“Chosen” by P.C. Cast & Kristen Cast

Oh Man! This is a highly addictive series!

In this book, "Chosen," the heroine, fledgling vampyre, Zoey Redbird, finds that her friends have turned on her and she ends up turning to her sworn enemies for friendship. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling with her humanity and Zoey doesn't have a clue how to help her. Now Zoey finds she's got three boyfriends, which can be a social disaster.

I was bothered by the fact that Zoey falls in love with her teacher and ends up having sex with him. I know this occasionally happens in real life and I know we don’t want to treat it like it should never be brought out of the closet. However, this is a YA (Young Adult) series. I do expect to read some language and sexual innuendo or perhaps tame sex scenes, but I don’t think things like this should be introduced as acceptable to our teens. The fact that she falls in love with just about every boy she makes contact with is grating, but it is a known fact with teens. Hormones are coursing through her veins.

Although I found a couple of points to take issue with in this series thus far, I did enjoy the overall story. The basic plot to the story focuses on a murder that happens on campus. This causes Zoey to move off campus where she attempts to save her best friend, Stevie Rae. Of course, Stevie Rae, now a red vampyre, seems to have lost her humanity, but Zoey can’t believe this to be true, and she makes it her goal to try to save her best friend.

Neferet is as evil as ever and we see what else she has to offer as she attempts to get rid of Zoey. I think out of all these characters, I truly love Aphrodite. She seems to put everything out there whether you want to hear it or not. Even in the most “Valley Girl,” “Rich Bitch” kind of way, Aphrodite holds no punches.

Again... a very addictive read! I couldn't and didn't put the book down until I was done!!

Now, if you have read the first two books of this series then this book is a must-read. However, if you are checking out the series as a mother or father of a teen who wants to read this, be cautioned there is adult content here… more than most other paranormal YA books.

“Betrayed” by P.C. Cast & Kristen Cast

After reading "Marked," there was only one thing I could do and that was to continue into the series by reading, "Betrayed."

Betrayed is the second installment in the House of Night series. It is dark and sexy, and was fantastic to read. It picks up where Marked left off.

Our heroine, Zoey Redbird, seems to be an anomaly among fledglings in the House of Night. She is the most powerful fledgling at the House of Night and quite possibly the most powerful in vampyre history. After taking over leadership of the Dark Daughters and Sons, she seems to be settling in nicely at the House of Night finishing school. She finally feels like she belongs. In this book, Zoey is determined to change things in the school, from a snobby elitist clique to something of substance, meaning. We begin to see Zoey feel comfortable in her own skin and she actually seems to mature a little.

Along with Zoey’s growing pains with learning to be the priestess that she seems to be training for, her love life seems to be a mess. She finds herself in love with two boys and one of her professors. Just when things begin to look up, trouble happens to the humans in her old life. They keep disappearing. Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart and her soul.

Once I started to read this book, I couldn't put it down. It was obvious how hooked I had become. I like how the Cast’s are developing the characters and how they seem to get along with each other in this series. Each character is beginning to grow into what they believe is their path in life. Even though I really like Zoey, I think I like Aphrodite and Stevie Rae a little better. They seem to be the most open and straight forward what’s happening throughout the book.

I find it odd that the Cast’s did not proofread their books though. I’m seeing a number of grammatical errors throughout the story. I can only hope they will see this in their future installations.

If you enjoy vampire stories, this is a good one. However, it is not like your typical vampire story. I think that is why I thoroughly enjoyed it.

You can visit the Cast's website to learn more about their other books in this series. http://www.houseofnightseries.com

“Amaury’s Hellion” by Tina Folsom

I finally found the time to read Tina Folsom’s book, “Amaury’s Hellion.” This book is the second installment to her Scanguards Vampires series. As I told Ms. Folsom after I had read her first book, “Samson’s Lovely Mortal,” I became fascinated with Amaury and really wanted to read more about him. When she told me that book two was all about him, I was ready to go.

Amaury LeSang is a vampire and part owner of Scanguards with his good friend Samson. He has a problem though. Amaury was cursed to feel everybody’s emotions. Now I used to think it would be really cool to be able to read another’s mind or, perhaps feel another’s emotions…but not at all like Amaury. His curse manifested in a constant migraine that could only be relieved through sex. At best, the sex would lift the pain only for about an hour. After that, he would get a rush of everyone’s emotions all over again and the migraine would resume.

As Scanguards is under the magnifying glass for murder/suicides allegedly caused by employees, Amaury, Samson, and the New York vampires put their wits together to figure out who-done-it. That is when Amaury meets the feisty human woman, Nina, who is out for vengeance for the death of her little brother. Of course, Nina’s blood boils for Amaury because she believes Amaury is the responsible one for her brother, Eddie’s death.

Amaury’s and Nina’s first meeting turns out to be more of surprise. Instead of killing Amaury as planned, Nina ends up kissing him. Of course, she’s trying to throw off his guard… and it does! Amaury realizes that in Nina’s presence, all his pain vanishes…and they haven’t had sex yet! With a cure seemingly within his reach, Amaury strives to hook up with Nina.

The story is an exciting love story with a touch of dom/sub flavor. Yes, Amaury doles out the spankings and Nina enjoys tying him up.

I must say that over all I loved this story. Amaury is a very caring vampire and loves Nina right off the bat and he’ll do anything to keep her safe. The story seemed well developed and easy to follow all the main characters. However, I did find some sections tended to go a little slow. Perhaps it was my desire to want more detail throughout the story. I would have loved to have read a little more of the dom/sub flavor.

Aside from my specific desires, and I know I’m tremendously finicky, Ms. Folsom has done another great job of carrying on the Scanguards Vampire series. I look forward to the third installation, “Gabriel’s Mate.”

"Ninja's Creed" (Movie)

Tonight I watched a movie I wish I hadn't. I really should have read the reviews first before watching this movie. The title is very misleading. It is called, "Ninja's Creed" & is rated PG-13.

In the beginning, even though it was clearly a low budget movie, I found it enjoyable. So much so that I searched the Internet to find out what book it was based on so I could read it. The only tidbit I found was another name the story had, which was "Royal Kill." The producer should have kept that name, then it would have made a little more sense.

This movie was very convoluted. At first you follow the movie where a warrior is sanctioned by a dying king to protect one of his daughters who was shuffled off to America to be raised by an "American Guardian." The movie timeline takes leaps where you are not sure how to connect the dots. You see the warrior supposedly locating the "princess" but not shown how. It's as if magically he knew where to go. You are shown a cold callous assassin who seemingly has some sort of martial arts training or some kind of mystical upbringing. The assassin apparently finds this "princess" at the same time our warrior does which again you are not offered a means to know how she found her target.

The "princess" is a scared shitless young teenage girl who doesn't know anything of her past. She is drug into this fiasco, led to believe that she may in fact be a princess, and begins to trust the warrior. She does what he says and hides whilst he turns to end the battle with the would-be assassin who mysteriously appears everywhere the warrior and girl go.

A sword fight begins between warrior and assassin... or so you are lead to believe. When the warrior finally slays the assassin, this is the point where everything goes off into right field and you haven't a clue what's happening.

Somehow, the assassin's dead body disappears and mystically becomes the warrior. There is some kind of magical osmosis that occurs binding the two into one thus apparently joining good with evil. Because this teen girl now trusts this warrior, she chooses not to run away. Stupid girl. Now the warrior turns on the girl (because the assassin is now inside the warrior) and he attacks and kills the girl.

Throughout the rest of this movie, you see the warrior struggle to only realize that he is just so joe who leads a boring life as a guard at a museum. Toward the end all I could understand was this man was no warrior at all but a psychopath who builds himself up to be something more than what he is, then looks for some teenage girl to live out his fantasy only to end up killing everyone around.

The music throughout the movie seemed more than it needed to be too. In fact, the music seemed too much for the whole movie. It gives the feeling that something big was going to happen and then nothing does.

This was really a stupid movie and a waste of 90 minutes that I will never get back. Why did I reserve this peace of garbage?

“Dark Lover” by J.R. Ward

I have read many vampire series of late, enjoying every one of them in their own way. One day, I was about to read the next book in another series, when friends who follow me on Twitter insisted I read J.R. Ward’s “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series. On several occasions, whispers of this series came across my timeline but were ignored, simply because I had so many other books slated to read. One day, I finally broke down, bought the first six books of the series, and began to read.

Many series novels that I have read, take more than just the first book to hook you into the story. Not this series…no, this series sucked me in on the first book! Drama, fighting, friendships, and just all out romance sucked me right in and catapulted me into the next book.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood series, written by J.R. Ward, is about an ancient order of warrior vampires who defend and protect their race from vampire slayers known as lessers. These lessers are de-souled humans recruited by an evil supernatural being known as the Omega. There are six warriors in the Brotherhood who stand between the extinction of their vampire race and the Lessening Society.

Author, J.R. Ward, creates a different type of vampire in these novels. These vampires are a separate species from humans. In fact, to be a vampire you must be born carrying vampire DNA in your blood. Ms. Ward’s vampire race begin their lives as human and are unaware of what lies ahead of them until their mid-twenties when their bodies go through a dangerous. Surviving the transition, they must now drink the blood of vampires of the opposite sex in order to survive and stay strong.

This book, “Dark Lover,” centers on Wrath, the only pure blood vampire known to exist on the planet, and Beth, a half breed, half human-half vampire, who is on the verge of transition. Wrath is asked to help with Beth’s transition when her time comes by feeding her from his vein. Wrath hates humans, tries to live a loners life, never desiring a mate. However, when Wrath’s long-time friend and the father of Beth is killed by car bombing lessers, Wrath takes on the responsibility of protecting Beth and introducing her to her vampire heritage.

The attraction between Wrath and Beth is tangible and quite erotic. The chemistry between them makes it impossible for them to deny their love for each other and for the first time, Wrath is hopeful to end the loneliness in his long life. All is bliss until the baby powder scented vampire-slaying lessers kidnap Beth.

Throughout the book we see the beautiful choreography of all the warriors as they work together to battle their race’s nemesis and later find and free Beth from her captor.

If vampires are your thing, as they are mine, then this series is a must read! Do what I did, lay down that seventeenth book in the series you are currently reading and begin the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

"Spirit Bound" by Richelle Mead

“Spirit Bound” is the fifth installment to Richelle Mead’s “Vampire Academy” series, of which I have been a dedicated reader since the beginning. It is not my top rated series, but it holds its own luster. After reading this book, it may have lost some of its shine with me.

I will not say that “Spirit Bound” was a bad book; on the contrary, it carried on the saga, if you will, of Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir. If you have read Ms Mead’s other books in this series, then you must read this one. Perhaps your feelings on this will differ to mine. I hope so.

Many things happened in this book. Rose and Lissa graduated from St Vladimir’s Academy. They both broke into a high profile, well-protected prison and broke out a high profile prisoner. Through information gathered by Rose, Lissa saves, or heals, Dimitri from being Strigoi. Lissa’s courage and gift continue to grow. Relationships develop. However, with all that happens in this book, I felt like there was something missing.

As I read this book, I felt as if I was reading a report, something that Rose may have had to write for the guardians. The story held a fluidity of facts, which allowed you to follow the lives of each character. However, it did not draw me in by my emotions. The only thing keeping me turning the pages were the facts. I wanted to stay connected as best I could, to the characters in this story.

As I said, this read like a report or a retelling of a story. It lacked emotion in parts. There lacked any build up of tension or angst that we are so used to experiencing in this series. Some of the fight scenes seemed to lack description or follow through. There was no strong emotion relayed in the love triangle created with Rose, Adrian, and Dimitri. I kept wondering what kind of a pansy ass Adrian was to take a back seat with Rose. I also wondered why Rose and Dimitri did not either break down into a knock down, drag out fight between each other or a forgiving passionate love affair. Their passion seemed lost. All you really experience is a teen who must deal with rejection. Boohoo. Yes, I did cry when Dimitri spoke out some harsh words to Rose, leaving her to feel his rejection. And. yes, I really hoped that Rose and Adrian would just get it on and have sex. Instead, she did the one thing we have heard her say repeatedly that she would not do … “She would not become a blood whore.” So, instead of sex, she lets him drink her blood.

Finally, about the last few chapters, I felt some emotion, some angst. The ending did leave me wanting more.

I hope that in Ms. Mead’s next installment, “Last Sacrifice”, due out December 7, 2010, that she brings back more of the tense emotion and angst that the whole series holds.

"Samson’s Lovely Mortal" by Tina Folsom

When asked to read and review this paranormal romance, “Samson’s Lovely Mortal”, I took the time to read the synopsis about the book as well as the author’s website. At first, I was skeptical and uncertain that I would be interested in the storyline. However, the thought occurred to me, there have been many books I have read with just as much or less information about them, but took it upon someone’s word that they were good. I had friends who had read those books and could give me a play-by-play if I need it. This time, this book had not been release yet. I was a first time reader, so to speak, and I would potentially be a first reviewer. I appreciated the challenge set before me.

Samson is a vampire and has been a bachelor for a very long time. Never in his life, or undead life, has he ever had trouble getting it up. He has never had trouble in the sex department before but now it’s a problem. Upon advice from a friend, he seeks the help of a shrink, only to realize not even a shrink can help. However, it all changes when fate brings a beautiful mortal named, Delilah to his doorstep. Delilah is an auditor who is hired to audit a company in a city she is unfamiliar. Chased by a would-be mugger, Delilah happens upon Samson’s doorstep seeking refuge. Opening the door and inviting the now soaked from rain, scared human into his home, and through several misunderstandings, Samson realizes that his equipment has begun to work again.

I am not one who cares to read or watch gratuitous sex. When I began reading this book, that was my first thought. In fact, I even set the story down for a couple of days because I was not impressed on the first chapter. I will admit, I am very hard on books. If they don’t capture my attention in the first chapter, I usually get rid of it. Had I done that with this book, it would have been my loss.

Author Tina Folsom did an excellent job of developing her main characters for this story, the good, the bad, the happy and the sad. Did I really want to start out the gate reading of a man with erectile dysfunction? No, not particularly. However, to capture the beautiful love story, you have to see where the main characters were before they fell in love. You get an idea of the inner workings of fate in this story.

After getting past the first couple of chapters, this story became an excellent page-turner! I found myself wanting to get back to the story to find out what more would happen. As I approached the end, I found myself asking questions, questions that only the author could answer. Perhaps she will in her future books. However, with all that said, I enjoyed every emotional, erotic, and sexy second of this story. It’s a beautiful love story with just a little intrigue added to keep all interested. I recommend you grab a copy. You can purchase and download your copy available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

Check out the link on my sidebar for Ms. Folsoms’s web address where you can find more information of all her books. In addition, you can follow her for on Twitter, @Tina_Folsom.

"Her Vampire Husband” by Michelle Hauf

I cannot say that I am the fastest reader of book reviewers, but I do love to sit and enjoy a good paranormal romance book. Michelle Hauf’s book, “Her Vampire Husband” was exactly that.

In this story, Vampires have tribes and Werewolves, packs. Each is bloodthirsty and has had centuries to wage war against the other. Both nations have laid claim to numerous losses between them. In an attempt to bring peace between the rival nations, a Council comprised of both Vampires and Werewolves agree to an arranged marriage between Blu Masterson, Princess of the Werewolf nation and Creed Saint-Pierre, elder of the Vampire nation.

Peace is the overtone to this marriage but as you read through you find that nobody believes this marriage will bring peace at all. Blu insists that she will never allow her new husband the opportunity to mark her with his bite. Creed insists he could never love a werewolf, but would keep up appearance for the sake of peace. As the story unfolds, both Creed and Blu fall in love with each other and find they do not understand why there was so much hatred between them. With their new found love for each other, they work together to bring peace to their nations. This was not an easy task.

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating story. I must admit that at first I had my doubts about the storyline. However, it completely maintained its “page-turner” status with me. I looked forward to returning to it each night to find out what would or could happen next.

Michele Hauf develops her characters very well, which makes them easy to fall in love with. I found myself completely enamored with both Blu and Creed as they fell head over heels in love with each other. I love books that grab your emotions and pull you in. This story is has its dark undertones and is deliciously sexy!

Check out the link on my sidebar for Ms. Hauf’s web address where you can find more information of all her books. Also, you can follow her for on Twitter; @michelehauf.

Ms. Hauf, I so look forward to reading more of your books in the future.

“The Host” by Stephenie Meyer

I had just finished reading Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga when I came across her adult novel, “The Host.” I really like Stephenie Meyer’s approach to writing so I picked up a copy and began reading.

In “The Host”, the author paints another beautiful story where aliens invade our world and humans become hosts for these alien "souls". These “souls”, as they like to be called, are inserted in human minds where they completely erase any past memories the human once had and begin a new life. Melanie Stryder is one of the few remaining humans captured by the aliens. Believed to have vital information about other rogue humans, a "soul" named Wanderer is inserted into Melanie to retrieve all memories that would lead them to the various clusters of human hosts. What Wanderer finds out is that Melanie doesn't want to succumb to all of this... Melanie never gives up. Therefore, Wanderer ends up sharing Melanie's body with... well eh, Melanie.

Melanie and Wanderer journey away from civilization in an attempt to locate Melanie’s little brother and the love of her life. In order to do this, Melanie must allow Wanderer to see memories that would reveal the location of other humans. This is now easy task.

Now, I could go on telling you more, but I will not. This story turns into a love triangle with Melanie completely intact and in love with Jared, but Wanderer is also intact in Melanie's conscientiousness and she is in love with Ian. With Melanie and Wanderer both in Melanie's head, Melanie is faced with a difficult task of holding onto her life. Wanderer’s experiences on other planets never prepared her for humans and their emotional makeup. She learns very quickly how dear humans hold their individuality.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to it becoming a movie.

Go get the book... it is a good read!

“Burned” by P.C. Cast & Kristen Cast

P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast pull it off again with the next installment to the House of Night series. “Burned”, appeared on bookstands May 6, 2010 and sadly I was not one of the first to get my copy. However, excited as usual to get my copy, I quickly read to find out what happened to our heroine, Zoey Redbird.

As you recall from my book review of “Tempted”, I was all too eager to find out how our vampyres and fledglings faired in this series. We left Stevie Rae holding secrets from everyone about the imprint she had with Raven Mocker, Rephaim. Zoey witnessed the death of her childhood sweetheart by the hand of fallen warrior, Kalona. She used all that she had within her, and threw the full power of the element spirit at Kalona, attempting to kill him. The combination of all this caused Zoey’s spirit to leave this realm and move on to the Otherworld, shattering her soul in hundreds of pieces. Her body still lives but her spirit is not in her. With her soul now shattered and in the Otherworld, her circle of friends must find a way to bring her back.

“Burned” is a continuation of this specific adventure. Zoey’s friends pulled themselves together with the help of the vampyre council and found only one way to rescue her. Doing what they all do best, they each take on the responsibility of learning the history of vampyres and their warriors. Our hero warrior, Stark takes his vow as warrior to a completely new level as he learns what he must do to protect his priestess in the Otherworld.

I can continue from here and describe to you all the various adventures found in this book, or in this series, but I will not. This series is one I would definitely put on your “To Read” list. Although this is a Young Adult series, I feel it still holds enough intrigue and excitement for any adult. It is packed full of angst, friendships, honor, and love… not to mention vampyres and magic.

Each book in this series, in my opinion, cannot really stand up all on its own. You must read the whole series to follow the storyline accurately. I like the Casts’ vampyres very much. They are not your typical bloodsuckers that you read about in other novels. You find yourself hoping that this band of misfits actually lives on and succeeds. The writers do a good job of introducing you into the lives of teens you normally would hate to know, only to find you need and love them. Many are the emotions tapped as you read into the lives of these teens.

“Tempted” left me full of suspense, anger, and sadness whereas “Burned” quashed all that and brought relief. However, as is usually for this writing team, you are left with not so much a cliffhanger, but the apprehension of what is to happen next.

The next installment for The House of Night series is, “Awakened”. Although I have not heard of a release date yet, I will keep checking their website, http://houseofnightseries.com for any new updates.