REVIEW: "Much Ado About Vampires" Katie MacAlister

Amazon - "Much Ado About Vampires" by Katie MacAlister
Why this book?: I'm a big fan of Katie MacAlister, and her Dark Ones series is truly superb.

Type: Vampires, Series, Soulmate/Beloved, zombies, past lives, paranormal romance, humor

Recommendation: Definitely for older readers! Cora and Alec have their share of steamy scenes, 18+

Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me for my own entertainment. I am reviewing it here because I wanna!

About the book: Corazon Ferreira is a jaded woman. Turns out she was a vampire's mate in a past life. And no matter how distractingly gorgeous he is, she just can't get the image of him killing someone out of her head. But when her life depends on him, Corazon's going to have to stop overthinking things-and start trusting her heart...

My review: I really, really enjoy this author. And as with any prolific author, die hard fans will start to notice some similarities in each book, especially if the author has several different series running at once. And, well.. I really started to notice it in some of Katie's books. I still laughed out loud while reading them, and enjoyed the stories, but.. I was losing a little of the magic. And then "Much Ado About Vampires" came strolling onto the scene. Yes, Katie's signatures are still there, but she's thrown some interesting new things in as well - such as scenes from the hero, Alec's perspective. Katie MacAlister has done this before, but usually when the heroine was not there - for the most part, the heroine is the main character, and it's all from her point of view. I thought it was incredibly refreshing to hear how Alec was feeling about the whole situation, and not just from his thoughts that the heroine picks up now and again (Beloveds, if you don't know, can sometimes hear their Dark One's thoughts). I hope Katie keeps up the different points of view. Her heroes are just too amazing for us never to get their side of things!

I'm a big sucker for soul mates, especially the kind that find each other in later reincarnations - and that's (sorta) what we get here. Corazon is Alec's Beloved reincarnated, complete with some (read: about two minutes of it.. and she was dead at the time) knowledge about their former life together. They really are adorable together, and Corazon's change from vampire hater/being afraid of Alec to not able to keep her hands off him, well.. it's an amusing journey.

I can't wait for the next Dark One book, and I especially can't wait for Katie MacAlister's next release, "It's All Greek To Me," a contemporary releasing within the next few months. If you think Katie's paranormals are good, be sure to check out her contemporaries! "Men in Kilts" is still one of my favorite romances of all time.

Cover Loving: Definitely a good one. Not quite sure that's how I picture Alec, but.. well, the man is quite hunky.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). I chuckled out loud, I smiled like a big goof, and I loved loved loved the scenes from Alec's perspective - a great read that is (of course) going on the Keeper Shelf/Bookcase.

If you haven't already, get your copy of "Much Ado About Vampires" by Katie MacAlister from Amazon.com asap! And use the handy dandy link at the top.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

REVIEW: "Up A Dry Creek" by Avery Flynn

 Why this book?: I've had this in my review queue for some time, and I thought it was a perfect vacation book, so I took it with me to FL.

Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for a review.

Type: Romantic Suspense, Dry Creek series book one

About the book: Claire Layton expects the usual busy Saturday night at Harvest Bistro to be killer on her stilletto shod feet. She never imagines there’d be an actual murderer on the loose at her restaurant in rural Dry Creek, Nebraska. But when she discovers a customer dead in a dumpster, the killer demands she find the victim’s phone and flash drive or face fatal consequenses. 

Jake Warrick, a cocky and mind-numbingly hot private investigator, becomes Claire’s unlikely ally in the search. Jake just wants to solve the case and get out of this hick town, but the diminutive and curvaceous Claire turns his plan upside down as they uncover a more complex crime than they ever imagined. The two bicker and banter like Tracy and Hepburn caught in a whirlwind of intense sexual attraction as they try to find the killer before it’s too late.

Review: This isn't a particularly long book, but man does "Up a Dry Creek" pack quite the punch. So much happens to poor Jake and Claire, and it was certainly a joy watching these two argue with each other, battle their attraction, and yet band together to defeat the killer that is targeting Claire.

Long time readers of my blog will know how much I love an alpha hero, and Jake is a great example of one. And what makes this book even better, is that Claire has quite a bit of alpha in her as well, and when these two clash, sparks fly. Claire did have a moment or two where I feared she would succumb to the Too Stupid To Live Heroine syndrome, but she pulled out of it just in time.

Avery Flynn has a way with words, and her imagery is something that will stick with me for some time. I cannot wait to see more from this author, and the little teaser at the end of "Up a Dry Creek" left me salivating for the next story in the Dry Creek series.

Cover Lovin': I really like this cover. I think this suits Claire and Jake's story.

Recommendation: Great, quick read for fans of romantic suspense. Definitely for older readers (18+) and those that don't mind the steamier scenes.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). Excellent story, and it kept me glued to my kindle from page one.

Have you read "Up a Dry Creek" by Avery Flynn? What were your thoughts - share them in the comments! Want to read it? Pick up a copy from Amazon.com today via the link at the top!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Novel Addiction was featured on Avery Flynn's blog!

Hello everyone! I've been busy working 10 hour days because I get to leave for Florida on Saturday! That's right, I'm going to Disney World and Universal Studios - oh yeah, I'm going to the Harry Potter park!!

But I did take some time out to answer some interview questions - go check out my answers to Avery's questions on her blog. And then go play around on her site, she has some great content, and I know I'm eager to check out her book, "Up a Dry Creek"!

I'll be posting pictures as soon as possible when I return from vacation (or maybe even during!), and I'll probably do a trip wrap-up post, since Disney and Universal are some of my favorite vacay spots.

Don't forget to visit me at Avery's blog. Learn a little bit more about me (if you dare!). =)

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Reviewing: When the review doesn't write itself..

Anyone who has reviewed a product or a book will know that sometimes the review just writes itself. Maybe this was one of the best books you've ever read, and all the great things about it just organize themselves into a beautiful review. Or maybe it was a book you absolutely hated, and again, all those bad things come forward into a cohesive and constructive review.

But then there are books that just leave you going "Well..." - it's not that the book was bad, good, or in between, but it just doesn't leave you with that "gotta talk about this now!" feeling. I've run into this type of book more often than not in the past few months, and sometimes it takes all I have just to write up a description of the book.  I've started taking steps to avoid this - usually by making notes while reading the book. You should see the pile of books I have with a sheet of paper tucked in it, with more than a few scribbles.

And then what? Just because I have notes, sometimes quite detailed notes, doesn't mean I can make that into a constructive and beneficial review. Writers talk about writers block, but what about the reviewer? I guess that means we have reviewers block. We all know what to say about DNF (did not finish) books.. but what about ones that are just incredibly difficult to review? CNR [Can Not Review]? Maybe WRLWICAWI [Will Review Later When I Can Actually Write It]?

Or am I the only one that has this problem.

If not, reviewers - please feel free to leave your help tips and tricks in the comment section! If I get some good ones, I'll write a part 2 post, mentioning your helpful hints, so other reviewers can benefit from your knowledge.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

What I got this week

This was a really good week for me! I got some excellent books that I'm very excited to read and review.

These books are a mix of pleasure, reviewing in general, and reviewing for Romance Reviews Today. I think I'm going to start posting links to my Romance Reviews Today reviews, along with a short commentary on my thoughts, so you guys can see what I've been reading and loved! Or didn't love, as the case may be...

FOR GENERAL REVIEW:
 : "The Six Crowns : Fair Wind to Widdershins" by Allan Jones and Gary Chalk. Juvenile. October release.
 : "The Secret Zoo : Riddles and Danger" by Bryan Chick. Juvenile. October release.

FOR REVIEW ON ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY:
 : "Darkness Rising" by Keri Arthur. Urban Fantasy. October release.
 : "Drink Deep" by Chloe Neill. Urban Fantasy. November release. - I'm holding off on reading this until closer to its due date. And it's *killing* me! I HAVE to know what happens. Fans of this series will know what I'm talking about. Eeeeek!

FOR PLEASURE:
 : "Envy" by J.R. Ward. Urban Fantasy. - I still didn't read the second in this series, but I had a giftcard that was burning a hole in my pocket...
 : "The Bride and the Beast" by Teresa Medeiros. Historical Romance. - I originally picked this up as something to read during lunch when I forgot to bring a book (shocker).. and ended up loving it.
 : "Soul Thief" by Jana Oliver. Young Adult Fantasy.
 : "The Fallen 3 : End of Days" by Thomas Sniegoski. Young Adult. THANK YOU THANK YOU Mr. Sniegoski for continuing this series!!! I have been a huge fan of The Fallen series since I was a teen. I love your Remy Chandler series too.. but Aaron's journey has a special place in my heart. I cannot wait to dive into this. Also.. I totally re-bought the Fallen books (in their new omnibus form!) so they would match this one!

Ahem. Sorry for Fangirl-ing out there. I'm just.. well, I'm just so darned excited.

What I just finished reading:
"Blood Ties" by Mari Mancusi - another quick, fun, action packed book in the Blood Coven series.
"Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel" by Sue-Ellen Welfonder - good, cute historical romance with the teensiest hint of paranormal.
"Queen of Kings" by Maria Dahvana Headley - Still... working on this one. Hit a snag a third of the way through. It was for the Positively Paranormal Book Club that I and a few coworkers run for our library patrons.

That's it for me this week. I can't wait to see what everyone else got!
Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Guess who's back, finally!

I know, it's been ages! But I promised I would be back, and here I am. =) A lot of stuff happened at home, hence my need for a hiatus, but I'll be back pretty regularly now.

Reasons why I left for a while:
My Grandfather had to have his gallbladder removed.
My Dad had surgery.
I got promoted to full time (yay!).
I just.. needed a break, I guess.

I think it got to the point where all the reading and reviewing felt more like a job than a joy. I love books, I love discovering new authors, books, and series... I thought it was better to stop for a bit, relax, and then come back with a fresh new outlook. Well I have it!

Again, for all the authors that sent me their books, I *WILL* review them, just give me some more time to get back into the swing of things. I'm currently working through some books I need to read for work - like "Queen of Kings" by Maria Dahvana Headly for the next Positively Paranormal book club! - and my RRT books, but I'm hoping to come up with a proper reading schedule, so I can do everything at once. Plus.. you know, throw in some pleasure reading books at some point!

Some exciting news (at least for me!)... My new job means I get to process all the best seller books that come into my branch of the library. I can't help but drool over these books, that I get to handle and process.. all before their release date! I'm just a big nerd, huh?

Well, that's it for my update! I'm so glad to be back amongst my booky friends. I hope you all have a fantastic day!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

WINNERS of "Boyfriend from Hell"!!

Please help me congratulate the two lucky winners of "Boyfriend from Hell!"

PRINT winner is.....

****** JANE ******

EBOOK winner is.....

****** TINA ******

Congratulations you two! I'll be sending your information (address or email) to E. Van Lowe later today, so hopefully you'll be getting your prizes asap. =)

Didn't win? Get your copy at Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~