The Taken (Celestial Blues #1) by Vicki Pettersson

He’s a fallen angel. She’s a rockabilly reporter. Together they must solve a deadly string of murders plaguing the mortal and the immortal worlds.

Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was over fifty years ago when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Now he’s a Centurion, an angel who assists other murdered souls through their journey to the afterlife. But while Shaw might be an angel … he’s no saint. Haunted by the mysterious events surrounding his own death, he seizes a chance to wreak some vengeance when he witnesses a deadly attack on journalist Katherine “Kit” Craig.

Joining forces, the unlikely avengers take to the streets, hunting a killer whose trail of bodies stretches across Las Vegas and into an immortal netherworld. It is a dangerous trek that lead them into the darkest corners of Sin City and into the heart of an evil conspiracy extending beyond the lights of the Strip that could destory them both.

But destruction isn’t the only threat Griffin faces. The closer he gets to Kit, the more he finds himself bewitched by her mortal charms. Can he resist falling under her spell? And does he want to?

Okay, how perfect is this book cover for this blog? You know I had to read it. Okay, now that you know I love the cover, now what about the book?

I have to admit that the beginning of this book was a bit uneven. It had it's moments, but did meander quite a bit toward the middle. Also, although I did enjoy both the main characters, I have to admit that it did bug me that their was SO much about her being a "billie" (person who loves rockabilly). I understood why some characters couldn't get over it, but it was a bit much when it came to people who knew her well ... and even from the main heroine, Kit. I felt that is why the pacing of even getting to know the characters was uneven as well.

The other aspect of this book may put off some people who are expecting either a PNR or a UF book and get something else. It does have elements of both, but it really reminded me of something with a bit of camp to it as well as what you might see in a film noir for today. I think the camp was there to help pull this off. Those that aren't used to that might not see the book for it's potential. Sometimes things we do not expect throws us off. I admit it did this to me at first, but I quickly got used to it.

The ending however, is where everything comes together and really rocks. The main mystery is solved, the bad (and I do mean BAD) guys are put away and yet there is a thread that is left for future installments of this series. I personally would love to read the next in this series. Besides I bet the future covers will look so purty here at Books and Things. ;)

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I recommend it for lovers of detective stories with a film noir feel. The book is out today!
I received this book from the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

A contemporary YA set in the world of classical ballet. You know it made me curious. This book was so rich in this world that you know that someone had the inside scoop of this life. In seeing who the author was and what she had done, you know everything was accurate. You begin to wonder where did real life end and the fiction begin? In other words, I'm curious as to what part was real life and was this a fictional version of the author's own struggle for a much fuller life than what a singular obsession could give.

Yes, you are easily swept away with the gritty reality of what being a bunhead entails. However, I do have a criticism. It was told in a way where you are held at arms length from the main character, Hannah. You could connect with the character somewhat, but there was just enough distance that kept it safe. I think if the character opened up a little more to her audience, this book could be perfection. However, I will say too, that the world this book inhabited did make up for much of this lack. You really get a feel for the torment these dancers put themselves through for the illusion that is perfection.

I give this book 3 stars. I really did enjoy the world of the bunhead. I would recommend this book to any girl who ever dreamed of being a ballerina. Yes, I was one of them. :)

 I was given this book by the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Winner!

The winner for:

is...

Heather!

confirmed

Lots of things going on this month:

Don't forget:

is still going on this month from at author J.L. Bryan's blog

Don't forget to sign up for the blog hop:

Deets on the post. Just click the pic to check it out.

AND comming soon here:

Also... join in on the fun read-a-long!

My first 2 posts are HERE to see what fun we are having!

Married with Zombies Read a Long Week 2

To get the deets of this read-a-long, just click on the button above. This week's questions come from Ashley, The Bookish Brunette

1.In Chapter 6, Sarah and Dave raid Amanda’s apartment for guns… When they come out they run into their super, Mr. Gonzales, when he tries to attack Sarah: 

What does she hit?

A box that holds the fire extinguisher

 Do you have one of these?

Nope, don't have a fire extinguisher box. ;D

You could totally bash some Zombie brains with one!Show me whatcha got! If you don’t have one of these, then anything that you would find in a hallway of an apartment building! (good luck!) lol

2. In Chapter 7, Sarah and David are watching a news report of the zombie attacks when the doctor on TV attacks the reporter… The news crew steps in and starts bashing the zombie with a boom mike, grab the nearest similar object (whatever’s handy) that you would use if you were attacked at WORK!

Okay, I cheated a bit. My boy is not allowed this close to my comp w/o me *shivers*, but it is the boy if it's not my comp. ;D

3. Chapter 8… Amanda, Sarah and Dave are preparing to head out of town, and while they’re getting in the car, three zombies attack them! Sarah bashes one with the butt of her shot gun as instinct takes over, so whatcha got? You’re getting in your car, fleeing the city- zombies attack, no guns or knives… What are you going to use to defend yourself?? 

Zombies... bashing brains... hm.... how about...

A tree/limb trimmer!

Well, I do have to go to the garage to get to a car and the tire iron is actually hard to get to! I'd be a zombie meal trying to get the thing... so of course I'd look around the garage. ;)

Oh and there was one more comment from the peanut gallery:

4. In Chapter 9 & 10 there aren’t any zombie killings… That we could replicate!!! So, give me a couple of your favorite quotes from Chapters 5-10!!!

“Well, I guess we better go out with a bang.” He smiled before he dropped his mouth to mine and kissed me. (p. 77). 

Have you ever just wanted to smash a car? Or break a television? Or maybe burn a big fire in the middle of a city square? If the answer is yes, then you’d have some fun during a zombie infestation. It’s the little moments, you know? (pp. 92-93)

...zombieism breeds alcoholism. It’s true. Look it up. (p. 99)

Next week: Chapters 11-15 (June 15th) – Loretta at Between the Pages

Graham Parke Winner's Post

"I'm very polite by nature, even the voices in my head let each other finish their sentences." Graham Parke, Unspent Time

I'd originally planned to have a monkey draw two random numbers out of a hat (then use the inverse hexadecimal value - because you cannot trust monkeys, not at the prices I'm willing to pay) but apparently there are laws against monkey labor. There are permits involved. It's a whole thing. So instead I asked a friend to think of two random numbers while dressed in a monkey suit, without telling him what the numbers were for. This seemed sufficiently random to me, although it later occurred to me how worrying it was that my friend would actually do this without ever asking why. There might be a thinly veiled cry for help in there somewhere...

Kindle Fire Winner: Cecilia Huddleston Kindle Touch Winner: Kathy Habel

A big thank you to all the bloggers and readers who supported the Unspent Time launch event (especially those who bought multiple versions of the weird little novels that wrecked a thousand reasonably useful minds.)

Anyway, here's the results, thank you all for joining in, winners will be contacted and forced to accept prizes, let me know if you ever come across bits in the novels you like, stay healthy and sane,

Graham Parke

"We played for about half an hour before I realized we were actually playing two different games. What I'd thought of as ludo was actually a game called gin rummy, and what Warren was playing seemed to be a mixture of craps and table tennis. Once we started playing by one consistent set of rules, though, the fun was really over." Graham Parke, No Hope for Gomez!