Review: Enchanted No More

  Title: Enchanted No More
Author: Robin D. Owens
Series: Mystic Circle (book 1)
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: 01/01/2011
Book source: Netgalley
My Rating: 6/10
Buy the book

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Summary:

“I’ll do the mission,” Jenni told Tage. “you win.”
As one of the last surviving Mistweavers, half-blood Jenni knows what it’s like to be caught between two worlds: the faery and the human. But the time has come to choose. The Lightfolk require her unique talent for balancing the elements to fend off a dangerous enemy—and rescue her missing brother.
Only for Rothly will Jenni deal with those who destroyed her life. Only for him will she agree to work with her ex-lover, Tage, and revisit the darkest corners of her soul. For a reckoning is at hand, and she alone has the power to hold back the forces of dark....

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My thoughts:

I found this to be one of those reads that I can finish but one that the story doesn’t stick with me after, if that makes sense. I didn’t have the hype after reading a really good book that I normally get but just – this might sound a bit mean – an acceptance that the book is finished so that I can put it aside and start another straight after.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t think it was a bad read per se but it just didn’t intrigue me as I wanted it to and was just interesting enough to be able to finish it.

I liked the different characters in the story even if I thought some could have been developed more into the story. I liked the story behind the characters and the fact that they had a past a long time before the story had even started. It gave them depth that maybe couldn’t have been achieved otherwise.

The plot was definitely new and original but it just lacked a little something in my opinion. It wasn’t thrilling where it should be which could be because I anticipated what was going to happen or I just couldn’t get into the story as much as I could have on the whole.

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About the author:


Robin D. Owens has been writing longer than she cares to recall. Her fantasy/futuristic romances finally found a home at Berkley with the issuance of HeartMate in December 2001. She credits the telepathic cat with attitude in selling that book. Since then, Heart Thief was a launch book for Berkley Sensation in June 2003, Heart Duel was published in April 2004, and Heart Choice in July 2005. Her Luna Books series includes shape-shifting fairies and average American women Summoned into another world to fight monstrous evil. The first, Guardian of Honor, came out in February 2005 and Sorceress of Faith will be out in February 2006. My best writing moment— winning the Romance Writers of America RITA award! My worst writing moment is every time a rejection hits.

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Teaser Tuesday #13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can take part! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us (2) teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12 (but don't give any spoilers!)
• Share the title of the book that the teaser is from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!

You can find out more here!

My current read: Torment by Lauren Kate

Random Page: #294

Teaser:

“Damn, Miles,” Shelby said, hopping over skylights to explore more of the roof. “That step-through was amazing. I am almost attracted to you right now. Almost.”

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Review: The Body Finder

Summary:

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A GIRL WITH A MORBID ABILITY


When a murder is committed it leaves a unique echo…on both the victim and the killer. Most people are unaware of these echoes but Violet Ambrose has always been able to sense them.


A SERIAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE


Now that Violet’s town is in the thralls of a serial killer the echoes of the local girls he has murdered are haunting her.


AND THE BOY WHO WOULD NEVER LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO HER


The only shining light is Violet's best friend Jay. She’s started falling for him and his fierce protectiveness gives her hope that he may feel the same…


With the police at a loss, can Violet use her ability to stop the killer or is she in danger of becoming his next victim?

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My thoughts:


It’s very hard to find a book that has equal parts of romance and mystery which this story had down to perfection.


The mystery in the story was gripping and full of suspense keeping me intrigued until the very end and causing me to read the book in entirely one sitting, which is always a good sign that you have enjoyed a book!


If you love unexpected twists and turns in a story then The Body Finder is definitely well worth your while! A lot of people – including me – were kind of put off by the title and the summary of the book. I mean dead bodies giving off echoes that a girl can sense? …..that would make anybody pause before picking up the book!


But it was definitely not what I was expecting at all; it was creepy at times but in sort of thrilling way not an ‘oh my God I’m never going to get any sleep after this’ way…it was a brilliant, original take on a murder mystery….definitely unique.


As for the romance in the story, it was written beautifully. It never felt rushed in any way, it was believable and above all it was completely and utterly adorable!

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Great quotes:

He loved her.
Jay Heaton, her best friend since childhood was in love with her. He didn't say it but she knew that it was true.
And the part that really freaked her out, the part that caught her completely off guard, is that he wasn't alone. Because even though she'd been denying it for a long, long time, it had always been there... waiting beneath the surface of their friendship. And now that it was out there was no going back.
And it was so weird to even be thinking it but...... she was in love with him too.

Multihued light radiated up from beneath the water, centred among the reeds, and then diffusing outward as it reached the surface. Violet had never seen anything like it, and she knew that the spectrum of light was defying its very nature by behaving in that way.
It could only be one thing.
There was something dead down there.

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About the author:

  Kimberly is the author of THE BODY FINDER and it's follow-up, DESIRES OF THE DEAD. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration.

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  My Rating:10/10
Publisher: HarperCollins
Author: Kimberly Derting
website|Twitter|Goodreads

In My Mailbox #4

Okay, so I bought four books this week and received one for review.

I bought:-
    
       

1. Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer
2. Paranormalcy by Kierstan White
3. Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler
4. Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

And I got Nightshade by Andrea Cremer in the post!!!
I already finished it by the way, just to let you know, it was fantastic! My new favourite read of 2010!

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On My Wishlist #10

Summary:

Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross' father was shot and killed. Told through her eyes, True Grit is the story of how she and hard-drinking Marshal Rooster Cogburn set out to find and prosecute his murderer.

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Summary:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?


Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

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Summary:

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn’t put out. Her grandmother died and now Kylie’s acquired a stalker. Unfortunately, she’s the only one who seems to be able to see the stalker. And that gets her sent to a psychologist’s sofa.

The kooky psychologist gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it’s a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

It’s a camp of supernaturals: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape shifters. And if she believes the camp leader, Kylie is one of them, too.

Just because she’s seeing ghosts, just because she was born at midnight, does that really mean she’s not human? And if so, what is she? Not even the other supernaturals can tell her.

As Kylie attempts to cope with the realization that these creatures actually exist, and that she might even be one of them, the ever present stalker/ghost appears to have secrets that could unravel the mystery of Kylie’s identity and her destiny.

But getting a ghost to open up is as hard as getting a guy to talk about his feelings.

As Kylie struggles to find answers, two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vie for her attention. However, Kylie’s determined that before she lets her heart discover a new love, she needs to solve her identify crisis and unearth the truth of her destiny.

So that’s what’s On My Wishlist this week; what’s on yours?

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Huge contest!

Hi guys…

I just wanted to let you all know about a huge contest going on at Kimberly Derting’s blog for really cool prizes, including a signed ARC of Desires of the Dead.

All you have to do is follow the blog and post a comment! Yes, it is actually that easy!

You can find out more here!

 

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Fall Into Reading Challenge: Challenge Wrap-up!

I’m kind of sad to say that the Fall Into Reading challenge is officially over!

I did manage to finish all of the books I initially planned to read for the challenge which you can find here.

This challenge was so much fun just because you can choose whatever books you want to read as well as setting other goals and targets to achieve along the way.

I do think I underestimated myself though regarding how many books I can actually get through! I set myself a goal of 12 books which I finished well before the end of the challenge. Now, next time I can add plenty more books to my reading list!

Reviews are up for all of the books on the list too:-

• Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
• Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara West
• Shift by Rachel Vincent
• Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
• The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter
• Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
• Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
• Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Good, The Bad and The Undead by Kim Harrison
• The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
• Angel by L. A. Weatherly

And that’s it folks! That’s the Fall Into Reading Challenge done!  

 

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Review: Angel by L.A Weatherly

Summary:

Willow knows she’s different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people’s futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she gets this power from…

But Alex does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows Willow’s secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

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My thoughts:

I literally could not bear to put this book down for a single second it was that good.

Angel is written in both first and third person from both Willow and Alex’s point of view which really gave an interesting tone to the story. You can follow Alex’s change in attitude towards Willow gradually and towards angels in general giving Alex’s side of the story a really nice flow.

The action in this story is never-ending and takes you on the most thrilling roller-coaster of a ride.

You read about ever emotion there is to read about in this book; hate, anger, frustration, love, pain and loads more. It has everything.

Plus, it has a completely new outlook on angels completely. What other book portrays angels to be evil creatures that are hunted to protect the human race?

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Book trailer:

Check it out!

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About the author:

Lee Weatherly has been born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, collects frogs and has a cat named Bernard.
Author location: Hampshire.

L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. Another pen name she uses is Titania Woods.

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My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Usborne

Author: L. A. Weatherly

Book Website|Author Website|Facebook|Twitter|Goodreads

Buy the book:

Amazon|The Book Depository|Waterstones

 

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Review: Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

   Summary

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Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn’t quite fit in with so-called normal society.


During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.


Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures that are terrifying, beautiful and deadly – all of which perfectly describe her new ‘friend’ Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.


It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick, spirits bag your groceries and whatever you do, never – ever – rub the genie’s lamp.

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My thoughts:

Okay, straight off…I loved this book.


It had everything for me; humour, steamy romance, mystery and a whole load of action.
Jane – the main character – had an interesting background that effected how she lives in her home town of Rockabill. This made Jane into an intriguing well-rounded character that kept me reading.


That being said, Jane’s past wasn’t revealed until quite late in the book but, for me, it was the perfect time to do so. It was quite a nice revelation in that you suddenly realise why Jane behaved the way she did (or didn’t) in the past towards people and why she made the decisions she did. Plus, she had quite a funny internal monologue that made sure to let us all know the workings of inside Jane’s head…or elsewhere. *ahem*


I suppose, though, that part of the story – the (what I found) humorous internal monologue – could be taken to be quite annoying to a lot of people. But I loved it. I haven’t read anything quite like it in a while so it was refreshing.


The whole story was  chock-full of humour. Every chapter made me laugh at least six times making me want to read on.


Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything else to the story, oh no, the plot was full of murders, mystery and mayhem galore that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.


I did kind of find the ending to be a bit of a let down because I guessed what would happen but I didn’t feel that it took anything away from the book necessarily but that I was just so engrossed that I was following the story really well and taking in the most minute details.

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Great quotes:

I wasn't running now so much as stumbling quickly, panting like a geriatric lion.

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About the author:

Nicole D. Peeler is off on another adventure! This time, she’s moving to Pittsburgh to teach in Seton Hill’s MFA in Popular Fiction. Yes, folks, she’ll be mentoring up and coming urban fantasists as they try to break into the publishing world. Or, as she likes to call it, “infecting them with her madness.” In the meantime, she’s still writing Urban Fantasy for Orbit Books and taking pleasure in what means most to her: family, friends, food, and travel.


Go ahead and ask Nicole a question on Formspring. She’ll eventually collate all these together for an author FAQ.

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My Rating: 9/10 

Publisher: Orbit

Author: Nicole Peeler

Website|Twitter|Goodreads

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs Review

Summary:

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush. 

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life. 

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned. 

My Thoughts:

Forgive My Fins is an easy read that I found myself reading in entirely one sitting.

It was one of those books that appeals to  the  teenager in everybody. I found some of the characters really easy to relate to in some ways in that Forgive My Fins contains quite a few issues teenagers seem to regularly deal with.

Lily, the main character, was great. She had a great personality and made mistakes that a lot of teenagers make but she always had her Dad to try to correct her. Until she accidentally gets married to Quince, Lily’s next door neighbour, through an unexpected kiss that bonds them forever. Then Lily’s Dad refuses to break the bond until Lily knows for sure whether it’s the right thing to do or not.

What’s funny about this book is that even though the characters could have been developed a lot more and the story was ultimately extremely clichéd, Forgive My Fins was still one of my favourite reads for quite a long time. I suppose it just appealed to the inner giggly, romantic, girly-girl in me!

It’s pretty rare to find a book that could be improved a whole lot but at the same time is perfect in it’s own way. I actually think Tera Lynn Childs was very brave with the plot in Forgive My Fins. A lot of people would see it as unoriginal and sort of over the top. But at the end of the day, it was a delightful read.

I also loved the whole mermaid aspect of this book. It was the first book based on mermaid mythology I have ever read short of ’The Little Mermaid’!

I loved the world that was created under the sea. It was so flawless in it’s description that you could almost believe it actually does exist, especially when a human experiences it in the book. The world was described through a human’s eyes at times which gave it a beautiful and more realistic quality.

On the whole, Forgive My Fins was a light, quick and cute read perfect to curl up with some chocolate and a hot drink!

Great Quotes:

"Oh, Lily," He says shaking his head. "I know about love. About wanting and dreaming and wishing with every part of your soul. I know enough to recognise the parts that are real and the parts that are only in my fantasy." He turns his head slightly to face me, and I find myself saying, "L-like what?" 

"Like when she cries and my heart tears in to little shreds, and all I can think of is making her forget the source of her sadness." His face is blank, emotionless. his words -and the underlying emotion bombarding me through the bond- more than make up for it. "That's real." 

My voice is barely a whisper when I ask, "And fantasy?" 

"Believing she'll ever feel the same way."  

*See what I mean by ‘cute’? That’s just adorable!*

About the author: 

Tera Lynn Childs is a wannabe goddess and the award winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and the upcoming mermaid tail, Forgive My Fins. Tera lives nowhere in particular, but has spent time fleeing hurricanes, blogging with the Buzz Girls and the Fivers, and writing wherever she can find a comfy chair and a steady stream of caffeinated beverages.

My Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books  

Author: Tera Lynn Childs

Goodreads|Website|Twitter

Buy the book:

Amazon

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In My Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi with The Story Siren.


I bought two books this week which I'm incredibly excited to read:-

City of Ashes and City of Glass both by Cassandra Clare. I already have City of Bones so now  that I have the whole trilogy I want to make a start on them. 

Teaser Tuesday #12

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can take part! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us (2) teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12 (but don't give any spoilers!)
• Share the title of the book that the teaser is from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!

You can find out more here!

My current read: Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens

Random page: #223

Teaser:

Her skin shrivelled back against the bone and her clothes fell away as Grandmère absorbed her, the liquid stone arms flowing down, embracing Cecily and sucking her in. As the outline of her bones faded and the stone smoothed, the statue rose and fell back into position, guarding the doorway of the mausoleum where she belonged.

Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love by Jason Ancona Review

Summary:

An elite group of nerds fight injustices by running a clandestine operation in high school. The C.Y.A., a.k.a. Covert Youth Agency, hacked into the digital school sign and posted their message: - - - If ever you're in need of help and you have nowhere else to go, seek out the C.Y.A. We're always watching and we're here for you - - - Peter "Pi" Samuels, a fourteen-year-old sophomore, runs the shadow operation. Pi's obsessed with the high school band's lead violinist, who's as beautiful as the music she plays. 

When she contacts the C.Y.A. to find out if her boyfriend cheated on her at a party, Pi's objective becomes clear. Prove that her beau was unfaithful. Then maybe Pi will be the perfect shoulder to cry on. Pi schemes to destroy his love's boy-toy, all while avoiding a deranged coach bent on exposing an untraceable geek squad for hire. The Covert Youth Agency.

My Thoughts:

I have to admit, I was a little anxious to read this as it is out of my comfort zone to say the least…but I found myself pleasantly surprised.

Covert Youth Agency was an easy read that reminded me of my high school days (which weren’t that long ago I’ll admit).

I thought that the characters were well thought out and each had a completely different personality and attitudes that appealed me in different ways.

Peter Samuels, otherwise known as ‘Pi’ was a real cutie and was easy to relate to in more ways than one. I thought he portrayed growing up and teenage issues really well and at the same time was a real fun, clever character to read about.

Tollhouse, one of ‘Pi’s’ best friends and a member of CYA was absolutely hilarious to read about, especially his interactions with the last member of CYA, Lightman.

Lightman was brilliant and my personal favourite character in the book. I loved her story and the fact that she was slightly different in that she was younger than most in the school due to her intelligence. I also loved her relationship with her Mum which I found hilarious at times.

Covert Youth Agency had  a few twists in the plot that I enjoyed immensely and the writing had a nice flow to it.

However, at times it did drag a bit but it soon picked up again.

My Rating: 7/10

Author: Jason Ancona

Goodreads|Twitter|Website

On My Wishlist (#9)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I want but haven't haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

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BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart. 

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As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell... 

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A heartwarming tale of terror in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.

Meet Sarah and David.

Once upon a time they met and fell in love. But now they're on the verge of divorce and going to couples' counseling. On a routine trip to their counselor, they notice a few odd things - the lack of cars on the highway, the missing security guard, and the fact that their counselor, Dr. Kelly, is ripping out her previous client's throat.

Meet the Zombies.

Now, Sarah and David are fighting for survival in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But, just because there are zombies, doesn't mean your other problems go away. If the zombies don't eat their brains, they might just kill each other.

So that's what's on my wishlist this week...what's on yours?

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Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011

So a lot of you know that I am taking part in the ‘Fall into Reading’ challenge which is actually ending pretty soon.


I’ve already finished all thirteen of the books that I had originally planned to read - I think I kind of underestimated how many books I can get through!


To keep things interesting, I’ve decided to take part in Book Chick City’s Horror and Urban Fantasy challenge for 2011. I love both of these genres so why not?


For those of you who are also interested and haven’t heard about it yet it lasts a full year in which 24 (or more)  horror or urban fantasy books need to be read, starting from January 1st.


If you decide to take part, head to Book Chick City to add your link to the challenge post and think about what books you want to read!


Check out the cool button too; I love it!