Review: Chile Death, by Susan Wittig Albert [Saturday December 26 2009 @ 2:57pm] 0bsessed_reader [oddmonster] #91: Chile Death by Susan Wittig Albert: "Sure, come on over," shae said, when I reminded her that our morning conversation had been interrupted. "In fact, come for supper. I made potato salad and marinated some chicken. Clyde's gonna put it on the grill so's I can take a load off my tired feet. We won't have a thing in the world to do but sit in the yard and criticize his cooking." Synopsis: Breezy, sassy culinary mystery featuring the unsinkable China Bayles, this time helping her shot-in-the-line-of-duty boyfriend get out of his depression by assisting when he judges a chili cookoff. Which totally would have worked had someone not dropped dead in the middle of the contest. ( Yeah, I'm just going to read them in the order the library flings them at me. ) reply

Review: Ice Storm, by Anne Stuart [Thursday December 24 2009 @ 2:35pm] 0bsessed_reader [oddmonster] # 90: Ice Storm - Anne Stuart: Madame Isobel Lambert was exhausted. It had been a draining weekend in the Lake District--she'd played with her hosts' obstreperous children, gone on long hikes, eaten too much rich food, drank too much red wine, wrestled with her conscience and killed two men. All that without a cigarette. She was not in a good mood. Synopsis: Coolly unemotional superspy Isobel Lambert takes on the job of a lifetime when she volunteers to bring in international terrorist "Serafin", a man who, eighteen years ago, she shot and killed, thus dooming herself to a life of superspyingness. Ing. Ness. ( Three guesses where this is headed. ) reply

Kiss of Midnight [Tuesday December 22 2009 @ 1:07pm] 0bsessed_reader [loststjude] [ mood | accomplished ] Title: Kiss of Midnight Author: Lara Adrian Genre: Paranormal Romance Publishing Year: 2007 Pages: 402 Rating: 3.5/5 Synopsis: He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell's deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night- or this man- is what it seems. For when Gabrille witnesses a muder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never new existed- a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind- and the unwitting humans existing alongside them- from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands. Here, in the arms of the Breed's formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all... Verdict: I enjoyed this one. It was easy reading and very very hot... bordering on the verge of erotica in my books but I liked that. The storyline left me wanting a little more and the action wasn't anything to write home about. But alas it was good easy reading and I'm looking forward to continuing the series with Kiss of Crimson. The romance was the center of this book and I feel maybe to much so. The plot lacked because of the strick focus and it was a little predictable. I do love my vamp-erotica though and this book dished it out in spades! Quick, easy and HOT! read! Books Count 2010: N/A reply

Review: The Bedlam Boys, by Bonnie Morse [Monday December 21 2009 @ 8:11pm] 0bsessed_reader [oddmonster] #89: The Bedlam Boys, by Bonnie Morse (bonnybedlam) Julian Work was waiting at the entrance to the auditorium, a tall, slim island in a sea of people who, without exception, managed to pass by without touching him. He wasn't the public ace, either officially or unofficially, but something about him, maybe his confidence or the fact that he obviously didn't belong there, told even the most ignorant that he was one of them and therefore to be avoided. There was a policy in place, unofficially, that prevented the Boys from carrying guns into schools, but it was lifted today and Julian had two. Neither of them showed anywhere but in his eyes; there they were very plain. Synopsis: The Bedlam Boys make sure Mt Riley, Oregon is a great place to live by doing all kinds of not-so-great things, like blowing up meth labs and putting lots of holes in anyone who disagrees with them. Thanks to Nikki Beck, the system is functional and airtight...right up until he falls in love, and all kinds of things hit the fan. Shit being just for starters. ( Should we talk about the rash of suicides? ) reply

Untamed [Monday December 21 2009 @ 5:53pm] 0bsessed_reader [make_meabird] Untamed P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast YA fiction; fantasy 338 pages Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an undisputed expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a tight-knit group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. And the worst part is, she knows it’s her own fault. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead, unMarked, and unable to stop bickering with each other. So who can blame her for befriending the House of Night’s newest transfer student, the majorly hot Olympic archer, James Stark? Meanwhile, Neferet has declared a war on humans after it appears that the People of the Faith have murdered two vampyres. But Aphrodite’s latest visions show a world completely different from the High Priestess’s promises, a world full of violence, hatred, and darkness, all because of Zoey’s death—and the only way it seems she can prevent it from happening is to make things right with her friends. Zoey knows in her heart that fighting with humans is wrong. But will anyone listen to her? Zoey's adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast's spellbinding fourth House of Night novel. This is probably my least favorite book in the House of Night series so far. It still is a captivating story but I didn't care for the plot line in this one quite as much as the other three. However, it it still very entertaining and I cannot wait t o read the rest of the series! I also just found out that there is going to be a new book released in May! They write these so fast haha! Books read this year: 50/50--I finally made my GOAL!!!!!!! :) reply

Chosen [Monday December 21 2009 @ 8:33am] 0bsessed_reader [make_meabird] Chosen P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast YA fiction; fantasy 307 pages Bloodlust and dark forces are at work at the House of Night… Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school are about to take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be her friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover about the secretive and sinister power that’s turning dead fledglings into bloodsucking monsters must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected position of having three boyfriends. Mix in more than a little forbidden desire to the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster of massive proportions. Then, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey’s horrid step-loser in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends find out, things are not always what they seem… I really liked the third installment in the House of Night series. I know that these are YA books, but I can't help but be engrossed in the storyline. The plot twists are so exciting and interesting that it is difficult not just to read through this whole series in one day! The story seems to be getting darker and darker as the books progress, which makes me like the stories that much more. I can't wait to read Untamed and see what happens to Zoey and her gang! Books read this year: 49/50. reply

Review: American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story, by Cynthia True [Friday December 18 2009 @ 9:43pm] 0bsessed_reader [oddmonster] # 88: American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story by Cynthia True: Throughout junior high, Commando Tag was Bill's favorite game after baseball. Most evenings after supper a gang of neighborhood boys met at Nottingham Elementary, which provided any number of excellent places to hide amid the low classroom buildings and playground equipment. Once everyone had hidden, two It commandos roamed around trying to hunt the others. Once you tagged a guy, he too became a commando. Bill loved being outdoors at dusk, with the fireflies flashing and the cicadas screeching. The game got really interesting when the sun went down just after nine o'clock and huge packs of boys roamed around in the dark trying to trap each other. ( Ceci n'est pas un snarkout. ) reply

Betrayed [Friday December 18 2009 @ 7:44pm] 0bsessed_reader [make_meabird] Betrayed P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast YA fiction; fantasy 310 pages Betrayed, the second installment in the bestselling House of Night series, is dark and sexy, and as thrilling as it is utterly shocking. Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite group. Best of all, Zoey’s made some new friends and she finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. And despite the best efforts of her mother and step-loser John to humiliate her publically during parent visitation, she’s earned the respect of her professors and High Priestess, Neferet. Then the unthinkable happens: human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night, straining human-vamp tensions in Tulsa to a breaking point. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she finds herself drawn into an intoxicating forbidden flirtation that threatens to distract her from the growing crisis. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night. Too late, Zoey begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves, and she must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. I am officially addicted to this series! It is a different take on vampires and I really am enjoying it! I actually love that it takes place in a school setting and the twist at the end of the book makes me excited to read the rest of the books in this series! I can't wait to see what others think of this series so far. Books read this year: 48/50. reply

Covet [Wednesday December 16 2009 @ 12:42am] 0bsessed_reader [loststjude] [ mood | tired ] Title: Covet Author: J.R. Ward Genre: Paranormal Romance Publishing Year: 2009 Pages: 473 Rating: 3.5/5 Synopsis: "Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about - his speciality is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin diPietro has surrendered himself to his business - until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed saviour, and a woman who makes him question his destiny. With an ancient evil ready to claim him, Vin has to work with a fallen angel not only to win his beloved over... but to redeem his very soul." Verdict:Me, being a huge JRWard fan and Black Dagger Brotherhood fan, found this a lil slow. It didn't quite grab me and make me want to read it cover to cover in one sitting like the BDB books do. Saying that, the BDB books are pretty high up on a pedisal with me. I really enjoyed Covet. I'm def going to read at least the next book in the series becuase it was interesting enough to continue with. I think most of my dislike came from the change in style from the BDB books which isn't fare to this "Fallen Angels" series. I did love how she tied in characters from the BDB books, was done soo well. There wasn't as much romance in book as I would have liked, but what there was was good. Some stuff was random, but she is like that and overall it was a good read. Not perfect amazingly classic, but better than crap. I am looking forward to the second book in the series which will determine if I continue with the rest or not. Books Count 2010: N/A reply

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen [Monday December 14 2009 @ 10:31pm] 0bsessed_reader [heartsstrokes] TITLE: Water for Elephants AUTHOR: Sara Gruen GENRE: Historical Fiction PAGES: 331 RATING: 5/5 SUMMARY: A young Jacob Jankowski leaves college after the tragic death of his family. He jumps onto a passing train, and ends up joining the circus. MY THOUGHTS: This book was excellent. I loved every minute of it. Although the ending was somewhat abrupt, and I did have a few "what happened to that guy/girl" I truly loved it. This is a must read! 3 reply

The Virgin Suicides, by Jeffrey Eugenides [Sunday December 13 2009 @ 4:24pm] 0bsessed_reader [xxlilacgirlxx] [ mood | disappointed ] The Virgin Suicides Rating: 5/5 Jeffrey Eugenides's hauntingly beautiful masterpiece deserves 5/5 stars. He tells the story of five boys obsessed with the five doomed Lisbon sisters, Therese, Mary, Bonnie, Lux, and Cecilia, whose demise results in "the year of the suicides." Set in the mid-seventies, in Grosse Point, Michigan. Cecilia's demise begins to break the family apart. But when school hunk Trip Fontaine and Lux Lisbon become interested in each other, it begins to change. Trip asks Lux to the homecoming dance, and her father and mother give in. The remaining 4 Lisbon sisters go to the dance. While on the football field, Trip and Lux make love, and after that Trip abandons her. Mrs. Lisbon takes the girls out of school because of Lux's failure to make curfew. Sightings than begin of Lux making love to random men and boys. The 4 Lisbon sisters make a Morse code to the 5 obsessed boys for them to come over, While there, they discover that Bonnie had hung herself, Therese dead on sleeping pills washed down with gin, Mary's head stuck in the oven (later dead on sleeping pills), and Lux, poisoned by her dad's car fumes. Jeffrey Eugenides creates a vivid and compelling story, a wickedly funny tale of terror, sex and suicide, memory and imagination. 8 reply

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