Between a Vamp and a Hard Place by Jessica Sims

Title: Between a Vamp and a Hard Place
Author: Jessica Sims
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Midnight Liaisons #5 (?, possible standalone)

Mass Market Paperback, 384 Pages
Publication: December 29, 2015 by Pocket Books

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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Lindsey Hughes loves antiques and couldn’t be happier to make a living in the estate sale business. But when her assistant accidentally buys an entire estate without her approval, Lindsey is forced to clean up the mess herself.

Lindsey travels to the newly purchased, age-old house in Venice, Italy, and soon discovers more than she (never) bargained for. While digging through the hoarder’s trove that fills every floor, she finds a secret staircase behind a wall that leads to a strange coffin…with an even stranger inhabitant.

Vampire Rand FitzWulf has been in his coffin for 600 years. But now that he’s awake, he’s ravenous, and there’s a delicious-smelling woman with a rare blood type in his basement. Luckily, Lindsey has more to offer than blood: she agrees to travel throughout Europe with Rand to help him get revenge on the one who turned him. But as the unlikely pair grows closer, will the billionaire vampire be overtaken by his thirst for blood—or his thirst for love?

It’s been a long time since I read a Paranormal Romance novel. Between a Vamp and a Hard Place was a fun, light read…and I forgot how much I missed and enjoyed them. This is my first Sims book but like all Paranormal Romance it features a different main couple, location and plot/problem. In Between a Vamp and a Hard Place, readers are introduced to Lindsey and her BFF/business partner Gemma, antiques dealers who make a living by hunting for valuables at estate sales. Lindsey and her friend have been in a slump and struggling with bills but finally hit a possible jackpot with an empty apartment in Italy. To their surprise they find a trove of valuable porcelains among other treasures…..and a 600-year-old Vampire.

For the most part, I liked Between a Vamp and a Hard Place. However, the overall plot has been used a few times before. Human girl meets sexy vampire. Sexy vampire seeks revenge on those who’ve wronged him; in this case who staked him and left him vulnerable and lost in the 21st Century. And said human girl falls for sexy vampire. At times I found Lindsey hilarious and likable but other times she just had me scratching my head. The whole ‘I’m attracted to you, not attracted to you’’ was getting a little tiring. She came off as confusing and indecisive…especially since she threw her career/job on the back burner. Rand, the 600-year-old Vampire was an okay male lead. I don’t know. Now that I finished reading the book…I don’t have anything really good or bad to say about him. Sadly he wasn’t memorable, nor was the overall plot of the story.

Between a Vamp and a Hard Place was a quick and light read, definitely what I needed to read this moment. As I’ve said, I enjoyed it but it didn’t have that ‘oomph ’ to make a lasting impression on me. Between a Vamp and a Hard Place is in the same vein as Molly Harper’s Half Moon Hollow series, so if you enjoy those books, you’ll definitely enjoy this one as well. If you’re looking for some light, brain candy, check this series out!

 

Spotlight & Giveaway: The Lie and the Lady by Kate Noble

Winner Takes All #2 

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Historical Romance

Published December 29, 2015 by Pocket Books

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John Turner was thinking only of winning a bet when he swapped identities with his friend, the Earl of Ashby. He didn’t wager on winning the fiery Countess of Churzy’s heart with his lies, or on falling for her in return.

Leticia, impoverished Countess of Churzy, was publicly humiliated when it came out that she had fallen for the man, not the master. She fled when she learned of his betrayal. But fate throws them together again, and some things are too intoxicating to be denied.

John is determined to regain her trust—and her love—this time as himself. Letty knows what choice she must make to survive, but if she turns her back on her dashing rogue – again – will she loose her chance at love forever? 

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Thanks to the lovely people at Simon & Schuster, I have a copy of THE LIE AND THE LADY for one lucky reader!

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Mystic by Jason Denzel

Title: Mystic
Author: Jason Denzel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Mystic #1

Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication: November 3, 2015 by Tor Books

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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 I called to the Myst, and it sent us you.

For hundreds of years, high-born nobles have competed for the chance to learn of the Myst. Powerful, revered, and often reclusive, Mystics have the unique ability to summon and manipulate the Myst: the underlying energy that lives at the heart of the universe. Once in a very great while, they take an apprentice, always from the most privileged sects of society.

Such has always been the tradition—until a new High Mystic takes her seat and chooses Pomella AnDone, a restless, low-born teenager, as a candidate. Commoners have never been welcomed among the select few given the opportunity to rise beyond even the highest nobility. So when Pomella chooses to accept the summons and journey to Kelt Apar, she knows that she will have more to contend with than the competition for the apprenticeship.

Breaking both law and tradition, Pomella undergoes three trials against the other candidates to prove her worthiness. As the trials unfold, Pomella navigates a deadly world of intolerance and betrayal, unaware that ruthless conspirators intend to make her suffer for having the audacity to seek to unravel the secrets of the Myst.

There’s something about underdogs, quests, and ‘The Chosen One’ that always draws me in, like a moth to a flame. Mystic happened to have all three components, so I knew immediately that I wanted to read it. And it surely didn’t disappoint! Mystic is a young adult, coming-of-age story revolved around Pomella, a commoner invited to compete for an apprenticeship with the High Mystic.

At a glance, Mystic isn’t anything new or a game changer in the Fantasy genre. The tropes have all been used before, making for a slightly predictable read. This is Denzel’s debut novel, and while I really enjoyed the book, the writing/spelling of some of the words felt a bit clunky…pulling me from the story at times. Regardless of all that, what made the book enjoyable and worth the read are the characters. Within the first page I was hook…and all it took was a friendly banter between Pomella and her friend Bethy.

It usually takes me a few pages to get a feel of the character/book but I found Pomella instantly likeable; which doesn’t happen often. I loved that Pomella wasn’t afraid of taking chances. By accepting the invitation by the High Mystic, Pomella risked being labeled as ‘Unclaimed’ should she fail the competition, which means she would lose everything; like her friends, family, home and identity. I also found it refreshing to see Pomella put herself above all things and follow her dreams instead of choosing to stay put in her tiny village with a guy she known her whole life. So, big kudos for her. As for the fantasy/magic aspect of the novel, I thought it was pretty cool, albeit a little inchoate. Denzel did a good job at explaining the Myst but I thought it could have been more detailed. Which I hope will be remedied in future books.

Overall, Mystic was a good debut novel with the potential to be an amazing series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy, Mystic Dragon and I can’t wait to see what Denzel has planned for Pomella and the gang. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a light-fantasy read with wonderful characters and world building.

[Series Spotlight]:The Witches of Echo Park series by Amber Benson + Giveaway

Hey Guys! Yup, I have another series spotlight for you all...two in a week! It's a new year, and what better way to begin a new year than starting a new series! Today's series spotlight is on Amber Benson's The Witches of Echo Park, an Urban Fantasy centered on Lyse MacAllister, who is next in line to be the matriarch of the LA Coven.

The Witches of Echo Park  was released last January and the sequel, The Last Dream Keeper comes out today January 5, 2016! In celebration of The Last Dream Keeper's release, up for grabs is the first book in the series, The Witches of Echo Park; courtesy of Penguin Random House! To enter please scroll to the bottom of the post.

Unbeknownst to most of humankind, a powerful network of witches thrives within the shadows of society, using their magic to keep the world in balance. But they are being eliminated—and we will all pay if their power falls…

When Lyse MacAllister’s great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets—extraordinary secrets—from her.

Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora’s Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril—for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last…

Lyse MacAllister did not step into an easy role when she took over as master of the Echo Park coven of witches after her great-aunt Eleanora’s death. As she begins to forge the bonds that will help her lead her sisters, she struggles to come to terms with her growing powers. And she soon faces a deadly new threat. A group of fanatics intent on bringing about the end of times has invaded the witches Council—but the Council is turning a blind eye to the danger growing in its midst.

Only one witch is prophesied to be able to stop the encroaching darkness. And if Lyse and her blood sisters are to have any chance at protecting all we know from being lost forever, they must keep her safe—no matter what the cost… 

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the wonderful people at Penguin Random House, one lucky reader will win a copy of THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK. To enter, fill out Rafflecopter below.

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[Series Spotlight]:Bone Street Rumba series by Daniel Jose Older + Giveaway

Today's series spotlight is on Daniel Jose Older's Bone Street Rumba series, an Urban Fantasy, Ghost-Noir that takes place in New York; full of ghosts, baddies and other things that go bump in the night.

Half-Resurrection Blues was released last January and the sequel, Midnight Taxi Tango comes out tomorrow, January 5, 2016. Have you read this series yet? No? Well, today is your lucky day! In anticipation of Midnight Taxi Tango's release, a lucky reader will have a chance to discover the world of Bone Street Rumba by winning their own copy of the first book in the series, Half-Resurrection Blues; courtesy of Penguin Random House!

Carlos Delacruz is one of the New York Council of the Dead’s most unusual agents—an inbetweener, partially resurrected from a death he barely recalls suffering, after a life that’s missing from his memory. He thinks he is one of a kind—until he encounters other entities walking the fine line between life and death.

One inbetweener is a sorcerer. He’s summoned a horde of implike ngks capable of eliminating spirits, and they’re spreading through the city like a plague. They’ve already taken out some of NYCOD’s finest, leaving Carlos desperate to stop their master before he opens up the entrada to the Underworld—which would destroy the balance between the living and the dead.

But in uncovering this man’s identity, Carlos confronts the truth of his own life—and death… 

Carlos Delacruz straddles the line between the living and the not-so alive. As an agent for the Council of the Dead, he eliminates New York’s ghostlier problems. This time it’s a string of gruesome paranormal accidents in Brooklyn’s Von King Park that has already taken the lives of several locals—and is bound to take more. 

 
The incidents in the park have put Kia on edge. When she first met Carlos, he was the weird guy who came to Baba Eddie's botánica, where she worked. But the closer they’ve gotten, the more she’s seeing the world from Carlos’s point of view. In fact, she’s starting to see ghosts. And the situation is far more sinister than that—because whatever is bringing out the dead, it’s only just getting started.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the wonderful people at Penguin Random House, I have the first book, HALF-RESURRECTION BLUES up for grabs.

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The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

Title: The Slow Regard of Silent Things
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Genre: Fantasy, Short Story
Series: The Kingkiller Chronicle #2.5

Hardcover, 159 pages
Publication: October 28, 2015 by DAW Books

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. 

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Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place.

Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.

First and foremost, I should let you all know I haven’t read this series yet. And now you’re wondering why would I read this short story, if I haven’t right? Well, I’ve heard a great deal about the Kingkiller Chronicles for awhile now and that there’s a show in development…and I thought this short story would be a great introduction to the world and Rothfuss’s writing. This book was different. I mean the author even warns new and old readers in the forward that they may or may not want to read or buy this book. So, I can’t say that I wasn’t fully informed. 

The Slow Regards of Silent Things is an atypical book. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this…a full novel or short story. The book is focused on Auri, which I presumed is a well-known and liked character. Readers are treated to a day-in-the-life of Auri over the course of a week. While I am unfamiliar with her character…I do appreciate character centered/driven novels. Auri lives a very isolated life, and while that might seem depressing…she finds pleasure, adventure, and happiness in the simplest of things …a stroll through the underthings, little trinkets she finds, her homemade soap and her blue vaporous friend Foxen (yes, I’m a bit lost on what it is lol). The books is full of lyrical prose and Rothfuss meticulously describes the smallest of details so readers can see what Auri sees and feel what she feels. And another plus was the beautiful illustrations scattered throughout the book…it definitely added to the story.

Overall, The Slow Regards of Silent Things is a solid story. I think I was expecting more of a plot novel, not a character profile novel but I enjoyed it for what it was. After reading Auri’s short story, I will be checking out Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles…and hopefully learn more about the world, Auri and the mysterious visitor she was waiting for all week!

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

Title: Ten Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy/New-Adult
Series: Firebird #2

Hardcover, 432 pages
Publication: November 3, 2015 by HarperTeen

Source: I received a review copy courtesy of HarperTeen/Kaye Publicity in exchange for a honest review.

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Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared. 

A Thousand Pieces of You was one of my top 10 favorite reads of 2014, so I had extremely high expectations for the sequel. Gray not only met all my expectations but she knocked it out of the park with Ten Thousand Skies Above You, the second book in the Firebird trilogy. In the first book, Gray introduced readers to the Firebird project from where it was just a conceptual idea to the final implementation of the Firebird, which is a small device (necklace) that facilitates the wearer to jump to multiple parallel world/dimensions. In Ten Thousand Skies Above you, readers delve further into the multiple dimensions as we explored three new universes and the characters of Marguerite, Paul and Theo.

What I loved about this series is the incredible world building and the love story. I think authors have a tough time creating one believable world as it is, but Gray tackles not one, not two but three new world/dimensions this time around; from war-ridden San Francisco, Futuristic Money-centric San Francisco to Mobster New York. I thought each world was well thought out and fully developed and had a unique vibe to it to make it distinguishable among the other dimensions we've already visited. I also loved seeing all the different side-personalities of the characters, and while the main essence of a character stayed true, in each dimensions things are slightly tweaked enough to be similar and yet different all at the same time.

 As for the romance part, I gotta say, Marguerite and Paul’s love story is the best I’ve ever read…I mean it’s literally transcendent and infinite as they find each other over and over across worlds…it’s pretty darn romantic. I’m not really the romantic, lovey-dovey type but reading about Paul and Marguerite had me melting into a puddle of goo. Swoon. It was clear right from the beginning that the two were destined, but my only complaint is that I didn’t understand why the author still made it feel like a love-triangle with Theo. I know it never happened, but still in book two, there was a small potential for it. Marguerite even entertained the idea briefly when she had doubts about Paul. I didn’t think it was necessary and it didn’t add anything to the story. All I wanted was more Paul/Marguerite page time and thankfully we got to see more of them, even if it was alternative versions of their selves.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ten Thousand Skies Above You and can’t wait to read the third and final book in the trilogy! I must say the masterminds behind splintering Paul and poisoning Theo with Nightshade was quite a shocker…definitely the last people I’ve ever imagined to be part of triad. Then there the crazy cliffhanger! Ten Thousand Skies Above you is a must read for all sci-fi fantasy fans. If you haven’t started this series yet, you’re totally missing out on some amazing world building/characters…and one of the most enthralling love story ever told. I highly recommend this series!