Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Description:

The Drakes and friends will be tested when an infestation of deadly vampires threatens Violet Hill.

Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town.
But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand—one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But when she is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Christabel must cause more and more trouble in Violet Hill, Lucy and Connor finally fill Christabel in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.
Review:

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

3 out of 5

Christabel is truely one of my favorite characters so far!  As a fellow book worm, I can so relate to her.  Plus, she does have a bit of fiesty in her.  

Connor is the cute geek... The exact kind of guy I personally like.  Nothing was better than him talking about Firefly (a favorite of mine!).  But he is more than just a geek (cute or not).  He is brave and strong... Willing to make sacrifices to protect those he cares about.  

What the hell! What a cliffhanger!  What happened?  Will everyone be okay?  OMGoodness!  I'm dying to know!

I find it interesting that this new type of vampire.  Again, we have the Vikings to thank for naming this kind... I would like to see how it will play out.  

I want ot know how the HelBlar were trained.  Like having a crocodile trained.... I think it would backfire.

Overall, this is a cute read.  I recommend it to everyone who has read the previous books in the series, and for someone who wants a no-brainer read.  
Happy Reading!

Cana

Souless by Gail Carriger

Description:

First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
Review:

Souless by Gail Carriger

5 out of 5

Oh, this book was delicious!  Like a wonderful tea cake, I can't help but love this book.  

Alexia is a character that I can totally relate to!  She is strong willed, sharp tongued, intelligent, and curious to a fault.  I love that!  And when she was investigating I knew what ever the trouble she was going to get into was going to end up being hilarious in one point or another.  

Conall is a dream... You can't have a better combination than Earl, werewolf, and Scottish!  Oh and the verbal combat that Alexia and he engaged in is wonderful.

Lord Akeldama was a delightful addition to this book.  As the source of all the good gossip as well as being a delightful conversationalist, he keeps the book very interesting and lively.  

I absolutely loved the mystery of the missing roves and loners, the appearances of the new roves, the waxy man, and the attempts to kidnap Alexia.  You keep guessing until the very end.  

Honestly, this is one of the best books I've read in a long time... I highly recommend it, and I personally can't wait to read more by Ms. Carriger.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Description:

Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

If she even has one.
Review:

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

3 out of 5

I loved how Alaric called his sword "Senor Sticky"... Something funny from a character who seemed to have a corn cob up his ass & a chip on his shoulder.

Mena was a bit too naive for me.  I kind of wish that she would have been a bit more... Something.  I don't know, it just feels that Mena was missing something.  

Lucien did seem to be more of a hero than a villain to me.  He did everything he could to save the day.  I didn't like that he was treated as a villain.  That really bugged me.  

I found the idea of the Palantine army still existing as a secret sect to fight evil to be real interesting.  

Overall, this was a cute novel, though not an easy read.  It was just really slow, and seemed to be missing pieces.  Personally, I don't think I'll read the rest of this series. If you want to read it give it a chance.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Blood and Sand by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

Dead women are showing up in the desert east of San Diego, and no one understands why. When the story comes to the attention of reporter Natalie Ellis, she can't help but make comparisons to the tragic deaths she'd investigated years ago. Are these women the victims of a serial killer, or something even more insidious?

Bodies may be piling up in his sire's territory, but water vampire and feared enforcer, Baojia, is stuck entertaining the rich and clueless at a club in San Diego. He's taken his exile with all the grace he could muster, but his patience is starting to thin.

Sparks fly when mortal and immortal are thrown together, and Natalie comes face to face with a reality that was lurking in the corners of her life. Pursuing the truth could cost Baojia everything, including the mortal woman who has earned his grudging respect.

BLOOD AND SAND is the second novel in the expanded Elemental World series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries.
Review:

Blood and Sand by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

Baojia was my favorite secondary character in the 3rd book of the Elemental Mystery series.  He was a patient teacher, a silent companion, and a great supporter of Beatrice.  I was glad that he didn't get with Beatrice, if only for the fact that I liked Natalie so much and that Gio is my favorite Italian vampire!

I love Natalie so much.  She is strong-willed, brave, and has such a unique point of view of the supernatural.  In some ways, she is too stubborn for her own good.  But in the end, she does the right thing for Baojia.  

I want to know who keeps making the Elixir!  WTF!  Will we ever find out?  Will they ever be stopped?  Will they ever find a cure for the humans?  Ack!  I have more questions that must be answered!  
The whole crew that you loved from the Elemental Mystery are back.  Gio, Beatrice, Carwyn, & Tenzin are all in this book.  Plus Brigid, and some new characters that you can't help but enjoy.  This is definitely an active character book.  

Overall, this is an AWESOME book!  I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series!  I highly recommend this book and the other series by Ms. Hunter!

Happy Reading!

Cana

Waterlocked by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

wa-ter-locked

adjective

Definition: enclosed entirely, or almost entirely, by water

Example: What happens when the water vampire you’ve promised yourself to actually wants you to go through with the wedding? For Gemma Melcombe, her engagement to Terrance Ramsay was a political maneuver. For Terry, it’s something entirely more. Rough waters may be ahead for these two headstrong lovers, but until they come to an agreement, Gemma will be waterlocked.

Waterlocked is a novella in the Elemental World series.
Review:

Waterlocked by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

Best opening sentence of a book ever!

I think that Terry is a great guy:  Romantic, strong, and absolutely yummy!  A warrior that I just can't resist.  

I loved getting to know Gemma.  She is a strong female who rarely depends on others.  But when it comes down to it, she is the one who truly needs someone to depend on.  

Personally, I think Gemma was just stubborn to not realize that she loved Terry!  Oh, but once she did, she made up for it, and it was well worth it.  

The elixer is causing a lot of problems.  It makes you wonder how much is still coming.  

Overall, I loved this book!  Can't wait to read the next one!
Happy Reading!

Cana

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer

Description:

At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, Lily Fielding is a measly trainee who dreams of one day becoming a Savior—those who visit vampire-infested high schools and put down the undead with their deadly crossbows. When Lily and her classmates Alice and Cara begin their latest assignment, it seems like just another run-of-the-mill gig: they’re to simply spot the Vamplayer—part vampire, part player—identify the popular girl he’s set his sights on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding. Before long, however, the Vamplayer sets his sights on Lily's friends, and she is left to face the threat alone while protecting her friends from the dark forces she has sworn to resist.

Review:

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer 

4 out of 5

What an interesting idea:  Vamplayers, Sisters, and Saviors.  What better way to take out vampires than with vampires.  

I enjoyed this fun YA version of vampires.  From sugar to garlic, from sunshine to holy water, this book covers the gamete of the vampire myth.  Whit some great things added to it.  

I liked that you didn't know who the vamplayer was until the big reveal almost at the end.  It is always nice not to be right about the villain.  

Lily was an interesting character.  Older than she looks, in some ways she still stuck in high school (in more ways than one).  But it is a great story of her growing up as both a sister and as a person.  

Grover was one of my favorites and I hate what happened to him.  It was so sad!  
In the world of lots of different vampire books, this book sets itself apart.  This fun little novel is full of mystery, drama and adventure.  

Overall, this is a good book, and I recommend this book for anyone.
Happy Reading!

Cana

World Book Night 2014

Here at the Place of Reads, we are proud to announce that I got picked as one of the givers for the 2014 World Book Night.  

This year, I'll be giving out Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Check it out on goodreads).  

As of right now, it is still in the works on who I'll be giving these books out to, but be sure to check back for more information!

For more information about World Book Night, check out http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/

Happy Reading!

Cana

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Description:

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to
take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing,
dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future.
Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. But when one
of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those
around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Review:

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

1 out of 5

Chapter 1 confused me so much... It should have been a prologue or something, because it was hard to want to read the rest of the book after being confused by that one chapter.  

But I continued on, and didn't enjoy it.  For me, the book moved slow, like molasses on a cold day.  I tried to get to the half way point, but I couldn't.  The book was just not attention-grabbing for me.  

Overall, I can't recommend this book.  I just can't say that this is the best book ever.  But if you liked this book, let me know why.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Description:

The undead can really screw up your senior year ... 

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review:

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

4 out of 5

Pretty good book, i must admit.  At first, there was a question on whether I'd like this book or not, just with the slow start and Jessica refusing to believe in the paranormal.  But thankfully the book got better.  

Lucius is the tall, dark knight in tarnished armour.  He has been hurt by the past and though it takes him a bit, he finally starts to heal from it.  

Jessica is a bit irritating.  She is a typical teenager with a number of teenage issues.  It was her persistence at insisting that the paranormal doesn't exist after proof is given to her was irritating.  But once she accepted it, she became more likable.  

I loved the version of the vampire myth in this book.  Really there was very little not to like about vampires in this book... Minus the betrayal, plotting, and the natural darkness of the vampires.

I found the Parkwoods to be a wonderfully normal and slightly crazy bit in this novel.  Their organic, vegan, give-peace-a-chance ways were a nice change to the darkness of the novel.  

Overall, this is a good book.  For a nice read, give it a chance.  

Happy Reading!

Cana