Hammered By Kevin Herne Book #Readalong

 

I borrowed the ebook of Hammered  from my library, and I didn't finish the ebook. The book has quite a bit of Norse mythology and I was struggling with trying to pronounce those names in my head and keep everything straight. I switched to the audio version and it was easier for me to follow, I think this was mostly because I have watched all the Thor-related Marvel movies and was familiar with how various characters' names sound in contrast to knowing the spellings. 

This is the third book in the series and it looks like things will be changing from here, we will be moving away from Tempe, Arizona. This book takes place in Asgard for the most part, which was interesting. Lots of action and we don't really know if Atticus has really messed up by going after Thor, or if things will work out.  We do find out exactly what Jesus would do in Atticus's shoes, which is a fun scene in the book. 

The best part of this book for me is when Atticus is spending time camping out with his brothers-in-arms and we learn the back stories behind why this group of desperate supernatural beings want to kill Thor. 

This book is very male-centric and I would really like more Granuaile in these books, but I think maybe that isn't to be? 

I read this book for Anne's Read-Along you can check it out here and consider joining us! 

The Iron Druid Chronicles

3.5 stars

Hexed by Kevin Herne

Let me tell you, while I was listening to this book, it was like I was wearing a shirt that said: please ask me questions.  My family kept interrupting my listening!  This is why I usually do most of my book listening while I'll out running.  However, I have a boot on my foot for likely stress fracture so I was trying to listen around my house, and that is why I listened to chapter 18 three times!  

This is the second book in Kevin Hearne's series and if I had to sum it up in just a few words I would say, it's giving me Harry Dresden, Wizard vibes.  That is, of course, a very good thing. My love for Oberon, Leif, and the Widow continues to grow and I like that Atticus has to navigate solving paranormal problems without getting on the wrong side of the human police.  He also has to work with witches, and that I think is a good thing because he complains in book one about how he can't stand witches and that they are all terrible--well now in this book he is learning not all witches are the same. When I'm reading I enjoy seeing the main characters having to confront their own prejudices; it's a fine area for growth in a character arc.

This was a solid 4 read for me and I am ready to see what happens next! 

Anne's read along are always fun, join us! 

 

My Spring Break Is Here! #TheSundayPost

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

My goodness, the last week of March is here already! I have the week off school and I am looking forward to more reading and more K-Dramas! How about you? Do you have any plans for the upcoming week? 

Last week I didn't do a good job of managing my time so that meant the posts I had planned to post didn't happen -so here is what I'm blogging about this week:

It's time for the 2023 Read-Along w/Anne! The Druid Chronicles

I started this series a few years ago and I think I only read the first couple of books. I really enjoy Atticus and his canine companion Oberon, but for whatever reason, I can't recall I got distracted and didn't finish the series. So I am excited to join Anne's Read-Along and read this series all year long. 

Hounded is a nice first book in a series. Kevin Herne blends together well-known folklore with actual history and then builds that out with his own creativity to make a world I will enjoy visiting this year. In Hounded we meet vampires, werewolves, fae queens, and other mythical gods all of who are living in the world either unseen by humans or with glamours to hide their true natures. I like that Atticus has to avoid human authorities and run his shop in addition to whatever fae-related drama he gets mixed up in as the story unfolds. 

4 stars! Already have book two downloaded and ready to go! 

 

A Wish Granted - Bones POV

I won a ecopy of The Other Half of the Grave from Anne's Read-Along! Halfway to the Grave is a very good first book in an Urban Fantasy series so I was excited to re-read the book from Bones' perspective. 

I am sure that over the years Jeaniene Frost has received thousands of requests for a Bones book as he is who is a beloved Vampire in the Urban Fantasy universe.  He is right up there with the Vampires from True Blood and Anne Rice's vamps so it is safe to say that this book was very wanted.

I enjoyed reading the book and knowing all the events of the first book. Since the original book is told from Kat's anti-vampire perspective, it's good to see what was going on in Bones' head while she was projecting upon him her worst fears. 

If you enjoy urban fantasy or vampire romance, I say go read this book if you have already read Halfway to the Grave or get both books and read either one first --or if you are new to the series, I'd love to see what you think of book two after just reading Bones point of view.

4 stars for The Other Half of the Grave it's a solid read.

 

Wicke Bite #SIAM Review Day! Did I like book two better than Shades of Wicked? Read on to find out!

 

Happy #SIAM review day!  Today I'm sharing my thoughts on Wicked Bit  by Jeaniene Frost --along with other participants in Anne's Read Along

Here is the schedule of the review posts where you can read everyone's review of this book. There is always a wide range of opinions! 

Jan 8:    Shades of Wicked              –  Review from Carole @ Carol’s Random Life in Books

Jan 22:    Wicked Bite                        –  Review from Robin @ Books of My Heart

Feb 5:       Wicked All Night             –   Review from Anne @ Books of My Heart

If you recall my review of Shades of Wicked from earlier this month, you'll know that the main character Veritas was not my favorite. I liked her in earlier books, but this series is told from her POVmaking her the main focal point of the books. Overall book one in the Night Rebel series was a 3 for me. 

SPOILERS AHEAD-

Wicked Bite wasn't available to borrow from my library in any form, and I didn't want to buy a kindle or paperback copy, so I used an audible credit to listen to the book. The reader for this book and the Night Huntress series is Tavia Gilbert. I like her interpretation of the accents for this book series and I think listening to her act out the book as opposed to me reading it did enhance my enjoyment of the book. 

This book being the second in the three book series, was all about managing expectations. There would be some things resolved but also there would be cliffhangers and I reminded myself--Dagon isn't going to die--he is going to keep popping up. 

What I liked about the book:

1. Action packed plot.

2. Veritas/Ariel has a family member--I'm hoping he is decent part of book three.

3. Veritas/Ariel accepts her dual nature. Thank goodness!

What is not my favorite: 

A secret betrothal.

Also the characters keep almost getting killed because they are being foolish, either by not questioning what they are being told or not listening to themselves. If at some point someone said: "We should stop relying on our physical prowess and magical abilities and start using our brains more then we'd stop getting into so many dire situations." Then I'd be super happy! 

What I'd love to read:

Veritas and Ian go on vacation and Ashael is dog sitting Silver who meets another demon dog at the dog park!

COYER and Books Of My Heart #READALONG!

This was a nice break in the action of the Night Huntress series, in the last installment I was very annoyed with Cat and Bones and ready to read something else.  Pretty clever, Jeaniene Frost, way to keep me reading.

This book is the story of Cat's friend Denise. From her introduction into the series a few books ago, I have wanted to read more about her. I loved her relationship with her husband, Randy, and was very sad that he died in the big Vampire battle.  Now it's about a year later and Denise is still in mourning. She understandable suffering from PTSD and is trying to distance herself from the supernatural world her friend Cat is an intricate part of.  

This being an Urban Fantasy series, Denise is quickly pulled into the world as she is cursed by a demon. This book does have action but most of the story is focused on Denise and her grieving process and Spade's struggle with his attraction to Denise fighting against his desire not to love and lose a human again. We learn a little more about the Night Huntress World and how it works, we do see Cat and Bones towards the end, but this is solidly Denise and Spade's book.

I'm a fan of Denise so I was happy for her to find Spade. Spade--for me--- is just an OK character, he is--and again this is just to me--a pretty typical hot Vampire. In other words, I don't find him as interesting to read as I do Vlad--or even Ian. 

Here is the publisher's blurb for this book: 

"The night is not safe for mortals.

Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows – her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield – and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family’s dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness – and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human – even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together…

Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost."

4 Starts to First Drop of Crimson

Join the Read Along at https://booksofmyheart.net/2021/12/05/read-along-giveaway-night-huntress-world-by-jeaniene-frost/

Coyer Read Along Destined for An Early Grave --Spoilers!

 Join the Read-along HERE

Okay let's talk about Destined for an Early Grave!  

I didn't like about 70%  of this book.

For chunks of this book, I was so annoyed by Bones and Cat, they were being so ridiculous.  Part of it was the lack of communication, I'm not much of a fan of when our main characters have major problems resulting from one or the other not talking something out. For me, I also don't enjoy reading Cat and Bones literally beathing the shit out of each other as foreplay. Also, it was so annoying that Cat assumed Bones was having sex with a ton of people in New Orleans when just a couple books ago he went years without sex when she left him and went with Don.  

And speaking of Don, Cat is going to feel really bad when she finds out he is dying from cancer and she was to afraid to talk to him.  The irony of a half breed vampire being so conflict avoident.  And speaking of the secret government agency group, overall, as a reader I am confused (This is definitely a me problem, not a reflection of Jeanine Frost's writing) about who I should care about in this series when it comes to secondary characters.  We had a couple of books where Cat's goverenment crew was central and we started to get to know them, but now they are mostly missing from this book. Will that continue?  Are we supposed to now learn to care about the vampires and ghouls, is Cat's life now just about fully vampire world? I struggle with as you can see. I mean I like Vlad and more of him is great, but what about the ghoul Liza, am I supposed to care about her? Will she be back or is she basically a red shirt like the random members  of Bones' crew --Band Aid and Hopscotch in this book. 

While I am getting tired of everyone wanting Cat, I did enjoy Gregor, he was a great villian. 

Tate showed up in the book at the 49% point, just went I was remarking to myself that it was great not having him in the book. Ugh. You know how I feel about him!

Fingers Crossed! 

Fortunately for me, things finally took a turn around the 75% mark of the book and Bones and Cat finally had a conversation and got on the same page. Amen!  I am pleased to see that Cat's conversion is wonky that will make for good storytelling, as well as the twist for Justina. I hope the next time I'm reading about Cat and Bones that the stoy doesn't focus on someone once again trying to covet Cat. I hope this time there is a different sort of big bad that they have to defeat. 

Next in the series we are reading First Drop of Crimson which features Cat's friend Denise.  I'm looking forward to a different POV in this series!

What do I rate this book. I'm not sure if I would say it is a 3 because Cat and Bones were so annoying or if it's a 4 because Ms. Frost made them so annoying to me. Good writing is about evoking emotions. 

One Foot In The Grave #Readalong 2022!

 

I'm so excited to talk about One Foot in the Grave, in general, I love the second book in a series!  Second books are where often learn deep dark backstories and they often have some great action because the main characters are already set up.  This book is no exception!  

Click to read the rest of my review on Books of My Heart's Blog today

 

Come Along for the Read-Along: The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost!

In the way it always seems to go, it feels like just a few weeks ago I joined Anne at Books of My Heart's 2021 Real Along for the Psy Changeling series by Nalini Singh.  Now here we are and this roller coaster of a year is just about over,  and I am ready to journey into a new world with Anne, Berls, Sophia, Stephanie, Kai, Kimberley, and maybe you?  Come join us, it will be fun! 

Prizes, chats, and posts all year long as we delve into this well-known contemporary fantasy series.  I do enjoy vampire stories! 

You can read more about the series and join us via Anne's page here: Join the 2022 Read Along!

I am starting the series off with the audiobook of Halfway to the Grave.  I did read or listen to this book at some point in the last 10 years, so I remember some of the plot. I don't remember why I didn't continue in the series, probably life just got in the way and before I knew it I was reading some other books. 

I'm a couple chapters into the story and thus far, I enjoy the narrator. 

What do you think? Have you read this series? Are you up to joining the Read-Along? 

Everything I Wanted To Happen Happened! Review of Heart of Obsidian- Books Of My Heart Read Along!

The year and this read-along is rapidly coming to a close. I was very excited to read this book. Since the moment Kaleb Krychek entering the series, I've been hoping he'd get a book. And this is his book!  It was so well done, I'd give this six stars if I could. I don't even know how the next couple of books will top this one! Maybe they won't and that will be OK, but I think Nalini Singh has some additional tricks up her sleeve...looking at you Tatiana and Ming...

I loved this!  The perfect reveal! 

It's happening!  They are learning that they have to work together to avoid disaster!  I love this! 

Well, that's all I can really say about the book, I don't want to spoil anything.  I'm so glad I decided to join Books of My Heart's read-along this year! This series has been so enjoyable!  I loved this book so much I'm already a third of the way into the next book, which is building on book 12 in a great way. Again I can't say much, I don't want to spoil! 

I hope you are having a very nice Monday.  Fall is right around the corner!! 

 

Happy Friday! My Review is Featured on Books of My Heart!

 

I am excited to share that my review of the latest installment in Books of My Heart's annual Read-Along is up!  Check it out here!

The book really started slow for me, but by the end...Wow!  So much is happening! 

This week my gig as oldest child's ride back and forth to college resumed, so I'm adjusting my schedule to a few driving days each week.  He's a senior so this will be my last year of driving him around!  He doesn't have a driver's license and has no interest in driving. Maybe that will change in the future? Who knows! Once he is done with school, he'll be looking for a job that he can take public transportation to and from, luckily we live in an area with that option. 

At the moment, I am about halfway through reading an ARC of :

 It's fun to see how Carrie has become the go-to town mystery solver. She is the Jessica Fletcher of Clover Ridge! 

#TheSundayPost TBH, I've think I've had enough humidity for one year.

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

On the whole, this was a good week, I read two books and I was able to get my runs in on schedule.  I even got my new running shoes (on clearance!) My footwear for the marathon is decided!

 I also wrote an outline for the youtube meal prep I'm doing on Wednesday night. Today I realized that I need to have gloves so I can keep my hands clean while prepping or the video is going to have too many times where I stop to wash my hands.  

 So I have a pack of gloves I can use. I also decided that I'm going to have one of the meals finished so I can do the prep and then, a moment later, reveal the finished dish! 

This weekend I'm writing a review that will be the highlighted review for Anne's Read-along over at Books Are My Heart   

Next week I'll also be posting a review of a #NetGalley ARC for a cozy series I love! The Haunted Library Mystery series is so fun! 

How was your week?  Did you do anything fun?  Read any good books lately? 

Psy-Changeling Play of Passion - #COYER #BooksOfMyHeart #ReadAlong

I'm so glad we are reading this series for the 2021 read-along!  This series just does not disappoint!  We are now well into the second third of this series so we know the rhythm of these books.  Sometimes the couple gets together right off the bat and then they get in their own way and sometimes outside forces keep them apart.  Mostly they don't believe that they can have the love they need, want, and crave; and isn't that how we all feel at some point? 

As I say in probably every review for a book in this series, I am in awe of Nalini's Singh world building, she must be incredibly organized to have put this all together, so many plot & character plates spinning in the air at one time! 

This book features Andrew who is Riley's brother from Branded by Fire  and Indigo who we have heard about here and there. They are both important members of the Snow Dancer wolf pack. I find the couples who are lead by a dominant female the most enjoyable to read. I know that the Psy women find their voices and that is great, but I do love the changeling women who aren't afraid to be who they are and say what they need. 

4 stars for Play of Passion 

I am really excited for the next book which is featuring Hawke, the Snow Dancer's Alpha! 

 

Latest Book in our #COYER #readalong!

I'm excited to talk about the latest book in our Psy-Changeling Read-Along Series! This time I had a physical book which means it's a little harder to highlight my favorite lines because I don't like to write in my books. On the plus side, it's easier to read a physical book while I'm lounging in a pool float. 

From the moment Max was introduced in Talin/Clay's book I have been hoping he would get his own book, and here it is!  I was excited to read this book and learn more about the human police detective Max.  We also meet our first J designation, Sophia.  J-Psy are able to literally look into the minds of criminals and see their memories.  Not surprisingly J-Psy burn out very fast, even though they are Psy, even the Silence protocol can keep them from breaking down after years of being inside the minds of the most heinous of criminals. 

It makes perfect sense that Sophia and Max would become a couple as only they can really understand what they have lived through as part of the flawed justice system in this world. This book is written as a police procedural and I enjoyed that change up in the storytelling for this growing series. 

As in previous books, Nalini Singh share more knowledge about the Psy-Changeling-Human world. This reasoning for why the Psy keep humans around was on page 87: 

"Humans, often came up with ideas and concepts that were staggering unique"  

That of course, makes complete sense since the Psy under silence live without and need or want of creativity. 

 I enjoyed crime solving parts of this book probably more than the romance. I was very glad that Max was able to find love and as always I enjoy scenes with past couples in the current instalments.

4 stars for Bonds of Justice!

Happy Friday! #Readalong Review! And Some Summer Talk!

 Well as Mother Nature is wont to do, last week we had temperatures in the mid-80s and sunshine galore.  This weekend, the official start of the summer season, the skies are a uniform cloudy grey and the temperature is 46!!! 46!!! literally, 40 degrees Fahrenheit colder than this time last week. 

It's really harshing my budding pool lifestyle. 

My little pool which my daughter makes fun of because it's only 33 inches deep, but hey, it's easy for me to maintain and big enough to swim a little and float a lot!  Alas, this 3-day weekend it is going to stay covered, as temps won't even hit 70. 

When it was summer weather, I spend a few afternoons floating in my pool and reading Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh.  This is the 7th book in the PsyChangeling series that we are reading this year.  You can find out more about the read-along and join us here. 

As I have said before, I treating enjoy Nalini Singh's ability to keep raising the stakes in these paranormal romances. Once again, I had my doubts as the book was nearing the climax that Dev Santos and Katya Haas would find their HEA.  During this book, I found that I didn't care as much or root for this couple like I had in the previous book which was the love story between  Mercy and Riley.  For me, I think this was because Mercy was a strong, passionate woman who wasn't a virgin like the Psy, and because she was an equal match to Riley. Yes, Katya, survived and made it to Dev, but she is very fragile and since she has amnesia is one-dimensional. 

In Blaze of Memory, Nalini Singh takes us back to the beginning of Silence and tells the story of one family's exodus to become part of the fallen. This is done through letters a mother writes to her son. I liked this method of storytelling.  Additionally, we learn more about how Judd's special set of skills can work for the good.

I would have liked to have a better understanding of what Dev's affinity with metal meant and how it developed as he grew up. I wanted more of his backstory. 

Next up is the story of the human cop Max Shannon, I have been hoping he would get his own book from the first time he walked on the scene!  

Have a great weekend even if the weather stinks! It's a great excuse to kick back and enjoy a good book! 

On the Cusp of Springtime, Book 4 of the #PsyChangeling #ReadAlong Mine To Possess!

 You know how sometimes you look at a word and you are certain you must be spelling it wrong?  That's how I feel about 'possess'  for Pete's sake, it has 4 s's!  I am sure I have spelled in wrong many times over the years.  This is one time that I'm not going to complain about autocorrect.  Especially as I write this review.  

Mine to Possess is the fourth book in Nalini Singh's PsyChangeling series. You can join our read-along here     We aren't just reading the books, we have virtual book discussions and you can enter giveaways as well!

This book features Clay who is a wear-panther and Tally who is a human. This is the first book in the series that has a notable human character. 

Clay like some of the other members of Dark River is very close to his animal instincts and what I found unique about this story was that Clay is not just portrayed as a guy with an edge. Clay is in a very dark place and he is close to losing his humanity and becoming an animal full-time.   It took me a while to get drawn into this book because there is some graphic violence and horrifying treatment of children--which sadly happens all over the world, nevertheless it was hard to read. Tally was abused by a monster of a foster parent and Clay's mother was unstable. 

I enjoyed their journey to connect to each other as adults and the slow building of trust between them. One of the themes in this series is how the lies we tell ourselves cut us off from the love and family we deserve. 

This book has very little Snow Dancer content so, all cats no wolves. But we do have a few scenes with Judd who is a favorite character of mine.  The quote above is something he says in the book. 

The Psy-Net and The Psy-Council are becoming more unraveled with each book and I am here for that!  I was really excited to read the final pages of Mine to Possess and see that one of the side characters I thought will play a pivotal role moving forward is now in place! 

May I be one of the first to wish you a Happy Spring!  It's here!  Soon enough there will be flowers blooming and trees blossoming! 

Here is a picture from last March, this is a regular deer, not a changeling deer. 

#ReadAlong Caressed By Ice #ParanormalRomance

This year I am participating in a Read-Along organized by Anne at Booksofmyheart.net. You can click here to read about the Read-Along and Giveaways. 

I've just finished reading the third book in the series and we will be having a group discussion about it on January 21st.  Books are even better when you get to talk about them with other people! 

And now here's my review of book #3, Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh. 

Writing a series of books is hard. Juggling characters and plots and settings has to be harder than hearing cats. Knowing this, I appreciate how well Nalini Singh has crafted the Psy-Changeling series.  As I read book three, I continue to see how the book's universe is slowly expanding. Characters that were just mentioned in book one or two are moving into prominent positions.  New details about how the Psy-Changeling world is continuously added like brush strokes of different shades of color to a landscape being painted.

Each book in the series so far, like many other romance series, focuses on a different couple. This book is the story of Judd and Brenna.  Unlike the first two books, Judd's conditioning to Silence protocol isn't failing. He has been out of the PsyNet and with the Changelings for months before things heat up between him and Brenna. The timing of this book in the Read-Along is perfect as in the book it is also winter so we read descriptions of snow in the mountains near Tahoe.  

This book deals with trauma, specifically the sexual trauma Brenna has experienced and slow imperfect healing from that trauma.  Even in this paranormal world, there aren't shortcuts and magical overnight healing for Brenna. Having started this journey into the Psy-Changeling world two books ago, by this book I think we as the readers are ready for Brenna's gut-wrenching struggles and are able to understand that this story will not have steamy sex scenes until Brenna is ready. 

We also learn more about the Psy-council who are the big bads of this series and about an unknown character "The Ghost" who is leading a nascent revolutionary group. I'm staying spoiler-free for this series so totally speculation on my part here when I say, I wonder if Ghost is Kaleb the new member of the council.  There are so many threads to pull on in this series, it's such a delight to read! 

How sad would that be!  I wonder if at some point some of the Psy characters we are learning to love will begin to sing? 

Thanks for reading! Happy Wednesday! Do something nice for yourself today!