Book Review: Lover Unbound

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5)

J.R. Ward

Release Date: September 25, 2007

Book Description:

"The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that does not include her..."

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Review:

Spoilers ahead!

“Now run along and kill something.” Lover Unbound (Kindle Location 6880).

I am so vexed about this book that I don’t even know where to begin. In fact, I finished the fifth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series late last night and been dying to get a spare hour to have a chance to vent about it. So brace yourselves, this is going to be a bumpy ride…

Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2)

Diana Gabaldon

Release Date: January 1, 1992

Book Description:

With her now-classic novel Outlander, Diana Gabaldon introduced two unforgettable characters — Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser—delighting readers with a story of adventure and love that spanned two centuries. Now Gabaldon returns to that extraordinary time and place in this vivid, powerful follow-up to Outlander....

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland’s majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ... in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ... and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

Audible Audio Edition:

Narrator Davina Porter's gift for expression captures the history and flavor of a harsh place and time, and gives it the polish of a warm and engaging love story.

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Review:

Another stellar installment in the Outlander franchise! Diana Gabaldon once again transports us to the world of 18th century Scotland where Claire and Jamie are set to thwart the second Jacobite Rising, if only history can be rewritten…

Book Review: Lover Revealed

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)

J.R. Ward

Release Date: March 6, 2007

Book Description:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now, an ally of the Black Dagger Brotherhood will face the challenge of his life and the evil of the ages.

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

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Review:

Just finished the fourth book in the BDB series, and believe it or not, I actually stayed up late to do so. I hate to admit it but these books are addicting, and I just can’t help craving the next book. Lucky for me, I’ve gotten into the series only recently and there are plenty of books to go before having to endure months of wait for the next installment. Although, I am still uncertain of whether I will stick it out to the end, but one never knows…

Book Review: Requiem

Requiem (Delirium #3)

Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Book Description:

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

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Review:

As Delirium trilogy comes to a close, I find myself quite emotionally involved with these characters and their dystopian world that has been so masterfully crafted by Ms. Oliver. Truly, the beautifully lush writing alone would make me recommend these books, but there is also quite a lot to leave you pondering long after you have closed the book. Of course, you have the required elements of a YA romantic triangle, the struggle against the society that has fooled itself into believing perfection can be achieved by simply eradicating love, the thrill of suspense, action and sacrifice for the greater good, and much more.

Recipe: Avocado Salad

Sometimes a few ingredients can make an incredibly flavorful dish. As such, below is my spin on guacamole if you will. It is an incredibly easy and fast little salad that pairs well with fish or chicken, goes along with rice, and makes a nice addition to a sandwich. My secret ingredient here is toasted sesame oil which adds a nice touch of smoky flavor to this wonderfully bright and delightful dish.

Avocado Salad
Makes 2-3 servings

Book Review: Lover Awakened

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood #3)

J.R. Ward

Release Date: September 5, 2006

Book Description:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

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Review:

Bring on the drama!

This is Zsadist and Bella’s story, and as such is one of the most favorite for many readers (at least from what I hear). In fact, so far, it is my favorite as well. I’ve been late to the Black Dagger Brotherhood bandwagon but I’ve read the first three installments in the last month back to back and am happy I’ve stuck with it, as this in fact was an entertaining read. I still did not feel that this book deserved the full 5-star rating, because there were still a number of the “eye rolling moments,” but this was certainly a great improvement over the first two books.

Book Review: Timeless

Timeless (The Parasol Protectorate #5)
Gail Carriger

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Book Description:
Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

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Review:
As the last novel in The Parasol Protectorate series draws to an end it is my sad realization of how much I would miss these characters I have grown to love.

Indeed, The Parasol Protectorate is a good first foray into the world of steampunk. As a new reader of the said genre I could not have asked for a more entertaining series to wet my appetite. Gail Carriger’s ability to transport the reader into her amazing world is enticing and entertaining to say the least. Ms. Carriger combines many genres within this series and creates a very colorful picture that certainly leaves many readers craving more. There are many aspects that should appeal to the wide range of readers, as I myself, have stumbled upon the series looking to continue my exploration into historical paranormal romance I found so entertaining in my past reads, but there is so much more in Carriger’s world. Here we find a feisty, smart and practical heroine – Alexia, a new paranormal being of Carriger’s design – a soulless. The colorful world set in alternate Victorian England, the comedy of manners, the wittiness and quirkiness of writing style, some romance and mystery, mixed with the steampunk elements all come together to create something totally new, that certainly left me desperately looking for the next chapter to come, but alas it was the last.