Waiting on Wednesday #9

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Haunted Honeymoon (Casa Dracula, Book 4) by Marta Acosta

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Gallery; Original edition (September 28, 2010)

Amazon Description:

THERE’S MORE THAN HER HEART AT STAKE. . . .As the only human to survive vampire infection, Milagro de Los Santos has become quite a celebrity among the blood-drinking elite. Too bad the perks of her condition—increased strength, super-fast healing—don’t pay her condo fees. There are other complications too. She’s feeling guilty about her fling with enigmatic Vampire Council member Ian Ducharme, and pining for her ex-fiancé, Dr. Oswald Grant . . . the fabulous man whose kiss changed her life. It’s when Milagro—irked by Ian’s attentions to his neighbor—travels to London and enjoys a sexy flirtation of her own, that the blood really hits the fan. Suddenly, those around her are dying gruesome deaths and Milagro’s being interrogated. Who would kill to set her up as a murder suspect? Milagro just wants to turn back the clock and have another chance to make things right, but no sooner has she escaped to Oswald’s ranch than an accident obliterates her memory. Will the murderer come after her now? And will amnesia spark a romantic do-over with Oswald—or will she make all the same mistakes before she ever gets to say "I do"?

Book Review: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander, book 1) by Karen Marie Moning

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Dell; Reissue edition (March 9, 1999)

Amazon Description:

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . .

An alluring laird...

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . .
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Beyond the Highland Mist involves a sexy man in a kilt, time travel, fae mischief, and romance...what more could a girl ask for? I do feel that some parts of the story were rushed but despite that I couldn't put the book down. The author has created characters that are easy to fall in love with and that is what truly makes this a great book. Hawk has a reputation as a sex god. He is gorgeous and that is the reason the fae mischief maker (Adam Black) chose Adrienne to be Hawk's bride. Why? Because she loathes gorgeous men. She fights her feeling for Hawk and even goes so far as to make him think she has a thing for the smithy. Hawk is determined to make her feel for him what he feels for her.

I was excited to read this since I love Karen Marie Moning's Fever series and had a feeling I would enjoy this one too. I can't compare it to the Fever series because that would be like comparing apples to oranges, but this book was a great start and I can't wait to read more.

4.5/5

Book Review: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; Original edition (March 23, 2010)

Amazon Description:

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.
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Mind Games is a truly unique urban fantasy read. The main character, Justine, is a hypochondriac who is in a downward spiral until she meets Sterling Packard. Sterling has found people with extreme emotional problems and given them a way to release those problems into other humans. They are called disillusionists. Everyone has a weakness, and the scum they target are no exception. The disillusionists exploit certain vulnerabilities in their targets to disillusion them as a way to rehabilitate them. Justine is new to the crew and is in a bit of turmoil over whether what they do is really the right thing. She is also determined to figure out what her boss, Sterling, is hiding from them all.

Mind Games is like a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre. It has actually been one of my favorite reads this year and I am excited to read the next book in the series, Double Cross, which comes out in late September.

5/5

Book Review: Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (September 28, 2010)

GoodReads Description:

Now a fully trained unicorn hunter, Astrid Llewelyn is learning that she can’t solve all her problems with a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend has left Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend’s powers are mysteriously disintegrating, and her hope of becoming a scientist seems to be nothing but an impossible dream.

So when she’s given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and use her skills as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she wants—or can she? At Gordian headquarters deep in France, Astrid begins to question everything she had believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and—most of all—her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns or saving unicorns from the world?
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Ascendant, which is the sequel to Rampant, was not what I was expecting. Rampant was filled to the brim with action whereas Ascendant was more filled with emotions and introspection. It wasn't JUST an entertaining read...it really made me think about the ethics of it all (killing unicorns, experimenting on them, capturing them). I believe Phil really has it right to want to change how the unicorns treated and find a haven for them to live freely. They are deadly animals, yes, but they are living beings who are just following their natural instincts. Is that really any different from tigers, lions, and other wild animals?

Astrid begins to connect with unicorns on another level which begins her questioning her dedication to hunting and living the life that she was thrust into. There are some moments that truly made my heart feel heavy. It is easy to sympathize with Astrid. All the hunters have had to give up so much, but Astrid is expected to live up to the Llewellyn name and it seems an impossible task. This book isn't just about killer unicorns, it is about strong women who are finding themselves and learning to fight for what they believe in.

Overall, Ascendant was a great read. It took me awhile to really get into the story but once I got on a roll I couldn't put it down. The way the book ends really leaves me wanting more...it feels like Astrid's story just isn't over yet. As far as I can tell though, there aren't any definite plans for more books in this series. I am hoping this changes...keeping my fingers crossed!

4.5/5

Preorder on Amazon

*Thanks to HarperTeen for providing me with this review copy. Any opinions expressed are my own.*

Books Read in July

5 Star

Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
In the Prince's Bed by Sabrina Jeffries
To Pleasure a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

4.5 Stars

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas (e-book)
Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow

4 Stars

Dangerous Games by Keri Arthur

3.5 Stars

Geek Abroad by Piper Banks
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

3 Stars

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
Dates from Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong, and Lori Handeland
Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

2.5 Stars

The Lost by J.D. Robb, Patricia Gaffney, Mary Blayney, and Ruth Ryan Langan

That makes 19 books for the month of July. I took a little break from reading at one point, but then I read Leviathan and it really renewed my excitement for reading. I can't wait for Behemoth to come out!!!

CSN Stores Giveaway!!

I am lucky enough to be part of CSN Stores Preferred Blogger Program. Because of this I am able to have this giveaway for my readers!

The winner will recieve a $50 promotional code to use at CSN Stores.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada ONLY
There may be shipping charges or in the case of Canadian readers, international fees, for certain products.

Mandatory entry:
Leave a comment letting me know what you might buy from CSN Stores

Extra entry:

+1 New follower
+2 Old follower

(Please leave your Google Friend Connect name in the comment)

Giveaway ends August 5 at 11:59 pm EST

*Thanks to CSN Stores for the opportunity to do this giveaway*

Book Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 19, 2010)

Amazon Description:

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

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I didn't think it would be possible, but Crescendo surpassed my high expectations. I loved Hush, Hush and knew Becca Fitzpatrick wouldn't let her fans down with Crescendo. So what did she do? She managed to write an even better book than the first! In Crescendo, Nora and Patch go through a rough...er...patch in their relationship. Nora doesn't know how to deal with the distance Patch seems to put between them and she reacts by lashing out at him. Trouble always seems to find Nora and without Patch by her side 24/7 she seems to be in constant danger. Nora is trying to find out who killed her father, Scott (a boy who played with Nora as a kid) has moved back to town but is hiding something about his past, Patch is spending an awful lot of time with Marcie, and on top of all this some truth bombs are dropped that are sure to shock us all. The ending leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. From start to finish I could not put this book down. This is a read you do not want to pass up.

5/5

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for this review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.