UNDEAD AND UNRETURNABLE

Though she's the vampire queen, Betsy Taylor is much more like a princess. But with a half-sister who's the devil's daughter, an evil stepmother, a fiend living in her basement, assorted spirits and killers running amok, and a wedding to plan with the former bane of her existence, Eric Sinclair, Betsy is not sure she'll survive the holidays.

So, the hubby's reading the final Harry Potter book at the moment. And I wanted to read something a little shorter, and definitely more light-hearted. So I picked up this book.

It's the fourth Betsy Taylor book - which I'd fallen behind on (for some reason) - and I had a lot of fun catching up with her antics. As well as those of the people around her. After reading this book, I really feel that the series has gotten back on track. It was so much fun! I actually read it in two sittings. If it hadn't been for dinner and dishes, it could've been one sitting. Lol.

Still, I'm glad I've read it... and since the hubby will probably try to finish Harry tonight, I might just have to pick up the next Betsy... ;)

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Although I was deeply saddened by some of the things that happened in this book - because I've grown so attached to the characters - I still felt satisfied in the end. What a terrific adventure we shared with Harry!
It actually took me longer to read the book than I thought it would. But there were a lot of things going on this week. And I think that going slower actually helped me absorb and enjoy every single detail more.
JK has written a wonderful book that belongs to an equally wonderful series. The sad thing is that there won't be anymore after this. Well, I don't want to share any spoilers, and I certainly don't want to get into any details, but I reckon every single person in the world should share the magic that is Harry Potter. :)
Feel free to share any comments...

WIRED

Seconds aren’t like pennies. They can’t be saved in a jar and spent later. Fate seeps through cracks and shifts like fog. Pluck a second out of time or slip an extra one in, the consequences will change your life forever. Is the man you love really the man you think you know, or is there a version of your life in which he’s your enemy? If you didn’t know who or what you were before, would you take a chance on becoming that person again?

How about this cover, huh? It's bloody awesome! From the moment I read the above, I knew I just had to read this book. And now that I've finished it, all I can say is: Wow! It was so trippy. In a totally awesome way, BTW.

Roxanne is thrown into an impossible situation, caught between two men - Mason Merrick and Leonardo Kaysar. Two very different men that seem to despise each other, and are both very keen to convince her the other is the bad guy. There are some moments where you just have no idea where the hell she's going to end up. And even start to doubt both guys. Although I was kinda convinced who was good and who wasn't that good by about halfway through the book.

There were a few clues, but still enough doubt left to question your every thought. So you can imagine just how confused Roxanne is. Lol. I loved that things weren't always as they seemed. The concept of time being altered by wires that could be manipulated, was fascinating.

I read the first 100 pages over a few days, kept getting interrupted. But the rest of the book I pretty much read in one sitting last night. Honestly, it was worth it. The action didn't stop. Neither did the confusion and the total chaos of suspicion and doubt. When I got to the last 30 pages, I couldn't wait to read how it would all turn out... I was on the edge of my seat.

This book was excellent. And well, I'm totally sold on the SHOMI imprint. I will definitely be buying every one of these books. Not to mention, that the little idea I had for one of these is totally perculating now. ;)

Check it out, it's a very cool book!

FAMILIAR STRANGER

Recruited by a secret paranormal organization to hunt demons, Jack Harris never guessed the revenge he sought for his partner's death would be this complicated. Jack's worldview is black-and-white—until he is ordered to follow Mersey Bane, a beautiful woman who is also a familiar with shape-shifting abilities. Mersey belongs to the Cadre—a peaceful hermetic order that captures and studies Otherworldly Entities—which is at odds with Jack's organization.

As Jack delves deeper into the inner workings of the Cadre, he finds himself drawn to Mersey like a moth to a flame.

She may challenge all his beliefs, but she brings color and passion to his world. Jack doesn't know whether what he feels for Mersey is love or lust. But if he doesn't figure it out soon, they may become the hunted instead of the hunters.

I was lucky enough to win this wonderful book in a contest... and I'm so glad that I did! This book was fantastic, and delved into so many excellent otherworldly things, that I wish there was going to be another Mersey and Jack story. Although, this is the first book in the Dark Enchanments series, which spans four books by four different authors.

This was a fantastic start into the mysterious world of the Cadre. And once you get to the end of the book, you realise just how perfect this title is. Perfect and clever.

Both Mersey and Jack (gotta love a hero called Jack! I know I do) were very likeable characters that learn a lot about themselves and each other throughout the story. While leading the reader further into this intriguing world of demons, faeries and so much more that I know we'll meet along the way...

Anyway, as you can tell I really, really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the next books. Michele's such a great writer. I've read several of her books already, and can't wait to read more. Very cool!

Check this book out! I'm really getting into these Nocturnes now. :D

BLOOD DRIVE

Anna Strong was a tough-as-nails bounty hunter, until the night she was attacked-and changed forever.

Now a vampire, Anna discovers that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter-and the girl's in serious trouble. There are some very dangerous people after her, but they're about to learn that to a bounty hunter with an unnatural thirst for blood, even the deadliest human predators are easy prey.

Okay, I got through the last 20 pages this morning... I just couldn't wait to get back to it and find out how everything worked out. If you've read it, you'll know what I mean. There were some results she was waiting for...

Anyway. :D Anna Strong is a total kick-ass chick. I love it! This series is awesome and the world is just getting bigger. I really can't wait until the third book. It's going to be a very long wait because I don't think it comes out until November.

In this book, she's dealing with human monsters after a woman drops in out of nowhere claiming her daughter is Anna's niece. Anna's brother died when he was still very young, so the possibility that the teenager is his confuses everything. She also has to deal with her vampire side a lot more. I'm telling you, it's fantastic!

I really, really, really love this series. This one's a definite winner, and I'm staying on for the ride.

Okay, I was tagged twice!

By Shonna and Diana.

Here are the rules:

a. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
b. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
c. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

So here it is:

1. I double check every post I write on my blog and message boards... just in case ;)

2. Until I was 7, I didn't know a word of English (Could only speak Spanish)

3. Now at 34, English is the only language I speak fluently

4. I collect cute VW Beetle and VW Kombi model cars

5. If you add the two digits of my age, it equals the age my daughter will turn this year

6. I love books! I buy more than I have time to read and am always on the lookout for more!

7. I carry a 1GB (soon to be upgaded to 2GB) USB memory stick with me everywhere I go

8. I'm addicted to the internet!!!


Oh, and I'm not going to tag anyone. I've already done that before. Lol. :D

PLUM LOVIN'

Mysterious men have a way of showing up in Stephanie Plum's apartment. When the shadowy Diesel appears, he has a task for Stephanie-and he's not taking no for an answer. Annie Hart is a "relationship expert" who is wanted for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Stephanie needs to find her, fast. Diesel knows where she is. So they make a deal: he'll help her get Annie if Stephanie plays matchmaker to several of Annie's most difficult clients.

I got this book a while ago, but didn't want to read it until I'd read #12... and I'm glad I waited.

Diesel's back in this one. Another guy to add to the confusing mix she already has. As if two hot guys aren't enough to deal with? Add this bizarre and almost magical guy to the mix and what's Stephanie to do? ;)

Lots of laughs in this one, and I loved the way everything worked out. Even if her sister's life just keeps getting worse and worse. My gosh! Another baby? The fake wedding scene was totally hilarious! And Grandma Mazur never disappoints.

I hope there are more of these Between-the-Numbers novels. They're a blast!

Doctor Who, Ghost Rider and another Review

Man, the hubby and I watched the season 3 finale for Doctor Who yesterday. And OMG! It was absolutely fantastic! I can't stop thinking and raving about this show. It's bloody outstanding.

Honestly, the writers are fantastic and everything means something. I love it when a storyline is so thorough that you just think: Wow!

Only problem is, that I can't wait until the next season. And there's so long to go... I also love it when a season ends the arc, but presents a whole bunch of new questions. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

We also sat down to watch Ghost Rider. Now, I love comic book movies and really, with the subject matter of this movie, I honestly thought I would love it. The devil, fallen angels, souls, etc... sounds great, right? Well, I don't think the idea was very well executed. I've never read a GR comic, so I don't know how close it was to the comic books but as a viewer of just this movie, I wasn't really impressed. There were too many plot holes, things that didn't make sense and the female character was an annoying obstacle that would've been better on the cutting room floor. Honestly, she didn't bring anything to the story. At least, I didn't think so.

At the end of the movie I was left very unsatisfied. Not one of the better comic book stories. I actually enjoyed The Punisher a lot more than this one. And that was one brutal movie!

Anyway...

So, my daughter's on school holidays... which means that I'm not going to push the whole writing experience too far. Or at least, I'm going to try not to. No promises, because I'm sure that the muse has other ideas. Still, I think that this week I'll just tie up some bits and pieces that are nagging at my head... because next week I've got a target to meet: 20k in one week. The BIAW starts next week. And I'm actually quite excited about this story, looking forward to it. I've even got a bunch of inspirational pics to go with the tale already. :)

Well, gotta go for now!

TWELVE SHARP

FIRST A STRANGER APPEARS While chasing down the usual cast of miscreants and weirdos Stephanie discovers that a crazed woman is stalking her.

THEN, THE STRANGER REVEALS HER SECRETS The woman dresses in black, carries a 9mm GLOCK, has a bad attitude and a mysterious connection to dark and dangerous Carlos Manoso... street name, Ranger.

NEXT, SOMEBODY DIES The action turns deadly serious, and Stephanie goes from hunting skips to hunting a murderer.

SOON, THE CHASE IS ON Ranger needs Stephanie for more reasons than he can say. And now, the two are working together to find a killer, rescue a missing child, and stop a lunatic from raising the body count. When Stephanie Plum and Ranger get too close for comfort, Vice Cop Joe Morelli (her on-again, off-again boyfriend) steps in.

This was a lot of FUN! Of course, all the Plum novels so far have been a lot of fun. The laughs keep coming, though. And I love how serious issues are mixed in with all the humour but Stephanie comes out on top.

Looks like we get a little more of a glimpse into Ranger with every new book. Cool. I just wonder if she'll ever make up her mind about which one she wants - Morelli or Ranger? I think the answers right in front of her, she just doesn't want to make it. Lol. :D