On the Edge...

This book is AMAZING. Quite simply put. I will admit that I have read this series in a rather broken pattern: one book read in the beginning of the year, then another 7 months after, which caused me not to remember the plot or characters in the story.

I found with this book, my remembrance of the characters was quick, and by the second page I could remember the story line. This is her 7 book in the Meredith Gentry series. Many believe this to be her last book in the series, but she has on last (or so I believe) titled Divine Misdemeanors.



The story begins with Meridith in the hospital, finally bearing children. She is recovering for the Rape of her Uncle. While in her room, she sees a visitor who she has not seen in years: her grandmother. After talking with her grandmother, Meridith begins to realize that something is not right. What is causing her grandmother to act in such a way, that begins to put Meridith in trouble? The men around Merry and Merry notice a thread in their grandmothers hair, which is causing her to act un-normal. They take the hair out of her grandmother's hair, and she acts a little more like herself. But something goes terribly wrong, and the spell still has a hold on her grandmother. She lashes out at Merry, but the boys protect Merry and in the end kill Merry's grandmother. Merry calls kin slayer on Cair and goes with the Wild Hunt, to right a wrong.

Along the way they uncover a plot to kill another of Merry's men: Minstral the Storm God. As they rush to save him, Merry realizes that there are too many enemies even for her. Before she can completely save the storm god, she sees one of Cels guardsmen ready to attack Merry. She calls the Wild Hunt, hoping that they will kill Olwyen - even though they are too far away. Fearing for her life, she strikes out and stabs him in the leg. That does not stop him - so then she call her hand of power and bleeds him to death.

She now has to save all her men and get out, but it is not so easy trying to leave faerie. Can she save all her men? She has already lost her Killing Frost.

This book was excellent - I absolutely could not put it down, and had to read it all. I can not wait for her final book in the series but will be saddened that it will be over!! I highly recommend it and know that you wont be disappointed.

Other books in her series include

1. Kiss of Shadows
2. Caress of Twilight
3. Seduced by Moonlight
4. Stroke of Midnight
5. Minstral's Kiss
6. A Lick of Frost
7. Swallowing Darkness
8. Divine Misdemeanors (coming out October 29, 2009!!!!)

Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books, New York. 2008

What a Guilty pleasure it is indeed...

I've often found Laurell K. Hamilton's books are guilty pleasures to read. I love the way she describes the scenes and characters. Her descriptions are very vivid (at least in my mind) and full of details. As the series goes on, Anita grows and changes into what I think, is a stronger woman who is more sure of herself. . .And through the series meets a lot of cool people. The one thing that I find often odd is the majority of her men have long hair. I mean really? . . . a guy with hair down to the floor?! Please.

As said is this is to say, I never quite recall the beginnings of books. I remember the middle and even the end, and things in between but never the beginning. I have to bang my head on the wall, stand on my head, and hope that the beginning will come back.

So I'll say this, in the first part of the book (as close to the beginning as I'm gonna remember) Anita . . . oh heck. I can't remember. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I've been up since 5 and my brain is now completely mush....yeah sure, we'll go with that. But I'll sum it up in one nice little package.

So we have Anita, who raises the dead to help settle legal issues. She also slays bad vampires. One of her best friends is getting married and Anita in the D-D or Designated Driver. While on the way to the club Anita finds out where they're going - Guilty Pleasures. A famous strip club made up of humans and vampires and all the inbetweens. While there something goes horrible wrong thus causing Anita to fight for her friend's life. This fright brings her within a hair's breath of the Master of the City. So it's either Anita or the Master. She enlists the help of her good friend Edward and help from the local King Rat. But does she save her friends life? Her own? I'd like to say yes but......well then I'd be giving it away. I hope I didn't make this book seem lame. It's a wonderfully written book full of humor and suspense. I hope you'll enjoy it too :)

Her Series are...
(one's I've read will be in purple one's I'm reading will be in dark blue )

1) Guilty Pleasures
2) The Laughing Corpse
3) Circus of the Dammed
4) Lunatic Cafe
5) Bloody Bones
6) The Killing Dance
7) Burnet Offerings
8) Blue Moon
9) Obsidain Butterfly
10) Narcissus in Chains
11) Cerulean Sins
12) Incubus Deams
13) Micah
14) Danse Macabre
15) The Harlequin
16) Blood Noir
17) Skin Trade (Coming our June 2, 2009!!!!)

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. Ace Books New York 1994

Glory, Glory, Oh My!

This her second book in her "In Death" series. Its our second encounter with Eve and Roarke. But this time we'll meet a character than will become another of our favorites: Peabody.

The scene opens with the horrific death of a important and well known PA - Cicely Towers. She's found with a deep slice across her neck in a part of town that is known to be more than a little shady. But what could possible cause this wealthy and well known PA to be there?

As Eve starts to dig for the answers she digs up some history on Ms Tower's son: he was a big time gambler and very much in debt. Motive perhaps? The only problem for Eve on this case is the personal relation between Commander Witney and the Towers family. Now Eve has to navigate a narrow road between Lieutenant Eve and Friend Eve to Commander Witney.

As the murder investigation goes on, another prominent women is killed : this time a famous and up and coming actress. Yvone Metcalf was a bright and well known actress who took life easy and was a happy person. But someone didn't want her to be happy anymore. But who?

As the murder investigation continues, Eve believes she has the murder: Cicley Tower's son. When he is taken in to the interrogation room, Eve hounds him for the truth. Unfortunately for her she he is not the real murder - he's still on the lose. But who?

The relationship between Roarke and Eve grow stronger in this book. I do feel, and Darla has made me think more upon this, it does seem a bit rushed. This book happens after the DeBlass murder which happened in the winter. And in this book they've already moved in together. Even in real life would a couple move in together after (lets say) 4 months after knowing eachother, perhaps? There is a nice suprise for those of you who haven't read it yet that Roarke gives Eve. I am happy that they are together it reminds me very much of my relationship between me and my love :)

But my question: Why does Summerset hate Eve so much? I can understand in the first book, but in the second?

Glor in Death by JD Robb Berkley Books New York 1995

Back to the Beginning

So I find myself re-reading the "IN DEATH" series. This is a series I love so much! I find that in her earlier works, its much more action packed. The love b/w R and E is very new and raw, which means for us readers that we are more inclined to read it and not think "its getting stale".

The book opens with the death of a prominent young lady, the granddaughter of a State Senator. This young girl was killed with a weapon that you won't find in 2043 - a gun. Technology as it might be in the future is highly more sophisticated. There are flying buses and cars that can travel on land and in the air. Tubes that connect people to building - all in all the New New York is a pretty futuristic place.

Eve has to find the murder, and quick. Being the arrogant person he or she is, they leave a note at the scene "One of Six". Eve is paired with her good friend Feeney, who is in the EDD or basically special computers. All ready they are bogged down by the secrecy of this case: Code 5. Since Sharron's grandfather is the State Senator no information can leak to the press which makes it very hard for Eve. Within the second week another person is murdered - this time its a barely 18yr old. Both these women were LCs of Liecenses Companions - or harlots if you will. So far that information alone is connecting them. However Sharron's grandfather doesn't want the family name tainted with Lola's name.

At the funeral of Sharron DeBlass Eve sees Roarke - a stunning Irish man, with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. They hold eye contact for one minute before a crowd comes in between them. Roarke and Eve then begin a relationship, and their relationship is then put under the microscope for the whole city of New York to look upon. Someone keeps framing Roarke and slanting Eve's ability to find the murder or muderes. When the third victim is murdered Eve goes into hyper-drive. As she goes to interrogate Roarke they find that the murder isn't as keyedin with Roarke as once thought.

This is a really good book, that hooks you into the series. It was deffantly a page turner for me :) I love reading the books and following the relationships of all the characters!

Naked in Death by JD Robb. Berkler Books, NY 1995

Salvatioin Indeed

This is the newest book in J.D. Robb's "In Death Series". This book was quite as action packed as some of her books have been in the past, but it was still quite interesting. In this book, Eve must find the killer of a well known priest who is not so holy as one seems.

Father Flores conducts the mass for the beloved Hector Ortiz, who has recently passed away from natural causes. As Father Flores partakes of the blood of Christ he dies in a quick and sudden death. Eve is called to the scene to find justice for the fallen father. But something seems off with this priest, and Eve can't quite put her finger on it. As she begins to dig deeper she finds that this "Father" wasn't quite a man of God. It begins with a single trinket in the bare, cold room of "Father Flores". The trinket found says "Lino, May La Virgen de Guadlupe watch over you- Mama". Interesting is it not, that a trinket in Father Miguel Flores' room would have a name not belonging him.

Along the investigation another "man of God" is killed. Connection? Serial Killer? Copy Cat? But what are the connections? Jimmy Jay Jenkins was not a 'regular' or 'orthodox' priest. No, he was a born again Christian who created his own church - the Church of the Eternal Light. But what's interesting is that Jimmy Jay and Father Flores (who is now ID as not being Father Flores) are not related - only the way they died ties them together. After some investigation the real life of Jimmy Jay begins to surface. Again (like Father Flores) he was a man of God but with some 'sins' that tarnished his image. After a quick investigation Eve finds the criminal and locks him away.

The case of Lino is still ongoing. Lino ( aka Father Flores) was a known gang leader for Los Soledados (sp sry) and was known for being tied to the two bombing back in 2043 as well as other gang acticities. But Eve has to answer why Lino was acting as Father Flores. The why takes her back to 2043 and answers/shows as nice con that stretched until the present.

This book was very interesting, however it wasn't quite as action packed as I'm used to her books being. Usually JD has multiple story lines going in every single direction with Eve and the middle. I found the Jimmy Jay story to be an little annoying. It was a minor story that was solved too quickly - and sense it wasn't connected to the first (main) murder it was solved very quickly. I was happy to read again the story containing Eve Dallas and Roarke, and Peabody and McNab. I can't wait for her 30th book! I love this series!!! (I'm re-reading the whole series from the begining....Naked in Death review to follow soon!!)

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
8. Midnight in Death
9. Conspiracy in Death
10. Loyalty in Death
11. Witness in Death
12. Judgment in Death
13. Betrayal in Death
14. Interlude in Death
15. Seduction in Death
16. Reunion in Death
17. Purity in Death
18. Portrait in Death
19. Imitation in Death
20. Divided in Death
21. Visions in Death
22. Survivor in Death
23. Origin in Death
24. Memory in Death
25. Born in Death
26.Innocent in Death
27. Creation in Death
28. Strangers in Death
29. Salvation in Death


Also reviewed in Dear Author


'Jane' said "I’m of two minds about this book. The mystery was excellent. This was no thriller with marauding serial killers, but ...

and reviewed in Book Binge

Casse said "While there obviously was interaction between all the characters we know and love, Salvation in Death was more about the mystery than anything else."

Salvation in Death by JD Robb G.P. Putnam's Sons NY 2008

FANTASTIC!!!!

This is such a wonderful book!! I remember the first time I ever heard about this book: 6th grade. At first I had no idea who "Harry Potter" was or what "Quiditch" is. I did not start reading the series until the 8th grade, and even then I didn't let myself quite enjoy them, for fear I'd be mocked as a nerd or geek. She puts the scope of the whole "Harry Potter Phenomenon" into a wonderful picture. I did not even begin to think that Harry Potter has such an impact on the world. I knew it was a quite popular book but not that popular.

The very first page of the very fist chapter hooks you in. Suddenly your eye are racing across the page in a rapid furry trying to keep up with the sudden feeling of urgency you feel. You know of course (if you've read the HP series) what she is hinting too, but still you can't help but feel as if your back in time, waiting for the final release of the HP book. You meet her, and her friends as the hold their breaths in excitement. As the book continues you meet her at the beginning: her first time ever hearing the series and just like HP you learn about her rise to fame too as "award-winning webmistress of the Leaky Cauldron".

Each chapter doesn't just lightly touch upon HP and his ties to the world: she goes into a depth I would never have been able to comprehend. For instance the internet. What could the internet ever have to do with a book especially in the 90's? Well everything. It not only helped millions of HP fans make web-sites to honor and adore him, but allowed an outlet for fanfic - writing about the characters outside of the book, and not written by JKR herself. And did you know about Harry and the Potter? I certainly did not before this book, I didn't even know that people had created bands from having read the series.

But in one part of the book, I finally had proof to why the Classandra Clare series "Cit of __" hit me so hard with HP tones. It's because she herself was a fanfic author! She became well known for her "Draco Malfoy" trilogy......and Jace from her "City of ___" is just like Malfoy only this time he isn't overshadowed by HP, and we get to know him from the start as a troubled boy much like HP and there we are allowed to fall in love with him.

I was so happy that she got to meet JKR herself! How cool would that be?! She wrote this book marvelously and I am highly recommending it to my friends, I hope you will enjoy it too!

This book is also reviewed by 5-Squared . They said " I highly recommend this book for any and all Harry Potter fans."





Harry, A History. By Melissa Anelli. Pocket Books, NY (c) 2008

Beautiful Let Down (song title from Switchfoot)

I feel like the title for this next review fits my feelings for the second book quite well. In-fact I was thinking today about what I should write about it. I am still very much frustrated with the author. I learned not to long ago that she was (or is) a fan fiction writer for Harry Potter. That makes sense to me, not having read any of her Harry Potter books or reading about her. As it is, I found that it interfered with the story so much so it almost became distracting to me. It kept popping up and making me think of the series (its plots and characters) that I would often find myself getting off track and having to re-read what I last read. It will amuse you soon, because I just checked out a book from the library dealing with Harry Potter and all his "fans". Anyway I don't want to completely bash the book. It was good for all it was worth. Although I have a nagging feeling about Jace and Clary's relationship. I keep hoping it wont be true, that maybe someone was lying....Igomen hinted at it. I was about to jump out of my seat and yell "I KNEW IT!" but sadly it didn't happen as such.

The problem I'm finding is that I can't remember the beginning of the book, and that is not good. I can tell you the beginning of other books just fine, and I haven't read those in a year or two. I sit here scrambling in my brain, pushing aside the thoughts of today's activities so I can think of the beginning but I can't. Ha! I just remember :)

Ok, so this is how it begings....
Lord Voldermort, oh wait I'm sorry...Valentine got some foolish warlock to open a portal and summon the most fear causing demon Aragom. Sadly for the warlock the demon's power deals with finding the person's fear and making it come true....so for the warlock that meant the demon coming through his (warlock's wards) and killing him. Valentine becomes happy when the demon has killed the warlock and is now under his control. Hmph, I lost the plot again. The book was good, but if I'm having problems remembering the plot, then it might not have been that good.

To sum it up and not give away any twists it was basically:
1) more feelings between Simon and Clary (almost to the point that it was like "ugh this part again"
2)More feelings between Clary and Jace (which i hope the story behind them is NOT true)
3) more feelings b/w Alec and Magnus (which i admire the author for writing about)
4) SLOW MOVING PLOT WITH SOME FAST ACTION TO MIX IT UP, this made it SO HARD for me to read the book at times. I must've put the book down at least 3840384389 times saying "UGH this book needs to move faster, its too slow.." or "am i there yet?!?!"

I will say this, I am interested in the 3rd book. I read on Books and Other Thoughts that it is due out soon, good. I must say though, that as far as winding character connections and motives this book does quite well. I just wish it was so "Harry Potter" cluttered sometimes.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 2008