Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Just released August 14th 

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Wild Hunger is a spin off or second generation of the "Chicagoland Vampires" Series.

Elisa Sullivan has escaped Chicago to Study in Paris, partly for an education and partly to slip away from the notoriety for being the first child ever born to vampires. Her Parents, Merit and Ethan Sullivan are the focus of the original series and Wild Hunger is the first book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, which introduces us to Elisa, as well as  Lulu the daughter of a very powerful witch, and Connor the son of the Apex to the Shifters.

The storyline starts with a literal bang and a then a jump, when Elisa is forced into the conflict between house and countries, on the eve of a trip home to attend a peace conference, hosted by her parents. Once she arrives home she is faced with one challenge after another, some personal and some public. Elisa is her own character, she does have a great blend of her parents characteristics; bold and fearless but she also views herself as something "other" or a monster, which can also be a throwback to how Merit viewed herself in the beginning of the original series. You are gifted with a small amount of back story between Connor and Elisa, which helps shape your understanding of their relationship. Connor is ever the tormentor but also a protector, and since they haven't seen each other in the last four years they have both matured and grown as people, which sets us the romance portion of the storyline.

A friend, Riley Sixkiller, who is also the former love interest of Lulu, is accused of murder, peace talks are side tracked and there are some not so friendly fae on the loose. Elisa and Conner must make choices between loyalty and friendship to save Chicago and themselves.

If you were a fan of the original series, you'll feel right at home, even though twenty plus years have passed since the ending of the original series, somethings have changed but the characters are the same. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading the original series you can still start here. There are lots of references to prior battles and characters but there are also enough details given that you won't be lost. But I do suggest to pick them up as soon as you can so you can truly enjoy this book. Chloe Neill knows how to write action but the romance, friendship and loyalty still shine through. Strong and smart female leads with some violence but an interesting read for most any age.

I personally can't wait for the next installment comes out, there is a pesky premonition to contend with afterall...

Much Thanks to Net Galley and the Publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sandstorm- By James Rollins

Sandstorm by James Rollins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First book in the Sigma Force series, I haven't read them in order and have enjoyed them but I', finally filling in the gaps. It helps to read them in order since it gives you a greater understanding of how the characters got to where they are now.
James Rollins loves science, legends and the unknown and it really shows in his books.

The story starts with a storm and a freak explosion in the Museum of Natural History in London which then sets off a series of events. A race to discover what caused the massive explosion which leads to an unexpected scientific discovery with serious consequences for world. This is the first investigation for a CIA operative, Painter Crowe with the newly created "Sigma Force." This starts in London and then into the vast Saudi desert in search of a lost city. Secrets are uncovered and theories are made and then discarded for even more obscure facts, religious and scientific. The story line is fast paced, has a small cast of main characters whose personalities cause them to be larger than life. It's your normal Action Adventure but with a bit more. Fun and educational read.
Then when you reach the end and expect it to be all an adventure from the author's imagination he goes on to educate you about the real science behind the story complete with references. There's Always a bit more to Rollins books, than a good story line.
Some romance, some history, a lot of action, something for everyone.


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Bookish Tuesday- Hold Back the Dark

Kay Hooper's Hold Back The Dark is number 18 in the Bishop/SCU series and it was wonderful until it wasn't. I'm a fan of Kay Hooper and have read all of her books and the Bishop Novels are seriously my favorites. Kay Hooper lives in North Carolina as do I and many of her books are located in the western part of the state, imaginary towns but they have the feel of the area. The Bishop novels can be read as stand alone but to get a full understanding you'll want to start at the beginning. The author does include a great appendix that gives information on the characters and their abilities which helps but to really understand some of the issues you'll need to start from scratch.

Hold Back The Dark starts out with a bang, almost a literal bang, and ends with a thud. Another hundred pages wouldn't have hurt either. We're introduced to a great new cast of characters and brought up to date on our old favorites, then the story really gets good or gruesome, depending on your point of view and then it's over. Just like that, it leaves you wondering how many pages were cut and why. It doesn't have a cliffhanger, there is a conclusion and a set up for the next part of the series but nonetheless it wasn't as satisfying as a normal Kay Hooper novel.


The basis of the story is that something horrific is happening in the town of Prosperity, that results in an all out call for help from a mysterious source to psychic all over the United States. Bishop and his team, plus new characters are responding to the call. Once they arrive there are quickly a series of murders. done by the most unlikely of killers. Tragedy strikes in the small town, one after the other and the team has to move quickly before the town is taken over and the evil escapes.

I'm hoping that there are new books in the works with more details and that the new characters are brought back for more cases. It's worth the read if you're a Kay Hooper fan but as a stand alone, not so much.

Bookish Tuesday- The Woman Who Couldn't Scream

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Let me start out first by saying no one does suspense like Christina Dodd, her books have layers on top of layers of intrigue and twists and turns, until you've run up to the end and WOW, you just didn't see that one coming! If you like strong, smart female leads and a continuing underlying storyline with a satisfying conclusion in each book this series is for you.

This is book four in the Virtue Falls universe and it can stand alone but some characters will read better if you have their story from the beginning.

In this installment we are back in Virtue Falls and I was thrilled to be catching up with my favorite Characters. Kateri Kwinault is finally Sheriff, and unfortunately Rainbow is in trouble. Stag is back and better than ever and then we are introduced to a new/old friend Merida, who can not speak, that has troubles of her own. While this is her story she brings some background into the early life of Katerim, who's story is intertwined with hers.


Kateri Kwinault, newly elected and the first female sheriff of Virtue Falls, Washington is having a bad week. It starts with a drive by shooting that injures her and puts her best friend Rainbow in a coma. Just days later during a harrowing car chase she is injured when her deputy loses control hits a tree and reopens her stitches.

Add to that the City Council is not happy and they haven't even realized that they have a serial killer that is slashing his victims faces. That'll put a damper on tourism, in a town that depends on it. Then a beautiful but mysterious woman comes to town. Merida can not speak but is not immune to the interest in her from the small town. Merida is in Virtue Falls to plan her revenge on the people who destroyed her happiness and took her voice but nothing is as simple as what it seems.

Merida has reinvented herself yet again as she arrives in Virtue Falls, along the same time that Kateri's half sister. All three are from different worlds but share a past.

One thing that will really draw you into Christina Dodd's books are her strong female characters. Often leading ladies are only there to be rescued by the leading hero. Dodd's female leads are the rescuers as well as being canny, strong and intelligent.  Add a bit of the mystical to the panoramic beaut of the Pacific Northwest and you have an excellent setting for a series, one you won't want to miss.

While it is listed as romantic suspense it is a cut above. Kateri is growing into her role as sheriff, Merida's mystery is more complex than you suspect at first and prior stories are expanded upon.

Bookish Tuesday- Year One by Nora Roberts

Find Year One at Amazon or your local Books Store

One Drop of Blood and the Doom Starts!

Not your run of the mill Nora Roberts books, this is the first in a new series that creates a whole new world. All of  the normal twist, turns, magic and wonder of a Nora Roberts storyline. I started this book at lunch and hated to have to put it down to head back to work, but managed to finish it early the next day. While I loved the story line and the masses of characters, the time lines seemed disjointed and jumped strangely so that a couple of times I thought I might have missed something in the telling. I did have an Advanced readers copy so this could be corrected in the final version. Over all it is a beginning to series and there is a lot of world building going on and I can't wait for the next book to see where it leads. Most of Ms. Roberts' series generally fall into the threes I'm hoping for much more story than three books could give.

Ross MacLeod was on Holiday at his family's farm, pheasant hunting and with one drop of blood he manages to start a chain of events that will in quick order change the very fabric of the world. This is a dystopian storyline about a virus that kills the majority of people very quickly, the few who are lucky enough survive don't escape unchanged. Those left behind to face to this new world order with failing electrical systems, food shortages and other dark dangers are awaking with new and sometimes wonderful powers. Some of those of course are full of light and wonder and some are dark and dangerous.

The large cast of characters include Max and Lana, who barely escape New York City, Fred, Chuck and Arlys; Techies and journalist who are trying to spread the word to help others and Jonah and Rachel who are both in the medical field combine their skills to help a pregnant mom who has lost everything but her twins. You are right in the middle of these narrow escapes and they somehow all end up together working towards recreating what was and fending off the others who want to rule it all. All have an important part to play but the most important is Lana who will be the mother to "The One".

The ending will leave you gasping, crying and wanting more, just like a great series should.

Thanks to the publisher St. Martin's press for a Free ARC given away on Goodreads. 




Filed under- Paranormal, Fantasy, Suspense, Thriller, Urban Fantasy

Work In Progress Wednesday

So this week one of the bigger items I'm working on and actually making some headway is the Sidewalk CAL. The pattern is based on  a quilt set up and starts with small squares which leads into medium and larger squares. Some other crafters who have joined the CAL are doing a tighter square so that it lends itself to look more like a "quilted" square. I opted for a more open square only because I didn't want the afghan to be "dense", or stiff.

The CAL is still in process if you are interested in joining. Check it out on Ravelry.

Sidewalk Quilt by Pippapatchwork.com

So far I only have one tip for anyone who is thinking about doing this pattern, I chose to work with four colors because I didn't want it to be too busy, all those small squares are super busy on their own and I thought adding more color wouldn't help it all. I also had the idea that I didn't want to have large patches of colors, so no duplicate colors next to each other. I haven't had to do that so far but I do have some that are corner to corner. Had I just added another color I think that would have taken care of that issue. So my advice is go ahead and splurge and add another color to your pile!

These are my four colors, should have added another, Burgundy perhaps..

So far I've been able to shop my stash for this but soon I'll be venturing out and picking up another skein or two of each to keep the progress going. I've been really good this year about staying on the cold sheep bandwagon and not adding to the mess in the craft room but these will be coming in and being used up right away so they don't count towards the stash total!

The 60 small squares are completed. The date is totally not right, I had to pull out the old camera and I had no idea that it was still posting a date much less one that was so far off!

Here's where we are now.. .

Pretty Good Progress and the remaining Squares

Lots of loose ends..

Books and Yarn my two favorite things.. squares not so much anymore..lol

 Once I get the smalls together I'll start the medium Squares, which might go a bit faster since there are only 25 of those. And for the final large squares there are only 10. Let's just hope that they all line up the way I plan!

Along with my crafting I am reading Nemesis by Catherine Coulter. This is the newest installment in her FBI thriller series. Likeable characters, great plot twists and the story moves quickly. I think this is installment #19 in the series, you can pick up from here or you can start at the beginning. Great series that I highly recommend!

Thanks for stopping by! This post is being shared with Yarn Along , Oombawka Design Crochet and Frontier Dreams. Be sure to check out all of the great links this week for inspiration and to share the love of crafting!

WIP Wednesday

Today I'm working on a bright Spring Granny Square blanket, while reading a dark drama. Maybe they will even each other out a bit.

I've got just a couple of more rounds to go on the blanket then a scalloped boarder I'm thinking to make it a bit more girly. My only problem is this yarn..or the lack of it I seem to be having.

This is all I can find at the moment and did I keep the wrapper..no. Have I been all over creation looking for this yarn..yes..any luck..none. I haven't given up yet, I feel sure that I'll be able to put my hands on some. I do have two more boxes of stash that I haven't looked at yet and one more store to visit. If it doesn't work I'll have to make an executive decision and move on. No time to let it hold me back.  

Here's where I am right now.

On the reading side, I really like Karin Slaughter but this one was a bit hard to read in the beginning. It's based in Atlanta in the early 70's and deals with women on the Police force, men being 1970 knuckle dragging men but like most of her books they have a better ending.

Wish me luck or at least cross your fingers with me and hope for the best. I've got a couple of projects waiting in the wings and this UFO has been hanging around a bit too long for comfort.

Shared with Yarn Along, check out or join other crafters to see what we are working on and reading each week! Also check out Oombawka Designs for more great links.
 This project definitely a stashbuster check out some others over at Linda's crafty Corner.