Lovable Christmas Angel by Mimi Barbour

Lovable Christmas Angel (Angels with Attitude #3) by Mimi Barbour ~V^^^^V
Parts of this story I wanted to call corny, remember though I am not a fan of angel stories. Leilani is over the top sweet and endearing, she never complains no matter how life beats her down and is immediately trusting of people. This issues I thought I would have difficulties getting past. I pushed through and found a wonderfully touching story with a holiday theme. The characters are well developed, the imagery is outstanding and the romance, though not overly steamy was still very sweet. I am not sure if I will read the other "Angel" stories, but I may see what other things Mimi Barbour has to offer. ~Michelle 

A Vampire For Christmas Anthology

A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS ~V^^^V


Enchanted by Blood- Laurie London (Sweetblood #2.5)~V^^^V
I have not read the Sweetblood series before nor have I read any Laurie London before, I walked into this one fresh. My first impression was, "huh, pretty interesting". I quickly marked the rest of the series to be read. I think there is some good potential there. However this novella kind of drug on. I felt like there wasn't any real dilemma to solve and the story was a little flat. Things jumped ahead to keep the story short and they felt like it took away from the story as well. Overall I would say this was OK, and I will still read the series, I guess it was perhaps a good teaser. 

Monsters Don't Do Christmas -Michele Hauf~V^^V
This one REALLY did not work for me. The vampire angst was way too high and the fall right into bed thing was just beyond believable. The characters seemed well developed and the flow was good. I just couldn't get into it, possibly the secretiveness of the whole story. I am not sure, it just didn't click for me. 

When Herald Angels Sing -Caridad Pinero~V^^V
Ugh, no matter how many times I try Angel stories never work for me. This one was no exception even if there were vampire pirates. I just can't get into an angelic romance. Immediately I thought I had read the story before, therefore I concluded this is an over done theme. After that I just couldn't believe the rest of the story or give a care as to any of the characters. 

All I Want for Christmas -Alexis Morgan~V^^^^V 
I think this was my favorite in the anthology. Della is a human diner owner, unknown to her most of her clientele are Supers. Eagan is a vampire detective, crimes in the area have brought him to Della's doorstep. In the course of the case, one thing leads to another. I found that I liked the flow, characters and the scene. This was my first Alexis Morgan story, I think I will try a full length. ~Michelle

Rapture by J.R. Ward Review

Rapture by J.R. Ward (Fallen Angels #4) ~V^^^V


I actually didn't mind this one that much. I did find myself rolling my eyes at the "street" slang and the constant "as ifs". The overall story had an excellent lesson of redemption that I greatly enjoyed. Mind you I was about 1/4 of the way in before I remembered who Matthias was adding to my struggle to get through. I am not sure if its the length of time between books or just the general Meh feel I get from them that keeps details from sticking in my brain. Either way Mels and Matthias had a great romance that seemed to keep the story on track. I was a little surprised by the ending, I think the aftermath of which should be interesting in the next book. For now I think this may have been my favorite in the series. ~Michelle 

Blood Lite Anthology

Blood Lite (Blood Lite #1) ~V^^^V

by Kevin J. Anderson, Nancy Kilpatrick, Jeff Strand, Don D'Ammassa, Charlaine Harris, Sharyn McCrumb, Steven Savile, Jim Butcher 

The Horror Writers Association Presents Blood Lite...a collection of entertaining tales that puts the fun back into dark fiction, with ironic twists and tongue-in-cheek wit to temper the jagged edge.

Charlaine Harris reveals the dark side of going green, when a quartet of die-hard environmentalists hosts a fundraiser with a gory twist in An Evening with Al Gore...

In an all-new Dresden Files story from Jim Butcher, when it comes to tracking deadly paranormal doings, there's no such thing as a Harry's Day Off for the Chicago P.D.'s wizard detective, Harry Dresden...

Sherrilyn Kenyon turns a cubicle-dwelling MBA with no life into a demon-fighting seraph with one hell of an afterlife in Where Angels Fear to Tread...

Celebrity necromancer Jaime Vegas is headlining a sold-out séance tour, but behind the scenes, a disgruntled ghost has a bone to pick, inKelley Armstrong's The Ungrateful Dead.

Plus tales guaranteed to get under your skin - in a good way - from:
* Janet Berliner
* Don D'Ammassa
* Nancy Holder
* Nancy Kilpatrick
* J. A. Konrath
* F. Paul Wilson
* Joe R. Lansdale
* Will Ludwigsen
* Sharyn McCrumb
* Mark Onspaugh
* Mike Resnick
* Steven Savile
* D. L. Snell
* Eric James Stone
* Jeff Strand
* Lucien Soulban
* Matt Venne
* Christopher Welch

So let the blood flow and laughter reign - because when it comes to facing our deepest, darkest fears, a little humor goes a long way
!

I read two of the stories in this Anthology. 

The first "Where Angels Fear to Tread" by Sherrilyn Kenyon, says "Dark Hunter World" but I really didn't think it was related. I also didn't recognize it as any other SK series I read. However despite the shortness of the story it was still quite interesting and had all the usual things that hook me into one of Sherrilyn's stories. 


The Ungrateful Dead by Kelley Armstrong was a Women of the Otherworld novella. Necromancer Jaime has a run in with a truly awful ghost. When calling in help to banish him, Savannah comes to "help". It was an amusing story and some what frustrating. I can see what Jaime means when she says the "dead can be way too needy". ~Michelle 

2012 Reading Challenge: August Angels

August Angels

(J.R. Ward: Fallen Angels)

We would love to have you join in as there will be discussions and reviews. This is a great way to push your reading totals for the each month as well as the year. If you have already read them go ahead and reread or just feel free to join the discussion found on our FaceBook page. If it is a new series to you it will be all the more fun. Hope you join the fun!

Covet 

Crave

Envy 
Rapture (9/25/12)

Fallen Angels by J.R. Ward ~ V^^^^V

Jim Heron has just found his mission in life or is it the afterlife? The fate of the world rests on his shoulders as he engages in battle, with a demon, for the souls of seven people against the seven deadly sins. Winner takes all. Is he up to the task? Contemporary Urban Fantasy with major plot twists and memorable characters.
4th book scheduled to be released September 25, 2012.