Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress #1)

Title: Halfway to the Grave

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Series: Night Huntress #1

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Narrator:Tavia Gilbert

Length: 11 hrs. and 17 mins.

Source: Audible.com

Format: audiobook

Description from Amazon:

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father - the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.

In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner...are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon, Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side...and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

My Thoughts:

You have to love a book where a girl can kick some serious a$$. Kat has been killing vampires since the ripe old age of sixteen.  Since her mother was raped by a vampire and she was born a half vampire, she has tried her best to please by killing anything with fangs. I felt so sorry for Kat and her mom, but then the more I got to see of her mother I kept hoping she would get eaten. Kat keeps killing as many vampires as possible to prove she's worthy, to make up for what her father did, and then one night she picks on the wrong vamp. Bones, oh Bones what can I say? I have a Jekyll-Hyde relationship with him. I love the sarcastic, butt kicking, crude humor Bones. The romantic one, not so much. His romantic side was just a tad overboard and corny to me. I kind of hope a new love interest develops for Kat in the next book. My favorite thing about their relationship is actually the arguing back and forth in the beginning of the book and wished it had continued throughout. The action and fighting is top notch. Kat is a whiz with her knives! I want to be able to fight like her. How much more awesome can she get?
      The romance, villains, and action was all good, and then there was the audio. All of the voices sounded reasonable and Kat's was especially awesome, but once again Bones let me down (I promise I'm not picking on him). When I first heard his voice I couldn't help but let out a little giggle and then think I hope she kills him soon. Then I found out he was the love interest. I'm just a girl from a small Texas town and have no idea if people in Britain have this particular accent. I know I have a country accent and some don't like it, but to each their own.  Other than that Halfway to the Grave was a great read. I give this book a 4 STAR rating.


Almost Everything by Tate Hallaway

Title: Almost Everything
Author: Tate Hallaway
Series: Vampire Princess novel # 3
Publisher: NAL Trade (February 7, 2012)
Length: 320 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Format: paperback

Description from Goodreads:

Whoever said vacations were relaxing?

To say half-vampire, half-witch Ana Parker has boy trouble is putting it lightly—something her text messaging bill can attest to. Her rocker ex-boyfriend Nikolai is trying to heat things up again, and high school hockey star Mathew wants her to try out with him for the Renaissance Festival. At least her sort-of boyfriend Elias isn’t hounding her cell—considering the vampire knight is currently living in her basement.

Ever since her father banished Elias and Ana from the court of the Northern vampires, Ana has been trying to live a normal life. But when the Prince of the Southern Region vampires informs Ana that they’re on the brink of war and she accidentally offers up Elias as a peace offering, the princess knows that she’s going to need some help to get out of the situation.

With Ana’s boy drama meter hitting an all time high, summer in St. Paul is heating up for all the wrong reasons ...

My Thoughts:

Almost Everything picks up where Almost Final Curtain left off. ana has to contend with her conflicting worlds of vampires and witches, all while trying to figure out which of her many guys she wants to be with. Should she pick Nik the uber sexy rock 'n' roll witch, the chivalrous vampire living in her basement Elias, or the former enemy jock turned theatre buddy Thompson? By the end of the story I still hadn't decided who I wanted her to be with. Some people might say that three guys liking her is a little excessive and it kind of is, but I liked it. This installment was more action packed and drama filled than the previous one. The ever present dilemma that Ana and her friends have to solve was heavier and more life threatening than usual. She grew as a character and come into her own person in Almost Everything. Another side of her mom, dad, Thompson, Nik, and especially Elias is shown. Readers are able to learn a lot more about the background of Elias and Thompson as well as getting a taste of other vampire colonies ( is that the right word?). I loved how Tate continued to build this extremely unique take on vampires and witches.
     There isn't really anything I wish was different with the book. I just wish that Bea had been more present. There's just something about her bitchiness that makes her a favorite. Lastly, lets talk about the cover. What happened? The first two were so pretty with the white backgrounds and contrasting clothes and hair. This one is definitely not my favorite. Not only does it not look the same they don't even have the same textures. Maybe I'm just picky, but I'm upset they don't match.
     I am a huge fan of Tate Hallaway and a huge fan of this series. All I can say is that PLEASE let there be a fourth book. With the ending I'm not sure if there is or isn't. I give this book a 4 STAR rating.

***Check out Tate Hallaway's Garnet Lacey series. It is an adult series, but I believe it has cross over appeal for older teens and fans of Tate's and YA in general. I personally like The Garnet Lacey series better.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (audiobook)

Title: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
Author: Molly Harper
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Jane Jameson #1
Publisher: Audible, Inc. (February 19, 2010)
Length: 8 hrs 49 mins.
Source: audible.com
Edition: audiobook

Description from Audible (publisher's description):

Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.

Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?

My Thoughts:

     I've read the paperback version of this and saw it one day on sale at audible and thought I'd pick it up again.Let me tell you, if you're looking for a good southern romantic vampire comedy, Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs is your book. Jane is a laugh out loud heroine. I found her sense of humor relatable and the fact that she loves books and is a librarian makes her awesome! The relationship she has with her mother, grandmother, and sister had me cracking up and cringing all at the same time. I know I definitely would've bit them. Zeb, her best friend, is one of my favorite characters. He seems to keep Jane grounded, yet he's her partner in crime. As for Gabriel and Dick...they are complicated. I'm not a real big fan of Gabriel. Something about him just rubs me the wrong war (even in the other books. Saying Dick is a playboy and has a raunchy sense of humor is a bit of an understatement...I like it :)

    

     Now that the characters are out of the way onto the plot. I must say I found the book quite original. Books like this one have a typically predictable ending, but I didn't see this one coming. This series combines everything I look for: supernatural creatures, romance, comedy, and a quirky kick-butt heroine. A lot of books have this, but Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs combines it in a unique way that will have you running to the nearest store for the next book.

     This current version that I listened to is an audiobook so let's talk about that. Amanda Ronconi did a great job voicing this book. Her characters didn't have weird or over the top voices and sounded age appropriate. The only complaint I had was that Jane's southern accent was a little funny. At times she sounded like a hick and then it would subtly fade away to where she had no accent at all. Maybe it was supposed to be like that. I know my accent gets thicker when I'm emotional. It could be the same way with Jane. I give this book a 4 STAR rating!

* This is a series! So, if you liked Jane there's more of her! #1 Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs, #2 Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men, #3 Nice Girls Don't Live Forever, and the third book Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors is coming out February 28, 2012!

** This is an adult book with a couple of mature (sex) scenes. If I had to give an age recommendation (which I don't like to do) I would go with 16.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (audiobook)

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda
Series: All Souls, Book 1
Publisher: Penguin Audio (February 8, 2011)
Length: 24 hrs. & 2 mins.
Source: Audible.com
Edition: audiobook

Description from Audible

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries - and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

My Thoughts
One of my friends read this and I had heard so thought I would once again join the literary bandwagon. When I first started this book it moved a little slow and was a tad bit confusing. I couldn't quite figure out if in Diana's world, humans knew about the supernatural creatures. Once I got past the first two chapters I really got into the book. I will say that this is a very long book. The author could have cut out some of the scenes between Diana and Matthew because at times they seem repetitive. An aspect of the book that might deter some readers is all of the historical references and biology. Me being the nerd that I am...I love it! I'm a history major who wouldn't mind giving a pint of blood or two to Matthew if he would let me ask questions. He is one interesting man! The people that he has met and things he has been a part of are extraordinary.

Onto the center, the heart, the plot of the story. The idea of relationships between witches, vampires, and demons is one that has been done over and over again. Ms. Harkness brings a newer, more intellectual and historical bent to the idea that completely sucked me in. The take on this topic wasn't the only thing unusual, the characters were as well. The main character/heroine, Diana, wasn't the leader in the story. Yes, she is powerful, but she is smart and acknowledges that Matthew and other have more experience than she does, and the she can learn from them. In many novels the heroine automatically knows how to use and control her powers or seems to pick them up over night. Diana struggles throughout the whole book. The ending of the book is a pretty good cliffhanger in my opinion. I can't wait until the second one comes out! This book is one that I see as a cross over between the adult and the older YA genre. There isn't really anything "bad" in the book and the supernatural aspect will appeal to many. much hype about it, that I

As stated in my other audiobook review, I stress how important the narrator is. Jenniger Ikeda does an amazing job with A Discovery of Witches. This was an extremely long audiobook with many difficult characters to give voice to. She has a tremendous talent voicing several accents (maybe 5 or more) and at least three languages throughout the book. This narrator really did a good job. I give this book a
4 1/2 STAR rating.

In My Mailbox February 13, 2012 (Super Late part 1)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren. In this meme book lovers share what they received in their mailboxes over the week (or a longer period of time if you're me).

I bought a lot of books (happy face and sad wallet). The deals were just too good to pass up and they were some older books that had been on my to buy list. As you may have noticed some of these books I have already written reviews for...I'm really late in posting this :( This is part one. A more updated one will be posted on Wednesday that will include what I got last week. The books I bought from left to right:

Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

  Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern
The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod

                 Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop by Michael P. Spradlin

What did you get in the mail? Anything good? Any great books that I should go buy too? Please let me know! I am always looking to expand by bookish horizons.

Series that Totally Rock!

I’m at home, sitting in bed, and reading Glimmerglass (A Faeriewalker novel) by Jenna Black for the fourth time. I keep asking myself, ”Why am I re-reading this?”  The answer is, because I love it! The world that Jenna Black has created where Avalon is the link between the mortal world and faerie is amazing. The other thing that I like is that as the story progresses it matures along with the characters. I must admit that I’m not a fan of Ethan. I prefer the Earle King. There is just something about him ;)

This isn’t the point of the post though. I was talking with a friend the other day and she asked me what my favorite books were. As an avid book reader, blogger, and all around nerd this was a very difficult question. While I was naming them we both noticed that they are all series. I can’t think of one single book (not part of a series) that would make my top list. I like series so much because as they progress they suck the reader in. I feel so much more invested in the characters and the way everything turns out.  So I thought I would post a list of my favorites  I love and would recommend.  So here we go in no order:

The Faeriewalker series by Jenna Black- A girl who is part faerie part human and the only one who can go between the worlds

 Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling-If you haven’t heard of this series you must have been in a coma these past years.

 Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead- this series has my favorite heroine ever! Rose Hathaway is beyond amazing.  Picture a vampire boarding school, forbidden love, and pages and pages of butt kicking action.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr- This series alternates between characters but stays in the same world. Faeries aren’t the frilly loveable creatures Disney showed us. They are powerful and they are deadly. No one can be trusted.

 The Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer- No one believed anything would happen, but the unimaginable did. The moon was pushed closer to earth and devastating consequences ensue. This series touched my heart. I cried and wasn’t able to get it out of my mind for weeks afterward.

 Twilight by Stephanie Meyer- The lion fell in love with the lamb…seriously despite it being the cool thing to hate on this series I loved it. “Normal” girl catches the eye of a vampire and a werewolf and trouble follows.

  Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine- Clare is a genius. She goes to college early in a small Texas town only to discover that it’s ran by vampires.

 The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl- This series is unique in that it is from the pov of a male character Ethan Wate. Ethan is a human boy from a small southern town who falls for the new girl a Caster who must choose to be good or evil.

The Iron Fae by Julie Kagawa- What if you learned you are part faerie princess, your best friend is also a faerie, and you have stepped into an ancient war between the Seelie and Unseelie courts

 Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow- This is a seriously underrated series. It has all sorts of supernatural creatures, a love triangle, and an awesome heroine.  So much goes on I can’t fit it in a tiny blurb. Google it.

 Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare- You discover that your mom has lied to you your entire life about who and what you truly are. This book has everything Shadowhunters, werewolves, faeries, demons, vampires, angels, and the occasional human. PLEASE read this series so you aren’t left out.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- Go Watch the trailer on IMDB!

*** NOT A YA series that I love is the Gardellla Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason- A Victorian era Buffy

This is just a short list of series that sucked me into their worlds that I thought you should know about.