Archive for February, 2010
Here are the new vampire books that have a March publication date. I’m really excited about these books because they include some great entries from some of my favorite authors like Chris Marie Green, Mario Acevedo and L.A. Banks.
Here we go!
Deep In The Woods by Chris Marie Green
With the female master of the London Underground in her hands, stuntwoman-turnedvampire hunter Dawn Madison must fight off her followers, a vicious pack of undead teenage girls who put the vamps Dawn had to deal with in Los Angeles to shame . . .
Werewolf Smackdown by Mario Acevedo
A sure-to-be-bloody civil war is brewing between rival werewolf factions, and private investigator Felix Gomez will do anything he can to make sure it doesn’t explode into a vicious battle that engulfs all creatures, living and dead. Between that, the sudden reappearance of an ex-girlfriend, and a gang of other vampires trying to take off his head, this is one rumble that Gomez, a fanged detective extraordinaire, may find hard to handle.
and Falling, Fly by Skyler White
In a dark and seedy underground of burned-out rock stars and angels-turned- vampires, a revolutionary neuroscientist and a fallen angel must put medicine against mythology in an attempt to erase their tortured pasts…but at what price?
Olivia, vampire and fallen angel of desire, is hopeless…and damned. Since the fall from Eden, she has hungered for love, but fed only on desire. Dominic O’Shaughnessy is a neuroscientist plagued by impossible visions. When his research and her despair collide at L’Otel Mathillide-a subterranean hell of beauty, demons, and dreams-rationalist and angel unite in a clash of desire and damnation that threatens to destroy them both.
Key To Justice by Talia Gryphon
Psychologist to the paranormal Gillian Key has a new patient. He is a vampire who calls himself Csangal, but he is also a creature hiding his true motives-and his true identity: Dracula.
Death Blows by D.D. Barant
FBI profiler Jace Valchek was pulled into this parallel realm to hunt for Aristotle Stoker, a human serial killer who preys on vampires and werewolves. Now she works for the National Security Agency of the Unnatural States of America - and her boss is a vampire.
At a bizarre crime scene, Jace finds a bloodsucker murdered by magic, fried to the bone and dressed in the costume of the comic book hero the Flash - a character who isn’t supposed to exist here. Comic books have been outlawed for their powers, including crossover spells like the one that transported Jace to this world. Soon, she’s following a trail of dead bodies into the sinister underworld of black-market comics - where a deranged madman gives new meaning to the term “super-villain” . . .
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
When Abraham Lincoln was nine years old, his mother died from an ailment called the “milk sickness.” Only later did he learn that his mother’s deadly affliction was actually the work of a local vampire, seeking to collect on Abe’s father’s unfortunate debts.
Using The Journal of Abraham Lincoln as a guide, the true life story of our great president is reconstructed for the first time—all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War, and uncovering the massive role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.
Never Cry Werewolf by L.A. Banks
The last fight between the werewolf clans spilled onto the streets of New Orleans—and now the whole city’s on red alert. Martial law has gone into effect. Mediums, ghost hunters, and other supernatural pundits have taken over the media, swarming the Big Easy to expose the hard truth about lycanthropes. And to make matters worse, a beastly killer is clawing up humans…
Secret government operative Sasha Trudeau doesn’t like what she’s seeing—a series of brutal and bloody slayings that appear to be wolf-like attacks. It might be the work of a copy cat killer - a vampire or fae. But while Sasha races to find suspects and motives, the panic level is rising—and the city’s human population is clamoring for an all-out wolf hunt . . .
The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a sexy and dangerous series that had me from the first hello. The brothers are warrior vampires with an attitude living in present day New York City. They are constantly at war with their nemesis, Omega and his army of minions that do his bidding. Omega’s bidding is usually killing the Black Daggers.
In this vampire book, the fifth in the series, Vishous is injured. The mighty warrior is taken to the hospital where the good doctor, Jane cares for him. It is apparent that Vishous or V is instantly attracted to his caretaker. This shouldn’t be unusual except that the book clearly insinuates that V is in love with his best friend and Black Dagger Brother, Butch. Drama! The new attraction only enhances the appeal of V. I want to know him and understand him and I surely want to keep reading.
Jane is swept away to the secret complex of the warriors so she can further care for her patient. She is increasingly suspicious that V is not human but cannot deny her attraction to him. The story further entangles when we discover that V is destined to marry the Chosen and create a new breed of warriors. How can he follow the path previously carved out for him when his heart demands that he mate with the human doctor?
The road to love is never paved and the romance of V and Jane is thrown off its bumpy course time and time again. V must follow his destiny and that most definitely does not include the doctor. Everyone is against them.
New characters are introduced in this vampire book but the focus rightly remains on the two lovers intertwined in their forbidden affair. Their sensuality steams up the pages with a passion that is practically tangible. Are you a romance fan? How about a vampire book fan? Regardless of the genre you prefer this new installment in the already hot Black Dagger series will pull you in and drag you under its sexy spell. Readers will be simultaneously sorry to see the story end and eager to read the next book, Lover Enshrined!
In the mood for unrequited vampire love, torture, and a vicious battle to destroy an entire race? Then pick up J.R. Ward’s Lover Revealed, the fourth book in the author’s Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire romance series. The tale of the Brotherhood, an elite group of vampire warriors, continues as they fight for survival against slayers determined to eliminate the entire race.
The six testosterone-fueled vampires with huge libidos that make up the Brotherhood are constantly fighting to save their civilian vampire counterparts from the lessers, bound to an evil master called The Omega and determined to stop at nothing to carry out his orders. The only human to ever be made privy to the inner workings of the Brotherhood, Butch O’Neal is a tough ex-homicide detective who helps the vamps with their investigations from time to time but longs for more.
He’s also hopelessly in love with the blue-blooded vampire Marissa, although the potential romance has never come to fruition. His love was revealed in the first book in the series, Dark Lover, although a misunderstanding tore them apart.
After saving a vampire civilian from the lessers one night, Butch is captured by the enemies and tortured mercilessly. After The Omega realizes that Butch is not about to reveal the Brotherhood’s secrets, he cuts him and places some of his own evil inside, hoping that it will spread and destroy the rest of the vampires.
But Vishous, Butch’s friend and vampire roommate, finds him and is able to cut most of the evil out of him. He’s still dying, however, and Vishous calls upon Marissa to come to his aid. In her haste, she forgets to protect herself, and she and Butch end up being quarantined together. As Butch begins to get better, the two make peace with the past and begin to build their relationship.
Ward’s aptitude for writing erotic love scenes comes into play here, while also making clear to the reader that the two have genuine affection for one another.
An interesting twist in Lover Revealed involves Vishous and his growing romantic feelings for Butch. While the two have always been close friends, this new affection is confusing to Vishous and makes for a unique love triangle.
This vampire romance book is a great read, more erotic and romantic than previous installments, and fans of the series will not be disappointed by this latest adventure into the dark world of the Brotherhood. Get Lover Revealed at your favorite bookstore.
Also, check out the next installment in J.R. Ward’s vampire romance books series, Lover Unbound!
The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles by Ray Rhamey is a fun, quirky and entertaining read that gives you a “behind-the-paws” story from a cat’s perspective. Meet Patches, your average (is any cat really just average?) every-day cat, out in the graveyard, checking things out, looking for mice to torture. When two hands emerge from a grave, grab him and start slurping at his neck, Patches thinks his nine lives are up - but they’re not, because now Patches is craving blood . . . and he’s got to have it now!
Realizing that his bloodlust will not let him go back to his former caretaker, or “associate” as Patches calls humans, he’s determined to track down the owner to that pair of hands that changed him forever. When he finds her he learns that her name is Meg and that she was involuntarily turned as well. Turns out she loves kitties and actually knows how to properly hold a cat - all of which endears Patches to her and makes him think she just might make a good associate after all. Now, the two of them have to figure out how to survive in this new world.
Fortunately, there’s a support group around called the American Vampire Association (AVA for short). Apparently, vampires have been around a while but they’ve kept to themselves and thus, humans don’t know they exist. Meg thinks this is no way to live an eternal life and as I read the book, I have to agree. Imagine having to always work the midnight shift and not having any access government services – yet, you have to pay taxes!
Meg, a smart girl, decides to run for city council and bring vampires out of the closet so she can gain them some basic rights. But as the established power base in the vampire world, the AVA is not too happy with Meg’s stance. Meg learns that they’ll stop at nothing to guarantee her silence.
So begins the trials and tribulations of Patches and Meg. They have quite a few adventures together as they try to avoid the AVA and a particularly determined fundamentalist mob.
Because author Ray Rhamey lays out the story from the cat’s perspective, it gives you an objective insight into how we humans behave toward those that we consider different. There were quite a few parallels to be drawn from the vampire’s fight for equal rights and justice to the fight against discrimination that occurs in today’s world.
In addition to being an incredibly fun story to read, I found The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles to be very cleverly written as well. You have to give props to Rhamey for providing such an original and unique entry in the vampire book genre. As I was reading the book I envisioned a whole series of books that document the adventures of Patches and Meg - doesn’t that have a good ring to it?
I recommend this book to all fantasy readers, in particular, ones looking for a refreshing take on the vampire craze. And as for you cat lover’s out there - haven’t you always wanted to know what your kitty really thinks?
The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles is available from online bookstores like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Imagine the enjoyment that an avid vampire novel reader feels when they find a vampire romance book that is not only a a good, fun read but also one of a series. Well, this is what I found when I read Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta. The story centers around Milagro De Los Santos, a highly educated but ‘out of steady work’ literature major. She’s been working as a literary consultant for rich families but she’s unhappy that she’s not writing the types of things that she wants to write and, even though her life is fine, she feels like something is missing. When one of her clients invites her to a book signing party – which would normally not be a problem – she arrives to find that the author is the man who deserted her so many years before in college, Sebastian Beckett-Witherspoon.
Of course, Sebastian will not leave her alone and he proceeds to belittle her until running away is her only option. I am sure I would have done the same thing, the only difference being - if it happened to me, there would not be an incredibly handsome man wanting to whisk me away just outside the door. It’s a jilted girl’s dream come true. Milagro cannot explain why she goes with this strange man, Oswald Krakatoa, but he is undoubtedly the most handsome man she has ever seen. And, for some reason, when she is with him, she forgets all about her humiliating moments with Sebastian. Apparently, Oswald feels the same way about her, because as soon as they are alone, they cannot get enough of each other. Their first kiss rekindles feelings she has not felt for years – but, just as the going gets good, Sebastian runs into the room to stop them. This ill timed interruption turns their passionate kiss into a fall to the floor for both of them with cut lips. Her humiliation complete, Milagro runs off to lick her wounds and spends the next few days feeling sicker than a dog. And craving raw meat.
This story has one twist after another. Thankfully Oswald realizes what has happened and saves her in the nick of time from her ex to take her away to his secluded country ranch where the rest of his family awaits. It seems Milagro is going through a transformation that takes time; sweet Oswald is determined to make sure she is alright.
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is a fun, upbeat novel and Milagro is an incredible character that reminded me of youthful wishes I used to have. She’s beautiful, but insecure enough to make her sympathetic without being too irritating. She’s witty, strong, and vulnerable all at the same time. There are sexy scenes in this fantasy book but they are handled well and the dialogue is really funny. And since it’s a series, I’m eagerly waiting to go buy the next installment - there are two more now available in the series!
Here are all of the books in the Casa Dracula series:
#1: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
#2: Midnight Brunch
Twelve top-notch authors come together in this fun and fast-paced anthology, a follow-up to Powers of Detection, featuring more stories of supernatural creatures, the mortals who love them, and their madcap adventures.
Lucky by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse continues to bend the rules in this entertaining short by Harris. As she and her friend Amelia investigate some local break-ins and contend with spells, vamps, and of course, trouble, they get way more than they bargained for.
Bogieman by Carole Nelson Douglas
Dead actors, creatures of the night, and a futuristic Las Vegas come together in a creative take on paranormal fiction. After Sam Spade is murdered, investigator Delilah Street must attempt to solve the crime-amidst the werewolves, zombies and vamps roaming the strip.
Looks Are Deceiving by Michael A. Stackpole
This fantasy tale takes the reader on an exciting journey as a dwarf attempts to solve a murder before his own time is up.
The House of Seven Spirits by Sharon Shinn
A solitary writer hoping to spend the summer working is suddenly sharing a house with seven ghosts who need her help; this is one of the best in the collection.
Glamour by Mike Doogan
When Alf’s daughter disappears, he embarks on a quest to find her and the results will have you laughing out loud.
Spellbound by Donna Andrews
As a young wizard, Gwynn is used to a life less ordinary. But when a gathering at her school takes a strange turn of events, she is on a mission to get to the bottom of the mysteries and protect her instructor at the same time.
The Duh Vice by Michael Armstrong
This tale about dwindling resources in a futuristic world is the lone sci-fi story in the collection, and will have you making comparisons to the current state of America’s reserves.
Weight of the World by John Straley
Mixing murder with holiday cheer, this story paints an interesting picture of old St. Nick and what happens after all the toys are gone.
Illumination by Laura Anne Gilman
A daughter searches for her father and in the process meets a cave dragon and learns some things about herself as well.
The House by Laurie R. King
A haunted house draws a group of teens doing research, but when one goes missing, the class project takes on a new meaning.
Appetite for Murder by Simon R. Green
A serial killer is stalking the dark streets of Nightside, and detective Sam needs to catch him. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has hot heroine Ms. Fate by his side to help.
A Woman’s Work by Dana Stabenow
Two women arrive on a small island charged with investigating the death of the heir to a local province. Can they overcome the male-dominated culture to solve the mystery?
Remember when we pulled all-nighters in school, studying like crazy, drinking cup after cup of coffee and just trying to make it through the night? Well, the heroine of Some Girls Bite does the same thing, only not as a student. And it’s not coffee she’s drinking to keep her awake.
Twenty-seven-year-old Merit is minding her own business, strolling on the University of Chicago campus one night, when she is attacked and nearly killed by a wayward vampire. In this novel by Chloe Neill, vampires have recently come out of the casket and are living side by side with humans rather peacefully. But that’s about to change.
In Merit’s world vamps are assigned to one of four Chicago houses, pretty much like a frat or sorority, and they answer to masters who run the houses. Fortunately for Merit, a strapping, hot-blooded, centuries-old master named Ethan sweeps in to save her after the attack- and in the process makes her one of his own.
But Ethan is one of those guys, you know, one of those “bad boys” that girls have a hard time staying away from. While Merit doesn’t want to give in to his controlling and at times, manipulative behavior, she’s strongly drawn to him.
Now an unwilling inhabitant of Cadogan House (run by Ethan), Merit has to deal with learning how to live the life of a vamp along with breaking the news about her new lifestyle to her high society family and friends. And we all know how some mothers can be.
A few twists add to the complexity of the story: another hot vamp is chasing after Merit, and pretty, young co-eds are dropping like flies. The question is, can Merit maneuver her way around the landmines of her new life, while juggling two new guys and fending off a killer?
If you’re looking for a fast-paced entertaining read with hot love scenes, suspense, an infusion of humor and a unique plot, you should pick up this book. Neill introduces us to an exciting new world with Some Girls Bite and the book is the perfect set-up for future installments. Friday Night Bites, Merit’s next adventure, is now available as well.
Both books are available from that store that starts with an “A” . . . you know the one.
