The Envy Chronicles

Beyond the Night (The Envy Chronicles) 

Book 1 by Joss Ware

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I did like this book over all, but I really don't enjoy Zombie books.  I know its weird I love all other types of paranormal books, but not Zombies.  This world has what they call Gangas (zombies) and they also have Strangers who are immortals hell bent on destroying humans.  The gangas need human flesh to survive, which is why they are hell bent on attacking humans.  The main characters are a group of super strong super hot men who are enlisted to help kill the strangers, so that in turn they can kill the gangas, who are bred by the strangers somehow.

I was still left with a bit of a huh? at the end of the book, I know there are more books in the series, and they will probably explain what all is really happening, but I just don't know if I will read them yet.  If I do they are down on my list.  I find it hard to read post apoplectic novels because I always have a bad feeling like through the whole book, like its a horror movie where tons die and in the end how much closer are they really to living? 

It was an easy read I read the whole book today, so on the edge of my seat biting my nails through the suspense, it was good, just for me I haven't gotten into the zombie genre...

Joss Ware's Website

Books to be released in September 2012

September 2012 Releases

Sept. 4, 2012

Playing to Win (Play by Play Book 4)

From Jaci Burton's Website:

Cole Riley – Bad boy wide receiver. Loves playing football, but doesn't always play by the rules. His halo is tarnished and his career is on the line. He has attitude to spare, and a lot of sex appeal to go with it. Totally untamable.

Savannah Brooks – Image consultant who knows her job and does it well. She's up for any challenge, including a jaded football star who thinks he doesn't need help.

Sept. 11, 2012

Delusion in Death (In Death book 35)

Nora Robert's Website

From Goodreads:

It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks . . .until something went terribly wrong. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things—monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics gives its report, the mass delusions make more sense: It appears the
bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive anyone to temporary insanity—if not kill them outright.

But that doesn’t explain who would unleash such horror—or why. And if Eve can’t figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it’s airborne. . . .

Sept. 18, 2012

Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns Book 2)

Rae Carson's Website

From Goodreads:

In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

Sept. 25, 2012

Rapture (The Fallen Angels book 4)

JR Ward's Website

From Goodreads:

After reporter Mels Carmichael hits a disheveled man with her car
outside the local cemetery, she pays a visit to the stranger in the hospital. The only thing he remembers of his past is seeing a name written on a headstone: that of Jim Heron—a fallen angel charged with rescuing souls from the seven deadly sins. Now, as Mels struggles to help this mysterious stranger rediscover himself, Heron himself returns to prepare for a battle between good and evil.

Sept. 27, 2012

The Casual Vacancy

Jk Rowling Website

From Amazon:

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…. Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? Blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

To be released in June 2012

June 2012

June 1, 2012

Shadow Bound (Unbound Book 2)

Rachel Vincent's Website:

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else…

The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.

Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own.

Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.
Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty….

June 12, 2012

Rapture (Fallen Book 4)

From Lauren Kate's Website:

The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

June 19, 2012

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines Book 2)

From Richelle Mead's Website:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

June 26, 2012

Once Burned (Night Prince book 1)

Jeaniene Frost's Website:

She’s a mortal with dark powers…

After a tragic accident scarred  her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a  person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of  solitude…until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out  with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire…

He’s the Prince of Night…

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest  vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most  feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against  him – a beautiful mortal with powers to  match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them,  threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop  an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

June 26, 2012

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers Book 6) 

Rachel Vincent's Website:

I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it.
The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.
But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life….

Books to be Released in July & August 2012

July 2012

July 17, 2012

Neferet's Curse (House of Night Novella Book 3)

House of Night Website

From Goodreads:

In the third House of Night novella, the secret history we've all been waiting for is finally revealed...  Neferet, the Tulsa House of Night's darkly seductive High Priestess, wasn't always a powerful vampyre, but she has always been beautiful. Raised in turn-of-the-century Chicago in a motherless home, her beauty makes her the prey of unwanted attention and abuse, leaving her with scars that will never heal – and a Darkness that will eventually need to find its way out. But when she is Marked and gains strength, both physical and magickal, she turns her anger into power and looks for a way to regain what was stolen from her. From victim to High Priestess, beautiful young woman to powerful seductress, Neferet's journey begins...

July 24, 2012

Endlessly (Paranormalcy Book 3)

From Paranormalcy Website:

Try as she might, Evie can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

August 2012

August 7, 2012

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires Book 6)

From Chloe Neill's Website:

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

August 21, 2012

The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies Book 3)

From I am number 4 Website:

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I’d been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we’re looking for the others—including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They caught me in New York—but I escaped.
I am Number Six.
They want to finish what they started.

But they’ll have to fight us first.

August 21, 2012

Heaven (Halo series Book 3)

From Goodreads:

Only sixteen when she started the series, Ally Adornetto knows how teen hearts beat, and this long-awaited conclusion is certain to be her most popular book yet.

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and Xavier can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

August 21, 2012

Widow's Web (Elemental Assassin Book 7)

From Jennifer Estep's Website:

I used to murder people for money, but these days it’s more of a survival technique.

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back in town, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns and Cinder

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

From Rae's Website:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young. Most of the chosen do.

Rae Carson's Website

Amazon Link

My Review~

I LOVED this book, it is technically a YA book and sometimes they can be a bit 'young' of a read for me, but this one went way way above and beyond.  I was instantly interested in Elisa's life, it starts on her wedding day, which should be happy and joyful for her it was nerve wracking and scary.  I love how throughout the story we learn as she does who she is, I love her strength and her innocence.  She is strong though she doesn't know how strong until close to the end.
I enjoyed how she reacted in different situations and when she would do to stay alive, and help those that need her.  She carries a heavy burden being the chosen and even though it is more than challenging, she prevails and not in a 'well of course she is the hero' way, but a truly epic battle with heart break and victory.
I am so excited that there will be two more books. I wanted more when this one ended!

Found this on Goodreads:Out Sept. 18th, 2012

Amazon Link

Book 3 (2013)

I would recommend this book to all Young Adult readers, and those Adult readers who enjoy reading about a strong, younger age.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1)

Marissa Meyer's Website

Amazon Link

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My review~

It has been since February that I read this book, but it is another fantastic Young Adult read.  The twist on Cinderella is ingenious.  Cinder is a Cyborg in a futuristic world where she meets a prince and then has to fight her evil step mother and another all too real threat against her world.  I was pulled in quickly when the story starts and I wanted nothing but to help Cinder throughout her many problems.  I am curious to see where this story goes, the author has posted on her website that there will be four books, so there is much more to come.

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles book 2) Feb. 2013

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Iron Druid Chronicles

Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne

Kevin Hearne's Website

Amazon Link

I have read the first two books in this series and I am hooked.

Book 1

From Kevin Hearne's Website:

Atticus O’Sullivan has been running for two thousand years and he’s a bit tired of it. After he stole a magical sword from the Tuatha Dé Danann (those who became the Sidhe or the Fae) in a first century battle, some of them were furious and gave chase, and some were secretly amused that a Druid had the cheek to defy them. As the centuries passed and Atticus remained an annoyingly long-lived fugitive, those who were furious only grew more so, while others began to aid him in secret.

Now he’s living in Tempe, Arizona, the very last of the Druids, far from where the Fae can easily find him. It’s a place where many paranormals have decided to hide from the troubles of the Old World—from an Icelandic vampire holding a grudge against Thor to a coven of Polish witches who ran from the German Blitzkrieg.

Unfortunately, the very angry Celtic god who wants that sword has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power, plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good, old-fashioned luck of the Irish to kick some arse and deliver himself from evil.

My Review~

This book was fantastic, the storyline was wonderful, and I fell in love with Oberon!  He is adorable.  

Atticus is a Druid and draws his power from the earth.

Atticus is a different kind of Hero, and at this point he doesn't really have a leading lady, he has a few.  He is deep and powerful and funny!  Since he is so old his mannerisms and language is great. Kevin Hearne has kept my attention, he is a truly amazing author!

Book 2

From Kevin Hearne's Website:

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to “make nice” with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial non-aggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. The new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of WWII.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch-hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

My Review~

Another fantastic read, never a dull moment.  I mean it starts right out wit the attacks.  Again I love Oberon, I mean really what is not to love, his obsessions with stories and consequently his behavior keeps me completely interested with what he will say and do next, not to mention the rest of the characters.  I have completely enjoyed getting into Atticus' world and am anxious to read the next few books!

Book 3

From Kevin Hearne's Website:

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is worse than a blowhard and a bully—he’s ruined countless lives and killed scores of innocents. After centuries, Viking vampire Leif Helgarson is ready to get his vengeance, and he’s asked his friend Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids, to help take down this Norse nightmare.

One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. Plus things are heating up in his home base  of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. Despite multiple warnings and portents of dire consequences, Atticus and Leif journey to the Norse plane of Asgard, where they team up with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants for an epic showdown against vicious Valkyries, angry Norse gods, and the hammer-wielding Thunder Thug himself.

Book 4

From Kevin Hearne's Website:

Druid Atticus O’Sullivan hasn’t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they’ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he’s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he’s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won’t be fooled again. Famous last words.

Book 5

This book according to Amazon and Kevin's website is set to be released on 

November 27, 2012.

Third Grave Dead Ahead

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson Book 3) 
by Darynda Jones

Darynda Jones' Website

***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!***

*If you have not read book one, stop now!*

Charley Davidson—grim reaper extraordinaire, private investigator . . . meh—is practicing her profession under the influence, caffeine and copious amounts of it, due to an extreme desire to induce insomnia. Every time she closes her eyes, Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan, is there. Only thing is, he’s a tad peeved. She did bind for all eternity, so it’s hard blame him. But 13 days without a wink is bound to bring out the crazy in a girl. So, when a man hires her to find his wife, Charley accepts the job with one goal in mind: Put the man behind bars, and not the wet kind. She can sense the guilt waft off him and vows to find the woman’s body and prove he’s a murderer.

In the meantime, Reyes is back in prison and none too happy about it . . . so Charley thinks, until she is carjacked by the dark-haired rake, who swears the very man he went to prison for killing is not only alive, but close by. And he wants Charley to find him.

While a visit to her old friend Rocket sheds no light on Reyes’s situation, Charley finds out the man’s wife is still alive and time is running out. Finding her before she dies would be a miracle, but she has to try. Together with the help of a fashion-impaired receptionist named Cookie, Charley sets out to bring the bad guys to justice. She just hopes Reyes is not one of them. And that she’s not hallucinating from her self-induced bout with insomnia.

My review~

I was instantly sucked into this book!  I loved all the one liners and the witty sarcasm.  I laughed out loud pretty much through all of it.  I really liked the first two books and I even remember where I was when I was first introduced to Charley Davidson.  Anyway I think so far this one is my favorite.  We learn so much more about Charley and her relationships with each character.  The first heart tug was Ronald, wow! I was saddened by her dad.  I just can't believe he does what he does, it was shocking and just plain mean.  Then I think my jaw was permanently dropped through the last few chapters...

Reyes was a complete JERK, then of course his hurt (With Donovan) slammed into my heart, though I was still very much mad at him.  Swopes and Artemis made me cry, I was completely heart broken.  I LOVE Swopes, the conversations with him and Charley are classic.  I sort of saw it coming, but was still a shock, then I was doubly shocked with Artemis (Didn't see that one completely).  Then what the heck with Donovan!  I mean wow he is completely sexy, and heck I'd give him a chance! Then Swopes again...wow. I just LOVE how he calls her Charles, and really he is so...well...words fail, I love him!

I love Cookie I think she is my second fav character in the series, her and Charley make me laugh so hard! The nun was priceless, just priceless!  There are so many twists and turns, but all done so well that I couldn't put it down, I needed to know what happens...I can't wait until October for Fourth Grave!

I recommend this read for all those who love Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, plus it is packed with sarcasm and funny thought that you wished you could say but never have the chance...a MUST read!

First Grave on the Right Book 1

Second Grave on the Left Book 2

Third Grave Dead Ahead Book 3

Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet Book 4