Book Review: Become (Desolation #1) by Ali Cross

Do you want to know why I picked up this novel? Yes, the front cover is pretty enticing and yes it appears to have the makings of a great YA supernatural fiction based on the synopsis but what really pulled me in, believe it or not, was the author's short biography:

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

I decided to read Become because I thought to myself if the author is witty enough to bring a smile to my face before I even turn the first page, then I might as well take a peak beneath the cover and I'm glad that I did.

Become is a refreshing YA paranormal novel, holding all the makings of a great little series. Exploring the dark side through the cynical and emotionally crippled Desolation Black, we come to understand that being the daughter of the prince of darkness is no easy task. Couple her black blood with that of a great angelic warrior, and Desolation - Desi for short - isn't sure where she belongs.

Haunted by the destruction that her own touch brings, Desi refuses to see the light within her. She pushes aside friendships and endeavours to ever harden her heart, terrified that the roiling darkness within may one day break free, causing irreparable damage. The goal is to find balance, to accept both the good and evil within and choose a path befitting the burning ache of love that burns brightly at depths of her forgotten soul.

Become is a swift moving novel packed with plenty of action scenes and enough angst and desperation to leave the reader feeling rather solemn and somehow sympathetic. Desolation is riddled with turmoil and unexplored emotion, taking the reader on a journey through the darkness that leaves you clawing at the pages in an effort to rediscover the light.

Characters are consistent in their portrayal and often engage in dialogue that is purposeful in explaining the back story in further detail. Small highlights include the modern day referencing of angels and demons versus the Gods of mythology - Odin, Loki and of course the Valkyries. I was surprised to see how well the two were combined and enjoyed this fresh retelling with an aside story that left the ending quite the cliffhanger.

Well written and surprisingly poignant, I am happy to rate this book three and a half fangs out of five and will probably read the next installment.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

Book Review: The Shadow Of Tiamat by Sean Poindexter

Let me start this review with my laugh-out-loud moment. Picture this, a dark, stormy night and two dragons battling it out for supremacy - one trying to kill an innocent woman, the other in love with her. The sky is filled with the shadow of their menace and the surrounding scrub is littered with their spilt blood. While the human - Megan - watches on, the dragons fight using everything in their surroundings to inflict carnage.
Now, during this intense moment, a spined tail flicks out, secures Megan's car in it's grip and hoists it into the air, spinning it with impossible force and strength at its opponent. A semi-serious moment and Megan yells out, 'Hey! My purse was in there!'
I was seriously in stitches for about twenty minutes.
The Shadow Of Tiamat is a surprising novel, best described as a Paranormal Romance that puts Sean Poindexter right up there with some of the best - Kerri Arthur and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
I was surprised how easy the novel read, despite that I was originally prejudiced about a man writing romance from a woman's perspective. Granted Megan did like to touch herself a little more than a confused teenage boy, but the ever evolving emotions explored between characters, interlaced with the telling of what I believe will evolve into an interesting plot, sells the author's intent.
The Shadow Of Tiamat follows multiple person perspective so you are never shy of the action or any necessary information, though it does mostly follow the story of Megan - a human (or is she?) and Garrett - a dragon.
Pulled together by a twist in fate, Megan has already found herself entangled unknowingly in the world of supernatural element. Discovering Garrett's secret and opening her mind to the possibilities of his existence also invites the acceptance of other creatures and their agendas.
Mostly a novel wrapped in the heady scent of sex and romance, there are some strong foundations for a an easy continuation in the series. With the introduction of vampiric elements and a seriously twisted agenda from higher ranking dragons, Sean Poindexter has crafted a novel with enduring possibilities.
Although I did cringe at some of the character interactions - jarred by the sometimes inconsistent use of language and often confusing switch between demure female lead, and dirty porn-mouth sex kitten, I still rather enjoyed the intensity of the romance, the solidarity of Garrett and his character consistency, as well as the off-hand commentary that regularly made me laugh or smile.
I happily rate this novel three out of five fangs.

Synopsis:

On a dark Ozark highway, two souls meet in tragedy and find their lives are connected to things bigger than them both. Megan Crunk, a social worker from Joplin, uncovers vampires preying on a small community. That same day, she meets Garrett, a fascinating stranger who is clearly more than he seems. But, as Meg slowly learns, so is she...
Garrett Terago is an ancient dragon, and until now, content with the secluded Ozark mountains. Disguised as a human, but rarely paying them heed, until he meets Megan. He offers her love and protection from the vampires but can he keep her safe from his own kind? 
War looms between the dragons. Some long for a time lost to prehistory, when they were worshiped as gods, masters of the world. Somehow, Garrett is instrumental to their plans and Megan is in their way.

Book Review: Destiny Kills by Kerri Arthur

Destiny Kills is an interesting little book following Keri Arthur's usual style of paranormal romance writing. It's short, succinct and follows the story of two leads, one male (Trae), one female (Destiny) - the two inevitably linked by budding passion.
Although there is nothing specifically new and different during the exploration of plot and the unfolding love between Destiny and Trae, I was fascinated by the supernatural elements - elements I've never read about in other similarly penned supernatural fictions.
Destiny comes from a long line of Sea Dragons, better described as the Loch Ness Monster. With her ability to shape shift and commune with the sea and wield powers beyond human control, Destiny makes for an interesting character. Having been locked in a research facility for the better part of a decade, she finally escapes. Her purpose? To free the remaining inmates, see her father before he dies, and avenge the death of her friend.
Trae is a Draman - half human, half Air Dragon. He shape shifts to soar the skies, and wields the power fire with the aid of the sun. He stumbles upon Destiny, not quite by accident. Driven by a promise to his dead brother, Trae feels almost obligated to help Destiny in her mission to free the ones she loves while simultaneously serving a purpose of his own. What neither of them counted on was falling in love, a seemingly quick and easy affair.
What I've loved about Keri Arthur's novels in the past was what made it a little 'blah' for me now. The too fast romance and overly affectionate pet names seemed to roil my stomach. Perhaps my tastes have changed and the simplicity of a 300 page paranormal romance now seems sadly lacking with detail and character connection. I rate Destiny Kills three out of five fangs - enjoyable based on the imaginative characters and constant action that kept the plot moving forward.

Synopsis:

Desire calls. Danger Lurks.

But...

When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.

Wedding Anniversary

Today is my seventh wedding anniversary. I'm supposed to be itchy right about now but I have to admit that I'm not - I'm content. We've technically been together for fourteen years, so I suppose if we were going to jump ship we would have done it a few years ago - so there must be some love there.
I have to admit, though, it kind of blows me away that I have lived in the same house with someone that long and not plotted their ultimate demise. After seventeen years under my parent's roof I was hankering to get out on my own, my teenage mind convinced I was being suppressed from any form of fun. Yet oddly enough, fourteen years later with hubby, I am comforted by the thought of waking up to the freight train snoring that pours forth from his mouth each night. I also like that he drives me crazy with his non-stop talking in the car to and from work (he never shuts up). I like that when I ask him, 'do I look good in this?' he always says, 'you are one skinny bitch' even though he is clearly lying.
I especially love that after fourteen years he conveniently still does not know the difference between synthetic and cotton clothes and thus cannot operate the washing machine. I love that every job he attempts in an effort to help around the house is half-assed, but at least started. I love that I can always find him the grocery store because he has the voice of a foghorn. I love that I constantly abuse him about his poor driving skills, yet he continues to drive me around because I'm too lazy to claim the driver's seat. I love that his idea of weeding the garden is throwing mulch over the top so you just can't see them. I love that he can open cupboard doors and draws in the kitchen but can't seem to reverse the action with any real finesse. And, of course, I love that his terrible sense of humour sometimes takes me by surprise and has me bent in half, gasping for breath. Oh, and I love that when I fart, he screams at me with things like 'I'm gonna die!', a slow smile plastered across his face.
Hubby, I love your guts. Despite our combined flaws, we fit together like a jigsaw puzzle - always unfinished, but constantly in a state of revealing something quite special. So, in light of the fact that I'm now erring on the mushy side, I found this song that sums up my feelings of you perfectly.

Okay, I'm kidding - here's the real one!

Kristy :)