Review: Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz


My rating: 4.5/5.0
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 336

This is one of the many young adult series that I have heard about since I began delving into the blogging world earlier this year. And after reading the first book, Blue Bloods, I am glad I found it.
About the Book:

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society.

The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think.

Could those vampire legends really be true? Steeped in vampire lore and set against the heady backdrop of the rich, young, and powerful in the heart of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruz's legion fans.

My Review:

I loved the setting of New York, it was kind of like Gossip Girl with vampires, and yet so much more. It features what appear to be different levels of the social clique system focusing on money, yet not totally money - even the rich have their outcasts in high school and in Blue Bloods we are shown both the outcast and the social elite.

I loved the little bit of history that was put forth (I'm from coastal NC so the Lost Colony is second nature to us). And I also loved the characters and search that takes place. The world building in this was great - just enough to get a feel for the Blue Blood world, but not too much to bog the whole book down.

After finishing the first book, I quickly reserved the next two books in the series from the library and look forward to reading them very soon.

If you like your young adult paranormal books with a dark twist and very interesting characters then you will like Blue Bloods, the first of the Blue Bloods series.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Support Your Local Library Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

ARC Arrival: Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro

Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 336

I received this through Pump Up Your Book Promotions for a tour date next month.

About the Book:
Caterina Shaw's days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment-a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body-and she's been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.

Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he's hunting down is far from the vicious killer he's been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she's a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.

Booking Through Thursday - October 22nd

Here is this week's Booking Through Thursday question:

If you could ask your favorite author (alive or dead) one question … who would you ask, and what would the question be?

Favorite Author - that's a tough one - over the last few years I have found so many wonderful authors that I have a lot of favorites or auto-buys. So let's pick one.

Let's go with Chelsea Cain - I just want to know how she was able to make up a character as creepy as Gretchen Lowell and tales as twisted as she writes. What is her thought process?

Review: See Mom Run: Side Splitting Essays from the World's Most Harried Blogging Moms by Beth Feldman

See Mom Run: Side Splitting Essays from the World's Most Harried Blogging Moms by Beth Feldman

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

Publisher: Plain White Press
Release: November 1, 2009
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 160

About the Book:

Motherhood is absolutely hilarious if you're not too exhausted to notice! These writings feature funny, blogging moms who chronicle motherhood from a uniquely contemporary perspective.

Essayists include: Tracy Beckerman (Rebel without a Minivan), Jen Singer (MommaSaid.net), Cheryl Lage (executive producer, BabyTV), Nancy Rabinowitz Friedman (television producer-turned-comedy writer), Jeanne Muchnick (Dinner for Moms), Sara Fisher (SelfMadeMom.net), Dawn Meehan (Because I Said So), Meredith Jacobs (Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat), and more.

Beth Feldman, series editor, is founder of RoleMommy.com, an online community and events company that inspires, entertains, and informs busy moms.

My Review:

A very enjoyable set of essays on motherhood. Some made me laugh so hard. And I could relate to all of them. This is a must read for mothers who are feeling out-of-touch, out-of-sorts, feeling like supermom or not. You will understand, you will laugh and you will be touched. And most of all you will see that you are not alone in your experiences of motherhood.

This collection is well put together and encompasses so many different things pertaining to motherhood from babies to toddlers to teens to grandchildren. It's perfect for any stage in a mom's life. It's humorous and it's uplifting. An overall great read that reads very quickly and at the end you wish there were more essays for you to read because you have enjoyed the book so much.

I received this as an ebook for review from the publisher, Plain White Press through netgalley.com.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

ARC Arrival: Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: January 26, 2010
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 480

I received this from Danielle L. Jackson at Sourcebooks, Inc. for review.

Quick Summary:

Lessons in French is a sweet tale of a reconnected childhood love, separated for years because of society and family expectations. Everyone loves a sweeping love story—complete with a shy wallflower learning what’s she capable of because of the devilishly dashing and fiendishly French Duc de Monceaux, still pining away for her after all those years apart…

Praise for Laura Kinsale and Lesson in French

“Kinsale’s delightful characters and delicious wit enliven this poignant tale of childhood loves reunited. It will charm your heart!” —Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times bestselling author of Wed Him Before You Bed Him

“As great as ever, Laura Kinsale captures our hearts all over again with her newest, sure to be best seller, Lessons in French.” —Sue Grimshaw, bookseller

“Laura Kinsale creates magic. Her characters live, breathe, charm, and seduce, and her writing is as delicious and perfectly served as wine in a crystal glass. When you’re reading Kinsale, as with all great indulgences, it feels too good to stop. If there is one thing I wish for every romance reader, it is to experience the singular and extraordinary pleasures of a Laura Kinsale novel.” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author of Seduce Me at Sunrise

“Kinsale is a master storyteller. The sheer beauty of her writing never fails to inspire me. —Laura Lee Guhrke, New York Times bestselling author of With Seduction In Mind

“Lessons in French will be welcomed by anyone who knows the subtle humor, powerful emotions, and witty charm of Laura Kinsale’s work. If you’re new to Kinsale’s writing, this is a perfect book to start with. Regardless, if you pick up this book, be sure to reserve several hours for complete indulgence.” —Smart Bitches Trashy Books

“A truly gifted writer, Laura Kinsale is one of the romance genre’s brightest stars.” —Loretta Chase, New York Times bestselling author of Don't Tempt Me

“Laura Kinsale is the gold standard in historical romance! Funny, sad, witty, and deeply sensual, Lessons in French is an exquisite romance and an instant classic. Laura Kinsale’s writing is such a pleasure I know that I’ll be rereading Lessons in French for years to come.” —Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling author of To Beguile a Beast

“Laura Kinsale has had a tremendous influence on my writing. If we're talking about stars in the firmament of the Romance world, she's Ursa Minor—the one you use for finding your way.” —Joanna Bourne, national bestselling author of My Lord and Spymaster

“Lessons in French is très magnifique! A passionate and enchanting story of a second chance at first love.” —Dear Author.com

“Lessons in French is wonderful romp, presented with wit, style, and Laura Kinsale's trademark heart-stealing characters. I smiled my way through it, loving every word.”
—Jennifer Blake, New York Times bestselling author of Gallant Match

Review: Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Now I remember why I love Harry Bosch novels so much - it's a thrill ride that I don't want to end.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0


I received this book from Miriam Parker at Hachette Books for a Virtual Blog Tour.


Author's Website: http://michaelconnelly.com/index.html
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release: October 13, 2009
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 384

About the Book:

Harry Bosch is assigned a homicide call in South L.A. that takes him to Fortune Liquors, where the Chinese owner has been shot to death behind the counter in an apparent robbery.

Joined by members of the department's Asian Crime Unit, Bosch relentlessly investigates the killing and soon identifies a suspect, a Los Angeles member of a Hong Kong triad. But before Harry can close in, he gets the word that his young daughter Maddie, who lives in Hong Kong with her mother, is missing.

Bosch drops everything to journey across the Pacific to find his daughter. Could her disappearance and the case be connected? With the stakes of the investigation so high and so personal, Bosch is up against the clock in a new city, where nothing is at it seems.

My Review:

A few years ago I started reading the Harry Bosch books then I stopped because I found other authors and started finding other new books. There was never a "I don't enjoy Harry Bosch anymore" or anything like that, it's just that other newer books started catching my attention. The last one I read was book #6 Angel's Flight and I loved it. I kept meaning to get back to the series, but never did.

Then I was offered a chance to review the newest Harry Bosch book (#14) which is Nine Dragons for the Nine Days of Nine Dragons Book Tour. I am so glad I accepted this and read the book for review. I now remember that I love Harry Bosch and even though I haven't read all the books, I was not lost in this book. The daughter was new to me, but that was okay. I remember Eleanor from the books I read so she wasn't a surprise and some cases are alluded to, but nothing to ruin another book that I haven't read. In fact I would say that this book could stand alone quite well. I do think reading the series as a whole gives a better feel for the character of Harry and how he is, but the book works on it's own also.

So I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and the newer Harry who is now a father. Being a parent definitely changes your life and I like seeing the changes in Harry's life when it comes to having a family. He still takes chances and has a good head for detective work, but he also has something to live for which makes him different. But thankfully not too different. I loved the police work, I loved the foreign setting of Hong Kong (which I know little to nothing about) and some of the Chinese history. It was an enthralling plot and I could hardly put the book down. In fact I broke my self-imposed bed time last night to read a few more chapters and only put it down because my sleep medicine kicked in.

It's a great read full of twists and turns that I enjoy in my police procedural type suspense. Connelly is a master and I can't wait to get back to the Harry Bosch series where I left off. And I can't wait until the next Harry Bosch novel comes out either.



Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

Waiting on Wednesday - October 21

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

In honor of my author interview that will be posted later today with the amazing Irene Hannon my "can't-wait-to-read" selection for this week is:

Invisible by Paul Auster

Release: October 27, 2009

'One of America's greatest novelists' dazzlingly reinvents the coming-of-age story in his most passionate and surprising book to date

Sinuously constructed in four interlocking parts, Paul Auster's fifteenth novel opens in New York City in the spring of 1967, when twenty-year-old Adam Walker, an aspiring poet and student at Columbia University, meets the enigmatic Frenchman Rudolf Born and his silent and seductive girfriend, Margot. Before long, Walker finds himself caught in a perverse triangle that leads to a sudden, shocking act of violence that will alter the course of his life.

Three different narrators tell the story of Invisible, a novel that travels in time from 1967 to 2007 and moves from Morningside Heights, to the Left Bank of Paris, to a remote island in the Caribbean. It is a book of youthful rage, unbridled sexual hunger, and a relentless quest for justice. With uncompromising insight, Auster takes us into the shadowy borderland between truth and memory, between authorship and identity, to produce a work of unforgettable power that confirms his reputation as 'one of America's most spectacularly inventive writers.'

So what are you waiting on this week?