadness, relief, frustration and titillation. (Webster defines as "to excite pleasurably" which fits perfectly.) Who IS the bad guy here? Will the plot be about finding a Happily Ever After too, or is this world too dark for that?

I really liked Pleasure Unbound, and it lived up to all the recommendations. Fans of J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, Lara Adrian and Kresley Cole will love Larissa Ione's books. They each focus on the story of a particular male in the rich cast of characters, but there is also mystery, kick-butt fight scenes, and witty interaction. For me, when a series or book has a dark element , I need humor to offset the fight against evil. I love this exchange between Eilodon and Tayla:

"You eat fast food?"

"Only when there's a shortage of live sheep and small children."

Smartass. At least she hoped he was being a smartass. "I'm fresh out of those things, but I have stale marshmallows and oranges."

Pleasure Unbound has sarcastic, sometimes crude humor, erotic romance, studly demons and humans, but also cringe worthy evil demons, and humans who are just as bad. This book is not for the faint of heart; it's a gritty paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy rolled into one. I know I'll be reading it again, and all the books in the series.

Visit Larissa's website for excerpts, deleted scenes, writing tips and much more! She's here.

~Moonsanity

Pop Quiz: What Supernatural Being Are You?

Jill Myles, the witty author of Gentlemen Prefer Succubi is over on Ilona Andrews blog with a very cool quiz! I took it and lo and behold I am a:

Vampire

You're a VAMPIRE! Jaded and kind of tired of the stupidity of both your goody-two-shoes Serim brothers and the human race in general, you'd smoke, drink, and squander your Afterlife with hedonistic pleasures. That is, until the Queen gives you something to do.

The World of Jill Myles

Head on over to Ilona's place and take it yourself:
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/2010/01/22/pop-quiz/.

My Big Fat Book Order

I really tried to wait longer before buying more books, I really did. I waited through three blog tours, where I read the books and reviewed them. I was a good book blogger, so I rewarded myself. To justify my spending I used Bookcloseout for the biggest order. It's kind of like shopping at Sam's Club or Cosco; they don't always have the same thing, but you can find surprises if you look hard enough. The best deals are on trade paperbacks and hardcovers, and I found some cool books this time. I bought:

Birth of the Pack By Petru Popescu
A YA novel about Weregirls battling evil.

The Visitant by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear
Romantic Times said it was "a wonderful journey of learning and adventure".

Evernight by Claudia Gray
Paranormal YA Novel that I've heard good things about.

Love is Hell, YA Anthology
Melissa Marrr, Scott westerfeld and more

Vampirates, Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper
How could I resist the title? It's a YA title.

Daughter of the Sea by Berlie Doherty
"She was a gift from the sea, but now the ocean wants her back..."

The DarkAngel, Book One by Meredith Ann Pierce
tag line: Can Aeriel Save the Vampyre's Soul?

Woo-hooo on these next two!

Another One Bites the Dust
Biting the Bullet
by Jennifer Rardin


I read book one, Once Bitten, Twice Shy and couldn't wait to read the next books in the series!


Last, but not least, for my almost ten year old I bought Clues for Real Life, The Classic Wit & Wisdom of Nancy Drew in hardcover. She is going to love it!

I also received a small Amazon book order this weekend. I now have:

Pleasure Unbound, Demonica Book 1, by Larissa Ione
City of Souls, Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4, by Vicki Pettersson
Madhouse, Cal Leandros series, by Rob Thurman

All three of these are series I've been reading, or as with Pleasure Unbound, heard so much about it I HAD to start reading it!

For my daughter I bought My Sister the Vampire #2, Fangtastic. We read the first one out loud (she's almost ten and reads to me.) and we are reading this one out loud as well. We started the same day it came in the mail. She LOVES these books.

~Moonsanity

100+ Reading Challenge

I joined the 100+ Book Challenge as my primary challenge. The basic rules are :

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts. What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

For the rest of the details visit J.Kaye's Book Blog. I will update on this post as I read books, and link to my review of them if I have it written. I need to do better at adding books as soon as I finish them! I'm also reading two books on Kindle right now, but I haven't finished. The books below were all books, not ebooks, except for The Devil in Merrivale, which was a PDF file due to the publisher sending them out late for a book tour.

Books Read For 2010:

January Reads
1. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
2. Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles
3. The Iron Hunt, Hunter Kiss, Book 1 by Marjorie M. Liu
4. Bitten by Cupid (anthology)
5. Inked (anthology)
6. Veracity by Laura Bynum
7. The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffey
8. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
9. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (reread)
10. Firespell by Chloe Neill
11. Pleasure Unbound, A Demonica Novel, by Larissa Ione
12. Another One Bites the Dust by Jennifer Rardin
13. Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin

February Reads
14. The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
15. Truly, Madly by Heather Webber
16.Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
17. City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson
18. Madhouse by Rob Thurman
19. Stakes & Stilettos by Michelle Rowen
20. Tall, Dark & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen
21. Night Life (Nocturne City, Book 1) by Caitlin Kittredge
22. First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
23. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
24. Pride by Rachel Vincent
25. Dead to Me by Anton Strout

March Reads

26.The Devil Inside by Jenna Black
27.Steamed by Katie MacAlister
28.Demon Possessed by Stacia Kane
29.Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles
30.My Love Eternal by Liz Strange
31. Crimson City by Liz Maverick
32. Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur
33. Bite Me by Melissa Francis
34. Evernight by Claudia Gray

The books with the links have been reviewed, ones without will be future reviews. Sometimes if it's a series I wait until I read them all before reviewing.

~Moonsanity