I've been getting around to my huge To Be Read pile. Actually, it resembles the leaning tower of Pisa. My husband is thrilled that many of those books are now on my Kindle rather than adding to the nice quad piles of books beside my nightstand (hey, I dust them off and keep them piled neatly—most of the time). He has spent a lifetime with my books and me. J Most of the time he’s a good sport when it comes to my books and of course, I don’t complain much with regard to his TV/Movie watching—other than threatening death if a Television finds it’s way into the bedroom. He threatens a bonfire if he stubs a toe on another book. We've worked out a compromise of sorts.
Anyway, enough on domestic bliss and onto my TBR pile.
I met Alexandra Ivy when I first started promoting my blog.
I saw one of her books and thought, “Oh, I like the sound of this story!”
Typically, I came to the series (Guardians of Eternity) several books in and
read Darkness Unleashed. Of course I had to go back and read some I missed and I've still not read them all. I did manage to read Devoured by Darkness—I loved
Tane (a Charon sworn to hunt and kill rogue vampires) in the previous book and Laylah (half Jin) intrigued me. And then, I met
Ariyal (a Sylvermyst allegedly evil cousins to the fey with a very unique sword) and Jaelyn (an elite Vampire warrior) and had to read Bound by Darkness. Both are excellent and to
tell the truth, I don’t think I've read any books in this series that haven't been good. Excellent characterization and depiction of ‘otherworld’ characters
with a twist. I like the fact that all the stories deal with a clear arc of the beginning through the trials of the couple involved to the ending—where the two main characters are a unit although the world they're in isn't quite tidily solved. It's ever expanding. But that style gives satisfaction to me, as a reader.
If you enjoy a good paranormal a bit on the dark side (no
pun intended) then you should check out Alexandra Ivy’s Guardians of Eternity
series.
I also enjoy reading a new to me author, Morgan Mandel. I
picked up a copy of Forever Young for several reasons. It was contemporary, it
had a touch of paranormal and healthy dose of suspense, plus, she’s a blogging
buddy. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Great premise, interesting cast of
characters, and a probable story around and old theme of the search for the
fountain of youth—only this time it’s a pill. Hmm, intriguing. It was a good
story that kept me turning the pages. I think, aside from Dorrie, my favorite
character was Roman. He’s a bad guy. Sorta. Well, he’s in the camp of the bad
guy. What I liked was how Morgan gave me a villain that I could relate to. I
could see how someone could get to where he was and make some of the choices he
did and he had redeeming qualities. The main bad guy…well I understood
how he got to where he was but didn't like him. His utter disregard for life wasn't attractive at all and it had festered to monstrous proportions. Without
giving away spoilers, the ending was good but a little ambiguous for my taste.
It obviously sets up the sequel, which I really want to read, and was
realistic given the circumstances. You can’t argue over good triumphs over
evil.
Another that intrigues me, although I have yet read it (just the excerpt) is Suzanne Ferrel’s Hunted. I've always had a fascination for what makes religious fanatics tick and make the choices they do and all in the name of their god. Truly dangerous and creepy.
I’m looking forward to reading this one and I'll let you know what I think of it when I do.
- What about you? Have you read anything good lately?
- What does your TBR pile look like?
