Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12) by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked is an excellent addition to this series.  The old, Sookie is back. Her strength and independence rear is head.

Old story lines are tied up and poor, Sookie has to deal with more problems than ever.  A dead body is found on, Eric's front lawn and if they can't find who did it, Eric is in some serious hot water. You would think that would be the worse thing to happen to her but it isn't!

Harris puts in a wicked, twist to the story and you won't see it coming. It was the last thing, I expected.  A major  issue between, Eric and Sookie is not solved and I am anxious to find out what happens with them!  This series is still going strong but you can tell, it is starting to wrap up. I have a suspicion on how it will end or maybe it is just a strong hope.


Anyway, sit back and enjoy the ride, because this book is going to you on one.


Grade: A

Overview [B&N]

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Insurgent (Divergent) by Veronica Roth

Insurgent, is the second book in the, Divergent Trilogy. You absolutely, must read, Divergent before reading this book or you will be lost. It does not stand on it's own.

It picks up right where, Divergent left off, which is excellent since gaps can be a bit annoying. There is tons of character development and story building. More action. Yes, more action! There is a lot that happens in this book and I don't want to give anything away! There is a huge, huge, climatic revelation. Your jaw will drop and you will be left in anticipation of what is to happen next. There are tons of twists and turns!

Tris and Four have quite a bit to deal with in this book. Things are messy, chaotic and each character has to fight there inner demons and guilt in order to move on. There are secrets that lay beneath the surface, that when emerge can destroy relationships.

This is an amazing sequel. I only wish, I didn't have to wait another year to see what transpires.

Grade: A+

Overview [B&N]

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me: And Other Stories I Shouldn't Share with Acquaintances, Coworkers, Taxi drivers, Assistants, Job Interviewers, ... and Ex/Current/Future Boyfriends but Have by Hilary Winston

Funny and entertaining. I liked this book.

Winston is honest and open about aspects of her dating life. I laughed out loud quite a few times. This is one book worth taking a chance on.

It is about her ex, dating and single lady life in general. If you've been reading books that are a bit dark, this is an excellent book to put in the mix and get you out of a dark place.

Grade: A

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden) by Julie Kagawa

It's, Tuesday, why are you sitting around reading this blog instead of running to, the bookstore and purchasing, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.

The Immortal Rules is a spectacular book about vampires, one in particular. Before you roll you eyes and say, "not another vampire book" let me tell you it is anything...but...

Kagawa uses a excellent, mix of vampires, dystopian, cannibals and gangs to create a unique and page turning novel. Allie is a young women living in the ghetto who's life is constantly threatened. Food is scarce and every single day is a battle of wits, a battle to survive, to live another  day. Then everything changes, Allie is forced between death or becoming a creature she hates and fears, a vampire.

Allie makes the difficult choice to live as a vampire. This is her tale, how becoming a vampire and trying to remain human can cost her everything, including her immortal life.

The characters are superb and the plot will keep you more than entertained. Go out, get it, read it!

Grade: A

Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know: Eleven Courageous Canines Tell All by Jeff Johnson and Hy Conrad

I laughed so hard, I woke the dog. Seriously!

This book is so much fun to read and a perfect gift/read for dog lovers.  You will devourer this cute, quick read about eleven adorable dogs. The book is written from the "voice" of the dogs and couldn't be a more delightful read.


Grade: A+

Overview [B&N]

Dear Human:

Your dog probably puzzles you. Most of us do that. And most of us would like to keep things as they are: humans in the dark, dogs with the upper hand.

But we dogs are about to let you in a little secret. Okay, a lot of secrets.

• We graduated first in our obedience class three times. This should tell you something.
• Puppies know that they're being cute. They're using you.
• We don't sound anything like those silly voices you use to imitate us.
• We hate those ridiculous names you give some of us. Moonbeam is not a dignified name for a mutt.
• You might want to check your herb garden for fertilizer.
• We are only wearing this stupid birthday hat so we can get some cake. No self-respecting dog cares about his birthday.
• We are not spoiled, certainly not in comparison to teenage girls.
• We are in charge of the house. We let you pretend that you are.
• We'd be lost without you. We love you.

Balthazar: An Evernight Novel by Claudia Gray

   You must and I can't stress this enough, read the previous books in, The Evernight Series before you read this book. This books does not stand on its own.

Balthazar is sexy, dreamy and mysterious. This book gives a look into his human life and life after the vampire transformation took place. He is also protecting, Skye and the dynamics of their relationships change significantly. 

Charity's background is also explored and you learn why she is.... the way she is. It just might change your opinion of her, I know it did for me. 

I don't want to go into too much detail because I fear giving away too much. What, I can say is that Gray build up wonderful cast of characters and the story is told from, Skye's and Balthazar's point of views. This is an excellent addition to a fun series.

Grade: A

The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain

The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain goes on sale, April 24, 2012. This is one book you don't want to miss out on. If you like authors such as Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve you will love, Chamberlain.

The Good Father is narrated by three characters, Travis, Robin and Erin. Each one of them has their own story and they are all connected to young, Bella. Travis is raising 4 year old, Bella on his own and one devastating accident after another leaves him feeling helpless and alone.

He needs money and he needs it fast, so he makes a choice. An, illegal one. Unbeknownst to Erin, Bella is left in his care. When he fails to retrieve Bella, Erin makes a choice that will challenge her and endanger her life and Bella's.

This book has to much more going on. It is very involved and I don't want to give much more away. So, I apologize for being so vague. The energy from this book stays with you long after you've finished it.

It is full of suspense, terror, friendship, innocence, evil, secrets, grief, love and lies. All the things that make up a good book and are true to life. The characters are realistic the writing is superb. I couldn't put down this powerful book and I strongly recommend it.

Grade: A+

The Final Winter by Iain Rob Wright

A mix of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Snow has fallen all over the world and in one town in England a group of people take shelter in a pub.

As the snow falls and temperatures drop, the bitter cold makes things difficult and then people start to die off.

A plot twist changes everything you think you know about this book. The character development is great and the writing is fast paced. Expect the unexpected because this is exactly what you get.

An, enjoyable post-apocalyptic horror read.

Grade: A

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland

47 wonderful stories about animal friendships from around the world!

This book is one sweet treasure. Pictures of cute animals and there stories will make warm your heart. Unlikely friendships will make me smile.

A fast, enjoyable read! This book would make a great gift for any animal lover.

Grade: A++

The Obsidian Blade (Klaatu Diskos) by Pete Hautman

The Obsidian Blade makes it debut on April 10, 2012.

Tucker Fye watches his father disappear off the roof of their home. The shimmering disc on the roof must have something to do with it. Tucker's father appears later in the day with a young girl named, Lahlia. She is peculiar and his father has changed. He use to have faith and now he no longer believes in god. His mother starts to act strange and then one day both his parents disappear.

His uncles takes him to live with him and then, Tucker disappears into the disc. He discovers that the disc is a means of time traveling. Time traveling is a tough concept to get your mind past and to write about but Hautman does a pretty decent job.

Tucker is on a quest to find his father and mother and this takes him to many different and interesting places. The character's are well developed but this story it a big difficult at times to grasp but if you walk away and let it sink it , it all settles in to your brain.

A fun and interesting read.

Grade: B

Starters by Lissa Price

The spore wars wiped out everyone between the ages of 20 and 60, including Callie's parents. The government has forbidden teens to work. Her brother is sick from an unknown disease, he might be dying and Callie is desperate for money. Her only hope to get the money she needs it by renting out her body to an elder, who wants to be young again.

Callie signs up with, Prime Destinations and soon finds out that everything is not as it seems. The odds are against her. She is an orphan, Prime Destinations is evil and the chip they implanted in her brain is misfiring.

Yeah...this book is great! The story is mesmerizing, the characters are superb and Price's world is believable. The dystopian genre is either hit or miss and this one is a big hit! I can't wait until, December 2, 2012 when the second book in this installment comes out.

Grade: A+