Slave To Sensation
By Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #1
352 Pages
E Book
Published September 5th, 2008
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Monster Focus: Shifters, Changelings

I feel really strange writing this review. With all the positive feedback on this book and the high ratings, I can't help but wonder if I missed something the rest of the readers saw. I just really didn't enjoy this. I could not for the life of me get into it no matter how hard I tried to like it. The potential for a really great book and the beginning of a really great series was there, but I felt it was poorly executed. The writing, at times, was poor quality, and others was intriguing leaving me with a feeling of, "Am I reading the same book? And if so, is there more than one author?" The style of writing varied so much and so often that I was constantly lost.

I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't happen. I will say however that the concept of the Psy-changeling world was so interesting that I will more than likely read the next book and give this series a second chance. There is definitely something great here waiting to come out, but it just didn't happen in this book

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander
By Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander #1
784 Pages
E Book
Published October 26th, 2004
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
Focus: Highlander Romance and Time Travel

Page count wise I think we are talking about the Harry Potter of romance books here people.

This book is slow to get started, but has a lot to offer. I started to enjoy it once Claire traveled back in time to 1743. I realized, after much fretting over the page count, that this book is so long because Gabladon gives her readers so much information about the time to make sure they understand the setting, culture, and hardness of the time she has put her characters in. Thanks to this description you'll feel immersed in the world of the book. It can get a little overwrought at times and the sexy highlander leading man talks way too much about his fond memories of how his father beat the crap out of him when he was a kid. Otherwise, the length isn't so bad.

As for the content, well... I found the story unique and compelling. Once I got about 100 pages in I couldn't stop turning them. Claire, a happily married WWII nurse, is transported back in time to the year 1743 where she meets the very hunky and adorably bashful Scottish highlander Jamie Fraser. Admittedly their are a few very convenient happenings that allow Claire to not feel so bad about cheating on her husband with Jamie, but I was satisfied when she makes a solid decision on which one she wants to be with. This isn't exactly the most moral of romances, but it is immensely enjoyable and fun to boot.

Dead in the Family
By Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse/ Southern Vampire Mysteries
238 Pages
E Book
Published May 4th, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Monster Focus: Vampire, Were/Shapeshifter, Fae

Sookie is taking some much needed time to recoup from the intense events of the last volume. I won't give any specifics, but it was so hard to read what she was going through. We get to be a fly on the wall as we follow Eric and Sookie's blossoming relationship and oh what a view it is! I really do think that Eric loves Sookie and that she loves him back, however Sookie needs o come to terms with it in her own way. I think she is almost afraid to admit to him that she loves him because she has openly admitted it to friends and family.

This book started out really slow and stayed slow throughout the book.

This was not bad, but not great either. I felt like a lot of the places we visited with Sookie in this book we'd seen before many times. More pack meetings, hostile makers, crazed vamps, and disgruntled humans. This could have been better, especially with the amazing material she wrote in the previous volume. There were so many plot threads and directions she could have gone with this. I'm thinking with how this series is going plot wise, we are looking at it wrapping up pretty soon.

Whew! I am very glad to be done with the existing Sooie books as i have been intending to catch up with this series for a while now. All I can think of after reading this is that, there are so many other series I would rather b reading right now. :-(

Vampire Academy By Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy
By Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
129 Pages
E Book
Published August 16th, 2007
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Monster Focus: Vampires

Richelle Mead has created a world of vampires that is uniquely her own. Her take on vampire mythology is fresh and thought provoking. The three branches of the vampire race, Dhampir, Moroi, and Strogoi are at war with the Dhampir acting as guardians to the Moroi in the fight against the Strogoi. Mead does a great job in her description of the three branches and explaining the unique qualities of each. I'm still a little vague on some of the details, but I have high hopes that detail will be added in later volumes.

As the first book in this series, Vampire Academy does well, although I have to admit I am not too sure how much I like the main character Rose. I really didn't like the attitude and immaturity she displayed throughout the book. Lying to the guy her friend likes just because she doesn't think he is good enough for her was really horrible. I am willing to put my feelings aside as i think Rose did mature a lot towards the end of the book and will only get better as the series goes on.

I love Lisa and Christian together! They are the perfect representation of Yin and Yang. I hope to see more of their relationship in the next books.

I have high hopes for this series and think that it will only get better as the characters mature and come into their strengths. Oh yeah and the steamy bits were great too. Hee hee...

One Foot in the Grave By Jeaniene Frost

One Foot In The Grave
By Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress
384 Pages
E Book
Published April 1st, 2008
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Monster Focus: Vampires

Ok, I know, I'm a bad girl. This book doesn't appear on the list until much later, but I couldn't help myself. I loved the first book so much that I had to pick up the second one. I just had to find out what happens!!! I will get back on track soon. I really need to finish the last Sookie book. What can I say? I'm addicted to Bones!

Four years after the events of Halfway to the Grave, Cat is still kicking ass, but now she's doing it for the government.

Cat and Bones are back for another go and don't disappoint for a second. This second volume of the Night Huntress se...moFour years after the events of Halfway to the Grave, Cat is still kicking ass, but now she's doing it for the government. Cat and Bones are back for another go and don't disappoint for a second. This second volume of the Night Huntress series is even better than the first and the infamous chapter 32 is just icing on the cake.

This series just keeps getting better and better. The character development is believable and the plot is smooth and seamless. Cat's loneliness at the beginning of the book is tangible and the relief once Bones reappears with leave you breathless.

The witty banter and hysterical one liners are still here and really set the tone for this series and its dynamic duo. I've said this before and I will say it again, every paranormal romance fan needs to read this series! Great read.

Halfway To The Grave By Jeaniene Frost

Halfway To The Grave
By Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress
384 Pages
E Book
Published October 13th, 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Monster Focus: Vampires

I was so excited to start this series and a little concerned that I would be let down like I have been with some other paranormal romance books that have been recommended to me. After reading book one of Cat and Bones' story I have to say I am incredibly impressed!

This book packs a serious punch! I'm loving Bones, the sexy and calculating vampire master/ bounty hunter who recruits, well more like forces, Cat to help him take out some of his marks. Interesting take on the vampire mythology and how it creates Cat's unique situation. The story is seamless and often times steamy! Bones' character will remind you of Spike from Buffy in a very good way. With his British accent, witty banter, bad-boy good looks, and Billy Idol style you will remember why you loved Spike and find new reasons to love Bones even more.

I don't want to give too much away so I will cut this review short. All I can say is ever paranormal romance or urban fantasy lover needs to read this series!

Dead and Gone By Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone
By Charlaine Harris
320 Pages
E Book
Published May 5th, 2009
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Monster Focus: Vampires, Weres/Shapeshifters, Fae

More Sookie anyone? Here I am at #9 and I'm excited to be closing in on the series as I have been behind for too long. With Dead Reckoning releasing soon, I want to be all caught up and ready Me and Sookie have a love hate relationship really. I enjoy these books so much, but sometimes they drag on for me and the culture shock of Louisiana for this California born girl is difficult to cope with sometimes. Thank God Sookie kicks ass and is accompanied by the smexy Eric. I'm hoping for good things and rooting for Team Eric.

This is Sookie at her absolute best! I enjoyed Dead and Gone immensely. In this volume, the Were community decides to follow after the vampire community and reveal their existence to the world. The aftershock of this revelation is nothing short of hostile.

I think after the events of this book, we will see a significant character change in Sookie. She goes through hell and barely survives and loses a few friends along the way. I won't go into much detail so as not to spoil it for those of you who have not read this volume and are interested in the series. The end is a big cliffhanger and leaves us wondering, did a certain dreamy vampire survive? What will happen next in Sookie and Eric's ever evolving relationship? I can't wait to get into the next volume Dead in the Family! I know that some reviewers did not like this book because of the harsh violence portrayed and the abuse to Sookie, but I think this brought something to the story that we haven't seen yet out of this series. Sookie will never be the same after this and that leaves us wondering; is that a good thing, or a bad thing?

Great read, the best so far!

Magic Bites

Magic Bites
By Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #1
272 Pages
E Book
Published March 27th, 2007
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Monster Focus: Shapeshifters, Vampires, Necromancers...TBD

I was really excited to read this book, but I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. This book started out really promising, but got confusing towards the end. There wasn't enough explanation of the world and the rules of the magic within it. Andrews just throws us into Kate's world with no idea of when or where she has sent us.

I want to be clear. I really did like this book, but there just wasn't enough world building and character development for me. Kate is a great character. Strong, smart, and intense, Kate handles everything that is thrown at her with a punch i...moreThis book started out really promising, but got confusing towards the end. There wasn't enough explanation of the world and the rules of the magic within it. Andrews just throws us into Kate's world with no idea of when or where she has sent us.

I want to be clear. I did like this book, but there just wasn't enough world building and character development for me. Kate is a great character. Strong, smart, and intense, she handles everything that is thrown at her with a punch in the face, however she seems to be in the same place attitude wise as she was at the beginning of the book. Curran, the character that seems to be set up as Kate's love interest, is cool, sexy, and fierce however we don't get a lot of his personality in this book.

I will be trying out the next books in the series to see if they clear up the inconsistencies and holes that lost me in this book. This is a series I badly want to like because it has gotten such good reviews. I can see the potential for greatness here, but it just hasn't gotten there for me yet.

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

From Dead to Worse
By Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #8
321 Pages
Mass Market Paperback
Published May 6th, 2008
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Monster Focus: Costco Monster Variety Pack

Sookie is on a roll and back for more fang filled action. The fallout from the chaotic Vampire Summit has left Sookie short a were-tiger boyfriend Quinn is missing and Sookie is determined to find him What new, crazy troubles will she find herself in this time?

Review Contains Spoilers From This Point On

The Sookie series seems a little long and drawn out to me, so I was not too terribly excited about reading this one. However, once I got going I remembered the ease with which the books seem to fly by and started to enjoy myself. I have to say Quinn ...moreThe Sookie series seems a little long and drawn out to me, so I was not too terribly excited about reading this one. However, once I got going I remembered the ease with which the books seem to fly by and started to enjoy myself. I have to say Quinn is not one of my favorite characters, though he is a nice guy. Not surprisingly I was glad when she broke up with him. I really like her and Eric and would love to see them together in later books as I have gotten hints that they are. The pacing was great in this and the family revelations that Sookie gets are both exciting and sad.

I find it interesting how the show correlates with the books as some of the things that have already happened in the show are just now happening in the books. I guess that much can be expected out of a tv show though I wish they would be more loyal to the original time line. I enjoyed this one and think that it got me out of my Sookie rut

Silver Borne By Paricia Briggs

Silver Borne
By Patrica Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #5
347 Pages
E Book
Published March 30th, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Monster Focus: Werewolf and Fae

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy... You just can't seem to keep out of trouble, can you? I have really enjoyed this series, but I am glad to have reached a good stopping point. I've spent the last week and a half reading through the Mercedes Thompson series and becoming familiar with its many characters and monsters. This series is a great blend of all things that go bump in the night with its main focus on the werewolves.

In this volume, we are exposed a lot more to the rules and science of the pack. As Mercy becomes closer to the pack she realizes that not all of its members may welcome her with open arms. Her bond and relationship with Adam is really focused on in the volume. Rather than the plot being problem based, it is more relationship driven. We also get a more in-depth look at the Fae and how some of their different classes function. Honestly, this has to be the most informational book out of the bunch, making me think Briggs is fueling us up for bigger things to come in the next volume, River Marked, which is due to come out March 1st, 2011. All in all a good read, but much less action than previous installments.