Book Review: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Book: Dead Until Dark
Series: Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series #1
Author: Charlaine Harris
ISBN-13: 9780441008537
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Publication date: 5/1/2001
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Edition description: Reissue
Pages: 304

[Summery From Book]
Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out….

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn’t such a bright idea.

My Rating: ✯✯✯✯✰

My Review:

Did you ever wish you could know what others were thinking? Well, you just might want to reconsider that wish. Imagine always hearing everyone’s thoughts at the same time, like listening to dozens of radio stations all at once. Having to always have your guard up to block those ramblings out, rarely getting a moments peace.

That is exactly what southern bell Sookie Stackhouse has to live with until she meets a tall, dark, and handsome vampire, Bill Compton, who she can’t hear a single thought in his head. She is finally able to find peace with someone and let her guard down. Able to find solace with him after so many years of hardships and loneliness.

But there is a serial killer on the loose in Bon Temps, Louisiana who appears to be killing women who have been with vampires. Looks like this is really bad timing for Sookie to have a vampire boyfriend.

Charlaine Harris gives us Sookie, the quirky protagonist. She is relatable, kind, and easy to fall in love with. Dead Until Dark brings to life a world in which the vampire community had recently came out of the coffin due to the invention of synthetic blood. We meet interesting characters and become charmed by a world in which humans, vampires, and shapeshifters coexist. This novel swept me off my feet, making it worthy of reading again and again.

Some Things Worth Mentioning

This is the the second time I have read this novel. It is interesting to see where everyone began and knowing the journey they have traveled thus far.

This series takes you through so many twists and turns that I never imagined would happen.

Book Review: Hidden by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book: Hidden
ISBN-13: 9780312594428
Series: House of Night Novels #10
Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication date: 10/16/2012
Pages: 320

[Summery From Book]
Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night.

My Rating: ✯✯✯✰✰

My Review: Hidden continues the good fight between Light and Darkness. We watch as many are making choices that affect who they are and who they are becoming. Some are choosing the path of Nyx while others are turning to Darkness.

Zoey Redbird feels more lost than ever after watching her mother be murdered by Neferet to create Aurox who, after looking at him through her seer stone, seems to have Heath taking up residence inside him. Zoey doesn’t know how much more she can handle before it becomes too much. She will need the help of Stark, her warrior, and her friends more now than ever before to help her through this difficult time in her life.

After losing everything, Neferet is more determined than ever before to hurt Zoey Redbird. She knows she cannot risk the wrath of Nyx by killing Zoey but that doesn’t mean she can’t hurt her in other ways that are much worse than death. Neferet has set her tendrils of Darkness loose on someone front and center in Zoey’s heart. If she succeeds in her latest plan she just may ruin Zoey beyond repair.

Will Zoey be able to get it together and help save someone she loves? Or will she be left trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart once again?

P.C. And Kristin Cast give plenty of drama and action to leave you satisfied but wanting more, Hidden makes a great addition to the House of Night Novels. The series continues to thrive, becoming even better as the characters become more developed.

Some Things Worth Mentioning

Lenobia finally gets what she has always wanted.

Erin’s true colors continue to bleed through her facade since the break up between her and Shaunee.

Newcomer Shaylin is strong and capable, a great asset to the group. Erik and Shaylin have lots of potential to be a power couple.

Kalona receives an unexpected visitor.

The showdown between Sylvia Redbird and Neferet was unforgettable. I can’t say too much about this scene except that it was just great!

Stevie Rae is actually bearable in this book.

Personal Post: Lice Infestation

Who would think that such a tiny little parasite could cause so much havoc in a family and their home. I certainly never considered what they were capable of until they showed up in our hair. Just imagine dozens of little parasites crawling all over your head, through your hair, laying eggs on your hair. Picture them crawling from your hair and into the hair of your family members as you hug them causing a massive infestation in your home. Then imagine having to treat and prevent re-infestation. This is exactly what I have had to do for the last few days.

Earlier this week I noticed that my head was itchy. I have had dandruff as far back as I can remember so a little itch is common for me. This was not just the usual itch. I didn’t really know what to think until I noticed a small insect fall from my hair onto my iPad. I had a scary thought that it was lice. So I searched what they look like on the Internet and sure enough that’s exactly what it was. I immediately washed my hair and combed out what I could of the little critters and then I checked the kiddies heads and my husbands and saw that they were all infested too.

The last time I had lice I was 8 years old and my mom treated and combed out my hair. So naturally my first thought was that I wanted my mommy to come and take care of all this. Unfortunately my mom passed away 5 years ago so that wasn’t going to happen. Plus I am the mommy now so I had to suck it up and do what needed to be done..

Halloween morning, which just so happened to be my moms 58th birthday, I went out and bought all lice and egg killing supplies. Shampoos, sprays, gels, conditioners, and bedding and furniture sprays. I spent at least $200 on these supplies and once I got back home I got to work. I gave my 2 oldest a hair cut leaving them with one inch of hair left on their heads. I believe that helped a great deal in ridding many of the lice and nits that were in their hair. Besides, they needed a hair cut. Once we finished with that I began with the treatments. It took all day and night to get through everyone’s head and spray down the beds, furniture, and carpets.

This has been quite an experience that I will never forget. I hope to never deal with lice again in this lifetime or the next. They are a nasty little itchy parasite that made my stomach turn at the thought that they were crawling and laying eggs in my hair. Not to mention it ruined our Halloween this year. Instead of taking the kids out we were stuck at home having lice treatments all night. The kids didn’t let it upset them though. The next day they dressed up and we went to the store and bought candy. At least it made them happy.

I empathize with anyone who has had or will have to deal with a lice infestation and I wish them luck. It’s all just a big pain in the ass in my opinion.

The Internet gives so many websites on lice and how to get rid of them. The only information I relied on was from the CDC. Not to say that the other websites were wrong, I just prefer the CDC.

Book Review: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Book: Deadlocked
Series: Sookie Stackhouse Series #12
Author: Charlaine Harris
Publication Date: 5/1/2012
Pages: 336

My Rating: ✯✯✯✰✰

Deadlocked is the 12th book in the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris. So if you haven’t read the previous 11, I suggest you don’t continue to read this and catch up on the series because they are incredible! If you have read them then please continue.

Sookie Stackhouse tends to find trouble wherever she goes despite her efforts to live a relatively normal life. If normal includes living with her Faery cousin and uncle, dating the vampire sheriff of Area 5 and working as a barmaid for a shifter. Deadlocked is exactly what you would expect and more.

Felipe de Castro, the King of Louisiana, Nevada, and Kentucky, is in town to find out who killed Victor. During a party at Eric’s, a young girl mysteriously shows up dead in the front yard. Her name is Rim Rowe and she was last seen by Sookie while Eric was drinking from her vein. Now she’s found with her neck broken and things don’t look good for Eric. It’s obvious that someone is trying to frame Eric, but who? Sookie is furious at Eric for feeding from a younger woman in his bedroom when he knew she was going to arrive any second. But she knows he didn’t kill her and she is going to prove it. Soon Sookie comes to find out that it was never about Eric. She has a new enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy her.

Deadlocked was good, things began to come to a head and we learned some answers to a few questions we have had in the last couple of books. For instance, what Claude’s really doing at Sookies, what he wants, and what all those Fae are doing at Hooligans. There are a few things I am not happy with. This new woman in Eric’s life and how Eric has seemed to change since his maker was killed. Are we seeing him for who he really is or has he been changed so it’s easier to let him go? It seems awfully convenient to me. I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out.

25 Scary Movies To Get You In The Halloween Spirit!

Halloween is Wednesday and I am in the mood to get scared. I love scary movies and this is the perfect time of the year to watch them. If you are like me but don’t know where to begin I have compiled a list of 25 fun, gross, and freaky scary movies that will have you jumping at every little sound you hear. So call a few friends over, snuggle up with your hunny, turn the
Iights out, and watch one or two (or all) of these freaky titles!

1408 (2007)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hqRKdk1A20Q%5D

Candyman (1992)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HutKAWtWXog%5D

Carrie (1976)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yJe0iVo8y3A%5D

Dawn of The Dead (2004)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LUzJAsa-gg%5D

Friday The 13th (1980)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8YFTcEDME%5D

Halloween (1978)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5unH8gOhydY%5D

Hostel (2005)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YKN_Toym8fA%5D

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Adgp0v_mfTk%5D

Pet Cemetery (1989)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tMja9C6Htts%5D

Poltergeist (1982)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5ytjaMfoF2M%5D

Psycho (1960)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NG3-GlvKPcg%5D

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PewtQsgN5uo%5D

Saw (2004)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKPy5RWuqNA%5D

Scream (1996)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=5HDcFU_TcJ8%5D

Silence of The Lambs (1991)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKs169Sl0I%5D

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mra_Z3cpGCM%5D

The Blair Witch Project (1999)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HZu1cTg-xUM%5D

The Crazies (2010)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mepo50RuhdM%5D

The Exorcist (1973)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N1PhFlEoVOw%5D

The People Under The Stairs (1991)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nItpE-LwwXQ%5D

The Ring (2002)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TuH5FaUpFm4%5D

The Shinning (1980)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cb3ik6zP2I%5D

The Thing (2011)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Txjm94GnrPA%5D

Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0el5OS4ebo%5D

Village of The Damned (1995)
[youtube http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0WzcW9haPto%5D

—

Book Review: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

Book: Blood Bound
Series: Unbound Series #1
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publication Date: 8/23/2011
Pages: 400

My Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Blood Bound is the first novel in the Unbound Series by Rachel Vincent. In a world where humans have special powers that make them not so human. With some having the power to bind you to your word so it is impossible for you to not do what was promised without risking death. Where some are able to travel from place to place in an instant and others are able to track by blood or by name. This is the world we discover when we read Blood Bound.

Liv Warren is a tracker who has gotten involved with a dangerous mob boss to save someone she loves. When an old friend shows up asking Liv to find her missing daughter she is left with no choice but to do what her friend asks. She must team up with her former lover, who she never stopped loving, to find a missing little girl with rare powers before she winds up in the wrong hands. Soon things begin to click into place and the larger picture becomes clear.

Blood Bound was an incredible novel. I was unable to put it down, completing it in one evening. Rachel Vincent gives us an awesome, kick ass heroine who I loved from the very beginning. The story moves along at a good pace and gives us multi dimensional characters. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

Book Review: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Book: Some Girls Bite
Series: Chicagoland Vampires Series #1
Author: Chloe Neill
Publication Date: 4/7/2009
Pages: 352

My Rating: ✯✯✰✰✰

Some Girls Bite is the first in The Chicagoland Vampires Series. The series takes place in a modern world where vampires have come out to the public while other supernatural species have remained in the shadows. The vampires are organized through a feudal like system with 12 Vampire Houses in the United States and one Master in charge of each one. All vampires are required to swear their allegiance to their Master and obey the rules of each House. The 3 houses in Chicago are the Cadogan, Navarre, and The Grey House. The other 9 Houses are the Sheridan, Murphey, McDonald, Heart, Lincoln, Lassiter, Washington, Taylor, and Cabot. Only the Master of each house is able to create more vampires and even they are only allowed to make so many a year.

The heroine, Merit, is just a regular college graduate working on her thesis when she is viciously attacked by a rogue vampire. Luckily she was discovered shortly after by Ethan Sullivan, the Master of the Cadogan House. The only way to save her is to make her into what tried to kill her. When she wakes up she is thrust into a world she knows nothing about. At first she is extremely reluctant to adhere to her new vampire lifestyle to the point where she becomes annoying and childish. With help from some new friends and her long time bestie, Mallory, she eventually comes around and begins trying to make the best of the situation.

There is some sexual tension throughout the book. From the very beginning there is an attraction between her and her new Master, Ethan Sullivan. Although both find each other impossible. He wants her to be more submissive and compliant while she continues to fight him on pretty much everything.

Some Girls Bite wasn’t what I was expecting and not in a good way. I hate to bad mouth an authors hard work but the characters were a bit one dimensional and it took a while for the story to pick up the pace. I’m undecided on whether I will be continuing the series at this point. Maybe the characters develop more over the course of the series. But I was able to finish it so it wasn’t all bad.

Book Review: Crave by J.R. Ward

Book: Crave
Series: Fallen Angels Series #2
Author: J.R. Ward
Publication Date: 10/5/2010
Pages: 480

My Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Crave is the second novel in J.R. Ward’s Fallen Angels series. The series takes us front and center into the final battle between good and evil. Seven deadly sins, seven souls that need saving. The stakes are higher than ever and the man responsible for the worlds redemption is Jim Heron, former military assassin and current fallen angel who has no idea who’s soul is on the line next. Good thing he has help from a couple of fast and loose fallen angels ready for battle against the biggest, baddest bitch in heels.

Devina is livid for losing the first soul to Jim Heron. She’s desperate and willing to do anything to win this round, even if it means bending the rules a little to get what she wants. J.R. Ward takes us into the mind of Devina. What her driving force is, her strengths, her weaknesses, and shows us that she/ it is so much more than just the big bad bitch we love to hate.

Isaac Rothe has gone AWOL from XOps making him as good as dead. He has managed to stay under the radar of his former commander, Matthias. Unfortunately he has been using his real name while fighting in an underground street fighting ring. During a raid on the warehouse Isaac is arrested and soon meets his beautiful and pure of heart public defender.

Grier Childe has had her share of hard times. After losing her brother to an addiction she has made it a point to save those who need saving. So when she meets her newest client, Isaac Rothe, she is willing to toss all caution to the wind to help this mysterious stranger who she can’t stop thinking about.

Matthias is on a mission to take out Isaac Rothe and will stop at nothing until he pulls the trigger that puts the bullet in Isaac’s chest. Jim will do anything he can to save Isaac. It just might not be enough this time.

Crave is irresistible with steamy scenes to get your blood pumping. Love J.R. Wards casual style of writing and how she gives us three dimensional characters who are easy to relate to. This book was so incredible that I devoured it in one night. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Personal: My Novel Status

I am starting something new. Every week I will post something about myself. I have been meaning to do this for weeks but have been delayed due to coming down with the flu and beginning my sons homeschooling program 3 weeks ago. These are the reasons my blog has not had much going on lately. Homeschooling threw me off my usual writing schedule. Plus needing time to spend with my husband–got to keep us both satisfied, if you know what I mean. Not to mention keeping up with the house chores and caring for the kids. I am better now and have adjusted to my new schedule.

Hopefully these posts will give insights into who I am and what I am about. The woman behind the blog. I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I always am interested in what you have to say. Ultimately I want to entertain, meet other writers, and in the process I hope to improve my writing.

For the first personal post I would like to take some time to write about the book I have been working on. About 2 months ago I made a decision that was painful. After 6 months of creating characters and their backstories, building a world, and outlining the plot I decided that the book was not what I wanted. I can’t explain it, it just never felt right.

So I have started fresh and I am really happy with the way it’s going. I have decided that the genre will be horror. My main character is a witch, specifically a necromancer. I am working on aspects of her present life and her backstory as well as developing the story world. There will be ghosts, demons, zombies, vampires, and werewolves, among other supernatural creatures. Obviously I have a long, long way to go and I will continue to give updates on it from time to time.

Book Review: Covet by J.R. Ward

Book: Covet
Series: Fallen Angels Series #1
Author: J.R. Ward
Publication Date: 9/29/2009
Pages: 496

My Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

In Covet the battle between good vs evil is raging on and the stakes have never been higher for both sides. The angels win and they take over earth, the demons go buy bye and all is well. The demons win and that’s it. The end.

We have all heard of them. The seven deadly sins. There are seven souls that need to be saved. Seven sins that they need to be saved from. The man chosen for the job is none other than Jim Heron. He has a colorful past, to say the least, and is proficient in the art of revenge. Some might say that he is an unlikely candidate for the job.

Vin DiPietro unknowingly sold his soul years ago, turning his life into a rags to riches story. He has never questioned it or looked back. That is until his entire life is turned upside down when Jim Heron comes blasting into his life, telling him that he is here to save his soul. He doesn’t give it much thought until a mysterious woman comes into his life and has him question all of his choices.

Covet is the first novel in J.R. Ward’s Fallen Angels Series. Also author of The Black Dagger Brotherhood series. As a big fan of her writing I began the book expecting it to be great. I was not disappointed. This book had me in its clutches from the very beginning with it’s fast paced action, clever dialog, and lovable characters that charmed me from the start. This book is a must read for fans of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series as it also takes place in Caldwell so as you read you will come across a couple of familiar characters and familiar locations.

Great book! I can say enough good things about it!