Grave Peril - Jim Butcher

Overview: (from BN.com)

In all his years of supernatural sleuthing, Harry Dresden has never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone postal. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone-or something-is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself.

This is the third installment of the Harry Dresden Series, and my favorite so far. I've definitely enjoyed the first two books, but while reading this one, I was actually curious as to what is going to happen to Harry and the other characters. The characters are starting to evolve, and we are learning more about their lives. I also really enjoy the writing, in that it's a dark book, but there are some great laugh out loud moments which lighten it up a bit. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series. 

Rating: A

Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan #8) - Kim Harrison

Overview from BN.com:

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—her worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom. But trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and a lowlife ex-boyfriend-turned-thief.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love this series and the cast of characters (especially Jenks, the tough, foul-mouthed pixie). The plot continues to build and grow with each book, and the characters continue to develop, especially the main character, Rachel Morgan. The last couple of books have been developing the story behind Rachel's special powers and how they stem from her childhood, as well as bringing in some of the history between witches, elves, and demons. This current book continues to build on that a bit, which in my opinion, is definitely one of the more interesting sub-plots - I'm really excited to read and see where and what that will lead to.

The Rachel Morgan series is definitely in my top 5 favorite series. Rachel is a confident, strong heroine, while also being a little clumsy and insecure. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves strong female characters and urban fantasy.

Rating: A

The Unsung Hero - Suzanne Brockmann

Synopsis:

After a near-fatal head injury, navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a terrifying glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the navy dismisses the danger as injury-induced imaginings. In a desperate, last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorist team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton-the sweet "girl next door" who has grown into a remarkable woman. The town's infamous bad boy, Tom has always longed for Kelly. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day . . .

My Thoughts:

Usually when it comes to books labeled as romance, I tend to stick with the paranormal variety. However, I have a couple of good friends who continually have recommended this author and this series to me, which I would tend to call romantic suspense, so I decided to give it a try.

I absolutely loved this book! I thought the story was pretty interesting, and the characters were wonderful. I really enjoyed how Brockmann had the love story going on with Tom and Kelly, as well as you find out about their fathers' times in the war and a love triangle that was going on there. All this time, there is the story of Tom trying to capture this terrorist in his hometown, and getting the backing from is superior officers.

Rating: A-

Naked in Death - J.D. Robb

Synopsis:

It is 2058. New York cop Eve Dallas doesn't have to confront gun crime anymore, no one does. Guns are simply relics. She is assisted in detection by instant communications and probability predictions from the all-pervasive computer network. But this latest homicide is an old-fashioned crime in many ways. Sharon DeBlass is a high-class hooker from a wealthy, powerful family. Her brutal, possibly sexually motivated shooting sends shockwaves through her family, the upper echelons of political society and police headquarters. From the note under her body, it seems that a serial killer with a penchant for antique weaponry and a grudge against prostitutes is on the loose. The killer gets uncomfortably close to Eve Dallas as she pieces together his identity, flying in the face of authority and risking her career. Naked in Death introduces the reader to Dallas: a fascinating heroine, complex and vulnerable, a great detective with an aeroplane hold full of baggage. In the course of this murder investigation she meets Roarke, a charming self-made billionaire, and passions are stirred.

My Thoughts:

I really loved this book! I thought it was a solid introduction to Eve Dallas and Roarke, with a good mystery/thriller story line that kept me guessing for most of the book. I thought that Robb did a great job of mixing mystery and crime with a start of a great romance that didn't feel forced, but really moved the story along. I'm looking foward to reading more in this series, and I know I have a lot more ahead of me, considering that there are about 35 books in this series :)

Rating: B+

Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward

Synopsis:
Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetite. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him. When Mary Luce is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world, she must rely on Rhage's protection. Knowing that Mary feels the same intense animal attraction, Rhage must make her his alone...

My Thoughts:
I love this series! This second installment picks up right where the first one left off. This time, however, we learn more about Rhage and all of his inner demons (figuratively and mostly literally). I love this series because of the characters, and how with each book the plot becomes more complex and more of the pieces fit together.
It's a series I believe you don't have to absolutely read in order, but to get the most out of the books, I would recommend it :)

Rating: A

Changeling - Yasmine Galenorn

Synopsis:

Delilah, a were tabby cat by a twist of genetic fate, and her half-Fae, half-human sisters are on the front lines of a brewing war. Just recovering from a battle, and adjusting to a relationship with human cop Chase, Delilah is drawn into investigating the mysterious, gruesome deaths of the Rainier Were Puma Clan and becomes attracted to their leader, Zachary. As she fears, a new threat emerges, manipulated by an old enemy, and it will take all of their efforts, and acceptance of her fate, to bring them down.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the series, and even more bad things are happening to the D'Artigo sisters! I like how Galenorn mixes in a bunch of genres in this series: a little bit of humor, some mystery, some romance, a lot of paranormal and fantasy! I did find myself being a little frazzled at how much stuff was going on in this story, but it didn't make me enjoy it any less. I'm really enjoying the series so far, but they definitely need to be read in order to understand everything that is going on.

Rating: B+

Fantasy Lover - Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Synopsis:
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 women. 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 sexual 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

My Thoughts:
I really thought this was a nice introduction into Sherrilyn Kenyon's series. Personally, I felt the story started a little slow, and was more of a romance than a paranormal that everyone was telling me this series is. Luckily about halfway through, it really picked up for me. That's where Kenyon really started to mix the Greek Mythology in with the present day, and started to get really interesting. Having read the second book in this series, I can say that it definitely picks up from this one and is more entertaining. Fantasy Lover was a nice, but not great, introduction to this series.

Rating: B-

Dark Desire - Christine Feehan

 

Synopsis:
The stranger silently summoned her from across the continents, across the seas. He whispered of eternal torment, of endless hunger . . . of dark, dangerous desires. And somehow American surgeon Shea O'Halloran could feel his anguish. Drawn to the far Carpathian mountains, Shea found a ravaged, raging man, and recognized the beloved stranger who'd already become part of her. But was she to be his healer . . . or his prey?

My Thoughts:
I found this book more enjoyable than the first, and it seemed to move at a faster pace. The story takes place 25 years after Dark Prince, and we are met again with human vampire hunters, hunting the Carpathians. These vampire hunters are hunting and torturing any vampires they can find, including Jacques, a Carpathian male, who is the center of this story. Jacques is buried alive, obviously left for dead, for seven years, until he is able to reach out and call someone near through his mind. Our leading lady of the story, Shea, is called to Jacques and rescues him.
Like I said, I did enjoy this story much more than Dark Prince, I think because it kind of jumps right into the story and there's not much explaining and world building as there was in the first book. I'm currently reading the third in the series and am still loving where Feehan is going with this :)

Rating: A-

HUGE list!!

So, I decided to make a list of all the series that I've read or am currently reading. The ones I've read are in red...get it read=red....I know I'm lame :) I do have a bit of what I call "Author A.D.D." and I even though I like to read series in order, I skip around from series to series. I'll try and update this about every month or so :) Believe me, this list does not even include the series that I WANT to read and haven't read any of the books yet :)

The Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews:
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
4. Magic Bleeds
5. Magic Slays
6. Gun Metal Magic
7. Magic Rises

The Xanth Series by Piers Anthony:
1. A Spell for Chameleon - Reviewed
2. Source of Magic
3. Castle Roogna
4. Centaur Aisle
5. Ogre, Ogre
6. Night Mare
7. Dragon on a Pedestal
8. Crewel Lye
9. Golem in the Gears
10. Vale of the Vole
11. Heaven Cent
12. Man from Mundania
13. Isle of View
14. Question Quest
15. The Color of her Panties
16. Demons Don't Dream
17. Harpy Thyme
18. Geis of the Gargoyle
19. Roc and a Hard Place
20. Yon Ill Wind
21. Faun & Games
22. Zombie Lover
23. Xone of Contention
24. The Dastard
25. Up in Heaval
26. Swell Foop
27. Cube Route
28. Currant Events
29. Pet Peeve
30. Stork Naked
31. Air Apparent
32. Two to the Fifth

The Lightworld/Darkworld Series by Jennifer Armintrout:
1. Queene of Light
2. Child of Darkness
3. Veil of Shadows

The Women of the Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong:
1. Bitten - Reviewed
2. Stolen - Reviewed
3. Dime Store Magic - Reviewed
4. Industrial Magic
5. Haunted
6. Broken
7. No Humans Involved
8. Personal Demon
9. Living with the Dead
10. Frostbitten
11. Walking the Witch
12. Spellbound

The Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist Series by Jenna Black
1. The Devil Inside
2. The Devil You Know
3. The Devil's Due
4. Speak of the Devil
5. The Devil's Playground

The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs:
1. Moon Called
2. Blood Bound
3. Iron Crossed
4. Silver Borne
5. River Marked

The Troubleshooter Series by Susanne Brockmann:
1. The Unsung Hero
2. The Defiant Hero
3. Over the Edge
4. Out of Control
5. Into the Night
6. Gone Too Far
7. Flashpoint
8. Hot Target
9. Breaking Point
10. Into the Storm
11. Force of Nature
12. All Through the Night
13. Into the Fire
14. Dark of Night
15. Hot Pursuit
16. Breaking the Rules

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher:
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Turn Coat
12. Changes
13. Ghost Story

The Revivalist Series by Rachel Caine:
1. Working Stiff
2. Two Weeks Notice
3. Terminated

The Weather Warden Series by Rachel Caine:
1. Ill Wind
2. Heat Stroke
3. Chill Factor
4. Windfall
5. Firestorm
6. Thin Air
7. Gale Force
8. Cape Storm
9. Total Eclipse

The Cassandra Palmer Series by Karen Chance:
1. Touch the Dark
2. Claimed by Shadow
3. Embrace the Night
4. Curse the Dawn
5. Hunt the Moon

The Dragonfire Series by Deborah Cooke:
1. Kiss of Fire
2. Kiss of Fury
3. Kiss of Fate
4. Winter Kiss
5. Whisper Kiss
6. Darkfire Kiss

The Kay Scarpetta Series by Patricia Cornwell:
1. Postmordem
2. Body of Evidence
3. All That Remains
4. Cruel and Unusual
5. The Body Farm
6. From Potter's Field
7. Cause of Death
8. Unnatural Exposure
9. Point of Origin
10. Black Notice
11. The Last Precinct
12. Blow Fly
13. Trace
14. Predator
15. Book of the Dead
16. Scarpetta
17. The Scarpetta Factor
18. Port Mortuary

The Queen Betsy Series (aka The Undead Series) by Mary Janice Davidson:
1. Undead and Unwed
2. Undead and Unemployed
3. Undead and Unappreciated
4. Undead and Unreturnable
5. Undead and Unpopular
6. Undead and Uneasy
7. Undead and Unworthy
8. Undead and Unwelcome

The Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep:
1. Spider's Bite
2. Web of Lies
3. Venom
4. Tangled Threads
5. Spider's Revenge
6. By a Thread
7. Widow's Web
8. Deadly Sting
9. Heart of Venom
10. The Spider
11. Poison Promise
12. Black Widow

The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
1. One for the Money
2. Two for the Dough
3. Three to Get Deadly
4. Four to Score
5. High Five
6. Hot Six
7. Seven Up
8. Hard Eight
9. To the Nines
10. Ten Big Ons
11. Eleven on Top
12. Twelve Sharp
13. Lean Mean Thirteen
14. Fearless Fourteen
15. Finger Lickin' Fifteen
16. Sizzling Sixteen
17. Smoking Seventeen

The Carpathian Series (aka the Dark Series) by Christine Feehan:
1. Dark Prince - Reviewed
2. Dark Desire
3. Dark Gold
4. Dark Magic
5. Dark Challenge
6. Dark Fire
7.Dark Dreamers
8. Dark Legend
9. Dark Guardian
10. Dark Symphony
11. Dark Descent
12. Dark Melody
13. Dark Destiny
14. Dark Secret
15. Dark Demon
16. Dark Celebration
17. Dark Possession
18. Dark Curse

The Drake Sisters Series by Christine Feehan:
1. Magic in the Wind
2. Twilight before Christmas
3. Oceans of Fire
4. Dangerous Tides
5. Safe Harbor
6. Turbulent Sea
7. Hidden Currents

The Nightwalkers Series by Jacquelyn Frank:
1. Jacob - Reviewed
2. Gideon
3. Elijah
4. Damien
5. Noah

The Shadowdwellers Series by Jacquelyn Frank
1. Ecstacy
2. Rapture
3. Pleasure

The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost:
1. Halfway to the Grave
2. One Foot in the Grave
3. At Grave's End
4. Destined for an Early Grave
5. This Side of the Grave

The Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke:
1. Inkheart
2. Inkspell
3. Inkdeath

The Sisters of Moon Series by Yasmine Galenorn:
1. Witchling - Reviewed
2. Changeling - Reviewed
3. Darkling
4. Dragon Wytch
5. Night Huntress
6. Demon Mistress
7. Bone Magic
8. Harvest Hunting
9. Blood Wyne

The Anita Blake Series by Laurell K. Hamilton:
1. Guilty Pleasures - Reviewed
2. The Laughing Corpse
3. Circus of the Damned
4. Lunatic Cafe
5. Bloody Bones
6. The Killing Dance
7. Burnt Offerings
8. Blue Moon
9. Obsidian Butterfly
10. Narcissus in Chains
11. Cerulean Sins
12. Incubus Dreams
13. Micah
14. Danse Macabre
15. The Harlequin
16. Blood Noir
17. Skin Trade

The Nightcreature Series by Lori Handeland:
1. Blue Moon - Reviewed
2. Hunter's Moon
3. Dark Moon
4. Crescent Moon
5. Midnight Moon
6. Rising Moon
7. Hidden Moon
8. Thunder Moon

The Southern Vampire Mysteries (aka Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris:
1. Dead Until Dark - Reviewed
2. Living Dead in Dallas - Reviewed
3. Club Dead - Reviewed
4. Dead to the World - Reviewed
5. Dead as a Doornail
6. Definitely Dead
7. All Together Dead
8. From Dead to Worse
9. Dead and Gone
10. Dead in the Family
11. Dead Reckoning
12. Deadlocked
13. Dead Ever After

The Rachel Morgan Series by Kim Harrison:
1. Dead Witch Walking - Reviewed
2. The Good, The Bad, and the Undead
3. Every Which Way but Dead
4. A Fistful of Charms
5. For a Few Demons More
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails
7. White Witch, Black Curse
8. Black Magic Sanction
9. Pale Demon
10. A Perfect Blood
11. Into the Woods
12. Ever After
13.The Undead Pool
14. The Witch with No Name

The Dark-Hunter/Dream-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon:
1. Fantasy Lover - Reviewed
2. The Beginning
3. Dragonswan
4. Night Pleasures
5. Night Embrace
6. Phantom Lover
7. Dance with the Devil
8. Dark Hunter Christmas
9. Kiss of the Night
10. Night Play
11. Winter Born
12. Seize the Night
13. Sins of the Night
14. Second Chances
15. Unleash the Night
16. Dark Side of the Moon
17. Hard Days Night-Searcher
18. Until Death We Do Part
19. Fear the Darkness
20. The Dream-Hunter
21. Devil May Cry
22. Upon the Midnight Clear
23. Dark Hunter Companion
24. Dream Chaser
25. Acheron
26. One Silent Night
27. Dream Warrior
28. Bad Moon Rising
29. No Mercy
30. Retribution

The Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye Series by Victoria Laurie:
1. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye
2. Better Read than Dead
3. A Vision of Murder
4. Killer Insight
5. Crime Seen
6. Death Perception
7. Doom With a View
8. A Glimpse of Evil
9. Vision Impossible

The Breeds Series by Lora Leigh:
1. Tempting the Beast - Reviewed
2. The Man Within
3. Elizabeth's Wolf
4. Kiss of Heat
5. Soul Deep
6. Hot Spell
7. Megan's Mark
8. Harmony's Way
9. Tanner's Scheme
10. Primal Heat
11. Jacob's Faith
12. Aiden's Charity
13. Beyond the Dark
14. Dawn's Awakening
15. Shifter
16. Mercy's War
17. The Magical Christmas Cat
18. Coyote's Mate
19. Bengal's Heart

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis:
1. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
2. Prince Caspian
3. The Voyage of the Dawn4. The Silver Chair
5. The Magician's Nephew
6. A Horse and his Boy
7. The Last Battle

The Aisling Grey Series by Katie MacAlister:
1. You Slay Me
2. Fire Me Up
3. Light My Fire
4. Holy Smokes

The Night Tracker Series by Cheyenne McCray:
1. Demons Not Included
2. No Werewolves Allowed
3. Vampires Not Invited
4. Zombies Sold Separately
5. Vampires Dead Ahead

The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning:
1. Darkfever
2. Bloodfever
3. Faefever
4. Dreamfever
5. Shadowfever
6. Iced
7. Burned

The Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill:
1. Some Girls Bite
2. Friday Night Bites
3. Twice Bitten
4. Hard Bitten
5. Drink Deep
6. Biting Cold
7. House Rules
8. Biting Bad
9. Wild Things
10. Blood Games
11. Dark Debt

The Inheritence Series by Christopher Paolini:
1. Eragon
2. Eldest
3. Brisingr

The Alex Cross Series by James Patterson:
1. Along Came a Spider
2. Kiss the Girls
3. Jack & Jill
4. Cat & Mouse
5. Pop Goes the Weasel
6. Roses are Red
7. Violets are Blue
8. Four Blind Mice
9. Big Bad Wolf
10. London Bridges
11. Mary Mary
12. Cross
13. Double Cross
14. Cross Country

The Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson:
1. 1st to Die
2. 2nd Chance
3. 3rd Degree
4. 4th of July
5. 5th Horseman
6. 6th Target
7. 7th Heaven
8. 8th Confession

The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters:
1. The Crocodile on the Sandbank
2. The Curse of the Pharohs
3. The Mummy Case
4. Lion in the Valley
5. The Deeds of the Disturber
6. The Last Camel Died at Noon
7. The Snake, The Crocodile and the Dog
8. The Hippopotamus Pool
9. Seeing a Large Cat
10. The Ape Who Guards the Balance
11. The Falcon at the Portal
12. Thunder in the Sky
13. Lord of the Silent
14. The Golden One
15. Children of the Storm
16. Guardian on the Horizon
17. The Serpent on the Crown
18. Tomb of the Golden Bird
19. A River in the Sky

The Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin:
1. Once Bitten, Twice Shy - Reviewed
2. Another One Bites the Dust
3. Biting the Bullet
4. Bitten to Death
5. One More Bite

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
1. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
2. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
3. Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse
4. Percy Jackson and The Battle of Labrynth
5. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

The In Death Series by J.D. Robb:
1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengence in Death
7. Holiday in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10. Witness in Death
11. Judgement in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation in Death
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor in Death
21. Origin in Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Ritual in Death
29. Promises in Death
30. Kindred in Death

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Reviewed
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Reviewed
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

The Argeneau Series by Lynsay Sands:
1. A Quick Bite
2. Love Bites
3. Single, White Vampire
4. Tall Dark and Hungry
5. A Bite to Remember
6. Bite Me If You Can
7. The Accidental Vampire
8. Vampires are Forever
9. Vampires, Interrupted
10. The Rogue Hunter
11. The Immortal Hunter

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flemel Series by Michael Scott:
1. The Alchemyst
2. The Magician
3. The Sorceress
4. The Necromancer
5. The Warlock

The Knitting Mystery Series by Maggie Sefton:
1. Knit One, Kill Two
2. Needled to Death
3. A Deadly Yarn
4. A Killer Stitch
5. Dyer Consequences
6. Fleece Navidad
7. Dropped Dead Stitch
8. Skein of the Crime
9. Unraveled

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith:
1. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Reviewed
2. Tears of the Giraffe
3. Morality for Beautiful Girls
4. The Kalahari Typing School for Men
5. The Full Cupboard of Life
6. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
7. Blue Shoes and Happiness
8. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
9. The Miracle at Speedy Motors
10. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
11. The Double Comfort Safari Club
12. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Pary

Dies the Fire Series by S.M. Stirling:
1. Dies the Fire - Reviewed
2. The Protector's War
3. A Meeting at Corvallis

The Kitty Norville Series by Carrie Vaughn:
1.Kitty and the Midnight Hour
2. Kitty Goes to Washington
3. Kitty Takes a Holiday
4. Kitty and the Silver Bullet
5. Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand
6. Kitty Raises Hell
7. Kitty's House of Horrors
8. Kitty Goes to War
9. Kitty's Big Trouble

Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward:
1. Dark Lover - Reviewed
2. Lover Eternal - Reviewed
3. Lover Awakened
4. Lover Revealed
5. Lover Unbound
6. Lover Enshrined
7. Lover Avenged
8. Lover Mine
9. Lover Unleashed
10. Lover Reborn
11. Lover at Last
12. The King
13. The Shadows

The Fallen Angel Series by J.R. Ward
1. Covet
2. Crave
3. Envy

The World of the Lupi Series by Eileen Wilkes:
1. Tempting Danger - Reviewed
2. Mortal Danger
3. Blood Lines
4. Night Season
5. Mortal Sins

The Moon Series by Rebecca York:
1. Killing Moon
2. Edge of the Moon
3. Witching Moon
4. Crimson Moon
5. Shadow of the Moon
6. New Moon
7. Ghost Moon
8. Eternal Moon
9. Dragon Moon


Last Updated 5/31/14

Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison

 

Synopsis:
All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnatie, to hide, to prowl, to party...and to feed.
Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining - and it's RAchel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.
A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead...or undead.

My Thoughts:
This is my first Kim Harrison book and I absolutely loved it. I thought the world she creates is fantastic, and am excited to see how that evolves. I also loved the characters and their interaction with one another (my personal favorite being the fiesty pixie, Jenks). I thought the story was intersting with touches of humor here and there, and definitely left some things open for the next book. I'm really looking foward to reading more in this series!

Rating: A

Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks

 

Synopsis:

Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective investigating a series of grisly murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To hunt down the killer, she must infiltrate the clans. Only one man can help her - a werewolf named Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, whose charismatic presence disturbs Lily. Rule has his own reasons for helping the investigation - reasons he doesn't want to share with Lily. Logic and honor demand she keep her distance, but the attraction between them is immediate and devastating - and beyond human reason. Now in a race to fend off evil, Lily finds herself in uncharted territory, tested as never before, and, at her back, a man she's not sure she can trust.

My Thoughts:

An excellent start to a series!! This was such a fast paced and intense story that it definitely held my attention. There is a lot of paranormal and magic in this story along with some great characters - my personal favorite is Grandmother Yu; I really hope they do more with her character in future books. Even though this is categorized as a "paranormal romance" I consider it to be more of a paranormal murder/mystery.

My one complaint about the book was that the big battle at the end was very anticlimactic. The battle starts and then cuts away to a time period later where everyone is recovering, and Lily explains what happened at the battle. I was disappointed, but I thought it was done well, and didn't upset me too much.

Rating: B+

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis:
Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear.

My Thoughts:
First, the good news - I enjoyed the plot. Bella moves to a crappy little town and meets a gorgeous boy, Edward, who turns out to be a vampire. She wants to be with him, and he wants to be with her, but that puts Bella in danger in more ways than one. I can see why so many teenagers like this book (and so many girls) :). I also really enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's writing in the sense that it is so fluid. It's one of those books that I pick up and in no time I've read 100 pages just because the writing flows so well.
Now the bad news - the combination of the character Bella and the book being told in first person narrative drove me up the wall! Maybe if the story would have been told from third person, I would have enjoyed it more, but who knows. I usually don't have too much of a problem with reading first person narratives, but all of Bella's internal dialogue was too much like a junior high student to me...yes, I know she is in high school, and at that age everyone pretty much only thinks about the opposite sex, but it just made her seem really shallow and mundane.
Bella got on my nerves so much, I haven't been able to pick up the next book, but with much coaxing from friends who are addicted to the series, I have a copy on hold at the library. If I'm that annoyed with Bella after New Moon, I'm giving up on the series, and waiting to watch the movies.

Rating: C

Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris

 

Originally Reviewed July 30, 2008:

A great start to a series I'm excited to continue with. This book has humor and suspense, a good romance, and a great mystery. I thought it started off slow, but as you get to know the characters it definitely picks up. I love the main character, Sookie Stackhouse, and her 'gift' of being able to read people's minds which is both a blessing and a curse. I've heard that later books in the series are even more exciting, and am anxious to continue on with this series!

Rating: B

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

 

Originally Reviewed June 22, 2003

Wow!! Yet another great installment of Harry Potter! Harry is now in his third year at Hogwarts and faces new adventures as well as new dangers. Ms. Rowling does a wonderful job of taking us through another year in Harry's life. I loved this book as much as the first two. I think it's beautifully written, and there are always twists and turns that take the reader by surprise! All of the Harry Potter books are complete page-turners, and the "Prisoner of Azkaban" is no exception. Bravo Ms. Rowling!

June 23 2009:

This is probably one of my favorite books in the series. No matter how many times I reread these books, they always entertain, and I never am bored!

Rating: A+

Dark Lover - J.R. Ward

 

Originally Reviewed May 13, 2008:

At first I thought the book was kind of corny, with vampires with names like Wrath, Phury, Rhage, Zsadist, and Vishious! But as the story went on, the more I was drawn in. JR Ward writes a really good vampire novel with a lot of romance, and enough suspense to keep me hanging on! Can't wait to start on the next one in the series.

June 22, 2009:

This has quickly become one of my favorite series! Ward creates such a great society with the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I continually look foward to more books from her!

Rating: A

Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh

 

Originally reviewed 6/21/09

Description:
Callan Lyons is a genetic experiment. One of six fighting for freedom and the survival of their Pride. Merinus Tyler is the reporter who will tempt him, draw him, until the fury of the “mating frenzy” locks them into a battle of sexual heat there is no escape from.
Deception, blood, and the evil Genetics Council are hot on their trail. Callan will use his strength to try and save them both…and do all in his power to keep his woman in the process.

My Thoughts:
First of all, this is one of the hottest books I've ever read! I would say it definitely crosses over from the "normal" steamy paranormal romances I read into erotica. The sex scenes were ver explicit, and there were many of them, but I think in this case it really added to the story. You got more of a sense of what the characters were going through in their "mating frenzy". Even if you were to take out the sex of this book, it was a really good story! Scientists have fused feline DNA with that of humans. These hybrids have been put through hell from experiments and tests and training, and they have escaped and are hiding from those that hunt them. I'm really looking foward to read the next book and finding out what happenes to the Pride.

Rating B+

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

 

Originally Reviewed 6/18/09

Description:
Dead to the World continues the story of telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who has fallen out with her undead lover, Bill. Bill has no sooner departed for Peru, than Sookie finds the head vampire, Eric, running naked and terrified through the rural night. She helps Eric, and discovers his memory has been destroyed by a coven of unscrupulous, astonishingly powerful witches, newly arrived in her small Louisiana town, and offering a huge reward for Eric. Sookie tries to hide Eric, but her brother sees him--and immediately disappears. And Sookie finds herself caught in a war among witches, vampires, and werewolves.

My Thoughts:
This is probably my favorite Sookie Stackhouse novel so far in the series. With each book in the series, I feel that Harris is getting more elaborate in her mysteries and her characters, which I love. As far as characters go, I think this book really does have them all, vampires, werewolves, shap shifters, witches, were-witches, and even a fairy. I'm really looking foward to her next book, and to see what these characters are up to, and what sort of trouble Sookie gets into next time.

Rating: A-

Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling

 

Originally reviewed 6/14/09

Description:
What is the foundation of our civilization? asks Stirling (Conquistador) in this rousing tale of the aftermath of an uncanny event, "the Change," that renders electronics and explosives (including firearms) inoperative. As American society disintegrates, without either a government able to maintain order or an economy capable of sustaining a large population, most of the world dies off from a combination of famine, plague, brigandage and just plain bad luck. The survivors are those who adapt most quickly, either by making it to the country and growing their own crops—or by taking those crops from others by force. Chief among the latter is a former professor of medieval history with visions of empire, who sends bicycling hordes of street thugs into the countryside. Those opposing him include an ex-Marine bush pilot, who teams up with a Texas horse wrangler and a teenage Tolkien fanatic to create something very much like the Riders of Rohan.

My Thoughts:

My boyfriend really got into this series and recommended this to me, and I'm so glad I picked it up. It does start slow, but that's mainly because you are learning about the characters and learning about "the Change" and how it is effecting everyone. The story mainly centers on two different people, and how each of them work to protect and feed themselves, their friends, and their family. Really interesting and I'm looking foward to reading more!

Rating: B+

Blue Moon by Lori Handeland

 

Originally Reviewed 6/14/09

Description:
No-nonsense Jessie has never believed in magic or other supernatural "woo woo," but when she sees schoolteacher Karen Larson turn rabid in the classroom and attempt to bite one of her students shortly after being bitten by a wolf herself, she begins to realize that the world is not just black and white but "a host of annoying shades of gray." Before long, she's tramping through the forest with a self-professed werewolf hunter by her side and lusty thoughts of gorgeous professor Will Cadote, an expert in Native American mythology, racing through her mind. The enigmatic professor may be able to help Jessie figure out why the onyx wolf totem she found on the road near where Karen was bitten is so important, but it's possible he may be a werewolf himself.

My Thoughts:

I thought the story started off a bit slow, but it did certainly pick up about a third of the way into it. Handeland does a really good job of mixing mystery with paranormal romance in this story, which I think is what made it so intriguing. I'm really looking foward to reading the next in the series.

Rating: B+

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony

Orginally reviewed 5/19/09

Description:
The book's young hero, Bink, is without magical powers in a world ruled entirely by magic. Worse still, if he doesn't discover his own magical talent soon, he will be forever banished from his homeland. Naturally, it takes an epic quest for Bink to learn what his unique talent truly is--and perhaps to win the girl of his dreams as well.

My Thoughts:A fun fantasy read which focuses on Bink and his journey to find the Good Magician Humphrey to find out what his magic is. This book is jammed pack with almost any kind of magic and magical beings you can think of. The story has a little bit of everything really: humor, adventure, fantasy, coming of age story. I'm really looking foward to reading the next in this long series.

Rating: B+