Book Review: Promises in Death (In Death #28) by J.D. Robb

 

Amarylis Coltraine may have recently transferred to the New York City police force from Atlanta, but she's been a cop long enough to know how to defend herself against an assailant. When she's taken down just steps away from her apartment, killed with her own weapon, for Eve the victim isn't just "one of us."

Dallas's friend Chief Medical Examiner Morris and Coltraine had started a serious relationship, and from all accounts the two were headed for a happy future together. But someone has put an end to all that. After breaking the news to Morris, Eve starts questioning everyone from Coltraine's squad, informants, and neighbors, while Eve's husband, Roarke, digs into computer data on Coltraine's life back in Atlanta. To their shock, they discover a connection between this case and their own painful, shadowy pasts.

The truth will need to be uncovered one layer at a time, starting with the box that arrives at Cop Central addressed to Eve containing Coltraine's guns, badge, and a note from her killer: "You can have them back. Maybe someday soon, I'll be sending yours to somebody else."

But Eve Dallas doesn't take too kindly to personal threats, and she is going to break this case, whatever it takes. And that's a promise.

Once again, Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb in this 28th book of the In Death series, manages to keep the excitement going.  The relationship between Eve and Rourke is still going strong, although they don't fight as much in this book, thank goodness!  The mystery is well written and interesting with enough twists to keep you guessing.  An old nemesis pops up, as happens a good bit in these stories.  Promises in Death is another high quality read in the series.

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Creation In Death (In Death #25) by J.D. Robb

Eve has seen this crime scene before: the artfully arranged body of a young brunette, arms spread, palms up, body marked by the signs of prolonged and painful torture. Carved into her torso is the time it took her to die - in hours, minutes, and seconds. And on the third finger of her left hand has been placed a silver ring. Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier, when a man whom the media tagged "The Groom" put the city on edge with a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days. Eve and her partner Feeney, her friend and mentor, couldn't stop him before he disappeared, only to resurface in other parts of the world to kill and kill again. But now The Groom seems to have come back to where he started. When it turns out that The Groom's most recent victim was employed by Eve's billionaire husband, Roarke, she brings him onto the case. A move that proves fitting when it becomes chillingly clear that the killer has made it personal. The corpse was washed in products from a store Roarke owns and laid out on a sheet his company manufactures. With the Groom's monstrous return, Eve is determined to finish him once and for all. Familiar with his methods, she knows that he has already grabbed his next victim. But his sights are set on the biggest challenge of his illustrious career - an abduction that will test his skills and that promises to give him satisfaction as he's never known. Time is running out on another woman's life and for Eve...

Creation in Death is the twenty-fifth book in the In Death series written by Nora Roberts (writing as J.D. Robb).  I've been slowly reading all the books in this series (and some of the novellas in between numbers) for over a year now.

The characters are real and engaging.  They have grown and changed through the whole series.   I enjoy how Roarke and Eve support and care about each other, even though they tend to fight a lot.  Most of the characters have some snarkiness to them, and the sarcastic jibs help lighten the story which is about torture and murder.

The book is written well, the action is fast paced.  It's hard to put this book down once you start reading it!  Even though this book is later in the series, you can read it as a stand alone if you wish.  But to get the full background on the characters and their stories, start from the first one, Naked in Death.

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress #4) by Jeaniene Frost

Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger.
Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.
Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

Destined for an Early Grave is the fourth novel in the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost.   In my opinion, this is the best book of the series thus far.  A dastardly villainous vampire is trying to snatch Cat right out of her dreams.  Bones must go to extreme lengths to save her, and the lack of sleep and stress drives a wedge between them.  All of their friends jump in to help, but that puts them in danger as well.  The action doesn't stop in this book, neither does the roller coaster of emotion.  Hang on tight, but do read it!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: For a Few Demons More (The Hollows #5) by Kim Harrison

Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has stayed ahead of trouble until now. A serial killer stalks the Hollows, claims victims across society, and ignites a vicious Inderland gang war. Rachel hides an ancient artifact that could stop the killer or start a battle to the death among supernatural races of Cincinnati. Every action has its price. When the vampire master Piscary is set free and the demonic Algaliarept dares to walk openly under the sun, even Rachel Morgan can't hide forever.

Well, here we start the fifth book in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison with Rachel dealing with the same problem as in the fourth book.  The werewolf artifact.  I still find the idea of this artifact and what it does just... weird.  However, For a Few Demons More shoots back up to the quality of the first few books in the series.

Harrison writes characters that you can completely love, hate, like, loathe, or anywhere in between.  She creates them in 3-D.  Even the villains have soft sides.  Everyone is constantly evolving.  I have to admit, though, that sometimes I want to slap Rachel upside the head because she doesn't learn very quickly.  She runs head-on into danger without a plan, she constantly wavers on her relationship with Ivy.  It would be nice to see her grow up some.

For a Few Demons More is a gut-wrenching, action-packed book.  Be ready for anything, because that's what's going to happen!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows #4) by Kim Harrison

Narrator, Cincinnati witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan is confronted by Nick, mortal lover who abandoned her. Savage beasts covet what he possesses, and may destroy the Hollows. While keeping a low profile to avoid eternal wrath of a vengeful demon, she must act quickly. The pack gathers for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule.

A Fistful of Charms is the fourth book in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.  While I love this series, this particular novel was not my favorite.  This one features werewolves, but I didn't like Harrison's take on how they function together.  They are all after something Nick stole, so Rachel has to help him.  The whole idea of this item and what it does is just strange to me.  I can't be more explicit because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.

The main characters are here, Rachel, Al, Jenks, and Ivy; who gets more involved than usual, which was interesting.  I really enjoy how Harrison grows each character throughout the books.  As in real life, they change their personalities and views on issues as things happen.  

The story slowed down in places, like when they hung out at the hotel trying to figure out what to do.  The whole big scene on the bridge was sad and a little weird.  It didn't leave me completely satisfied. 

I still love the series.  In my opinion, they need to be read in order to get the full benefit of the stories and the characters.  So read this one, but maybe don't expect as much.  They do get a lot better!

 I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Book Review: The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts

Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.

Another wholesome down-home novel by Billie Letts.  After reading Where the Heart Is, I started looking to read everything else she wrote.  The Honk and Holler Opening Soon shows off Letts' specialty; quirky, loveable characters.  They are all broken in some way, but manage to keep going.  The story slows down and plods along in a few places, but never enough that I wanted to stop reading. The book teaches about perseverance and that there are blue skies after the rain.

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: The Royal Treatment (Alaskan Royal Family #1) by MaryJanice Davidson

In a world nearly identical to ours, the North won the Civil War, Ben Affleck is the sexiest man alive, and Russia never sold Alaska to the U.S. Instead, Alaska is a rough, beautiful country ruled by a famously eccentric royal family, and urgently in need of a bride for the Crown Prince. But they have no idea what they're in for when they offer the job to a feisty commoner

MaryJanice Davidson has become one of my all-time favorite authors.  I first found her by reading Undead and Unwed, the first book in her Undead series.  Wanting more, I found The Royal Treatment.  I must be honest and say I didn't like it as much as do her Undead books, but it is a sincerely hysterical book!

The Royal Treatment is set in an alternate reality, the world is almost the same as this one, but Alaska is it's own country and has its own rulers.  And boy are they a bunch of nuts!  The characters are not as fully fleshed out as I prefer them to be, but I loved all of them.  They each have their own quirky personality and odd habits.  I want to take them all home with me!

The only negatives I found were the profanity used and the fairly explicit love scenes.  As I don't really mind the language, and I blip over the love scenes if they're too much for my delicate constitution.

Books don't make me literally laugh out loud very often, but this one did.  Actually, all of MaryJanice Davidson's books do.  Every time!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Ashling (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #3) by Isobelle Carmody

Elspeth’s adventures continue as she tries to seal an alliance between the secret Misfit community at Obernewtyn and the rebel forces rumored to be hiding in the capital, right under the noses of the dreaded totalitarian Council.

Elspeth travels from the mountains reluctantly, for at any moment the long-awaited summons may come to find and destroy the dormant weapon machines left by the Beforetimers. Her journey takes her far beyond the borders of the Land, across the sea and into the heart of the mysterious desert region of Sador. Here she discovers that she cannot destroy the weapon machines alone—she needs the help of the Sadorians. But before her dark quest can begin, Elspeth must learn the truth of her dreams: she must understand why the Beforetimers destroyed their world

Ashling is the third book in The Obernwetyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody which was first published in 1995.  I'm really enjoying this series.  Elspeth is becoming a young woman in Ashling.  She is slowly learning and very slowly accepting her fate of being the savior of Obernewtyn and the animals.  It's a lot for someone only about eighteen to take on, but Elspeth takes on the necessary responsibilities and grows ever stronger as a result.  She knows she can rely on help from her friends, human and animal alike.  It's a good series for older children through adults to enjoy!


Here are my reviews for some other books in the series:

1.   Obernewtyn

2.   The Farseekers

4.   The Keeping Place

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Through the Ever Night is the 2nd book in the Under the Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi.  It continues the story of Aria and Perry trying to survive in the outside world with its violent storms.  Aria and Perry, from two different worlds, fell in love in the first book, Under the Never Sky.  They were apart for a long time as Aria went home.  With the beginning of Through the Ever Night, they are set to be together again.

Perry is now leader of the Tides, the people who live out in the wild.  They don't trust Aria's people, the Dwellers, so Aria has a hard time fitting in.  Perry must keep his people safe, even if it's against their wishes, plus he and Aria still need to save his little brother.  How do they keep their relationship alive if they must separate again?

There's a lot of tension and in-fighting in the story.  The people must learn to work together and accept help from outsiders in order to survive, and they may not be able to do it.  The action never stops in this exciting sequel to Under the Never Sky.  It's a must read series for dystopian lovers!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8) by Patricia Briggs

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart

Night Broken is a good addition to the Mercy Thompson series.  I can always count on Patricia Briggs to bring new and intriguing elements into her novels!  I'd never heard of the monster in this book, but it's a real creature from mythology.

The characters are well developed and ever evolving.  That's one thing I enjoy about series, the chance to see characters grow and change.  One character, it seems, will never change - Christy, Adam's ex-wife.  She's a little one-dimensional, but she makes a good foil for Mercy.  Although werewolves are supposed to be smart, I don't understand how Christy is able to so easily manipulate all of them against Mercy.

The story flows well and is packed with suspense.  I could read this in one sitting, but I made myself put it down so the experience wouldn't be over so soon.  The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs is one of my favorites.  Night Broken is the eighth and latest published novel.  We have to wait until 2015 for the next one.  So that gives you time to start from the beginning if you've never read any of the books!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows #3) by Kim Harrison

There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.

Between "runs," she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.

Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.

And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.

Yes, I know I'm reviewing these out of order.  This is what happens when you try to play catch-up with reviews.  Anyway...

The Hollows by Kim Harrison is definitely one of my favorite series of all time.  Every Which Way But Dead is the third book in the series and is another example of the excellent writing of Kim Harrison.  I think I'd enjoy reading her grocery list.

Rachel is in trouble.  She's wrestling the demon Al to keep her freedom; trying to find her way in her relationship with Ivy, her roommate; getting hot under the collar for Kistan, the vampire; and arguing with her partner, Jenks.   So, yah, everything's normal.

While the story is great, the genius as always in this series is the characters.  Harrison writes characters that can pop off the page and go out to dinner with you.  As long as it's not Piscary, the vampire kingpin.  

You can read this book without reading the first two in the series, but I think it would be more enjoyable to start with the first book, Dead Witch Walking and read them in order.  This series is a must read for paranormal/supernatural vampire, pixy, werewolf fans!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: The Farseekers (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #2) by Isobelle Carmody

In this powerful sequel to Obernewtyn, young Elspeth Gordie-possessed of extraordinary mental powers-has united with others Misfits for refuge on the remote mountain keep of Obernewtyn. Yet the threat from the totalitarian Council to their safety is ever present. Their only defense is to work hard to develop their mental powers before an inevitable confrontation.

But when Elspeth is lured off the mountain in a dangerous quest to rescue a powerful Misfit, the fate of the Obernewtyn colony will hang in the balance.

The Farseekers by Isobelle Carmody is the second book of The Obernewtyn Chronicles.  It was first published in 1990, three years after the first book Obernewtyn.  That was back when books in a series weren't cranked out  year after year.  Readers nowadays are more impatient.  Yes, that includes me!

For me, The Farseekers was a good bit better than Obernewtyn.   It's set two years after the end of the first book, Elspeth is now 17.  Being older opens Elspeth's character to a lot more possibilities.  All the characters in this book were better developed.

I love the animals being sentient and how each animal has a distinct personality.  It's true in real life (the personality part) and it's great to see it in the book.  It's fascinating how the bonds form between the humans and the animals.

The story pace picks up more in The Farseekers and is even more enjoyable to read. 

Here are my reviews for other books in the series:

3.   Ashling

4.   The Keeping Place

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Worlds kept them apart.

Destiny brought them together.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi is the first book of her three book (so far) Under the Never Sky series.  It's dystopian setting is two worlds, one in secluded domes where everyone lives through virtual realms and they can do just about anything that can be imagined, the second world is outside exposed to the elements including violent storms.

The story is told alternately through Aria and Perry.  They come from different worlds, but slowly build a trusting relationship.  They realize they each have the same goal of finding loved ones and need each other to make that happen.  I appreciated the fact that it wasn't love at first sight, they had to work together and learn about each other for the caring to develop.  

If you're a sci-fi geek, don't expect the technology and realms of Reverie to be explained in depth.  It's not, but really isn't needed to fill out the storyline.

Rossi has built a great dystopian world in Under the Never Sky.  The characters are believable and the plot is intriguing and paced well.  I'm looking forward to reading the whole series!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms

Book Review: Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

In his slyly funny and moving new novel, the author of The Risk Pool follows the unexpected operation of grace in a deadbeat, upstate New York town--and in the lives of the unluckiest of its citizens. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and Jessica Tandy.

I decided to try this book when I read the synopsis and it mentioned slyly funny.  I love a book that can make you laugh even under the saddest circumstances.  Richard Russo does just that in Nobody's Fool.  Poor Sully, the main character, can't catch a break in life; although, truth be told, he never tried very hard.  He shuffles along on his bad knee attempting to make a living, deal with family, and solve his love life.  Things keep falling apart on him, but through it all, he has a good heart that shines through.

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Talk about unlucky sevens. An hour ago, seventeen-year-old, seven months pregnant Novalee Nation was heading for California with her boyfriend. Now she finds herself stranded at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma, with just $7.77 in change. But Novalee is about to discover hidden treasures in this small Southwest town--a group of down-to-earth, deeply caring people willing to help a homeless, jobless girl living secretly in a Wal-Mart. From Bible-thumping blue-haired Sister Thelma Husband to eccentric librarian Forney Hull who loves Novalee more than she loves herself, they are about to take her--and you, too--on a moving, funny, and unforgettable journey to . . . Where the Heart Is.

Looking at the other reviews for this novel, it seems people either love it or hate it.  Maybe because my roots are in the South, I'm on the love it side.  The characters are endearing, the story is engaging; there is heartache, but also an extra dose of southern comfort from friends and neighbors to get through.  Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts is that kind of down home southern story that you can just sink into with a glass of sweet tea by your side. 

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank

It’s about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn’t bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There’s her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her.

Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.

If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother’s name...

Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank is a wonderful book narrated by a young girl from the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.  It's written in her southern dialect, but that only adds to the richness of the story. Set in the '50s, the hard mountain life is shown.  Lydia's immediate family is taken away from her through death and jail.  She goes to live with her aunt and uncle who pay little attention to her, and supply her with barely what she needs.

Lydia tells her story, remembering the past and updating the present.  Through all the sorrowful things that happen, we see her steely resolution to survive and save her mother.  I wish the mother's personality had been fleshed out more.  Gran and Lydia's brother BJ were good strong characters, easy to connect with.

This is a beautiful southern story by a debut author.  I can't wait to see what she writes next!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.