Book #135: The Kill

Title: The Kill (Book #3 in The Forbidden Game trilogy)

Author: L.J. Smith

Date started reading: Dec. 31, 2012
Date finished reading: Dec. 31, 2012

Publish date: Originally published in 1994. Omnibus edition printed June 2010
ISBN: 978-1416989400
Number of pages: 241 in The Kill. 750 in entire omnibus edition

Official summary: "Jenny returns to the place where it all began; her grandfather’s house, where as a child she first met the child-Julian. A door with a strange rune on it opens to the most fantastic creation of Julian’s of all: an empty amusement park that Jenny loved as a child. Except here, all the rides are deadly. More, Jenny must survive her confrontations with an increasingly frustrated and determined Julian. Will he really kill her if he can’t have her? Jenny forces him to make the choice—and two worlds are changed forever."(http://www.ljanesmith.net)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $4.98 at local used book store. (It's actually a publisher's remainder book instead of a used book)

My commentary: If I had any idea this was going to be the book I'd close the year out with, I totally would've planned things out better. This entire trilogy sucked. The thing I hate the most about this series is that the characters all seemed really two-dimensional. Smith didn't take time ever to develop the personalities of the characters. It's fairly ironic because in the books, each character has a paper doll version of herself/himself. In reality, reading the books, each character seemed to have as much depth of those paper dolls.

Memorable quotes:

• "Nothing creepier than a closed amusement park." ~ Michael 

Buy on Amazon.com: The Forbidden Game: The Hunter; The Chase; The Kill

Book #134: The Chase

Title: The Chase (Book #2 in The Forbidden Game trilogy)

Author: L.J. Smith

Date started reading: Dec. 20, 2012
Date finished reading:  Dec. 31, 2012

Publish date: Originally published in 1994. Omnibus edition printed June 2010
ISBN: 978-1416989400
Number of pages: 252 in The Chase. 750 in entire omnibus edition

Official summary: "Jenny begins to get terrifying phone calls and soon it’s clear that Julian is loose is the real world. More and more, Jenny falls under his spell, allowing herself the freedom to do as she likes, no matter the consequences. It seems that Jenny has chosen Julian over Tom. But then her friends are disappearing, sucked into the Shadow Lands, paper dolls left in their places. Can Jenny outwit Julian without giving in to his demands entirely?"(http://www.ljanesmith.net)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $4.98 at local used book store. (It's actually a publisher's remainder book instead of a used book)

My commentary: Stupid holiday and getting sick made reading this book take forever. Trying to read this book was basically as interesting as banging my head against a wall.

Memorable quotes:

• "Nothing is as frightening as waking up and not knowing who you are, not knowing it's you waking." ~ Jenny

Buy on Amazon.com: The Forbidden Game: The Hunter; The Chase; The Kill

Book #133: The Hunter

Title: The Hunter (Book #1 in The Forbidden Game trilogy)

Author: L.J. Smith

Date started reading: Dec. 17, 2012
Date finished reading:  Dec. 19, 2012

Publish date: Originally published in 1994. Omnibus edition printed June 2010
ISBN: 978-1416989400
Number of pages: 252 in The Hunter. 750 in entire omnibus edition

Official summary: "Jenny wants to get her boyfriend, Tom, a special game for his birthday party. However, she can’t help but be fascinated by the boy with the white-blond hair who sells her a strange game as a present. It turns out that the boy, Julian, is the youngest of those from the Shadow Lands, a race of evil beings who live invisibly just beside our own world. Once Jenny opens the game, she is in his land. Julian is determined to seduce her, but he has to work by a set of inflexible rules, only touching Jenny where she has reached for him. In the fantasy house that Julian has created, where everyone at the party must face their greatest fear, Julian himself is Jenny’s worst nightmare ... and maybe her dream lover, as well."(http://www.ljanesmith.net)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $4.98 at local used book store. (It's actually a publisher's remainder book instead of a used book)

My commentary:

• I bought this almost an entire year ago. After I bought it, I read some bad reviews saying this series wasn't very good, so I've put off reading it this long. 
• After finishing the book, I can see why all the reviews are bad...

Memorable quotes:

• "The only thing worse than not remembering was remembering." ~ Jenny
• "A good hostess didn't get hysterical and ruin a party because she had shadows on the brain." ~ Jennifer

Buy on Amazon.com: The Forbidden Game: The Hunter; The Chase; The Kill

Book #132: Burned

Title: Burned (book #12 of the Pretty Little Liars series)

Author: Sara Shepard

Date started reading: Dec. 11, 2012
Date finished reading: Dec. 14, 2012

Publish date: December 2012
ISBN: 978-0062081926
Number of pages: 336

Official summary: "It's spring break, and the pretty little liars are trading in Rosewood for a cruise vacation. They want nothing more than to sail into the tropical sunset and leave their troubles behind for one blissful week. But where Emily, Aria, Spencer, and Hanna go, A goes, too. From scuba diving to tanning on the upper deck, A is there, soaking up all their new secrets. Emily is smooching a stowaway. Aria's treasure-hunting partner is a little too interested in her booty. Spencer's going overboard trying to land a new boy. And a blast-or rather, a crash-from Hanna's past could mean rough waters ahead for everyone. The liars better tighten their life jackets. A perfect storm is brewing, and if they aren't careful, A will bury them at sea." (http://www.epicreads.com)

How I obtained the book: Pre-ordered for $15.21 from Walmart using a giftcard I got for my birthday

My commentary:  I can't believe that Sara Shepard is still able to come up with so many twisted secrets for these girls to have and so many traumatic events for them to experience. This book was one of the best of the series. The only thing that bothered me about it -- and it bugs me about all the books and the TV show -- is the four girls are always so quick to assume they know who "A" is. They're always ready to blame someone for being "A" even when they know he/she frames other people all the time. 

Memorable quotes:

• "Four liars are about to get burned." ~ message from "A" on the cover under the dust jacket
• "Whoever New A was, New A was crazy. How could (Spencer) anticipate a lunatic's next move?" 
• "Life isn't worth living if you're scared all the time." ~ Jordan to Emily
•  "I had this epiphany. I'd rather clear my conscience than live a lie. Even if that means suffering for it, I don't think I can live another day with this hanging over me." ~ Aria

Buy on Amazon.com: Burned (Pretty Little Liars, Book 12)

Book #131: Ghosts of Memories

Title: Ghosts of Memories (Book #5 in the Vampire Memories series)

Author: Barb Hendee

Date started reading: Dec. 6, 2012
Date finished reading:  Dec. 9, 2012

Publish date: October 2012
ISBN: 978-0451464842
Number of pages: 336

Official summary: "With her vampire protector Philip Branté and their human companion Wade Sheffield, a former police psychologist, Eleisha Clevon searches the world for isolated vampires — and offers them sanctuary. She wants to provide a home where she can teach them to follow the Four Laws that will protect them and their kind. But not all vampires want to live by anyone’s rules but their own. Christian Lefevre has been posing a psychic, catering to the upper crust of Seattle society by making contact with their dead loved ones — and leaving his clients faint and weak after each encounter. Now Eleisha must confront the most deadly predator she has ever faced — or lose everything she has fought to protect..." (http://www.barbhendee.org)

How I obtained the book: Checked out of library

My commentary: I'm so sad that I'm out of books to read in this series. I need more books...

Buy on Amazon.com: Ghosts of Memories: A Vampire Memories Novel

Book #130: In Memories We Fear

Title: In Memories We Fear (book #4 in the Vampire Memories series)

Author: Barb Hendee

Date started reading: Dec. 4, 2012
Date finished reading: Dec. 6, 2012

Publish date: October 2011
ISBN: 978-0451464224
Number of pages: 336

Official summary: "London's calling. There's a new vampire in town. Eleisha Clevon lives a quiet life in Portland, Oregon — for a vampire. She has learned to feed without killing humans and to train others of her kind. Along with her protector, Philip Branté, and their human companion, Wade Sheffield, she seeks out other vampires to offer them a community and to show them they do not have to exist alone. Now, a series of killings in England point to a new — and feral — vampire. Eleisha, Philip, and Wade travel to London to make contact with the terrified creature, to offer him sanctuary and stop the bloodshed. But the vampire they find is not what they expected. Maxim is centuries old, with no memory of living anywhere besides the forest and feeding on animals. Now, he’s gained a taste for human blood. Philip thinks he’s too dangerous to save, but Eleisha won’t give up... even at the cost of Philip’s love and her own life." (http://www.barbhendee.org)

How I obtained the book: Bought using a Walmart giftcard I earned through plink.com

My commentary:  I remain pleasantly surprised by how much I love this series. Hendee's writing reminds me a lot of Richelle Mead's writing, and I love how Mead writes. Hendee seems to subscribe to the "introduce a character, make reader love character, kill character" method. She's killed off two characters that I really liked, but I'm ok with it because she did it in a way that really moved the plot forward.

Buy on Amazon.com: In Memories We Fear: A Vampire Memories Novel

Book #129: Bitter Blood

Title: Bitter Blood (Book #13 of the Morganville Vampires series)

Author: Rachel Caine

Date started reading: Nov. 20, 2012
Date finished reading: Nov. 26, 2012

Publish date: November 2012
ISBN: 978-0451238115
Number of pages: 416

Official summary: "For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within. Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires. To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news ... or worse." (http://morganvillevampire.com/)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $15.29 from Walmart using a giftcard I got for my birthday.

My commentary:  I've really loved this series, but it's starting to get a little old. This book was pretty good, but it had some parts that just kept dragging on and on. The first eight books in the series were about half the size of this book, and I think I actually preferred  the smaller books because Caine's writing just seemed tighter without as much fluff as this book. This book did have some surprises that kept things interesting overall, making me glad I've continued with the series. But at the same time, I do think it's a good thing that the series is supposed to end soon.

Memorable quotes:

• "If you'd become a vampire, you'd have so much more potential." ~ Myrnin to Claire
• "Ah, Morganville. Where dressing to hide bloodstains was just good daily planning." ~ Claire
• "Apparently, prejudices didn't die, even when people died." ~ Claire
• "Wow. Who turned you into the Green-Eyed Monster? And don't tell me you got bitten by a radioactive spider. There's no superhero of jealousy." ~ Shane to Claire
• "Guess what? Payback's a bitch. And so am I." ~ Monica
• "Really? That's what creeps you out. Waxing. You can take on vampires and draug and killers, but you're afraid of a little chest-hair pulling?" ~ Claire
  "Yes because I am sane." ~ Shane
• "Shane, the closest you ever got to the Boy Scouts was when that whole troop of them beat you up in the fourth grade." ~ Eve
  "Be fair -- they were Brownies, and those girls were soccer-trained. Mean kickers." ~ Shane
• "You have an impressive amount of crazy in that head." ~ Eve to Claire
• "Don't play at word games with me. I was a master of it before your country even existed." ~ Myrnin to Claire
• "Morganville lately had seemed exasperating, a broken toy that would never be put right no matter how much time and love I lavished on the repairs." ~ Amelie
• "In an insane world, sanity made very little sense." ~ Myrnin
• "You're not a killer. Fangs aside, I know you, man. You've got a nice-guy streak a mile wide. Now me ... Me, I'm more of a 'Welcome to the dark side' kind of person." ~ Shane to Michael
• "It's not our fault you have more baggage than an airport at Christmas." ~ Claire to Monica
• "The Apocalypse must be near, because a guy is arguing against grilling. That's just un-Texan, Michael." ~ Claire
• "Could you maybe not admire the evil enemy quite so much, and focus more on how we're going to get out of this? Because I'm pretty sure we're going to die, too." ~ Claire to Myrnin
• "My, if I didn't loathe her so much, I'd admire her." ~ Myrnin about Naomi

Buy on Amazon.com: Bitter Blood (Morganville Vampires, Book 13)

Book #128: Memories of Envy

Title: Memories of Envy (book #3 in the Vampire Memories series)

Author: Barb Hendee

Date started reading: Nov. 16, 2012
Date finished reading:  Nov. 20, 2012

Publish date: June 2011
ISBN: 978-0451464088
Number of pages: 336

Official summary: "Her wiles are irresistible. Her hunger... insatiable. A reluctant vampire, Eleisha Clevon has made a home for herself and other vampires in Portland, Oregon. Despite the risks, she is determined to locate all vampires who still reside in isolation so she can offer them sanctuary and, more important, so she can teach them to feed without killing. She is shocked when she learns that a lost vampire may be living as close as Denver — and she has to handle this one more carefully than any she has ever approached. Simone Straford is a beautiful, delicate-looking creature from the roaring twenties who enjoys playing elaborate games with mortals, stoking their passion for her before finally draining them of their blood. When Eleisha and her protector, Philip Branté, go to Denver to search for Simone, what they find is far worse — and more seductive — than either one bargained for." (http://www.barbhendee.org)

How I obtained the book: Got through PaperBackSwap.com

My commentary: I'm so glad I found this series. I'm going to start recommending it to everyone who likes vampire stories... especially vampire stories that don't include the cheesy erotic scenes that some series have.

Buy on Amazon.com: Memories of Envy: A Vampire Memories Novel

Book #127: Hunting Memories

Title: Hunting Memories (book #2 in the Vampire Memories series)

Author: Barb Hendee

Date started reading: Nov. 12, 2012
Date finished reading:  Nov. 15, 2012

Publish date: October 2010
ISBN: 978-0451463579
Number of pages: 352

Official summary: "You are not alone. There are others like you. When she reads those words, Eleisha Clevon knows she has to respond to the vampire Rose de Spenser's letter. Both reluctant predators, they venture outside only when the hunger becomes unbearable — and feel guilty when ending human lives. But Eleisha has learned a way to draw blood from her victims without killing them. She wants to share this knowledge with like-minded vampires and forge a united front against Julian Ashton, a vampire who preys on his own kind. To win Rose to her cause, Eleisha must risk meeting her face-to-face, knowing full well she might be an agent of Julian's — but never expecting the revelations Rose has to share about Eleisha's own vampire origins." (http://www.barbhendee.org)

How I obtained the book: Got through PaperBackSwap.com

My commentary:  This one was just as amazing as the first one. I'm in awe over the series. Why, oh why, didn't I find it sooner?

Buy on Amazon.com: Hunting Memories: A Vampire Memories Novel

Book #126: Blood Memories

Title: Blood Memories (book #1 in the Vampire Memories series)

Author: Barb Hendee

Date started reading: Nov. 8, 2012
Date finished reading: Nov. 11, 2012

Publish date: October 2008
ISBN: 978-0451462299
Number of pages: 243

Official summary: "For ages, they have lived among mortals, in the shadows, hiding their true selves from the eyes of humanity — until now. Eleisha Clevon is no angel, although she has the face of one. A vampire, she's far older than she looks — and she makes men yearn to care for her. A few even survive the experience. Eleisha might not like to kill, but she knows self-preservation must come first. So when an old vampire friend kills himself, Eleisha is shocked. What she finds afterward shows how world-weary he had become — hoarding drained corpses and keeping records of vampires' actual names and addresses. Now the police know who Eleisha is and, more alarmingly, what she is. But she soon realizes that being known may have its pros — even if it puts her and her kind at risk." (http://www.barbhendee.org)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $1.34 at Barnes & Noble

My commentary:  I only bought this book because I found it so cheap one day when I was looking at the clearance section of the book store. I've had it on my shelf for quite some time. I didn't expect much from the book because I had never heard of it, but dear God, it is awesome. I loved every page of it. It was filled with action, suspense, and some sexual tension. Hendee was able to capture and keep the reader's attention without having to resort to lots of sexual content. It was strictly a great vampire story (with lots of psychic ability content). I am pumped to read the rest of the series.

Memorable quotes:

• "We don't really live forever, baby. We just cheat for a while." ~ Edward
• "Maggie never did anything by accident." ~ Eleisha
• "I took no pleasure in the fact that some mortal had to die so I could go on living." ~ Eleisha
• "Guilt was a new emotion for me. I hated it." ~ Eleisha
• "It's too bad undead can't cry." ~ Eleisha
• "Mortals always use pretty euphemisms like 'caught in an obsession' to sugarcoat realities like madness." ~ Eleisha
• "Trust me on this. My head isn't someplace you want to be." ~ Dominick to Wade
• "If you're poor and strange, people call you mad. If you're rich and strange, they call you eccentric." ~ Eleisha
• "You take mortals at face value and then put them into neat little categories so you won't have to deal with anyone." ~ Wade to Eleisha

Buy on Amazon.com: Blood Memories (Vampire Memories)

Book #125: Destiny Rising

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Hunters: Destiny Rising

Author: "Created by L.J. Smith" but written by ghostwriter

Date started reading: Nov. 4, 2012
Date finished reading:  Nov. 8, 2012

Publish date: October 2012
ISBN: 978-0062017734
Number of pages: 400

Official summary: "Destined for danger ... Elena has faced countless challenges-escaping the Dark Dimension, defeating phantoms, discovering she's a Guardian. But nothing compares to choosing between the two loves of her life: Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Elena has reunited with Stefan, while Damon, hurt by the rejection, has become dark and unpredictable. Now Elena's torn between saving Damon's soul and staying true to Stefan. But before Elena can decide who her heart belongs to, Dalcrest College's campus is overrun with vampires determined to resurrect Klaus, the wicked Old One who will stop at nothing to destroy Elena-and everyone close to her. As Elena learns more about her destiny as a Guardian, a protector against evil on earth, she realizes that before she can defeat Klaus, she has to sacrifice someone close to her. Elena must decide how much -- and who -- she's willing to give up before it's too late." (http://www.epicreads.com)

How I obtained the book: Pre-ordered for $12 from Walmart using a giftcard I got for my birthday

My commentary: I really loved this book. Really really loved it. I think the ghostwriter is doing an excellent job bringing the series back to where it should have been all along. It's dark and not as whimsical as the last few books that L.J. actually wrote. The only issue I have with it is them seeming to have an issue with Elena being a normal human. They just can't seem to leave her human. First she was human, then a vampire, then dead, then an angel, then human, then human with supernatural powers, then just human, now she's a guardian who will live forever. Seriously can't she just be human? She's also now got a connection to Damon where if he kills someone again, she'll die. What the hell is up with that?

Memorable quotes:

• "Stefan didn't know, but he thought that being a werewolf was probably a lot less lonely than being a vampire. If you had a Pack." 
• "I like patrolling with you. It's almost like a romantic stroll, except for, you know, the possibility of being attacked by vampires." ~ Bonnie to Zander
• "You might be wicked in theory, but your heart is so pure." ~ Katherine to Damon
• "Love changes you. And it never fades, no matter how much you might want it to. Don't make the mistakes I've made, Damon. Don't fight love, whatever form it takes." ~ Katherine
• "Let the record show that I tried to save you, and that you are the most infuriatingly stubborn person I've ever known." ~ Damon to Elena
• "You should have learned by now that you can never ask a girl to give up all her secrets. And I'm full of secrets. Always." ~ Katherine to Damon
• "What if loving me destroys everything else that matters to you?" ~ Bonnie to Zander
• "You can't poison a vampire." ~ Damon

Buy on Amazon.com: The Vampire Diaries: The Hunters: Destiny Rising

Book #124: Finale

Title: Finale (fourth and final book in the Hush Hush series)

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Date started reading: Oct. 29, 2012
Date finished reading:  Nov. 3, 2012

Publish date: October 2012
ISBN: 978-1442426672
Number of pages: 464

Official summary: "Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn — but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?" (simonandschuster.com)

Official book trailer:

How I obtained the book: Pre-ordered for $11.73 from Walmart using a giftcard I got for my birthday

My commentary:  I'm a little surprised that this book/series ended with a happy ending. I fully expected Patch to die and leave readers sad. I should've known better. I wanted a sad ending for some reason.

Memorable quotes:

• "Next time I'm in the market for a best friend, remind me to shy away from the Energizer Bunny." ~ Nora
• "Patch is the last person you want to antagonize. He doesn't hold grudges, because the people who cross him tend to disappear quickly."Nora
• "If I could have any trophy displayed on my dresser, I wouldn't voluntarily choose one for corrupting people's minds." ~ Nora
• "If you touch my cell phone again, I'll pee in your Cheerios." ~ Marcie to Nora
• "I can handle a lot of things, but an unproductive day isn't one of them." ~ Patch
• "You're mine, Angel. Every last piece of you. I won't let anything change that." ~ Patch to Nora
• "You dress to impress." ~ Nora
  "No, Angel. I undress to impress." ~ Patch

Buy on Amazon.com: Finale (Hush, Hush)
 

Book #123: Hidden

Title: Hidden (book #10 of the "House of Night" series)

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Date started reading: Oct. 24, 2012
Date finished reading:  Oct. 26, 2012

Publish date: October 2012
ISBN: 978-0312594428
Number of pages: 320

Official summary: "Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night." (http://www.houseofnightseries.com)

Book "trailer:"

How I obtained the book: Pre-ordered for $13.82 from DoubleDay Book Club

My commentary:  I've been disappointed with some of the books of this series. They're often so cheesy that they annoy me, but this one was the best of the second half of the series. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this one is.

Memorable quotes:

• "But, Zoey, life isn't black and white or true and false, and neither are people." ~ Shaylin
• "Neferet loathed dogs almost as much as she loathed men." 
• "My life is Crazy Town." ~ Zoey
• "You're not Crazy Town. You're Crazy Metropolis. Hell, Z, you're Crazy Universe. But I like me some crazy." ~ Stark to Zoey
• "Neferet is only loyal to herself." ~ Rephaim
• "Being immortal you might not have realized this, but life is a lesson." ~ Thanatos to Kalona
• "I ain't Dr. Phil, but I'm smart." ~ Kramisha
• "Chaos burns -- people, vampyres, society. The victor who emerges from those ashes controls the world. I will be that victor." ~ Neferet
• "Humans don't look up. That was one thing that had not changed as the world aged. Man had conquered the sky, and yet unless there was a brilliant sunset or a full, gleaming moon to gaze upon, humans rarely glanced above their heads." ~ Kalona

Buy on Amazon.com: Hidden (House of Night)

Book #122: Immortal: Love Stories with Bite

Title: Immortal: Love Stories with Bite

Author: Editor - P.C. Cast. Writers - Rachel Caine, Kristin Cast, Claudia Gray, Nancy Holder, Tanith Lee, Richelle Mead, Cynthia Leitich Smith

Date started reading: Oct. 21, 2012
Date finished reading:  Oct. 23, 2012

Publish date: August 2008
ISBN: 978-1933771922
Number of pages: 280

Summary: "In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, seven of today’s most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove when you’re immortal, true love really is forever. Rachel Caine (the Morganville Vampires series) revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is a risky endeavor, even when it comes to your own family. Cynthia Leitich Smith (Tantalize) gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem. Claudia Gray (Evernight) takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre–Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn, in more ways than one. Richelle Mead (the Vampire Academy series) brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car, as well as a reason to keep running. Nancy Holder (the Wicked series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both. Kristin Cast (the House of Night series) introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time to save the girl he's meant to love. Rachel Vincent (the Soul Screamers series) explores a new corner of her series with the story of aleanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights, or draining him, and his talent, dry. And Tanith Lee (Black Unicorn) shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire."

How I obtained the book: Got through PaperBackSwap.com

My commentary: Ok, so I have got to stop reading these anthologies of short stories. It's a waste of money. I just don't like short stories overall. I did really like Richelle Mead's story though. Mead has a talent for making readers connect with characters quickly so she's good at even short stories

Memorable quotes:

• "Vampires. Can't live with 'em, and in Morganville, you definitely can't live without 'em, because they run the town." ~ Shane (in Rachel Caine's story)
• "Zombies, vampires, whatever. When you live in Morganville, you learn to roll with the supernatural punches." ~ Shane (in Rachel Caine's story)

Buy on Amazon.com: Immortal: Love Stories With Bite

Book #121: Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite

Title: Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite

Author: Edited by P.C. Cast. Stories by Heather Brewer, Rachel Caine, Claudia Gray, Nancy Holder, Jeri Smith-Ready, Lili St. Crow

Date started reading: Oct. 16, 2012
Date finished reading:  Oct. 20, 2012

Publish date: November 2010
ISBN: 978-1935618010
Number of pages: 256

Summary: "Eternal: More Love Stories With Bite presents all-new YA stories featuring vampires, the romantic heroes and heroines that still hold the reading public enraptured. A mix of writers makes for a fresh new collection with dark romance, and a book that's sure to thrill vampire romance fans old and new."

How I obtained the book: Bought for 50 cents at friends of the library charity book sale

My commentary:  Reading this reminded me of why I hate short stories overall. Unless the writer is fantastic, I just don't think you can form a strong emotional connection to a character when you're just reading a short story. The story I liked best in the book was Rachel Caine's, but of course, that was mainly because I read her Morganville Vampires book series and I had already developed the connection to the characters she focuses on. 

Memorable quotes:

• "Saying there are too many vampire novels is like saying there are too many cars." ~ P.C. Cast in the introduction
• "Being a vampire meant constantly negotiating between past, present, and future." ~ Patrice (in Claudia Gray's story)
• "Life begins after death -- the preachers didn't lie about that. But heaven can't be as sweet as drinking that Nazi's blood." ~ Charlie (in Claudia Gray's story)
• "That was the nature of love. Utter madness" ~ Romeo (in Nancy Holder's story)
• "My name is Eve, and I'm a drama queen. I don't mean like any old garden-variety teen throwing a tantrum, oh no. I am a Drama Queen, with big initial capital letters and curlicues on top. I work hard at it, and I resent anybody lumping me in with a bunch of wannabe poseurs who haven't even qualified in Beginning Pouting, much less Champion Fit Throwing." ~ Rachel Caine's story
• "Don't check my teeth like I'm your livestock. I bite back." ~ Eve (in Rachel Caine's story)
• "I heard the girl who catches the bouquet at a vampire wedding has to be dessert." ~ Liam (in Jeri Smith-Ready's story)
• "Vampire weddings are pretty much like human weddings, except there's no priest, no talk of kids, and instead of kissing each other, they bite." ~ Cassie (in Jeri Smith-Ready's story)

Buy on Amazon.com: Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite

Book #120: Blood And Chrysanthemums

Title: Blood And Chrysanthemums (Follow-up to "The Night Inside" a.k.a. "The Kiss of the Vampire")

Author: Nancy Baker

Date started reading: Oct. 7, 2012
Date finished reading:  Oct. 12, 2012

Publish date: 1995
ISBN: 978-0140238662
Number of pages: 282

Official summary: "Becoming a vampire was easier than she had ever dreamed... Ardeth Alexander surrendered her mortal life in a night of despair and desire – initiated into a new existence by the five-hundred-year-old vampire, Dimitri Rozokov. Living as a vampire was more complicated than she had ever expected... Fleeing Toronto, Ardeth and Rozokov settle in the tourist town of Banff, Alberta. While she tests her new strength against the mountains by climbing, Rozokov returns to astronomy, the science of his youth. Together they hunt the dark reaches of the park, preying on the animals they find there, upholding an unspoken agreement not to taste human blood. Yet all their activity cannot disguise their restlessness and soon their fragile happiness is shattered by bitter conflict and inevitable betrayal. Angry and unhappy, Ardeth returns to Toronto to try to recatpure the life she believed she had left behind forever. Understanding what it means to be a vampire would prove harder than she had ever imagined... What Ardeth and Rozokov do not know is that they are being hunted. A member of the yakuza, the Japanese underworld, is on their trail, seeking the fulfillment of his most secret ambition. So is his employer, Sademori Fujiwara – a vampire whose extraordinary history is revealed to Rozokov through his diary. From the seductive nights in the imperial court of the eleventh century to the horror and tragedy of the darkest days of the twentieth, Fujiwara’s story is a tale of poetry and violence, of delight and despair. In his life, Ardeth and Rozokov see the promise of the answers to the questions of love, mortality and morality that have torn them apart. Fujiwara’s power draws them back together to face those questions again – but the price that they all have to pay for the answers will be higher than any of them expected." (http://www.nancybaker.ca)

How I obtained the book: Got through PaperBackSwap.com.

My commentary: --

Memorable quotes: --

Buy on Amazon.com: Blood And Chrysanthemums: A Vampire Novel

Book #119: Snow White & the Huntsman

Title: Snow White & the Huntsman

Author: Lily Blake, Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock and Hossein Amini

Date started reading: Oct. 4, 2012
Date finished reading:  Oct. 5, 2012

Publish date: June 2012
ISBN: June 5, 2012
Number of pages: 240

Official summary: "Snow White is the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman who was dispatched to kill her." (http://www.snowwhiteandthehuntsman.com/)

Movie trailer:

How I obtained the book: Got through Listia.com. (It's sort of like eBay but uses a credit system instead of money.

My commentary:

• I haven't watched the movie. I'm sure I will at some point because it looks interesting. I didn't intend to read this book, but I saw it show up on Listia and decided to go ahead and read it.

Memorable quotes:

• "I believe kings and queens and dukes and princesses have no business sticking their noses in common folks' lives." ~ Huntsmaan
• "I have come to learn there is no peace while others suffer." ~ Snow White

Buy on Amazon.com: Snow White & the Huntsman

Book #118: Clockwork Prince

Title: Clockwork Prince (book #2 of The Infernal Devices series)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Date started reading: Sept. 30, 2012
Date finished reading: Oct. 3, 2012

Publish date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1416975885
Number of pages: 528

Official summary: "In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street — and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move — and that one of their own has betrayed them. Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will  — the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. (http://www.shadowhunters.com)

Official book trailer:

How I obtained the book: Checked out of library
Update: I ended up buying a copy of the book for $2.50 at a February 2013 Friends of the Library charity book sale

My commentary:  I didn't think this one was as great as the first in the series, but I still am loving it more than the Mortal Instruments series. Both series are great though.

Memorable quotes:

• "Memories did one no good, not when one knew the truth in the present." ~ Tessa
• "Being Jem must be a great deal like being the owner of a thoroughbred dog that liked to bite your guests." ~ Tessa about Jem and Will
• "I declare, the way you two seem to read each other's minds gives me the shudders." ~ Jessamine to Will and Tessa
• "Everyone is afraid of death. We may be born of angels, but we have no more knowledge of what comes after death than you do." ~ Will
• "Dear God, woman. Are there any questions you don't want to know the answer to?" ~ Will to Tessa
• "Jem is my great sin." ~ Will
• "I am poison. Poison to them. Poison to anyone who loves me." ~ Will
• "No one can live with nothing. Jem is all I have." ~ Will
• "When Will truly wants something when he feels something, he can break your heart." ~ Jem
• "They say time heals all wounds, but that presumes the source of the grief is finite. Over. This is a fresh wound every day." ~ Will
• "He'll be back, for goodness' sake. He always does come crawling home. Look at the two of you. Like you've lost a favorite puppy." ~ Jessamine about Will to Jem and Tessa
• "I don't think Will Herondale and a sense of responsibility are even on speaking terms." ~ Gabriel
• "There is nothing more dangerous than a man bent on revenge." ~ Ragnor
• "I know him better than anyone else in the world, and yet still I find that Will has secrets that surprise me." ~ Jem
• "You cannot buy or drug or dream your way out of pain." ~ Tessa to Will
• "Tessa is not made of delicate china. She will not break." ~ Jem
• "No good sentences ever include the word 'should.'" ~ Will
• "Nothing is beyond mockery." ~ Will
• "That (Jem) hit you last night, that only shows how capable you are of driving even saints to madness." ~ Tessa to Will
• "Master Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention -- but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest." ~ Sophie to Tessa
• "Unrequited love is a ridiculous state, and it makes those in it behave ridiculously." ~ Will

Buy on Amazon.com: Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices)

 

Book #117: Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel (book #1 of The Infernal Devices series)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Date started reading: Sept. 25, 2012
Date finished reading: Sept. 29, 2012

Publish date: October 2011
ISBN: 978-1416975878
Number of pages: 512

Official summary: "Magic is dangerous — but love is more dangerous still. When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by — and torn between — two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length ... everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world ... and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all. (http://www.shadowhunters.com)

Official book trailer:

 

How I obtained the book: Got through Listia.com. (It's sort of like eBay but uses a credit system instead of cash)

My commentary: 

• I loved The Mortal Instruments, but dear God, The Infernal Devices is even better. Totally obsessed now.
• I instantly became torn between Will and Jem. I love both of the characters. They're both perfect fictional heartthrobs. Damn you Cassie Clare!

Memorable quotes:

• "It was much less fun showing off without Jem to show off to." ~ Will
• "(Will) had the most beautiful face she had ever seen. Tangled black hair and eyes like blue glass. Elegant cheekbones, a full mouth, and long, thick lashes. Even the curve of his throat was perfect. He looked like every fictional hero she'd ever conjured up in her head." ~ Tessa
• "Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who's trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs." ~ Will to Tessa
• "It isn't against the Law to be an idiot." ~ Henry
• "Beauty fades, but cooking is eternal." ~ Will
• "one must always be careful of books and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us." ~ Tessa
• "Only the weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry." ~ Tessa
• "Books are for reading, not for turning oneself into livestock." ~ Tessa
• "There's plenty of sense in nonsense sometimes, if you wish to look for it." ~ Will
• "I've never seen anyone get so excited over books before. You'd think they were diamonds." ~ Will to Tessa
• "Everyone has something they can't live without. I'll find out what it is for you, never you fear." ~ Tessa to Will
• "Dreams can be dangerous things." ~ Charlotte
• "Such harsh truths so early in the morning cannot be good for the digestion." ~ Will
• "You are as terrifying as you are wonderful, my dear." ~ Henry to Charlotte
• "I hate witchlight. It makes my complexion look absolutely green." ~ Jessamine
• "It is hard to think of something as a gift when you have been tormented and imprisoned for it." ~ Tessa
•  "I do not walk like a duck." ~ Tessa
  "I like ducks. Especially the ones in Hyde Park. Remember when you tried to convince me to feed a poultry pie to the mallards in the park to see if you could breed a race of cannibal ducks?" ~ Jem
  "They ate it too. Bloodthirsty little beasts. Never trust a duck." ~ Will
• "You disgrace the name of Shadowhunters everywhere." ~ Gabriel to Will
• "Goading Will into single combat -- that's like punishing a dog after you've tormented it into biting you." ~ Jem to Gabriel
• "Where there's our Will, there's a half-dozen angry girls claiming he's compromised their virtue." ~ Jem
• "Sometimes when I have to do something I don't want to do, I pretend I'm a character from a book. It's easier to know what they would do." ~ Will
• "The dead can tell no tales." ~ Will
• "I rather like the way you manage Will." ~ Charlotte
  "No one manages Will." ~ Tessa
• "Is there anything that isn't a joke to you?" ~ Gabriel
  "Nothing that comes to mind." ~ Will
  "You know there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will." ~ Gabriel
  "There was a time I thought I was a ferret but that turned out to be the opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn't." ~ Will
• "Whatever you are physically, male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy -- all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. Whatever the color, the shape, the design of the shade that conceals it, the flame inside the lamp remains the same. You are the flame." ~ Jem
• "Perhaps it wasn't actually possible to scrub away your thoughts of someone, but she could try." ~ Tessa
• "He's like one thing sometimes, and then he can change completely, like the wind changing, and I don't know or what's happened." ~ Tessa about Will
• "All that pretty face and whatnot just hides how twisted up and rotten he is on the inside." ~ Sophie about Will
• "Sometimes our lives can change so fast that the change outpaces our minds and our hearts." ~ Jem
• "Many who have gazed upon me have compared the experience to gazing at the radiance of the sun." ~ Will
  "If they mean it gives you a headache, they aren't wrong." ~ Jem
• "It is as great a thing to love as it is to be loved. Love is not something that can be wasted." ~ Jem

Buy on Amazon.com: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices)

Book #116: The Hunt

Title: The Hunt (Book #5 in The Secret Circle series)

Author: "Created by L.J. Smith. Written by Aubrey Clark"

Date started reading: Sept. 21, 2012
Date finished reading:  Sept. 23, 2012

Publish date: September 2012
ISBN: 978-0062130426
Number of pages: 288

Official summary: "There's no turning back. ... For Cassie and her Circle of witches, it's hard to imagine life in New Salem getting any worse. A band of powerful witch hunters is targeting the group, determined to destroy them one by one. And Cassie's half sister, Scarlett, won't rest until she has a spot in the Circle - even if she has to kill Cassie to get it. The Circle's only hope against their enemies is Cassie's father's Book of Shadows - an ancient guide to the world of dark magic. But Cassie soon discovers that opening the book has grave consequences. Cassie's drawn in by the book's sinister spell, and it starts controlling her emotions and impulses, unraveling her relationship with Adam as it takes over her life. Cassie fights against the darkness inside her as the threats against the Circle grow. But once evil is let in, she may never escape. (http://epicreads.com)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $10.90 through Walmart's website using a giftcard I got free

My commentary: --

Memorable quotes:

• "No dark magic can be used without grave consequences." ~ Cassie's mom
• "Ultimately, Cassie, the people who are meant to be together will end up together." ~ Cassie's mom
• "Personally, I think people pick who they love." ~ Nick
• "Stuff happens sometimes, Cassie. Especially between good friends. Wires get crossed; things get confused." ~ Nick
• "It couldn't be easy, falling in love with your sworn enemy." ~ Cassie
• "It's just that sometimes I wish everything could just be normal. Do you know what I mean?" ~ Diana
  "Well ... You know what I think? I think sometimes, normal is overrated." ~ Cassie
• "War doesn't come with guarantees for either side." ~ Scarlett

Buy on Amazon.com: The Secret Circle: The Hunt

 

Book #115: Hide and Seek

Title: Hide and Seek (book #4 in The Lying Game series)

Author: Sara Shepard

Date started reading: Sept. 19, 2012
Date finished reading:  Sept. 20, 2012

Publish date: July 2012
ISBN: 978-0061869761
Number of pages: 304

Official summary: "My friends and I used to play lying games. Now my twin sister is living one. When I was alive, my family seemed picture-perfect. My adoptive parents adored me, and my little sister, Laurel, copied my every move. But now that my long-lost twin, Emma, has taken my place to solve my murder, we’re both learning just how flawed my family really is. Laurel is shooting Emma nasty looks and sneaking around with my ex-boyfriend. And it turns out my parents are keeping a huge secret — could it be the reason I’m dead? How far would they go to keep the truth buried? No one can harm me now, but Emma is still fair game. And if she’s not careful, she’ll end up buried, too." (http://www.harperteen.com)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $10.75 through Walmart's website using a gift card I got free.

My commentary: 

• This is the best book in the series by far... not that the past ones weren't great, but this one was action-packed and such an emotional rollercoaster. This one is right up there along the lines of the best of the Pretty Little Liars books.
• Every time I read a book by Sara Shepard, I always think about how messed up something in her life had to have been for her to be able to create such bizarre, devious storylines. 

Memorable quotes:

• "I'd always thought the afterlife would be like an eternal stay at a resort on St. Barts -- hot French waiters bringing me fruity drinks until the end of time, the azure Caribbean sky in a permanent sunset, a cool ocean breeze tickling my forever tanned skin. It would be my reward for living a full, fabulous, long life. I couldn't have been more wrong." ~ Sutton

Buy on Amazon.com: The Lying Game #4: Hide and Seek

Book #114: Arise

Title: Arise (book #2 in Hereafter series)

Author: Tara Hudson

Date started reading: Sept. 15, 2012
Date finished reading:  Sept. 18, 2012

Publish date: June 2012
ISBN: 978-0062026798
Number of pages: 416

Official summary: "Increasingly worried that dark spirits will carry out their threats and hurt the people she cares for most, Amelia is ready to try anything to protect them. And for his own very different reasons, Joshua has come to this cemetery at midnight to join her in a powerful ritual. Both know that once Amelia steps inside the Voodoo circle and the beautiful girl from the Conjure Café begins the ceremony, everything will change." (http://tarahudson.com)

Official book trailer:

How I obtained the book: Got a free advanced reader copy through my employer

My commentary:

• I only thought the first book in this series was great. This one blows the first out of the water. I love how Tara Hudson can take what is basically just a ghost story and make it so breathtaking and addictive. I couldn't predict where the story was going in this book, and ultimately it was like going on an amusement park ride that excites and takes unexpected turns. I can't wait for the third and final book in the trilogy to come out.

Memorable quotes:

• "When you had a ghost for a girlfriend, you eventually had to choose between the living and the dead. Between a normal life and a haunted one." ~ Amelia
• "I started to suspect that an empty world waited just beyond this vehicle. A world untouched and blank: not for me to write my story upon, but to disappear into. To fade against, finally, like the ghost I was." ~ Amelia
• "I kept asking myself the same question: Is it possible for a ghost to go crazy?" ~ Amelia
• "Amelia Elizabeth Ashley, I say this with affection, but you're totally crazy." ~ Joshua

Buy on Amazon.com: Arise (Hereafter)

Book #113: Succubus Revealed

Title: Succubus Revealed (book #6 of the Georgina Kincaid Series)

Author: Richelle Mead

Date started reading: Sept. 12, 2012
Date finished reading:  Sept. 14, 2012

Publish date: August 2011
ISBN: 978-0758232014
Number of pages: 304

Official summary: "Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations... to Las Vegas. The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle — and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it -- no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won’t include the one man she’s risking everything for..." (http://www.richellemead.com)

How I obtained the book: Got through Listia.com (It's like eBay without the money being exchanged)

My commentary: 

• I am surprisingly extremely sad that this series is over. I have no more of the books left to read. Part of me wants to cry.
• This book was the best of the series and was the perfect close to the series. Georgina -- literally -- goes to Hell and back for the love of her life. I'm used to Richelle Mead breaking my heart over and over again with her books with very few truly happy endings, but Georgina and Seth getting to be together in the end, leading "normal" lives together, was so amazing that it makes up for some of the heartbreak she's given me in the past.

Memorable quotes:

• "I always kind of pictured Hell as a cross between waiting in line at the DMV and watching a marathon of Perfect Strangers." ~ Hugh

Buy on Amazon.com: Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid, Book 6)

Book #112: Succubus Shadows

Title: Succubus Shadows (book #5 of the Georgina Kincaid Series)

Author: Richelle Mead

Date started reading:  Sept. 10, 2012
Date finished reading: Sept. 12, 2012

Publish date: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0758232007
Number of pages: 304

Official summary: "Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals — all child’s play to a succubus like her. Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse — that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth. But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And when that happens, she’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t — and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity..." (http://www.richellemead.com)

How I obtained the book: Bought for $2 at charity book sale

My commentary:

• One thing that I both love and hate about Mead's books is how she can utterly break your heart over and over again, but you just can't stop reading her books. 

Memorable quotes:

• "Guilt was probably the worst culprit of all when it came to stupid behavior." ~ Georgina
• "I think our civilization has declined when scrunchies have become the prevalent form of hair ornamentation." ~ Seth
• "Love in the real world doesn't usually work out the way stories make us think it should. We don't always get fairy-tale endings. People split up and move on. Just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't love someone else." ~ Georgina
• "Dreams can be lies, but truth is truth." ~ Oneroi #1
• "There is no greater evil than ignorance and the destruction of genius. Ignorance has been responsible for more death, more bigotry, and more sin than any other force. It is the destroyer of mankind." ~ Tavia
• "Your truths are worse than your lies." ~ Oneroi
• "When you worked for Hell, everyone was guilty until proven innocent." ~ Georgina
• "If you're going to become a villain, you might as well go the whole way." ~ Seth
• "I'd rather spend my life alone than with someone who isn't you." ~ Seth to Georgina

Buy on Amazon.com: Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5)

Book #111: Succubus Heat

Title: Succubus Heat (book #4 of the Georgina Kincaid Series)

Author: Richelle Mead

Date started reading:  Sept. 5, 2012
Date finished reading:  Sept. 10, 2012

Publish date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-0758231994
Number of pages: 304

Official summary: "Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus... which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she’s been so wicked that Seattle’s über-demon Jerome, decides to “outsource” Georgina to a rival — and have her spy for him in the process. Being exiled to the frozen north — okay, Vancouver — and leaving Seth in the cozy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there’s nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth — nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who’s been playing them — or all hell will break loose" (http://www.richellemead.com)

How I obtained the book: Got through Listia.com (It's like eBay without the money being exchanged)

My commentary: I don't get the cover model of these books. Georgina is supposed to have brown hair with golden highlights, but the model is all redhead. Oh well. I guess it doesn't really matter.

Memorable quotes:

• "Sleeping with my therapist was a bad idea. I knew it too, but I couldn't really help it." ~ Georgina
• "Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer." ~ Georgina
• "The vaults of Hell are not a place you want to get caught snooping around in." ~ Kristin
• "Georgina, demons never settle their differences." ~ Nanette
• "Love is too big a thing for you to go without it in life." ~ Carter
• "Sometimes it takes more courage to know when to retreat than to keep fighting." ~ Carter
• "There are a lot of things to cry about in this world. Not sure a book should be one of them." ~ Dante
• "There's no purgatory equivalent to mortality." ~ Hugh
• "Hell's still got the lease on our souls. That's not going to change, no matter who our archdemon is." ~ Peter
• "No one uses paper anymore. It's all electronic." ~ Georgina
  "Not in Hell. They kind of like cutting down forests." ~ Hugh
• "Snark around a demon was never a good idea. Snark when you didn't have your normal powers? Horrible idea." ~ Georgina
• "You've never batted an eye over me stealing pieces of your soul these last few months, but the nonexistent threat of child support suddenly scares you?" ~ Georgina
  "Well, yeah, seeing as my bank account's got more in it than my soul." ~ Dante
  "Debatable." ~ Georgina
• "I don't need super-secret powers to be a sex goddess." ~ Georgina
• "Friends have every right to tell friends when they're on a bad path." ~ Seth
• "An angel breaking the rules and a demon healing the sick. You and your associates just get more and more fucked up." ~ Dante to Georgina
• "Life is easier not dating you. But sometimes it feels incomplete. Like there's a piece of me missing. ... Think of it as winning the lottery and having people waiting on all your needs, but it's at the cost of, I don't know, getting your leg amputated." ~ Seth
• "Seth Mortensen just said 'fucking' out loud. The end times are near." ~ Georgina
• "Hell doesn't like to waste time and resources." ~ Grace
• "Thank God that in a world gone mad, some people never change." ~ Georgina to Dante
• "How the hell can someone who fucks random men for a living be such a romantic idiot?" ~ Roman to Georgina
• "You and I are the victims of unfortunate timing. And a lot of other unfortunate things." ~ Georgina to Seth
• "God, I'd missed shape-shifting. If I was going to be damned, I might as well enjoy the perks." ~ Georgina
• "The unfortunate part about being a good liar, however, was that while I could get other people to believe my words, I didn't believe them myself." ~ Georgina

Buy on Amazon.com: Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4)

Book #110: Succubus Dreams

Title: Succubus Dreams (book #3 of the Georgina Kincaid Series)

Author: Richelle Mead

Date started reading:  Sept. 4, 2012
Date finished reading: Sept. 5, 2012

Publish date: October 2008
ISBN: 978-0758216434
Number of pages: 304

Official summary: "Some days, a girl just can't catch a break... especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there’s her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It’s not just that they can’t have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block. Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused — especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge — rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again" (http://www.richellemead.com)

How I obtained the book: Got through Listia.com (It's like eBay without the money being exchanged)

My commentary: This book became my entertainment while waiting for flights and riding planes to Los Angeles on a vacation. It was slightly odd for me to read a book with such a suggestively sexy cover in public.


Memorable quotes:

• "Bad men might make me feel less guilty, but they didn't fulfill Hell's quota." ~ Georgina
• "Only Seth would use a bipolar poet (Anne Sexton) as a compliment." ~ Georgina
• "My friend Hugh once had joked that all women steal men's souls if they're together long enough. In my case, it didn't take years of bickering. A too-long kiss would suffice. Such was the life of a succubus." ~ Georgina
• "Demons were never to be trusted, particularly when they looked like quirky movie stars and issued enigmatic invitations." ~ Georgina
• "A vampire obsessed with Christmas. That has to be the weirdest thing I've ever heard." ~ Georgina
  "No weirder than an angel burning down a Christmas tree." ~ Cody
• "You're a pearl among succubi." ~ Carter to Georgina
• "Sin was objective, and often, the magnitude of a sin was in the eye of the beholder." ~ Georgina
• "For someone allegedly so evil, you sure are good. ... If our thoughts condemn us, I think I'm heading straight to Hell." ~ Seth to Georgina
• "You're like my fairy godmother. But I'm still a pumpkin." ~ Maddie to Georgina
• "Angels are creatures of love. They're supposed to love everyone. They're just not supposed to love one person so much more than another." ~ Vincent
• "What's going on?" ~ Georgina
  "A debate over who would win if a unicorn got into a fight with a spider monkey." ~ Seth
• "Salt and lime juice were proof of God's existence. And tequila was proof of Satan's" ~ Georgina
• "Sometimes I think (Seth's) writing will always be his first love." ~ Georgina
• "A long life means nothing if it's empty and has no purpose. Better to live a short one filled with the things that are important to you." ~ Andrew
• "Love isn't always about grand forces of the universe keeping us apart." ~ Seth
• "If we're talking superhero abilities. If I had frost power, I could wave my hand, and suddenly that whole thing would be covered in ice." ~ Seth
• "A long life simply means having more time to mourn." ~ Hugh
• "It really was a sad day when a succubus couldn't stay on top of her game." ~ Georgina
• "Star-crossed love isn't as glamorous as it seems.." ~ Vincent
• "I knew I was going to live forever, but sometimes I had a hard time really understanding how long forever was." ~ Georgina
• "I can tell you that eternity is an awfully long time to keep accruing and carrying around guilt. ... I like happy endings. I like helping make them happen." ~ Carter

Buy on Amazon.com: Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3)