Real Vampires Don't Sparkle

Real Vampire Don’t Sparkle by Amy Fecteau

 

Truth be told, this went on the “did not finish” pile.  I was bored to death with hopes of sparkling myself with this book.  It started out slow and drug and drug and drug, until I just couldn’t take anymore.  I can’t give an overview because of course I put this book down at 45%.  Here goes my account, Matheus gets killed by Quin and hates being a vampire.  He gripes and complains about being turned, will not take Quin’s help or money.  Then he grips and complains some more.  I’m sorry if I wanted to hear complaining I wouldn’t be reading a book, I would be listening to my kids fight and complain.  Sorry this was just not the book for me.

Synopsis:

Matheus Taylor didn’t ask to be murdered.

To be fair, the percentage of people actually asking to be murdered is probably small enough to be safely ignored, but he felt it was worth stating regardless.

His life might have been ordinary, but it was his life and he wasn’t done with it yet. Quin didn’t care. A seventeen-hundred old Roman, Quintus Livius Saturnius had a different view of morality than most people. Killing Matheus and hijacking his undead existence seemed perfectly acceptable to him.

Now, Matheus spends his nights running for his life, questioning his sexual orientation, and defying a mysterious new threat to the vampires within his city. Not that he set out to do any defying; he just wanted to be left alone.

Unfortunately, that was never going to happen.

Meeting Abbi Glines

Last night I was able to meet my favorite author Abbi Glines and her husband Keith.  I was so star struck!  Seriously, it was great experience to finally meet the wonderful person that I have many facebook conversations with.  I have supported Abbi from the first book that I was introduced to The Vincent Boys, and to this day Beau Vincent is one of my all time favorite book crushes.  Being from Alabama and staying true to her roots, writing southern settings and characters, has launched Abbi into world wide success.  I am happy to support a fellow Southern gal from Alabama.  I can only hope for more great books and characters from Abbi Glines.  And yes, Abbi, when I track down Channing Tatum you are more than welcome to come with me (you know he claims Cullman as his hometown and still has family there)! 

Marriage to a Billionaire series by Jennifer Probst

The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst

 

The Marriage Merger is book four in the Marriage to a Billionaire series.  This book was the first I have read in the series, but I plan on going back and reading about the rest of the family. 

The book has good stand alone quality.  I hate when you want to read a series out of order and you can’t follow along; this is not the case in this series.  And who doesn’t love a rich mogul? 

The Characters in this book are hot and sexy, light and funny, and the bedroom scenes are to die for.  What more could a girl want?

Synopsis:

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy,wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?

Feature and Follow #3

This weeks question:

How do you handle a book you don't like?  Do you DNF or do you power through?

That is a very good question. Sometimes if the plot is good and characters are bad I can power through by skipping and skimming, but if the plot is horrible I put it in the pile of DNF's. And sometimes I just can not get into the book, not sure why sometimes books with good ratings, but if is due for a review I just start skimming.

Throw a True Blood Party

Throw a True Blood Party: An Unofficial Guide to Partying with Your Favorite Vamps by Paula Conway

 

I am a huge True Blood fan, I love the show.  I got hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris years ago and had to watch the HBO series when it started.  To this date, I have not missed an episode.  So this book was right up my alley.  From the tip and party tricks to the coupons this book is worth your while.  You can save huge amounts on merchandise from Etsy to Lucas Candies.  I can’t wait to have my own True Blood party!

365 Slow Cooker Suppers

365 Slow Cooker Suppers by Stephaine O’Dea

 

Who doesn’t love a crock pot meal?  As a working mother of two, it is so easy for me to throw something in the crock pot, go to work, and have a meal for the family when I return home.  In this great slow cooker cook book due to release in September 2013, you get great recipes and new ideas on how to use your cooker.  From soups to seafood this book has it all.

Bridal Armor

Bridal Armor by Debra Webb

 

MacGyver meets James Bond in this high tension, action packed romantic suspense that will keep readers on their toes and wondering who to trust.  These agents and spies are a real thriller.  Ms Webb has a way of putting the audience in her story and fans will be peeking around doorways and tip toeing down halls in no time.

Synopsis:

Two agents' forgotten love is rekindled in USA TODAY bestselling author Debra Webb's Colby Agency: The Specialists series. Someone was out to get Thomas Casey. His profession had taught him to trust no one. So when Johara di Rossi abducted him on his way to his beloved niece's wedding, Thomas assumed the worst—despite their intimate history.

Though attachments made him vulnerable, Thomas was haunted by regret for walking away from Jo years ago. No other woman had stirred such intense desire in him. Now, snowbound in an isolated cabin, with a determined enemy from his past closing in, suspicion begins to melt away as the embers of their passion reignite.

Dog Days Series by Sierra Dean

Autumn by Sierra Deran

 

This recently released debut book in the Dog Days series by Sierra Dean entitled Autumn was a fantastic YA read, to be honest I wish there were more books like this out in there in the paranormal world. 

The light and creative writing style of Ms. Dean sets the pace for this series and what an amazing journey this book was.  She opens readers to a world of magic, curses, and mysteries experiencing this paranormal situation as the characters unveil the towns secretes. 

 

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book.  It is fast paced; just enough romance to remain sweet, and leaving you wanting more.  I have not been so vested in a book in a while.  And can you say cliffhanger.  I was actually driving down the road letting the Kindle read to me and I thought that my device skipped pages.  I was like what…really…oh come on!  I can’t believe the ending, but that just leaves me having to experience the next installment.  I love to hate cliffhangers, and truth be told I remember all the great cliffhanger books that I have read because I want not scratch that have to know what happens next.  It’s like an addiction, so I remember these books and authors more so.  That’s what sticks out in my head the most; that and a really great book!  So I loved this book.  If you are a fan or paranormal or YA or both this is a must read!

 

Synopsis:

Cooper Reynolds’s life is going to the dogs… literally.

As if being a high school senior in a small Texas town wasn’t hard enough, Cooper has bigger things to worry about than who he’ll take to prom and whether or not the Poisonfoot Padres will win homecoming. He has less than a year before his eighteenth birthday, when a curse placed on his family will doom him to live in coyote form forever.

The last thing he needs to complicate his already messed-up life is a girl, but fate has other plans in mind for him when it brings Eloise “Lou” Whittaker to Poisonfoot. She’s grouchy, sarcastic and has no love for her new Texas home, but she might be exactly the right person to help Cooper break the curse.

The clock is ticking, and Cooper will have to decide if he’s willing to let Lou in on his dirty little secret before it’s too late.

The Ranger Brothers Series by Susannah Balch

‘Til Summer Comes Around by Susannah Balch

4 Stars

The debut book from Susannah Balch ‘Til Summer Comes Around is the perfect mix of YA and mystery.  This series starter of the Ranger Brothers has a good amount of humor and romance to boot.

Set in the Deep South, Hillsborough, Alabama to be exact, the story line, character’s conflicts, even the food the characters eat is southern to a T.   The author’s very descriptive writing style had me right in small town with the cast.  From her creepy grave yard to her hottie twin brothers Mrs. Balch didn’t miss a beat with this installment.

Georgie, a high school girl, lives next to a grave yard that is owned by the Ranger family who happen to have hot twin boys who help out.  When the cemetery is vandalized and the Ranger brothers get closer to Georgie, instead of staring at her like she has the plague, she must choose between brothers. 

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book.  It didn’t hurt that there are hot twin brothers, a hint of romance and mystery, and laugh out loud funny to boot.  It did get a little wordy at times, and if I here moreover and furthermore one more time I might scream, but all in all it was a good first release.  I absolutely loved the southern setting being from the dirty south myself; I love books that are set here.  Mrs. Balch I would choose Jase for sure, so if or when you write the sequel make his bad boy side shine; who doesn’t love a bad boy?

Favorite Funny Quotes:

“…She want’ even exactly competent at the simple human-to-human kind of resuscitation, bleeding, knocked out or unconscious victim or not, much less one where she might be swapping saliva with something that frequently licked the hair around their rear end or quite potentially ate poo recently.”

“…she was going to holler out, ‘Fire ants! I’m allergic!’ and climb up him with a great big ole’ clinging for her life hug…and be done with it.”

“…she was all over him like a starved tick in the summertime.”

“Although, he was staring to wonder exactly himself what Ms. Perkins’ tender, lovin’ care consisted of, and if it involved a weird looking thermometer, a staggering amount of strategically placed band aids, and copious amounts of Vaseline.  Scratch that-decision already made-he didn’t want to know.”

“But I think it’s more of, if your going to hand out with him, you might as well just hand out with Michael Myers on Halloween.

Shattered Castles Series by E.M. Tippets

Love in Darkness by E. M. Tippets

 

3 1/2 stars

Love in Darkness is the second book in the Shattered Castles series.  I have not read the first book in this series, but do own a copy and plan to go back and read it.  This book gives a glimpse into the life of a young adult male with schizophrenia. 

I was expecting a run of the mill romance from this book, but go so much more.  Alex is a guy who has schizophrenia, and is so in love with a girl that he will do anything for her; even remove himself from her life to keep from hurting her.  Madison really knows what true love is and is willing to stick by Alex’s side during the worst time of his life.  Can this romance work if Alex is constantly pushing her away?

Alex is no stranger to the disease; taking care of his schizophrenic mother most of his life has given him great insight into this inherited disease and the inner workings of mental hospitals.  He is also of the Mormon religion and has strong faith. 

This story is written in Alex’s POV and gives the reader good insight into the thought’s of the mentally ill.  From trying to figure out who will be your power of attorney to your family and friend’s reactions to mental illness this story has an extreme emotional impact on the audience. 

The characters are well thought out and the disease and reactions are realistic and believable.  This story was rather deep and dark compared to what I usually read, but liked it nonetheless.  I would have, however, liked more romance.