I'm Still Alive, I Promise!

Hello readers!

I'm so sorry for my prolonged absence from the blogging world. I started university back in September that I became so swamped with homework, school, work, and socializing that I had next to know time to read anything. I plan on rectifying this problem though.
I'm going to revamp the look of this blog a bit and then get right back into reviewing some books for you! Keep checking back for the updates that will soon be flooding this blog.

Keep on trucking,
Ozzy

"Night Pleasures: A Dark Hunter novel" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Description:

Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking vampires that prey on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power? That is my existence, and it's dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minute of it.
Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. Or in Amanda's case, one buttoned all the way up to her chin. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal -- in other words, me.
My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Yet every time I look at her, I find myself wanting to try again. Wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.
Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering is there's any way a woman like Amanda can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he's not sure it will ever beat again.

- Kyrian of Thrace

Review:

"Night Pleasures" is the second novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. And if you remember correctly, I was not a fan of the first installment, "Fantasy Lover". While "Night Pleasures" did seem to have a better character development (I did like Kyrian's character A LOT more than Julian), the story was still plagued by all the disappointments of the first novel.

While reading this novel, I didn't feel a strong attachment to the story. Most of it seemed forced; there wasn't the right flow to keep my enthralled. Plus, I'm not a fan of how something terrible has to happen before the characters can live happily ever after....I'm also not a fan of how sex seems to always be the answer to ending whatever terrible thing is happening. I've read many Paranormal Romance novels, and it's rare that I find one that seems to think that sex is the answer.

Now, like I did say earlier, I really did like Kyrian's character. He's a tortured, conflicted soul (pardon the pun) who is only trying to do right by the world. Essentially, he's a good vampire who hunts down the bad vampires that prey on humans. I won't go into the finer points of what he actually is, I'll just stick with saying he's a vampire, it's just easier. Of course, if you want to understand what Kyrian is, I would actually recommend reading the book. The story of how dark hunters came into existence is actually quite interesting and I commend Sherrilyn Kenyon for creating a series around that idea.

While I did enjoy "Night Pleasures" more than "Fantasy Lover", I don't think I'll be reading anymore from the Dark Hunter series. Unless I need a form of escapism one day. Substance wise, it's definitely not the best series I've ever read, but if you're just sitting around one day and need something to read that you don't really feel the need to commit to, I'd recommend this book.

So in short, "Night Pleasures" is better than the first in the series, but it's not good enough to make me want to read the rest of the series.

"The Book of Tomorrow" by Cecelia Ahern

Book Description:

Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she's ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with it's own private beach, a wardrobe of designer clothes, and a large four poster bed complete with a luxurious bathroom en suite. She's always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow.
But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of dept, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country to live with Tamara's Uncle and Aunt. Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gate house is a world away from Tamara's childhood. With her mother shut away with grief, and her Aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin.
When a traveling library passes through Kilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. She needs a distraction. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. With some help, Tamara finally manages to open the book. What she discovers within it's pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to it's core...

Review:

"The Book of Tomorrow" tells the story of 16 year old Tamara Goodwin, who moves to the country with her mother to live with her aunt and uncle after a terrible tragedy befalls her family. Tamara is your typical silver-spoon fed brat who expects everything she wants when she wants it. And like every spoiled brat, she only thinks of herself during this sad time in her life, and not about how it's possibly affected anyone else around her.

While Tamara's character is a somewhat funny one, there were times when I really just wanted to punch her in the face. She's rude, she only cares about herself, she ignores her conscience, and she never thinks about the consequences of her actions. To be honest, she's one of the most perfect representations of a 16 year old I've read about in a long time. The whole book actually had a believable cast of characters. Though, that doesn't surprise me since Cecelia Ahern has never disappointed me when it comes to developing realistic characters.

Tamara is one of the reasons you got drawn into the story. The only problem I ever have with any of Cecelia Ahern's books is that I always find that it takes awhile to get into the actual story. But since she developed Tamara Goodwin's character so well, you keep reading just for her.

The plot of the story is actually quite interesting all in it's self. The book that Tamara gets from the travelling library is actually, in a sense, a magical diary. Every night, there's a new entry, in Tamara's writing, about when happens tomorrow. Knowing ahead of time what happens, Tamara then has the chance to change things. Sometimes though, even knowing what is going to happen, doesn't prevent something bad from happening.

The end of the story though was interesting, and at this point, I'm still not sure if I liked it. Since the diary played such a huge role throughout the story, and is referenced in the title, for it to not really have any outcome on the end of the story was interesting. That being said, the end is not something you see coming whatsoever.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well developed characters and an engrossing story. It's definitely a good read for those days when you're curled up in a comfy blanket with nothing else on the go.

"Fantasy Lover" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Description:

Dear Reader,
Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day.
As a love-slave, I knew everything about a woman. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and into the world. She taught me to love again.
But I was not born to know love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace -- the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse?

-Julian of Macedon

Review:

From reading the book description, you don't really get a good picture of what is really going to happen...other than steamy love scenes. I have to point out, that this was not a book I picked up myself, but rather a suggestion of a friend, who, up to this point, had been giving me some very giving suggestions. I figured I would give this one a try.

I now see why there isn't much of a description on the back of the book. The story tells the tale of Julian of Macedon, the son of a Spartan commander and Aphrodite. After doing some no-no's, Julian brings down the wrath of his half brother, Priapus, and gets cursed to be a love-slave to any woman who calls him for a month. Any time he's not called, he resides in a book, that has made its way through time and around the world. He eventually gets called into the twenty-first century by Grace Alexander, who was dared by her best friend on her birthday.

I have to say, I liked the use of Greek mythology. I had always enjoyed reading the myths throughout school so seeing some of the Gods and Goddesses in this novel was quite nice. I also liked the Grace was a real depiction of a normal, modern woman. She's not drop-dead gorgeous like some heroines I've read about; she's completely average. That was a pleasant change.

To be honest though, despite those two things, I'm still not sure if I liked this book. It didn't feel like there was much to the plot other than sex. And yeah, there were a lot of steamy scenes. And I mean A LOT! I've read quite a few romance novels in my short life, and I don't think I've ever encountered as much blush-inducing passages as I did in this book.

If this book wasn't recommended to me by a friend, would I have read it? Probably not. That being said, she has also lent me the second installment in this series and it does sound much better than "Fantasy Lover", so I'll definitely give it a try.

And yes, "Fantasy Lover" is part of a series called the Dark Hunter series. From what I've gathered so far, each novel is about a different person.

So, if you're a hardcore romance novel addict, read this novel. If not, maybe skip this one.

"Pretty in Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery" by Karen E. Olson

Book Description:

Brett Kavanaugh is a tattoo artist and owner of one of Vegas's hottest tattoo shops, The Painted Lady. And in her spare time, she does some sleuthing -- because nothing needles her more than murder.

After Brett and company ink Sin City's newest drag queen stars, they're invited to opening night at the Strip's glamorous Nylons and Tattoos show. An evening of glitter and dancing ends in disaster when a stranger with a queen of hearts tattoo fells Britney Brassieres with a wayward champagne cork.

Even though Britney recovers, she mysteriously dies soon after, and then another drag queen is found poisoned. Someone's targeting Vegas's fabulous femmes. And sharp-as-a-needle Brett must crack the case before the show's over for good.

Review:

"Pretty in Ink" is the second installment in Karen E. Olson's Tattoo Shop Mystery series, the first novel being "The Missing Ink". Brett Kavanaugh is a full-time tattooist with a knack for getting involved in solving mysteries,

I won't lie, I was first drawn to this series mostly because the main character is a tattoo artist. And I love tattoos, I think they're beautiful. I have to say, I'm still glad I picked up this series. The dialogue is funny, the characters interactions are believable, and the mysteries always leave you guessing.

While this is part of a series, you don't need to read them in order (there is currently only two books out so far, the third one will be out in Fall of 2010). I, personally, prefer to read a series in order, but like most mysteries, you can read these in any order since (so far) nothing from the previous books are actually relevant. Though, if you're like me, and love knowing about the characters, reading from the beginning is usually helpful.

So, if you like murder, intrigue, some Vegas high-rollers, drag queens, and some killer tattoos, you have to pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

"First Drop of Crimson" by Jeaniene Frost

Book Description:

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows -- her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield -- and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness -- and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.
He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human -- even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they fight they nightmare together...

Review:

Now this is the style of book I like! Strong female lead, vampires that aren't afraid to rip someone to shreds (not to mention, they don't sparkle), and a story line that prevents me from putting the book down!

"First Drop of Crimson" is the first book in a "new" series by Jeaniene Frost called Night Huntress World, which is actually just a spin-off of her Night Huntress series. I'm already a huge fan of the the Night Huntress series, which so far has four books in print about half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her lover, Bones, who is a vampire. "First Drop of Crimson" is about Denise, Cat's best friend, who gets cursed by a demon who as some bad blood with one of her ancestors. Denise then enlists the help of Spade, Bones's best friend from when they both were turned in vampires back in the 1800's.

At first, I was a little sceptical of this book, just because I've never been much of a fan of spin-off novels. They always seem like such a money grab, like the author can't come up with any new material. Well, I didn't have to worry about that with this book, it was actually quite good. It's a good vampire romance with a good plot to carry it along with only a few steamy scenes throughout.

Since I have already mentioned that this is a spin-off novel, I would like to point out that you don't need to read the Cat and Bones novels to know what is going on. It may help a bit, just to become familiar with the characters, but it's not required. And since it's a spin-off, nothing that happens affects what happens in the Cat and Bones novels either, so no fear there if you never plan on reading "First Drop of Crimson".

Like all of Jeaniene Frost's novels that I've read up to this point, it's well written, the characters are well developed and there is actually a plot that goes along with the story, the romance seeming somewhat secondary at times, which is awesome.

I also liked how the narrative was split up between Denise and Spade. For the most part, we saw the story from Denise's view, but occasionally, we were blessed with seeing it from Spade's view. Personally, I think I liked Spade's point of view more than Denise's, but I've always kinda liked his character from the Cat and Bones novels. (This is where I'd insert a winky face, if you catch my drift.)

I would definitely recommend "First Drop of Crimson" to anyone who likes reading good vampire novels. You won't be disappointed. Though, I remind you, it is a romance novel, so if you are someone who can't overlook that fact, you may want to push this one to the side. But, if you want a good read, don't mind some steamy scenes, and love adventure, definitely pick this book up.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" by Karen Joy Fowler

Book Description:

"Real people are really complicated," says Jocelyn, the founder of the "Central Valley/River City all-Jane-Austen-all-the-time book club." And the members of the newly founded book club certainly prove this to be true. Each has a story to tell, and much like an Austen novel, the intricate plots that are their own lives are slowly revealed. There's Sylvia, Jocelyn's friend of forty years, who is in the midst of a painful divorce. Her daughter, Allegra, beautiful, vivacious, a "creature of extremes" who finds her thrills through skydiving and rock climbing but can't seem to find love. There's Bernadette, the oldest member at sixty-seven, a woman who has married well, several times at that, and even had a brush with fame, but currently looks disheveled and distracted. Prudie is the only member who's currently married. She's a high school French teacher a great believer in organization, and finds comfort in her lists when life feels overwhelming. Grigg is in his early forties, yet his older sisters still feel protective of him, hoping to rescue him from the legacy of his father. And last, there's Jocelyn. Never married, she has a keen interest in the happiness of others and is constantly playing matchmaker. In fact, this could be her underlying motivation for inviting Grigg, the only member of the group who's never before read Austen. Or perhaps she thinks the book club will serve as a distraction for Sylvia. After all, who better to heal one's pain than Jane Austen?

Review:
Where to start, where to start. To be perfectly honest, I really did not like this book. I felt no connection between the characters and myself, the only time I could tell that the story had moved forward was when it was a month later at another book club meeting.
There are six chapters in the novel, each one supposedly about a certain Jane Austen novel and one member of the group. I found though, while the title stated they were at "so-and-so's" house discussing "this book", there was never really any mention of the actual book club meeting.
The novel seemed to be more of a character study, than an actual story. Though, what can you expect from something that is only 250 pages and only focuses on one person for each chapter. I also didn't like who I could never tell who was telling the story. Sometimes it seemed like an outside source, and then sometimes the narrative took on a collective form using "we" and "us".
I was quite disappointed as I had been looking forward to this book for some time. I would have assumed, while being about the characters, there would be more focus on Jane Austen. I almost wonder why the author even chose to associate Jane Austen with the novel since there was barely any reference to Ms. Austen.
I, personally, wouldn't recommend this novel to anyone, especially someone who is a fan of Jane Austen, you'll just be very disappointed. At this point, I can't see myself reading any of Ms. Fowler's novels. I just wasn't left with a good impression with this book.