Book Beginning & Friday 56: Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan

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.

Next up on my review stack is Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan. I am on the blog tour for this book. Check back tomorrow for my review and a guest post by the author. This is the start of an urban fantasy trilogy.

Here is the description:

When a regular night of Robin Hood-ery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn't quite... normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar someone has to take care of all his victims he s stolen her memories.

And only reading her fate can fix that.

Good thing she s got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate, but only if she gives them something in return. Saving her oracle BFF's fiance, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix s heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.
If only the king didn't want his daughter dead...

Beginning:

The worst day of my life began with a double mocha, extra whipped cream. I burned my tongue, spilled whipped cream on my black top, and then dumped the whole thing when I tripped while walking up the stairs to my second-floor apartment. It got worse.

Friday 56 (estimated on my Kindle):

"It did die out," MacLean replied. "No one has shown any sign of it for about sixty years, that we know of."

Review: Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis

Sympathy for the Devil
Author: Justin Gustainis
Publication: Solaris; 1 edition (July 26, 2011)


Description: Senator Howard Stark wants to be President of the United States. So does the demon inside him. With the competing candidates dropping out due to scandal, blackmail, and ‘accidental’ death, Stark looks like a good bet to go all the way to the White House. And if he gets there, Hell on Earth will follow.


Occult investigator Quincey Morris and white witch Libby Chastain are determined to stop this evil conspiracy. But between them and Stark stand the dedicated agents of the US Secret Service – as well as the very forces of Hell itself. Quincey and Libby will risk everything to exorcise the demon possessing Stark. If they fail, ‘Hail to the Chief’ will become a funeral march – for all of us.


My Thoughts: This was another exciting episode in the Morris and Chastain series. Quincy Morris begins the story in a depressed state after an exorcism goes wrong. He feels guilt for what he feels were mistakes on his part. The priest who was conducting the exorcism and who is a friend of Quincy's was blinded by the demon inside the teenage girl. When Libby has trouble contacting Quincy, she visits him in Texas and helps to pull him out of his depression and self-destructive behavior. Just in time too....


Suspicions have been raised that one of the Republican presidential hopefuls - Howard Stark - might be a demon. Quincy and Libby are being asked to investigate. Libby is brought in when one of Stark's political opponents dies in a freak accident at home. Libby smells black magic at the scene and has her suspicions raised.


It seems that there are factions in Hell. One group of demons supports Stark's bid for the White House while a second group opposes it. The second group has returned a CIA assassin killed in 1983 to life and tasked him with killing Stark. He is Mal Peters. He has as his partner a fourth rank demon known as Ashley. Half the story is told from their points of view as they try to find a way to kill Stark.


Both groups come together after an assassination attempt on Stark is thwarted by Libby's actions. But they soon realize that their goals are the same - removing the demon from Stark's body and returning it to Hell before it can cause Armageddon. Only their ways of accomplishing the goal is different. They end up working together in a thrilling climax to the story.


The thing I like best about the Morris and Chastain series is how very real and possible it all seems. The paranormal is interwoven so seamlessly with reality as I know it. The world building is fascinating and well done. I recommend the series to all lovers of urban fantasy.


Trailer:

Favorite Quote:

"No offense, but I thought you guys had already been defeated," Peters said.

"Yes, I know. But this is supposed to involve a deeper pit, hotter fires, and I don't know what all. The scriptural references are not exactly clear."

"And you believe that's what happens -- you lose again?"

"Not at all," the demon said, "Or, rather, not necessarily. What the other side calls prophecy we call propaganda - a word the Church itself invented. By the same token, even a broken watch is right twice a day."

"So you're not sure."

I bought this one because I enjoyed the previous books in the series. You can get your copy here.

Book Review: Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel by Kim Harrison

Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel
Author: Kim Harrison
Illustrators: Pedro Maia and Gemma Magno
Publication: Del Rey (July 12, 2011)


Description: When Ivy met Rachel, the result wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Sparks flew as the living vampire and the stubborn witch learned what it meant to be partners. Now Kim Harrison, the acclaimed author of Pale Demon and Black Magic Sanction, turns back the clock to tell the tale—in an original full-color graphic novel.

Hot-as-hell, tough-as-nails detective Ivy Tamwood has been demoted from homicide down to lowly street-crime detail. As if rousting trolls and policing pixies instead of catching killers wasn’t bad enough, she’s also been saddled with a newbie partner who’s an earth witch. It’s enough to make any living vampire bare her fangs. But when a coven of murderous witches begins preying on werewolves, Rachel Morgan quickly proves she’s a good witch who knows how to be a badass.

Together, Ivy and Rachel hit the mean streets to deal swift justice to the evil element among Cincinnati’s supernatural set. But there’s more to their partnership than they realize—and more blood and black magic in their future than they bargained for.



My Thoughts: I think that I am not as visual as the average person. I get my information from words and sounds. Therefore, a graphic novel is not my favorite form of the written word. But I am a fan of the Hollows series and thought I would give it a try.


I can recognize that the images were well-drawn and well-colored. The action flowed. But for me the story was shallow. I missed the nuances that can be done with text. The story was about the first meeting of Ivy and Rachel and their first case together. It is told from Ivy's point of view and emphasizes her attraction to Rachel.


Generally it sets up their personality types. Rachel is more impulsive than Ivy. Ivy is more controlled and self-contained. 


I think that fans of graphic novels and the Hollows series will like this new addition to the body of work. 


Favorite Quote (from the introduction):

Writing has always been a way for me to share the thoughts and images in my head. I've been playing with the written word for a good bit of time now, but nothing I can put on paper will surmount the simple fact that we are a visual species, highly tuned to to the subtle shifts of expression and body language. It's the limits of the medium.

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

Teaser Tuesday Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis

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!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I just picked up Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis. This is the latest in his Morris and Chastain urban fantasy series. I like the characters and the world that Gustainis has created. Here is the product description:

Senator Howard Stark wants to be President of the United States. So does the demon inside him. With the competing candidates dropping out due to scandal, blackmail, and ‘accidental’ death, Stark looks like a good bet to go all the way to the White House. And if he gets there, Hell on Earth will follow.


Occult investigator Quincey Morris and white witch Libby Chastain are determined to stop this evil conspiracy. But between them and Stark stand the dedicated agents of the US Secret Service – as well as the very forces of Hell itself. Quincey and Libby will risk everything to exorcise the demon possessing Stark. If they fail, ‘Hail to the Chief’ will become a funeral march – for all of us.

Teaser:

"There were allegations, afterward, of certain...improprieties on your part."

"An allegation," he said primly, "is, by definition, a claim made without proof to back it up."

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (August 29, 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.

School starts today! At least for the teachers. We also roll out our 1:1 laptop program with the sophomores and juniors tonight. Tomorrow the seniors get their laptops. It should be a busy and exciting couple of days at work because all the usual library things need to get done too. We work Monday and Tuesday for 7:30 AM until at least 9 PM both days. Then we are off until Tuesday, Sept. 6, when we will welcome our students for the new school year.

I think I will be spending a lot of time at both my media centers Wednesday through Monday getting ready!

Last week I read:

Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis which is the third in the Morris and Chastain urban fantasy series. This one was a great addition to the series. We got to know the main characters better and were swept up in a very exciting plot. My review will be posted on September 1.

Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel by Kim Harrison was an impulse buy for me. I like the Hollows series. I am not really a fan of graphic novels. Because of that, I thought the story was slight but the pictures were well-done. I realize more each day how much I am not a visual person. My review will be posted on August 31.

Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan is a new urban fantasy story from Entangled Publishing. I will be hosting Jess on my blog on Saturday and posting the review then too. I will also have an ebook to give away. Check back. I really enjoyed this urban fantasy story with an atypical female lead. 

I also read Vespers Rising which is the newest book in the 39 Clues series. This one was written by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson. It sets up a new rivalry with another powerful family. This one was well-done and I think my middle graders will be glad to continue on with the series. My review will be posted on August 31.

I am currently reading All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin which has finally made its way to the top of my review stack. This is a young adult book that combines a dystopia with a mystery. I have just begun it but am enjoying it so far.

I don't know what I will be reading next week. I expect to go the the Elementary school Monday and find a bunch of packages waiting for me. I have been having stuff sent there for the last couple of weeks.  I know that Bloodlines by Richelle Mead is there waiting for me. I have been eager to read it since I went to her author signing in May and she read the first part of it to us. I think that one will be first no matter what else might be waiting for me.

In My Mailbox (August 28, 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.

This was a quiet book week for me this week as I transition between my summer home and my school year home. I switched all my book orders to my school year address and expect quite a stack when I get back home. This week I added some books to my Kindle, though.

I did a little more shopping while the Georgette Heyer books were $1.99. I chose two more mysteries that I haven't read.

Death in the Stocks 

Why Shoot a Butler?

I added these free books too.

Chosen by Paula Bradley is a combination of thriller and paranormal. From the product description: Chosen introduces readers to a remarkably complex, achingly human, and absolutely unforgettable heroine. Bursting with tension, danger, and the thrill of the unexplained, Chosen is a singular reading experience.

The Witch of Agnesi by Robert Spiller features a math teacher who is investigating the disappearance of some of her students and discovers lots of things she didn't know about her community.

I also added couple of novellas to my Kindle too.

Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost originally appeared in the Four Dukes and a Devil anthology which I don't have. 

The Vampire's Warden by S. J. Wright is part one of a three part series. It is also romantic suspense with vampires.

I also received one book for review:

Echo Falls by Jaime McDougall is a paranormal romance with werewolves. I couldn't pass it up! Here is the product description:

Running from a nightmare stalking her every move, Phoebe Martin arrives in Echo Falls hoping she has finally found a safe place to stop. But trouble has a way of catching up and soon the signs are there.


After a vicious attack in an alley, policeman Aidan O'Bryan is left with Phoebe as his only path to understanding why the Echo Falls werewolf pack - his pack - is being attacked. When another pack member is killed, Phoebe is forced to confront her past before she loses Aidan and everything she has come to love.


Love and duty become one as Aidan strives to prevent Phoebe from becoming the next victim. But with Phoebe just as determined to protect Aidan and her new home, secrets from her past threaten to tear them apart.


Will love give Phoebe the strength to trust Aidan and face her fears, or will her past destroy her future?


*Warning: Contains adult situations and language

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

ARC Review: Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman

Out in Blue
Author: Sarah Gilman
Publication: Entangled Publishing, LLC (August 2, 2011)


Description: In a violent world where fallen archangels are hunted for their valuable plumage, Wren knows one thing for certain: the human woman who saved him from a poacher attack will die if she stays with him. The demon responsible for his parents gruesome deaths two decades ago pines for the chance to rip apart any woman who stands under Wren's wing. 

Wren doesn't expect Ginger to stay by his side once she discovers his ability to drain life with a mere touch, yet she lingers. When an unusual talent of her own reveals the location of Wren's father, Wren's isolated world implodes. With the help of the demon protectors he's sworn never to trust again, Wren risks everything to rescue his father, confront the demon who stalks his and Ginger's every step, and claim his eternity with the most courageous woman he s ever known. 


My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this urban fantasy/paranormal romance. In this world angels fall, are protected by demons, and are hunted by humans for their feathers. Wren watched his family's guardian demon betray them and kill his parents when he was ten years old. He has been on the run from both guardians and humans ever since. 


Ginger overhears human poachers discussing the angel that they have located and rushes off to try to rescue him. After all, she was raised by a demon and knows about angels. When the rescue attempt goes awry, Ginger and Wren are both on the run. The poachers do let slip that the father he thought was dead has been the prisoner of the poachers and their rogue demon leader for eighteen years. Wren is determined to rescue him and reluctantly goes to the demons for assistance. 


Along the way, Ginger and Wren fall in love. But Wren is afraid to commit to her because the demon who killed and tortured his parents had said that worse would happen to anyone Wren loved. Wren also has an unusual psychic power. He can kill anyone he touches. A previous love interest was afraid of him and feared his power. He is afraid that Ginger won't be able to cope with it either.


The book is filled with interesting mythology about angels and demons. I also very much enjoyed the romance between Ginger and Wren. I recommend this one to readers who like paranormal romance and like angels. I can't wait for more books in the Sanctuary series.


Favorite Quote:

He wished Ginger were there with him. Despite the mere hours since he'd last seen her, he missed her. He wanted to hold her close and whisper his relief and his joy in her ear. Wanted to rest with her warm at his side, as part of his family.

I received this eARC for review from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley. You can get your copy here.