Book Review: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked
Author: Charlaine Harris
Publication: Ace (May 1, 2012)


Description: It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.



My Thoughts: Sookie's twelfth adventure finds her in the middle of romantic troubles and fairy troubles. Her great-grandfather Niall has closed the door to fairy but has left some fairies outside notably Claude and Dermot. Both of them spend some time living with Sookie even though Sookie doesn't really love her cousin Claude. Both of them say they feel more comfortable when they are around her. Of course, Sookie does have the extremely rare fairy relic - the cluviel dor - hidden in one of her drawers. She inherited it from her grandmother. Sookie knows that it is good for one wish. And, until she uses it, it will be an object that is extremely desirable to any supernatural who finds out about it. 


Sookie's relationship with Eric is also collapsing largely because Eric is undecided about what he will do about the vampire queen that his sire wanted him to marry. Eric has to decide between his love for Sookie, his desire for power, and his desire to follow the wishes of his friend. Sookie is afraid that the fact that they love each other won't be enough to tip the balance to her side of the equation. It doesn't help that Felipe de Castro, the vampire king of Nevada, Arkansas, and Louisiana, is in town with his entourage to investigate the death of Victor who caused so much trouble for Eric, Sookie and Sam before they killed him.


Sookie also has werewolf troubles. Sam's girlfriend Jannalynn really doesn't like her and is making trouble for her with Alcide.

This one has lots of tension and some quiet, happy moments too. Tara has her babies, Jason gets engaged, Sam gives Sookie part ownership of Merlotte's. All in all this was a great episode for those of us who have been following along with Sookie's adventures since the first book. Sookie is still strong, smart, practical and down to earth. She has hard times but is able to bounce back and go along stronger than ever. She has lost much of her initial innocence but hasn't become hard.

I liked the story and think fans of the series will enjoy it too.


Favorite Quote:

He looked profoundly sorry for me. There was a lot of that going around. "Let's get rid of this body first, shall we?" he said. "Do you have any disposal suggestions?"

I so seldom had to dispose of a human body myself, I was at a loss. Fairies turn into dust, and vampires flake away. Demons had to be burned. Humans were very troublesome.

I pre-ordered this one because I love the series. You can get your copy here.

WoW: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where we can post our links and see what books others are waiting for. It spotlights upcoming releases.

I am eagerly awaiting A Night Like This by Julia Quinn. It will be released on May 29. Here is the description:

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

I love reading Quinn's historical romances. She writes such entertaining characters!

Teaser Tuesday: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

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!

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris arrived a couple of days ago and jumped to the top of my TBR stack. I am a big fan of the Sookie Stackhouse series. This is book 12. Here is the description:

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Teaser:

For the first time, I wished I knew what Mustepha was thinking--but his thoughts were as opaque as those of any Were I'd ever encountered.

My skin crawled, but I didn't know why.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (May 14, 2012)

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.


I had another good reading week. I finished four young adult review books:

Bridge of Time by Lewis Buzbee was sent to me by Ksenia at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in a batch of other books last December. It will be released on May 22. It is a middle grade time travel story that was entertaining. My review will be posted on May 19.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks was in that batch too. This one is a mermaid story which is also a romance. It will be released on May 22 too. My review will be posted on May 17.

The Dragon in the Sea by Kate Klimo is the most recent book in her Dragon Keepers series. This is a lower middle grade book and was a cute story. This one takes place under the sea and includes a bunch of fascinating mythological creatures. I got this one from Random House Books for Young Readers via NetGalley. It will also be released on May 22. My review will be posted May 14.

Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein was an Amazon Vine pick. This is a young adult sports mystery that gives a behind the scenes look at the world of elite young athletes who have to balance their devotion to their sport with agents' and sponsors' demands. This one also releases on May 22. My review will be posted on May 16.

I read one book just for me this week too:

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts is the second book in the Inn Boonsboro trilogy and features the romance of Owen Montgomery and Avery McTavish. I really loved this feel good romance. No one beats Nora at writing strong families and strong friendships. My review will be posted on May 24.

I am currently reading another young adult review book:

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross is the second book in her Steampunk Chronicles. I liked the first book and was eager to read this one too. I got it from Harlequin Teen via NetGalley. This is also a May 22 release.

These are the books on the stack for next week:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo was a surprise package I received in the mail a while ago. It is a young adult fantasy and, of course, it is the first book in a trilogy. This one will be released on June 5.

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore was received from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. It is a young adult paranormal romance. It will be officially released on May 29 but I see that Amazon is already shipping this one. 

I received Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller as part of a blog tour. Even though the book releases on May 29, I am scheduled to post my review on  June 6. This is a romance title by an author that I really enjoy.

Last on my stack is a new arrival. Sweet Spot by Kate Angell is the most recent in her Richmond Rogues series. For some unknown reason, I really like romances when one of the characters is a professional athlete. I am really looking forward to this one.

That was my past week and what I have planned for this one. What did you accomplish and what do you have planned for the coming week?

Stacking the Shelves (May 13, 2012)

Tynga of Tynga's Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. She explains at her site. 

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will also discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.


I got five books this week and, apparently, it was a week for romance or romantic suspense. I got:

Sweet Spot by Kate Angell. I like her romances especially the ones that feature romances with professional athletes.

Quinn by Iris Johansen is the second book in her Eve Trilogy. I have Eve and wanted all three books now that they were available in paperback. I also took advantage of an Amazon 4-for-3 deal which I love (even though I really only needed 3 books).

Bonnie by Iris Johansen completes the Eve Trilogy and was part of my 4-for-3 deal.

Twisted by Laura Griffin was the fourth book I chose. I really don't know anything about the story or the author but the cover was interesting and the blurb sounded good.

I received Linda Lael Miller's Big Sky Country this week for a blog tour. This book will be released on May 29. My posting date for this one is June 6. I like Miller's romances and look forward to reading this one.

Those were the books that came to my house this week. What came to yours?

ARC Review: Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Dragon Ship
Authors: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Publisher: Baen (September 4, 2012)

Description: Stirring space adventure from master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller – #15 in the award-winning Liaden Universe® saga. Space ships, action, adventure – all tied together with a strong dollop of romance and intrigue – make this a compelling series for a wide range of readers, from romance to military SF lovers. 

First Class courier pilot Theo Waitley was already known as a nexus of violence – and then she inherited the precarious captaincy of a mysterious self-aware ship designed to serve a long dead trader. Now she has a trade route to run for Clan Korval while she convinces the near mythic ghost ship Bechimo – and herself – that she wants to commit herself as the human side to their immensely powerful symbiosis. While her former lover battles a nano-virus that's eating him alive, she's challenged to rescue hundreds of stranded pilots and crewmen from an explosive situation in near orbit around a suddenly hostile planet. Lovers, enemies, an ex-roomie, and a jealous spaceship are all in peril as Theo wields power that no one in the universe is sure of, especially her.

My Thoughts: I just couldn't wait until September to read this story. I bought the eARC from Baen Books as soon as it was available. This was filled with excitement and intrigue but is definitely not a place for a newcomer to jump into the Liaden Universe. This is the fourth book in the Theo Waitley arc of stories and follows immediately after Ghost Ship in time.

Theo is aboard Bechimo with Clarence O'Berin and a contract from Korval to explore a potential new trading route. Shan has given Theo some possible contacts on a variety of worlds but Theo soon learns that Korval is not necessarily welcome on those worlds now. The Department of Interior is not nearly so destroyed or disorganized as Korval hoped and they seem to have a particular interest in Theo and her Old Tech ship Bechimo. This leads to a variety of problems and near escapes. Bechimo is a major character in this story. 

Theo even has to go back to Eylot to rescue pilots in peril though she has been marked there as a nexus of violence and more or less run off the planet. This causes a number of problems but does allow her to expand her crew with the addition of her old friend Kara ven'Arith who is a Second Class pilot but has tech skills that make her attractive to Bechimo.

There is also a thread which has Theo's mother Kamele taking a year's sabbatical and determining to visit the  Delm of Korval to find out the fate of her onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi who is more widely known to Liadens as Daav yos'Phelium. She proves that scholars from Delgado, especially those who had a close relationship with Jen Sar Kiladi, can be very resourceful and can rise to unexpected challenges.

We also get glimpses of things that are going on with Daav and Uncle and a few glimpses of Val Con and Miri at home on Surebleak. We even get a closer look at the Norbears especially in the person of Hevelin. All in all this was a satisfying episode that leaves one aching for the next book to find out how all these plot threads resolve.

Favorite Quote (may be different in edited copy):

"Violence is a tool. You might be violent to prove that you can be violent. Certain value in that, sometimes. Best use--you're right--is when there's a point to be made, or defended, or Necessity. Wasn't that here, was just someone's frustration."

I bought this eARC the day it was available and started reading it right away. I have also pre-ordered my finished copy already. You can get your copy here too. (If you have my level of patience and want the eARC, you can buy it here.)

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader.

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 recently bought the eARC of Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller from Baen Books. This is the fourth in the Theo Waitley sequence in the Liaden Universe series. The book won't actually be published until September 2012 and I have already pre-ordered my copy. This is a largely uncorrected proof. The quotes I have chosen are subject to change and may be different in the final, edited version that appears in September. I am such a fan of this series that I had to have it as soon as it was available.

Here is the description:

Stirring space adventure from master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller – #15 in the award-winning Liaden Universe® saga. Space ships, action, adventure – all tied together with a strong dollop of romance and intrigue – make this a compelling series for a wide range of readers, from romance to military SF lovers.

First Class courier pilot Theo Waitley was already known as a nexus of violence – and then she inherited the precarious captaincy of a mysterious self-aware ship designed to serve a long dead trader. Now she has a trade route to run for Clan Korval while she convinces the near mythic ghost ship Bechimo – and herself – that she wants to commit herself as the human side to their immensely powerful symbiosis. While her former lover battles a nano-virus that's eating him alive, she's challenged to rescue hundreds of stranded pilots and crewmen from an explosive situation in near orbit around a suddenly hostile planet. Lovers, enemies, an ex-roomie, and a jealous spaceship are all in peril as Theo wields power that no one in the universe is sure of, especially her.

Beginning:

Whatever else he might be--and the theories, legends, and outright guesses surrounding that question were legion--the Uncle was a man of his word.

Uncle is a recurring character in the Liaden Universe books who is always portrayed as a man of mystery and someone to be dealt with cautiously.

Friday 56:

"What the devil did you do out there, lassie? All at once, there's people everywhere!"

Clearly Theo is getting herself into trouble again. But then, trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes. She is usually smart enough and lucky enough to turn the trouble to her advantage.