Mortal Danger: World of the Lupi Series 2

Mortal Danger

(Eileen Wilks)

Teaser: Lily is slowly settling into her new life as the chosen lover of Rule. Unfortunately, there is a evil plotting behind the scenes that has plans to change Lily's and Rule's relationship forever to further their power. Just as Rule has two true natures, so will Lily, and she will need both to survive.

Short Thought: Very entertaining. Makes for great leisure reading when you want to send your brain floating on adventure mode or you want that "lifetime movie" feeling added to your day.

Expanded Thoughts: I do think that this novel was better than the first. I have to apologize for the anemic teaser, but the plot is very simple. If I put any more I would be giving spoilers away, and I try, sometimes unsuccessfully, not to do that.

This novel seemed to be less forced, less predictable, and more complex. The relationship between Lily and Rule is sweet and for what every person would die. It just that deliciously unrealistic, but in a dreamy, girly movie type of way. It puts off WAFF-y waves.

The author opened up a lot of new plot lines that have the reader begging for the next novel. I could go on with a longer review, but for real, if you liked the first one, you need to read this one. It will not disappoint. Wilks has a good formula here, and I look forward to having these as a guilty pleasure on my estrogen-charged days.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the World of the Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of violence and mild sexual activity.

Fearless: The Lost Fleet: Book 2

Fearless

(Jack Campbell)

Teaser: Captain 'Black Jack' is faced with even more adversity in his continued mission to get his battered and inexperienced fleet back to base. If the constant waves of enemies ships weren't enough, he finds out that he has even more dangerous enemies in his own fleet.

Short Thought: An entertaining space opera with a painfully slow and redundant plot and main character. A mirror of the first one.

Expanded Thoughts: Can I just say that the guy on the cover looks like a young Christopher Walken? I just had to get that out. I had to do a triple take when I first saw it.

This novel was exactly like the first one. The plot was the same. The dialogue was the same. (The main character uses some phrases 10 times in the book!) The story also didn't really progress anywhere. I almost felt like I could have just skipped this one.

I must say though, Jack Campbell is awesome at describing the battle sequences. I don't know anything about the Navy, space, or any of that, and I find it easy to understand what is going on. It is a joy to read. Most sci-fi does this very poorly. They either drag it out forever or don't describe it at all. This author gets it perfect.

Another thing that I love about this series is that it isn't over complicated. (At times, I actually wish it was a little more complicated.) You're not bombarded with numerous characters and political figures. It is kept very tidy. It goes for the epic feel without the confusion.

I have faith in this series and will stick to it in hopes that it does actually go somewhere. So far, we pretty much where we started.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd book in the the The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell.

Living Dead in Dallas: Sookie Stackhouse Series 2

Living Dead in Dallas
(Charlaine Harris)

Teaser: Sookie's new adventure kicks off with a bang. The wonderfully flamboyant Lafayette is found dead inside of the car of Andy Bellefleur. Barely recovered from the horrors that have touched down recently in her life, Sookie is shocked when no one in the town cares to investigate or even name a perp.

To complicate things, Sookie is being asked (as if she had a choice) to Dallas by a member of the vampire hierarchy. She goes there, much to her dislike, as Bill's pet with a gift. She's to use her rare telepathic abilities to find a missing vampire, but the Dallas vampires are skeptical of her skills. As Sookie tries to stay on their good sides, she finds that going to Dallas may have just put her closer to Lafayette's killer.

Short Thought: A nice continuation of the series that spans several genres.

Expanded Thoughts: So, what can I say? I talked about reading the first of this series recently on here. I enjoyed it so much I decided to continue with the second in the series.

What is lovely about this novel is: easy, quick, dark plots, entertaining characters, conversational read, gritty, and sexy.

What I could have done without: half the romance (I'm not a big fan of detailed romance scenes), the inconsistencies with the previous novel, and some of the cliched bits.

In summary, despite the few cons about these, I am totally hooked on them. They are some of the most entertaining novels I have read in awhile. And really, who doesn't like the main character to be a underestimated small town southern girl with the strong personality to match? I was afraid that I would hate these novels, because I CANNOT stand Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or any of those fantasy soap operas), but I was pleasantly surprised in that it was nothing like it.

Additional Notes: This novel contains violence, dark themes, and sexual themes.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the Sookie Stackhouse Series. (Previously known as the Southern Vampire Mysteries.)

Moonshine: Cal Leandros Series 2

Moonshine

(Rob Thurman)

Teaser: Life is never dull when Niko or Cal are anywhere to be found. The brothers are embarking on new territory as they decide to stay in New York City for the long haul. No more running away. To help to make ends meet, Niko teams up with his current lover Promise to form a bodyguard service. It seems like a great idea, and pays really well. The job lands them into even more trouble. If that wasn't bad enough, Cal is starting to exhibit more and more Auphe-like behavior. These brothers just can't catch a break to save their lives.

Short Thought: A nice continuation to the series, a bit better than the first.

Expanded Thoughts: This novel was a nice continuation and did build upon what was introduced in the premiere novel, but it didn't go anywhere new. It stayed at the same pitch, same level.

It did differ greatly from the first novel in that it was less forced and less cheesy. I love the sarcastic voice of the main character Cal, but sometimes it's too much and can become redundant. You just want to smack him. (If you didn't think he might bite you or shoot you.)

That being said, the characters proved to be much more than cardboard backing in this one. The story delves deeper into Niko's (the truly tragic character) life and character. The author also is genius at giving the perfect 'push and pull' energy between the brothers. They love each other, but the bond was built on tragedy, worry, and violence. It is very interesting to see how they play off of each each and support each other. It is truly something unique in this genre.

I can't wait for the next one!

Additional Notes: This novel contains dark themes, language, and violence.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the Cal Leandros Series by Rob Thurman.

Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries 2

Grave Surprise
(Charlaine Harris)

Teaser: Harper and her stepbrother Tolliver are back again. This time, their travels take them to Memphis where they have been hired by a very skeptical professor who seeks to out Harper as a fraud who financially exploits the family of missing persons. The test is at an old historical graveyard. As Harper begins doing what she does best, she realizes something is very wrong. All of the corpses should be over 100 years old, but one was killed a very short time ago. She figures out that it is the corpse of a 12 year-old girl from a missing persons case in Nashville that Harper worked on 2 years earlier. The police are suspicious of Tolliver's and her connection to the case, and make them their prime murder suspects.

Short Thought: Great mystery with small town intrigue. The start of a huge and disappointing turning point in the series.

Expanded Thoughts: The only reason that I didn't give this novel a much lower rating was because the 'murder mystery' plot line was so good. The characters I could have done without on this one. (Characters: 1 owl)

It was like the first book drilled into the readers' heads that Tolliver and Harper were siblings. Every other word out of Harper's mouth has her telling everyone and correcting everyone on their relationship. "This is my brother." "No, he's my brother." "My brother, my brother, my brother." (It was in there so much, it became annoying.)

But then, out of the freaking blue, bam! Harper decides that she has romantic feelings for him. It frustrated me because if there was going to be this taboo attraction, it could have been done better. It was like the author went. "Oh well, I need to add something to appease the romance fans at the expense of the story and readers' stomachs." I mean, they were both with other people in the previous novel, and all this sibling camaraderie was built up. It's like two different series.

It's too bad, because the mystery was brilliant. (The author knows her mystery. All bow to Harris.) I got a deal on the third book, so I will give it a go. I have faith because I love so many of Charlaine Harris' other books.

Additional Notes: This book has some mild sexual themes.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the Harper Connelly Mysteries by Charlaine Harris.