Book #130 - Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1)

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1), Jamie McGuire
contemporary romance, new adult
437 pages
Started 11/25/12
Finished 11/26/12
4 STARS

Talk about a roller coaster. Beautiful Disaster was a lot to take on. It was, at times, romantic and sweet, and at other times, scary and bitter. Like I said - roller coaster.

Abby Abernathy escapes to college to get away from her troubled family and past. It's there that she meets Travis Maddox, a tatted up student who likes to fight and has a bad attitude. And, it turns out that Abby and Travis bring out the best - and the worst - in each other. Whether that's a good enough basis for a loving, stable relationship is anyone's guess.

I liked a lot of this book. I was also disturbed by a lot of this book. I was delighted and upset. It was funny and sad. I can't make up my mind exactly what I think. I do know I'm mostly in the positive column on this one. Travis is so complex and interesting. I enjoyed trying to figure him out. What were his motives? Does he really care about Abby or is she just another conquest for him?

And, what was Abby's secretive past about? Could she really stick it out with Travis and see through all the layers of bullcrap?

There were many times when I questioned Travis' sanity. He really seemed mentally unstable and, given his penchant for violence, I was concerned that it was going to go in that direction in his relationship with Abby. Even when things were "good," Travis was seriously co-dependent and controlling. And, Abby seemed largely ok with that, which was equally disturbing.

But, on the other hand, when it was good, it was G-O-O-D.

I am really, really looking forward to Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2). It's the same story from Travis' POV. I'm really looking forward to getting inside this dude's head.  

Book #129 - Fair Game (Alpha & Omega #3)

Fair Game (Alpha & Omega #3), Patricia Briggs
urban fantasy
293 pages
Started 11/21/12
Finished 11/24/12
4 STARS

One of my biggest pet peeves in book series happened in Fair Game. It was a bummer, too, because I do really love Patricia Briggs and her werewolf series.

Charles is having a rough time of it, being Bran's master enforcer of the law. To give him a break, Anna and Charles are sent to Boston on a mission. They are asked to work with the FBI to find a serial killer and dispose of him or her. Anna gladly takes the assignment hoping that, if Charles has the opportunity to do away with an honest to goodness bad guy, that it might bring him back from his demons.

So, back to my irritation. Fair Game picks up a few YEARS after the conclusion of the last book. Anna is a very different person. Over the years she has strengthened and come into her own. And, I totally feel gyped. We spent two books seeing Anna and Charles get to know each other and lean on each other, and all of a sudden, everything is different. We, as readers, missed so much of their lives. It's all summed up in a few paragraphs. Not cool.

Other than that, it's a great story. For once, Charles is the one conflicted and Anna is the glue holding them together. The mystery, as always, was really good, as was the cast of supporting characters. And, the ending was a little ca-razy! I think the impacts of the ending will be felt in the last Mercy Thompson book, due out in the spring of 2013. Makes me even more eager for it to be released.

I hope that this isn't something that I see happening in future A&O books or Mercy books. I like reading about these characters' lives as they happen, not a recap later. Take note, Ms. Briggs. 

Book #128 - Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3), Chloe Neill
urban fantasy
355 pages
Started 11/18/12
Finished 11/20/12
5 STARS

Gosh darn it, but these Chicagoland Vampires books are so much FUN!

The shifters are in town and Merit and Ethan are offered up as personal bodyguards for the head shifter himself, Gabriel Keene. Unfortunately, since someone is trying to kill Gabriel, that means that our favorite Cadogan vampires' lives are in danger as well. Luckily, they have each other as back-up.

Twice Bitten was AWESOME! My only gripe about the second Chicagoland Vampire book was the distinct lack of kissing between Merit and Ethan. The sexual tension between those two was killing me. K-I-L-L-I-N-G me. So, in Twice Bitten, things get better. And then things get really better. And then things suck again. And then things get better. It was so good!

What other book has reduced me to such a blathering idiot? There's not much more I can say that I haven't said already. Neill's wit and charm is present on every page. Twice Bitten was different in that it was also very emotionally charged. Merit was happy and sad and pissed and so was I. Ethan was broody and snarky and chivalrous, and it made me love him even more than I already did.

You know, there's nothing intellectual about this series. It's not necessarily thought provoking or life changing. But, my goodness, is it enjoyable. I find myself getting so lost in these books. I have such a good time reading them and getting involved in the characters' lives. Neill has created a wonderful world here with fantastic supernatural characters. It's a rare thing that I have so much fun reading as I did with Twice Bitten. 

Exciting Bookish News!

It's been an exciting day for me! First, tomorrow is my birthday, and I know. I've waited this long to open my birthday presents from my best peeps on Goodreads, so what's one more day? I should really open them on my actual birthday, right? What can I say? I guess there's a little girl left in my after all. I just couldn't wait one more minute. And, lookie at what I got!

What to read first?

And then, I saw some very exciting news on Facebook. One of my favorite authors, Lisa Tawn Bergren, will write one more book in her River of Time series. SQUEE!!!! As much as I adore her series, I was a bit bummed out at the end of the last book because I didn't get to see everything happen that I wanted to see happen. And, now that will be rectified! Thank you Lisa!

And then, if that weren't enough, I saw this drool-worthy photo over on Jennifer L. Armentrout's blog:

Meep! We're now less than four weeks away from the release of Opal, the third installment in the Lux series. More Daemon. More Daemon and Katy. Gah, I can't wait! And, Jennifer is giving away several copies of Opal on her blog, so hop on over there and try your luck. I know I did!

Book #127 - The Selection (The Selection #1)

The Selection (The Selection #1), Kiera Cass
dystopian, romance, contemporary fiction
327 pages
Started 11/14/12
Finished 11/17/12
4 STARS

And my cover fetish strikes again. Have you ever seen a drop-dead gorgeous cover in the store, and without even checking out the dust jacket or Goodreads review, you find yourself in the checkout line just biding your time until you can get home and gaze lovingly at it? Ok - maybe that was just me.

America Singer is lower on the social totem pole, and she's in love with a boy who's even lower than her. Then, she gets the chance of a lifetime - she is selected to be one of 35 girls in the running to marry Prince Maxon, thus becoming princess of Illea. Her boyfriend dumps her, so America figures she has nothing to lose. And, no one is more surprised than she when she actually starts to care for the prince.

The cover didn't disappoint this time. You know - sometimes these things are hit or miss. I found The Selection really entertaining. Illea and its structure was fascinating. And a little depressing - I sincerely hope that our future society is nothing like this one.

America is strong and capable and sensitive. And kinda stupid - I mean, usually a girl can tell the difference between falling in love and indigestion. It's a little unbelievable that Mer couldn't. Other than her utter ignorance when it came to Prince Maxon, I really liked her.

This was one of those books where you aren't quite sure who you want the girl to end up with in the end because you like both boys. Aspen, although a complete idiot, really seems to live and breathe America. If he wasn't so caught up on his macho need to provide for his woman, he would be so perfect. And, it's obvious that America loves him. But, then there's Maxon, who is so much more than what meets the eye. He, too, loves America, and I think if she would stop being so blind, she would see that she cares a lot for him too. And, America would be a perfect princess for Illea. So, who should she be with? My vote right now is for Maxon. Aspen had his chance. You snooze, you lose, buddy.

I immediately put The Elite (The Selection #2) on my wishlist. I can't wait to see what happens with the northern and southern rebels. I'm sure there's a deeper story there. And, of course, who Maxon ultimately chooses as the winner of The Selection. 

Book #126 - Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires #2)

Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires #2), Chloe Neill
urban fantasy
357 pages
Started 11/4/12
Finished 11/14/12
5 STARS

Do you like books with snarky, ass-kicking chicks, loads of sexual tension between said chick and a super hot master vampire, an incredible and interesting supporting cast and a well-spun mystery? Then, really - what are you waiting for? This is one of the smartest series I've read in a long time, and I am thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it while it lasts.

In the second Chicagoland Vampires book, Merit is asked by her liege Ethan Sullivan to reenter her parents' high brow society in an effort to try and find out who is organizing raves and threatening to expose them to the outside world. Merit and Ethan have to work together to not only overcome the newest threat to her new life, but to keep a lid on whatever it is they have between them.

Seriously, people - I am completely in love with this series right now. Neill is a fabulous author. She is engaging and witty and hysterically funny. She has an uncanny ability to draw you in and keep you wherever she wants you. In this case, it's in house of vampires. And I love it there.

Merit is my hero. She is strong, capable, and sardonic. She's a loyal friend and has a work ethic like none other. Resisting Ethan's charms and advances has become increasingly difficult for her, and I feel her frustration with both herself and with him. I get that she's conflicted - she wants him, but is afraid that if she allows herself to be with him, she will lose herself entirely - to him, to her job, to her vampire self. And Merit's number one goal is to maintain her humanity. I love that about her.

But, I gotta say, after all the sexual tension - the push and pull between these two - I'm SO ready for them to just get it over with! Ethan is so perfect and so perfect for Merit. They seriously need to get together already. The anticipation for the next book, though, is so sweet.  

OPAL Book Trailer Reveal!

Prepare yourself. Because this is gonna be good.

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him

isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Book #125 - Stranger

Stranger, Megan Hart
romance, erotica
425 pages
Started 11/12/12
Finished 11/13/12
3 STARS

This was the first book that I've read that had a very, very local flair. As in, it took place in the town in which I live. Talk about weird!

Grace is a funeral director, and since she sees families grieving all the time, she has decided that casual, unattached encounters are all she can afford to have. Or, not afford, as the case may be. Paying for hot men to take you out and then have your way with them does take a toll on the pocketbook. But, then she meets Sam, purely by chance, and that chance meeting with a stranger in a bar ends up challenging her outlook on life and love.

I've got to be honest - I had a hard time with this book. Partly because our leading lady thinks that paying for male prostitutes is a salve to soothe the hurt spots in her life. I prefer books featuring smart, stand-up, kick ass heroines. Grace is none of these things. She's weak and sad and doesn't think nearly enough of herself that she should.

The other part is loosely related to the first part. I just couldn't get behind the characters. I didn't particularly like any of them. The people Grace worked with were bitchy and emo. Her family members were cranky and judgmental. The men she had sex with were impersonal. It's hard for me to get fully behind a book when I don't really feel any kind of connection with the characters.

I admit, I was a little disappointed. I have another Megan Hart book on my shelf that I intend to give the old college try. Perhaps Stranger was an anomaly. I hope?

Book #124 - Degrees of Wrong

Degrees of Wrong, Anna Scarlett
adult contemporary, sci-fi
212 pages (e-book)
Started 11/10/12
Finished 11/11/12
4 STARS

Anna Scarlett is the adult pen name for the YA author Anna Banks who burst on the scene earlier in 2012 with her debut, Of Poseidon. Degrees of Wrong is classified as an adult contemporary, but really, the only thing that makes it adult is the fact that the main characters are in the mid- and late-20s. There's no sex - not even any heavy petting. No bad language. Only a small amount of violence. So, it was a little odd in that respect.

Dr. Elyse Morgan lives in our world 40 years from now. A nasty flu which causes death in 48 hours 100% of the time has decimated the population. She is "recruited" (read:  kidnapped) by the UN and placed aboard a monstrous submarine in order to work on finding a cure. The only thing standing in her way is a difficult (and totally gorgeous) sub captain and her own self-doubt. 

Degrees of Wrong frustrated me. It frustrated me because I really, really loved it. I was engaged and engrossed and totally in love with the characters. I had a really hard time putting it down. The story was interesting; it really got me thinking about the possibility of floating cities and biological warfare. So, you may be asking, why was I so frustrated?

I HATE it when books have no ending.

I literally was like, "No. No! NO!!! That CAN'T be it!" when I reached the last page. There's no cliffhanger, or anything. It's just that, all these loose ends are just left hanging there, and that sucks! Because, to my knowledge, this is a stand-alone. There will be no second or third book in the series. That was it.

We don't learn what happens to the bad guys. Either of them. We don't learn how Elyse's discovery helps the world. I wanted to see that. I mean, it was kind of the whole point of the story.

I was hooked right up to the end. To the non-end. So, I implore Ms. Scarlett to PLEASE write a follow-up.  

UPDATE:  Thanks to the marvel that is the Twitter-verse, I learned right after initially posting this review, from Anna Scarlett's mouth (er, tweet) that there will, indeed, be a sequel to Degrees of Wrong. THANK YOU!

Book #123 - Covet (Fallen Angels #1)

Covet (Fallen Angels #1), J. R. Ward
paranormal romance, urban fantasy
474 pages
Started 11/6/12
Finished 11/10/12
3.5 STARS

I still have four very long months to wait until Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) comes out. I've been going through some serious Warden withdraw, too, so I decided to give her Fallen Angels series a try. I picked up Covet, the first book in J.R. Ward's Fallen Angels series. It was sort of like heading over to your boyfriend's parents house for dinner, and being so hungry, but when you get there, you only find one thing that you like, so you leave hungry, but you hate it that you do. Not that that's ever happened to me or anything.

Jim is a newly minted fallen angel with a tall order ahead of him. He has to get a guy worth many millions and with a beautiful model on his arm to want to give it all up for the love of a good woman. Who happens to be a prostitute. And, the demons out there will do everything they can to get him to fail. Only, his failure could mean the beginning of the end for humanity as we know it.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting. I know I didn't expect the BDB. Which is good, because BDB this was not. I could tell it was written by Ward - her style and gritty language was there. But, I don't know. It just seemed like it was missing something. Some sort of magic something-or-other.

One thing I love about the BDB books is that it takes the brother of focus nearly 600 pages until he stops acting like an ass. In Covet, Vin seemed to reconcile his evil ways and fell for his new girl within the first 100 pages. The rest just seemed like logistics. I didn't love him. I didn't love her. It just seemed really hard to connect with these characters. And, perhaps it was because of my preconceived notions or expectations that were too high. I don't know.

I will say that I did love the BDB world glimpses that Ward gave us. I mean, it takes place in Caldwell, NY, which is the same town in which the BDB series takes place, so I really hoped there'd be a sighting. And, she didn't disappoint. We do see one Brother, for one very short moment, and not even by name. But, if you're a fan of the series, you know instantly who it is. It was so cool.

I'm not sure yet if I'll continue with the series or not. We'll see how long my BDB bends last.  

Book #122 - Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega #2)

Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega #2), Patricia Briggs
urban fantasy
286 pages
Started 11/4/12
Finished 11/6/12
4 STARS

I've reached the end of my Patricia Briggs book collection with Hunting Ground. There is one more to go in the Alpha & Omega series that I'll most likely borrow from the library. And then that's it until March 2013! I think I may go through withdraw.

Anna and Charles have been married for just a short while when Bran sends them on a trip to an out-of-state summit meeting with the werewolf leaders from Europe. It's a trip that should bring them closer together, and while sometimes it seems to have done just that, the stress of being away from home, being around hostile alpha males and being afraid for their lives makes them question everything.

The best part about this book is that insta-love hasn't proven to be, well, instantaneous. I know - that sounds confusing. See, in Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega #1), Anna and Charles' wolves fell instantly in love. By the end of the book, their human selves were along for the ride. Although there's no doubt that they love each other, they don't know each other. Anna is insecure and Charles is in uncharted territory. I love that despite their love, it's not all rainbows and puppies for them.

The mystery is interesting. There were a few characters who were not what they turned out to be. I love surprises like that. Not much surprises me anymore in books.

I enjoyed Hunting Ground. It was heavy and a little dark and sad at times. But, I enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it.

Go Krista! It's Your Birthday! Do a Giveaway!

It's November - later this month, I get to eat cake, open a few presents and lament that fact that I am another year older. Blech. Maybe you've gathered that birthdays aren't really my thing. I've always enjoyed giving presents as much as I enjoy getting them, so what better way to distract me from my crow's feet and those few gray hairs that just. won't. stay. away. than to giveaway a book.

And, since it's my party (and I'll cry if I want to), I'm going to give away one book from one of my favorite series. Each of these series has had at least one book that has gotten a 5-star rating from me. And, since I'm feeling a little crazy, I'll even do a pre-order for a book in one of these series, if that's what you want. So, here are the 12 series you have to choose from:

Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J.R. Ward (adult)
River of Time series, Lisa Tawn Bergren (YA)
Revenants series, Amy Plum (YA)
Covenant series, Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
Mythos Academy series, Jennifer Estep (YA)
Blood of Eden series, Julie Kagawa (YA)
Fifty Shades of Grey series, E.L. James (adult)
Lux series, Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
Shatter Me series, Tahereh Mafi (YA)
Vampire Academy series, Richelle Mead (YA)
Iron Fey series, Julie Kagawa (YA)
Seven Realms series, Cinda Williams Chima (YA)

Just fill out the Rafflecopter to enter to win one book from one of the series listed above, including pre-orders. I'll be ordering from The Book Depository, so make sure they ship to you before you enter. Thanks for stopping by - good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book #121 - Tempting the Player (Gamble Brothers #2)

Tempting the Player (Gamble Brothers #2), J. Lynn
romance
203 pages (e-book only)
Started 11/3/12
Finished 11/3/12
3.5 STARS

I liked Tempting the Player better than Tempting the Best Man. This, too, only took me about 12 hours to read, but it was longer and a bit more complex than its predecessor. I loved Bridget and all her imperfections and insecurities. I could relate to them.

I think the thing that bugged me the most about this book is that the so-called villain didn't get her comeuppance. In fact, at the end, it almost seemed as if our main characters decided not to care that Bridget was blackmailed and threatene...more I purchased Tempting the Best Man and Tempting the Player at the same time, and had planned all along to read them one after the other. I hadn't initially counted on being disappointed in any way with Best Man. I thought about putting Player off for awhile then, but ended up just forging on 

Bridget wasn't expecting Chad Gamble, professional baseball player and all-around hot god, to take her home with him when they met in a bar. But, he did and it shook her - so much so that she ran and didn't look back. But she can't shut her mind off for a whole month, and then another chance meeting turns into an indecent proposal. Which turns into something a whole lot more than that. 

I liked Tempting the Player better than Tempting the Best Man. This, too, only took me about 12 hours to read, but it was longer and a bit more complex than its predecessor. I loved Bridget and all her imperfections and insecurities. I could relate to them. Chad was the typical romance book guy who falls in insta-love the second he lays eyes on Bridget. Insta-love is okay every now and again, but honestly, in this case, it was pretty unbelievable. A pro ball player is in a bar and falls madly in love with a girl who is totally not his type after just a few minutes of conversation. Riiiiiight. It could happen.

But, no - I think the thing that bugged me the most about this book is that the so-called villain didn't get her comeuppance. In fact, at the end, it almost seemed as if our main characters decided not to care that Bridget was blackmailed and threatened social, financial and legal ruin. I don't know - if that had been me, I really don't think I'd have forgiven all that very easily, despite how things turned out. It was irritating and unfulfilling. Beyond that, I have a sneaking suspicion that the villain will be the subject of the last Gamble Brothers book.  Not cool.

The end was fun and satisfying, though, and Player provided me with another 12 hours of entertainment. So, it's all good.

Book #120 - Tempting the Best Man (Gamble Brothers #1)

Tempting the Best Man (Gamble Brothers #1), J. Lynn
romance
172 pages (e-book only)
Started 11/2/12
Finished 11/2/12
3 STARS

Tempting the Best Man was satisfying and sexy and sweet... and completely cliche and cheesy. I enjoyed it for the 12 hours or so it took for me to read it from beginning to end. It's a good thing it was fairly short and a very easy read, because if it have been longer, I think I would've gotten annoyed by how predictable it was.

Madison has loved her brother's best friend Chase ever since she was a kid, but after she made a move and he rejected her, she has tried her hardest to avoid him at all cost. Out of sight out of mind, right? And, it would've been ok, had her brother not decided to get married and make her the maid of honor and Chase the best man. Now, Madison and Chase are not only forced to see each other, but they're forced to interact and play nice. And, that's going to be harder than either of them thought. Not because they dislike each other so much. But, because it appears they can't keep their hands off each other.

J. Lynn is the adult pen name for one of my favorite YA authors, Jennifer L. Armentrout. So, I had high hopes. And, the wit and snark that I've come to love in her writing was definitely there. No, the problems I had with Tempting the Best Man were definitely not rooted in the quality of the writing, but rather in the plot.

Chase and Madison were loveable characters, and you find yourself rooting for them from the outset. And, I don't really think I'm giving away any spoilers here when I say that yes, they do end up together in the end. But, how they get there was almost ridiculous at times. They are thrown together in the most classically corny way possible, and in the real world, it would've never happened like that. Color me crazy, but I do prefer a lot of realism in my contemporary romance books.

There were loose ends that didn't get tied up to my satisfaction. Toward the end, again in expected fashion, there's a huge misunderstanding between Madison and Chase that threatens to keep them apart. And, strangely, that misunderstanding was never addressed - it was never talked about or resolved in any way. I kept waiting and waiting for one of them to bring it up and get it all out in the open so they could have their group catharsis and hug it out. But, it never came, and I felt cheated because of it.

For all my complaining, I do need to mention that there were good parts of this book. I loved the writing and when Madison and Chase were together, I liked the chemistry and rapport they had with each other. The side characters (Chase's two brothers, Madison's assistant at work and her brother and new sister-in-law) were solidly fleshed out and a nice addition to the main couple's story. This book, although pretty short, was entertaining. Which, I guess, is the whole point, isn't it?

Book #119 - Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega #1)

Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega #1), Patricia Briggs
paranormal romance, urban fantasy
294 pages
Started 10/31/12
Finished 11/1/12
4 STARS

I think it was a foregone conclusion that, after completing all six Mercy Thompson books, I would move on to the spin-off series, Alpha & Omega. I am so predicable.

Anna is newly mated to Charles Cornick, son of the most alpha werewolf in North America (and brother to Samuel from the Mercy series). But, the facts that she barely knows him, knows next to nothing about being a werewolf and an Omega werewolf at that, and is still traumatized from how she was treated in her old pack make getting comfortable with each other difficult. A mystery in the snowy woods seems like the perfect opportunity to tackle all those issues. And it would be, if it wasn't for that darn murderous witch.

Because Cry Wolf was written by Briggs after she had a few Mercy books under her belt (and it takes place chronologically after the events in the first Mercy book), this read just like a Mercy book. The world is the same, many characters are the same, the rules are the same. It's very seamless, and as a result, has almost the feel of a Mercy novella.

I absolutely love Anna. She's the perfect blend of timid and brave, snarky and sweet. I'm not sure what is up with Briggs' female characters succumbing to some sort of rape and battery, but it seems to be a common denominator. Although I'm not keen on these characters I like so much having to go through such a trauma, I do like the fact that Briggs doesn't gloss over the psychological aspects of it. Anna has to deal with some serious baggage, and I loved watching her do so with Charles' careful help. It made for a very sweet, romantic story, murderous witch notwithstanding.

Thanks to my Goodreads peeps, I learned that a prerequisite to this book is the anthology, On the Prowl, which includes Alpha & Omega (Alpha & Omega #0.5). So, I got it from the library and read it first, and then understood why they had all given me such good advice. If you're interested in trying out this series, I'm not passing on this tidbit to you. Seriously. Read the prequel novella first. Otherwise, many things in Cry Wolf will be hard to understand. Alpha & Omega laid the groundwork perfectly so that there wasn't a big learning curve when I started Cry Wolf.

It was a good book. A good mystery. Everything I've come to expect from Patricia Briggs. 

October Book Report

October was a bit of a slow month for me, despite the release this month of several books I had been eagerly awaiting. Things at my job have been busier than usual, my kids have kept me hopping, and Halloween and Hurricane Sandy made the end of the month rather interesting. Nonetheless, my book count did keep growing, and this month, my favorite book was quite an easy decision.

Books Read - 10 
Books Read To Date - 121
Total Pages Read - 46,441
Favorite Book of the Month - The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4)

The Crimson Crown was one of the books that I had pre-ordered so that I could start it the day it came out. I've made no secret about how much I love Cinda Williams Chima and the epic stories she writes. The Seven Realms series is one of my most favorite series of all time, and I was more than excited to see how it was all going to end. Excited and a little sad, because when I read the last word, I realized that this series I've enjoyed so much had finally come to a close. Bummer. But, hey - it was definitely fun while it lasted!