This week and next is all about USA Today’s Bestselling Author, Jennifer Ashley. First, stay tuned as I continue to review Jennifer Ashley’s paranormal historical romance novels. The 2nd installment in the Nvengaria series, The Mad, Bad Duke
, is what I call a cool continuation and just wait until you get a load of the Duke. (See my previous post for Book 1 in the series, Penelope and Prince Charming
.)
This series is completely void of the paranormal aspect that we know and love but don’t let that deter you from reading it and revelling in its mystery, its madness and its intense seduction. There’s perfection riddled throughout this story as Ashley peels away the imperfect qualities of riveting characters like Lord Ian himself. I promise you, you’ll be fumbling for your wallets to add these prized books to your collections – and I mean pronto. Following this, I’ll be reviewing an ARC copy of Book 2 of the Mackenzie Series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
. And oh, I can’t wait to tell you about that one too.
This week and next promises to be wickedly inspiring with the crème de la crème being my one-on-one interview with the bestselling, kick-A author herself, Jennifer Ashley. Yes, I got an interview with one of my heroes and might I say, I feel blessed (cue in singing angels – Ahh Aaaa). Don’t miss out on some keen insight from my killer interview with Jennifer Ashley scheduled for June 29.
Until next time...the must read of this season is Jennifer Ashley’s The MacKenzies.
Mina B.
For the next couple of weeks, I’m changing things up a tad and reviewing a few different types of paranormal books. For those that don’t know me, I’m also a lover of historical romance novels. To tally the amount of historical novels I’ve read just within the last year, would be obscene I assure you. Anyway, one of my favorite authors is best selling novelist, Jennifer Ashley. She’s an incredible writer with books in several genres including paranormal and historical romance.
Back in 2006, she launched The Nvengaria Series; a mystical series that takes place in historical England (early 1800’s). Book 1, Penelope and Prince Charming, begins with Prince Damien accepting his birthright to take over his deceased father’s thrown and rule Nvengaria. But before he can do so, he must find his prophesized wife-to-be, Penelope Trask.
Prince Damien was use to women bowing to his every need until he met Penelope. For her, this foreign royal with his handsome features, charming wit and domineering presence was a bit too good to be true. And why on earth would he ever want her; a want-to-be-spinster? Damien came to Penelope professing love and spouting off prophecies and she thought he was crazy. But the one thing she couldn’t resist was the passion he ignited when he looked, spoke and kissed her. Damien was indeed her Prince Charming.
It all began with a prophecy to reunite two royal lines so that the country of Nvengaria, under Prince Damien’s rule, would thrive in peace and prosperity. In order to succeed to his rightful place as ruler, he needs Penelope as his wife, by his side, entering into Nvengaria on the day of the country’s festival, a Midsummer’s Day. Since the deadline is quickly approaching, Prince Damien has to move fast. He’s not only racing against time, but also against his nemesis, Alexander the Duke.
Alexander uses magic, mystical creatures and assassins to derail Prince Damien’s journey to his homeland. With a fairy tale romance of a prophesized prince and princess sparring with a determined Duke, this historical/paranormal romance makes for some good reading.
On the Mina Burrows Killometer, I give Book 1 of the Jennifer Ashley’s Nvengaria series, Penelope and Prince Charming a 3 ½. If you like historical romance doused with mysticism, this charming tale is just for you.
Until next time…read something deliciously unique, read Jennifer Ashley.
Mina B.
When I first heard about the YA series, Rachel Caine’s Glass Houses, Morganville Vampires
,I wasn’t sure what to think about it. I always give books a try before I buy with my iKindle sample. And what a sample it was. Just a few short pages in and I was hooked. I guess for me the allure was the intensity at the beginning. Claire Danvers, a brilliant 16 year-old, graduates high school early to go off to a nearby college in a small town (Morganville, TX.) She encounters her first real taste of college life when she’s bullied and nearly killed by the campus mean girl – Monica- who ends up throwing Claire down the stairs. Poor thing. As a reader, you can’t help but feel bad for the girl.
That’s just the opening of the book. What I love best about this series is how dark and creepy it is. The kind of darkness you crave for when reading a vampire novel. Claire is naïve about life, let alone about vampires and now she doesn’t have place to live so she answers an ad for “room available”. And here is where she meets her cohorts: Michael, Eve and Shane.
The fearsome four some have a unique chemistry but Michael’s ghostly self is about the coolest thing I’ve read in a long time. Claire soon finds out about Michael’s mysterious presence and not too long after learns the entire town is run by vampires. As the rabbit hole deepens, humans are “protected” by certain vampires and in some creepy way, are kind of like slaves to the superior undead beings. When you’re an independent like Claire, you’re vulnerable and a target for the vampires. Being new, Claire has to pick a side and do it fast. And in town like Morganville, vampires are always jockeying for power, which makes for some killer storytelling on Caine’s part.
With 8 books total, this series is still hot. I’ve read 5 books within the series are they were riveting. I plan on reviewing the other 4 books, so check back for updated reviews. Caine takes a fresh and delicious approach to vampires which now have left me craving for more. I promise, I cannot get enough of this series. My only complaint are the cliff hangers. Caine loves to suspend her fans, which pissed me off in most of her books. But, that didn’t stop me from reading at least 5 of her killer books. So what happened to reading books 6, 7 & 8? Simple: money. If anyone wants to let me borrow the last three, I’d be beyond grateful.
On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter I give Rachel Caine’s Glass Houses a 4.
Until next time…read something fangtastic, read the Morganville Vampire series.
Mina B.
A really cool contest is brewing over at Larissa’s Bookish Life – a paranormal romance book review site/blog. It’s a creative writing contest and has a few best selling paranormal authors involved. Authors like: Larissa Ione, Dakota Cassidy, Angie Frazier and Stella Price will be judging along with the site/blog's owner, Larissa.
Ever read a book and you wished it ended differently? I have. Well…now’s your chance. Rewrite an ending to a treasured or not so treasured book using no more than 1500 words. The deadline is June 14th and there are a slew of other contest rules. Check out Larissa’s blog for more information.
I personally will take a stab at it, if I have the time. I already know which book I’d like to rewrite and hope to throw something together over the weekend. Good luck to everyone participating. Better get your creative juices flowing and fast. I’m sure if you plan on entering…you’re gonna need all the creativity you can conjure.
Until next time…read, write and rewrite - but sometimes not in that order.
Mina B.
One of my girlfriends lent me Alyson Noel’s Evermore
last weekend and I promised I’d blog about it. I was surprised it didn’t make the Vampires.com - Top 15 Popular Young Adult Vampire Series. But, for whatever reason, it didn’t. Still, that didn’t stop the series from being on several best seller lists.
Evermore is a YA vampire/immortal series about a sixteen year old, Ever Bloom, who’s the only survivor from a tragic car accident that killed both her parents and younger sister.
Ever is alone now, living with her Aunt and trying to piece her life back together, wishing she were dead. Her biggest problem – other than losing her entire family -is since her accident; she now has psychic abilities like reading people’s minds and seeing the future. This once vibrant, popular teenager has turned into a freak and a loner since her accident. Her only friends are Haven and Miles…oh and her little sister, Riley, who is a ghost that haunts her too.
The love interest or soul mate is Damien and he sounds about as yummy as one can get for a YA novel. He’s the vampire, of course. I wasn’t sure about his role in the beginning – all I knew was he was definitely creepy. But as the book progressed on, there was something about him and Ever. Half way through the book, I fell in love with their story. I can honestly say I was enthralled with this YA novel from the beginning. The ending or reveal was a bit odd for me. Drina and Damien’s relationship was just strange. I get jealousy but, I don’t get how Damien could be so oblivious and not to see what Drina was doing to Ever’s soul - over and over for the last several hundred years. From a love story’s perspective, that aspect just bothered me.
Two things about this book that I thoroughly enjoyed were the characters Miles and Riley. I can recall laughing out loud a few times when I read some of Mile’s dialogue. He’s fugg’n hilarious. And as for Riley…I just wanted to squeeze her, she was so darn cute.
Evermore, for me, was a delightful read. On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Evermore a 3.
Until next time, if you’re looking for something to read, try a YA novel.
Mina B.
Lara Adrian announced she’s running a “Name the Baby Contest”. Beloved characters of the Midnight Breed series, Dante and Tess, are having a baby. It’s the Order’s newest member and Lara’s asking her fans for baby names. Holy cow...isn't that awesome?
First of all,Kiss of Crimson
, is one of my favorite in the series (Midnight Awakening
my other fav.) This is such an exciting contest for me, because this is one prize I’d love to win. Right now I have my thinking cap on with baby names. The deadline is June 30, 2010 so think, think, think but don’t think pink because all breed babies are male. Unless, Adrian breaks another one of her rules. Could that be the case? I doubt it but you never know.
Until next time…Dante and Tess need to name their baby…help!
Mina B.
In Book 6 of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series, Ashes of Midnight
, the hero featured is none other than the beloved breed warrior, Andreas Reichen.
He’s dashing, debonair and sexy as hell which was why I was clamoring with anticipation to read this tale. Adrian’s books are fuel for the reading demons that possess me. I know when all else fails and I can’t find a good paranormal romance book to save my life, I can turn to one of Adrian’s breed warriors to satiate my literary thirst.
Andreas's breed character is a burst of fresh air in this dark paranormal series. On the surface he’s carefree, jovial but deep down; he’s pure breed – which means he’s lethal. I can’t say this enough; I loved Andreas’s character. We first meet Andreas in Book 3, Midnight Awakening – (click here to read my review) – Tegan and the Order seek help from Andreas, the Director of the Berlin Darkhaven. You either like him or love him, there’s no denying it. And then sparks fly in Book 5, Veil of Midnight
, transforming Andreas, the once charismatic breed warrior, into a deadly pyromaniac (click here for my review). An old enemy of Andreas resurfaced and attacked his home, killing his family and spinning Andreas out of control.
In Ashes of Midnight, Adrian introduces a past love of Andreas, Claire. She’s been long gone from his life since he abandoned her and she ended up marrying an unworthy breed warrior, Roth. It’s no surprise that Roth turns out to be another evil player in Dragos’s sick game of world/breed domination. With this trio - Andreas, Claire and Roth - Ashes of Midnight makes for some killer reading. What I loved most about this book is Adrian does what she does best; she breaks yet another one of her cardinal rules. If you’re a fan, then you know the bonding ritual between a breed and breedmate is sacred, connecting two beings eternally, irrevocably. But what Andreas does to Claire, after Roth kills his family is delicious and sets reader’s tongues wagging for more. I won’t spoil it. But I will hint...two is company and three is definitely a crowd. You simply must read this book.
On the Mina Burrow’s KilloMeter, I give Ashes of Midnight, a 4.
Until next time….read a Midnight Breed Series already.
Mina B.
