Book Review: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Full Blooded

Author: Amanda Carlson

Publication: Orbit; 1 edition (September 11, 2012)

Description: It's not easy being a girl. It's even harder when you're the only girl in a family of werewolves. But it's next to impossible when your very existence spells out the doom of your race... Meet Jessica McClain -- she just became part of the pack.

In the vein of Kelley Armstrong and Patricia Briggs, a new urban fantasy that rewrites the werewolf myth...

My Thoughts: FULL BLOODED was an entertaining debut urban fantasy novel. It was action-packed and fast-paced. I did think that some of the dialog seemed stilted and the author was guilty of being and the tell side of show or tell. 

Jessica McClain begins the story by shifting into a werewolf for the first time at age 27—long after the usual age. Jessica has left the Pack where her father is Alpha and made a life for herself in the human world. She was a police officer for a while but is currently a detective with her partner who is a werefox. She has a human enemy from her time as a police officer. Detective Ray Hart is certain that she is guilty of something and has been harassing her since she left the police.

Once she shifts, she finds that she has even more enemies. She is the only female werewolf in the world. Many wolves are certain that her birth is a sign of disaster for the Pack. She has also drawn the attention of much of the rest of the supernatural world because of her rarity.

The shear number of changes Jessica experiences in this story would rock any character's world but she seems to take each change in stride. She has to deal with becoming a full blooded werewolf, being able to half shift into a Lycan form which had been thought to be only a legend, finding her true mate when very few wolves ever manage that, and finding that her mate isn't another werewolf. Throw in coming to terms and learning to control her wolf and being thrown into the middle of a werewolf war then being kidnapped by a sorceress for a vampire and you have lots of action in this story.

This is a story that ends on a cliffhanger. I know I'll be adding HOT BLOODED to my reading stack to find out what happens next for Jessica.

Favorite Quote:

I slumped back in my seat, thinking about everything that had happened tonight. My brain still whirled and I wanted to put everything to rest. Blocking your Alpha was impossible. It was clear evidence that something was wrong—I was officially a problem my father couldn't control. If that information got out, the Pack would never accept me. The Alpha was in place for a reason; he was at  the top to control all others. If I didn't fit into the hierarchy, they would take me down. Wolves needed structure and hated change. They feared the unknown and hated anything they couldn't explain.

I was the epitome of those things wrapped into one.

I was so screwed.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I dug into my TBR mountain and pulled out Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson. I added it to my stack on Sept. 18, 2012. I chose it because I like books about werewolves and it is supposed to be like books by Kelley Armstrong and Patricia Briggs who happen to rank high among my favorite authors. Here is the description:

t's not easy being a girl. It's even harder when you're the only girl in a family of werewolves. But it's next to impossible when your very existence spells out the doom of your race... Meet Jessica McClain -- she just became part of the pack.

In the vein of Kelley Armstrong and Patricia Briggs, a new urban fantasy that rewrites the werewolf myth...

Beginning:

I drew in a ragged breath and tried hard to surface from one hell of a nightmare.

Friday 56:

He wasn't buying any of it, but I didn't have much choice. Telling the truth was not an option and I had no other alibi at this point.

Book Review: Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Whiskey Beach

Author: Nora Roberts

Publication: Putnam Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (April 16, 2013)

Description: For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home…

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.

He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all…

My Thoughts: WHISKEY BEACH was another powerful romantic suspense title from Nora Roberts. I fell in love with both Eli Landon and Abra Walsh. Eli has come back home to Whiskey Beach to try to rebuild his life after being accused of killing his estranged wife. He has lost his career as a criminal defense lawyer is in a state of depression. He is also being harassed by the Boston police detective who is sure he is guilty despite a lack of evidence. He is back at the family home -- Bluff House -- because his grandmother had a serious fall and almost lost her life. She wants a Landon to live in the house as they have since the Revolutionary War. 

Abra Walsh is a relative new-comer to Whiskey Beach but she had managed to build a satisfying life for herself. She does some housekeeping at Bluff House and for others too. She teaches yoga, gives massages,  and serves drinks at the local bar on Friday nights. She is also rebuilding her life after personal trauma and has regained her cheerful, positive attitude. She sees that Eli needs some help and starts working her way into his life.

When Abra is attacked in Bluff House and together she and Eli discover that someone is digging in the basement, the questions just keep building. Is the attack related to Eli's wife's death or his grandmother's assault? Are the long-held rumors of buried treasure at Bluff House true?

The story was filled with tension and the growth of a realistic relationship between Eli and Abra. I liked that both characters were still healing and were cautious about getting involved again. I liked the way the tension in the story kept building and building. 

This one is highly recommended.

Favorite Quote:

He went out on the deck and ate lunch in the sun with the dog sprawled contentedly by his chair.

His life, he decided, if you didn't count murder, break-ins and clouds of suspicion, was pretty damn good right at the moment. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Blog Tour Review: The Look of Love by Bella Andre

The Look of Love

Author: Bella Andre

Publication: Harlequin MIRA (May 28, 2013)

Description: With THE LOOK OF LOVE bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you to a fun and emotional contemporary romance series about the Sullivan family. Because when a Sullivan bad boy falls...he falls hard. And it's forever.

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 

Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she’s convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he? 

As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he’s home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is—until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love—and protect—her, but will she let him?

Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the only exception. And although Chase didn’t realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether…for Chloe’s heart.

(CAUTION: Explicit language, very steamy love scenes...and lots of emotion!)

My Thoughts: What a wonderful sweet and spicy romance. Chase Sullivan is happy with his life. He is handsome and talented. He is a fashion photographer who can have any model he wants. He has sown his wild oats and is now a little tired of it. He is part of a big wonderful family with five brothers and two sisters. He didn't realize that he was missing having a love of his life.

Chloe Peterson is not having a terrific night. She has run from her apartment after her ex-husband showed up drunk and wanting her back. After he hit her, she ran away in her bald-tired car and found herself walking in a hailstorm for help after landing in a ditch. The last thing she wants is to have any sort of relationship with a man.

Fortunately for both of them, Chase is the one who finds her by the side of the road. He takes her home to his brother's winery and begins to prove to her that not all men are like her ex-husband. He is immediately attracted to her but knows that he needs to wait until she is healed before anything can happen.

At her instigation, since she thinks he is hot and wants to reclaim control of her sexuality, they begin a relationship that she thinks is just sexual. And, my, those sex scenes are spicy. The second bathtub scene had me fanning myself! But Chase isn't going to give up his desire to have a loving relationship with her. He knows he loves her and each day he spends with her just deepens the love more. But she needs time and needs to find her courage to love again. 

Fans of romance who like them with a little heat will enjoy Chase and Chloe's story. And we got just enough taste of the other Sullivan brothers that they will want to read their stories too. 

Favorite Quote:

Chase Sullivan hadn't realized that tonight his life was going to change forever.

But it just had.

And, amazingly—shockingly—he wasn't the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he was gearing up for a different fight altogether...for Chloe's heart.

Teaser Tuesday: Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

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!

At the end of this busy school year, I felt the need for a "comfort read" and dug around my TBR mountain until I found Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and I always enjoy her books. Here is the description:

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home…

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.

He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all…

Teaser:

"Well, as you know, I got my detective's license from TV. That said, why would a man who never exhibited violent behavior suddenly bash his wife in the head with a fireplace poker?"

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 10, 2013)

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.

On the personal front, I had a very interesting week. Suffering from chest pains took me to the ER where they determined that I wasn't having a heart attack and everything looked OK with my heart and lungs. They sent me on to my own doctor with a prescription for oxycodone to manage the pain. When I finally saw her -- five days later -- I had a full-blown case of Shingles. This came as a surprise to me since I had the vaccine at my annual physical in December 2011. But, after some discussion and looking at the risk factors, I could understand why I got them. I hit on three of the four risk factors! Lucky me.

So my summer vacation began early. I missed the last student day, went in to finish reports and stuff on the first workday taking care to stay away from any of our multitude of pregnant teachers, and will miss the last two workdays today and Tuesday.

I came home so that my brother can take care of me. My rash is itchy and totally inaccessible to me. There is no way I can contort to spray calamine location between my own shoulder blades. Luckily I was sent home with two medications that should clear this thing up. Meanwhile, I am aching and itchy and sleep deprived. I keep nodding off when trying to read.

I did finish four books this week.

I read Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts and really enjoyed this romantic suspense title. Nora Roberts never disappoints me. My review will be posted on June 13.

I also chose Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson from my TBR mountain. This debut novel read like one. There was some stilted dialog and some occasions of the author telling rather than showing that could have been done better. I did enjoy the story and the world. The cliffhanger ending means I have to read book 2 (now downloaded on my Kindle.) My review will be posted on June 15.

I read the eARC of The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke and enjoyed this second book in a fantasy series. This one has great characters and tons of adventure. My review will be posted on June 13.

I chose The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson from my TBR mountain because I have been curious about this mystery. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequel. My review will be posted on June 15.

Currently:

I am currently reading the eARC of Ink (Paper Gods) by Amanda Sun which sees a grief stricken Katie moved to Japan to live with an aunt she barely knows stumble into something magical. I am liking it so far.

Next Week:

There are two more YA review books in my plans for next week. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule is the first book in the author's Spellbound series. It was released June 26, 2011.

Neptune's Tears by Susan Waggoner is a futuristic paranormal that I got from Macmillan. It will be released on June 25.

My adult choices this week are two books by favorite authors that I have been wanting to read for ages. Since they were just released, I had to wait.

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead is the first in a new series. 

Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is the twelfth book in her Psy-Changeling series.

I am hoping to read a couple more books this week but haven't decided what they will be. I brought home two grocery sacks of books from my TBR mountain -- one adult books and one YA books -- so that I have lots of choices.

What are your plans for the week?

Stacking the Shelves (June 9, 2013)

Tynga of Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

I had a small haul this week—only four books—and only one of them is a print book.

I am eagerly taking part in the SYNC summer program which offers one YA book and a companion adult book each week to download for free. This is the second week but I am listing both titles because I forgot last week.

This week's adult offering was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Last week's offering was The Tempest by William Shakespeare.

I was most excited for Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh.  I am a huge fan of her Psy-Changleing series and can't wait to read this latest installment.

I am also a fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips but, somehow, never read Glitter Baby. I was really glad to see it as a Kindle Daily Deal this week. 

What did you get?