Thursday, January 20, 2011

"Hungry For You" and "Lover Awakened"

So it's been a while since I posted a new update on the books I've read. I will double up on this post and talk about the last two books I've read: "Hungry For You" by Lynsay Sands and "Lover Awakened" by J.R Ward. Both of which are similar in the fact that they are both vampire books but different in the sense of what a vampire is and can do.

Lynsay Sands' vampires can go out in daylight, only consume bagged (donated) blood, can mind read, have super human strength and strive to find their lifemate. Very romantic paranormal fiction.

J.R Ward's vampires cannot go out in daylight, can only consume the opposite sexes blood, they do age but VERY slowly, super human strength, focused on protecting their race from slayers known as lessers. Romantic but more about the plot (furthering the series, twists and turns) than just sex, blood and rock'n'roll

As mentioned before I am very picky when it comes to vampire books and am skeptical when I pick up a new one. That's why I stick with what I know unless someone who shares the same or similar taste with me (@ Ammy Belle). Depending on my mood either type of fiction can suit my taste. I read both of these back to back and I found that now I need a bit of a vampire break (at least until I get the next installment from either author).

Lynsay Sands has a vampire series that follows one family (a huge family) throughout their journey to find life mates. Most of the characters that you meet throughout the series are vampires that have been around since before Atlantis fell.  If you are a person who likes a light paranormal novel with a lot of romance/sex, hilarious dialogue rather than in depth plot this would be worth looking into.

This series has fourteen books and each book builds onto it's predecessor but not so much that you have to read them in order, more so just for the fact that you can follow the same path that Sands did when meeting new characters and building relationships and story lines.

I really enjoy Sands' novels. They are vampire/paranormal fiction but because they are not really a heavy read I can read them quickly and laugh along the way.

There are some paranormal fiction (like the other book featured in this post) that once I finish the predecessor I HAVE  to have the next installment...this series is not like that. I want them but when I get them, I get them. It's nice easy story line to follow and it's a great way to spend a day : )


J.R Ward, you have have totally redeemed yourself! This book was fantastic and brilliant! After I read the second one I was very nervous about continuing the series in fear that I wouldn't be satisfied. Oh man, I was soooo wrong! Book #3 Lover Awakened was everything that I love about books...it kept me guessing and interested! There was romance, but not an over abundance and there was mystery and intrigue that I absolutely loved. The twists and turns, the character development is so incredible that when something happens to any of the characters I feel like I know them personally and I mourn with them when something happens.

I'm not going to go into much detail about the background of this book since I have previously done posts about the first two. In this text you meet Zsadist (each of the male vampires have names that make you think of violence and anger...but the spelling is just a little off that it suits them...ie. Rhage, Phury, Rehvenge, Vishous) an ex-blood slave who brutally suffered at the hands of someone only known as Mistress. Throughout the text Zsadist remembers his experiences at the hands of the Mistress;  while he attempts to learn through new experiences with a female vampire Bella (not the character from Twilight....much cooler and about 200 years older).  The story is not all about the romance, on the contrary. While the romance is growing and developing, there is a constant war between the Brotherhood and the lessers. The reader also can see firsthand into the demented and twisted mind of the fore-lesser, Mr. O (he is pretty much the head honcho after some brutal political moving).



In the previous books, the reader learns of the relationship between Zsadist and Phury: identical twin brothers. After suffering with Mistress, Zsadist is completely scarred and has slave bands (black rings) tattooed around his neck. In the first two books you learn that Phury is the one who rescues Zsadist from his confines and therefore lives to protect his brother more than anything. In this text you learn why he is willing to go out of his way for him all the time and never asks for anything in return. This is a brother bond that goes deeper than flesh and blood. It's beautiful.


J.R Ward really knows how to play on a person's emotions...you laugh, you cry (I did) and you get angry all at the same time. It really is a fantastic read.

I'm willing to say that this series (even though book #2 is an exception) can rank up there as one of my favourites.

Much Love <3
Ginger Spudman


Next Book: Christina Dodd " Chains of fire:

Sunday, January 2, 2011

"Waking the Witch" by Kelly Armstrong

OMG!
I just finished this book and it was amazing!

I am the biggest fan of Kelley Armstrong (I've met her once aswell). She is absolutely amazing and her books have kept me interested over the last five/six years. Her novels are paranormal (she does have a mystery series as well) and they are all inter-connected. Each novel leads into the next and as the reader you really come to know the characters and their different personalities (and paranormal powers). Sidenote: my favourites are the Pack.

"Waking the Witch" follows Savannah (a young witch, living under her deceased mother's shadow) who works as a Receptionist/ P.I. Savannah takes on a case in Columbus, Orgeon. Three women are found murdered and Savannah begins asking questions and researching, she realizes that there is witchcraft/ paranormal activity. She meets a small child who has lost her own mother. Savannah is torn between sympathizing with the child and investigating all the people of this small town. As the the reader who meet all the towns people, you feel like you are in this small town (you can feel the grit from the floor of the Diner under your shoe). You meet some really unsavoury towns people....like the creeper who drives a rusted pickup and waggles his tongue at Savannah, or Cody Radu, the local man-slut and drug dealing asshole.

In this book, you learn more about Savannah, her flaws and her strengths...you learn more about her feelings, rather than just thinking she is this smart-mouthed witch who just gets by with insulting everyone. You also learn more about Adam (who also plays Savannah's romantic interest) a half-demon whose speciality is fire. When I say "romantic interest" I don't mean with sex, making out or anything like it.....it's more like she loves Adam and he feels something toward her but they never mention it. Armstrong hints to something but it is never confirmed with physicality between the characters.

I can't go into much more detail because this novel has so many twists and turns that I just might give away the ending.

Armstrong, is number one on my "Favourite Authors". Her style is everything that I look for in a book. Her novels consist of fast-paced dialogue, interesting characters and the perfect amount of description. Considering how many books of hers that I have read (18 to be exact) I get so excited about having a new book of hers. I actually got this book for my birthday (in November) but I had to wait until I had  several free days to dedicate to this novel.

I loved this book! I would highly recomend it. The only thing that I would suggest is start at the beginning with "Bitten" (introduction to the Pack) and learn about the characters and the story line by reading the books in order...otherwise you will spoil the ending of one book by reading it in the wrong order (I did that). I'm on track now and I cannot wait until July 2011 when "Spellbound" is published.

Lots of Love <3!
Ginger Spudman.

Next Book: Lynsay Sands "Hungry for You".