Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

This is a new series by the same Author that wrote the Vampire Kisses series.  While I liked the Vampire Kisses series, I wasn't that thrilled with this one.  It was written in a style that makes everything seem unreal, like you are hearing about the events second hand instead of being right there with the heroine. Although it is written in the first person.  It is also a bit too bubble-gum for me.  I like reading Young Adult books from time to time, but this was just a bit too much.  Maybe it was the way Celeste just let her friends and her old boyfriend boss her around.  It got really annoying after a while. 

The Raging Princess loved the book.  So maybe this is just one of those series that doesn't cross over for adults.



True Blood Season 4

True Blood Season 4 is now out on DVD and Blue Ray!

(Of course, I picked the image featuring Eric.)

I am not one to be on the front lines of popular culture, I kind of do my own thing.  So it took me a while to hear about True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse or Southern Vampire Mystery books that inspired the HBO series, but I think it was sometime during the first season.  I immediately sought out the books, fell in love with them, and proceeded to read them one after another until I had read all, I think it was, 10 that was published at the time.   I love the books and have reviewed them here in the past.  I even went to see Charlene Harris and have an autographed copy of one of her books. 

After I read the books, I anxiously waited for the first season on True Blood to come out on DVD.  I do not have HBO and I am not willing to pay for HBO, so I waited for the DVD release and immediately scooped it up, feeling very guilty about spending the money.  I raced home and started what was a True Blood viewing frenzy!  I had never seen anything like it before.  It was cutting edge, suspenseful, full of wonderful acting and characters, and featured completely delicious vampires and werewolves.  I was enraptured!  I was hooked!  I was obsessed!  I also felt completely guilty, the T.V. show is full of nudity and inappropriate scenes, so I had to hide it from my kids.  To make matters worse my husband just does not understand my obsession with vampires.  So, it is my guilty pleasure.  I watched all the episodes in just a few days and then went back and watched all the special features and commentaries.  Watch and repeat with seasons 2 and 3. 

I was probably looking forward to season 4 even more because it was to be my end of the school year reward.  I just entered the job marked last fall for the first time in 8 years.  Juggling work and home responsibilities was difficult, but I managed.  Working in the school system, I, of course, get the summer off and was really looking forward to relaxing, spending more time with my kids, getting to read more, and watching Season 4 of True Blood.  I raced out got the DVDs and OH MY GOD!  It was probably THE BEST thing I have ever scene on TV or the movies.  It was the best season by far. 

It covered probably my favorite book in the series, although the TV show does not follow the books literally I think they are the better for it.  It did, however, cover Sookie and Eric's romance.  I really like the Sookie/Eric romance.  Eric is by far my favorite character in the books and in the series Alexander Skarsgard is perfect as Eric.  Casting a Swede as Eric is a touch of genus.  The only thing is wish was different is Alexander does not have the wonderful long hair Eric is supposed to have.  Seeing a softer side of a ruthless, 1,000 year old viking vampire was so cool.  We also get to see the ruthless side of Eric.  When he pulls the beating heart out of that witch and then sucks the blood out of the artery like it was a soda in heart shaped cup, was so wonderfully cruel, I laughed out loud!  There are several more fight/killing seasons that are similarly gross, wonderfully disgusting, perfectly shot, and cruel. 

Season 4 had it all, romance and ruthless vampire business.  I am now going to watch all of the episodes again, this time with the commentary.  I can't wait!  

Harlequin Nocturne - April 2012

Paranormal Romance

Warrior Rising the Esri Series by Pamela Palmer

In this book, the humans are still fighting the evil Esri king who is intent upon enslaving the entire human race.  The 1/2 Esri humans are on the front lines as they are the only humans who can resist the hypnotism of the Esri.   Harrison Rand is charged with guarding the Esri Princess who might be the only thing that can stop the evil king.  Along the way he fall for her, sparks fly, a war is fought, etc.

This series has not been a favorite of mine.  The author created an entire new world that smacks of a bit too much Science Fiction for my tastes.  Also, the instant desire just seemed weird.  There didn't seem to be any reason behind it.  I did finish the book and it was okay, but not great.


The Werewolf's Wife by Michele Hauf

Ridge Addison is the new alpha of his small werewolf pack.  He is determined to end his marriage that he jumped into one night on a whim in Las Vegas, so he can get on with his life.  The problem is he has never been able to get Abigail out of his mind.  When he looks up Abigail, she is determined to make a life for her and her son without men and without Ridge, but when her son goes missing, she accepts Ridge's help.  They soon learn the sparks are still there.  Can they reunite, can they find Abigail's son?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  The action/kidnapping kept the reader turning pages.  The romance was interesting and believable and the supernatural elements were good, too.

Harlequin Nocturne, March 2012

So Here are the March offerings in the Harlequin Nocturne series (available at Wal-Mart for less than list price).  I love this series, not because it is such great reading, but it is good light reading.  When I'm feeling overwhelmed by things and have too much on my mind to tackle other books, I can always pick-up on of these.  I also like to pick them up to keep on hand for those "oh no, I have nothing to read emergencies." 

I recommend them both.  I have read books in this series that I wasn't that thrilled with, but these were both pretty good. The Half-Breed Vampire is a werewolf/vampire story that took me a while to get into, but I thought it finished strong and Forever Claimed is 3rd in The Claiming Series.  I wasn't thrilled with the first book in this series, but books 2 and 3 were good.  There was a little bit of repeating the same info over and over, but for the most part a very enjoyable read.

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Book 12 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series

The author, Charlaine Harris, is winding down the series and reading the book, I could tell.  It was a bit depressing.  Nothing seemed to happen in this book.  There was a lot of Sookie being alone, getting ready for work, working, going home from work and very little else.  There were a few conversations with vampires, werepeople, and fae, but just short conversations with very little in depth or action going on.  I hope Ms. Harris has a few surprises up her sleeve, but I think I know where the series is going and I hope I'm wrong. 

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

Anne Rice is back, thank God!  I wasn't too thrilled with her Christian works, but I did read them.  In this book, she takes on the werewolf myth.  She manages it to turn the werewolf myth into something new.  In her version, the wolves are driven to destroy evildoers only.  They seem driven to this.  The book is all about spirituality, the purpose of life, what we are here for.  I liked that the wolves were basically good and there wasn't a lot of moaning and groaning about being evil. 

A good read.  I liked it, but didn't love it.  It was lush, beautifully written, had a very interesting myth story, and was full of details.  I will definitely read future books in this series.

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Book 3 in the Alpha & Omega Series
Urban Fantasy

I love Patricia Briggs.  Her Mercy Thompson Novels are on my favorites list.  The Alpha & Omega books are set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson books.  This book reads a bit like a mystery novel.  Charles and Anna are off to Boston to help the local authorities catch a serial killer.  I liked the book.  I really like that Patricia Briggs writes about couples that are married and in love, and she still manages to weave romance into the mix.  I don't like this series as well as the Mercy Thompson books, but I look forward to every new book.  Well worth reading.

Wicked Deeds on A Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

The 3rd book in the Immortals After Dark Series

This is a pretty good series.  I'm not going to obsessively read it like I do the really good series, but it was an enjoyable read, interesting plot and romance.  In this series, there are a lot of different supernatural factions that are on the verge of war.  Previously, groups that weren't that friendly to each other are finding their members falling in love, like in this book a witch and a Lykae (werewolf). 

I do have to say I am really, really sick of the stupid titles and covers.  Why to the  publishers do that?  I find myself embarrassed to show the book in public.  I guess I will have to embrace the fact that I mostly read trash novels and stop being embarrassed or try reading actual literature.