This Week's New Releases

This week there is a nice variety of new releases. Contemporaries, of course, but also a World War 1 set fantasy, a futuristic young adult, and a romantic suspense.

What new releases are you looking forward to this week?

I love the sound of this! Digital stunt girls? Yeah, this is new. Can't wait to read this one.

Vicarious
Paula Stokes
Futuristic/Young Adult

Winter Kim and her sister, Rose, have always been inseparable. Together, the two of them survived growing up in a Korean orphanage and being trafficked into the United States.

Now they work as digital stunt girls for Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Gideon, engaging in dangerous and enticing activities while recording their neural impulses for his Vicarious Sensory Experiences, or ViSEs. Whether it’s bungee jumping, shark diving, or grinding up against celebrities at the city’s hottest dance clubs, Gideon can make it happen for you, for a price.

When Rose disappears and a ViSE recording of her murder is delivered to Gideon, Winter won’t rest until she finds her sister’s killer. But when the clues she uncovers conflict with the neural recordings her sister made, Winter isn’t sure what to believe. To find out what happened to Rose, she’ll have to untangle what’s real from what only seems real, risking her life in the process.

I'm fascinated with the Arctic Circle because it is so different from what I'm used to. I hope to someday see the Northern Lights in person. Until then, I'll look at pictures, watch videos and read books about it.

In the Barren Ground
Loreth Anne White
Suspense/Romance

In the Barrens, a vast wilderness in northern Canada bordering the Arctic Circle, night consumes every hour of the winter. Humans are scarce; ferocious predators roam freely. Locals say spirits do, too. Rookie cop Tana Larsson doesn’t mind the dark and quiet. Five months pregnant and hoping to escape the mistakes of her past, she takes a post in Twin Rivers, population 320. Maybe here she can find peace and community for her child.

But with her superior out of commission, Tana becomes the sole police officer in 17,500 square miles. One bitter night, she gets a call about the fatal wolf mauling of two students, and the only way to reach the remote scene is to enlist the help of the arrogant, irritatingly handsome Cameron “Crash” O’Halloran, a local bush pilot with a shady reputation for smuggling and a past cloaked in shadow.

When the macabre scene they uncover suggests violence much more sinister than animal, Tana must trust Crash if she wants to protect the town—and herself—from the evil that lurks in the frozen dark.

This next one is unique. It is rare to see a fantasy set in World War 1. Side Note: This author also wrote a short story - Evil Robot Monkey. This title makes me laugh and also piqued my curiosity.

Ghost Talkers
Mary Robinette Kowal
Historical/Fantasy

Ginger Stuyvesant, an American heiress living in London during World War I, is engaged to Captain Benjamin Harford, an intelligence officer. Ginger is a medium for the Spirit Corps, a special Spiritualist force.

Each soldier heading for the front is conditioned to report to the mediums of the Spirit Corps when they die so the Corps can pass instant information about troop movements to military intelligence.

Ginger and her fellow mediums contribute a great deal to the war efforts, so long as they pass the information through appropriate channels. While Ben is away at the front, Ginger discovers the presence of a traitor. Without the presence of her fiance to validate her findings, the top brass thinks she's just imagining things. Even worse, it is clear that the Spirit Corps is now being directly targeted by the German war effort. Left to her own devices, Ginger has to find out how the Germans are targeting the Spirit Corps and stop them. This is a difficult and dangerous task for a woman of that era, but this time both the spirit and the flesh are willing…

Yes, this is the third book in the series but... I have books 1 & 2. I have not read them yet but I have them! I'll get to them but until I do, I'll also have this one waiting on my Kindle for me. I like the premise, which is unusual for me because I've never been into mafia romances.

Ravage
Tillie Cole
Contemporary Romance
Scarred Souls/Book 3

Taken by the Jakhua Clan as a teen, 194 was stripped of his name, his identity, and his freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless, soulless killing machine, trained solely to spill blood and stop hearts. This is a role he resents with every fiber of his being, but one he embraces to gain back the precious leverage the Georgians wield as their weapon of control: his younger sister, 152.

Mzia Kostava is in shock. After fleeing her mafia family's massacre in Georgia as a child, Mzia lives in secret, hiding from her enemies in the dark shadows of Manhattan. At age twenty-five, believing all her family is dead, word reaches Mzia that her brother Zaal is very much alive... and living with their family's greatest enemy: the Volkov Bratva in Brooklyn.

Yearning to be reunited with her beloved Zaal, Mzia risks her safety and anonymity for the brother she had mourned since childhood. But just as she reaches Zaal's apartment, Mzia is seized and taken captive by a strange man, who is strong, dark, and brutal... Unyielding, he demands her utter obedience as he locks her away in darkness. He is highly skilled in torture and inflicting pain, and demands to know everything about her brother Zaal and everything about her. He is a man that'll do anything to get what he wants.

Sometimes love requires the sacrifice and betrayal of those held most dear. But is finding one's true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?

This is the second book in the series, continuing the story that ended in a cliffhanger in the first book. I've got the first book but have yet to read it. Anyone read Sugar Daddy yet? I'm waiting until the third and final installment is released in October before starting this series since this one ends on a cliffhanger too.

Sugar Rush
Sawyer Bennett
Contemporary Romance
Sugar Bowl/Book 2

After posing as an escort for the Sugar Bowl online dating service, Sela Halstead is looking for one thing: payback. She's closing in on the site's heartless founder, Jonathon Townsend, and she needs Beckett North, Townsend's business partner and her lover, by her side. She'd thought that their intimate nights together had forged an unbreakable bond, but after a shocking betrayal, Sela begins to doubt the brilliant bad boy. When push comes to shove, can she trust Beck to do the right thing?

Now that he understands the truth, Beck will stop at nothing to secure the reckoning Sela deserves. But between his desire for her and his disgust for JT, Beck doesn't exactly have a lot of control over his emotional state. Left with no other choice, he must summon all his discipline to maintain JT's trust and pretend that they're still friends. But how far will Beck go to prove his loyalty to Sela? He nearly lost her once. To keep her, Beck might have to kill for her.

Review: Romani Armada

Romani Armada
Tracy Cooper-Posey
Erotic/MMF/UF/Futuristic/TimeTravel
Beloved Bloody Time/Book 3
Patchwork Press/September 6, 2013

Justin Edward Kelly, vampire and Chronologic Touring Agency member, hates time traveling and prefers to pretend he’s human. Deonne Rinaldi is human and arm-twisted the Agency into the deal of a life-time: They make her a vampire if she pulls off the PR campaign of her career and make humans like vampires. Everyone was stunned when the mismatched pair became lovers, including Deonne and Justin and neither of them will admit even to themselves how well the relationship works.

While Deonne is tucked away in history to protect her from Gabriel’s psi-file army ravages, Justin gets a time-delayed letter from her telling him their affair is over. She is in love with Adán Xavier Santiago, a Romani vampire from ancient Spain who will turn her. Despite the massive dangers screwing with time this way can cause, Justin travels back to China to confront Deonne, but when he arrives there is no Adán and Deonne knows nothing about the letter. Justin, not used to time traveling, figures he’s averted a personal disaster until Deonne meets a sexy Spaniard who introduces himself as Adán….

WARNING: This book contains two hot, sexy alpha heroes, frequent, explicit and frank sex scenes and sexual language. It includes heart-stopping sexual scenes between the aforementioned sexy heroes, menage scenes, and anal sex. No vampires were harmed in the making of this novel.

Oh, my.  Take the warning to head, this is a very sexy, hot romance.  This is the third book in the series and I do wish I had read the first two.  I think it would have help get into the story and characters had I read the previous books.  But once I did feel like I was caught up, it was easy to become involved in the characters and their lives.

Time travel is now an option for some and vampires are the ones who make it possible.  Imagine going back in time to watch a famous battle or visit a historical site.  Now imagine taking that journey with a sexy vampire.  The author has created a interesting world where humans and vampires coexist although not all humans are happy about sharing their world with vampires nor do they trust them.  I really enjoyed the politics of the story and how they continued to develop throughout the storyline.

The romance is a mix of drama, tension and out-right sexiness.  I liked the tension between Deonne and Justin.  They fit well together making it easy to see them as a couple.  When Adán joined in it wasn't as easy to shake off the vision of Deonne and Justine as a couple.  Adán didn't feel as developed as a character as the other two.  Maybe that's why it was more difficult to have him become part of the romance.

The strength of the story was the world building.  It's a fully envisioned world of political strife, tension, courage and love with the added excitement of time travel.  I look forward to reading more set in this unique world.

Rating:  B+

Beloved Bloody Time Series ~

Bannockburn Binding
Byzantine Heartbreak
Romani Armada

Review: Pivot Point

Pivot Point

Kasie West

Young Adult/Suspense/Futuristic

Pivot Point/Book 1

HarperTeen/February 12, 2013

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. 

When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. 

One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not. In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

I want to give a big Thank You to Nath for recommending this book. Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down!

I liked the premise of this right from the start.  It's that premise, the ability to see the future and choose between two different paths, that drives the plot.  The main character of Addie Coleman is a combination of inexperienced teen, intelligent young woman and someone who's integrity is at the core of her character.  Addie isn't perfect, she makes some presumptions that prove to be incorrect but she learns quickly and proves her loyalty to friends and family.  What more could you ask of someone?  

The story switches between Addie's two potential futures.  West handles the switching very well.  The reader is given enough of each future to drive the story and maintain interest but not give too much away.  I kept wanting to read more from each Search point of view until I couldn't decide which one I wanted most!  

The people in Addie's life are an eclectic mix of smart, loyal friends as well as some who are only after what they want and will use Addie to reach their goals.   The romance and suspense are well done and add to the character development.  This may be a world with people of amazing mental powers but it's also a world like our own making it easy to relate to Addie, her family, friends and there lives.  

The thing about Pivot Point is that no choice is the absolute perfect choice.   We see how Addie's choice will not only affect Addie but the people she cares about the most.  Which is why it's such a difficult one to make.

Rating: A

Pivot Point Series

Pivot Point
Unnamed Sequel (February 2014)

Review: Delusion in Death

Delusion in Death
J. D. Robb
Futuristic Suspense
In Death/Book 35
Putnam/September 11, 2012

*Spoilers for previous books

It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks . . .until something went terribly wrong. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things—monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics gives its report, the mass delusions make more sense: It appears the bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive anyone to temporary insanity—if not kill them outright.

But that doesn’t explain who would unleash such horror—or why. And if Eve can’t figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it’s airborne. . . .

You would think after 35 books the series would have lost it's appeal several books ago.  Instead, Robb continues to captivate readers with the gritty, often destructive portrayal of the life of LT. Eve Dallas and her futuristic world of  New York City.

This time the body count builds up quickly and I think that's one thing that bothered me about this book.  It depressed me.  So many victims.  Not only the dead but their families, friends as well as the survivors and the people who live and work in the neighborhood.  Delusion in Death is well written, no surprise there, but it has a very dark tone that never really lifts.  Dallas is still dealing with the fallout of her trip down memory lane in New York to Dallas (September 2011).  Eve's reunion with her long lost mother has brought on more nightmares Eve must deal with in addition to her usually ones fueled by her father. 

The mystery surrounding the possible suspect(s) in the attacks is compelling and filled with the usual detailed police procedural aspects I've enjoyed in previous In Death novels.  I did like how all the pieces began to fit together and seeing Dallas and her team working on the different angles is always interesting.  There is also Dallas and Roarke's relationship which has pretty much leveled out and offers no real surprises but still continues to enthrall this reader with their deep love and affection.

The wasn't a whole lot of Dallas/Peabody time, which I missed.  Peabody is my favorite secondary character and I have completely enjoyed seeing how the relationship between her and Dallas has evolved over the series.   There were a lot of characters involved not only on the police side but the victims and witness side as well.  That may have been why it felt thin at times, as if we weren't getting as deep a look into the character's lives as I would have liked.  Granted, many of the characters are well known by now but it still felt a little stilted with regards to relationships. 

Even with the depressing vibe running throughout the story, I still enjoyed catching up with the gang from future New York City and look forward to more time with them.

Rating:  B

Audio Review: Celebrity In Death

Celebrity in Death
J. D. Robb
Mystery/Suspense
In Death/book 34
Putnam/February 21, 2012

*SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS*

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is no party girl, but she's managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating The Icove Agenda, a film based on one of her famous cases. It's a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin. Not as unsettling, though, as seeing the actress who plays Peabody drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director's luxury building.

Talented but rude, and widely disliked, K. T. Harris had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. Now she's at the center of a crime scene?and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop.

An odd thing happened when I got the hardcover edition from the library a couple of months ago.  I couldn't read it.  You see, I have listened to almost all of the In Death books.  I have read a few but when I first started the series it already had well over 20+ books.  After reading the first few books I realized the only way I had any chance of catching up was listening to the audiobooks, which it turns out I loved.  Susan Erickson is the narrator and as I have mentioned before, she does an amazing job of capturing the different character voices.   So while this book was released months ago, it has taken me and the library a while to get the audiobook but once I did I was reluctant to stop.  


It's like seeing double.  That's what happens when Hollywood takes over New York City and Lt. Eve Dallas' turf.   Eve isn't happy about the media attention and a little freaked at seeing her "twin".  Peabody, as you can imagine, thinks the whole thing is mag.  I love seeing the two diverse reactions to people and events these partners have.   And when Peabody gets a little walk-on part in the movie, look out!  She's over the moon excited and Dallas can't help but roll her eyes but you know deep inside she's happy for Peabody. 

Is it fair to say the series has become a little formulaic?  To a certain degree, yes.  We know Dallas and Peabody will catch a case.  We know there most likely will be some danger involved for one or both of them.  We know Roarke will take time away from his empire to play his role of Expert, civilian.  We know Dallas will give Summerset hell just for the fun of it.  We know the well developed secondary characters will make their contribution.  And we know the candy thief will continue to evade Dallas' traps.  The main reason I continue reading this series is for the characters.  I have come to love them, respect many and just enjoy the heck out of them.   The murder and suspense surrounding the solving of the case(s) is secondary to the enjoyment of catching up with characters who feel like old friends.  So maybe that's why I have come to expect less of the mystery aspect of the series.  This time. I was pleasantly surprised. 

The death of Peabody's look-a-like is not take as hard as you might think.  Sad to say, the actress playing Peabody was not well liked.  It is taken serious by Dallas and Peabody who are, a little freaked when they see what at first looks like dead Peabody.  McNab's reaction is very emotional and Robb does well bringing those emotions through on the page.  Dallas, as always, stands for the victim regardless of whether she actually liked the victim.   The road to finding the murder was interesting and surprising.  Interesting in that I didn't catch on to the who as quickly as usual.  Surprising in the backstory of the killer.  Robb continues to keep the killers in this series from falling into the typical murderer mold. 

I said I read this series first for the characters and that is very true when it comes to my favorite secondary character Detective Delia Peabody.  I am loving the way Peabody and her cohab Detective Ian McNab's relationship is evolving.  Their relationship fits the time period where humans are living a lot longer and therefore have no need to rush into the traditional path of marriage, babies etc. but can adjust to their roles as a couple.  On the surface they seem like such an odd pair, Peabody with her Free-ager upbringing and beliefs and McNab with his outrageous fashion sense and "hey dude" attitude.  But these two can be serious and know when to put their cop faces on.  I love when they put their cop faces on!

Celebrity in Death does focus on the procedural and solving of the murder but it also has much focus on those evolving relationships that I love so much.  Some of the dialog does become repetitive between Dallas and Roarke, same arguments but we do see a little shift as Dallas acknowledges she can't continue to use Roarke as her go-to guy when she wants something done quickly.  She has the NYPSD at her disposal and must go to them first, even if they take longer for results. 

All in all this is another compelling addition to the series.  The smart characters, witty dialogue and extensively developed characters and relationships are the strengths of this incredible series. 

Rating: B+

ARC Review: Born to Darkness

Born to Darkness
Suzanne Brockmann
Futuristic Suspense
Fighting Destiny/Book 1
Ballantine/March 20, 2012

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists--including women half his size--can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results-including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as "Greater-Thans," this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America's second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich--and reckless--enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is growing. But few realize the drug's true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny's crucial ingredient.

Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute's crack team of operatives, she's determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she discovers one of the new test subjects is the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. And although Shane quickly discovers he isn't a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he's got talents of his own. But Mac's got powerful reasons to keep her distance from Shane-and reasons to want him close. She's used to risking her life, but now she faces sacrificing her heart in the ultimate war on drugs.

A long blurb for a long book. There is a lot going on in Suzanne Brockmann's new futuristic romantic suspense series. There are not one, not two but three romances taking place and while I didn't disliked all three couples, I never felt as though I knew any of them very well. There is also a lot of information to take in regarding the current status of the world and more specifically the Greater-Thans and the Less-Thans and the Obermeyer Institute's (OI) role in this new world.

First up we have Mac Mackenzie who is a very powerful Greater-Than. She hooks up with former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin one night in a bar. Mac has a hell of a lot of issues when it comes to men, not the least of is her ability to manipulate them to be attracted to her. She has some very cool powers but you definitely get the feeling she resents them. She doesn't believe a man could honestly be attracted to her but instead believes it must be her power to make them think they are. This makes it very difficult for Shane to get Mac to let him be more than anything but a casual sex partner.

Shane Laughlin thinks he got lucky when Mac picks him up in a bar. He sees her as this amazing woman surrounded by mystery which only makes him want to find out more about her. Shane is pretty much a what-you-see-is-what-you get type of guy. He puts his feelings out there for Mac and doesn't let her negativity deter him. While I liked him, I had a hard time seeing him with Mac. He was just too nice for her. In their relationship, Mac was the alpha and Shane was the beta. I wish it would have been more balanced.

The other two couples, who were not as center stage as Mac and Shane but very nearly so, didn't come as any surprised when they paired up. And if you're familiar with Brockmann's previous works it won't come as a surprised that one of the couples are two gay men. Brockmann is know for focusing on societal issues in her novels and she does so again in Born to Darkness but it's not as overt as some of her previous works.

The main problem I had with all three of the romances is that there wasn't enough time devoted to each individual couple to make me feel like I knew why they were together. The most believable of the three couples were the two men. They had know each other for years and had both been hiding their attraction so when they do confess their feelings, they simple expand on their friendship and become lovers. The other two couples developed their relationships during stressful situations which made it difficult to believe that the results would have been the same if the situations had been different.

There is a lot of information to take in. Brockmann gives extensive details as to how the OI works with the Greater-Thans and the Potentials to help them utilize their powers. It's a fascinating world but there was almost too much covered when you consider there were also the three romances and the fight against The Organization and their sinister plans. It is a dark and sometimes depressing landscape of a future that I'm still not sure what caused it. There didn't seem to be any one thing that brought this futuristic world to this point. There is mention of wars and stock market crashes but no one specific thing.

As for the various plots, there is a lot of jumping around that left me wishing more focused had been placed on only a few plots. I will say that I do like the world that Brockmann has created and the science behind it, I only wish it had offered a greater focal point and fewer romances.

Rating: C

Review: Feed

Feed
Mira Grant
Post Apocalyptic/Futuristic/Horror
Newsflesh Trilogy/Book 1
Orbit/May 2010

From the publisher's website ~

The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED.

NOW, twenty years after the Rising, Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives-the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them.

Zombies. I was never crazy about zombies when all the multitude of "Living Dead" type movies came out. I do love the Resident Evil movies, but a big part of that is because of Milla and her kickass ways. I don't usually read horror but I picked up Feed from the library because I liked the premise and I was in the mood for some post-apocalyptic drama. The zombies are not as prominently featured in Feed as I expected. Sure, they're there but on the fringe for the most part. The interaction with the zombies is of course as quick as possible for survival reasons but given how the zombies are portrayed, I expected them to figure more in the overall story.

The main focus is on three bloggers - siblings Georgia and Shaun Mason and their poetry loving computer geek friend Buffy. In this new world bloggers are powerful. They are the voice the population listens to after being lied to and misled by mainstream media when the Rising occurred over twenty years ago. Bloggers are celebrities, getting big name sponsors for their blogs. The other focus of the book are the politics of the time. Georgia, Shaun and Buffy are given the chance to travel with one of the top presidential candidates and report from the campaign trail. The political beliefs of the main narrator, Georgia, are front and center. Unfortunately, sometimes it felt like a lecture, with Georgia giving her beliefs in such a forceful manner I couldn't help but hope a few zombies might interrupt her tirade.

What people learned from the George Romero horror movies helped combat the sudden mass of zombies. But not everything went well, millions died and the really bad part - everyone is infected. Everyone. I thought that twist was decidedly wicked. When anyone dies, even from say a heart attack or natural causes, they become a zombie. The virus is dormant in everyone until it is triggered either through death or exposure to the live virus. And it's not just humans the virus infects. Animals over 40 pounds can become infected. This makes for some very heated debates on animal control and going vegan.

Georgia and Shaun have a very close bond that comes from being raised by two media hungry parents that have no qualms when it comes to using their kids to get more exposure for their causes. I loved the relationship between Georgia and Shaun. The love and respect along with the annoyance and teasing that close siblings have, was there in the way they talked to and about each other. Their relationship was my favorite part of the book.

I will say Grant doesn't pull any punches. You get the feeling that no one is safe from exposure and death, and rising, and death again. Hopefully. There are some extremely emotional scenes in this brutal world. In a place where sections of land, cities, heck even Alaska, are left to the zombies, no one can expect to be completely safe. These are not mindless, slow moving zombies, in fact, they exhibit pack mentality when enough of them converge. They have two main goals - feed and infect. One thing I never quite understood is why the military didn't work at eliminating the zombies to a greater extent. There were teams set up to contain and dispose of the aftermath of zombie attacks so why not be more proactive?

Aside from the political lecturing, I liked Feed more than I expected. I think because it had two well developed characters and didn't rely completely on the horror aspect. I did find the mystery of the political saboteur weak, it was fairly obvious who it was. The plot itself was layered with political and religious beliefs that had characters making difficult, life and death decisions with far reaching affects that are not fully realized in this first installment. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment of this fascinating trilogy, just not for the zombies.

Rating: B

Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins
Young Adult Fantasy
Hunger Games trilogy/Book 3
Scholastic Press/August 2010
Purchased

*Spoilers for Books 1 & 2*

From the inside cover ~

MY NAME IS KATNISS EVERDEEN.
WHY AM I NOT DEAD?
I SHOULD BE DEAD.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to over throw the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

Mockingjay is not a book for the faint of heart. It's very graphic in it's description of the tortures and deaths. But war is bloody, it is gruesome. Do I think Mockingjay is too graphic? At times, yes. Is it any more graphic than The Hunger Games or Catching Fire? No. But it's graphic in a different, more disturbing way. In the first two books, the majority of violence - most is against children, is done for survival. In Mockingjay, the violence, again much done against children, is not always done for survival but for intimidation, demonstration of power, information and revenge. And sometimes simply - Because. They. Can.

Dark, bleak with little happiness or humor. I kept thinking we would get that euphoric moment, that sweet smell of victory but it never came. Everything kept getting darker and darker until you can't see any light at the end. It's been snuffed out.

Towards the end, the color seemed to leach out of the story. It's as if Katniss' weariness was showing to the point that routine had taken over, her fire was gone, extinguished. To come so far and have it all just fade away. The epilogue was like a fairy tale ending tacked on to a war story. The two didn't fit. There was no sense of victory for Katniss. She had lost so much, any victory she had seemed hollow. The epilogue was, I believe, there to give hope but it felt a little too shaped to fit a neat a tidy ending. All the strings tied in bows but those bows seemed to have the shine worn off them, drooping a little.

I enjoyed parts of Mockingjay, but compared to The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, the enjoyment was less. Do I think it fair to compare the three? Of course. They are all parts of the whole and while the writing was emotional and well done the impact of Mockingjay was easier to shake off than that of The Hunger Games and to a lesser extent, Catching Fire. There are scenes in Mockingjay that do stay with me. Violent scenes. Emotional scenes. But very few uplifting scenes. There were some interactions between Katniss and a few of the characters that had me smiling but they were fleeting and few.

Wow - it sounds like I didn't like it at all, which isn't true. I did like seeing the characters I had come to know and care about. I did like, and still do like, Collins' writing. She has a very evocative way of painting a scene, of giving voice to emotions. I liked learning more about the politics of the world Collins has created. I do think my enjoyment of the story would have been less had I not already come to care about these characters. The main problem, and why this wasn't an A read for me was the diminishing lack of hope. And the expectations I had for this final book of the trilogy - oh, boy, those reader expectation can really bite us in the ass can't they? I was hoping/expecting something more along the lines of the ending of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King or Star Wars. That feeling of triumph and hope. Big and out there for the world to see. Instead, Mockingjay was far more subdued and went out with a feeling of quiet solitude.

Rating: B

My Reviews ~
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire

Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
Young Adult/Futuristic
Hunger Games/Book 2
Scholastic Press/September 2009
Purchased

*Spoilers for Book 1*

From the inside cover ~

SPARKS ARE IGNITING.
FLAMES ARE SPREADING.
AND THE CAPITOL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their lvoe for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

I bought this shortly after it's release and only read it right before Mockingjay, the final book's release. Part of the reason I held off reading Catching Fire was because of hearing of the cliffhanger ending and the fact that I have a ton of books on the tbr pile. And there's the anticipation/expectation factor. Anticipating what will happen next - it's exciting not knowing. And expectations for the next step in the story arc. Will it go the way I want it to go or will the author take another route? The Hunger Games totally blew me away so I may have been hoping but not expecting Catching Fire to do the same. It's similar in that there is still a threat hanging over Katniss, even with winning the Games. She's wealthy now with a new home and plenty of food for her sister and mother. It seems like things are great but there's a darkness stalking Katniss and it's about to show itself.

The Games are over and Katniss is back in District 12. She's in familiarly territory with her family and friends. The problem is that she doesn't know what to do with herself. She suspects President Snow isn't done with her. He blames her for the troubles he's currently suffering and wants to pass on that suffering to Katniss. You can feel the tension in Katniss, she's waiting for the ax to fall, waiting for Snow's next move. She's also getting ready for the Victory Tour and she's dreading it. I don't think Katniss would have felt so alone if she had either Gale or Peeta by her side but they've both deserted her. You can't help but feel sorry for Katniss and how everything has turned out for her. Which is odd because it could have all turned out so much worse. She and Peeta are both alive but the changes that have happened and those still to come will prove to be just as arduous as the Games themselves.

The whole Victory Tour was hard to read. Katniss and Peeta had to practically relive the deaths of the other Games participants. Every stop on the tour meant the possibility of seeing the family and friends of a dead tribute. If you've read The Hunger Games then it comes as no surprise that the stop at District 11, Rue's district, is an emotional one. Katniss had grown so close to Rue during the games that seeing Rue's family was hard on her. ~

As usual, a special platform has been constructed at the bottom of the stage for the families of the dead tributes. . .


~ On Rue's. . . I'm not prepared for Rue's family. Her parents, whose faces are still fresh with sorrow. Her five younger siblings, who resemble her so closely. The slight builds, the luminous brown eyes. They form a flock of small dark birds. page 58

Peeta uses his gift of words and tries to ease the sorrow of the families from District 11. It is Katniss who speaks from her heart, as is her habit, stumbling a bit but giving the families of Rue and Thresh something that only she can give. The way Collins writes Katniss' thoughts and dialogue, feels like it comes from Katniss' very soul. The thoughts and feelings of a young women who was thrown into situations that no amount of training could prepare her for.

The rebellion continues to heat up and President Snow has devised a way to show the rebels that the Capitol is where the power is and will not sit by and do nothing. There will be consequences for anyone who defies the Capitol and that puts Katniss and Peeta front and center. It is a dark, sinister and violent world that Collins has created but there does exist traces of hope among the violence and death. We saw it in The Hunger Games and again in Catching Fire. The hope isn't always easy to find and Katniss has her moments of doubt and despair but she does go on. I think sometimes, if you want a meaning or message in these books, that could be one of them. Finding the will to go on when others have given up or when you so desperately want to give up yourself. It's one of the main reasons I love the character of Katniss. She been through hell and she's not done but she continues on. Her years of taking care of her mother and sister have given her that will to go on and not give up.

While I didn't like Catching Fire quite as much as The Hunger Games, it is certainly a worthy addition to the trilogy. It shows the aftermath of what happens when you survive the games, making an enemy of the powerful Capitol in the process. We see how Katniss and Peeta deal with their fame and fortune as well as their guilt and sorrow. I do think this is a trilogy best for the older teens. It is violent and shocking at times and explores some very serious subjects. Collins is a gifted writer who brings out the emotions in her characters, making it an intensely emotional read.

Rating: A-

The Hunger Games (review)

Review: Sureblood

Sureblood
Susan Grant
Science Fiction Romance
Borderlands/Book 3
Harlequin/August 2010
Received from Harlequin/NetGalley

From the author's website ~

Five years ago rival space pirate captains Val Blue and Dake Sureblood stole one incredible night together. But their brief, passionate history ended with the assassination of Val's father and the condemnation of Dake's clan. Now Val struggles to prove her mettle—to herself and to the dissenters amid her own people. Every successful raid is a boot heel ground into the burning memory of Dake Sureblood—and their secret son is a constant reminder of their shared past….

Ambushed and captured before he can clear his name, Dake Sureblood returns from a hell like no other to expose the true killer of Val's father. But as the identity of their enemy becomes chillingly clear, the former lovers must put aside their mistrust and join forces to protect their clans and their precious son.

Susan Grant is one of a handful of authors who write science fiction romances. I enjoy the sub-genre so I wish there were more writing it. Thankfully, Grant looks to be continuing her Borderlands series, giving readers more sci-fi romances to look forward to.

Valeeya Blue is about to get what she's been wanting - command of a skiff. It's a small craft, built for boarding freighters. Val, along with the crew of the Varagon, are about to conduct a raid - boarding a freighter believe to be carrying stolen ore. Pirating is a hard life for Val but it's one she's always wanted and has worked hard to get where she is. Right off, I liked Val. We meet her when she's still working her way up the ranks. Val's the daughter of the clan-leader and some think she should be seeking to create an alliance through marriage, not as a raider on a pirate ship. She certainly had some obstacles to overcome!

The raid doesn't go as planned, instead Val runs into Dake Sureblood, leader of a rival clan. They do eventually form a tentative truce and must work together. Val and Dake even come to like each other, spending some quality time together. It doesn't last long. Val's father is murdered and the Surebloods are blamed. Fast forward five years and there is still bad blood between the clans. There are also secrets that are about to be revealed that could change everything Val and Dake believe. Val has matured a lot, much of which was due to necessity. She has been leading her clan during the difficult times since her father's death.

I didn't mind that Val and Dake are apart for some of the story. It wasn't a lot and it built the storyline of why Val is so distrustful of the Surebloods as well as giving their rivals opportunities to escalate that distrust. The hostility between the two clans is still there but they also have other things to worry about. Keeping the clans feed and taken care of has become challenging and pirating has become even more dangerous.

When Dake comes back into Val's life he's not greeted with open arms. Instead, his greeting is more of a greeting for a hated enemy. It's good that Dake is very stubborn and is determined to get Val on his side. I liked the way these two related to each other. They had much in common, both raiders, both born to clan-leaders. They came from different places, different climates with different societies but ultimately it's their loyalty and love of their clans and love for each other that brings them back together. While they were separated they both went through terrible times, Dake's circumstances were horrendous. The way Dake had to not only overcome the nightmares of his imprisonment but also trust Val and her clan - it was certainly hero worthy!

The secondary characters round out the story nicely with a sweet romance between Val's friend and the woman he helps rescue. And Val and Dake's son is adorable with flashes of his parents stubbornness and intelligence. There's also Lord Viro Nezerihm who is a vicious nemesis that has no problem using people and enjoying punishing those that displease him. He hates Val and Dake and will do anything to destroy them.

This is book three in the series but I don't think you would have any problem understanding what is happening in the world building. Grant does a good job explaining the political and social aspects of the world of the Borderlands. Sureblood delivered the science fiction setting with romance and action to create a captivating tale.

Rating: B+

Review: Embrace the Night Eternal

Embrace the Night Eternal
Joss Ware
Futuristic Paranormal Romance
Envy Chronicles/Book 2
Avon/February 2010
Library book

*Some Spoilers for Book 1*

From the author's website ~

From the raging fires, five men emerge with extraordinary new powers. They must learn how to survive this dark, ravaged world ... but they cannot do it alone.

Simon Japp will never forget his violent past. But when civilization is all but destroyed, he sees his chance for redemption. Blessed with a strange "gift," he's determined to help the resistance against the Strangers, the mysterious force that stalks them at every turn. He can't afford to get distracted, even by the stunning, soft-spoken woman fighting by his side...

Sage Corrigan has learned to be careful where she places her trust. But she sees something good in Simon, even if he can't see it in himself. Posing as lovers to infiltrate a group key to their fight, they find that their staged affection soon develops into a desire that will leave them fighting for their lives in the night eternal...

Book two picks up where Beyond the Night (book 1) left off. The settlement of Envy (New Vegas or NV) is where Simon Japp and his four companions have taken up residency. The five men were kept in some type of stasis or coma in the caves of Sedona for the past 50 years. During that time things have changed dramatically and the world they knew is gone. Now the men are helping the residents fight the Strangers who are trying to enslave the remaining humans.

Simon Japp is a hero with a dark past. He's trying to get away from that past of lawlessness and start fresh. The chance to redeem himself happens when he meets up with a group of people that are trying to form a rebellion against the Strangers. Simon is willing to use his special ability to help with setting up a computer network and searching for Remington Truth, the man who might have the answers about what happened 50 years ago. Simon also finds himself attracted to Sage Corrigan, computer wiz and resident of Envy. Sage works with Theo and Lou Waxnicki, twin brothers who were alive when the Change happened. They're computer geniuses and are working on setting up a new Internet for this new world.

Sage Corrigan came to Envy from the settlement of Falling Creek. What we find out about Falling Creek isn't good. It's basically a polygamist settlement with men having multiple wives and the main focus for women is procreation. It really gave me an icky feeling when Sage tells of her numerous siblings and the plans that the council elders had very Sage before she got out. Sage is now twenty-eight and has established herself in Envy, developing strong friendships with Jade (heroine of book 1) Theo and Lou. Sage was certainly likable and definitely a survivor.

The search for Remington Truth sends Simon and Sage to Falling Creek. There they learn more about each other while Simon's trying to curb his growing attraction to Sage. I did like the developing relationship between these two I just wish Simon had stopped with his "I'm not good enough for you" mantra. He really needed to just get past his, well past, and realize that the times have changed and this is his chance to make a profound change in his life. Sage was intrigued by her attraction to Simon but also torn because there was someone else that she knew had strong feelings for her.

Once again I found myself fascinated by the post-apocalyptic world Ware has created. It's weird reading about a place I've been to many times (Vegas), and having it described in such different terms. No bright lights or the sound of slot machines filling the air. Instead there is a community of people who live, work and relax all within the secured city of Envy. Most of them live in what's left of the hotel, New York, New York and they all work together to keep the city running with everyone helping out in whatever capacity they can. I liked reading about the workings and politics of the city. How things have evolved from the disasters of 50 years ago when people were in shock and just trying to survive to having working, self-sustaining communities.

I did like book 2 a bit more than the first book. With both, my interest was still more focused on the world and the rebellion than the romance. There are still a number of characters I want to read about, one is a bad guy who is possibility reformed but then maybe not. I don't know but after reading Embrace the Night Eternal I know I'll be reading his book, if he gets one. So, still interested in this series but I don't think the romance is the strongest part of the book. It's more the world building and the cast of characters that I enjoy reading about.

Rating: B

Beyond the Night (book 1)

Review: Countdown

Countdown
Michelle Maddox
Action Romance (on the spine)
Dorchester/August 2008
Purchased

From the back cover ~

THREE
Kira Jordan wakes up in a pitch-black room handcuffed to a metal wall. She has 60 seconds to escape. Thus begins a vicious game where to lose is to die.

TWO
The man she's been partnered with--her only ally in this nightmare--is a convicted mass murderer. But if he's so violent, why does he protect her? And stranger still, what is it behind those haunted sea-green eyes that makes her want to protect him?

ONE
No one to trust. Nowhere to run. And the only hope of survival is working together to beat the

COUNTDOWN

Jill at Romance Rookie reviewed this not too long ago and really enjoyed it. It just so happened that on my next trip to the UBS they had it so I picked it up and took it with to Disneyland. I started reading it in the car and didn't want to stop. It's a very quick read with lots of action and suspense. Even during the slow parts there is that element of the unknown.

The story starts out with Kira literally in the dark, a place she really hates being. She's had some tough times in her 22 years. Her parents and sister were killed when she was a teen and she's been living on her own ever since. Her world shares a few similarities to ours but is far more bleak and unfriendly than the Earth we're familiar with. It's a good thing Kira is a survivor because she find herself in a game that losing equals death. Kira's self-preservation is in high gear and her past experiences help her but she does make a few stupid mistakes that had me shaking my head.

Rogan is the hero but he's also a convicted mass murderer. Wow. How to get past that? Not easy and he isn't exactly forthcoming about his past. He says he didn't commit the crimes he's been convicted of but isn't that what all criminals say? He wasn't easy to get to know for Kira or the reader. You know he's hiding a whole bunch of stuff and it does slowly come to light but there is that element of uncertainty when it comes to his motives. I never thought he would kill Kira to win but I didn't think he would play fair either. I wouldn't say I liked him since I didn't find his past very appealing but he did keep things interesting.

Countdown is a game consisting of six progressively difficult levels. At each level there is the potential for death. We get to experience the game from Kira's POV, which worked most of the time. There were times when I would have liked to explore Rogan's POV but that would have changed the tone of the story so I do understand why Maddox chose to keep it to just Kira's POV. While I found Kira and Rogan interesting, in the end, it was the game itself that I enjoyed the most. I kept wondering what would happen next and what new secret would be revealed. I liked the twists that the plot and characters take to get to the end of the game.

If you're looking for something a bit different with a ton of action and romance on the run, then I would give Countdown a try.

Rating: B+

In Death Challenge Review: Ceremony in Death

Ceremony in Death
J. D. Robb
Romantic Suspense
In Death series/Book 5
Berkley/May 1997
Purchased

*Spoilers*

From the back cover ~

Even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard...

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her homes, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong - and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

This time I skipped over a couple of books and picked Ceremony because of the mystical bent of the plot. Eve is totally against anything magical or mystical. She thinks it's all woo-woo crap. LOL I like seeing her out of her comfort zone. When looking for the cover image I knew I wanted the "Blue Lady" cover since that's the one I have. I came across the UK version on Fantastic Fiction and really liked it. It's got that futuristic feel to it. I like the woman but think she's a little too glamorous looking for Eve. Oh, and my "Blue Lady" cover has a bright orange background not that dark red.

The two things about Ceremony that I really liked are the introduction of Jamie Lingstrom and the exploring of religious beliefs. Those are the two things I remember most about this book.

Jamie is the grandson of the first victim, Jan Lingstrom, a well respected police officer. He's a teenager with all the exuberance of a teen but now finds himself with a lot of responsibilty for his family after his grandfather dies. His mother is a wreck, his father is out of the picture and his older sister has her own problems. Jamie is brilliant when it comes to tech stuff and impresses Roarke with his knowledge of all things techie. Eve, not comfortable around kids, feels sorry for Jamie. She even surprises herself because she finds that she likes him. I think Jamie brought out a protective side in Eve. Not in a maternal way but more in an older sister role. I don't think Eve would see it that way, she would say she was just doing her job. But with Jamie I think Eve crosses into that gray area of law enforcement where the victims rights are superseded by the criminals rights. Where is justice then?

The main thing about Eve and Roarke's relationship in Ceremony is they find out about each others religious beliefs. Eve is very black and white. She tries to live in the here and now and doesn't hold any idea of an after life. The impression I got is that she hasn't really thought much about it. She thinks witch craft and the like is all smoke and mirrors. Eve believes in what she can see and touch. Roarke has enough of the Irish in him to give thought to the mystical beliefs of his homeland. He even went so far as to give Eve a ring with mystical connotations. I do think that Roarke, with all his money and power, certainly believes in what he can see and buy but he leaves room for the unexplained and the power of belief.

Peabody throws some of her free-ager beliefs into the pot and stirs things up a bit. She's far more familiar with the terminology and beliefs of the wiccans and tries to help Dallas understand the difference between a white witch and a black witch. To Dallas, a witch is a witch, and they're all crazy! I liked getting Peabody's take on the wiccans with relation to the suspects. I can see where some (Dallas) could say Peabody's viewpoint was distorted but I looked at it as Peabody having more of an open mind when it came to the wiccans. This too, helped Dallas see more of that gray area, beyond the facts and into the people and their motivations.

Ceremony isn't one of my favorites regarding the murder mystery itself but I did like the character relationships and how they changed with regards to their viewpoints.

Rating: B

In Death Challenge Review: Fantasy in Death

Fantasy in Death
J. D. Robb
Futuristic Suspense/Earth 2060
In Death series/Book 30 (plus 7 novellas)
Putnam/February 2010
Library book

From the inside cover ~

Bart Minnock, founder of the computer-gaming giant U-Play, enters his private room, and eagerly can't wait to lose himself in an imaginary world—to play the role of a sword-wielding warrior king—in his company’s latest top-secret project, Fantastical.

The next morning, he is found in the same locked room, in a pool of blood, his head separated from his body. It is the most puzzling case Eve Dallas has ever faced, and it is not a game...

She is having as much trouble figuring out how Bart Minnock was murdered as who did the murdering. The victim's girlfriend seems sincerely grief-stricken, and his quirky-but-brilliant partners at U-Play appear equally shocked. No one seemed to have a problem with the enthusiastic, high-spirited millionaire. Of course, success can attract jealousy, and gaming, like any business, has its fierce rivalries and dirty tricks—as Eve's husband, Roarke, one of U-Play's competitors, knows well. But Minnock was not naive, and quite capable of fighting back in the real world as well as the virtual one.

Eve and her team are about to enter the next level of police work, in a world where fantasy is the ultimate seduction-and the price of defeat is death.

I am completely caught up with the series. Yeah! It only took a year and a half and most of that was listening to audio books. This time around I read the book and I have to say, I missed the voices. While I still hear the different accents and nuances in my head as I read, of course it's not anywhere as clear as listening to the audio books.

Okay, this is a weird case, even for Dallas. A decapitated victim, alone in a secured holo room. Dallas and Peabody have to call in the EDD (Electronic Detective Division) since they will figure heavily in this investigation. And Roarke has a connection to the victim, no surprise there. I do often wonder how he gets any of his own work done managing his multi-billion dollar empire when he spends so much time helping Eve.

I liked the scenario, yeah it's gross but you gotta say, it's different. As I went along reading something felt... off. For some reason I didn't get that click that I usually do when I get into an In Death book. Like I wasn't quite fully into the world. Could it be because it wasn't an audio book? IDK, but whatever reason, I liked the book but I didn't love it.

This time around we didn't get as much Eve/Roarke time. At least it didn't seem like it. Which was okay with me. I was intrigued by the holo game and how Dallas and Peabody would figure out the who/why of the murder. There was also the secondary story line of Nadine's book release party. She wrote a book about what happened in Origin in Death. It was one of Dallas' cases and right up there with this one in the land of bizarre. Eve and Nadine's relationship has become more than a working friendship. They have both gotten closer and have learned to trust each other with both work issues and personal issues. Another person that Eve has learned to open up to.

As the plot progresses we get more information on the fascinating gamer world of the future. Peabody and McNab head to East Washington for a gamer convention. Lots of similarities to the current cons; games to test, celebrities to meet, cool toys to buy. I liked seeing Peabody and McNab together, they are such a cute couple. Peabody with all of her body insecurities and McNab loving her just the way she is. Lucky girl, our Peabody!

My favorite part of Fantasy in Death was Dallas and Peabody. I know when people mention the series it's Eve and Roarke's relationship that is most often mentioned but I like how Dallas and Peabody's relationship is evolving and changing right along with Eve and Roarke's. I've noticed that when I think of Roarke and the Lieutenant I call her Eve but when I think about Peabody and the Lieutenant I call her Dallas. I guess it's my little way of separating Lt. Eve Dallas's two lives.

In the beginning when Dallas tagged Peabody to be her assistant, Peabody was in awe of Lt. Eve Dallas. She was a bundle of nerves and very unsure of herself when it came to working a crime scene. She was also a little afraid of Dallas. Afraid of disappointing her and not living up to Dallas' expectations. Fast forward to their current relationship and it goes something like this. ~

[Dallas]"Who's on this one?"

[Peabody]"I put Carmichael, Foster, Callendar on this one. It's supposed to storm tonight. Do you think it's going to storm?"

"How do I know? Do I look like a forecaster?"

"I've got these great shoes to wear to Nadine's party, but if it rains and we get stuck getting a cab or have to walk to the subway, they'll get screwed." Peabody searched the sky for answers. "If it storms I need to wear those pretty mag boots, but they're not new. Plus the shoes are so totally uptown."

"Peabody? Your footwear is of absolutely no interest to me, and at the moment the source of mild annoyance."

"Since it's only mild, let me continue. I sprang for a new outfit, too. It seemed like a good excuses for one. Nadine's book, fancy deal. And the Icove case was ours. I'm in the book and all that. I want to look complete. What are you wearing?"

"I don't know. I don't care."

"You have to." To bring the point home, Peabody stabbed Eve's arm with her finger. "You're like the star of the book."

"I am not the star of the book." The idea was horrifying. "The case is the star of the book."

"Who was in charge of the case?"

"I'm going to show you my current footwear, Peabody, up close when my boot connects with you nose."

"It's usually my ass, so that's a nice change." pages 238-239

I started laughing when she continued since it was only causing mild annoyance for Dallas. If this had been back at the beginning of their relationship, Peabody wouldn't have mentioned her shoes let alone continued talking when Dallas told her to shut it. I love the way they tease each other and are there for each other. They make for a very balanced partnership.

The wrap up of the case was dramatic and I thought done well. Dallas does a good job putting all the pieces together with the help of the EDD team and her expert consultant, civilian. The villain wasn't a surprise to me but I did find the how of the murder interesting. Robb adds another solid entry to the enduring In Death series.

Rating: B+

Review: Take Me

Take Me
Shelli Stevens
Erotic Romance/Futuristic
Kensington/August 2009
Received for review from Goodreads

From the back cover ~

After years as a slave to the pleasures of the powerful, Talia knows how to make a man mad with lust. But her pleasure counts for nothing—until a handsome, ruthless stranger appears. Ryder dares to look at her… to touch her… to awake in her a desire she’s never imagined. When he kidnaps her to learn her secrets, Talia vows not to let her passion take control. But soon she discovers that her captor’s intense gaze and searching hands can perform their own kind of interrogation, a sweet torture she finds impossible to resist…

Futuristic romances are few and far between. Add in the erotic elements and we have a unique story about a man who does what he must for his world and a woman who's only known a world ruled by men. The planet of Zortou has suffered a shortage of women for a long time. The remaining women are trained and then sold as Rosebelles. Rosebelles are sex slaves and Talia belongs to the most powerful trio of men. Her owners are the Governing Council members. They rule the planet.

Talia was sold as a Rosebelle when she turned 18. She has been servicing the three council members for four years and hates her life. She longs for something more than days spent in sexual submission to the councilors. She doesn't have any choice, her day is scheduled and she is monitored with little to no privacy. She wishes for something better but sees no way out. Then her world is suddenly changed when she is kidnapped and taken to a planet were women are not treated as sex slaves and her kidnapper is not like any man she has ever known.

Colonel Ryder Jacobs is playing a dangerous game when he goes to Zortou to kidnap the beautiful Talia. He needs information and he needs it quickly. He is hoping Talia can give him critical information on the councils' plans for his home planet of Belton. He knows the treaty between the two planets is a sham and the council is up to something. He just needs to find out what and Talia, he feels, is the one with the inside information on the council. The fact that she's beautiful and he finds her very desirable doesn't hurt either. Ryder isn't adverse to enjoying Talia's company in bed. He thinks she will enjoy his bed more than the councils' and he makes that clear to her. This is erotica and the author wastes no time getting these two into bed. Ryder's problem was that he sees Talia as basically the councils' whore. When he kidnapped her he didn't try to see beyond her looks and her position as a Rosebelle. It wasn't until he spent more time with her on his planet that he began to see there was more to Talia than sex and beauty.

I liked these two together. The disparity between Talia and Ryder's lifestyles is evident in their outlook on women. Talia views women as Rosebelles, the property of men. It's how she was raised and all she knew until she is exposed to Ryder's world and it's views of women. Ryder may have grown up with a more advanced outlook on women but he's a male and still thinks with his dick at times. The way Stevens had Talia change her outlook on women and what they are capable of came about in a couple of different ways.

First there was Ryder's sister Krystal. She befriends Talia and shows her that women, even young beautiful women, have choices. Krystal gives Talia a unique perspective of Ryder and how he treats the women he loves. The other woman that Talia encounters is Ryder's assistant, Ines. Ines is also a soldier and had a brief affair with Ryder. She still wants Ryder even after he ended the affair. She's not happy about Talia being there and sees her as a rival for Ryder. The claws come out and Talia gets a taste of what it's like to feel jealous of another woman. Ines was a real bitch. Ryder was right to end it with her. Too bad Talia had to deal with the aftermath.

Ryder and Talia are both young, very attractive, highly sexual people. Good thing since they enjoyed getting hot and heavy just about anywhere. Stevens writes steamy, erotic sex scenes that can at times push things past the comfortable and touch into the realm of bdsm. I did think it was appropriate for the characters involved and the situations they found themselves in.

On the whole, I enjoyed Take Me. I liked the futuristic aspects and Talia and Ryder's relationship was believable in addition to the hot sex scenes. I do wish the story had maintain more of a futuristic feel to it. There were times when the language and atmosphere created that feel but other times it lost it. I was left feeling it was taking place in the here and now. But it didn't stop me from enjoying the overall story.

Rating: B+