Out of the Box Blogs

Are You a Series Sucker?

I noticed today that a book that I absolutely despised released a second book in the series and found myself going to my library to order it so I could read the next book. Why? Cause I think I’m a series sucker. What’s that? It’s someone who continues to read a series to see what happens even if you didn’t like the story or the writing style. Once you’ve got me I feel compelled to at least read 2-3 books (the only exception to this was 50 Shade, I just couldn’t do it) regardless of how much I liked or disliked the actual book. It’s not as if I don’t have enough to read, I have a waiting list of 10 books right now that I have to finish by the end of the month, or a true interest in the characters, in fact most of the time I end up frustrated and angry. So why do I do it? Yeah….I got nothing, but that book, I’m gonna read it. And I’ll drag Les down with me 🙂

So what about you, can you stop a series if you don’t like the way it’s going, or are you like me forced into finishing reading just a little more?

Out of the Box Blogs

Dragon on Top by G. A. Aiken

*****WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS ONE VULGAR WORD IN A QUOTE********

WOW! This book is short, but AMAZING! All about dragons. Dragon queens, Dragon Warriors, Dragon politicians. I didn’t want to put it down.

Main character Ghleanna, is a dragon warrior captain, and she is hilarious. She is sent to protect Bram the Merciful on a peace treaty mission. Along the way her family of warriors becomes involved and the family dynamics are so freaking awesome. Of course there are fights, love, sex, banter, and foul language. I love it.

Everyone knows I love good banter, but this was awesome and I found myself loving all the characters. I love they way they interact with each other. The name calling, head butting, sibling affection.  The author did well with the characters, they told you key points about all of them.

All in all, I loved it, I would read it again. It is not a cliffhanger. So it has an ending, and if I might add, a good one.

I will give you some quotes from the book. I mean, you know I leave you guys hanging so you will read it, but I am in a giving mood today. HA!

“Wake up, ya lazy sow. Wake up!” – Ghleanna’s aunts

“Leave me be, you mad bitches!” – Ghleanna

And my favorite:

“I didn’t go through half-a-century of training and more than that in battles to end up the babysitter of Bram the Merciful.” -Ghleanna

Bram the Merciful responds “Would you like an actual blade to twist in my gut, Ghleanna?”

“It’s nothing personal,” she responds.

Ha! I love it! I could probably find one hundred quotes I loved. So you need to read it, so you can see what I am talking about.

GO NOW! RUN MY FRIENDS! YOU HAVE A BOOK TO READ!

Peace

Les

Books, 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.

Books, great reads, Reviews

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