November Reading List - Part 1

Yay !! I've finished 100 books this year with a month to spare!! Let's see how far I go on December !!

Good reading this month too. I still have so much books to read though! Barely made a dent in my TBR pile and books are piling up again!! I haven't even finished with twilight yet.

03. Jasmine Moon Murder ( Tea Shop Mysteries 5) by Laura Childs Rating: B

"Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is catering a Charleston benefit, a "Ghost Crawl" through Jasmine Cemetery. But the organizer, Dr. Davis, won't get to enjoy the festivities: during the Crawl's theatrical number, he drops dead. It looks like foul play-but how could such an upstanding citizen have enemies?
With a nose for trouble, Theodosia starts stirring things up with her own investigation to find the do-badder. But before long, chasing down the culprit gets her in hot water up to her neck."

book 5 in Laura Childs Tea shop mysteries takes us back to the Indigo Tea shop with Theodosia and the gang. I always love their camaraderie and team dynamics. Honestly, I don't know if it was just me but Jory kind of came out very needy here. Relationship based on gratitude and all that. I don't really see any developement in their relationship and we're well in book 5 already. Where's the passion hehe in a genteel kind of way. Come on, Theodosia shows more affection to Earl Grey than Jory. The book was a good read though.  That connection came out of nowhere. I look forward to the next book in the series.

02. Chamomile Mourning ( Tea Shop Mysteries 6) by Laura Childs Rating B

"At Charleston's Spoleto festival, tea shop owner Theodosia Browning is far from festive when the Poet's Tea is forced indoors by rain. But rain proves to be the least of her problems after a local auction house owner plummets from a balcony to his death-and it looks like someone helped him over the edge.
With a full kettle of suspects, Theodosia investigates and uncovers a criminal enterprise of art forgery, fraud--and murder--that leads her into the murky swamps of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Now, she's hot on the heels of a criminal who plans on showing her just how dangerous it is to stick her sensitive nose where it doesn't belong."

I have to admit that I'm starting to get an idea of how Childs chooses her killer, it's the least likely new character that ha sabsolutely no connection to the deceased or has no apparant motive. Like in this book, I kinda guessed who was the murderer just not the who. The confrontation was more exciting than normal though but a cozy is a cozy. We say goodbye to Jory here. I know he's all happy about his opportunity and all that but to suddenly turn insensitive when he supposedly is in tune with Theodosia in the other books that it's too comfortable.

01. Blood Orange Brewing ( Tea Shop Mysteries 7) by Laura Childs B-

"Social darling Delaine Dish is throwing a lavish Candlelight Concert to raise funds to restore a run-down Victorian home-and Theodosia Browning is more than happy to help out with tea and tasty treats from the Indigo Tea Shop.
Unfortunately, the unveiling of Theo's opulent spread proves to be far from grand after retired CEO and beloved politico Duke Wilkes falls to the floor with a jagged piece of metal protruding from his neck. When the Widow Wilkes begs Theo to apply her sleuthing skills, she can't refuse. But her investigation opens up a simmering pot of shady politics and personal payback, and Theo soon finds herself in a situation stickier than any jam she's ever served."

Wow the crime here was as far and you can get, poor birds. I like how Childs incorporated an issue here but at the same time I thought that the mystery wasn't as thought out as it should be. Theodosia spents 3/4 of the books going nowhere and then when the incident with Earl Grey came about, which I didn't get why there was a need for that to happen, barrels off foolishly. Delaine is still annoying as ever. We are also introduced to a new love interest for Theodosia but I see the same pattern developing as with Jory. I hope Childs would spend some time to develope tehir relationship too

01. Dragonwell Dead ( Tea Shop Mysteries 8) by Laura Childs rating B+

"It's springtime in Charleston and just about every species of South Carolina's flora is in full and glorious bloom at the Spring Plantation Ramble. Once a year, the upper crust open their sprawling gardens to the public, the site of flower shows, rare plant auctions, and a contagious spring fever. Although Theodosia Browning barely knows a Phalinopsis from a Bog Rose, she still enjoys the Ramble, especially since she can pour tea and promote her Indigo Tea Shop-and her latest concoction, Dragonwell Sweet Tea."

I admit that I did like this better than the previous one, this one came out smoother. The murder and the consequencial events that happened were very sad. I really felt for the poor widow. The motive came out more plausible despite all the other BIG suspect signs pointed to the other characters. Sadly there's not so much mention of Parker and Theodosia this time, except for the whole canoe thing. After reading this book, I eagerly await the next book in the series.

October Reading List

14. Storm Front ( Dresden Files #1) by Jim Bitcher Rating: B+

The first of the Dresden Files series, I've watched teh tv series before I started reading the books actually but it's a good thing I watched it a year ago so I pretty much don't remember a lot of it.  But because Dresden is written in a first person point of view, I keep hearing Paul Blackthorne's voice narrating in the back of my head. Too bad they cancelled the show, it has so much potential

Meet Harry Dresden, Wizard for Hire. He finds lost items, conducts paranormal investigations, does consulting work, gives advice and charges reasonable rates. 

 

13. A Quick Bite (Argeneau Vampires #1 ) by Lynsay Sands Rating: B+

Technically the first book in the Argenau Vampires series if you go by Sands reading order, I thought this was a unique way of explaining the whole vampire need for blood thing. I did enjoy the book and look forward to the other books in the series. The intereaction of the Argenau family was quite fun. And the whole fainting thing was very funny. I love Thomas and the spiderman pajamas!!

"Lissianna has been spending her centuries pining for Mr. Right, not just a quick snack, and this sexy guy she finds in her bed looks like he might be a candidate. But there's another, more pressing issue: her tendency to faint at the sight of blood ... an especially annoying quirk for a vampire. Of course it doesn't hurt that this man has a delicious-looking neck. What kind of cold-blooded vampire woman could resist a bite of that?
Dr. Gregory Hewitt recovers from the shock of waking up in a stranger's bedroom pretty quickly -- once he sees a gorgeous woman about to treat him to a wild night of passion. But is it possible for the good doctor to find true love with a vampire vixen, or will he be just a good meal? That's a question Dr. Greg might be willing to sink his teeth into ... if he can just get Lissianna to bite."

12.High Stakes (Vegas Vampires #1 ) by Erin McCarthy Rating: B

this was a fun quick read.

"He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas.
Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?" 

11. Bit the Jackpot (Vegas Vampires #2) by Erin McCarthy Rating: B+

enjoyed this one more than the first.

"Vampire Seamus Fox is supposed to be the campaign manager for a Vampire Nation presidential candidate. Instead, he finds himself running around Vegas keeping tabs on the candidate's wife and female entourage.
Seamus has had his fill of women: a disastrous and deadly love affair has haunted him for over two centuries. Talk about baggage. But suddenly he finds himself obsessed with a mysterious stripper who dances behind a screen. The sultry yet shy Cara Kim whets his appetite for more, but leave it to Seamus to fall fangs over feet for that rarest of Vegas attractions-a good girl."

10. Unshapely Things ( Connor Grey 01) by Mark Del Franco Rating: B+

Was a surprisingly good read, Wakey lent me her copy and after finishing it, wanted to read the next book in the series.

"In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. The crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has more "important" crimes to investigate and dumps the case on human law enforcement.
Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator-whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf. As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can't figure out the killer's M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm."

09. Love Bites (Argeneau Vampires #2 ) by Lynsay Sands Rating: B+

I enjoyed this as much as the first plot but I thought this had more going on plotwise, it did introduce some new sides of the family that wasnt really elaborated in the first

"Etienne Argeneau's three hundred years of bachelorhood were at an end. Either that, or he'd be forever alone. He could only "turn" one human in his lifetime, and most of his kind reserved that power for creating a life mate. If he turned the wrong woman . . . But what choice did he have? He had to save Rachel Garrett. He didn't know her very well, but the beautiful coroner had saved his life. To save hers he would make her immortal."

08. Bled Dry (Vegas Vampires #3) by Erin McCarthy Rating: B-

Out of the three, I didn't enjoy this as much, and was actually tempted to skip parts because I didn't feel anything for the heroine. I had to push myself to read the book, the end was not so bad but the first half was a bit trying for me

"Hooking up with a vampire has its risks-but getting pregnant usually isn't one of them. Tell that to Brittany Baldizzi, who finds herself in the family way with no father in sight. After their one night of passion, vampire Corbin Jean Michel disappeared off the face of the earth-or at least off the Vegas strip.
Corbin is a vampire with a cause, secretly trying to find a cure for his condition. But when he finds out Brittany is pregnant with his child, Corbin can't keep his paternal instincts from trumping his bloodsucking ones. Even when showing his hand could cost him the woman he can't help but love."

07. Harvest of Bones (Chintz and China Mysteries 4) by Yasmine Galenorn Rating: A

Love love Yasmine Galenorn, I love all the characters and went through this one pretty quickly

"It's harvest time in Chiqetaw, Washington; Emerald O'Brien's favorite season. But this year, nature yields a most supernatural bounty. When Em and her sweetie, Joe, stumble over a bramble-covered foundation that has remained hidden for fifty years in the lot next door, strange events begin to occur. The cat vanishes. Will o' the Wisps threaten to harm Emerald and her loved ones. And the ghost of a woman named Brigit and her beloved calico make themselves at home in the backyard. Now it's up to Em and her friends to delve into the past, reveal the secrets of the dead and lay them to rest as they ring in the autumn with a harvest of bones. "

06. Hex of a Wedding (Chintz and China Mysteries 5) by Yasmine Galenorn Rating: A

the last in the Chintz China series which is sad, but I loved the whole series!!

Emerald O'Brien is about to tie the knot with her fiance Joe, but one uninvited guest to their engagement party reminds her that some ties still need to be severed. Her ex-hubby Roy can't hold his liquor--or his temper--and after brawling with Joe, he threatens to ruin their wedding. When Joe is wounded from a gunshot the next day, Roy becomes the prime suspect. Emerald knows her ex has a mean streak a mile wide but doesn't believe he'd be capable of attempted murder. And when a sinister presence starts stalking her maid of honor, Em begins to worry that her marriage has been cursed before she's even walked down the aisle...

05. Shades of Earl Grey ( Tea Shop Mysteries 3) by Laura Childs Rating: B

honestly, i did enjoy the book after reading the first two a few months ago, going back to the Charleston and encountering all the characters again was so much fun. I did think that the story ended rather abruptly, kind of like build up..build up...end

"An antique wedding ring mysteriously disappears from the hand of a dying bridegroom.  Then a priceless sapphire necklace is plucked from its display at the Heritage Society.  Could there be a very dangerous breed of cat burglar prowling the cobblestone pathways of Charleston's historic district?  With the Heritage Society under fire and their extravaganza Treasures Show fast approaching, Theodosia is called upon to match wits with a very slippery opponent."

04. English Tea Breakfast ( Tea Shop Mysteries 4) by Laura Childs Rating: B+

this was better than the previous one, imho all in all. The mystery kind of left you guessing but I like how so many things are still going on, with the fashion show and tv appearance, Delaine is becoming more dramatical as time goes on though, Every story needs it antagonist though :)

Dawn is about to break at South Carolina's Halliehurst Beach, and the members of Charleston's Sea Turtle Protection League are taking part in the annual "turtle crawl."  As they help hundreds of tiny green loggerheads tumble safely into the surf, the dedicated volunteers congratulate themselves with a well-earned shore breakfast.  But as the tea steeps and the gumbo simmers, a strange mass is spotted floating off-shore.  Donning mask and swim fins, Theodosia paddles out to investigate, only to discover a dead body bobbing in the waves.  The hapless victim turns out to be Harper Fisk, a prominent Charleston art dealer and passionate collector of Civil War antiquities.  Rumors of sunken treasure and gold bullion have abounded, yet nothing has ever been found near Halliehurst Beach.  But now Theodosia begins to wonder--did Harper Fisk finally stumble upon something?  And was he killed because of it?

 

Very cool! 4 more books and I've accomplished my goal for this year!! I quite enjoyed all the books I've read this month.

Currently reading: Jasmine Moon Murder (Tea Shop Mysteries 4) by Laura Childs and Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton

September Reading

23. Sunshine by Robin Mckinley A
22. Candy Apple Dead (Candy Shop Myster 1) by Sammi Carter B-
21. Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Kitty Norville 1) by Carrie Vaughn B
20. Ghost of a Chance by Kate Marsh B
19. Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin B
18. Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss C
17. Sympathy for the Devil (Madeline Bean Mysteries 1)  by Jerrilyn Farmer B+
16. Legend of the Jade Dragon (Chintz and China Mysteries 2) by Yasmine Galenorn B+
15. Murder Under a Mystic Moon  (Chintz and China Mysteries 3) by Yasmine Galenorn B+

Can't believe the month has gone by so quickly, didn't even get to review one book :( Highlights for this month is Sunshine by Robin Mckinley (too bad she isn't making a sequel-crosses fingers) and the Chintz and China Series. My bookmoocher friend Carol is sendin gme the 4th and I'll send her the 5th to finish the series currently published can't wait

Reading : Storm Front (book) by Jim Buther and A Quick Bite by Linsay Sands (ebook)

August Reading List

45. Just Murdered (Dead End Job Myteries 4) by Elaine Viets rating:B
44. Murder Unleased (Dead End Job Myteries 5) by Elaine Viets rating:C+
43. Undead and Unwed (Queen Betsy 1) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:A
42. Undead and Unemployed　(Queen Betsy 2) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:B+
41. Undead and Unappreciated　(Queen Betsy 3) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:B+
40. Undead and Unreturnable　(Queen Betsy 4) by Mary Janice Davidson
rating:B39. Undead novellas (Queen Betsy) by Mary Janice Davidson
38 Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy 5) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:B-
37. Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy 6) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:A
36. Undead and Unworthy  (Queen Betsy 7) by Mary Janice Davidson rating:B
35. Dead End Dating (Dead End Dating 1) by Kimberly Raye rating:B
34. Dead and Datelss (Dead End Dating 2) by Kimberly Raye rating:C+
33. Sleeping With the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid 1) by Mary Janice Davidson
rating:B
32. Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby 1) by Shirley Daamsgard rating:B+
31. The Ghost and the Dead Deb (Haunted Bookshop Mystery 2) by Alice Kimberly rating:A
30. The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library  (Haunted Bookshop Mystery 3) by Alice Kimberly rating:A
29 The Ghost and the Femme Fatale  (Haunted Bookshop Mystery 4) by Alice Kimberly rating:A
28: High Heels Are Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper 2) by Elaine Viets rating:B+
27. Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-hunting Soccer Mom (Demon-hunting Soccer Mom 1) by Julie Kenner rating:B+
26. Bitten and Smitten (Immortality Bites Series 1) by Michelle Rowen rating:B
25. Ghost of a Chance (Chintz'n China Series 1) by Yasmine Galenorn rating:B+
24. The Bride Finder by Susan Carroll rating:B

Currently Reading: Dead and Loving It by Mary Janice Davidson

AUgust Reads : 43-36 Queen Betsy Series

I've been meaning to read teh Queen Betsy series ever since I feel in love with MaryJanice Davidson's way of writing in her Wyndam Werewolves Series. I prefer reading books that have a bunch out in the series so I don't have to wait so lon gin anticipation of the next one as well as not forget what happened in the previous books. The new Queen Betsy just came out last month actually and I was able to mooch some of the books in the series so I decided to start on that

43. Undead and Unwed (Queen Betsy 1) by Mary Janice Davidson

Turning 30 was one of the worst day of Betsy's life and it's not done yet. After losing her job, she gets killed in a car accident, only to wake up in the morgue and find out that she couldn't die. Turns out she's suppose to be this prophesied vampire queen, and there's a bunch of people trying to convince her to help them overthrow the evil and sadistic ruler of the vampires.

I liked this book and the promise of the series better than WW. Betsy is funny although a bit of an airhead but she didn't really want the job in the first place so at least she knows what she wants haha The beginning scenes where she was trying to make sure she stayed dead was so funny. And of course when she couldn't do that and went home to reassess everthing, gets to charge over to the evil stepmother Ant's house to demand for her shoes and scream at her for dressing her with her secondhand shoes hahaha  I think all the supporting characters, Eric, Tina, Marc and Jessica are such a great bunch of characters. I love the interaction.And when Eric tempted her to help their cost with shoes. Priceless. Rating: A

42. Undead and Unemployed　(Queen Betsy 2) by Mary Janice Davidson

Betsy's back and just being undead doesn't really mean she doesn't have bills to pay. Never mind that she's queen of the vampires, she can't just depend on her too rich friend and her king (who tricked her into being queen and into gaining the kingship in Betsy's opinion) who accumalted riches on his long undead life. She lands her dream job, working at Macy's shoe department. But all is not well in Betsy land, there's a vampire killer on the loose and the reluctant queen has no choice but to track this killer down.

The second book welcomes us back to the continuing adventures of Betsy and pals. I found this book really funny and a good sequel to the first book. The confrontation with killers or the vigilantes was really funny. I did kind of have my suspicion of who the headmaster was that part wasn't really much of a surprise. The part of seeing ghosts and the little girl with the mother was a good party of the story in my opinion. Sweet and Funny Rating: B+

41. Undead and Unappreciated　(Queen Betsy 3) by Mary Janice Davidson

Book three of the Queen Betsy Series opens with the devil inhabiting a body of a human, having a baby and leaving due to all the hassles of babies. Turns out that the body the devil inhabited was the Ant, the evil stepmother and Betsy's apathetic dad drops the bomb that Betsy has a half sister somewhere. Even more is that this sister was prophesied in the Book of the Dead as the daugther of the Devil who will control the world. O-K  So Betsy goes in search of her half-sister and guess who she was, a goody goody raised by a priest, teaches sunday Laurie. But don't get her mad though or you're dust. Add to that, the Ant's pregnant! Horrors! And let's no forget the fiend in the basement who knits!

Book three starts adding new characters with the appearance of the half-sister. Betsy is still in denial about loving Sinclair so is insanely jealous when Sinclair starts paying attention to Laura. She gets pissed off about all the secrets that concern her "Queenship" and so locks herself in her room to read the Book of the Dead. Problem is the more she read, the evil she got and thus ended up going on a rampage attacking friends and family. I did still the book but I didn't believe that it was as strong or as funny as the previous two books. Some parts, Betsy started annoying me, the fight scene with Laura's light saber hellfire sword was cool though and Betsy crying "you knew! how could you not tell me!" And in the end, she and SInclair finally admitted how they felt to each other so it was all good. Rating: B+

40. Undead and Unreturnable　(Queen Betsy 4) by Mary Janice Davidson
There's a serial killer loose in the city who is attacking females fitting Betsy's profile. The good detective Nick, warns Betsy of course and in turn asks Jessica out on a date. Can we say a love life for Jessica. As for Betsy and Sinclair, Betsy unintentionally blurts out a secret whe's been figuring out how to tell Sinclair and causes Sinclair to withdraw from her. The ghost of the one of the serial killer's victim is haunting her now to hurry up and catch the killer.

This next book in the Queen Betsy series was ok for me, I like Baby Jon, Betsy's new halfbrother who only Betsy can calm. The whole serial killer angle ended pretty abruptly for me with Laura going all crazy, giving an glimpse of devil-daugther. Marjorie the vampire librarian and Jon of the Vampire Killer squad was pretty good supporting characters in the book. Rating: B

39. Undead novellas (Queen Betsy) by Mary Janice Davidson

Before I continue with the other books, I grouped the novellas into one listing so here they are:
First off is the story of Andrea and Garrett, Andrea was a vampire who while sleeping was unearth by who else but Daniel. the guy she had been pining over in college before she died. Learnign about the defeat of Nostro the big bad ex-ruler, she was prepared for whatever happens when she pays her respects to the new queen. Daniel who isn't about to let this girl he's got a shine on be killed queen or not, decided to join her and be her distraction. I think this is after book two since this happened when Betsy still hated Sinclair.

Second is the story of Antonia and George the fiend. Antonia, is the oracle of the Wyndam Werewolves who could not turn into a wolf.  Becuase of her situation even the clan are wary of her and she feels like an outcast even in her own family and in her causes her to be bitter and angry all the time. She gets one of her visions which tell her to go to Betsy's place to help the queen. Who would have guessed that she would find the love of her life in George. This novella is set after Queen Betsy 3.

Third in the novellas is BITING IN PLAIN SIGHT the story of Dr. Sophie Tourneau, who is happy with her life as the veterinarian of the a small town, until one day she hears about a vampire serial killer on the loose breaking girl's hearts causing the girls to kill themselves. She sets off to inform the queen about this situation and Liam, local farmboy who has been crushing on the good Doctor for the better part of his adulthood, tags along. Special mention to LIam lamenting about all his animals being of perfect health because he had no excuse to visit the vet was so cute. This should be around 4.5

Out of all three I liked Biting in Plain Sight the best. I do recommend reading the novellas because it could become confusing when these characters show up in the book without knowing how they got into the story, especially the George/Antonia story.

38. Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy 5) by Mary Janice Davidson
It's Betsy's 31 birthday and her 1 year anniversary as a vampire. So amidst planning her non-party and her wedding, she decided to give up blood. But not only does she have to deal with Eric not showing a least bit of interest in the wedding plans, but the European entourage of vampires have come to pay homage. These are old powerful vampires who does not believe that Betsy can be the Queen. Sophie and Liam returns to ask permission for Sophie to turn Liam into a vampire. And then Sophie discovers that one of the entourage was the vampire that kileld her and was gunning for his head. And to top it all off, Jessica tells Betsy that she has myeloma, or blood cancer. It's one thing after another. What's a vampire Queen to do.

The book is still very funny but my interest in the series is so so at the moment. The book had primise and it was shaping to be one but the ending kind of just fell a little flat for me. WIth the ending, I gather we won't be seeing much of Dr Sophie and Liam anytime soon. Also I kind of liked the character or Alonzo too so we'll never really know what kind of person he really is now. The whole not drinking thing was kind of stupid though. You would think that betsy has been a vampire for a bit now so she should stop being so ditzy. I didn't really get the zombie part though. What's the point? Rating B-

37. Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy 6) by Mary Janice Davidson
At long last, the wedding is almsot here but before that happens it seems the bride and groom are constantly fighting about the details and then the groom suddenly disappears. Not only that but Betsy's dad and the Ant suddenly dies leaving Betsy a new mommy to half brother baby jon. With worrying about Jessica in the hospital undergoing treatment for her cancer, and all the other residents of Casa Betsy MIA, what's a bride to do.

First off, I don't get how Sinclair can be so disdainful of the wedding. In one of the previous books he reiterates that they were getting married because it means something to Betsy, so why can't he at least tolerate it. He doesn't have to join in every planning but at least show some attention not just snarking about everydetail. The frist half of the book was a bit dragging for me but I liked this book. Never could really guess about the ring and Marjorie though. And super power Betsy, at least she's starting to see this Queen gig as something serious. And the Ant is gone " Ding dong the witch is dead!" I love how baby Jon had more appearance in the book too And the Wyndam Werewolves makes an appearance. Brawl for all can we say. Rating: A

36. Undead and Unworthy  (Queen Betsy 7) by Mary Janice Davidson
Newlywed Betsy is drifting in wedded bliss when all hell breaks loose. Guess who's haunting her! Seems the Ant has unfinished business and is now staying until its settled. And not only that but ex-fiend Garett formerly known as George started feeding the other fiends and kind of woke them up. Now they are all blaming Betsy and gunning for her.

MJD mentions in the book that this is part of a new 3 parter and she is taking the books to a whole new level. After reading the book, I haev to agree. This book is more serious in that there's a tragedy and it's darker unlike her previous fluffy books. The book didn't make me go wow but I still would read the next book though just to see where she will go with the plot. Detective Nick really really annoyed me though. He's become this whiney bigot. He hates vampires but is not above using them. Ugh And I liked him in the previous books too. I'm seeing a Richard pattern here. I wish baby Jon was part of the plot though, Didn't really see him in the novel.  Rating : B

August Reads: 44. Murder Unleashed ( A Dead-End Job Mystery) by Elaine Viets

Book 5 in the Dead-End Job Mysteries

Helen's new Dead end job is at a pet store that caters to the rich and the extravagant.  Pet groomers that needs an appointment, dog cuisine that's more expensive than the food in a normal person's fridge are just one of the examples of services that the Pampered Pet Boutique offers. While delivering one of these pooches to her owner, Helen discovers the naked dead body near the pool, stabbed by 10-inch grooming scissors. Panicking, Helen runs and erases evidence at the scene. On the same day, one of the most famouse clients, a labrapoodle is kidnapped by one of the dueling owners of the dog. Also a hurricane is reported to be heading straight to South Florida and people are rushing to stock up and fortify their houses. With the hurricane coming as well as being suspected of both crimes, Helen must try to find the killer and the dog under the onslaught of this disastrous wedding.

Well, a lot of things did happen in the story and the ending was kind of good,where that it was ended well in my opinion but from the time Helen discovers the murdered Tammie to finding the killer, Helen just seemed to become more and more paranoid of being discovered by her ex and kept making stupid mistakes. And she goes all the way to ask for advice but never listens to me. This book kind of left me disappointed if I want to be honest. The premise was good and the story wasn't bad but I just didn't like Helen in the book. I know it was really painful to be betrayed by her ex and by telling Phil her story made her a little more free from her husband's hold. Kudos to her on that. I've been thinking about it but when she was in court with her husband, didn't she have all the money? why did she end up with the stupid lawyer and her husband gets a shark . It just never made sense to me. Couldn't she have filed in another court,s ue her husband or something. Sooner or later she has to face her husband, she can't really continue living like that . I'm getting frustrated. I would still like to read the other 3 books but I think I'll just wait until teh mooch is available. C+

Currently reading: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

August Reads: 45. Just Murdered ( A Dead-End Job Mystery) by Elaine Viets

I figured while I'm still on a roll and fresh from reading the book, might as well write about it.

Book 4 of the Dead end job mysteries.

The latest dead end job Helen has is working in a bridal shop. You would imagine it would be full of smiles and joy but not in Fort Lauderdale. The bridal shop is set to tailor the wedding of the daughter one of the biggest names in the city. The mother is cold manipulative woman who could care less about her daughter, a mousy girl who has secrets of her own. So when Kiki, the mother is found dead on the wedding day, suffocated by the bride's wedding gown. Helen has the hard job of narrowing down the suspects of people who all have motive of killing Kiki. From her ex-husband who she was milking money from with all the wedding expenses, to the boy-toy chauffeur who she was supposed to leave a million on her will, to the daughter, the actor son-in-all, all the way to the theater people she endorses. When Helen's fingerprints are found in the wedding dress, she has to hurry and clear her name before the police figure out her secret as well as deal with Phil's country singer soon-to-be-ex wife who is staying at Phil's place.

I did enjoy this book and I loved the part when Helen was feeling overwhelmed by all the selfishness that goes on in the people that go to the braidal shop and one customer came in and completely turned everything around. I think the mystery was quite solid with a whole garden of evil kind of theme. It was sad and tragic and ironic all at the same time. Phil... man stupid move... never ever surprise a girlfriend like that. Brings back the whole Ross-Rachel episode for me. The only thing for me here is that the story of Helen's past is becomming so repetitive to me. Also, the romance between Phil and Helen seemed to just sprung out of nowhere, where now both parties are declaring love to each other, leaving me feeling like I missed a book or something. I'm sensing I'm close to brink with the series and might need to take a hiatus. B

Reading next: Murder Unleashed