Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Series: #1
448 p.
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: Sept. 27, 16
Source: Edelweiss and Publisher for review

When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched. 

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die. 

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan. 

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara. 

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . .

My thoughts:

 I loved this author's other retellings and seeing the creepy cover I jumped at reading this book. While I did like the dark world she built here and it did engage me, it just fell a bit flat for me. I don't think this will be how everyone will experience this book but, in my case, it happened this way for me. I think that it was because it was a retelling of such an iconic and famous play and I have a feeling I would see it differently if it wasn't a retelling. This usually doesn't bother me and I've read other retellings of Romeo and Juliet and it didn't bother me, but for some reason I think it got in my way here. Perhaps it is because the world is SO different and I would have enjoyed it if it was labeled more as an original story.

This is also a very dark story. VERY dark. In fact there was no HEAs in this book. Now it is possible it may end in an HEA (I believe this is supposed to be a duology) but this book does not give you that happy feeling at the end. In fact the foreboding is for more darkness and pain emotionally and physically.

While this book may not have totally captured me in full, I still have enjoyed it enough and it has made me so curious as to what will happen next. How will they resolve things? How are all the players in this twisted dark play going to come together? Will there be no HEA or a final resolution in the end? While I realize this sounds like it ends in a huge cliffie, it does not, but it does not feel complete. I must know where this story will take me.

I give this book 3 stars. While I didn't love everything about this book the darkness really did capture my attention and curiosity. I really need to know if things will come to the light or wither in darkness.

The Undying Legion by Clay and Susan Griffith

Hm... seems like I forgot something when I posted the 3rd book but not the 2nd's book review... Yea, I'm organized like that. So here is the review of the second book. The first book is The Shadow Revolution and the third book in the trilogy is The Conquering Dark (both reviews linked in the title).

Series: Crown & Key #2
384 p.
Published: June 30, 15
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Library

With a flood of dark magic about to engulf Victorian London, can a handful of heroes vanquish a legion of the undead? 

When monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane comes across the gruesome aftermath of a ritual murder in a London church, he enlists the help of magician-scribe Simon Archer and alchemist extraordinaire Kate Anstruther. Studying the macabre scene, they struggle to understand obscure clues in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics carved into the victim’s heart—as well as bizarre mystical allusions to the romantic poetry of William Blake. One thing is clear: Some very potent black magic is at work. 

But this human sacrifice is only the first in a series of ritualized slayings. Desperate to save lives while there is still time, Simon, Kate, and Malcolm—along with gadget geek Penny Carter and Charlotte, an adolescent werewolf—track down a necromancer who is reanimating the deceased. As the team battles an unrelenting army of undead, a powerful Egyptian mummy, and serpentine demons, the necromancer proves an elusive quarry. And when the true purpose of the ritual is revealed, the gifted allies must confront a destructive force that is positively apocalyptic.

My thoughts:
This is a trilogy so I recommend reading these books in order. This book builds on the last and I think you won't be as involved with the characters if you didn't read the first book. Plus, I do think that although I really enjoyed the adventure and mystery, I enjoyed the characters even more.

This one is just your typical day for the group when they have to save the world AGAIN. However, the mystery of the first book bleeds into this one hen we are up against an impossible enemy. As in the first book, twists abound and we are left with something I didn't expect. There is a small cliffie for the ending, but nothing one can't handle especially knowing the next book is the last. I so can't wait to see how they fix something they didn't know could be broken.

I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to those that enjoy mystery, intrigue and a bit of steampunk.

Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter

Series: White Rabbit Chronicles #1
404p.
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Available Now
Source: TBR pile (pressie!)

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever. 

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone. 

Her father was right. The monsters are real… 

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies…

"I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish."

My thoughts:
 Zombies? Alice in Wonderland retelling? Okay, where do I sign up?

Yes, can you tell I wanted to get to this book? I already knew that there would be some sad moments in the book and yes, there were but not enough to deter me from wanting to read it. The book's characters are interesting. The main character, Alice, is one who came from a sheltered background, had a horrific experience that turned her world on it's ear and still came out fighting. I enjoyed that and the fact that it could have made her quite timid but she learned to kick arse metaphorically and literally. Cole could have been the bad boy I hated but just barely skated to the good side for me. I can see why so many girls swoon for him but his possessiveness almost made me not like him. The fact that he truly respects Ali is what swayed me toward liking his character.

As far a the retelling... it is very light on that aspect. So, those who don't like retellings might enjoy this one while those that do and expect one might be disappointed. I wasn't in the least and enjoyed how she twisted some small aspect of Alice in Wonderland to fit the story. I did enjoy the worldbuilding even though I did have some questions left that were specific to this world. However Ali is learning as we do so I do think some of those answers will be forthcoming.

I give this book 4 stars. I now need the second book and... of course the 3rd. :) I enjoyed my time in this world of zombies and am curious to the direction she will take these characters. I recommend it to those that like YA and a simple book about a girl fighting zombies. :)

The Forever Song Blog Tour w/ review and giveaway!

The Forever Song
by Julie Kagawa
Blood of Eden #3
416p.
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: April 15, 14
Source: NetGalley and blog tour for review

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? 

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 

MONSTER. 

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the path is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. 

The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost— the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

My thoughts:
I wasn't sure what to expect with the last book in the series. I'm usually not a fan of last books, but I did enjoy this one. However, my impatience almost made me skim. I wanted to know what happened after that last horrible ending of the Eternity Cure and the author, Julie Kagawa, drew out our pain in increments. I knew I would regret any skipping so I was good although impatient. :)

Finally! I was rewarded with what I wanted to know. WHAT? That happened? I didn't expect that, but maybe I should have. But then again I am still surprised... hm... still enjoyed that twist but knew there was SO much more book to go. So I happily read on. :) (What? you thought I was going to tell you? Silly rabid... ) ;)

All I will finally say is that I give this ending 4 stars. It is a solid ending and it answers a lot of questions. There could be room for a novella or two and I hope it is with Jackal. I don't even care where it is placed in the series, just want one of him. Oh yea, he rocked in this book too. :D I recommend this series. It is fun. :D

Giveaway!

Contest Info: 

Each tour stop is offering up the winner’s choice of either THE IMMORTAL RULES, THE ETERNITY CURE or THE FOREVER SONG - whichever book of the series you might be missing!

There are also 2 grand prizes:

• 1 winner will get a complete set of Julie Kagawa’s books, including The Iron Fey Saga and The Blood of Eden Saga!

• 1 winner will get a $100 gift card from either iTunes, Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open to US/Canada and ends May 2nd.

Early Review: Taste of Darkness (Healer #3) by Maria V. Snyder

Series: Healer #3
400p.
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Published date: 12/31/13
Source: From publisher and NetGalley for review

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears? 

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever. 

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever. Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

My thoughts:
I've reviewed the other two books, Touch of Power and Scent of Magic. Both were well done and I was excited for this book especially since the last book ended on a horrible cliffie. :P I also didn't know that this book was the last and so coming to the end of this book I was becoming horribly disappointed there would be another cliffie. I was wrong. *cheers*

The adventure is the same kind of harrowing always in trouble kind and even Tohon is making waves again. He wasn't as scary as he was in the last books, but if you read the last books you would know why. Still, he still was imposing enough to make you wonder if our heros can get out of their predicament. There are new villains (and a few old ones) but none like the Skeleton King. Oh yea, he was adequately horrifying.

The ending is a bit too easy in some ways, but in others I would say it couldn't have ended much differently. It just seemed that some things were just a little too easily and suddenly dispatched. I think the only way to handle that would be another book, but then you would wonder if it was just dragging out the inevitable. So, while I don't know what would have been perfect, the ending was written well enough that I was satisfied. I guess that is all you can ask. :)

I give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed my time with these characters especially the monkeys, Flea, Poppa Bear and, of course, Avry and Kerrick. I recommend this series to those that enjoy YA fantasy.

My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie #1) by Diana Rowland

Series: White Trash Zombie #1
310p.
Publisher: DAW
Published: Available NOW
Source: TBR pile

Angel Crawford is a loser. 

Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken. 

That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in an horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the parish morgue—and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse. 

Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with the victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey—just when she's hungriest!
Angel's going to have to grow up fast if she wants to keep this job and stay in one piece. Because if she doesn't, she's dead meat. 

Literally.

 I decided to take a bit of time and go through my huge tbr pile. I've been wanting to read this for a while now and I wanted it even before it had a title. Dan Dos Santos showed his newest zombie creation for a book and I couldn't wait to read it. Sadly, it took some time to dive in!

Angel is a self proclaimed loser. She is doing everything she can to flush her life down the toilet. She isn't a bad person, but just hasn't had a life full of support or kindness. One night she finds everything has changed. She gets a new job from a mysterious benefactor and has a strange craving for brains. Instead of freaking out, she figures out what is going on with her and really changes her life around. Her new job in the morgue helps her get what she needs and also provides her with a way to help expand her own brains a bit. Yep, it took dying for her to finally "get it" and treat herself with respect.

I enjoyed this tale of a zombie girl who found what she was missing in life. There was a couple of mysteries. One I figured out toward the end, but he other mystery was a bit of a twist for me. I give this zombie tale 4 stars and recommend it to those that normally don't like zombies but do like UF or even mysteries. I can't wait to dive into the next one. Yes, you can say I'm a bit hungry for it. ;)

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Although it took me a minute to catch back up in the story (too long between books... but then again any waiting time is sometimes too long...) but once I did I had fun with this book. This book picks up right after the first book and we find ourselves on the journey we left. As she continues on her single minded journey she runs into an old acquaintance and this alters her goal slightly. This is where I started enjoying myself the most. One word... Jackal!

Oh in the first book Jackal was a heartless bastard. In this one he's just a bastard. He made me laugh and I just loved his snark. Granted I understood why Allie wanted to remove his tongue from time to time, but I really enjoyed his snark within this book. I hope he's in the next book as much as this one... it would be sad to not have him stirring things up when they don't need to be stirred. :D

The ending you are left with a twist and a huge tease for the next book. It's not a cliffie, but you will want the next book fairly quickly. I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to Kagawa fans as well as those that like older YA.

I received this eARC from the publisher and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given. 

Alternate covers:

(YaY! They were more accurate with the cover model)

Wicked Kiss (Nightwatchers #2) by Michelle Rowen

MY KISS CAN KILL.

I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul...or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't...I hurt myself.

Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop-or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

This is book 2 in the Nightwatchers series, and Dark Kiss is the first book. And while you could read this one without reading the first, I don't suggest it. I do think you get a better feel for what Sam has gone through and also a better feel for all the characters.

I think I enjoyed this book more than I did the first book. Also, in the first book I have to admit I was so much more interested in Kraven than Bishop. However in this book, I think that Bishop outshines Kraven (to those that haven't read the first, no love triangle. Thought I should mention that). I think Bishop interested me in this book more because we get to see that he isn't perfect and that there was some darkness in his past even if he was an angel. Oh and fans of Kraven don't have to worry, I still loved that demon. Still had his snark and even a vulnerable moment or two. Hopefully if there is more to this series, we get a Kraven book. I still really enjoy him. :D

I give this book 4 stars. The twists in the book were predictable, but still entertaining. I enjoyed my time here and I also enjoyed the twist on zombies this world has. A few questions still remain about the grays in particular which amounts to a small plot hole, but nothing that bugged me too much. Hopefully a novella or another novel will take care of that hole and fill in the answers. :)

I received this eARC from Harlequin Teen and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given.

PS... I still love the first book's cover:

Swoony, right? :D

'Til the World Ends by Julie Kagawa, Ann Aguirre, Karen Duvall

Dawn of Eden by Julie Kagawa

Before The Immortal Rules, there was the Red Lung, a relentless virus determined to take out all in its path. For Kylie, the miracle of her survival is also her burden-as a doctor at one of the clinics for the infected, she is forced to witness endless suffering. What's worse, strange things are happening to the remains of the dead, and by the time she befriends Ben Archer, she's beginning to wonder if a global pandemic is the least of her problems....

Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre

After a catastrophic spill turns the country into a vast chemical wasteland, those who could afford it retreated to fortresses, self-contained communities run by powerful corporations. But for Mari Thistle, life on the outside-in the Red Zone-is a constant struggle. To protect her family, Mari teams up with the mysterious Thorne Goodman. Together, they'll face an evil plot in both the underworld of the Red Zone and the society inside the fortresses that could destroy those on the outside...for good.

Sun Storm by Karen Duvall

Sarah Daggot has been chasing storms since she was a child. But after the biggest solar flares in history nearly destroy the planet, she becomes a Kinetic, endowed by her exposure to extreme radiation with the power to sense coming storms-in the cosmos and beyond. And she's not the only one. Sarah believes the Kinetics are destined to join forces and halt the final onslaught of the sun. She'll vow to keep trying to convince the one missing link in their chain of defense, the enigmatic Ian Matthews, up until the world ends.

This is a dystopian anthology by 3 talented authors. I'll review each story, but give only one rating as a whole.

Dawn of Eden (Blood of Eden #.05) by Julie Kagawa

In this story we are given the prequel to Immortal Rules. This tale pulls together 2 different characters than who we meet in the first novel. So, there is no problem reading this one after the first. In this book Kylie and Ben meet up through a friend that has been bitten. Ben is reluctant to tell Kylie what has happened and in fact knows a bit more about the zombie like vampires preying on non-infected people. We know some of what is going on through the first novel and it pretty much stays on track with this one.

I do have to say I was a bit surprised by this story. I reads a bit more adult with a much more graphic scene of sex than we usually get with YA. In fact, I would have considered this prequel adult and had I read it before the novel, I would have thought the whole series was adult and not YA. Still, it works for this story. I do have to admit, I wasn't completely drawn into the romance between the two characters, but was not unconvinced either. Extreme circumstances can heighten emotions, but it just seemed that they needed more down time to really get to know each other to claim each other in a forever way. Still, it was an interesting addition to the series. 

Thistle and Thorne by Anne Aguirre

I have to admit this was my favorite of the 3. Mari is someone of skill and can kick ass when needed. Strong female protagonist? Oh yea, you know I loved that. She meets up with Thorne after a robbery gone all kinds of wrong. He saves her but uses her for his end game. However, since their end games meet up by destroying the bad guy who is in charge goes along with Thorne. Perhaps she even steals his heart, but we are never certain.

I really enjoyed Mari. A bit of an optimist despite the circumstances, you really have to admire how she takes care of her siblings and close friends. She has become a reluctant leader in her area and this adventure will destroy her ability to be covert. So, when the ending of unanswered questions happens, I admit I wanted to start tweeting Anne Aguirre and begging her to finish it or give me a novel of these characters! Don't leave me like this!! Think that would work? ;)

Sun Storm by Karen Duvall

With this story you will have to suspend things you know with the world she has created. The sun creates storms and has baked the world. How people survived such harsh conditions has me baffled (especially the frail and infirm)... but then suspension of belief comes in so I can go on with the story.

I also have to say that I didn't completely buy the romance in this one, but it had it's sweet moments. I think if it was longer it would have been easier for me to see the two become inseparable, but that is sometimes the problem with short stories. You have so much to share in such little space. Still, it was an interesting concept even if the ending was a bit contrived. Perhaps this would have been better at novel length.

In all I give this anthology 3 1/2 stars. If you want to get your dystopian on, this might just fit the bill. Although the situations are bleak, you will find the light within each of these stories.

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher an no compensation for my review was given.

Scent of Magic (Healer #2) by Maria V. Snyder

Hunted, Killed—Survived? 

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle. 

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat. 

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

This is the second book of the healer series and Touch of Power is the first in the series. I admit in the last book I did not like Kerrick at all. Even though he was so much better at the end of the last book I had a hard time reconciling him from the beginning. So, in this case it was a good thing for the second book to come a bit later than right after the first. Why? Because in this book I loved Kerrick and actually had to be reminded I didn't like him at first.

So, yes, I was totally on board with the romance. The adventure in this one also was very captivating despite the politics within the story. There was a good balance with the political wrangling and action that neither felt overwhelming the other. It kept me reading at a good pace.

I had a bit of a problem with the ending. Some of the conclusion with the big bad Tohon was a bit too fast and contrived for me, but still left enough open that I will not discount anything. I will also say this: the ending killed me a bit too. UGH! You will want the 3rd installment of this series ASAP. In fact, that isn't even soon enough for me. :)

I give this book 4 stars and think this is an excellent second book to this series. I still really enjoy Avry and she is a great heroine in this series. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a older YA magical adventure. This book will be published tomorrow: 12/18/12

I received this book via NetGalley and the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Ashen Winter Blog Tour: Mike Mullen Author Interview!

Thanks for coming on the blog today! Ashfall and Ashen Winter were both quite a ride!

B&T: So, what was your inspiration for the series?

MM: The idea for Ashfall started with another book—Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything. I found it on a display at Central Library in downtown Indianapolis. Dozens of novel ideas lurk within its pages, but the one that stuck with me was the idea of a supervolcano eruption at Yellowstone. A few weeks after I read it, I woke at 3:30 am with a scene occupying my head so completely I was afraid it would start spilling out my nostrils and ears. I typed 5,500 words, finishing just before dawn. Then I put the project away and let it gestate for eight months. When I returned to it after researching volcanoes and volcanic ash, I realized the inspired scene I wrote in the middle of the night wouldn’t work, and ultimately that whole section had to be scrapped. The only word that remains from that draft? Ashfall.

B&T: What is your favorite thing to do when not writing?

MM: Read! It’s my favorite thing to do with my spare time. I put all the books I read on Goodreads—become my friend there if you like so we can chat about books. Last year I read 171 books, or a little over 40,000 pages of text (thanks for counting, Goodreads!)

B&T: What are your favorite books right now?

This seems to be the year of the fabulous books with blue covers. I admire all of John Green’s work, and The Fault in Our Stars is unequivocally his best yet. I’m also a huge Kristin Cashore fanboy—a couple years ago I started a group on Twitter to hire a maid for her so she could spend more time writing Bitterblue. And, wow, was it ever worth the wait! I think Bitterblue is even better than Graceling—a book I absolutely adored. And finally, there’s a debut middle grade novel called Wonder that moved me deeply. Strangely, all those books have blue covers. The new paperback version of ASHFALL is getting a blue cover, too. Maybe it’s a sign….

B&T:  I need a maid... Darn! I need to learn to write! LOL

B&T: What are your favorite TV shows/movies?

MM: I watch very little TV. The last time I had the television on was for the Olympics—I loved the athletics, but NBC’s coverage left me wanting to throw a brick through my TV screen. After hearing the announcers say “very unique” a few dozen times, I wondered if perhaps they’d all gotten their high school diplomas via mail order.

My favorite movies? Probably The Lord of the Rings trilogy, although the ending was infuriating. By skipping over the scouring of the Shire, Jackson turned Tolkein’s complex, nuanced ending into saccharine pablum.

B&T: Are you working on anything else?

MM: I’m working on the final book of the ASHFALL trilogy now. After that I plan to write something else. I have about 15 novels roughed out—a few of them are only a scene or two, for others I have nearly a complete outline. The only thing they have in common is that they’re all exciting young adult fiction. When I finish the ASHFALL trilogy, I’ll start on one of those.

Bio

Mike Mullin’s first job was scraping the gum off the undersides of desks at his high school. From there, things went steadily downhill. He almost got fired by the owner of a bookstore due to his poor taste in earrings. He worked at a place that showed slides of poopy diapers during lunch (it did cut down on the cafeteria budget). The hazing process at the next company included eating live termites raised by the resident entomologist, so that didn’t last long either. For a while Mike juggled bottles at a wine shop, sometimes to disastrous effect. Oh, and then there was the job where swarms of wasps occasionally tried to chase him off ladders. So he’s really glad this writing thing seems to be working out.

Mike holds a black belt in Songahm Taekwondo. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and her three cats. Ashen Winter is his second novel. His debut, Ashfall, was named one of the top five young adult novels of 2011 by National Public Radio, a Best Teen Book of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews, and a New Voices selection by the American Booksellers Association.

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Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin

It’s been over six months since the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. Alex and Darla have been staying with Alex’s relatives, trying to cope with the new reality of the primitive world so vividly portrayed in Ashfall, the first book in this series. It’s also been six months of waiting for Alex’s parents to return from Iowa. Alex and Darla decide they can wait no longer and must retrace their journey into Iowa to find and bring back Alex’s parents to the tenuous safety of Illinois. But the landscape they cross is even more perilous than before, with life-and-death battles for food and power between the remaining communities. When the unthinkable happens, Alex must find new reserves of strength and determination to survive.

To Be Published: Oct. 16, 2012

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Get the first 2 chapters for free HERE!

Dearly, Beloved (Gone with the Respiration #2) by Lia Habel

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites. 

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety. 

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target. 

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse. 

Lia Habel’s spellbinding, suspenseful sequel to Dearly, Departed takes her imaginative mash-up of period romance, futuristic thriller, and zombie drama to a whole new level of innovative and irresistible storytelling.

The zombie love story continues in this second book of this series. The world has taken on a adjustment phase in where there are people trying to cope with what happened and those that want to change it back by any means necessary. Within this there is different factions of the living and the dead trying to run their own agenda. Some of which we will not fully find out who and what is behind the motivation. In fact, the end game is not completely clear, but we have a better idea than our heros of this story.

As with the other book, this was told in multiple POVs. In some ways it helped move the story along and in many others, I think it slowed the story quite a bit. And as with the other book, there were times I was confused as to who I was reading and what was going on because of the multi-POV. I would have loved it if the POVs were only given to our main characters. I think things would have moved much smoother and quicker which would have preserved some of the tension that was lost.

I also didn't have the same tension and fondness of feeling with Bram and Nora as I did in the first tale, however, I was still convinced of this romance which still blows my mind a bit. Rotting parts. I still can't quite get over that. :)

I give this book 3 stars. I was quite slow in some places and confusing in others. Still, despite that I did find myself wanting to know what happens next. The answers aren't all in this one and I hope they are answered in the next book. So, I'm not exactly saying it's a cliffie, but it's not complete either.

I received this eARC from the publisher and NetGalley an no compensation for my review was given.

Dearly, Departed (Gone with the Respiration #1) by Lia Habel

Love can never die. 

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire. 

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

A zombie romance? I mean is that even possible? I mean... ew? I have to admit my curiosity was much more than my ew response, so I started reading this book.

I was surprised how easily I got in to this book. It crosses several genres. It was part zombie (duh), Victorian, Steampunk, and Dystopian. Honestly, I didn't hate it nor did I love this fact. I think it would have been stronger to have just been a Steampunk zombie novel (sort of narrowing it down) only because I just could not believe that people were willing to go back to the way of Victorian society and all it's trappings, especially women. That part bothered me but that was more personal and I doubt it will bother others as much as it did me. It wasn't a big bother, but I did on occasion wonder WHY would they even consider it? An explanation was given... just not to my personal satisfaction. It was admittedly my problem and other people may absolutely love this part of the book's world. Despite this, I really did enjoy this world.

My only other criticism of the book is that it had multiple POVs. It did get confusing on occasion. I would read a section and forget that we changed POV and would wonder why someone was thinking "that" until I realized who I was with at the time. I think fewer POVs (I think there were 5 or 6 people we followed) would have helped. I would have loved some of the POVs as novellas in between books. I think that would have really solidified each story and made them all much stronger. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the POV, just have them a bit separate from the whole.

I have to say the most surprising thing about this book was the romance. Seriously... a zombie romance? Yep. I was throughly convinced that Bram was a suitable romantic lead, even with rotting body parts. LOL I'm still stunned at that fact and never thought it would have been so easily possible. I totally doff my hat off to the author for convincing me. Talk about original!

I give this book 4 stars. If you are curious if a zombie romance is possible... if you want to find some of the secondary zombie characters as delightful... if you want something different in the way of a zombie world... do pick up this book. I think you'll have some fun with this world and the characters!

I library booked this baby! ;)
PS note to the author: THANK YOU for making the doberman NOT evil. THANK YOU!! Oh and "woof" from my dobie baby... ;D

Rot and Ruin (Benny Imura #1) by Jonathan Maberry

Nearly fourteen years ago, a freak virus swept across the world turning the living into the undead. Benny Imura was only a toddler, but his last memory of his parents is tainted by the image of them becoming zombies, and he blames his older brother, Tom, for not saving them. 

Now Benny is fifteen, and Tom wants them to put their difficult relationship behind them and work together in the “family business”: as zombie killers. It’s the last thing Benny wants to do, but he needs a job and he thinks it’ll be an easy ride. 

But when they head into the Rot and Ruin, an area full of wandering zombies, Benny soon realises that there’s more to the job than just whacking zombies. And, as he’s confronted with the truth about the world around him Benny makes the most terrifying discovery of all, that the worst monsters you can imagine might actually be human...

When I first heard of this book, I thought it might be your typical zombie novel. I was wrong. Of course there are zombies. In this version, they are mindless and slow moving. Everyone is already technically infected and so if you die in any manner, you need to be "quieted" or you will be come a zombie. The bite of a zombie only hastens your transformation immediately.

However, these are not the monsters of the book. Like some zombie novels, it's an exploration of the living humans and what monstrous deeds they are capable. The ones who give conscious thought to being evil. The zombies do it mindlessly; the humans with full thought and action.

My biggest criticism does have to do with the beginning of the book. However, it is a light criticism. I just didn't get involved with the character, Benny Imura at the beginning. Not until he and his big brother Tom go to the "Ruin" (where the zombies outnumber the living) did I get interested and invested. However, although I might have liked that beginning shorter, I don't think it could be left out. It was important information about Benny and how he viewed others including his brother.

I give this zombie tale 4 stars. I really suggest this book to those that don't often read zombie novels. It's more about the human condition and what we allow and how we keep ourselves caged because of fear. It's also about what happens when we are set free of fear. I really can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Jonathan Maberry talks about Rot and Ruin

I won this book from Mel at Mel's Random Reviews! I finally got a chance to dive into it! Thanks Mel!!

21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology by Christopher Golden

The Stoker-award winning editor of the acclaimed, eclectic anthology The New Dead returns with 21st Century Dead, and an all-new lineup of authors from all corners of the fiction world, shining a dark light on our fascination with tales of death and resurrection... with ZOMBIES! The stellar stories in this volume includes a tale set in the world of Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse, the first published fiction by Sons of Anarchycreator Kurt Sutter, and a tale of love, family, and resurrection from the legendary Orson Scott Card. This new volume also includes stories also from other award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, such as: Simon R. Green, Chelsea Cain, Jonathan Maberry, Duane Swiercyznski, Caitlin Kittredge, Brian Keene, Amber Benson, John Skipp, S. G. Browne, Thomas E. Sniegoski, Hollywood screenwriter Stephen Susco, National Book Award nominee Dan Chaon, and more!

This is a collection of horror stories staring our favorite horror creature, zombies! The collection runs the gamut of stories. Some quite grotesque, and some with nary a brain in site. However, some will make you think, and even shed a tear. In fact, one had me hugging my puppy after reading it. Oh that one I could shake a fist at... I hate to cry!

In many of the stories, there are much more frightening things than the zombies. Even if the zombies weren't horrifying and quite docile, or even those that could not be stopped, the true horror resided in the humans left. Even within a couple of those stories a few heart-strings could be tugged.

I give this zombie anthology 4 stars. It is one of the best anthologies I have read. Of course there were a couple of stories that didn't appeal to me, but I still admired the way it was written. All of the stories were creative and explored all the different aspects of zombieism. Even comparing the few zombies we may know that love potatoes to those that eat flesh. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the zombie genre.

I received this book from Library Thing's Early Reviewers Program and the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Married with Zombies Read a Long (with book review)... Last Week!

Last one!

This week questions come from: Missie @ The Unread Reader

Questions for Chapters 21-26 

1. In Chapter 21, David and Sarah venture into a grocery store to try to find some essentials. Show us a picture of the top three items you consider your essentials when you go shopping.

click to see larger

2. Sarah and David travel quite a distance to “visit” a family member. Show us a picture of your most recent family vacation. Who did you visit and where did you go?

Um... vacay? What's that? When I travel to visit family I usually go to Denver.

3. Sarah refers to David’s sister as the Martha Stewart type because she likes to make things from scratch. Show us a picture a hobby or home project you get enthusiastic about making/doing.

I'm not Martha like (as I don't need everything perfect) but I love to make things. Usually it's stuff I know I can't afford, but think I can make on my own. It's different things at different times. Right now it's jewelry:

Sorry for the not so great photos. I didn't have the best camera at the time and I was being lazy and picking pictures that I already had available. These are 2 pieces I had fun coming up with and then my mom stole them. :) I'm glad she liked them so much to take them! :) Also, what I like about doing this, is if I decide I don't like it, I can take it apart and do something else with it.

4. David and Sarah decide to start up their own Zombie exterminators business, and even come up with a name and slogan for it, “S and D Zombie Extermination. We take care of your undead issues.” If you opened up your own zombie killing business, what would you call it, and what would your slogan be?

My zombie business would be:

 ZombieKilla

tag line:

Let us take a bite out of zombies before they take a bite out of you!

Of course I'd use my pups as the mascots... ;)

5. What were your favorite/least favorite parts of Married with Zombies? Aside from David and Sarah, who was your favorite/least favorite character?

The cult couple were my least fave character. They were scary. Fave? I guess it was Conrad. He was a hoot... for a short time... :)

6. What do you think is coming up next for David and Sarah? Which do you think has a better chance of survival, their marriage or their humanity? Will you continue reading this series, and if so, what do you hope to see happen in the next book?

Well, I think they won't try marriage counseling again. Although now I think their marriage stands a better chance than humanity. I do plan on continuing the series and I hope that they connect to Sarah's father. He sounds interesting.

My full Review:

A heartwarming tale of terror in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. 

Meet Sarah and David. 

Once upon a time they met and fell in love. But now they're on the verge of divorce and going to couples' counseling. On a routine trip to their counselor, they notice a few odd things - the lack of cars on the highway, the missing security guard, and the fact that their counselor, Dr. Kelly, is ripping out her previous client's throat. 

Meet the Zombies. 

Now, Sarah and David are fighting for survival in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But, just because there are zombies, doesn't mean your other problems go away. If the zombies don't eat their brains, they might just kill each other.

Tired of the same old zombie theme? Wanna see a bit more humor than you are used to getting with this genre? Well, look no further... this book has all of that and gore as well! It's a book for couples as well as those who are still single looking for that unaffected partner.

Okay, commercial over. I really did enjoy this book. It does have the gore, zombie killings and even tugs at your heart strings. You also laugh a lot. And although Sarah and David's bickering does get old quickly, it really fits the story and they don't bicker for long. I guess the moral of the story is, is if you need to fix your marriage quick don't go to a marriage counselor... go find a zombie apocalypse to survive. Your marriage will thank you.

I give this book 4 stars and will be reading further in this series. I can't wait to see what else kind of trouble these two get themselves into and out!

Married with Zombies Read-a-Long

To get the deets of this read-a-long, just click on the button above. This week's questions come from Jen, In the Closet with a Bibliophile

1. In chapter 2 Sarah has to put her marriage therapist "to rest" with a letter opener. Let's see your weaponized letter opener in mid-action! No letter opener? Think fast! You need to rescue your friend/significant other! What are you going to use when no actual weapons are available? No knives, no guns! Show me what you've got!

I'm guessing you were going for something I'd find in an office. Sharpest thing I had near me. :)

2. In chapter 2 Sarah is wrestling with Dr. Kelly and David can't seem to find a weapon to help his dear wife with. Until...Sarah yells at him to use something on Dr. Kelly's body, which he grabs and smashes into her head. I want to see your most killer pair of this item!

How's these babies?! 

No... I haven't gotten the hang of walking in them yet. I think it's more dangerous to me than the zombies. LOL

3. In chapter 3, Sarah hears an unexpected noise in the bathroom while she's nervously peeing. She grabs "the closest thing there was to a weapon in the room". I want a picture of the same type of item that is closest to you....no soft edges people. They won't do the brain damage necessary to kill the living dead.

I'm guessing you meant in the bathroom. Only thing that looked like a weapon. I didn't have a book there... ;)

4. At the end of chapter 5, Dave gives Sarah a weapon just before they are leaving their apartment to pay a little visit to Jack and Amanda's apartment. Let's see a picture of yours (same type of item).

What can I say? I'm being energy conscious. It's an LED flashlight. They don't come that big. :)

5. How do you feel about the book up to this point? Any thoughts you want to share?

Well, I wasn't liking the bickering the two were doing toward each other, but it was nice to see them start to appreciate one another and actually listen. I know that was the point so I guess it was successful. As far as the zombies go? Well, it's only a start...

Btw, the pups weren't really wanting to do picture taking... Here is an outtake:

Photobomb! :)

Next week the questions are from Ashley, The Bookish Brunette

Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1) by Michelle Rowan

I don't do dangerous. Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me... something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

Okay, I have to admit, I'm in love with this cover. I mean I don't always love angel covers, but the darkness with the brooding guy on the cover? WIN! So you know I HAD to read it.

This book attempts to be a bit different in YA. It not only had angels and demons working together, it also introduces zombies. You don't get many zombies in YA. For those who avoid zombie books because of the gore, don't worry, there is very little. In fact, in this book you only see one zombie even though you know more exist.

I did like the main character of Samantha. She did seem to have an overblown sense of right and wrong, but it really works for her in this situation. She is also very compassionate and tries to learn from her mistakes. Her romantic interest was Bishop. He was hot, but unfortunately because of his situation you only get to know him in pieces. Still, swoon-worthy, I think we will get to know more about Bishop in the coming series and I think he will become more swoon-worthy as we get to know this non-perfect angel. However, I admit in this book, the demon Kraven steals the show and I really want to know more about him. Not because he is a bad boy (I mean demon!) but because he has a hidden side to him that is good.

I give this book 3 stars. I am curious as to where the author takes these characters. Mainly because the characters are all wonderfully flawed and good/evil isn't so easy to distinguish. The romance was a bit on the insta-love category and her parents were in the absent category, but the ending promises new beginnings and new twists yet to come.

Zombie Island (Shakespeare Undead #2) by Lori Handeland

In the follow-up to Shakespeare Undead, vampire William Shakespeare and his Dark Lady are stranded on a mystical island where zombies are plentiful and one man will stop at nothing to become all-powerful.

Fresh from a triumphant battle over the zombie horde that invaded London, vampire William Shakespeare concocts a plot to rid the love of his life from the encumbrance of her husband. Will plans to give his ”dark lady,” Katherine Dymond, a potion that will make her sleep the sleep of the dead. Once she is entombed, Will can sneak in, wait for her to awaken, then spirit her away. After her husband returns to his plantation in America, Kate can return to London under a different name and assume a new identity. No one will believe that the dead Katherine and the live Kate are the same woman. Of course, as is often the case with true love, all does not go as smoothly as planned. When the two of them are shipwrecked on an island ruled by a wizard and a nymph, as well as infested by zombies, Will and Kate must stop an even larger plot afoot—one that leads all the way to the royal palaces of Queen Elizabeth.

 As I said with the first book, Shakespeare Undead, you really need a sense of humor about Shakespeare to read this one. Staunch Shakespearians need not read. For everyone else who doesn't mind their English poet imagined anew, then you might take a look at this book as well.

It leaves off right after the first book. Will's Dymond becomes a castaway because of a willful sprite wanting Kate to get rid of the zombies on her isle. There is an evil and insane sorcerer who is hell bent on getting his crown back who keeps raising the dead. Will is then thrust out into the ocean to find his lady love. They are also trapped on the isle with kate's "former" husband although they don't know it. This allows the married couple to truly part ways and grow in compassion when they wouldn't have otherwise. How is this done when they don't know he is on the isle? Well, you'll just have to read it to find out. I would have to say, however, that was my favorite part of the book.

The same mix of language exists in this book as it did in the former book. So be prepared to read poet, old English and modern together. It really isn't that disconcerting. The author does put those movies we know today in Will's mind again (I still didn't like it) but it is much less and so much more tolerable to me. The conclusion to this book is complete, but seemed rushed. It was if you are preparing for a final battle and then *woosh* it was taken away with a simple explanation. Oddly enough, that didn't bother me that much.

I give this zombie tale 3 stars. It is a good zombie book for those who don't like gore that much (there is very little) and want a light read. These 2 books will probably be either a hit or a miss with most folks.

I received this book from the publisher and LibraryThing's early reviewers program and no compensation for my review was given.

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. 

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. 

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. 

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. 

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Vampires? Zombies (well, zombie like creatures... I'm calling them that)? Dystopian? Julie Kagawa? Oh yea... you know I wanted to read this book and I tell you I wasn't disappointed in the least!

This book was very thrilling, gripping, emotional and just plain fun. I was on the edge of my seat several times and I was totally invested in Allie's tale. It was a book that was hard for me to put down. Oh yes... if you are wanting a dark paranormal YA book, it's this one. Julie Kagawa knows how to write suspense and darkness. You will love it.

There were secondary characters you will love/hate/feel ambivalent about. Yep, it runs the gammit. Some you were certain that they were evil, but really even if you hated their behavior (Jeb, *cough*) you still see them doing the best that they could with what little information they had. You weren't even sure if the the goal certain groups had in mind were true or even possible. So the frustration you felt during their journey was intentional and well crafted.

I don't want to say more because I am tempted to spill the whole story. I give this book 5 stars and suggest that everyone read this book. My biggest complaint? The cover and the vid look nothing like the character of Allie... but that isn't the fault of the author or the book.
I was given this eARC by HarlequinTeen and no compensation for my review was given.



Blood of Eden

This book goes on sale tomorrow!