Demon Inside
Title: Demon Inside
Author: Stacia Kane
Copyright: 2009 (Juno/Pocket); 353 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-4391-5507-3
Series: Megan Chase #2
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Fantasy
Possible spoilers for the 1st Book!
Previously . . . Three months ago, Megan defeated the Accuser and became the leader of the personal demons.
So, how’s that working out for her? Lousy, thanks for asking. Meg isn’t giving the personal demons the time and attention — and leadership — they expect from their gretneg (ruler); and as a psychologist, part of her isn’t comfortable with letting them run amok, feeding on other people’s misery. Meg has also refused to perform the ritual that will make her a full demon and give her access to greater power. She’s afraid of losing what makes her human. To make matters worse, someone — or something — is killing her demons rather messily.
Huh. So, how’s her practice and the radio show doing? The show? It must be successful, since it’s still on-air. Her practice? Well, not so good. The other partners are questioning her commitment and even she can’t deny she’s been acting oddly lately.
Is anything going right for her? Oh yeah. Her love life. Greyson Dante is still very much her lover. But Meg harbors a bit of doubt about their relationship. Fortunately, she doesn’t dwell endlessly about how long they’ll be together.
Ah, Greyson. Let’s hear more about him. If Greyson didn’t care about Meg, he would have let her flounder on her own when dealing with the demon world. As a gretneg-in-waiting, Greyson is aware of the responsibilities and expectations that come with the job. He wants Meg be a good gretneg. He doesn’t pressure her, though. Greyson advises her to perform the ritual, but it has to be her choice and he leaves it at that. He wishes that she would give up her practice because it interferes with her duties to the personal demons — and not for some alpha, chauvinistic reason. He supports her decisions and helps her the best he can.
A supportive demon lover and exploding minions. Anything else? It’s one of the worse weeks of Meg’s life, and just when she has real plans for Christmas, too. Someone tried to run her and Greyson of the road; and a death in her family brings her back to the place where all her demon problems started. Tagging along for support are the ever-loyal demon bodyguard brothers and Meg’s friends Brian the reporter and Tera the witch. Plus, we meet a friend of Greyson’s.
What I liked: The boys — Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud. Greyson, of course, and the new character Nick. I liked the fact that Meg is conflicted about her status. It seems more realistic than it would have had she did the ritual just because Greyson said she should. She got dragged into the demon world against her will and it’s only natural that she fight for a normal life.
What I didn’t like: Demon rituals. Ew. What Meg had to do to beat the big bad. Double ew.
Recommended to: Those who read the first book. I would advise reading that one first, to see how they all met and to understand what happened to Meg.
Started: 25 February 2010
Finished: 15 March 2010
Rating:
Liked A Lot
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
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
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.
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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 =)”
participate
by misscz on December 7, 2008
in 4 Stars,Anthology,Christmas,Countdown Challenge,Demons,Lori Devoti,Merline Lovelace,Paranormal Romance,Silhouette Nocturne,Vampires
Holiday With A Vampire II
Author(s): Merline Lovelace; Lori Devoti
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); pgs. 273
Series: Silhouette Nocturne #54 – Christmas Anthology
Sensuality: Warm
This anthology features a story by one of my favorite Nocturne authors, Lori Devoti. In a departure from her other Nocturnes, this one is about a vampire, not shape-shifters. Though this is a Christmas anthology, the holiday has very little presence. If you’re looking for a book that’s doesn’t have all the trimmings (carols, gifts, decorating, etc.), then this book is a good choice.
“A Christmas Kiss” by Merline Lovelace
From the Back: Vampire Delilah Wentworth’s hunt for a dentist on Christmas Eve lands her in the arms of Sergeant Brett Cooper, a mortal who gave up on the Christmas spirit, and on love, years ago. Incapable of returning home by herself, Delilah needs Brett’s protection for the night — a night that leaves her aching for a forbidden mortal romance, and leaves Brett questioning whether he has truly given up on love after all.
I really liked Delilah. Born in 1888 to a career military officer, her only goals in life were to marry a dashing lieutenant and have lots of babies. She isn’t a sultry, bad girl vamp; she’s almost ordinary. Delilah only feeds on the willing and only takes what she needs — not a killer nor in the habit of creating more vampires. She’s also compassionate, going — with Brett –to the aid of a young, single mother with a case of food poisoning.
I wish the story had been longer. I thought Brett’s acceptance of Delilah was too quick. I also would have liked to have seen more of Delilah’s sire, Sebastian.
“The Vampire That Stole Christmas” by Lori Devoti
From the Back: On a mission for revenge against his adoptive family, vampire Drystan Hurst needs daemon Aimee Polk to help him put his plan into action. But Drystan doesn’t expect to fall in love with Aimee — especially when it means choosing between her affection and the ultimate family payback he has always dreamed of.
This is a story about two individuals — a vampire and a daemon — who must learn to accept themselves for who and what they are. Drystan has a lot of anger and resentment towards the Myhres. He’s bent on getting revenge and he sees his foster brother’s fiancée, Aimee, as the way to publicly humiliate them. Aimee, a daemon of light, has recently failed to save the life of her most recent charge. She’s decided that it’s best for her not to be one any longer, and will try to do good through Ben, who is politically ambitious. She senses the darkness in Drystan, and her first instinct is to absorb it, but she knows that won’t help him if he doesn’t take the first step.
This story was my favorite and I liked that both characters were supernatural. It made their acceptance of each other smoother. I also liked the twist on vampire mythology.
Started: 20 November 2008
Finished: 27 November 2008
Rating:
Liked A Lot
