Book Review: Small Favor (The Dresden Files #10) by Jim Butcher

The new novel in the New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series. No one’s tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow. An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she’s calling in her marker. It’s a small favor he can’t refuse…one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits. It figures. Everything was going too well to last..

So it has been almost a year since Harry Dresden was in a life or death struggle this must be some kind of record for him! Of course nothing can ever stay simple in Harry’s life and soon enough Mab the Queen of air and darkness is calling it a marker on a debt he owes her that is of course when the book really gets good. This is now book number 10 and I can say none of the books in the Dresden files have been disappointing, small favor is action-packed and full of a lot of different things that we all love about Harry. You would think by now that some of the stories would start to be reused it is after all book 10 and other authors have been known to use it. Period. I won’t say who the are though.

There were times in small favor where I thought Harry might’ve lost the plot for once it is Harry and he has been taking on a lot in the last several years. However he goes on to prove once again why he is my favorite wizard for higher even going so far this time to help in destroying an aquarium. Yes an aquarium to be fair the bad guys started it as they usually do. Overall a solid book and a great read that kept me entertained and well connected to the series well done Jim Butcher!

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: Kitty Kitty Bang Bang (Pampered Pets Mystery #3) by Sparkle Abbey

Caro Lamont—pet therapist—and her cousin Melinda Langston—owner of The Bow Wow Boutique—pamper the kitties and pooches of Laguna Beach’s elites. Unfortunately, their human clients keep turning up dead.

“We were at an art exhibition at The Montage,” I told the detective, “and Kitty asked me to take her cats home because something had come up. Something urgent. It seemed strange, but then the whole evening was strange with dogs and cats. Ones that paint, I mean. And Kitty would never leave her cats, but she did, so it must have been really urgent . . .”
Detective Judd Malone looked past me. “Are those the cats?”
I nodded.
“What kind are they? They’re huge.”
“They’re Bengal cats. Bengals are a hybrid. A cross between a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard Cat. It’s a relatively new breed. Most have . . .” Malone’s face said TMI. Fair enough, more info than he’d been looking for.
“I imagine you know I’m here about Ms. Bardot?” Malone was suddenly all business.
“Yes.” I held my breath and hoped for good news.
“Caro.” He paused. “She didn’t make it.”
“She—” I felt my throat close, and I swallowed hard trying to get control of my emotions. “Too many injuries?” I finally asked. Whatever her emergency had been, it had seemed to upset her. She’d been shaken, and Kitty was never shaken. I remembered her voice as she’d asked me to take care of Tobey and Minou and get them home. The cats. What would happen to the cats now? “Was she driving too fast?”
“Not exactly.” Malone’s voice was serious and grim. “We won’t know until we have a lot more information from the crime lab. It’s too soon to tell, but it may have been a case of road rage. Kitty Bardot was shot.”

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The Pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets – Sparkle (Mary Lee’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and depending on the time of day, with either an iced tea or a margarita.

This is a fun read and even though I have not read the whole series I really enjoyed it and the overall fun romp. There was danger but like the style of cozy suggests there was nothing to dark. The cats really makes me giggle you can’t help but smile when they appear especially if you are a cat lover like me.

The book itself is well written and there are some interesting stories. While I did have the idea of who the killer was longer before the reveal gave it I enjoyed it. The book was fun and it did not take me long to get through.

toop style=”text-align: center;”>My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: White Night (The Dresden Files #9) by Jim Butcher

The inspiration for the Sci Fi channel television series

In Chicago, someone has been killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry Dresden’s half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling’s name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too…

The Dabel Brothers are bringing the Dresden Files to life in comic book form—look for issues beginning April 2008! View more here!

Another great Dresden book, Harry is up to his chin in trouble with White Night. Just when you think he cant get in any more trouble he does. Thomas seems to be the cause of some murders going on but in the end Harry finds out the big secret, Thomas was protecting them not harming them. The best part? Thomas has a new job and without spoiling it all I can say is, it will make you laugh and then laugh some more. I know I did. I could hardly fathom it and yet then it made so much sense!

Harry manages to find out who is really behind the deaths and it is not overly shocking in the end. He has to expend a lot of magic and there is more then enough danger to go around. His little padwan Molly starts coming into her own and overall. It is just another solid installment of the series. I simply can’t get enough of Dresden. I know it seems like I am mosting nothing but Dresden as of late but the books are addicting.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: Vampire Shadow (Night Angels #8) by Storm Savage

Zoe is unaware that her shadow became a separate entity during her bout of amnesia. Through a spiritual revelation with the ghost of her mates, the phenomenon behind her fire is unveiled to her. She is awestruck by the nature of her gift.

While Booker is away on business, she and Rider bond on an intense level and exchange extremely intimate bites. When Rider travels south to help his twin open the new club, Zoe is left alone overnight. She ventures into the darkness and begins utilizing her fire to avenge the death of lost souls.

Zoe doesn’t like how she feels when her shadow runs amok and pleasures her mates. Even worse, she must find her alter ego before Shadow drains her soul.

Even though the 7th book left me a little bit Meh I decided to give book 8 a try when I got the chance to read it. Sadly for me I still feel a bit meh about it. There are some very hot scenes in it so there is that the rest is just a little bit flat for me. Maybe it is because I did not start with the rest I just I don’t know this one did not click very well for me. Maybe it is because it was only about 82 pages long so short you can’t feel like your digging in. That said it is not a terrible book and there is a lot of heat.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: The Conquered Shore (Lodestone #5) by Mark Whiteway

Following a momentous journey across space, two groups of Helvenans are locked in a struggle for survival on the strange, virgin planet they have named Kelanni.

Their long journey over, the exiles from the planet Helvena must now carve out a new existence. But the stain of war still blights the two factions – the hubbers with their strict caste system, now enforced by the new, fearsome keltar in their flying cloaks, and the free community of rimmers. On an alien world beset by unknown dangers and complex life forms they must find a way to come together…or be destroyed.

“This is the fifth book in Mark Whiteway’s beautifully crafted Lodestone series”

In the fifth instalment of the Lodestone series the long journey from the exiles of planet Helvena is over. What happened during war however leaves a mark that still haunts everyone. The Hubbers still must follow their strict caste system that is now enforced by the keltar.

Just when you think a series can’t get any better it comes out of left field with the next instalment and shows you that it can indeed still get better. This book is full of the excellent writing I have come to expect in this series along with the plot lines and twists that keep your brain on high alert. I simply love that in the course of reading this book you can’t take time to get passive about the story. If you get passive you may miss something and in all the action and complex plot you don’t want to miss something. Not a single moment. This is science fiction at its best

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Book Review: Vampire Meltdown (Night Angels #7) by Storm Savage

Zoe—torn between worlds. Is Booker the man she loves or the enemy she fears? While suffering from Acute Stress Syndrome, she forgets everyone connected to her pain and returns to the dark world of stripping again.

Flashbacks confuse her and anxiety sets in as she struggles to discover who or what she is. Brief visions of men from her past spark her desire for revenge. Her potent craving for blood is strong, but the need for justice is stronger. She doesn’t understand why she feels the way she does, but has no desire to stop it. She likes wielding power over men—teasing them—killing them.

Will Zoe’s quest for vengeance lead her to the right man before she makes a fatal mistake

Lesson one learned from this book, not always good to start on book 7 of a series. Lesson two wow that is a short book, something like 77 pages?

Other then being fairly lost on how a Vampire can forget what they are (sounds bad) the book was okay. Zoe is an interesting character and one that I feel could be developed further. I know I am sure I missed some of her development because I came in so late in the series but I do think she has a ways to go. The premise though is solid, she is a strong and curiously interesting character. The writing is solid and flows well enough to keep me interested. While it is not my favorite Vampire book of all time, it was worth while to read it and for pure hot appeal it gets good marks. I always love a little bit of hot Vampire story to pass the time.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: When Girlfriends Step Up by Savannah Page

A novel about love and support, and learning that with enduring friendships, no woman is ever alone.

Robin Sinclair is young, determined, and has a promising career at a small publishing house in Seattle. Even though she considers herself unlucky in love, Robin still dreams of eventually meeting Mr. Right and having a happily-ever-after kind of life. And at twenty-five, the world of opportunity is wide. But it’s been a difficult year filled with trials…and it’s only just begun.

While long-time friendships are finally on the mend, and things are starting to look up again, Robin is faced with her biggest challenge yet. She’s single and pregnant.

Uncertain now of her future and scared of being alone, Robin must re-examine her life and choices, and summon the courage to step up.

With the love and support of her best girlfriends from college, especially her best friend and roommate, Lara, Robin will learn that when the going gets tough, the best of friends become family. And, perhaps, with their encouragement, Robin can mature and gain the confidence needed to become a single mother. And, who knows about being unlucky in love. Things are suddenly getting interesting with Robin’s attractive co-worker, Bobby.

This is the endearing sequel to When Girlfriends Break Hearts about maturity and perseverance. It’s a story about friends coming together as family, about finding the strength within and around, and about writing your own happily-ever-after. About what happens when girlfriends step up

I didn’t read the first in the series I only found out it was a series part after I started reading it. That said it is a book that can also stand on it’s own very well.

This was a very heart warming and great book. I enjoyed the story as whole and I was very glad that our main character Robin found love but what I loved even more was the love and support between her and her girlfriends. It seems to me that in today’s society to many times women are competitive with one another and not as supportive and friend like as they should and could be. I know I myself don’t have as many female friends as I would like. So this story settled well with me and I enjoyed the story of how supportive these women were. The book itself flows very well together and makes the story all the more enjoyable. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good chic lit and a very lovely story.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: Seeds Across the Sky (Lodestone #4) by Mark Whiteway

The discovery of an ancient artefact sends Keris of the kelanni and the human Alexander McCann spinning back into the distant past to uncover a threat more terrible than either of them could conceive.

‘Seeds Across the Sky’ is the fourth book in the best selling Lodestone Series.

Seeds Across the Sky by Mark Whiteway is the fourth book in the Lodestone series and another solidly fantastic book. With this instalment of the exciting series Keris is investigating the theft of an important artifact that takes her to Alexander the last human and from there the adventure continues when he is able to get the artifact for her. If you want a book that is once again full of adventure, fun, twists and power this is really the book for you. While it is clearly part of a series I personally feel that if you were to come along this one first there is enough information that it could be a standalone as well. Mark Whiteway clearly knows what he is doing when it comes to writing Science Fiction and has become my new favourite author in the genre.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Reviews: Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7) by Jim Butcher

There’s an entire world that exists alongside the everyday life of mankind. There are powers, nations, monsters, wars, feuds, alliances – everything. Wizards are part of it. So are a lot of other things you’ve heard about in stories, and even more you’ve never heard of…Vampires. Werewolves. Faeries. Demons. Monsters. It’s all real.

Harry Dresden knows full well that such creatures exist. Paranormal investigations are his stock-in-trade, and Chicago is his beat as he tries to bring law and order to a world that exists on the edges of imagination. Luckily Harry’s not alone in this struggle. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don’t believe in magic, there’s a department that’s been set up within the Chicago PD to deal with “strange” cases: the Special Investigations department.

Karrin Murphy is the head of SI and a good friend of Harry’s. So when a deadly vampire threatens to destroy Murphy’s reputation unless Harry helps her, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler and all the power that comes with it – but first Harry has to determine what the Word of Kemmler is. Now Harry is in a race against time – and six necromancers – to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead.

Oh Harry, where have you been all of my life. This is a world of wizards for adults and I love every moment that I spend with him. Harry is blackmailed in this one to do some bidding of the woman he dislikes a Vampire of the Black court oh and the things he does.

Zombie T-Rex…ZOMBIE T-REX and her name is Sue, that is all I can really say about that.

I really enjoyed this installment and things are getting worse for Harry and the war with the Vampires. Not only that but he ticks off a guy who is almost a deity. Yeah He is going to be having a bad time after that I think. I know some people don’t like Harry but I am not one of those, nope I love Harry, bring on the next book!

My Gemstone Rating:

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Book Review: The Lodestone Trilogy (Lodestone #1-3 omnibus) by Mark Whiteway

On a distant planet ruled by a brutal tyrant, an alien girl comes to the aid of a stranger and is plunged into the midst of a titanic struggle that will decide the fate of her world.

For the first time in a single volume, this limited edition version includes all three books of the first Lodestone story arc, including a revised and updated version of Book One, a unique cover featuring a scene from the second book, and a special chapter navigation system. The combined 360,000 word epic is available for a limited period only.

Lose yourself in the astounding world of Kelanni!

The description for this trilogy starts, “On a distant planet ruled by a brutal tyrant, an alien girl comes to the aid of a stranger and is plunged into the midst of a titanic struggle that will decide the fate of her world. “ Let me tell you it got me hooked right away and I was more than happy to dive into this trilogy. I love science fiction but I have found that a great deal of it tends to be repetitive these days, not the case at all with The Lodestone Trilogy by Mark Whiteway. The story is unique and brings you in with the amazing detail and engaging characters. There are so many levels to the story telling in this book there is never a moment where you’re bored. You get the information on a society that is not what you might think right away in a Science Fiction, you get fight scenes, Good Vs. Evil and shades of grey as well. If you are looking for an epic enjoyable Science Fiction to read I would highly recommend this trilogy. I could barely set them set down when I was reading!

My Gemstone Rating:

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