Book Synop: Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime v ampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life-the shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she’ll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

Fantastic as usual! I listened to All Together Dead: A Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery unabridged on CD. I really enjoy listening to Johanna Parker narrate this story. It continues the saga of Sookie and her new paranormal buddies. I’m not sure how I really feel about Quinn and Sookie dating because I’m partial to Eric, but I’m glad that Sookie is happy.

The vampire summit was a little boring at times, but overall the story was well paced and of course the humor was outstanding. I can’t wait to see if HBO is going to pick up True Blood starring Anna Paquin as Sookie. Now, if only Ms. Harris would write this series a little bit faster….

Book Synop:

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…

At first I wasn’t sure about this book. I had read all the hype and for some people, hype makes them run out and buy the book/movie/cd etc. but for me, hype just makes me want the object to gather some dust and then when my mind has shed all the gushing accolades, I pick it up and try it out. So, much Like Abby Cooper, this book was bought the first week it came out, but it has set on my TBR shelf for quite a while.

And here is where I have to admit that sometimes you have to believe the hype. One part of me is glad that I waited to read this — so I could immediately start reading Visions of Heat (The Psy-Changeling Series, Book 2) (Berkley Sensation). The other half of me is smacking the back of my head wanting to know why I waited so long to pick out Slave to Sensation (The Psy-Changelings Series, Book 1) (Berkley Sensation).

It always makes my heart happy when someone creates a brand new world for people and creatures (for lack of a better word) that could be part of the same ol, same ol. Nalini Singh has created a very rich world where Psy, Changelings and humans have an uneasy peace — of sorts.

Lucas and Sascha are incredible characters. Their chemistry is white hot and I found myself following Sascha’s path into emotion with avid interest. Lucas was a bit more alpha than I typically like, but it suited his position and his character. I guessed early on the identity of the killer but enjoyed watching the trap to capture him unfold. Sometimes things were a bit repetitive, but all in all I enjoyed learning about this new world and these new people.

Things are looking up while here on vacation! I’ve just finished another 3 books and am ecstatic that they were G-R-E-A-T!!! Since I’m putting all three in this post, the whys and wherefores will be short, but if you haven’t read these you should pick them up!!!

As usual I PPH Karen Rose! I’m Watching You was excellent! I love stories that challenge my own perceptions and this one had me doing a bit of thinking at the end. This story is about a vigilante killer who is taking out some of society’s worst offenders. These guys all got off in court by a technicality or by their defense lawyer being total scum and discrediting the Prosecution’s witnesses. Kristen Mayhew tries so hard to put these bastards away as an ASA but she can’t get them all. But someone has decided to help her and he calls himself Your Humble Servant. She gets close to the cop assigned to her case, Abe Reagan but there are issues that both of them are dealing with that keeps them at arms lengths from each other. The book is extremely fast paced and I only put it down to get some sleep. I had to look at whether I thought the killer was actually a killer or if he was doing a society a favor. Very interesting. And since I don’t usually read psychological thrillers a second time, I’m going to leave the book here at the condo for someone else to enjoy.

Next was a book I’ve had since the day it hit the shelves of my bookstore – Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy by HelenKay Dimon was incredible! A lot of times snarky dialogue feels forced to me and pulls me out of a story, but the characters of Kane and Annie were hilarious and believable! The story kept me engaged (and practically had me washed away at high tide because I didn’t want to move from the beach chair!). I can’t wait for more from her. Fantastic! Now if only she will be doing Josh and Derek’s stories. I know something is in the pipelines for another Hawaii story because I went to her website, but I am soooo very impatient!

And last, but by no means least, is the story I just finished this evening. One that Tina has been bugging me to read for quite a while and I was very resistant to trying. When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, Book 1) is one of the best vampire books I’ve read in a while! I absolutely loved the character of Dante (where can I find myself one!!!) and the byplay between Dante and Abby kept me chuckling all through the book. The world building was subtle, yet weaved so skillfully in it wasn’t like a lesson. These two were HOT! I can’t wait to pick up Embrace The Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 2) in early November. Alexandra Ivy is now on my auto-buy list!

Now what will I pick-up next…..

Book Synop: A storm’s rage. A woman’s desire.

A man with the power to set them both free.

He can summon lightning at will. Emerge unscathed from the center of a tornado. Strip a woman down to her barest defenses through the sheer force of his sexuality. He’s gorgeous, dangerous, and the target of parameteorologist Haley Holmes’s latest mission. Haley has been dispatched to the Louisiana bayous to investigate the phenomenon known as Remy Begnaud–a man with a gift he never wanted: the ability to control a storm’s fury. But even a woman trained in bizarre weather phenomena has no defense against the electrifying power of the ex—Navy SEAL…a power his enemies would kill to control.

With her agency monitoring their every move, Haley’s job is to seduce Remy, gain his trust–and help him harness his extraordinary gift. But who will protect her from this voracious lover who’s introducing her to a new world of erotic thrills—a man who grows increasingly insatiable with each new weather event? Haley knows a big storm is approaching—and with it will come unexpected delights. But so, too, will the storm unleash her greatest fears: an enemy bent on destroying Remy. And her worst fear of all—falling in love with this magnificent man, then having to betray him.

I started reading Riding the Storm thinking it was going to be a mix of paranormal and suspense/thriller and soon found that it was an erotic romance. Not that I minded, but I had to shift mental gears a little. There is only one word that comes to mind to describe this book — HOT!!! I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed meeting all the new characters from this world that Sydney Croft (aka Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler) created.  In fact, there were so many that I wish there were a few less so the story could focus that much more on Remy and Haley.

The powers that the characters had intrigued me. Remy had the power to control the weather, Annika could control/create electricity and Wyatt was telekinetic — just to name a few.

Haley was sent by ACRO to persuade Remy to join them and learn to control his gift and of course the bad guys want to get to him first! Thing is, Remy’s gift is tied into sex — his way of controlling what is happening. So there’s lots of sex and I can’t believe I’m going to say this…but I wish there had been a little less sex and more outmaneuvering the bad guys! I think this is a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to Unleashing the Storm next March. I think if you like erotic romance, X-Men and stories like Rachel Caine’s Weather Wardens then this will be right up your alley!

I can’t tell you how excited I was when I received an e-mail from Marta Acosta asking if I would be willing to review her books, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) and Midnight Brunch (Casa Dracula Series, Book 2). I received them and then my reading hours went down the toilet.

But I have finally read Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) and am happy to finally post my review!

Book Synop:  Vampires, Margaritas, Mahem.  What’s a a girl to do when she’s hidden away at the home of snobby vampires and her ex-boyfriend wants to drive a stake through her heart?

Milagro de los Santos can’t find her place in the world or a man to go with it. All the men she meets are like beach reads–fun, but superficial–and she worries that she is only a beach read, too. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family’s estate to recover. Vampires don’t exist in this day and age, or do they? As Milagro falls in love with a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family who has accepted her as one of their own and a shady organization that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

At first, Milagro really got on my nerves.  I felt like there was too much humor and that some of it was forced, but I as I continued further into the book I started to really like Milagro and her eccentric spirit.  And at first I really wanted Oswald to be more — more man? — I don’t know, just more.   But when you realize the position that Oswald is in, it kinda explains his actions, or lack of.

I loved the interaction between Milagro and Oswald’s family.  I especially loved reading the exchanges between Milagro and Edna.  Hilarious!  This book was a little of everything.  Humorous, romantic, a dash of suspense.  And even though the book clearly leaves openings for other adentures, it’s a good stand alone title as well.  Overall this book is about Milagro finding herself and growing.  I liked watching her go from party girl to someone much more mature and responsible.  The plot points that included CACA were sometimes a little hard for me to believe but they fit in nicely and Sebastion was a great character to dislike!

Overall, I really loved this different take on vampires.  The wit was laugh-out-loud funny in many places and I’m interested to see what happens between Oswald and Milagro in the future.

Interviewing authors always gives me that ‘kid in the candy store’ feeling and this interview with Caridad Pineiro is no exception! Caridad was kind enough to answer some questions that I had for her and now I’m sharing them with you! Caridad’s current book on the shelves is Blood Calls, part of The Calling series and it’s in the Nocturne line from Silhouette so grab your copy as soon as you can!BBB: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Blood Calls is out as one of the May ’07 Nocturne books. Could you give a us an idea what’s in store for Diego and Ramona?

Caridad: Diego Rivera became a vampire during the Spanish Inquisition and recently lost his vampire lover. The experience of so many years of life and loss has Diego thinking that becoming a vampire elder may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. Diego is currently the owner of an art gallery in Soho and Ramona Escobar is a young artist that he has been supporting. Ramona is beautiful and passionate, but she has a life filled with hardship and secrets. She recently made copies of some Old Masters and now finds that those copies are being passed off as the originals. Ramona is determined to find out who is behind the art fraud, but is challenged by two things – the millionaire behind the art fraud is out to stop her and her health is failing since Ramona is suffering from a rare form of anemia. When her life is threatened, Diego comes to her assistance and passion flares between them, but can their passion survive the secrets that both Diego and Ramona have hidden from each other?

BBB: What was your inspiration for Blood Calls?

Caridad: Diego Rivera first appeared in Temptation Calls and I realized when I wrote that story that Diego had to have his own book. Diego was strong and passionate. A real hero who needed to find real love.

BBB: Blood Calls is the sixth book in The Calling series. Do you find writing an ongoing series to be more difficult than stand alone books and how do you keep the storylines fresh?

Caridad: Writing a series has its challenges, but although THE CALLING is a series, each book stands alone. Readers will see recurring characters from book to book, but each story begins and ends in the one book. This kind of series is harder because you always need to provide some info to new readers about the recurring characters without boring readers who have seen them in the previous books. The other hard thing is to not have each book be too similar in theme. I try to avoid this by switching by alternating between mysteries revolving around mortal issues and paranormal issues. For example, in The Calling: Death Calls (Book 4) (Nocturne) the mystery is about a terrorist plot. The Calling: Devotion Calls (Book 5) (Silhouette Nocturne) the mystery is about a chupacabra terrorizing a Spanish Harlem neighborhood.

BBB: What draws you to write paranormal stories and how did you get the inspiration for The Calling series?

Caridad: I always loved paranormal stories, but I also loved suspense stories. I thought, Why not combine both of these elements? What resulted was THE CALLING which is a paranormal romantic suspense series.

BBB: You write several types of books – paranormal, suspense and women’s fiction – is it hard to “switch gears” when you write in these different genres?

Caridad: It can be difficult to switch gears, especially when you have deadlines for two such different books at the same time. However, I find that switching genres helps to keep my writing fresh since it keeps me from relying on “writing crutches” by forcing me to try different things.

BBB: You are a very busy woman! You’re a wife, mother, lawyer and writer. How do you make time for your writing and do you ever get any sleep?

Caridad: LOL! I find I don’t need much sleep for starters – about six or seven hours. But, I’ve learned to manage my time in order to use my creative hours to their full potential. I also have a very supportive family that helps me out with whatever they can.

BBB: What’s a typical writing day like for you?

Caridad: I usually write on the train to and from work each morning. I do the bulk of my writing on the weekends. I usually write for 3 of so hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I try not to write on weekday nights since I need some down time, but I will work on the blog and the website on weekday nights.

BBB: Some authors write to music. Some practically have a soundtrack for each book. Do you have any favorites that you play while writing?

Caridad: Actually, I watch TV while I write. When I’m doing the vampires or suspense, I watch BUFFY, BONES and UNDERWORLD. When I’m doing women’s fiction, I watch some of my favorite Sandra Bullock movies. Of course, I’m always game for something new and will add new DVDs that inspire me.

BBB: Do you do research for your novels and if so about how much time does it take for you to gather all your information?

Caridad: I do research new things all the time. For example, for BLOOD CALLS I researched how to commit art fraud, the Old Masters and the Spanish Inquisition. It was an interesting experience. Right now, I’m researching how Army CID works for a new romantic suspense. On an average, it takes me anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks to do the initial preliminary research. I’ll also stop and do spot research as I’m writing if something comes up.

BBB: Is there a book incubating in your mind that you just can’t wait to get onto paper?

Caridad: I’d started writing a story set during the Cuban Revolution in the fifties and I’m really dying to get into that story once again.

BBB: What do you do when you hit a writing block?

Caridad: I usually don’t have time for a writing block! LOL! But when I stumble and need some inspiration, I watch DVDs to help me past the hurdle.

BBB: What book of your own was your favorite to write and which one gave you the most trouble?

Caridad: My favorite was The Calling: Darkness Calls (Book 1) (Silhouette Intimate Moments No. 1283). When I first started submitting it, I was told that vampires wouldn’t sell, but I believed in the story. So, I went home during a Christmas break and wrote the book just for me. I’m glad I did! As for hardest to write, that was definitely the follow-up book, The Calling: Danger Calls (Book 2) (Silhouette Intimate Moments). I wanted to be as good as the first, but it was very different because it had a beta hero. That was difficult, but the readers responded well to Sebastian Reyes, the hero.

BBB: What’s coming out next for you?

Caridad: Besides BLOOD CALLS this month, the rest of 2007 will be very busy for me. In August I have a romantic suspense – Secret Agent Reunion (Romantic Suspense). In September, my women’s fiction – South Beach Chicas Catch Their Man. In October and December, back to the paranormals with Moon Fever and HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, respectively.

BBB: What advice would you give to unpublished writers?

Caridad: NEVER GIVE UP. Getting published is in large part about perseverance and never letting the rejection get to you.

BBB:What books are currently on the top of you TBR pile?

Caridad: Linda Howard’s latest for Nocturne and Tiger Eye by Marjorie Liu. I also just downloaded DEVOTION CALLS from MOBI for my cell phone since I want to see how it is to read a book on a mobile device. Amazingly, it’s a lot easier and more clear than I would have thought since you can increase the text size to the point where it’s bigger than regular book print.

BBB: What authors and/or books are your favorites?

Caridad: Kim Harrison, J.D. Robb and Kelley Armstrong.

BBB: Anything else you’d like for us to know?

Caridad: I love to hear from readers. You can visit www.caridad.com for information about me, writing me or entering one of the many contests I have available.

BBB: It was wonderful having you stop in, Caridad!

Caridad’s website is just chock full of fun stuff! She has videos for some of her books, her backlist, contests and lots of other great things. You can also check Caridad out on MySpace.

Synop: (From B&N)
Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you’ve been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.

Long-time rivals for Anita’s affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there’s Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her…

I can’t begin to say how happy I am that the old Anita is (sorta) back in The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 15). I’ve missed her. I felt the series jumped the shark with Narcissus in Chains and I haven’t been the same rabid fan girl since then. I still feel there is waaaaay too much personal therapy being worked through from LKH’s personal life in the pages, but it wasn’t quite as annoying this time around. I do miss the period of time usually covered in the books. I do not like that only a day or so goes by. Couldn’t we have a week? Why can’t the Merry Gentry series be all about the sex and whacked out time periods and Anita could be, well what Anita was the first 8 books or so.

There still is not any significant character growth in The Harlequin. Nobody has grown (I’m not counting Anita getting new powers or new sex partners) in the last several books except Nathaniel. I’ve enjoyed watching him come into his own. But all the other characters are mired in stagnancy. Jean Claude is still the (mostly) unperturbed Master of the City. Micah is still perfect in his every move, gesture and breath. Richard is still the same annoying asshole that just can’t get his crap together.

Speaking of Richard. I want him to die a horrible, painful death. I’ll take my chances with him killing the triumvirate. Really. He is the whiniest most unappealing male ever. Every book Anita and him have the same fights and every time Richard gets his feelers hurt and he must run off and lick his wounds. ENOUGH ALREADY! It boggles the mind that this pansy is King of the Wolves. Or whatever his title is. Kill him, kill him, kill him.

Okay, now that I got most of my gripes out of the way, this was an interesting story. I liked reading about these assassins sent to take care of business with Malcolm’s church. I enjoyed reading more about Marme Noire (I probably spelled that wrong). I liked that the story has a definite beginning, middle and end. And best of all, I liked that Anita no longer has to have sex every fifteen minutes. There’s actually room for *gasp* a story! Now you may be wondering why I gave it a B+. Well, I’m comparing them against the last few books and comparatively speaking, The Harlequin is gold. Compared to other authors, stories, styles and other things typical literature is “graded” on, I’d give it a C.

I wish that I could steer clear of this series. but I liken it to the train wreck that you can’t help but rubber neck at as you go by. Finally, I didn’t feel as though The Harlequin was a total waste of money. I’m actually looking forward to the next one to see if it’s still heading in the right direction or if The Harlequin was a fluke.

Book Synop: In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

I’ve had this book in my TBR pile for a while and I finally pulled it out with nagging gentle nudging from my friend, Tina. It took me a while to really get into this book. I struggled a little with learning the world Ward had created. I think I was a little apprehensive when the first thing I saw in the book was a glossary of terms. I guess by the 5th chapter I was ready to settle down and really read the story. Visualizing Wrath was difficult and somewhat detracted from the story for me. I think it was also hard for me to reconcile that here was a vampire that couldn’t see well vs. the vampires that have perfect senses.

After the initial hiccups, I really enjoyed the story. Beth was a character that I liked immediately and while it took a little bit for Wrath to grow on me, I really liked the other Brothers from the word go. I’m not sure I bought Wrath’s sudden need to make Beth his shellan, but I glossed over that. I also glossed over the budding relationship between Butch and Marissa. That was a bit harder to swallow and seemed somewhat out of place even though their relationship was pivotal to some of the actions of others toward the end of the story.

Over all, I enjoyed it and I’m definitely going to go out and buy Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2). I think this series can only get stronger and I’m glad I pulled Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)out of the TBR pile.