Review ~ Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx

(Lux #2)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

4 out of 5 STARS

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

This picks up immediately after Obsidian, starting back up in class with a good poke in the back.  I love Daemon's playful banter.  He's hilarious and relentless in his pursuit.  If I was a betting woman, knowing the challenge he faces, I'd definitely put my money on Daemon... ;)

"Not in this lifetime, buddy," I said finally.
"Resistance is futile, Kitten."
"So is your charm."
"We'll see."
Rolling my eyes, I faced the front of the classroom.  Daemon was a total babe, but he was stab-worthy, which, at times, zeroed out the babe part.  Not always, though.

Katy has mixed feelings about Daemon, and though I understand her trepidation, it gets a little excessive to me.  We are introduced to a new character by the name of Blake Saunders.  He's pretty much a mystery but for some reason Katy trusts him and he starts teaching her a few things.  This brings about some interesting reactions from Daemon, jealous much?  But through all that, he and Katy are around each other fairly regularly.  I really do enjoy their page time and the humorous barbs thrown back and forth.

My head jerked towards his, narrowly missing a collision.  I hid my surprise.  "I didn't know you knew how to read the classics."
A lazy smirk appeared, and I'd swear he managed to get closer.  Our legs touched.  His shoulder brushed my arm.  "Well, I usually prefer books with pictures and small sentences, but sometimes I step out of the box."
Unable to help it, I laughed.  "Let me guess, your favorite kind of picture book is the one you can color in?"
"I never stay in the lines."  Daemon winked.  Only he could pull that off.

Oh, and another interaction...

"Maybe they're getting some bow-chicka-pow-wow."
I looked at him.  "Ew."
He flashed his teeth.  "She's definitely not my type."  His gaze dropped to my lips, and parts of me quivered in response to the heat in his gaze.  "But now I totally have that on my mind."
I was breathless.  "You're a dog."
"If you pet me, I'll-"
"Don't even finish that sentence," I said, fighting a grin.  Smiling only encouraged him, and he needed no extra reason to be a terror.

I just had one slight issue with this installment:  Katy got on my nerves a little bit but she did redeem herself in the end.

But besides the sizzling tension between the two, lot's of things are happening.  We are introduced to new enemies, find out horrible truths and get a peak into what a crazy ride the future of the series promises to be.  Some major stuff takes place changing the direction of the series in a huge way.  I loved the ending.  I cannot flippin' wait to see what happens next!

"That I'm lucky, because the person I can't get out of my head, the person who means more to me than I can stand, is still alive.  She's still there.  And that's you."

Onyx available at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

Review ~ Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian

(Lux #1)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

4 out of 5 STARS

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is.

So I finally took the plunge and decided to read this after so many friends on Goodreads raved about it.  OK.  I get it now.  What took me so long to read it?

Katy and her mother are looking for a fresh start and end up in West Virginia.  They have a strained relationship but it's great to see the growth through out this book.   Katy is a book blogger.  That's right, she reviews books and takes it very seriously.  Oh how this amuses me so as a blogger, it's really quite funny.  But knowing she needs to try to socialize, her mom talks about the kids next door that are her same age.  

“Well, one is a girl who looks about your age, and there’s a boy.” She grinned as she stood. “He’s a hottie.”

A tiny piece of egg caught in my throat. It was seriously gross to hear Mom talking about boys my age. “Hottie? Mom, that’s just weird.” 

Mom pushed off from the counter, picked up her plate from the table, and headed to the sink. “Honey, I might be old, but my eyes are still working fine. And they were really working earlier.”

So Katy makes her way over to the neighors to ask for directions and we meet Daemon.  Whoa.  He's an ass.  Big time.  But  I love how Katy tries to stand her ground and not take his shit.  But it's not easy.  She quickly strikes up a friendship with his sister Dee and is around him more than she prefers...

“What— are you deciding to talk to me now?” Smiling tightly, I grabbed a handful of mulch and dumped it. Rinse and repeat. “Yeah, it’s kind of a hobby. What’s yours? Kicking puppies?”
“I’m not sure I should say in front of my sister,” he replied, his expression turning wolfish.
 “Ew.” Dee made a face.
The images I got then were totally R-rated, and I could tell by his smug expression he knew it. I grabbed more mulch.
“But it’s not nearly as lame as this,” he added.

I really enjoyed this story a lot and from the very first chapter.  The characters are engaging from the start.  The back and forth banter between Daemon and Katy is highly entertaining, even if he is a big jerk at the beginning.

Daemon stared at me a moment, then laughed. It was a deep, rumbling sound. Nice. Sexy. Oh God, I looked away. He was the kind of boy that broke hearts and left a long line of them shattered behind him. He was trouble. Maybe the fun kind of trouble, but he was also a jerk. And I didn’t do jerks. Not that I did anyone.

But soon enough Daemon melts just a little.  He's very protective of his sister and though I was guessing at this point as to why, we don't know til later.  He's kind of manic in my opinion.  He can be a jerk one moment, then the next he can be pretty sweet.

“I’ve always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect.” His eyes searched mine intently, and for a moment we stood there toe to toe. “The ones who throw their beauty around, waste what they have? Their beauty is only passing. It’s just a shell hiding nothing but shadows and emptiness.”

But at school?  I love when he pokes her in the back during class.  They just have such great tension between the two of them.

Overall I really enjoyed this book.  Dee and Daemon are so different than any other characters I have ever read about.  Being aliens, they really are detached from the human world and it's fun to read how they adapt to situations.  The plot is good, there are bad guys and they make their presence known.  I love finding new series because I get attached to the characters.  I am so happy that these fabulous new characters will have more stories to tell and you can be sure that I will gobble them up!


Other favorite quotes:

 He slowly lifted his head, placing his other hand on mine. “Remind me,” he paused, drawing in a stuttered gasp, “to never piss you off again. Christ, are you secretly a ninja?”

My palms itched to have a close encounter of the bitch-slap kind with his face. “I dislike you so very much.”

“No. You don’t.”

Obsidian available at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

Review Time! ~ Kiss of Steel

Kiss of Steel

(London Steampunk #1)

By Bec McMaster

5 of 5 STARS

He craves her like no other...

Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded Whitechapel district can she escape the long reach of the Duke of Vickers. But seeking refuge there will put her straight into the hands of Blade, legendary master of the rookeries. No one would dare cross him, but what price would he demand to keep her safe?

Ever since Vickers infected him with the craving, Blade has been quicker, stronger, almost immortal—and terrified of losing control of the monster within. Honoria could be his perfect revenge against the duke…or the salvation he never dared to dream of.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Release date: September 4th, 2012

This was a pleasant surprise.  Honoria is a young woman taking care of her younger sister and sick little brother.  Their father died around six months before this takes place and whatever he was doing, caused his children to escape and go in to hiding.

Whitechapel is home to the infamous Blade.  Rougue Blue Blood who has staked his claim in Whitechapel.  You don't do anything without him knowing it and often people pay for his protection from rival gangs.

But first lets define what a Blue Blood and a vampire are in this world that Bec McMaster has created.  Blue Blood's are infected with a virus.  This virus is gradual but there is a craving for blood that is necessary for their health.  They aren't vampires, they can go out during the day and have extra strength and longevity.  Vampires are nasty creatures.  The virus has gone too far and they lose all sense of reason and humanity.  

Honoria is called upon by Blade, coming to a reluctant agreement for protection.  As she meets Blade on a regular basis, we see this quirky relationship unfold.  Blade is something else.  He's bold and authoritative but very kind and caring to those he is close to.  Honoria is very secretive and really reluctant to open up to Blade at all.  For one, he is master of the rookery which she sees as untrustworthy.  He can take what he wants and doesn't have to answer to anyone.  Second, he is a Blue Blood.  Poor guy has two strikes against him already.

Her gaze flickered his way.  "You're staring." 

"Can't 'elp meself," he replied.  "You were made to be stared at."

He's unapologetic in his demands but they are reasonable.  Honoria wouldn't get herself in the position to owe him such things if she could just accept a gift.  But no, she's headstrong and likes to pay her dues.  She starts to see a different side of Blade and gets confused with her own feelings along the way. 

Will groaned again, this time there was no mistaking the sound.  He was enjoying this.  Honoria glanced up.  A mistake.  For Blade was staring at her, his mouth locked against Will's throat, his hand fisted in the shaggy hair and the other arm wrapped around the man, clutching him hard.

One of the highlight for me is the great character development.  I like Honoria and I love Blade.  He sets the stakes high by making his intentions known.  And he doesn't play fair to get it.  Honoria is still trying to hold on to self preservation but he's just so charming, in a lippy fashion.

"I'm afraid you've got me at a bit o' a loss," he replied, leisurely moving around behind her.  Sheets rustled and then she heard the unmistakable sound of leather sliding over his skin.

"Are you decent?"

"Rarely," he said, with an ironic drawl.

"Are you clothed?"

"Aye."

He has a way with words that would have me shivering in anticipation if I was Honoria.

"I don't want you."

"Aye.  That's why your scent changed.  You smell all plump and lush, my little dove.  I knows when a woman's got 'er eyes on a man.  One of the advantages o' bein' a blue blood."  He held his arms out, displaying his magnificent body to full effect.  "Do you want to touch me?  Is that what's got your heart poundin' in your ears and your breath thick in your throat?"  A little smile touched his lips.  "I'll let you, you know.  You can run those pretty little fingers all over me if you want.  Or that sweet little mouth, if you'd prefer."  He took a step closer.  "Do you want a taste o' me, Honor?  Do you want to lick the sweat from my body, taste the salt o' me skin?"

No.  This book is not just about a growing relationship.  There is a really good plot that is set immediately and moves at a satisfying pace.  A murderer is on the loose in Whitechapel and Honoria is in a rush to understand the half finished work left behind by her father, and dodge the man who has a price on her head.

Overall thoughts:  Great plot, great character development, intense steamy moments and a great ending.  I can't fault a thing.  I was captivated from start to finish.  Kudos Ms. McMaster on your debut novel!  You can be sure I will be on the lookout for any future installments.

Waiting on Wednesday {#9}

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, a way to share upcoming highly anticipated releases.

The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow with a releases date of August 7th, 2012. 

Emma Bannon, Prime sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not inconsiderable. It doesn’t much help that they dislike each other, or that Bannon’s Shield, Mikal, might just be a traitor himself. Or that the conspiracy killing registered mentaths and sorcerers alike will just as likely kill them as seduce them into treachery toward their Queen. In an alternate London where illogical magic has turned the Industrial Revolution on its head, Bannon and Clare now face hostility, treason, cannon fire, black sorcery, and the problem of reliably finding hansom cabs.

The game is afoot…

First of all, I like the cover.  Second, I can't seem to get enough of historical paranormal books lately and this one includes magic.  I've had such good luck finding spectacular books in this genre so far and I have high hopes for this one.  

What's your WOW?

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, a way to share upcoming highly anticipated releases.

Boyfriends From Hell by Jamie Quaid with a release date of September 25th.

Justine (Tina) Clancy is just an ordinary law student with a faulty arrest record, a part-time job in Baltimore’s radioactive Zone, and a family secret so bizarre even she doesn’t believe it. That is, until in a fit of fury she damns her boyfriend to hell—and it’s exactly where he ends up.

Much to her own surprise, Tina is apparently one of Saturn’s daughters, with the power to wield vigilante justice. But poor Max didn’t deserve to go up in flames, even if he did almost run her over with her own car. Tina’s convinced someone cut the brakes—and now a relentless nemesis is stalking her through the Zone’s back alleys, where buildings glow, statues move, and chemical waste exposure comes with interesting consequences. Tina’s usually a loner, but now she needs a posse like no other: a shape-shifting kitten, an invisible thief, a biker gang, a snake-charming private detective, a well-meaning cop, and her sleazy, sexy boss. But in between freeing Max from hell, saving her own neck, and solving a mystery that threatens the Zone and her newfound friends, how is she ever going to study for finals?

Sounds different and I'm always looking for something new to read!  

What's your WOW?

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, a way to share upcoming highly anticipated releases.

My pick this week is Tempest's Fury by Nicole Peeler with a release date of June 26th.

Jane’s not happy. She’s been packed off to England to fight in a war, when she’d much rather be snogging her new boyfriend. Unfortunately, Jane’s enemies have been busy stirring up some major trouble—the kind that attracts a lot of attention. In other words, they’re not making it easy for Jane to get any alone time with Anyan, or to indulge in her penchant for stinky cheese.

Praying she can pull off a Joan of Arc without the whole martyrdom thing, Jane must lead Alfar and halflings alike in a desperate battle to combat an ancient evil. Catapulted into the role of the most unlikely hero ever, Jane has to fight her own insecurities as well as the doubts of those who don’t think she can live up to her new role as Champion.

Along the way Jane learns that some heroes are born, some heroes are made, and some heroes are bribed with promises of food and sex.

This is book 5 in the Jane True series and I can't wait to see what happens next for Jane.  I hope for more Anyan in this book, and in his 2 legged form.  ;)

What's your WoW?

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, a way to share upcoming highly anticipated releases.

My pick this week is The Taken by Vicki Pettersson with a release date of June 12th.

He’s a fallen angel. She’s a rockabilly reporter. Together they must solve a deadly string of murders plaguing the mortal and the immortal worlds. 

Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was over fifty years ago when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Now he’s a Centurion, an angel who assists other murdered souls through their journey to the afterlife. But while Shaw might be an angel … he’s no saint. Haunted by the mysterious events surrounding his own death, he seizes a chance to wreak some vengeance when he witnesses a deadly attack on journalist Katherine “Kit” Craig. 

Joining forces, the unlikely avengers take to the streets, hunting a killer whose trail of bodies stretches across Las Vegas and into an immortal netherworld. It is a dangerous trek that lead them into the darkest corners of Sin City and into the heart of an evil conspiracy extending beyond the lights of the Strip that could destory them both. 

But destruction isn’t the only threat Griffin faces. The closer he gets to Kit, the more he finds himself bewitched by her mortal charms. Can he resist falling under her spell? And does he want to?

Sneak peak of chapter 1 up on Facebook.

Having read and enjoyed The Sign of the Zodiac series, I can't wait to see what Vicki Pettersson comes up with next.  Especially if it involves a greaser angel with a pompadour.  What's your Waiting on Wednesday?

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, a way to share upcoming highly anticipated releases.

My pick this week is Nightshifted by Cassie Alexander.  With a release date of May 22nd, luckily I don't have to wait to long!

 

Nursing school prepared Edie Spence for a lot of things. Burn victims? No problem. Severed limbs? Piece of cake. Vampires? No way in hell. But as the newest nurse on Y4, the secret ward hidden in the bowels of County Hospital, Edie has her hands full with every paranormal patient you can imagine—from vamps and were-things to zombies and beyond… 

Edie’s just trying to learn the ropes so she can get through her latest shift unscathed.  But when a vampire servant turns to dust under her watch, all hell breaks loose. Now she’s haunted by the man’s dying words—Save Anna—and before she knows it, she’s on a mission to rescue some poor girl from the undead. Which involves crashing a vampire den, falling for a zombie, and fighting for her soul. Grey’s Anatomy was never like this… 

Sounds original and intriguing.  Add vampires and zombies to the mix and I get grabby hands!  What's your Waiting on Wednesday?