My Soul to Steal Cover Revealed!

Rachel Vincent's My Soul to Steal cover reveal has been released - via widget, so in a few hours time we can all see the next cover - can not wait - I so hope it's yellow themed!

New Kresley Cole Releases

After doing some investigating around the author's website, I've discovered that Kresley Cole's next Immortals After Dark release is Demon From The Dark which comes out in August. And, even more exciting, Fantastic Fiction and Amazon have released the title of her next book: Dreams of a Dark Warrior. I have to admit, I've found the titles of her books at times a little off putting, which is a shame, because her books are wonderful.

Note: Kresley Cole's novels are for adults, and are not suitable for YA.

Review: Lover Mine by J R Ward

Lover Mine by J R Ward.

Book 8 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Lover Mine couldn't have come out quick enough as far as I was concerned and I had high hopes - and they were not disappointed.

The eighth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series picked up almost straight after the events of the end of the last book, Lover Avenged. Xhex is still being held prisoner after being kidnapped by Lash, head of the Lessers, and John with Qhuinn and Blay are searching for her. Lover Mine is very much an emotional roller coaster, intense and in some scenes very violent. The story between Xhex and John is a very powerful one, and it certainly has become one of my favourites. Lash, John’s enemy was also quite an interesting character. His story takes quite a turn and his obsession with making Xhex his own was quite surprising.

With any J R Ward book, there are plenty of other story arcs, which are very intriguing. One particular story arch seemed almost irrelevant, which at one stage I found a little irritating, until we reached nearly the very end of the book, and it was revealed how it was tied into the story.

Other story arcs focused strongly on the friendship of Qhuinn and Blay, while Payne and the Chosen also get focus. It was great to see that there was finally some action in regards to the strained relationship between John and Thorment. John's story has been played out through the last 5 books, and has easily become one of my favourites - so it was nice to see his story arc become resolved. It was almost a relief to get to the ending to find out what happens. The ending also sets up plenty of story arcs for the next book.

If you have read and loved the other books in the series, then you must read this one - you will enjoy it. But if you haven't read any of the other books in the series than I strongly recommend that you read the others first - the whole series is really one long saga that can only be enjoyed fully if you've read the others.

Rating: 5 stars

Other books in the series:
1 Dark Lover
2 Lover Eternal
3 Lover Awakened
4 Lover Revealed
5 Lover Unbound
6 Lover Enshrined
7 Lover Avenged
8 Lover Mine

Note: This is definitely an adult book, and this series is not for younger readers.

(Image from Author’s Website).

New Books!

I find it exciting when I get some new books, (bought or borrowed) so I thought I'd share what books I'll be reading soon.

I got these three new from the library - I love the smell of new hardcover books!

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

I have been waiting for this book it feels for ages! Meg Cabot is one of my favourite authors - not exactly award winning material, but so much fun to curl up with on a rainy day, and loads of chocolate, haha. The blurb hints at a parody on famous vampire fiction, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.

This book is Cabot's first in a series of paranormal/vampire books for adults. She does have two paranormal YA series, The Mediator and 1800-Where-R-U, which are both great series, so Insatiable should be great.

Blurb from book:
Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.

Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)

But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets - then makes the mistake of falling in love with - Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .

If she even has one.


Runaway by Meg Cabot

This is the last book in the Airhead trilogy, not really paranormal fiction, more of a contemporary fiction read but the overall plot (*slight spoiler, a girl gets her brain transplanted into the body of a supermodel) is slightly in the realms of sci-fi. The first two books, Airhead and Being Nikki were good fun reads, perfect for something light to read after finishing a long hefty novel.

Blurb from book:

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.


Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

I can't wait to read this book. I love the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series so much. If I was on a desert island and could only pick one series to bring with me - this series might be it. This is book 8 in the series (following 1 Dead Witch Walking, 2 The Good, The Bad and the Undead, 3 Every Which Way But Dead, 4 A Fistful of Charms, 5 For A Few Demons More, 6 The Outlaw Demon Wails/Where Demons Dare, 7 White Witch, Black Curse) and it sounds like it picks straight up from where the last book ended. From the blurb, it sounds like Trent is back after being mostly absent from the last book, and I am so glad about that. (Team Trent - yay!). It has recieved some great reviews on Amazon, and I'm looking forward to writing a review on this book!

Blurb from book:

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons,and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter - and lived totell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment -at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, thedemon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief. It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

(Book images from author's websites Meg Cabot and Kim Harrison because mine are covered in those hideous library stickers!)

J R Ward Releases

Looking at J R Ward's website, I discovered that she is re-releasing one of her Jessica Bird titles - An Unforgettable Lady. I just love her Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angel series, so I can't wait to read this one. I hope they re-release her other titles.

Blurb and Image from J R Ward's website:


An Unforgettable Lady
by J.R. Ward
July 2010

Grace Hall is a society beauty surrounded by glamour, privilege, and wealth- but her fortune has made her a glittering target. One by one, Manhattan’s most influential women are being murdered, and Grace is on the killer’s hit list. In order to protect herself, she demands the best in bodyguards- and gets so much more than she expects.

John Smith is a hard-hearted security specialist who is as dedicated to his work as he is deadly. Moving into Grace’s luxury penthouse is the last thing he wants, but saying no to her is something he can’t seem to do. As he lays down the rules for his new client, sparks ignite between them- as does an incendiary desire. With Grace in his arms, John finds himself letting down his own defenses to meet the terms of an intimate and unforgettable new assignment.

As the warm nights grow hot, and the canny killer closes in, Grace and Smith face a crucial choice: follow the rules or follow their hearts.



Fantastic Fiction also has information about J R Wards Fallen Angels Series, and the next book in the series, Crave. They also have the UK and the US covers, I have to say that I LOVE the US cover (right). It is amazing.

Crave: A Novel of the Fallen Angels.

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds- barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose.

Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble-and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil.

Review: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take, by Rachel Vincent.

Book One of the Soul Screamers Series.

I have always been a Rachel Vincent fan, I have been reading her 'Shifters' series from the beginning, and when I heard that she had started a YA series, I will admit that I was a little hesitant.

However, one look at the book's blurb, and I was convinced I was in for a good read:

"She doesn't see dead people, but she senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream..."

When the main character of Kaylee was introduced to us in a 'sneaking into a party' scene I worried that the book might be a little frivolous and cliched, but from Kaylee's first interaction with love intrest, Nash, to Kaylee's first terrifying scream, an intense mystery starts to build, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next.

Nash and Kaylee are a great pair, and it's intresting to watch their interactions with their families, who play very large roles in this book. The characters Emma and Tod are very intresting, Tod more-so, but it would have been nice to see a bit more from them - hopefully Tod will grow much more in furthur books.

The ending is action packed, and 'sit on the edge of your seat' scenes, leaving the reader anxious for the next book.The covers of this particular series is amazingly beautiful, and I can't wait to see what both the author and the artist do next.

4 Stars.

Other books in the series:
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Take
My Soul to Save
My Soul to Keep

and coming soon,

My Soul to Steal.

(Image from Fantastic Fiction).

Darkest Mercy Cover

I've just spotted the latest cover for the next book in Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series. All Things Urban Fantasy has posted the cover for Darkest Mercy. All I can say is - STUNNING. Absolutely my favourite book cover out of the series so far. I'm not sure who does the cover artwork, but it's outstanding.

Welcome

Welcome to Blackbird Book Reviews, a small blog featuring book reviews, featuring mostly paranormal books, but a few other genres will feature on occaison.

This is just a personal book review blog, the reviews are just my opinion as a reader, discussion about books is welcome, but please keep it friendly.

Thanks, and happy reading,

Blackbird.