Wednesday, January 19, 2011

You give me fever...

Hey guys! It has been too long since we've visited. I thought I was really ahead of the game by setting up posts that would magically appear while I was attending a conference last week and of course, none of them actually appeared as scheduled. I love technology! So, moving on, today's post is another amazing guest review. As I've said before, I am blessed with smart, talented friends who read tons of great stuff, so I feel no guilt about pressing them into service occasionally. Today's guest blogger is my friend and colleague, Beth. Beth reads quite a bit of paranormal fiction, and today's review features one of her faves, the latest title in the Karen Marie Moning Fever series. This series enjoys a growing popularity and the word of mouth on the latest book is very positive. Enjoy Beth's take on Shadowfever...




When I first picked up Darkfever the first book in the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, I really was not sure that I would actually enjoy it. Karen is known for her time traveling romance novels that take place in Scotland. These books have been nicknamed the Highlander Series; yeah I know we are original aren’t we. The Fever Series on the other hand is a paranormal mystery series.

The Fever Series consists of five books. Four are out now and the fifth is coming on January 18th 2011. They tell the story of MacKayla “Mac” Lane, a young twenty something from Ashburn, Georgia. Mac receives a phone call stating that her sister has been murdered in Dublin, Ireland where she was attending University. The police have closed the murder case stating that the case has gone cold due to lack of evidence. Mac decides, against her parents’ wishes, that she is going to Dublin to investigate with the only clue that she has which are a few cryptic voice mails that her sister left for her just before her death.

Mac travels to Ireland and stumbles into Barrons Books & Baubles, a charming little bookstore owned by a man named Jericho Barrons, who is anything but charming. Barrons is a dark and mysterious man and Mac is not sure whether he is on her side or not, but he is the only person she has to trust right now. He agrees to help Mac on her quest to find her sister’s killer if she agrees to help him find the Sinsar Dubh, a powerful book that holds all of the dark magic of the Unseelie or the Dark Fae.  What are the Dark Fae? Picture them as every grotesque monster that you can think of and you will have an idea of what they look like. This book is the key to the Unseelie’s war against mankind that has been going on for centuries.

The Fever Series is an amazing series. As I said before, I was not sure if I would actually enjoy reading it. The entire series is told from Mac’s point of view. I have never really been a fan of the first person POV. I never feel as if I understand every little thing that happens in it like I do when I read third person. This series proved me wrong. You are pulled into this world of mystery and Celtic mythology from the very beginning. Mac is a very likable character who grows up from a small town girl to a woman and discovers she is the only person who can stop the world, as we know it, from ending. I do have to warn you there are a few characters that Karen pulled from her other books so, depending on whether you have read them or not, this might seem a bit confusing initially. She does do a really great job of explaining who they are, so any confusion that you do have is cleared up pretty quickly. Overall, the Fever Series is an amazing series that has you on the edge of your seat anticipating what is going to happen to Mac next. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal mystery. You will not be sorry that you read it.


Thanks Beth. I'm intrigued.  You guys know that I am very resistant to paranormals, but I'm thinking I might have to give this one a try.  It seems to inspire great passion in the folks who read it and I am always interested in reading writers who can accomplish that. Any other Moning fans out there who want to chime in?  What else am I missing by not reading paranormals?  


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Anticipation...

It's a quick top 5 Tuesday list today since I'm trying to get ready to dash off to California for a conference. I'm hoping now that the Holidays are over, I'll have a bit more time to update the blog.  Thanks to those of you have continued to read, comment and email to let me know you're visiting. I truly appreciate your support.

I thought we'd start off the New Year with a list of five of the genre books that I'm most looking forward to in 2011. Most of these don't have covers yet, so no pretty artwork. They are all available for pre-order though, so keep an eye on Amazon.

The Dark Enquiry - Deanna Raybourn - pub date: June 21, 2011
Fifth book in her amazing Julia Grey series. Brisbane is back! Yay!

Cold Vengeance - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - pub date: August 2, 2011
Latest in the newly re-energized Agent Pendergast series.  Looks like a good one!

One Was A Soldier - Julia Spencer Fleming - pub date: April 26, 2011
I've been waiting for this one. Seems like forever since the last Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne book.  

Fallen - Karin Slaughter - pub date: May 31, 2011 
I never know what to expect from Slaughter, but this title is supposed to mingle characters from her Grant County and Atlanta series, so it should be interesting.  

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart - Sarah Maclean - pub date: May 1, 2011
I have enjoyed this historical romance trilogy by new writer, Maclean, but I'll be happy to finish it up just so I never have to type these silly titles again.

The Dark Enquiry (A Lady Julia Grey Novel)
Cold Vengeance
One Was a Soldier: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
Fallen: A Novel
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart