BOOK REVIEW: LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS by CHARLAINE HARRIS - SOOKIE STACKHOUSE # 2 - GOLLANCZ - PARANORMAL ROMANCE

By: Charlaine Harris
Published By: Gollancz
Released: Available Now
Details: Omnibus paperback from library, 722 Pages
Living Dead In Dallas is 217 pages of this omnibus.

RATING: 4 STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is having a streak of bad luck. First her co-worker is killed, and no one seems to care. Then she comes face to-face with a beastly creature that gives her a painful and poisonous lashing. Enter the vampires, who graciously suck the poison from her veins (like they didn't enjoy it).

The point is: they saved her life. So when one of the bloodsuckers asks for a favor, she obliges - and soon Sookie's in Dallas, using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire. She's supposed to interview certain humans involved, but she makes one condition: the vampires must promise to behave and let the humans go unharmed. But that's easier said than done, and all it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly....



BOOK REVIEW:

I’m going to start by saying I decided to watch 3 episodes of Trueblood after I had finished the second book. I think I so far prefer watching the show.

This was a good read, but I am so not connecting with Bill and Sookie in the paperback, thus far, but now I have seen 3 episodes on TV, I feel they express more emotion as actors playing their characters.

I am trying with Bill, but I find him dull in the book. It was great being introduced to Stan and some of the other vampires and there was a great story attached to that.

I think about halfway through this book I started to get into the swing, no pun intended (refer below paragraph) with Sookie and her detective type mission.

I still enjoyed this instalment, but I wouldn’t rave about it. *hides under pillow*

I felt a little awkies with the orgy scene. Not because it was an orgy scene. Pffft! I devour erotic books, but because the characters felt awkward in the scene. Eric in pink lycra…hmmm…I shall say no more. Maybe I need to look at the year this book was written and the clothing styles of the era. I get it was supposed to be funny? But this is Eric!!!

I sometimes feel (and this is me and my personal expectations), that parts need to be fleshed out more in this book between Bill and Sookie. I felt that a bit with book 1, too. I know there is a massive fan base for this series, but I personally would like some more emotion with Bill on paper and I feel he’s not your typical ‘dream’ vampire book boyfriend—yet.

The sexual content seems to overshadow where more fleshing out could be inserted. I want to believe in these two and I feel like I am floating rather than getting depth.

I’ve got the omnibus from my local library because I can’t find books 2 and 3 in my library but they seem to have book 1 and 4 onwards.

Go figure.

I have purchased paperbacks for 4 onwards to keep me happy for a while from my local newsagent, but they didn't have 1-3.

This omnibus is really an uncomfortable weight to read snuggled in bed. It’s like a big, heavy brick. I think it would be the heaviest book I have ever held as a fictional novel, and I have to grip it hard it’s that heavy.

Note to publishers: Don’t release such a whopping heavy paperback. Reading is for snuggling in bed, or snuggling somewhere. Not getting knocked in the face with the book or struggling to hold the thing up. It’s really a lay-on-your-tummy read or sit at a table.

I am very intrigued to know more about this series, so I will heft this whopping book back up ( it will be left side heavy this time) and crack on with Club Dead.

BOOK REVIEW - ARCHANGEL'S SHADOWS by NALINI SINGH - GUILD HUNTER # 7 - PARANORMAL ROMANCE - GOLLANCZ

By: Nalini Singh

Published By: Gollancz

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 384 Pages

RATING: 4.5 JANVIER, ILLIUM, DMITRI AND NAASIR STARS!!

Blurb: Goodreads

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially not a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot - should not - be walking the streets. This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves...

Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there's one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash's secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

Nalini Singh, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling 'alpha author of paranormal romance' (BOOKLIST), returns to her stunning world, as it braces itself for destruction.


BOOK REVIEW:

I really do adore the Guild Hunter series, but this book took me a lot longer to read than any of Nalini’s books.

I can’t really put my finger on why. I still enjoyed it, but I read several books in between as I was reading, which isn’t something I normally do at all.

Janvier and Ashwini are great characters. I realized I had missed out on their initial meet-and-greet in Angels' Pawn, novella. Maybe that threw me a little. I would advise reading about their meet and greet first. I really enjoyed these two characters, but something was missing for me.

Elena and Raphael are always gorgeous to read, along with Illium, but this time I got so much enjoyment out of reading Naasir.

Honestly in this book I could have read a lot more of him, he really stole the limelight and I loved his banter with Ashwini and his getting to know Elena more.



Even though he’d been riding on top of the car—the maniac—the heavy silver silk of his hair had fallen back around his face in straight strands cut with a choppiness that suited him, and he looked far more civilized than she’d expected. He’d dressed in black pants and a black shirt, with an ankle-length black coat, the stark shade throwing his hair and eyes into sharp focus.



Naasir conveniently let us know how much he wants to find a mate for life and I am so looking forward to that book.

I don’t look ahead, so I don’t know yet if a book has been written or I might be tempted to throw myself at it.

The writing as always is top notch in descriptive and visually seeing scenes through Nalini’s words.

Another great installment, but probably one that was a little slower for me personally, to completely become immersed into the pages.

BOOK REVIEW - ARCHANGEL'S LEGION by NALINI SINGH - GUILD HUNTER # 6 - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE - GOLLANCZ - HACHETTE

By: Nalini Singh
Published By: Gollancz, Hachette
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 374 Pages

RATING: 5 RAPHAEL AND A SIDE ORDER OF NAASIR, ILLIUM, RANSOM STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…


BOOK REVIEW:

Raphael and Elena are two of my prized characters to read, they are simply all that and a whole lot more.

I’m not going to babble on about plot, as that is not how I roll. You can read for yourself, but I will say the title of this book bringeth something wonderful and fascinating to this series.

Well done Nalini with that imagination of yours.

Shenanigans are going down all over the place in this installment with sub characters like Naasir coming more into the limelight...rawrrrr. He doth tingle my girl parts.

Jeffrey is still being Jeffrey (Elena’s daddy), but we learn more. Eve, Elena’s sis is getting air time and Michaela is still being an uber biatch with a side order of Tasha. *rolls eyes at these vixen wanna-bes*

Raphael has his woman and begoneth you vixens!

This series just has my heart. The characters all pull together to fight the good fight when blood is pouring from veins and villains are being very villainy and there is a mystery/problem to solve.

Nalini writes damn fine action scenes when angels are flying about, or dropping from the sky or having a private dance in the air...*waggles eyebrows*. 

I can visualize so well her words into this amazing picture in my mind that moves and feels. I simply am there in the page among all the chaos and sexy times...well those sexy times could be a bit awkies.

Now I must quote Aodhan and Illium. Sparkles and Bluebell.

O.M.G! *swoons*

I understand they just have a strong bromance...nothing more, but whahhhh...bless them when you read the whole scene.



The two angels were both tall, but Aodhan was perhaps an inch taller, and now his eyes locked with Illium’s for a long, quiet moment before he lowered his head very slightly. Illium raised his hand, the movement slow, hesitant...and then his fingers brushed Aodhan’s cheek just below the cut that had almost sealed. The first ray of dawn kissed the tear that rolled down Illium’s face, caressed the painful wonder on Aodhan’s as he lifted his hand to clasp the wrist of his friend’s hand.

That instant of contact, the power of it, stole her breath.

Then Illium smiled, said something that made Aodhan’s lips curve—Elena thought it might’ve been “Welcome back, Sparkle”—and they were separating to sweep off the Tower in a symphony of wild silver blue and heartbreaking light.

Swooon.

Another brilliant escapism for me. I really want a pair of wings and be able to find me a hottie with beautiful complimenting wings and maybe have me a private dance. *wink*

Onto Archangel's Shadows...

BOOK REVIEW - CARESSED BY ICE by NALINI SINGH - PSY-CHANGELING # 3 -ADULT URBAN FANTASY - GOLLANCZ

By: Nalini Singh
Published By: Gollancz
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback, 352 Pages

RATING: 4.75 JUDD STARS

Nalini Singh explores new heights of sensuality, returning to the world of the Psy - where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts...

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives...

BOOK REVIEW:

The world building in this series is rather special. Beautiful world building that goes deeper, to the point one must pay attention or else you can get a little lost. I simply adore its uniqueness and the title to this book is so apt.

Very clever writing by Nalini.

Judd Lauren is our male lead and we get introduced to him in Visions of Heat, but humma humma, do we get to know this gorgeous emotionally cold man in Caressed By Ice.

I was caressed!

He can caress all my womanly parts all he wants!

Brenna has been through some uber dark times and Judd doesn't feel emotions. It is all part of his Arrow make up. He lives The Silence.

But, of course Nalini will find a way for these two to be together against all odds. I think Brenna and Judd are my fave coupling in this series to date. They are the whole package.

Dorian and Hawke are my beauties I am patiently awaiting their HEAs. Nalini makes it easy for us to assume who Hawke will wind up with. I won’t check ahead in the book blurbs to see if I am correct. She is gonna be a handful, but I am digging where Nalini appears to be going.

This series is shaping up for me to be amazing. I had heard it gets better with each book and I can certainly see this.

The Ghost character is a fabulous addition to the sub characters. The only thing stopping me from landing five stars like a great Marlin is this series always tidies each book drama quickly and easily, but we do get a nice twist.

I was thinking the bad egg was somebody else and I was wrong and I like being wrong.

Mine To Possess is up next.

Huzzahhh!!

BOOK REVIEW - ARCHANGEL'S STORM by NALINI SINGH - GUILD HUNTER # 5 - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE - GOLLANCZ - HACHETTE

By: Nalini Singh
Published By: Gollancz, Hachette
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 352 Pages

RATING: 5 JASON WITH A SIDE ORDER OF VENOM AND DMITRI STARS!

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.



BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

“Let me stretch the wings of my heart with you.”

I so enjoy the Guild Hunter series and Archangel’s Storm could quite possibly be my favorite to date.

Why?

Jason.

You have to really pay attention to his character and note how he is written. He isn’t like Dmitri who really commands his audience, he is quieter, yet in a way just as loud.

I loved the pairing of Mahiya and Jason. They simply work so well together. Some female loves could be anybody really, but in Jason’s case, Mahiya matches his quiet, but is also loud in her own way.

I am still not sure what to think of Neha. To be ruled by the Queen of Poisons is a rather frightening thing with her temper and power. I really would rather be living in Raphael’s territory. She is very well written. The scales are always tipping with her character.

I loved seeing a bit of Dmitri and Honor woven through this instalment. I do have a rawrrrrr spot for Dmitri, but Jason is something else. He takes a lot of crafting from a writer’s point.

I love the title of this installment, it is very fitting.

Her breath caught, but she didn’t break the eye contact. “A man who is a storm, who belongs to no one and who will never be tamed. To expect otherwise would be to ask for agonizing disappointment.”

Beautifully written and I adored the ending. It was so apt for a man like Jason.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - VISIONS OF HEAT by NALINI SINGH - PSY-CHANGELING # 2 - GOLLANCZ - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE

By: Nalini Singh

Published By: Gollancz, Hachette, Orion Books

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from publisher for honest review

RATING: 4.5 VAUGHN STARS

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous - aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced - and keep her from Vaughn.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Vaughn D’Angelo is quite the gorgeous character. He is a jaguar changeling and fits into the DarkRiver pack even though he is not leopard.

Faith is a strong character who has a lot going on in the Sci-Fi...ish psy world. The gift she has as a Psy is something that truly is powerful in the economic world.

Vaughn and Faith are quite amazing together.

I did love the introduction of NetMind. I really want to see how that all plays out in future books.

Lucas and Sascha and the other characters have their play time in this instalment and I really liked their involvement.

The villain was such an interesting villain. I can say no more. I really thought it was going to be as predictable as the villain in Slave To Sensation, but I was very, very surprised and really glad I was surprised.

Nalini has a really imaginative mind and I am totally digging this series. Sometimes I have to get a hold of the Psy world because it is very creative. Nalini is describing to us something that is truly a big thing in this world she has created. I feel there is so much more she is going to tell me. It is quite spectacular.

She blows my mind with this Sci-Fi side to the story.

Interesting combination of changelings aka shifters and the Psy.

Very original combination.

I think the only reason this book didn't get five stars from me was because Faith's erm situation gets tidied up so easily, considering what happens in the rest of the book. I was kinda cocking my head on the side going...whaaaat!

I was expecting more resistance without saying too much. It felt a bit too convenient.

I'm totally hanging for Caressed By Ice which should be arriving next week. I ordered the next two paperbacks to keep me going.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - SLAVE TO SENSATION by NALINI SINGH - PSY-CHANGELING # 1 - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE - GOLLANCZ

By: Nalini Singh

Published By: Gollancz, Hachette, Orion Books

Released: Available Now

Details : Paperback from publisher for honest review.

RATING: 4.5 LOVED THIS BOOK!

Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I have been getting my Nalini Singh fix lately. I’ve been totally enjoying the Guild Hunter series with all those fabulously sexy archangels and vampires.

I had a few paperbacks in the Psy-Changeling series so I thought I better dive in.

The one thing Nalini is so good at is her beautiful descriptive. I get so immersed in her words.

Slave To Sensation is a wonderful start to the Psy-Changeling series. I had no idea what Psy-Changeling meant. I hadn’t read any blurbs or even reviews.

Now I get it.

Psys have psychic powers. They are above humans and changelings.

Changelings are pretty much shifters.

Psys have been trained/programmed from birth to feel no emotion. It is called the Silence.

Lucas Hunter became Alpha of the DarkRiver leopard pack at the age of twenty-three. The DarkRiver have a construction business which the Psy Council need to use. Sascha is sent in to sort out the business terms.

Hence starts the meet and greet for Sascha and Lucas.

He raised a brow. “I’m listening.” And so was the panther inside him. Both man and beast found Sascha Duncan captivating in a way that neither could understand. Part of him wanted to stroke her...and part of him wanted to bite.


Sascha Duncan is a twenty-six yr old Psy who is starting to feel things she shouldn’t. It is dangerous to her well being to 'feel'. She's noticed Lucas in a way she shouldn't.


She looked up at the sound of her mother’s voice. And found herself within touching distance of the most dangerous male she’d ever seen. There was no other word to describe him. Well over six feet tall, he was built like the fighting machine he was in the wild, pure lean muscle and tensile strength.

His black hair brushed his shoulders but there was nothing soft about it. Instead, it hinted at unrestrained passion and the dark hunger of the leopard below the skin. She had no doubt she was in the presence of a predator.

Then he turned his head and she saw the right side of his face. Four jagged lines, reminiscent of the claw marks of some great beast, scored the muted gold of his skin. His eyes were hypnotic green but it was those slashing markings that grabbed her attention.

The sub characters are all very intriguing.

Dorian is a character I want to know more about. Looking forward to his HEA in the future.

Dorian came to stand beside him. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he could’ve passed for a surfer hanging out, waiting for the right wave. Except for the feral edge in those eyes.

Nalini reminds us in the first two books about Kit’s alpha possibilities. I feel like she is trying to tell me something way before it’s happened.

Kit was waiting for them in the meeting. “Hi, Lucas.” At a fraction under six feet, the boy was tall but hadn’t yet filled out. Not that is mattered at his age. With his rich auburn hair and dark blue eyes, he was never short of female company. But Lucas knew the juvenile was more than good looks – he had the scent of a future alpha.



Tamsyn is a great character. I really liked her input in this book and the ever so playful Julian and Roman. ;)

“The kiss?” Tamsyn raised a brow.

Sascha thought she hid her surprise well. “Yes.”

“It’s like when he kissed me the first time we met. He’s alpha and each time he touches us, he reinforces the bonds of Pack. With the women, he’s generally more affectionate.” She rolled her eyes. “They’re chauvinistic pigs but we love them. Anyway, as I was saying, that kiss wasn’t sexual in any way. It was about...togetherness.”


Throw in an alliance with the SnowDancers wolf pack and we have ourselves set up for some HEAs in the future.


Hawke was muscular and he was lethal. A predator to the core. His eyes were the same icy blue whether he was in wolf or human form, his hair a thick silver-gold that had nothing to do with age. It echoed his pelt. Of all the changelings Lucas knew, it was Hawke who resembled his beast the most in humanity.

Nalini has wonderful world building. Now in saying that, I must admit I have read two books in the Psy-Changeling series and I can get a little bamboozled with all the things going on in the PsyNet and the NetMind and second book brings in Web Of Stars.

I liken my bamboozling to watching the Matrix movies a few times before I latched on properly. I mean I get what is going on, but sometimes my mind gets a bit away with the pixies. 

Nalini's writing is very intelligent when she goes all Sci-fi in that area. Well, to me it's kinda Sci-fi...ish. :) 

The villain I thought was pretty obvious, but that is okay. What I didn’t like in this first installment was how quickly said villain-shit got tidied up. I was looking forward to some detailed good guys vs bad guy take down. Instead we get a pretty glossed over rundown of what happened to said bad guy. The ending is a bit rushed considering all the detail that goes into the majority of the read.

I totally dug this first book in the series and swiftly went onto Visions of Heat and wasn't disappointed.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - ARCHANGEL'S BLADE by NALINI SINGH - GUILD HUNTER # 4 - ORION BOOKS - ADULT URBAN FANTASY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

By: Nalini Singh
Published By: Gollancz, Orion Books, Hachette
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback purchased, 310 Pages

RATING: 5 Dmitri & A Sideorder of Venom Stars!

Blurb: Goodreads 

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...



BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Love this series!

Dmitri! I have been intrigued by you since the first book.

I loved this instalment where Dmitri takes the lead and shows the reader that deeper guy who has lost so much. There’s like a thousand years of depth that have made him into the sadistic ( is that the right word ) erm vampire he is today.

We learn about his friendship with Raphael.

Hell, we learn a heap about what has made Dmitri tick the way he has.

Enter Honor who has had a shocking couple months, abducted and all kinds of heinous things done to her.

Nalini did a top notch job of putting these two together.

Sure I worked something out because I think it was a bit hard not to, but I LOVED the outcome.

Nalini still likes to show us Illium’s thing he has for Elena. His fixation. This just makes me want to keep reading to find out if she reminds him of that past love because something is up with that.

Venom! Rawrrr you made me swoon near the end. What is brewing? Is there something brewing? I thought the next book might be his, but it is Jason’s. I must wait to see if there is a simmer going on there.

All in all another beautifully written installment, an addiction to this series I must feed every few weeks... until I run out. Then I be bouncy for more releases.

I really should pace myself.

Bring on Archangel’s Storm.

Michelle