Review: Rise Again by Ben Tripp (Blog Tour)

Title: Rise Again
Author: Ben Tripp
Publisher: Pocket
Number of pages: 352
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult


5 out of 5 Stars










Description from publisher:


It’s Fourth of July in Forest Peak, California, a small town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Sheriff Danielle Adelman, a troubled Iraq war veteran, thinks she has all the problems she can handle in this all-American town after her kid sister runs away from home. But when a disease-stricken horde of panicked refugees fleeing the fall of Los Angeles swarms her small mountain community, Danny realizes her problems have only just begun—starting with what might very well be the end of the world.  She thought she had seen humanity at its worst in Iraq, but nothing could prepare her for the remorseless struggle to survive a world overrun with reanimated dead and men turned monster. Obsessed with finding her sister at all costs, Danny’s epic and dangerous journey across the California desert will challenge her spirit, and bring her to the precipice of sanity itself.

My thoughts:

Danielle Adelman, known to most as Danny, is an ex Marine struggling with a bad case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Working as the sheriff in the small town of Forest Peak, California, and drowning her nightmares in pills and alcohol. She is also responsible for the care of her younger sister who decided the 4th of July was a good day to run away. Danny wakes up with a wicked hangover to find her sister, and beloved Ford Mustang gone. Thinking the worst thing she’d have to do that day is suffer silently through the small town’s Independence Day festivities while waiting for word Kelley has turned up. She soon discovers she’ll be fighting more than a hangover when people start behaving strangely.

Let me start by saying this book was scary as hell. I don’t read a lot of horror or watch many scary flicks, but I have a strange love of all things zombie. Rise Again was the perfect combination of flesh eating undead, and human response when things start to fall apart.

Main character Danny isn’t like any female protag you’ve met before. She isn’t beautiful, nor is she brilliant. She’s a hard ass and street smart. As the plot progresses she deals with flashbacks of her time in Iraq, while trying to cope with the zombie invasion happening in her present. She is described in the book as “the unstoppable alpha female”. I found that to be the perfect description for Danny. She’s flawed, and doesn’t realize how badly until her only family takes off leaving just a brutally honest letter behind. She’s left feeling compelled to find her missing sister, Kelley, and save the civilians who have put their faith in her as their savior from the madness taking over the country. I loved reading about Danny’s journey.

Not only does this book have a great main character, but the secondary characters are perfect additions to the story line. I loved watching them grow as characters throughout the novel. At least those lucky enough to survive ;) Parts of this novel gave me chills. Especially when they’re listening to the reports from the weather channel on the radio. Super creepy!

Gruesome and intense, but I loved every minute! I devoured this novel like the undead did their human prey. The perfect addition to my Halloween reading list!

Goodreads | Amazon

Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in the Rise Again Blog Tour

Review: Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love (Blog Tour)

Title: Blood Trinity
Series: Belador #1
Authors: Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult


4 out of 5 Stars








Description from Goodreads:


Atlanta has become the battlefield between human and demon. All her life, Evalle has walked the line between the two. Her origins unknown, she’s on a quest to learn more about her past and her future. 

But when a demon claims a human and there’s no one else to blame, Evalle comes under fire. It’s no longer a question of learning about herself, it’s a question of survival. Through the underground of an alternate Atlanta where nothing is as it seems to the battleground of where her VIPER allies have become the force that is now hunting her, Evalle must prove her innocence or pay the ultimate price. 

But proving her innocence is the least of her problems if she doesn’t stop the coming apocalypse. The clock is ticking and it’s about to become a lot hotter in Atlanta


My thoughts:


Evalle is an anomaly among anomalies. She has a heritage that links her to the Belador tribe, but is treated like an outcast because of her lack of pure blood. To others she is known as an Alterant. This is the name given to half-breed Beladors who have the ability to shift into a beast and endanger society. Evalle has no idea what else her genetic makeup is composed of.  She was raised by an aunt who kept her locked in the basement, and her lips sealed shut when it came to questions about Evalle’s absent parents. Evalle now works for an organization that helps to keep the non-humans in Atlanta under control. She also continues to try to prove herself to her tribe. Evalle is constantly trying to show them she isn’t like the others that have been locked away, and that she has control over the beast inside her. Now a suspicious murder has taken place, and Evalle will have to prove yet again she wasn’t involved, while also preventing the foreseen destruction of the world as she knows it.


Main character Evalle is definitely a card carrying member of the Badass Chick Club. Not only does she ride a motorcycle and have a gargoyle for a pet, but she takes crap from no one. I loved her sassiness, and how she continually gave those that wanted to take her down the finger (figuratively speaking of course), all while showing little regard for the position of authority they held  My favorite part is that underneath the tough exterior she was a bit of a softie when it comes to those she holds dear. Always true to her word, and willing to do anything to save a friend or the tribe who merely tolerated her. 


This book had a lot of characters. Some may consider this a fault, but I felt the authors did what was needed to set us up for a very intricate world. With over 500 pages full of nonstop action, character backgrounds, and world building we get a very extensive look into the alternate Atlanta. Imagine my surprise when I reached the end as quickly as I did. I didn’t want to put this one down, and the 500+ pages flew by. 


My only complaint, and what held me back from giving it 5 stars is that at times I felt like I was missing “something”. When a few of the characters were introduced I felt like I should be aware of their past relationships with other characters. It had me wondering if this was a spinoff of another series. While browsing Ms. Love’s website, I discovered there is a short story featuring characters from Blood Trinity. I plan to track down a copy so I can get a little more background on the characters in this series.


In Blood Trinity, Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon have teamed up to bring us an exciting new Urban Fantasy series. They took the Urban Fantasy genre and made it their own with preternatural characters I haven’t seen in other UF novels. I loved the pet gargoyle, Feenix, even if he had a bit of a potty mouth ;) The world they all inhabit was brilliantly complex. Filled with fiction as well as references to the lore of many different cultures. Blood Trinity is s a fascinating read that kept me turning the pages wanting more. I’m eager to see where this series takes us next.

Source: Provided by the publisher in exchange for my participation in the Blood Trinity blog tour.

Review: Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spider’s Bite
Series: Elemental Assassin #1
Available: Now
Number of pages: 395
Reading level: Adult




4 out of 5 Stars










Description from Goodreads:


"My name is Gin, and I kill people." 

My name is Gin Blanco. They call me the Spider — the most feared assassin in the South (and a part-time cook at the Pork Pit BBQ joint.) As a Stone elemental, I can hear the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet and feel the vibrations of the soaring mountains above me, though I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride. 

After a ruthless Air elemental double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way. I may look hot in a miniskirt, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble when irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine agrees to help. The last thing a coldhearted killer needs when she's battling a magic more powerful than her own is a sexy distraction ... especially when he wants her dead just as much as the enemy.


My thoughts:


Gin Blanco was left to fend for herself after her family was brutally murdered by a fire wielding elemental. Living on her own on the rough streets of Ashland, and eating out of dumpsters to survive all while still a child. Then Fletcher Lane took her in, served as a father figure, and eventually introduced her to the life of an assassin. Now Gin is all grown up, and has quite a reputation as the paid killer known as "The Spider". Her most recent assignment is supposed to be a quick and straightforward kill. After Gin planned to take a much needed vacation. Imagine her surprise when the person who ordered the hit decides to double cross The Spider by hiring another assassin to take her out, murdering her handler, and torturing a man close to her. Gin puts the vacation on hold while she seeks revenge for those she loves. 


This was an exciting start to a new series. I never thought I’d sympathize with an assassin until I met Gin. The poor girl has had a rough life, and now focuses on taking the law into her own hands. Most of the people she is hired to kill are pretty sleazy folk so that makes the whole hitman thing a little easier to forgive. She is very skilled in hand to hand combat as well as the use of knives. As an elemental she also has the power of stone and ice to fall back on. She is the epitome of badass chick, and a great addition to the Urban Fantasy genre!


I enjoyed the world the author created, but I wish she would have given a little more background on the elementals and how it all worked. I also wasn’t feeling the chemistry between Gin and Detective Caine. I was secretly rooting for Finn to sweep her off of her feet, but the references to him being like family dashed most of my hopes of a Gin and Finn hookup.  Still a really strong start to the series. I’m currently devouring the second book, Web of Lies. 

Jennifer Estep on the web:

Website | Blog | Twitter


Books in this series:

Source: Purchased by moi.

Review: One Season of Sunshine by Julia London

Title: One Season of Sunshine
Author: Julia London
Available: Now
Number of Pages: 392
Reading Level: Adult


3 out of 5 Stars








Description from Goodreads:


Should some questions be left unanswered? 

Adopted as an infant, Jane Aaron longs to know the identity of her birth mother and why she gave her up. Her only clue is the name of the small Texas town where she was born, so she’s come to Cedar Springs for answers. 

Handsome ad executive Asher Price lost his wife, the beautiful, mysterious Susanna, in a terrible car crash eighteen months ago. When he hires Jane as the nanny for his two children, sparks fly. Jane finds herself falling in love with both Asher and his children, but begins to suspect that Susanna was not the perfect mother and wife the family portrays her to have been. 

As Jane gets closer and closer to finding out the truth about both her own and Susanna’s past, devastating secrets begin to emerge that may be more than anyone can bear. Will the truth bring Jane and Asher closer together or tear them apart forever? 


My thoughts:


Jane Aaron moves to Cedar Springs, Texas in search of her birth mother. Taking a leave of absence from her job as a school teacher, Jane needs to find a job to help make ends meet. After a quick, and impersonal interview she is hired as a nanny by a very wealthy widow. Jane and her new boss, Asher, clash from day one. Lucky for Jane he finds her outspokenness attractive, and doesn’t fire her. As the relationship between Asher and Jane begins to evolve into an intense attraction, they find several obstacles standing in their way. 


This was a good story, but the characters left much to be desired. Jane came off as whiny and selfish the majority of the time. With her character’s age, and the amount of education she had I found her too immature to really fit the part. Asher was a bit better, but he still ranked low on my interesting scale. With that said, the plot and pace of the story was good. I also really loved what the resolution entailed, and never saw it coming. 


I don’t usually comment on the covers of the books I review, but I felt the need to with this one. I found the cover of this one very misleading. I know the cover isn’t always a perfect representation of the characters, but this one makes me think this story is about a young girl and her grandmother. Not a 20 something searching for the woman who gave her up for adoption.


While overall I did enjoy this one, I  never felt any connection to the characters or sympathy when it came to their troubles. A nice solid story, but the lack of realistic characters caused this one to be flawed in my opinion. Still a solid 3 stars considering the pace was enough to keep me reading. I’m usually a character driven reader, and find it difficult to finish books with characters I don’t enjoy. That was not the case with this one as the plot was enough to hold my interest.

*Received from the publisher in exchange for my review.

Review: The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay (Blog Tour)

Title: The Darkest Edge of Dawn

Series: Charlie Madigan #2

Author: Kelly Gay

Publisher: Pocket

Available: Now

Number of Pages:

Reading Level: Adult

4.5 out of 5 Stars

**Spoilers for earlier books in this series below**

Description from Goodreads:

It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night. . . .

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun—one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work . . . but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

My thoughts:

The Darkest Edge of Dawn takes us back to Atlanta where ITF agent Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, are attempting to rid the city of the darkness that descended at the end of The Better Part of Darkness. Charlie is struggling to balance her chaotic work and home life. Then there are the powers she possesses, but can barely control. Her daughter continues to act out, her ex is still MIA while Rex the revenant resides in his body, and her sister is dependent on Ash, the drug that caused most of the drama in the first book. As if her day to day life isn’t crazy enough she also has a serial killer to hunt down.

I really enjoyed reading the newest installment in this fantastic series. I loved book one, but thought this one was even better. In The Darkest Edge of Dawn we were able to skip quite a bit of the world building details explained in book one, and delve into the action. I love Charlie’s spunk and consistently sarcastic tongue. Then there is Hank. I’m absolutely enamored by the blue eyed Elysian. We see more of him in this book which is great news for all the siren groupies (like me!). As for things between him and Charlie you don’t want to miss the turn of events in The Darkest Edge of Dawn. The author also touches on Hank’s past, and the secrets he isn’t sharing.

We do catch random glimpses of Charlie’s soft side in this book. While most of the time she is in badass ITF agent mode, when it comes to her family and friends her heart is on her sleeve. Her relationship with her daughter, Emma, is strained which leaves Charlie sad and frustrated. She can take down some of the most viscous off worlders, but when it comes to getting her tween to open up it seems hopeless. She’s really a fantastic protagonist, and a character whose head I enjoy getting inside.

I felt this book answered some of the questions left hanging after The Better Part of Darkness, but also left us with a few more. This is a great series, and one I recommend to all Urban Fantasy fans.

Kelly Gay on the web:

Website | Blog | Twitter

Books in this series:

The Better Part of Darkness-Read My Review

The Darkest Edge of Dawn

*Received from publisher in exchange for my review.

Review and Blog Tour: Masked By Moonlight by Nancy Gideon

Title: Masked by Moonlight
Author: Nancy Gideon
Release Date: 5/25/2010
Publisher: Pocket
Number of Pages: 375
Reading Level: Adult



3 out of 5 Stars









Description from Goodreads:


IN THIS STUNNING FIRST BOOK FROM NANCY GIDEON’S SIZZLING NEW SERIES, A TENACIOUS COP AND HER SHAPE-SHIFTING ENEMY SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR FORBIDDEN DESIRE.

ALL SHE WANTS IS REVENGE.

New Orleans homicide detective Charlotte Caissie is dedicated to bringing down the crime boss responsible for her father’s murder. Using Jimmy Legere’s mysterious and irresistible right-hand man is a dangerous gamble, and not only due to his reputation as more monster than man. Because her feelings for Max Savoie are . . . complicated.

THEN HE RISKS HIS LIFE TO SAVE HERS.

Rescued from the swamps as a child, Max exists silently in Legere’s shadow, heeding only his voice—until Charlotte Caissie awakens his emotions and tests his loyalties. Stepping outside his cautious rules threatens more than just his heart. He could expose his darkest secret.

NOW THEY’RE BOTH IN OVER THEIR HEADS.

Testing boundaries they weren’t meant to cross means facing the truth about who and what they are—and what they need from each other. If Max is the murderer she seeks, Charlotte could be his next victim. She can’t afford to trust any man. Good thing Max isn’t one.

My thoughts:

Masked By Moonlight is the first book in a new series.  It’s the story of a romance that can’t be. Cee Cee is a detective working in New Orleans, and Max is the lackey of a known criminal. Cee Cee has spent much of her time attempting to put Max’s boss in jail because she believes he is connected to the death of her father.  Cee Cee and Max share an intense connection, and the sparks between them fly. Obviously a relationship between a detective, and a criminal isn’t something that should happen. Cee Cee’s obsession with bringing down Max’s boss who also happens to be his father figure complicates things with this love connection even more.


I have mixed feelings about this book.  I did enjoy reading it, but had difficulty connecting with Cee Cee.  She was always so angry.  I understand that she was wronged in her past, but I wish she would have lightened up just a little. Max I liked a little more than Cee Cee.  He was vulnerable to the point of being almost pathetic at times.  My dislike of the two main characters did lessen as the book progressed, and they evolved as characters. I’m sure some will really enjoy this book.  As of now I’m unsure if I’ll read the next book in the series.  I am curious about what will become of Cee Cee and Max’s turbulent relationship. I’m just not sure if I can handle all the angst that seems to accompany it.  It is a well written book with an excellent premise.  I just wish I would have found the main characters more likable.

Nancy Gideon on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

Want a second opinion? Other stops on this blog tour:

The Book Lush: http://suchalush.blogspot.com

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/

Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com

Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/

Books, Books Everywhere: http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/

Rex Robot Reviews: http://www.rexrobotreviews.com/ 

What Book Is That?: http://whatbookisthat.blogspot.com 

Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/ 

Patricia’s Vampire Notes: http://patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com/

Books and Things: http://melissawatercolor.blogspot.com/ 

Beguile Thy Sorrow: http://beguilethysorrow.blogspot.com/ 

DK’s Everything Books Blog: http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/

Chrissy’s World of Books: http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/ 

Revenge of the Book Nerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com

A Musing Reviews: http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com/ 

I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/

Star Shadow: http://www.starshadowblog.com/ 

A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net/ 

Taking Time For Mommy: http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/

My Five Monkeys: http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/

Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks: http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com/ 

Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/ 

Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com

Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/ 

My Guilty Pleasures: www.mgpblog.com 

Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/ 

Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

Gnostalgia: http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com/ 

Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Suesan Smith Blog: http://blog.stephaniesuesansmith.com/ 

A Room Without Books Is Empty: http://detweilermom.blogspot.com/

* My copy was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Sarah!