Book Beginning & Friday 56: Never Cry Wolf by Cynthia Eden

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.  

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. 

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
• Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I am currently reading Never Cry Wolf by Cynthia Eden. This is a werewolf book and is a guilty pleasure read for me. I decided to put aside the books I have for review and grab something off the stack of books that I have been gathering that I really want to read. It has werewolves, romance and suspense. What more could a girl ask for?

Product Description:

RUNNING WITH A DANGEROUS CROWD

Lucas Simone is not the kind of guy you mess with. He's big, he's strong, and his eyes hint at a wilder side most women can't handle. Of course, that's because his predatory instincts are no metaphor--he's a genuine Grade-A top-quality werewolf, tough enough to fight his way to dominance over the scariest pack on the West Coast. There's only one chink in his armor. Unlike most alpha dogs, Lucas has a reputation for protecting the weak and innocent.

Sarah King is counting on that protective impulse--it's the only thing standing between her and certain death. There are only two problems: one, she's not quite as innocent as she'd like Lucas to believe. And two, if he doesn't stop stoking Sarah's animal lust, it's only a matter of time before her own wild side gets unleashed...

Beginning:

Lucas Simone paced the confines of the eight-by-twelves foot jail cell, a snarl on his lips. The wolf within howled with rage, and the man that the world generally saw, well, he felt more than a little pissed, too.

Friday 56:

"First dead body?" Michael drawled.

Review: Heartless by Gail Carriger

Heartless
Author: Gail Carriger
Publication: Orbit; Original edition (June 28, 2011)


Description: Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?



My Thoughts: This story had all of the comedy of manners/steampunk goodness that we have come to expect from Gail Carriger. Alexia is up to her usual tricks only this time she is also eight months pregnant. She is busy dodging the vampires attacks on her life because of their fear that her infant will be a soul-stealer with the ability to be both human and supernatural. In fact one of the attacks involve killer porcupines. But a solution os found that will satisfy the vampires when Lord and Lady Maccon agree to let their child be adopted by Lord Akeldama. Of course, they intend to move in next door for the sixteen years until the child reaches its majority and, in fact, take up residence in one of Lord Akeldama's closets. Lord Akeldama is his wonderful self - fashion obsessed,  snarky, and always curious.

Having gotten the vampires to stop their constant attempts to kill her, Alexia can focus on other problems. Biffy isn't adjusting well to being a werewolf. Her sister Felicity has taken to wearing dowdy clothing and attending meetings. She has left home and wants to move in with Alexia. Madame Lefoux is troubled, losing weight, and working on some strange device that she won't tell Alexia about. Then, the big problem, a ghost comes to Alexia and says that someone is going to assassinate the Queen.

Alexia immediately gets involved in investigating the last attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria which was made by Lord Maccon's former pack and actually resulted in Conall becoming Lord Maccon. All of the werewolves try to discourage this investigation but Alexia persists. She learns something about her husband's past that she wishes she didn't know.

The story was filled with fashion, wonderfully strange inventions, and interesting characters. The language is wonderful and filled with interesting and amusing turns of phrase. Fans of Alexia will not be disappointed in this story. We will all be eagerly awaiting Timeless in March 2012 to find out what comes next.


Favorite Quote:

Not much of a screamer as a general rule, Alexia's lung capacity was nevertheless sufficient to the task and produced a trumpeting kind of yell. One emitted, however, it did not, as one might expect, bring domestic staff and clavigers running. It had taken only one or two highly embarrassing incidents for the denizens of Woolsey Castle to ignore any and all strange noises produced by Lord and Lady Maccon during their slumbering hours.

Still, one angry husband was sufficient to meet Lady Maccon's needs.

I bought this one at Amazon. You can get it there too. 

Wow: Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us a chance to spotlight books that we are eagerly anticipating and to see what others are waiting for too.

This week I am waiting for Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh. This one will be coming out on Sept. 6.

Here is the very brief description that Amazon has:

Trying to discover the identity of a murder victim brings together the vampire Dmitri and a hunter for the Guild, Honor. And as the gruesome murders continue, a lethal sensuality explodes between them.

There isn't much information there but, hey, it's Nalini Singh. It has to be good. And just look at that cover!

Teaser Tuesday: Heartless by Gail Carriger

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! 


Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

I recently got Heartless by Gail Carriger in my mailbox. I couldn't wait to read it to find out what Alexia Tarabotti (now Lady Maccon) is up to in her steampunk/Victorian world. 


Here is the product description from Amazon:

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

Here is my teaser:

While Floote, Alexia, and Biffy performed their complicated game of knotted parts on the chaise, a claviger arrived with apparel for Lord Maccon. The earl threw it on in an arbitrary way, showing all the attention to detail a ferret might employ if called upon to decorate a hat.

Ms. Carriger has some of the most outrageous and apt images I have ever read.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (July 18, 2011)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


My week proceeded pretty much as I expected. I didn't have a lot of time to read. I had a friend visit for four days. We had a lot of fun going to casinos and watching all of season three of True Blood. We even did some blogging and discovered a wonderful time-sink on Facebook. Does anyone play Gardens of Time? Want to be my friend and play with me?


I did get some reading done last week though. Here is what I read:

Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis was sent to me by the author for review. This was excellent urban fantasy and was also a great police procedural mystery. My review will be posted on July 30 and Justin will be guest posting on this blog on Aug. 2. 

Luck of the Devil by Patricia Eimer was a fun paranormal romance about the daughter of the devil. This one was filled with quirky characters and had many laugh out loud moments. Entangled Publishing asked me to wait until the first week of August to post the review. Look for it August 4.

Ward of Death by Melanie Card is also a book I received from Entangled Publishing. This one is a transitional book for upper young adults and early adults. It is a fantasy and had a rich, complex plot. My review will be posted on July 30.

The Vampire Stalker by Alison Van Diepen is a young adult story about a literary character who comes to life. What reader hasn't wished that a favorite character would come to life? Unfortunately the villain comes to life too in this story. My review will be posted on July 28.

I am currently reading Deadly Sins by Kylie Brant. She emailed me and asked it I would be interested in reading her 31st romantic suspense novel. I haven't ever read anything by her but I do love romantic suspense. She sent me a signed ARC. Here is the product description: An unknown assassin has appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner, brutally taking out high-level human targets citywide. It's just the kind of case that will test the resolve of a tough FBI agent like Jaid Marlowe. Especially when her new partner is Adam Raiker, Jaid's former colleague-and ex-lover.

I have just a few books that I am planning to read next week. If I finish them I will browse my baskets for something that looks good.

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby should be a light, fun young adult read.

Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn is the latest in the Kitty Norville series.

 Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean is one of Amazon's Best Romances of 2011 So Far. I have liked everything else I have read by her and look forward to reading this historical romance.


The Marked Son by Shea Berkley is another eARC from Entangled Publishing. The book comes out Aug. 2. I have a guest post by the author scheduled for Aug. 20.

Those are my plans. What do you have planned for the coming week?

In My Mailbox (July 17, 2011)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.
 
I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

My mailbox was loaded again this week. My TBR mountain is approaching Mount Everest in size these days. My plans to reduce it during my summer vacation have not yet been realized.


Here are my additions to TBR mountain. Let's start with the free books for my Kindle.

Laurie London's Hidden by Blood was available this week. I haven't read this series but do like vampires.

Einstein's Refrigerator: And Other Stories from the Flip Side of History by Steve Silverman sounded intriguing. I like this sort of anecdotal writing. 

A Proper Companion by Candice Hern was a free Regency Romance. The print copy of this title must be highly collectible. I see that Amazon Marketplace is offering one for $139.60.

I took a look at Amazon's list of the best books of 2011 so far and was intrigued by these two romantic suspense titles.

Face of Danger by Roxanne St.Claire is part of a series. If I like this one, there are at least two more available. 

Breaking Point by Pamela Clare takes romantic suspense to the U.S./Mexican border and has drug cartels. There are also more in this series.

While I am still waiting for my print copy of Ghost Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, the ebook was released this week and I immediately went to Baen Books to buy it for my Kindle. I read the eARC last Spring and again recently. I love this story!

Grave Dance by Kalayna Price is the second in the Alex Craft series. I have the first on my Kindle but haven't read it yet. I have read Price's other series and really enjoyed it. So I decided to get this one so that I would be ready.

I received a copy of Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis for review this week. As soon as I started it I knew that I had to have anything else he had written. I love his writing style.

Black Magic Woman and Evil Ways are books in the Morris and Chastain Supernatural Investigations series. I am hoping that his style carries over in these urban fantasies too.

That was my mailbox. What did you get in yours?

ARC Review: Merciless by Diana Palmer

Merciless
Author: Diana Palmer
Publication: HQN Books (July 26, 2011)


Description: Can she convince a man to let down his defenses when he's set on guarding his heart? Tall, dark and eligible? That's all that matters to the women of Jacobsville when it comes to handsome and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk. But if it were up to him, he would never settle down. Luckily, Jon has the best gatekeeper: his efficient and reliable assistant, Joceline Perry. Without her help, he'd be at the mercy of husband hunters—but the more he comes to rely on her, the more he notices how invaluable she really is… While Joceline can't deny that her boss is attractive, as a single mother with responsibilities she's determined to be professional. But when Jon is accosted by a criminal seeking revenge, she comes to his aid—fueling the spark that is growing between them. As the attempts on Jon's life increase, Joceline stands by his side. But when the smoke clears, will the man who avoided love realize that all he ever needed was right there all along?


My Thoughts: This was a typical Palmer. Jon Blackhawk is an FBI agent, rich, and determined not to marry. Joceline is his executive assistant (don't ask her to make the coffee!) and just getting by financially. She has an illegitimate son who has asthma and requires frequent hospitalization and expensive medicine. When a criminal targets Jon, events spill over on Joceline and her son. This brings out all of Jon's protective instincts. And as they get to know each other out of the office, he also is attracted to her.


Joceline has secrets though. She is the only one who knows that her son is also his son. They were at a party, he was drugged, and things just happened. She has told everyone that the father is a soldier who was lost in the middle east but that lie is about to blow up in her face. 


I liked the banter between Jon and Joceline. Joceline is no one's idea of a pushover. She is a strong, confident woman who gets in over her head when danger comes to her. Jon is protective and caring and a little bit abrasive. He isnt the woman hater that a lot of Palmer's heroes are. He doesn't date even though his mother is determined to marry him off and keeps parading prime specimens (in her opinion) past him.


The one part of the story that I had a problem with was how badly Jon's mother treated Joceline just because she had a baby outside of marriage. It was written off as happening because of her strong religious beliefs but just seemed cruel, capricious, and decidedly unChristian to me.


I think fans of traditional romances and especially fans of Ms. Palmer's work will enjoy this one.


Favorite Quote:

"Another five minutes of discussion on new hairstyles and I think I'd have gone to the window and jumped out."

She gave him a bland look. "We're on the first floor." she reminded him.

"I meant, I'd have jumped out and hit the ground running," he amended.

I received the eARC from NetGalley for review. You can buy your copy here.