The Demon's Librarian by Lilith SaintcrowMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Chess Barnes is a librarian who hunts demons in her spare time. When the "real" demon hunters show up looking for some special books, all hell breaks loose.
This is a really excellent story. The characters are all well-developed and the world Ms. Saintcrow created is fascinating. While it is quite satisfying as a stand-alone story, we can only hope that one day Ms. Saintcrow will return to this world and these characters.
Shut Up and Kiss Me by Christie CraigMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's not often I find a book that actually makes me laugh out loud, but Ms. Craig has managed it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about PR consultant Shala Winters and her exploits in Precious, Texas. It's funny and sweet and romantic and irreverent. And what Christie puts poor Jose through...well...let's just say that eau d'skunk is not a good choice for anyone. If you enjoy your comedies romantic, or your romances comedic, this is a story for you. You won't regret it!
Bone Key by Keith R.A. DeCandidoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent story. Mr. DeCandido has captured the tone of the series perfectly. It's a great Supernatural adventure, with ghosts (famous ones!) and demons (of course) and a mystery to solve. If you're a fan of the series, you will love this. If you're not, you'll probably become one.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-SmithMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but somehow Seth Grahame-Smith has managed to maintain the integrity of Pride and Prejudice while adding zombies to the cultural and social history of Regency England. Amazing! Lizzie is her much-loved, feisty self, as well as a kick-ass, zombie-slaying heroine. In fact, Mr. Bennett insisted that all 5 of his girls receive training from Shaolin masters so that they can help fight the "unmentionables" that rise in their community. How can any of this be amusing, you ask? Read it and find out! you won't regret it.
Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark HenryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What did I learn from this book? Never go to Seattle if you're homeless. On the other hand, a visit there would probably be great. The nightlife sounds pretty lively...
Amanda Feral was breathed on by a zombie. Moments later she dies in a slip-and-fall. When she first rises, she doesn't even know she's dead. So begins the adventure. There are vampires, shifters, incubi & succubi, and a vast assortment of other supernaturals she meets and befriends along the way. There are also bad guys trying to take over the world. It's all very much a zombie version of Pinkie and the Brain. With better shoes.
Mark Henry has written a funny, witty, fast-paced story about a newbie zombie and her BFF. This series promises to be a hilarious romp through urban fantasyland.
Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark HenryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second installment of Amanda's post-life memoirs. Gil's latest client in his new "vamping" business--"Gil's Luxury Vamping: Creating Quality Bloodsuckers Since 2007"--takes offense at an unexpected extra service while crawling from his grave. Gil, Amanda, and Wendy decide it would be prudent to leave town for a while. Fortunately(?) a destination is easily chosen as Amanda's mother is in a hospice in South Dakota. The trio take off for the funniest road trip you've ever read about. With werewolves, ghosts, and neo-nazis to play with along the way, you just know that the glam-girls of zombie-dom are in for nothing but good times. Amanda is truly the reigning queen of the bitch-zombies.
Road Trip is an excellent sequel to Happy Hour. Mark Henry is a fine writer and has managed to make the shallow, fashion-driven, self-centred Amanda into a completely likable character. Be careful where you read this, because you will laugh out loud, snort, giggle, and snicker your way through the book. Amanda Feral is my hero. If I ever wake up dead, I want to be just like her.
Battle Of The Network Zombies by Mark HenryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
A splendid conclusion to this irreverent series about a fashionista zombie and her BFF. Amanda tries her hand at mystery-solving when the host of American Minions, wood nymph Johnny Birch, is found murdered. Much mayhem and hilarity ensue in the now trademark Mark Henry style. This is a great read and I look forward to learning what Mr. Henry comes out with next.
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Bloody Good, Bloody Awful, and Bloody Right by Georgia Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It's World War II and those sneaky Germans will use anything to win, including vampires! Fortunately, the Pixies and assorted Others of Brytewood are there to save the day.
This is a fun and scary romp through the WWII English countryside. I thoroughly enjoyed the Brytewood Trilogy and can only hope that Ms. Evans will one day return there to give us more stories from this quaint English village.
Georgia Evans is the pseudonym Rosemary Laurey uses for her fantasy books. You can find out more about Brytewood at http://www.brytewood.co.uk and about Rosemary Laurey at http://www.rosemarylaurey.com.
Tempest Rising by Nicole PeelerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This debut novel is off to a great start. The main character, Jane True, is half-selkie, half-human. Not that she knew that. She just thought she was a good swimmer.So good, in fact, that her swimming was kept a deep, dark secret. Well, swimming in the North Atlantic in late fall is a little...odd. As the story unfolds, however, Jane learns about her self and gets her eyes opened to the world of the paranormal, but not in a good way, really. She's embroiled in a murder mystery and the next victim just may be her!
I really enjoyed this look into Jane's world. Nicole Peeler has written a fun, witty, fast-paced novel that got me hooked from page one and hasn't let go yet. Bravo, Nicole! I'm already jonesing for book 2.
Tracking the Tempest by Nicole PeelerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is book 2 of Jane True's Life and TImes. First, I have to say !!!!!!! This is a fabulous story. It might even be better than book 1. Jane does a lot of growing in this story and she comes out much better for it. The truly bad part is that there are only 348 pages. Now we have to wait until January to find out what happens next. :(
Tracking the Tempest continues where Tempest Rising left off. Jane is now fully immersed in the supernatural world. She's learning to use her magic and she's in a long distance relationship with Ryu, her vampire boyfriend. The supernatural community is busy playing deep games and Jane is struggling to keep herself and her loved ones safe.
This is such a fast-paced book, I just know I'm going to have to read it again in a couple of weeks to pick up on all the finer details I zoomed through on the first reading. Jane has quickly become one of my favourite urban fantasy heroines and I send out a loud hip-hip-hoorah and congratulations to Nicole for her imagination and skill. You keep writing them, Dr. Peeler, and I will keep reading them! Oh, and Nicole, Ryu's last name (guffaw-giggle-snort) sheer brilliance!
