The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) by Aimée Carter

Description:

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess (from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:

I received this eBook from NetGalley for review. This was entertaining read and I enjoyed it very much. The story line was very interesting and wanted to know what happens at the end. Story line itself is not particularly unique, there are a lot of stories out there with similar topic with just another twist. But I have to say that this story did have its own appeal.

All of the characters were enjoyable and I wanted to know more about them, I wish that there was a more in depth view of some of the characters, Henry, Ava, James, even Kate. I really liked Henry, he is very interesting character but I feel that he could have been little bit more developed. I liked his connection to Kate; their relationship had a slow start but it slowly developed into romance. Romance between the two nicely done, but I do feel that it did lack some spark, it was little bit boring.

Kate and her mother had really sweet relationship, I felt so bad for Kate and her mother, it can’t be easy to know that your mother is dying. I find that Kate likes to avoid difficult issues, such as her mother dying, even thought she had years to make peace with the fact the her mother is dying, she is avoiding saying goodbye. Maybe by avoiding the obvious rather than dealing with it. But still I liked Kate, she is sweet, smart, companionate, caring person, she has her shortcomings but who doesn’t. One thing that I found annoying, towards the end of the story when the romance between Henry and Kate starts to develop, she refers to sex as “that”. I do not want to do “that” or “I am not ready for “that.” who refers to sex as “that” in this day and age. It seems that by avoiding word sex author is trying to make the book more age appropriate and somewhat conservative - maybe I am missing a point.

Overall, this was thoroughly enjoyable read, I am looking forward to reading book two in this series, and I believe it is called Goddess Interrupted. I want to know more how Kate’s and Henry’s relationship plays out in the next book. I would recommend this book to all mythology lovers out there. However there is not a lot about mythology in this book, there are few tidbits of information here and there but not a lot. But I did have fun trying to figure out who was who - Olympians. Book was written well, decent character development and world built up. I give this book 4/5 STARS.

The Vicar's Daughter (Regency Quartet # 1) by Deborah Simmons

Description:

Lord Wycliffe Had Finally Met His Match.

With golden hair and eyes of springtime green, Charlotte Trowbridge was the toast of the London Season. "An incomparable goddess" her dazzled admirers proclaimed. But the earl of Wycliffe knew she was only a vicar's daughter, with the taste of heaven on her lips...!

Methodical. Logical. Orderly. Charlotte would also have to add devilishly handsome to her description of Lord Wycliffe. Still, the man was desperately in need of some loosening up, and it looked as though she was the only woman capable of rattling his famous reserve (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

I found this book in hospital bookstore, well it’s not a real bookstore but rather a giftshop that sells used books. I think that these books are left behind at the hospitals by the people who were either patients or visitors. Anyways, I was visiting a friend at the hospital who was staying there for a while and I needed to read something. I usually tend to stay from Historical Romance novels, and I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.

Charlotte Trowbridge is vicar’s daughter and she meets new earl Wycliffe. Charlotte sets her eyes on him and falls in love with him. Maximilian, the Earl Wycliffe is completely opposite from playful Charlotte, he is uptight, control freak, holds to ridged schedule (that is until he meets Charlotte). The romance between Charlotte and Maximilian was very cute and entertaining. I read few review on Goodreads after I finished this book and there were several review complaining about how this was not very historically accurate book. I kind of laughed at that, who picks up a Historical Romance novel for historical accuracy. When I read Historical romance I never try to judge it based on the historical accuracy, but rather on pure entertainment. I actually enjoy the fact that is not purely historically accurate. If I want historical accuracy I will read something more appropriate based on the topic I am interested.

Overall I really did enjoy reading this book. Even thought there were a few storyline holes that could have been better done. But amazingly enough it did not bother me too much, I think that was because I enjoyed the rest of the story so much. I liked that the Charlotte is not a sexually repressed vicar’s daughter, but rather wants to explore her sexuality (I know not very likely scenario for a vicar’s daughter who was living in 1800 or some, but who cares). I think I will try to look into some of the other books by this author and give them a try. I would recommend this book to all Historical Romance readers, who enjoy light and fluffy read. If you are looking for historical accuracy of this time period than this is not the book you want. This is pure fluff and entertainment. I love me some fluff. I give this book 3/5 STARS.

The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens

Description:

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next (from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I received this book from NetGalley for a review. When I read the description of the book I it would be type of book that would interest me. I am so glad that read this book, it was so good that I can not wait to read more about Amelia and her ghosts, also Devlin and his ghosts.

I really enjoyed the storyline, the graveyard restorer subject was fascinating, it just sucks you in. I have always thought that taphophile is a very fascinating subject and this book captures it beautifully. It has that macabre feel to it, the very beautiful setting, shrouded in mystery and old south, fascinating characters. I have an aunt who is a taphophile, and I remember as child her showing me the pictures that she took over years of different tombstones, all from different graveyards across the world. Every time she traveled (and she travelled a lot) she would make sure she visits the graveyard in that city, anyways getting of the topic somewhat. Even though this was a romantic suspense type of book, romance between the two characters did not take over the storyline which I really liked. Sometimes I find that romantic suspense type of books often have romance as a main focus, not in this book though. The mystery behind the murders was also very engaging and I few names run through my mind as to who the murderer could be.

Amelia’s character is very interesting and intriguing; I wanted t know more about her and her ghost seeing abilities. How and why she sees them? Author only gives us some brief glances at her ability, but really even Amelia does not know much about her abilities. I think that is for the next book in the series. I also hope that we find out more about Amelia and her father, what secrets is her father keeping and why. Devlin is also another very interesting character, also very intense, both physically and emotionally, from the authors description. I felt for Devlin and his loss, there is something so sad about him and his ghost that follow him. This was one of the most memorable scenes for me, when Amelia meets Devlin for the first time and sees his ghosts. I just could not help thinking about that scene and what happened to them.

Romance between Amelia and Devlin was excellently executed; there was so much chemistry between two characters that as a reader you could feel it seeping through the pages. I liked the fact that they did not jump into bed right away, but held each other at arm length even though all they wanted to do make love. They both know that there are too many ghosts , literally, standing between them.

Overall, this was a very good read and I can not wait for book two in the series of The Graveyard Queen. I believe that book # 2 is titled The Kingdom (this another story about Amelia) and book # 3 is titled The Prophet (story about Devlin). I read this on a blog somewhere (not sure which one) it was an interview with author. Can not wait for the next book. I give this book 5/5 STARS (and usually I am very stingy with my fifth star). The Restorer will be released on May 1st, 2011 and I think I will go out and buy this book, I want to have a paper copy of it too. 

Kind (The Good Neighbors # 3) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh (Illustrator)

Description:

The faerie world has been unleashed on Rue's city. The big question is: Will she stop it and save the world she's always known? Or will she take her place as the rightful faerie heir?

Another fantastic concoction of fantasy and suspense from Eisner-award nominees Holly Black and Ted Naifeh.

My Thoughts:

This is the third and final book in The Good Neighbours Series; I have to say I have enjoyed this graphic novel series. I am sorry to see it end, but I kind of like the way it ended. Rue, main female protagonist is half-fairy and half-human teenager who is fighting to keep her world safe. She is thorn between the two sides, fairy and human. Author and illustrator did a very good job at reflecting the struggle that Rue faces, in her personal life. The story line was fast moving and action filled; there was some romance going on too. I really liked Rue’s character, she was real, compassionate, good person, self sacrificing. I really enjoyed the ending, it was very well done. I did not expect it to end that way, but I am kind of glad that it did. I do kind of wish that the storyline was little bit longer and more in debt, I felt that story line was rushed on several occasions, which does not give you much of a chance to get to know the characters.

Overall this was a very enjoyable read, I am kind of sad that this is a last book in the series. Even though I really enjoyed this book very much I am finding it hard to write a review. i give this books 4/5 STARS.

Urban Shaman (Walker Papers #1) by C. E. Murphy (eBook)

Description:

Joanne Walker has three days to learn to use her shamanic powers and save the world from the unleashed Wild Hunt.

No worries. No pressure. Never mind the lack of sleep, the perplexing new talent for healing herself from fatal wounds, or the cryptic, talking coyote who appears in her dreams.

And if all that's not bad enough, in the three years Joanne's been a cop, she's never seen a dead body—but she's just come across her second in three days.

It's been a bitch of a week.
And it isn't over yet (from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I got this book while a go, around charismas’ time when I got my ereader. I took me a while to finish reading this book, I would read it on my lunch breaks at work. I have a lot of mixed feeling about this book, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. For me it was just ok and I am still thinking whether I should read book two in this series.

Main female protagonist Joanne Walker, I had mixed feeling about her. I liked her in one instance, but then I didn’t, or I just found her annoying. She is a strong female character, brave, foolish in a way, funny (but not all the time). At first she was funny and snarky, but over time it just became just too much because everything became a joke. Also her shamanic powers just all of a sudden came to her, she doesn’t struggle to learn how to use them but rather it is easy breezy for her, which was not very believable. I guess what bothered me the most was the fact that everything came to her so easily, there was not a lot of struggle on her part. The only struggle that she goes through is that she gets almost killed few times and even that is not a struggle because she all of a sudden knows how to heal herself, with some help from her spirit guide. What also became less believable was the fact that the police department that she works for believe into her strange abilities so quickly, pretty much without any resistance. I mean there was all but one page in the book on how the Captain on the police resists, but then he and other accept the fact that Joanne is the only one that can stop the strange events happening in Seattle. To me the plot was very convenient, our protagonist just sails through it.

Overall, like I already mentioned I did not love or hate this book, but I was indifferent to it. I think midway through the book I continues reading it for the sake or finishing the book, not because I desperately wanted to find out how it ended. You know when someone speaks in the same monotone of voice forever and you think to yourself is it ever going to end, that’s how I felt sometimes reading this book, same monotone from beginning to end. But for more reason I kept waiting for it to change and it never did. I am still on the fence about reading book two in the series, but I think I will wait a little before I decide. I give this book 2/5 STARTS.

Tyger Tyger (Gobli Wars #1) by Kersten Hamilton‏

Description:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

I bought this book while ago and it kind of got lost in my to-read pile of books. Few nights ago I was going through the pile when I found this book, I complete forgot that I bought this. I guess I have to many books that I need to read, but that will not stop me from going out and looking for more books.

I have to say that I really did not know what to expect from this book, even though I read few reviews on it, still was not sure. When I started to read this book I was pleasantly surprised, this was a very good story. I had hard time putting the book down, that is why it took me only two days to read it. It was a very fast read, it had a fast paced plot and some action. The world that the author built was very interesting and entertaining. I really like the premises of this story, it had goblins, cat sidh (I not sure if I spelled this right) and other creatures.

I liked most of the characters, Teagan was very much a likeable character, smart, interesting, loyal and protective of her family. Even though she had some dumb moments in the book, but that was alright I guess, because we all have one of those dumb moments. Teagan was brave and not whiny or complaining throughout the whole book why was this happening to her or how this was not possible. Rather Teagan tries to understand and help her father and protect her brother. I think that Aiden was my favourite character, just because he was so delightfully different; I thought it was funny that he was afraid of Elvis impersonators. Finn, was another likable character that I am looking forward reading more of.

Romance between Teagan and Finn was not very interesting or intense, if fact it was kind of boring. It started of very good with Finn telling her that he liked her (or something similar along those lines), but as you continue reading the book you completely forget that there was some romantic interest between the two. By the end of the book they are declaring love for each other, which left me wondering did I miss something, there was barely any romantic interaction between the two in the middle of the book. So needless to say that the romance part was not very well done, because there was just too little of it. I think that the author was trying not to overwhelm us with romance, but she ended up under doing it.

Overall this was a very good read, and I will be reading next book in Goblin War series. It had a very good storyline, it was fast paces and entertaining. Characters were entertaining and likeable; the only down side for me was the romance between Teagan and Finn, I wish that it was done better. Oh well, there is room in book two for improvement. I give this book 4/5 STARS.

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) by Deborah Harkness‏

Description:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

I read somewhere, on the blog, that there was a lot of hype about this book. But I have to say I did not see any of it or heard anything about this book, until I saw this book in the magazine that I was flipping through. There it was, the title caught my eye right away, I logged onto my pc to see what it was about. I soon discovered that it was not being released for another week, which was not that long of a wait. Let just say I was in the book store buying this book on the day it was released.

Where do I start, first I have to say how much I loved, loved this book. It did take me a while to read it, not because I could not get through it (obviously since I loved it) but I did not want it to end too soon. So I stretched out my reading on this book across one month (or more) period. At first I was not sure if I was going to like the main female protagonist, she was somewhat winy about her magical powers and in a lot of denial. As you know denial never works it just makes things more difficult or uncomfortable. As the time went on, I started to like Diana more and more, there were several times throughout the book that I wanted to shake her and say wake the hell up, but other than that I liked her. Diana is smart, caring, irritating sometimes, scared, funny and many other endearing characteristics. I like the intense chemistry and romance between Diana and Matthew, which was very intense and sensual. There is no sex between the two characters (not yet at least) for those out there wandering. I really liked Matthew’s character, he is very intense, strong, intelligent, kind and ruthless at the same time, he is perfect fit for Diana. . I found it funny that Diana denies use of magic in her work as historian; she actually does use it but she does not even realises it because she in so much denial about her being a witch. However as you get to know Diana, you begin to understand her better and why she shies away from the witchcraft.

Author did a very good job at developing the world that Diana and Matthew live in; witches, vampires and daemons three supernatural being all living away from the human eyes. I really enjoyed the complexity and history behind the story that the author is weaving. Her use of history and science for that matter; author actually goes into the details and treys to explain the science behind witches, vampires and daemons DNA (but mostly witches). Even thought there were few scientific discussions, they did not bore me, but rather interested me. Also there is a lot of history in this book, Diana is a history professor, that the author uses to back her story.

Overall this was a very good read, I absolutely loved it and can not wait for the book two in this All Soul Trilogy. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy good book about supernatural worlds of witches, vampires and daemons. This book is intended for adults, but it is not to say that any teens would not be interested in reading it. I give this book 5/5 STARS.

The Lust Boat by Roz Lee (eBook)

Description:

When her fiancé called off the wedding and told her he’d had better sex with a blow up doll, Candace traded in her honeymoon cruise for a week on the Lothario, the most notorious ship to ever sail the high seas. Little does she know that Ryan, the sexy passenger who offered to be her escort as she samples all the ship has to offer, is really Ryan Callahan, the ship’s playboy owner.

Ryan Callahan is single, rich, and considered quite the catch. Two years ago he and his business partner launched the Lothario, a floating den of iniquity where passengers can indulge their every sexual fantasy, but since the ship docked following its maiden cruise, Ryan has been so scarce he’s earned the nickname, Monk, until sweet, naïve Candace coaxes him out of his tower, heats his blood, and steals his heart. But will she still want him when she finds out who he really is?
 
My Thoughts:

I received this ebook for a review from NetGalley.

This book was a quick and easy read, it took me three hours to read it, in one sitting. I quite enjoyed this book, it fast paced and fun read, that is if you like to read erotica sometimes. This one was especially fun, Candace, main female character, ends booking a cruise on Lothario which is pretty much a floating sex boat.

Ryan, one of the owners of Lothario is disillusioned with his life and is pretty much loner on the ship. He does not interact with passengers like he used to, that is until he sees Candice. Candice reaction to the whole floating sex boat was being freaked out by it, and Ryan sees this and comes to her rescue, he takes her under his wing, without telling her that he is one of the owners. Two hit it off right away, they are very much attracted to one another, they are enjoying themselves by exploring everything that the ship has to offer: Sensual massages, O. S. Classes, and many more.

I think that readers are either going to like or dislike this book. For those who like to read erotica will enjoy reading this book, it has everything romance and lots of sex. However all the scenes are tastefully done and they do not seem force or overdone. So for all those readers who enjoy reading erotica now and than, you will probably like this book. But for those who like to read romance, but do not like when there is too much sex - this is not a book for you.

Overall, this was a enjoyable quick read and I give it 4/5 STARS.