(this page might be slow to load—sorry)
Books I Read Before That
The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke
Burke captures the beauty and mystery of Louisiana's bayou country with language to make you sigh. In this novel he also looks at the heartwrenching destruction caused by Katrina, and how it tore apart lives across the board, rich and poor, upstanding and insane. Oh, yeah, and there's a bit of mystery, too.
Burke captures the beauty and mystery of Louisiana's bayou country with language to make you sigh. In this novel he also looks at the heartwrenching destruction caused by Katrina, and how it tore apart lives across the board, rich and poor, upstanding and insane. Oh, yeah, and there's a bit of mystery, too.
Rejection, Romance and Royalties: The Wacky World of a Working Writer by Laura Resnick
Ever wonder what the glamorous life of a writer is like? Read it and weep.
Ever wonder what the glamorous life of a writer is like? Read it and weep.
Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Kitty Norville Series, Book 1) by Carrie Vaughn
A werewolf DJ named Kitty accidentally creates a hit high-strange talk show, and finds her troubles multiplying. Good read.
A werewolf DJ named Kitty accidentally creates a hit high-strange talk show, and finds her troubles multiplying. Good read.
The Socorro Blast (Sasha Solomon Series, Book 3 by Pari Noskin Taichert
Sasha Solomon juggles her PR job with helping her neice, who has been injured by an explosion, and coping with the reactions of her family. An interesting mix of familial strife relieved by glimpses of points of interest around Soccoro, New Mexico.
Sasha Solomon juggles her PR job with helping her neice, who has been injured by an explosion, and coping with the reactions of her family. An interesting mix of familial strife relieved by glimpses of points of interest around Soccoro, New Mexico.
Jumper: Griffin's Story by Steven Gould
Griffin has been able to jump to anyplace he's been before since the age of five, but his father won't let him break the rules: never jump near home, never jump when someone can see you. One slip and suddenly Griffin's fighting for his life.
Well-drawn prequel to the 2008 film Jumper, based on Gould's NYT bestselling novel Jumper .
Griffin has been able to jump to anyplace he's been before since the age of five, but his father won't let him break the rules: never jump near home, never jump when someone can see you. One slip and suddenly Griffin's fighting for his life.
Well-drawn prequel to the 2008 film Jumper, based on Gould's NYT bestselling novel Jumper .
Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum Series, Book 10) by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum, the world's worst bounty hunter, lives perpetually on the edge of disaster. This time a gang hit-man is after her, and she decides to vacate her sometimes-steady Joe Morelli's house and crash in the pad of shady stud Ranger (without his permission, natch). The usual wacky hijinks ensue.
Stephanie Plum, the world's worst bounty hunter, lives perpetually on the edge of disaster. This time a gang hit-man is after her, and she decides to vacate her sometimes-steady Joe Morelli's house and crash in the pad of shady stud Ranger (without his permission, natch). The usual wacky hijinks ensue.
A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace follows a serial killer to New Orleans and finds herself in the midst of a sub-culture of vampires, fallen angels, and other strange beings. Most intriguing is Dante, the magnetic, reclusive, sullen and brilliant owner of Club Hell. But is he the killer, or is he marked as the next victim?
FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace follows a serial killer to New Orleans and finds herself in the midst of a sub-culture of vampires, fallen angels, and other strange beings. Most intriguing is Dante, the magnetic, reclusive, sullen and brilliant owner of Club Hell. But is he the killer, or is he marked as the next victim?
Kitty Goes to Washington (Kitty Norville series, Book 2) by Carrie Vaughn
Summoned to Washington to address a Senate Committe hearing on unusual diseases (such as lycanthropy, vampirism), Kitty meets the Vampire Queen of D.C. and a new and different community of were-folk. Can she win recognition for people like herself by going public, or will that result in a modern-day witch hunt?
Summoned to Washington to address a Senate Committe hearing on unusual diseases (such as lycanthropy, vampirism), Kitty meets the Vampire Queen of D.C. and a new and different community of were-folk. Can she win recognition for people like herself by going public, or will that result in a modern-day witch hunt?
Blood on the Bayou by D. J. Donaldson
Andy Broussard is New Orleans's Chief Medical Examiner, a large, lemon-drop addicted perfectionist with overtones of Nero Wolfe. Kit Franklyn, his assistant, is an antsy twenty-something psychologist trying to decide whether to dump her bossy boyfriend. Toss in a brutal serial killer attacking people apparently at random in the French Quarter, a loveable mechanic named Bubba, and a look at an alligator farm, and you've got mystery Cajun style.
Andy Broussard is New Orleans's Chief Medical Examiner, a large, lemon-drop addicted perfectionist with overtones of Nero Wolfe. Kit Franklyn, his assistant, is an antsy twenty-something psychologist trying to decide whether to dump her bossy boyfriend. Toss in a brutal serial killer attacking people apparently at random in the French Quarter, a loveable mechanic named Bubba, and a look at an alligator farm, and you've got mystery Cajun style.
Long Night Dance (Seeker Chronicles, Book 1) by Betsy James
Kat is an obedient daughter, always striving to make up for the shame of her dead mother's past. She is drawn to Downshore, though, where the folk are happy instead of disciplined. As the dangerous wildness of the Long Night Dance approaches, she finds an injured Rig (a seal-person) on the beach, and her ordered life begins to unravel.
Kat is an obedient daughter, always striving to make up for the shame of her dead mother's past. She is drawn to Downshore, though, where the folk are happy instead of disciplined. As the dangerous wildness of the Long Night Dance approaches, she finds an injured Rig (a seal-person) on the beach, and her ordered life begins to unravel.
Listening at the Gate (Seeker Chronicles, Book 3) by Betsy James
Returning to Downshore, Kat discovers that the Leaguemen are practically at war with the town, using outrageous fees to bind the folk in endless debt, and in desperation the people are beginning to fight back with violence. Nall, Kat's love, distressed by this, vows to journey to the Gate between life and death and listen for wisdom. Kat goes with him, and both learn and grow more than they expected.
Returning to Downshore, Kat discovers that the Leaguemen are practically at war with the town, using outrageous fees to bind the folk in endless debt, and in desperation the people are beginning to fight back with violence. Nall, Kat's love, distressed by this, vows to journey to the Gate between life and death and listen for wisdom. Kat goes with him, and both learn and grow more than they expected.
Dark Heart (Seeker Chronicles, Book 2) by Betsy James
Kat sets out to learn about her mother's people, the Hill People. In the landlocked village of Creek, she discovers friendship, love, and her own burgeoning creativity. Though life here is much sweeter than in Upslope, she cannot forget Nall, the man she called from the sea, nor her own fear of the Hill coming-of-age ritual, in which she must face a bear.
Kat sets out to learn about her mother's people, the Hill People. In the landlocked village of Creek, she discovers friendship, love, and her own burgeoning creativity. Though life here is much sweeter than in Upslope, she cannot forget Nall, the man she called from the sea, nor her own fear of the Hill coming-of-age ritual, in which she must face a bear.
Red Dragon Codex by R. D. Henham
When the village seer is kidnapped by the evil red dragon, Mudd and his sister, Hiera, embark on a journey to find the mystic medallion that will summon the silver dragon to their aid. They are joined by others with the same objective—but are these new friends true, or could one be an enemy in disguise?
This game tie-in is a fast read with surprisingly poignant moments and complex characters.
When the village seer is kidnapped by the evil red dragon, Mudd and his sister, Hiera, embark on a journey to find the mystic medallion that will summon the silver dragon to their aid. They are joined by others with the same objective—but are these new friends true, or could one be an enemy in disguise?
This game tie-in is a fast read with surprisingly poignant moments and complex characters.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Ash has spent her whole life trying to avoid the fey, trying not to let them know she can see them, can hear the awful things they say and do. Now two faeries are stalking her: a girl who looks like she froze to death, and a guy whose glamour hides the fact that he glows like the sun—from everyone but Ash.
Fun modern/Goth take on the myths of faerie. Interesting characters and lush descriptions.
Ash has spent her whole life trying to avoid the fey, trying not to let them know she can see them, can hear the awful things they say and do. Now two faeries are stalking her: a girl who looks like she froze to death, and a guy whose glamour hides the fact that he glows like the sun—from everyone but Ash.
Fun modern/Goth take on the myths of faerie. Interesting characters and lush descriptions.
Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum series, book 11) by Janet Evanovitch
Stephanie's fed up with getting shot at and rolling in garbage in her less-than-glamorous career as a bounty hunter. She quits. Goes to get a job a the button factory. Then at the dry cleaners. Then at Cluck-in-a-Bucket. Quitting is not going well, especially since there's still someone trying to kill her.
Stephanie Plum is my favorite popcorn. This batch is salty and hot. Nuff said.
Stephanie's fed up with getting shot at and rolling in garbage in her less-than-glamorous career as a bounty hunter. She quits. Goes to get a job a the button factory. Then at the dry cleaners. Then at Cluck-in-a-Bucket. Quitting is not going well, especially since there's still someone trying to kill her.
Stephanie Plum is my favorite popcorn. This batch is salty and hot. Nuff said.
Kitty Takes a Holiday (Kitty Norville series, book 3) by Carrie Vaughn
Kitty's supposed to be writing a book, taking a break from her radio show, but she can't concentrate. Someone's killing rabbits at the door of her cabin. She's got a new on-air competitor, too, and can't stop obsessing about it. Worst, though, is when Cormac shows up with his cousin Ben, her lawyer, who's been mauled—by a werewolf.
Kitty, Ben, and Cormac show new depths in this novel. While the holiday is a real change of pace, there's no lack of excitement.
Kitty's supposed to be writing a book, taking a break from her radio show, but she can't concentrate. Someone's killing rabbits at the door of her cabin. She's got a new on-air competitor, too, and can't stop obsessing about it. Worst, though, is when Cormac shows up with his cousin Ben, her lawyer, who's been mauled—by a werewolf.
Kitty, Ben, and Cormac show new depths in this novel. While the holiday is a real change of pace, there's no lack of excitement.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Going to a new school in her least favorite town, Bella is prepared for a miserable year, and thinks she knows the worst to come. She's not ready, though, for the incredibly beautiful classmate who fixes her with his mesmerizing stare on her first day—and looks like he'd like to kill her.
Enjoyable read. Deep teenage romantic angst and the young girl's ultimate vampire fantasy.
Going to a new school in her least favorite town, Bella is prepared for a miserable year, and thinks she knows the worst to come. She's not ready, though, for the incredibly beautiful classmate who fixes her with his mesmerizing stare on her first day—and looks like he'd like to kill her.
Enjoyable read. Deep teenage romantic angst and the young girl's ultimate vampire fantasy.
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Leslie wants a tattoo as a gesture of reclaiming her body and her life. Sadly, her choice of designs will bind her to the King of the Dark Fey, and allow him to feed through her on the sufferings of all human kind.
Vivid and dark—alas, a little too dark for me, but it will no doubt resonate for many readers.
Leslie wants a tattoo as a gesture of reclaiming her body and her life. Sadly, her choice of designs will bind her to the King of the Dark Fey, and allow him to feed through her on the sufferings of all human kind.
Vivid and dark—alas, a little too dark for me, but it will no doubt resonate for many readers.
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Bella's back in Forks after being hunted and rescued in Arizona. A disastrous eighteenth birthday party thrown for her by well-meaning Alice results in heartbreak and despair—Edward and his family move away, leaving Bella alone. Only her friend Jacob offers any comfort, but he's no match for the rogue vampire who's still hunting Bella.
A bit more complex than TWILIGHT, though even more heavy on the angst.
Bella's back in Forks after being hunted and rescued in Arizona. A disastrous eighteenth birthday party thrown for her by well-meaning Alice results in heartbreak and despair—Edward and his family move away, leaving Bella alone. Only her friend Jacob offers any comfort, but he's no match for the rogue vampire who's still hunting Bella.
A bit more complex than TWILIGHT, though even more heavy on the angst.
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
As high school graduation approaches, Bella is waffling about whether to marry Edward, whether to become a vampire, and whether to let Jacob know that he's got no chance of winning her heart. Despite their rivalry, Jacob and Edward join forces to fight a new threat from the ever-hovering Victoria.
Angst R Us. Great at times, at other times I wanted to slap everyone's face.
As high school graduation approaches, Bella is waffling about whether to marry Edward, whether to become a vampire, and whether to let Jacob know that he's got no chance of winning her heart. Despite their rivalry, Jacob and Edward join forces to fight a new threat from the ever-hovering Victoria.
Angst R Us. Great at times, at other times I wanted to slap everyone's face.
writer of fantasy, lover of elves