Jill Myles - Smokin' Hot Succubus Series

Yesterday, I read the first book in Jill Myles' Succubus Diaries, Gentlemen Prefer Succubi. Jill has a wicked sense of humor and her sex scenes are smokin' hot. My local library doesn't have her second book, Succubi Like it Hot, which is strange, because they do have the third book, My Fair Succubi.  Why do libraries do that? Have some of the books in a series, but not all of them? Especially in this case, where the library has the first and then the third book?  Strange. Anyway, I loved this book and I'm not sure I can wait on the library to get the second book from another library in my state.  I may have to buy the ebook version.

There are many similarities to Richelle Mead's Succubus series as well as some interesting differences.  There are demons, vampires, and angels in both series, but the relationship between the beings are handled differently.  In Richelle Mead's series, when the succubus feeds, she removes life force from her lover and actually shortens his life.  If she sucks too much, she can kill her lover.  In Jill Myles' series, the feeding is a win-win for both sides.  Her succubus can have sex with men she likes without hurting them. Richelle Mead's succubus answers to a demon who plays a middle-management role in Hell's hierarchy, while Jill Myles' succubus has a vampire and an angel as co-masters. Both series are well worth reading.

Charlaine Harris - Dead Reckoning

Charlaine Harris' new Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead Reckoning, comes out May 3, 2011.  Right now, you can go to Charlaine's website and read the first chapter.  Click here to go right to the excerpt.

Carolyn Crane - The Disillusionists Trilogy

I've just finished reading Double Cross, the second book in Carolyn Crane's Disillusionists Trilogy.  This is a series with an original premise; that people can use their insecurities as weapons.


The heroine, Justine Jones, is a severe hypochondriac who learns how to pass her dark emotions on to others.  This may not seem like much of a weapon, but the author's imaginative use of the debilitation of fear is amazing.  Great quirky characters, a believable love triangle, and a twisty plot make this a very fun read.  


To Carolyn Crane: Please, please write faster. I can't wait for the third in the series which is due out later this year.

Stacia Kane - Chess Putnam Series

This week, I've read the three books in the Chess Putnam series (Unholy Ghosts, Unholy Magic and City of Ghosts) by Stacia Kane.  I'd read her Megan Chase series a while back and really liked them, but her Chess Putnam series is totally addictive.  


This one has a different kind of protagonist and the love interest is definitely not what you would expect. Very dark, edgy and violent, her world is dense and intricately drawn. The characters are seriously flawed and have Issues with a capital I. 
I was swept up with the intensity of the romance and I think Stacia has written some of the best love scenes I've ever read. 


The drug use in the books may be a little off-putting for some, but I believe that once you get caught up with the characters, you'll find the drug use is necessary to show the vulnerability of the characters. Now I can't wait for the next book in the series which is, as yet, untitled.

HPB - Big Sale this Weekend

If you haven't already, get on over to Half Price Books and sign up on their email list.  Right away, you'll get a coupon for 20% off everything from Friday, Feb. 4 to Monday, Feb. 7. That's a great deal!

Save Time - Read More

Do you go to your local library and search for books on the shelf?  Yeah, I used to do that.  I'd look for an hour or so and find one or two books that could be interesting.  I had the impression that our local libraries just didn't buy many books. 

 Then, our library put their catalog online.  At first, I used it to check to see which of our county libraries had a particular book that I could pick up that day, but I eventually found the reserve feature.  I can now find great books from book sites on the internet, read the reviews, then switch right over to the library site and reserve the books.  In a few days, I stop by the library and pick up my stack of books.  Easy Peasy. 

 I found that our local library even has a share feature with many other libraries in the state.  I can search about 15 different libraries at once and it's seldom that I can't find a book that I'm looking for. It only takes a couple of days for the member libraries to get the book to my local library.  

Free Reads and More!! Part Two

Continuing on with a list of Author's websites that contain free stuff.


Kelley Armstrong - Since 2002, she writes an annual online fiction offering. Her website contains 14 short stories and serialized novellas.  She also has free wallpaper.


Claudia Gray - Has some really nice wallpapers and avatars.


Carrie Vaughn - Her site has links to 5 short stories.


C. E. Murphy - There are 7 short stories on her site.


Anya Bast - She offers 3 short stories, all in PDF,Mobipocket, and zipped HTML versions.


Jennifer Estep - Jennifer's site has 5 short stories.