• 899 and counting …

    4 Comments

    Finished Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu. This is the fifth book in her popular Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series about a detective agency run by folks with supernatural powers.

    This one’s about Blue Perrineau, a D&S detective who can control electricity. Blue’s father, a very bad man, blackmails him into tracking down Daniel, the brother Blue never even knew he had. So Blue sets off for Vegas, where he finds Daniel working for a circus — along with lion tamer/shapeshifter Iris McGillis.

    Iris has her own problems. Her shapeshifter mother abadoned her a couple of years ago without a word, and she’s being stalked by a strange man intent on adding her to his harem of women (seriously, the guy has a harem). But luckily, Blue is there to help, and the two of them find themselves caught up with a sinister organization that traffics in stolen organs and more.

    Liu can be hit or miss for me sometimes, and I’m happy to say this was much more of a hit (although I didn’t love it like I did Shadow Touch, the second book in this series). I think Blue is one of her best heroes so far, torn between protecting his D&S friends and his desire to help his brother avoid his father’s evil clutches. I also enjoyed how the relationship between Blue and Iris developed. It felt natural and believable, despite the supernatural events in the book.

    There’s also some cool information and behind-the-scenes looks at how a circus works and how the performers live. And, as always, Liu’s writing is very lush and descriptive.

    I had a few little quibbles, my main one being that I thought the book started out kind of slow. The action doesn’t really kick into high gear until about page 150 or so. From then on though, it’s a nonstop ride of deceit, double crosses, narrow escapes, and more.

    I also would have liked a little more information about the big bad guys. There were so many characters in this book with so many secrets it was a little hard to keep track of who was really on who’s side. But I’m hoping more will be revealed in the next D&S book, Soul Song, which I have in my TBR pile.

    Overall, if you’re looking for a thoughtful paranormal romance, give this book or series a try. Thumbs up.

    Up next: Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart

    Books in my TBR pile: About 13.

    What about you guys? Anyone reading anything good right now?

  • XOXO …

    3 Comments

    So a couple of fall TV programs have already started. And of course, TV junkie that I am, I’ve been watching. Here’s what I think of some shows so far:

    Gossip Girl: I heart Chuck and Blair. Need I say more? I think they’re one of the most fascinating couples on TV right now, and the first two episodes of Gossip Girl have only made me root for them even more. That scene at the end of the first eppy where Blair told Chuck that she was his if he’d just say that he loved her … wow. Just wow.

    C&B are definitely the highlight of the show for me. But I’m also interested to see how Nate’s affair with the married woman plays out and Jenny’s internship with Eleanor’s company. So far, it’s all been soapy drama at its finest.

    Prison Break: Yeah, this show probably should have ended two years ago after the brothers broke out of prison, but I keep watching. You know what? I’m really digging the premise this season where the brothers and their ragtag band of frenemies are working together to take down the Company. But then again, I love caper books/shows/movies.

    I think Michael Rappaport is a bit miscast as the FBI (or whatever department he’s with) boss/liason. He’s not quite serious/tough enough. But I’m really glad they brought Sarah back and didn’t kill off Gretchen (just yet). Would it be too much to ask for a knock-down, drag-out fight between Sarah and Gretchen?

    Fringe: This is the new show by J.J. Abrams about an FBI agent who investigates strange phenomenon with the help of a slacker genius and his previously institutionalized scientist father. I thought the pilot was a bit slow in the beginning. Overall, it was okay, but I have a feeling the show’s going to be a little too X-Files for me (I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi).

    Also, I kind of felt like I’d already seen everything before in other Abrams’ shows. The tough heroine (Sydney on Alias, Kate on Lost); the brilliant but slightly psycopathic father (Jack Bristow on Alias, Christian Shepherd on Lost); the daddy issues (Sydney/Jack on Alias, Jack/Christian/Claire on Lost); the big, shadowy conspiracy (SD-6/Rimbaldi on Alias, Dharma Initiative/etc. on Lost).

    All writers tend to repeat the same themes/ideas (yes, even me) whether it’s conscious or not. Usually, it doesn’t bother me. But there were so many things that were so obviously the same in Fringe. It was a little disappointing.

    Overall, Fringe didn’t immediately hook me the way Alias and Lost did. Although I did think Dr. Bishop’s various ramblings were amusing. And the scene with the cow was funny. So I’ll keep watching for a few more weeks at least.

    As for other shows, I’m eagerly awaiting the return of Chuck and How I Met Your Mother. 😎

    What about you guys? Which shows are you loving? What are you looking forward to? Share in the comments.

  • · ·

    Roundup …

    2 Comments

    Okay, I’ve got a couple more guest blogs scheduled this week and next, but after that, we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming here on the blog. Hope y’all have been enjoying the guest blogs as much as I have. 😎

    Also, just a reminder that I’m going to be at RAW (Readers’ Appreciate Weekend) on Sept. 19-21 in Huntington, W.V. Lots of cool authors are going to be there, including Lora Leigh (who sponsors the event), Nalini Singh, and J.R. Ward.

    I’m pretty sure registration is closed by this point. There is a book signing that’s open to the public from noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. But I’m only going to be there until about 2 p.m. or so (got to go back to the day job that next Monday). So if you’re planning to come to the public signing on Sunday and want to see me, please get there early.

    Okay, I think that’s it for now. Coming up, I’ve got reviews of Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu; Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart; and Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. And I’ll be talking about the new fall TV season, including the awesomeness that has been Gossip Girl so far.

    Stay tuned for more! :ww: