Steampunk Review: The Bookman by Lavie Tidhar

The Bookman

by Lavie Tidhar

Angry Robot

http://www.lavietidhar.wordpress.com
ISBN: 9780857660343
Release Date: September 28, 2010

from the author's site: 

When the woman he loves dies at the hands of the mysterious Bookman, young poet Orphan will do anything to bring her back – but how far will you go for love?

Enmeshed in a web of secrets and lies, with a changed England on the brink of revolution, Orphan would have to unravel the secrets of his world, all the while trying to stay alive himself. His journey would taken him from the hidden catacombs of London, through pirate-infested seas, to the mysterious island that may hold the secret to the origin not only of the shadowy Bookman, but of Orphan’s own…

my thoughts:

I've been in an absolutel Steampunk mood lately. I've been buying up as much as I can because I'm craving it like crazy. The Bookman popped up as a recommend somewhere, so I decided to give it a shot. It quickly became my primary read (since I'm known for reading many, many books at a time).

The Bookman is very unique, even for Steampunk. We're talking about a Victorian England where the Royal family is a group of lizards! And of course there's the mystery of the Bookman, himself. As Orphan gets drawn deeper in, he finds out there are more players in the game than anyone knows. And everyone has their own motives

I can't wait for the release of Camera Obscura.I really want to see more of the world Lavie Tidhar has created.

So that's my recommend for you. :) Anyone got any great Steampunk recommends for me?

Paranormal Romance Review: Assassin's Honor by Monica Burns

Assassin's Honor

Order of the Sicari Book 1

by Monica Burns

Berkley Sensation

http://www.monicaburns.com

ISBN: 9780425234167

Release Date: June 1, 2010

from the author's site: 

Archeologist Emma Zale sees the past when she touches ancient relics. It’s how she uncovered evidence of an ancient order of assassins—the Sicari. When a sinfully dark stranger shows up on her Chicago doorstep demanding an ancient artifact she doesn’t have, he drags her into a world where telekinesis and empaths are the norm. Now someone wants her dead, and her only hope of survival is an assassin who’s every bit as dangerous to her body as he is to her heart. 

 

Ares DeLuca comes from an ancient Roman bloodline of telekinetic assassins. A Sicari, he’s honor bound to kill only in the name of justice. But when the woman he loved was murdered, Ares broke the Sicari code and used his sword for revenge. Love cost him dearly once before, and he’s not willing to pay the price again. At least not until hot, sweet, delectable Emma walked into his life. Not only does she hold the key to a valuable Sicari relic, she might just hold the key to his heart.

my thoughts: 

I don't know why I delayed reading this one, oh wait, school, book club, work...crap, everything keeps getting in the way of my reading. (Can you tell? It's only been what? 5 months since I blogged) Anyway, back to Assassin's Honor. I initially started this around the time it released and then everything got in my way. I picked it back up and thank goodness there were no interruptions this time because I was NOT putting it down. I completely ignored one of my book club books because I was so drawn into the world of the Sicari. 

The action and tension (sexual and otherwise) kept me glued in place reading. I'm so glad I already have Assassin's Heart because you know that's been moved right to the top of the TBR. Of course once I finish that then I have to wait for Book 3. At least I have another Monica Burns (unrelated to the Sicari) to keep me sated until then. 

Highly recommended, especially if you like action-filled books about paranormal warriors and spicy love scenes.

Non-Fiction Review: Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim

Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation

by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim

St. Martin's Press

http://www.flowthebook.com

ISBN: 9780312379964

Release Date: November 10, 2009

from the publisher's site: 

In this hip, hilarious and truly eye-opening cultural history, menstruation is talked about as never before.Flow spans its fascinating, occasionally wacky and sometimes downright scary story: from mikvahs (ritual cleansing baths) to menopause, hysteria to hysterectomies—not to mention the Pill, cramps, the history of underwear, and the movie about puberty they showed you in 5th grade. 

 

Flow answers such questions as: What’s the point of getting a period? What did women do before pads and tampons? What about new drugs that promise to end periods—a hot idea or not? Sex during your period: gross or a turn-on? And what’s normal, anyway?  With color reproductions of (campy) historical ads and early (excruciating) femcare devices, it also provides a fascinating (and mind-boggling) gallery of this complex, personal and uniquely female process.

As irreverent as it is informative, Flow gives an everyday occurrence its true props – and eradicates the stigma placed on it for centuries.

my thoughts: 

You have to read this book! I'm going to say it again, just for emphasis, you have to read this book! I was hooked from the first page and finished it in only two sittings (I could have done it in one, but had to sleep). Flow is not only informative, but it is fascinating and funny. My poor boyfriend...every other paragraph I was shouting out some new tidbit of information that I'd just picked up. Because I've taken a women's history class not all of the information was new to me, but so much of it was. 

Reading Flow was a truly eye-opening experience for me and it has made me think a lot more about that little visitor and how I really feel about the whole process. Read this book, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

Paranormal Romance Review: Dark Crusade by Lori Devoti

Dark Crusade

by Lori Devoti

Silhouette Nocturne

http://www.loridevoti.com

ISBN: 9780373618095

April 2009

from the author's site: 

Exiled rogue shapeshifter Kerr Vik once saw being transported to Gunngar as a fresh start. Until the one person he most regretted leaving behind—captivating witch Heather Moore—stumbles through the portal…and finds herself right in the middle of a witch hunt. Heather has courageously come to Gunngar to redeem herself. But Kerr knows that if she braves it alone…she will die. He must somehow send her back through the portal. And it’s not long before a collision of truth, love and duty complicates Kerr’s mission by forcing him to choose sides: should he save this forbidden love or protect his honor?

my thoughts: 

I always love Lori Devoti's books. I've been following her Unbound series from the beginning, and aside from liking her writing style, I like the originality of her whole world. It's not often that you find books on hellhounds. 

There's a connection between Kerr and Heather from the very beginning of Dark Crusade, and as with most stubborn couples it takes them a while to come to terms with it. It's that journey that makes this book such a fun and quick read. I'm already looking forward to getting started on The Hellhound King. 

On a personal note: I had to laugh that the main character's name is Heather Moore, since my first name is Heather and my boyfriend's last name is Moore. :)

Paranormal Romance Review: The Vampire's Quest by Vivi Anna

The Vampire's Quest

Valorian Chronicles Book 4

by Vivi Anna

Silhouette Nocturne

http://www.vivianna.net

ISBN: 9780373618088

Release Date: April 2009

from the author's site: 

After escaping from the Otherworld Crime Unit, Kellen Falcon came to Nouveau Monde to crack a rare blood disease. But the European hotbed of temptation yielded sport no vampire could resist—criminologist Sophie St. Clair. And with only days to live, Kellen sought sweet release from her to escape a savage past.

The lycan beauty wasn't one to stray from her pact. But an investigation into a downtown bombing now tied the two together. And it wasn't long before Kellen's smoldering eyes and Sophie's fierce desire for this vampire put her loyalties to the test.

my thoughts: 

 The Valorian Chronicles is another great Nocturne series that I've read from the beginning and have loved. Think a paranormal CSI. Vivi Anna includes Romance, Mystery, and all of my favorite Paranormal elements: vampires, witches, and werewolves. 

The Vampire's Quest is a great tale of star-crossed lovers with plenty of action to glue you to the pages. I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to get started on The Vampire's Kiss.  

Paranormal Romance Review: Immortal Bride by Lisa Childs

Immortal Bride

by Lisa Childs

Silhouette Nocturne

http://www.lisachilds.com

ISBN: 9780373618064

Release Date: March 2009

from the author's site: 

For generations, local residents have whispered about an evil menace lurking near the shore of the Lake of Tears. The recent murder of landowner Damien Gray's bride, Olivia, confirms the worst. Now, confused and heartbroken, Olivia's spirit survives death and seeks vengeance upon the man she desired more than life itself, the man she now suspects was her killer—Damien.

But an angry shaman has his own vicious agenda, one that will bring Damien to understand his Native ancestry. Steamy passion and ancient vendettas will draw them ever deeper into a drama of a family's legacy, murder and a love so strong it can withstand even death. 

my thoughts: 

I flew through Immortal Bride in one night. Lisa Childs penned a different kind of Romance. I was so absorbed into Olivia and Damien's story that I couldn't put the book down until I was done. 

Immortal Bride is a unique tale of reunion and forgiveness.Olivia and Damien are destined for each other and not even death is going to keep them apart.  I've loved everything else I've read by Lisa Childs and I'm sure I'll continue to do so. I can't wait for her next book.

Urban Fantasy Review: Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur

Embraced by Darkness

Riley Jensen, Guardian Book 5

by Keri Arthur

Dell Spectrum

http://www.keriarthur.com

ISBN: 9780553589610

Release Date: July 31, 2007

from the author's site: 

Part vamp, part werewolf, Riley Jenson plays by her own rules, whether it’s her stormy love life or her job as a guardian. But when her family’s alpha male demands that she solve the mystery of a vanished girl, Riley can feel a trap closing in around her. Because the job comes with a catch: if Riley fails, her own mother will die.

Now the stakes are raised, the hunt is on…and when more women vanish, Riley is caught between a lover who demands that she give up her work, a serial killer who knows no boundaries, and a club where humans and supernaturals mix—at their own peril. Thrust into a realm of seduction and violence unlike any she could have imagined, Riley has to battle to save everything she holds dear. But the ultimate hunt has only just begun….

my thoughts: 

Yet again Keri Arthur has written a great page-turner. In Embraced by Darkness, Riley has some decisions to make and none of them will be easy. She also finds herself working two equally puzzling cases, both of which find her in harms way. All of which equals one suspenseful read. Come on, you know you want to read it. :) And I highly recommend you do.