Priceless-Rylee Adamson #1 (Urban Fantasy)

Priceless by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5

It's been awhile since I've actually been able to get into an urban fantasy novel-I keep on buying the continuing volumes on the series I still find of interest but yet can't get around to reading them. It was kind of normal for me that when I got this in my rec. queue in amazon-at a great price of .99¢-I went ahead and bought it; can't seem to rid myself of the habit even if I just KNOW that it'll stay unread on my ever growing list of books. Color me surprised when I gave it a try and actually managed to stay interested enough in the story and the characters (my favorite is Alex-the werewolf w/the personality of a golden retriever-no Alpha here folks, yet I loved him for that same reason. And then there's Doran the daywalker, definitely want to know more about him.)

Because of her sister's strange disappearance and subsequent death, Rylee, a Tracker and an Immune, now uses her abilities to seek out and save any missing child no matter where they are whether in this world or the one hidden beyond the Veil. Armed with her blades, a loyal werewolf, and a stalking FBI agent intent on putting her in jail for murder, Rylee has her work cut out for her. That is if the Harpies, Alex's pack, or her attraction to said FBI agent don't do her in first. I'm glad I took the chance w/this, definitely had a good time reading it.

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Romance de Toreros (Spanish Edition)

Romance de Toreros by José Luis Rodriguez Del Corral
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been a long while since I've watched a Toreada. The sight of those animals bleeding and hurt wasn't something that I could stomach enough to watch one through the end, but I vividly remember the toreros. I focused on them, and to me they were as majestic as those animals to see. The movements were as beautiful and graceful as a dance-a deadly tango, for either of the partners involved.

This story is about a torero at the peak of his career, who wears the testament of his victories on his body. Curro can face the fiercest of bulls, but can't find the strength to step out of the closet. He hides this feeling of cowardice by stepping into the arena to gain a sense of redemption and courage.

Then a friendly challenge is issued by an up and coming young Torero who greatly admires him. The opposite of him in many ways, it is Juan who finally who gives Curro the strength to be himself.

Albeit a very short story, it was beautifully written and conveyed Curro's tumultuous emotions very well.

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Swansong

Swansong by Rose Christo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5

This might be the first of Christo's novels that's a little hard for me to rate/review. Did I enjoy it? Yes. But there was a lot of info. that just made this story drag a little for me. What I had to keep in mind at all times was that Wendy's mind is damaged, so the story being from her POV might seem not to make any kind of sense-which was part of the point, I think. It made me grasp that fear and confusion that Wendy had to live with daily. It felt like being in an elevator and not knowing whether you're going up or down or even sideways and each time you step out you get this alternate universes where the characters are the same, just maybe not having the same roles to play. Just for a few seconds I felt like I'd grasped the real one only to lose it just as quickly. Azel and Wendy were very sweet together, he made me feel a sense of safety; he was an old soul, full of kindness and great wisdom. This novel is very much about philosophy, astronomy, physics, biology (neuroscience), a lot of it. But what it boiled down to for me was a 16 yr. old girl trying to make sense of her great loss, trying to cope with the dramatic changes she went through after her accident. It was about her reconnecting with the world, trying to find her place and will to live in it.

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Snowblind (GLBT)

Snowblind by Rose Christo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

How to begin this, I'm still reeling, my thoughts and emotions feel tumultuous regarding this story. Hmm, if any of you are familiar with Rose Christo's blog and her posts, you know that she never really mentioned her books. It was all about her interests but particularly it was about getting the word out there about indigenous issues-touching primarily on the the loss of their children. That is the premise of this novel.

Shawn Wapaw is a 22yr. old who lost his sight as a young boy at the hands of his foster parent. He has spent the last few years in self imposed isolation. Having the financial means to do so, he has lived a hollow and frozen existence until a cheeky brazen 9 yr. old stumbles into his life with the gentility of a sledgehammer. Although reticent at first-actually he tries to buy them out of their home-Shawn slowly builds a friendship with Melanie. Being Innu he feels a sort of kinship with her as she is also a fostered child from the Chippewa tribe. On one of his internet ventures he discovers that a member in the forum plans to commit suicide; seeking help doesn't work so he takes steps to stop it, even if he has to make the trip himself. Circumstances leave him with no choice but to accept Melanie's and her father Kenneth's help and the 3 of them set out together. For Shawn the trip turns into a journey of self discovery, leaving him no choice but to face his worst fears.

Melanie is an outgoing and outspoken child for her age and she takes to Shawn, quickly learning that his prickly and acerbic attitude is just superficial. Although she misses her real family she loves her Pops and is happy with him.

Kenneth is a man with his own physical scars, product of an automobile accident. Extremely kind, he is a gentle man who is just trying to be a good father and make his daughter happy. His relationship with Shawn begins on shaky ground but the trip brings them together in an unexpected way. Shawn said it best. 'Only a blind man could look at him without seeing those scars. My blindness, in turn, made me horribly selfish. And only a selfless man could look at me and see someone worth knowing.'

The idea that people would not only actually push a person to go ahead with suicide but to actually tell them to do it live is sickening, but it's also tragic that a person can feel so alone and lost that they think it's the only way to escape. Shawn made it a little hard to like him at first, but as you gradually get to know him it's easier to understand him and his ways. Melanie is just a wonderful girl, her Pops lets her get away with a lot; it's a good thing Daddio (Shawn) helps out.

I've come to realize that with Christo's stories I can expect a warmth in my heart, but that's after she's made it bleed. This one rings a little harder than her previous works because there where certain times while I read that I felt it wasn't really Shawn but her talking at me. It felt like her pain, loss, and helplessness was imbued in the pages. Another winning story for me.


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Show your pride. Share your love. #ProudToLove

Death Rejoices (Marnie Baranuik Files, #2)

Death Rejoices by A.J. Aalto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

I'm glad I found this series. I'm just so enamored of Harry, Marnie just tires me the hell out with her raging libido and makes me burst into laughter like a crazy person-thankfully where people don't look at me funny-with her crude mouth and accident prone ways. I love that even the minor characters are layered with personality, that this world that Marnie inhabits makes me more curious to explore it and learn more of it. The biology and the magical aspects of both the beings and their talents in this series are giving me a new and fresh perspective that reminds me why I loved this genre a few years ago.

In this addition to the series Marnie meets new faces-of preternaturals and people, as well as more complications. Now that she's part of Gary's team in the FBI's Preternatural Crimes Unit, Marnie has to keep her hands-as well as other parts-away from Mark Batten, keep control of her mouth (not a chance in hell that's happening.), and stop being a walking disaster. Like having a new assistant that's hiding more than just 'what' he is, fighting her attraction to Batten, releasing Gary from his role as dhaugir, trying not to jump Batten, healing her severely injured brother (who later turns into a bat), and keeping her clothes on in front of Batten is not enough, Marnie's to do list keeps getting longer. Dealing with a necrophiliac ogre, a Prior gone bad, creepy zombies, and the King of Demons wanting his hands on a deadly hybrid is all in a day's work...especially when she's suffering through defensive tactics training and a severe case of corpsepox.

Mark Batten is a little more open and approachable in this one and I liked it, but the idea of him and Marnie just doesn't get me excited. I don't know if it's because this 'potential' love triangle reminds me of another one that imploded with disastrous consequences all around and I simply don't want to see it with this three. Harry shone for me because there's a bit more of his past that's revealed and his actions in regards to the bond are laid out in the open. He was also a little paternal, taking Wes (Marnie's brother) protectively under his wing and caring for Wes when he got hurt. I admit I'm curious at his connection with Gary but it's a mystery that's piquing my interest without frustrating me.

All in all I found this book as enjoyable as the first one, this series is definitely going on my auto buy list.

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Touched (Marnie Baranuik Files, #1)

Touched by A.J. Aalto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

I had such fun reading this book! (Thanks to Heather K it caught my interest and it was also free. ^_^)

Okay, overall all it was a great read for me. Marnie is a dual talented, potty mouth (such colorful and inventive curse words), with a fondness for frogs and cookies. While she feels like a failure over the things gone wrong in her professional life, I was of the opinion that she does have skill, but she's just plain green when working in the field. That, and she's a total klutz...or maybe a jinx. She has a sharp tongue-and she's not afraid to use it-which hides her insecurity regarding her Talent and her looks. The only thing that really irked me was her sex soaked brain, which is when the story dragged for me. But it was sort of fun when they actually called her on it, though to be fair there's sort of an explanation to her constant horniness right at the end.

Mark Batten, one of the potential loves just didn't click with me too much. He drew a blank b/c aside from Marnie's continuous exalting on his raw and primal sexual attributes/appeal, I got little to no feeling or substance to him. There were a few times when I felt there would finally be some opening up, at least a peek; but just as soon as he seemed on the verge he would clam up and revert to being an annoying Jerkface (doth so nicknamed by Marnie). At the end it seems his finally taken a step towards softening those prickly and hard edges but we'll see if it sticks.

Now my most favorite character is Harry, Marnie's Bonded revenant. Him as a lover I could accept more easily. He was a well rounded character, with a lot more sense to who he was; and his feelings for Marnie, while a little complex b/c of their bond felt more deep than just the intense sexual chemistry she harbors for Batten. I need more to Batten before I can actually think of this a love triangle.

Gary, Marnie's boss, actually surprised me-they say it's always the quiet ones. His a good guy and at times feels like the only one that believes in Marnie, but he-or more like his actions-gave a sweet and naughty little twist to the story; for m/m fans like me there's some REAL NICE ship material in here. *hehe*

I loved the detail that went into creating this world. The different level of psi, the scientific detail, and the difference between vampires and revenants. The hierarchy that the revenants are a part of, their own levels of Talent and power, and how this ties them to their Bonded-or DaySitters was just so interesting. It felt so real like this place actually existed. Like I said before, overall it was a great and fun read; but I won't lie there was a moment or two where I was reminded of the Anita Blake novels but they faded quickly (and I'm not talking about sex here). There's only one actual sex scene in this book and one that has already occurred when the story begins,the rest like I said is just Marnie's engine revving. ;)


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