From the category archives:

1st Person POV

participate

REVIEW – Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy

by Christina on January 31, 2010

in 1st Person POV, 2010 "Pub" Challenge, 4 Stars, Countdown Challenge, Mystery, What's in a Name 3, White House Chef series

Eggsecutive Orders

Eggsecutive Orders

Title: Eggsecutive Orders
Author: Julie Hyzy
Copyright: 2010 (Berkley); 310 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-425-23203-3
Series: White House Chef #3
Sensuality: N/A
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Who: Olivia “Ollie” Paras, White House Executive Chef

Spoilers, but NOT about the mystery!

The Victim: NSA Special Agent Carl Minkus. Had a Joe McCarthy-like reputation when it came to people he suspected of having terrorist ties. His death is sudden and it is believed that he was poisoned.

The Suspects: Quiet a few, as it would be expected when it comes to a man like Minkus, who has dealings with people he suspects of being spies or terrorists. However, Ollie and her staff come under suspicion because he died after eating at the White House.

The Investigation: Ollie and her crew are banned from the White House. Naturally, Ollie is upset and wants to defend the reputation of her staff. She’s being pressured by the Secret Service to keep her nose out of their investigation. Tom, her Secret Service boyfriend, has been told that he’s being held responsible for her actions; that if she gets too involved, he’ll be reassigned from the Presidential Protective Detail. Ollie has no intentions of getting involved in the actual investigation. The Easter Egg Roll is just around the corner and her staff has a lot of things to do for the event. She wants to know when they can return to the kitchen, and if there is anything she can do to make that happen sooner.

Meanwhile: Ollie’s mother and grandmother are visiting. Her plans to show them the White House and have them attend the Easter Egg Roll are on hold, pending the outcome of the investigation. However, Ollie can’t seem to avoid the investigation. She accidentally encounters Ruth Minkus and her son, Joel while sight-seeing with her family, and an “investigative” journalist keeps printing things about her and the incidents at the White House.

Unexpected Developments: Corinne, Ollie’s mother, flirts with a guy that Ollie’s not really sure about. Corinne actually goes out on a date with the man. Apparently, romance is in the air. In the course of the book, Ollie learns of two other romances — just as her relationship with Tom is falling apart.

Fun Fact: While I was reading this book, the History Channel had a special about the White House, filmed during the last year or so of the previous administration, and it featured the real executive chef and chief usher.

The Verdict: I liked this one better than the last one. I thought the mystery was more believable. Ollie continues to be a little too stubborn for her own good and, in this book, it comes with consequences. Poor Tom, I really felt for him.

Recommended for: Mystery lovers and foodies (there are recipes in the back).

Started: 10 January 2010
Finished: 20 January 2010

Rating:

Liked A Lot

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
information

{ 4 comments }

REVIEW – Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin

by Christina on October 17, 2009

in 1st Person POV, 2009 1st in Series Challenge, 4 Stars, Countdown Challenge, Demons, Fantasy, Jennifer Rardin, Other Supernatural Beings, The Year of Readers 2009, Vampires

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Title: Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Author: Jennifer Rardin
Copyright: 2007 (Orbit); 335 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-316-04354-0
Series: Jaz Parks #1
Sensuality: N/A

Who: Jasmine “Jaz” Parks
Where: Miami

Summary: Jaz Parks works for the CIA. Her boss Vayl is a vampire — one of the good guys — and an assassin. Their latest assignment was supposed to be a text-book op: eliminate a plastic surgeon with ties to terrorists. But the man in question is involved with more than just terrorism and someone is specifically targeting Vayl.

Comments: It’s been three months since I’ve read this book and it’s another one of those cases where I was so involved in the story that I didn’t bother with note-taking during the reading, nor did I jot down any after-read notes before moving on to the next book. Some skimming reminded me of what I really loved about the book.

I really liked the main character. Jaz is hardly perfect and she isn’t blessed with superstrength or other super-skills. She has the ability to sense vampires, but she got that skill at a very high price. She tough and funny, yet she’s also vulnerable. Jaz has issues that she has to work through and I’m glad the author didn’t try to resolve all of them in the first book — though it is important to also see that Jaz is working through them, so hopefully we see that over the course of the series. Jaz is also a very caring person. She loves her family (most of them, anyway) and she worries about putting friends in danger.

Vampires as romantic leads is not my favorite theme in general; however, because I loved the TV show ANGEL, if the vampire in question reminds me of him, then I’m more inclined to the like him as well. That’s the case with Vayl. Like Jaz, he’s not perfect and he seems almost human is his vulnerability. I like that he is not overwhelmingly powerful and that he actually does need Jaz’s help.

I also liked the secondary cast of characters who Jaz and Vayl turned to for help. I liked the world-building and the writer’s voice. I plan to read the rest of the series. Hopefully, I’ll take notes.

Started: 14 July 2009
Finished: 18 July 2009

Rating:

Liked A Lot

Liked A Lot

What Others Have Said:
Bitten By Books
BSC Review
Love Vampires
Books and Other Thoughts
Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog
Blog Critics

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

21 Oct – Mishel – “This a series I have yet to start but have been meaning to for quite some time. Jaz definitely sounds like my kind of heroine =)”

service

{ 1 comment }

Reviewette – Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews

by Christina on October 10, 2009

in 1st Person POV, 5 Stars, Anthology, Ilona Andrews, Magic, Other Supernatural Beings, Paranormal Romance, Shape-Shifters, The Year of Readers 2009, Vampires

Must Love Hellhounds

Must Love Hellhounds

Story Title: Magic Mourns
Story Author: Ilona Andrews
Story Length: 90 pgs.
Anthology Title: Must Love Hellhounds
Copyright: 2009 (Berkley)
ISBN: 978-0-425-22959-0
Series: Kate Daniels
Sensuality: Subtle

Who: Andrea Nash and Raphael
Where: Atlanta (alternate reality)

Can it be read at any point in the series, or as a stand alone? It could, but if you’re new to the series and hadn’t read Magic Burns and/or Magic Strikes, I would consider it a spoiler in regards to Andrea mostly, and Kate (how and why she’s on medical leave). The story takes place after the events in Magic Strikes.

Summary: Kate’s on medical leave, so Andrea takes her place at the Order of Merciful Aid. Since Kate’s cases tend to be either Pack-related or involving the Mercenary Guild, things have been kind of slow. Then she gets a phone call from some guy called Teddy Jo. He informs Andrea that he spotted a shape shifter being chased by a huge dog. A house-sized dog. Andrea’s definitely on the case, especially if it means she gets to shoot something. However, she hopes the shape-shifter in question ISN’T a certain bouda (were-hyena).

Much to her consternation, the shape-shifter in question is in fact Raphael. The house-sized dog? Well, neither knows what it is, requiring a phone call to Kate. Apparently, Andrea and Raphael are not very well read up on Greek mythology. The dog is none other than Fluffy Cerberus. Raphael was tracking whoever had body-napped his recently deceased step-father when he encountered the beast. There is no way Raphael is going to be sidelined on this case, so Andrea has no choice but to allow him to help her investigate. During their investigation, they get the opportunity to discuss his attraction to her and the reasons she is so reluctant to get involved with him.

Comments: This story is told in 1st person, just like the series, except from Andrea’s point of view. It’s a real treat to see the this world through someone else’s eyes. We learn more about Andrea then we probably would have in the series. Andrea tells Raphael about her past and we see a different side of Raphael.

It is interesting to note that Kate and Andrea have much in common: heavily armed, independent women with a big secret that could cause major problems if the wrong parties found about them. Both women are being pursued, romantically, by men who could have any woman they want. Neither women is convinced of the sincerity of the pursuit, believing they are just passing fancies of the men in question. We’ll have to wait for future Kate Daniel books to learn whether or not Curran and Kate have any chance at long term relationship; however, in this short story, we learn that Raphael is honestly attracted to Andrea and he wants a chance at a relationship with her, and her alone:

“Things happened before I met you and before you met me. Those things don’t matter. You had no control over your past, but here, right now, you control the situation and you’re voluntarily giving it up. You’re punishing both of us because of something that happened half a lifetime ago. It makes no sense.”

Raphael’s admission brought up something interesting that I noticed about the boudas. Even though they are sexually adventurous and have no inhibitions, once they find a mate, they seem to be faithful. The idea is re-enforced by Aunt B’s grief over the lose of her mate. He wasn’t bouda and I just can’t imagine…well, you can figure it out for yourselves.

The story has another treat. Andrea and Raphael visit the Casino, headquarters for the vampire-controlling masters of the dead. They go deeper into the place than we’ve seen in the previous books.

I heart Maxine. I just love her to death. And I really loved Teddy Jo. He’s insights at the end were enlightening.

All in all, a fun read and it worked really well as a short story.

Read: 16 September 2009

Favorite Quotes:
“You couldn’t detect your way out of a shoe if someone lit the way with neon signs.”
– Andrea expresses her opinion of Kate’s investigative skills (or lack thereof)

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

LOVED IT !!

christinasig

Disclaimer: I bought this book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

12 Oct – Amy – “I love Andrews’s books. I’ll need to pick this one up. Thanks for the review!”
12 Oct – Me – “You’re welcome! :-) It’s a great read. Definitely not to be missed. :) ”

{ 0 comments }

Review – Phenomenal Girl 5 by A. J. Menden

by Christina on July 26, 2009

in 1st Person POV, 2009 1st in Series Challenge, 4 Stars, AJ Menden, Magic, Other Supernatural Beings, Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi Romance, Shomi, The Year of Readers 2009

Phenomenal Girl 5

Phenomenal Girl 5

Title: Phenomenal Girl 5
Author: A. J. Menden
Copyright: 2008 (Shomi); 305 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-505-52786-8
Series: Elite Hands of Justice #1
Sensuality: Warm

*** Spoiler-ish ***

Lainey Livingston is finally on her way to getting her dream job: becoming a member of the Elite Hands of Justice, the world’s most famous superhero team. However, the final step in the process is to complete a tour of duty with the legendary Reincarnist, Robert Elliot. Some of the best superheros have washed out from the program while training with him, and Lainey doesn’t want to add her name to that list.

Robert, the long-lived founder of the EHJ, is no longer on the active roster, but he still helps out with criminal investigations and cases that the other superheros should be investigating but don’t because they aren’t high profile enough for them. New members of the EHJ assist him with these cases as part of their internship. He is called the Reincarnist because, when he dies, he comes back as a 20-year-old who looks and sounds different — and doesn’t always remember details of his previous life — but is still basically the same person inside. He’s been around for centuries and there is no guarantee, each time he dies, that he’ll come back at all.

Lainey is attracted to Robert right from the first. Though he’s distant and formal with her, Lainey notices that he has the kindest eyes she’s ever seen. But having a secret crush on your boss only adds more stress to an already stressful situation. Robert has no tact, causing her to get hostile and defensive at times because she misunderstands him. Early on, Lainey’s sure Robert is going to fire her. Joining EHJ and helping to save the world has been her goal since she was a little girl, and if she fails, she doesn’t know what she’ll do. But Lainey needn’t have worried too much. Robert has seen her potential for greatness and wants her to succeed.

Something major and potentially catastrophic is on the horizon; however, Robert and Lainey are having a difficult time making sense of the puzzling clues. Their investigation suffers a serious set back when Robert dies. I don’t consider this a spoiler, though it is the reason I put the warning up — the author wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of creating a character with the ability to be reincarnated if she hadn’t planned on killing him off at least once. However, the how and why are pretty big spoilers — that’s all I’m going to say about it.

Robert’s death hits Lainey doubly hard. It happens not long after she and Robert had finally admitted their feelings to each other. Being orphaned since birth, Lainey never let others into her heart until Robert. And for his part, the inability to retain memories from life to life has made it hard for him to get involved with others. Before he died, Lainey promised him that she’d help the new Robert remember what was between them. But it too much for her. The new Reincarnist — Wesley — is different in many ways (except he’s just as tactless as Robert). Wesley is confused and is depending on her to help him — though he doesn’t remember the promise. With so much grief and stress, their first week together after Robert’s passing does not go well. Eventually Lainey realizes that there are some things that remained the same (other than the lack of tact), but it’s the differences that make her fall in love with Wesley for himself. Robert was reserved and formal, Wesley is more open and relaxed. And for his part, Wesley doesn’t need memories to fall for her — that is, once she stops being hostile toward him for not being Robert.

I really liked this book. I wondered if the author could pull it off — killing the hero — and still make the romance believable. And she did. The death of Robert and aftermath was very emotional. Looking forward to reading Tekgrrl.

Started: 30 June 2009
Finished: 1 July 2009

Rating:

Liked A Lot

Liked A Lot

What Others Have Said:
CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Tez Says
Bitten By Books
Darque Reviews
Carol’s Notebook

Addendum:
This is a re-post. Below are the comments that I was able to salvage from the SQL file. See this post for an explanation. I apology for the inconvenience. (Aug 09)

Beth F., 2009-07-26: I haven’t read any of these books. I assume this is the 5th in a series.

Me, 2009-07-26: No, it’s not actually. The “5″ refers to her being the 5th superhero with the same alias/secret identity.
This is the first book by this author and the first in the Elite Hands of Justice series.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

17 Aug – Carol – “It loved the relationship in this one. Thanks for linking to my review.”
17 Aug – Me – “You’re welcome! I liked the relationship, too. Thanks for visiting!”

help

{ 0 comments }

notice

REVIEW – Magic Stikes by Ilona Andrews

by misscz on July 11, 2009

in 1st Person POV, 2009 "Pub" Challenge, 5 Stars, Countdown Challenge, Fantasy, Ilona Andrews, Magic, Shape-Shifters, The Year of Readers 2009

Magic Strikes

Magic Strikes

Title: Magic Strikes
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2009 (Ace); 310 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01702-7
Series: Kate Daniels #3
Sensuality: Kisses

*** SPOILER-ISH ***

Two months have passed since the flare hit Atlanta. Kate’s been busy cleaning up magical messes and hanging out with her new best friend, Andrea. She hasn’t heard from, nor seen, Curran since the night he broke into her house in Savannah, made coffee, and almost kissed her. She’s convinced he got bored messing with her mind and has moved on to other amusements.

Meanwhile, two seemingly unconnected incidents occur that drag her back into the center of the shape-shifter world. First, Kate is sent to investigate the death of a shape-shifter, but when she arrives on the scene, Jim and his crew are already on the case. Jim refuses her help and Kate’s too tired to press the issue. Besides, she can always check up on the case later, and see if Jim’s followed through with filing the reports.

The second, Saiman calls to tell her that he caught Derek, Kate’s werewolf side-kick, stealing from him. Saiman can make things difficult for the Pack, and the last thing Kate wants is for the Beast Lord to find out about the incident. Saiman uses Kate’s friendship with Derek as leverage. He’ll forget all about the break-in, if Kate agrees to accompany him to the Midnight Games. He wants her professional opinion regarding one of the teams competing in the illegal gladiatorial tournament. Kate grudgingly agrees to go, reminding Saiman that it’s NOT a date, just a business agreement.

Before she knows it, Kate’s finds herself keeping secrets from Curran, searching for a way to save Derek, and trying to solve the mystery behind the strange group who annihilated Saiman’s team and left Derek for dead. On top of all that, Andrea and Raphael’s insight into Curran’s behavior implies that the Beast Lord is viewing her as his future mate – and he refers to her as such within Andrea’s hearing. As much as she tries to deny it at times, Kate finally acknowledges the fact that she’s falling for Curran. However, she still sees his pursuit of her as nothing more than a game for him.

We learn some Pack history and about how Curran became the Beast Lord. Kate has been a bit unreliable as a narrator when it comes to Curran. Biased as she is by the fact he’s in a position of authority (and she has issue with those in authority), she’ll assume he’s an arrogant jerk without fully understanding him. Make no mistake, Curran is 100% Alpha, but that doesn’t mean he’s unreasonable or insensitive to the feelings of others. In fact, as the Beast Lord, he’s had to be good at diplomacy and understanding the needs of his people. As he tells her early in the book:

“I’ve had a lot of practice. The Pack contains thirty-two species in seven tribes, each with their own hang-up. Jackals and coyotes pick fights with wolves, because they have an inferiority complex and think they’ve got something to prove. Wolves believe themselves to be superior, marry the wrong people, and then refuse to divorce them because they cling to their ‘mating for life’ idiocy. Hyenas listen to nobody, screw everything, and break out in berserk rages at some perceived slight against one of their own. Cats randomly refuse to follow orders to prove they can. That’s my life. I’ve been at it for fifteen years now.”

Curran’s been a combination king/CEO/den mother to a horde of potential spree-killers since he was 15 years old. They are his family and any harm that comes to them he perceives as a failure of leadership on his part. He’s going to be very careful about who he picks as his mate — which would explain his hesitancy, in Magic Burns, before handing Kate the soup. Submissive eye candy isn’t going to cut it. She has to be someone who can hold her own and cope with the daily drama of the Pack, because she’ll share his responsibility and authority as the Pack’s alpha female. Curran would not have handed Kate that bowl had he not felt she was capable of sharing the burden.

Part of Kate’s reluctance to acknowledge that there might be something between her and Curran stems from her heritage and her mission. She’s lost everyone she’s ever loved. Having loved ones makes her venerable and them targets. However, this time her enemy has already decided to target the Pack because they’ve grown too strong. Which made me wonder about Greg’s friendship with the Pack — did he cultivate the friendship because he suspected Roland might move against them? Greg had to have known that Kate partnered with Jim, and he had to have known Jim was the head of Pack security. Was Greg’s attempt to convince Kate to return to the Order’s academy — the last time she saw him alive — his way of keeping her out of Atlanta?

Some things Kate and Curran have in common: both were raised by men not their fathers; both are mentor/guardian to an orphaned child; both have a strong sense of duty and a willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to protect/save those they care about; and both have a tendency to impale themselves on sharp, pointy objects. They fight well together. Their “courtship” is hilarious and it’s fun to watch. I liked that Curran doesn’t go off in a snit when she says no (Look! An alpha who understands that “no” means “no”! Kate, you have no idea how lucky you are! Quick! Snatch him up before someone else does!).

As to the revelation regarding Roland, I wasn’t surprised. It was hinted at in the first two books. The details, however, were a surprise. Up until this book, I would have said that Roland had no idea Kate existed. So, he knows she’s out there somewhere. And after the events in this book, I’d say he’d have a very good idea where to find her.

I could go on babbling. It’s taken me this long to write up my thoughts because I keep picking it up to re-read. I really loved this book. It was both funny and heart breaking. I’m looking forward to the next one. I’ve read the snippets for book four, so I’m prepared for the snarling, the angst, and any further developments regarding Roland.

Favorite Quotes:
Maybe if I prayed to Miss Marple, she’d hook me up with a clue . . .
– Kate Daniels, ace investigator (thoughts)

“It was an awesome smackdown.”
– Andrea, admiring Curran’s butt-chewing skills

Help. I’ve drowned the Best Lord.
– Kate (thoughts)

“You came for me.”
“Always.”
– Kate, Curran

Started: 26 March 2009
Finished: 28 March 2009

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

LOVED IT !!

What Others Have Said:
Lurv A La Mode
Dear Author
BSCreview
Reality Bypass
Ramblings About Books and Book Love
Angieville
Ciaralira
Janicu
The Booksmugglers
What Am I Reading?
Leslie’s Psyche
Literary Escapism

Books in the Series:
Magic Bites
Magic Burns

Addendum:
This is a re-post, due to technical difficulties. Comments, if any, were lost. I apologize for the inconvenience. (Aug 09)

This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries

participate