I’ve been wrestling with a problem as of late, as our blog is growing and my presence on goodreads is getting larger: Is it better to put a bad review up or just no rating at all? Let me put this question in context. Authors need ratings, and recommendations, hey it’s how the world goes round in the book business, so in order to get that you have to get your books into people hands. The trend, and it’s not just indie authors since I’m also a member of netgalley, is to give away free books to people that will give you a review or blog about your book. Press is important. But as the old adage bad press is better than no press applicable here? I always tell authors, please be prepared I will be honest in my reviews, and that’s true I don’t hand out five stars just because I got a free book. But what if I hated it? What if I felt it was a one star flop? Still review? Tell all? Or just stay quiet? Let me know what you think in the poll I’ve attached, and this is not just for authors to vote on please do if you review books, or even if you just read tell me which would you prefer?
Category: Reviews
Dark Ghost by Christine Feehan
Hey everyone,
I will start with the blurb:
Monk. Bounty hunter. Vampire slayer. Andre Boroi has spent centuries battling the undead, holding out against the dark with honor. But now, gravely wounded by master vampire Costin Popescu, Andre will be easy to track—his spilled blood marking the killing trail for Popescu and his hungry band of underlings. Andre’s only chance is to disappear into the gray mist of the Carpathians. To wait. To hope.
In the mountains in search of a precious crystal, geologist Teagan Joanes suddenly finds herself hunted by those she once trusted. Then she comes across the warrior—wounded, wanting and irresistible. Andre has been craving her for an eternity: his lifemate. Her warmth envelops him. Her scent pulsates. And with every beat of her heart, Teagan surrenders to a passion she can’t possibly comprehend.
Now they are bound by destiny, but is it enough to keep them safe from a stalking, relentless darkness that threatens to swallow them alive?
My thoughts: Dark Ghost is Book #28 in the Carpathians Series. I have loved this series since it started with Dark Prince. Carpathians are not vampires. They are another race. They must drink blood to survive but never kill their donors. They are respectful of them and others and have great honor. The males, after about 200 years, lose their emotions and the ability to see in color until unless they find their lifemate. Until that time, they have 2 options: they live and remain Carpathians living on their honorable nature. If they can no longer do that and haven’t found their lifemate, they can “face the sun” and die or give into the dark side and become a vampire–a vile and evil creature. Their race is dying out without having any clue why. The series explores this and seeks the answer. The reason why is very interesting.
After 28 books, I regret to say that I think it is time that the author wrap this series up. The later books have all left me somewhat disappointed, this book included. Literally, 90% of the book is spent with the hero and heoine in the cave building their relationship. This is fine, however, this book did not do anything to advance the overall story of the Carpathians. Even the couple of battle scenes with the vampires were rushed and were not sufficient to carry the book. I really have to wonder if the author (who I consider to be a great author and am reading another of her series) is tired of this series. There is alot of repetitive prose in this book which I feel is a big problem. The book, in my most humble opinion, could have been half as long and accomplished the same thing. With a heavy heart because I have always loved the Carpathians, I think this series needs a breath of fresh air or needs to be wrapped up.
All I Want by Jill Shalvis
Hey everyone,
Blurb for All I Want:
Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.
Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going.
My review: This is the latest book in her Animal Magnetism series. The entire town, (including all the animals) are additional and necessary characters in this series. You can’t help but like the town. Zoe and Parker are nice, fun characters. Zoe is a hotshot pilot yet can’t fix anything at her own house. Parker, a special agent for the Fish and Wildlife Department, is a friend of her brother and is in Idaho for a much needed vacation, even though he is secretly working on a case. He goes behind her back all the time fixing little things in the house—and drives Zoe crazy in the process. Zoe’s dog, Oreo, is possibly my favorite character in this story. The only thing that fell short for me in this book is that the case Parker was working on ended without much pizzazz. I like Jill’s books—they are light, fun reads. They make me feel happy when I am reading them and I never fail to smile. Sometimes we need books to do that for us.
Happy reading!
Debra
Naked In Death by J.D. Robb
Hey everyone,
I know I am very late in starting this series, but better late than never! This series is set in the not to distant future and stars Eve Dallas as a Lieutenant In New York and Roarke as a suspect in a murder mystery she is investigating. I really enjoyed this story. The writing is tight and the plot has staying power. I would expect nothing less from Ms. Robb, who I am sure everyone knows is Nora Roberts. The plot moved right along and as someone who enjoys murder mysteries, I liked how the mystery unfolds. There is enough suspense in the plot to keep it interesting and enough suspects to give you something to figure out. (The bad person was in my top two suspects. Yay me!) I also enjoyed how the relationship between Eve and Roarke plays out. It was not rushed in my opinion (a personal pet peeve of mine). Eve has to work through her emotions due to Roarke being a suspect.
If you haven’t started this series yet, give it a try. I will be moving on to Book 2 very soon.
Happy Reading,
Debra
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