SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Have you read a book in a new series or by a new author? Did ya love it? Find it lacking?

I recently finished book 1, Blood Song, new series "Bloodsong" by Cat Adams and loved it! I haven't taken the time to write my review yet, but will soon. It was a very interesting story and a fast-paced UF.

Summary:
Bodyguard Celia Graves plies her trade in a world where vampires roam the alleys of Tinseltown and movie stars openly practice witchcraft., where streetcorner psychics have real powers and cops use memory enhancement spells on witnesses. Though she’s an ordinary human, Celia uses street smarts and charmed weapons to protect the rich and famous from mortal and supernatural threats.

She’s landed a plum job, protecting the Prince of a small but politically vital nation while he tours Los Angeles’s least savory hot spots. What should be a routine assignment goes badly wrong. Attacked by a master vampire, Celia knows she is about to die.

She’s startled to awaken on a cold metal table in a university lab. Celia Graves has become an Abomination, neither fully mortal nor fully vampire. Her “master” is hunting her, to destroy her or finish what his bite began. She’s accused of murder and the cops aren’t sure whether she should be locked up or staked. And then there’s the demon she glimpsed during the vampire attack . . . .
Struggling to cope with her new powers and trying not to terrify everyone she meets with a flash of fang, Celia reaches out for help from her once (and future?) lover, who is a powerful mage; his warrior-priest brother; a handsome werewolf who keeps his lupine nature concealed from the world; an elderly clairvoyant, and one trustworthy cop.

Celia Graves has three days to save the world, her sanity, and her soul.

I would recommend it!

I also just bought Blood Oath, book 1 in a new series "The President's Vampire" by a new author (I believe) Christopher Farnsworth. I am so excited to read it. I love the idea and anything vamp-related is a must-read for me.

Think you'll give it a go too?



Summary:
Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the President. But Cade is no ordinary civil servant. Bound 140 years ago by a special blood oath, Nathaniel Cade is a vampire. He battles nightmares before they can break into the daylight world of the American dream, enemies far stranger - and far more dangeorus - than civilians have ever imagined.

Blood Oath is the first in a series of novels featuring Nathaniel Cade, the President's vampire.

I'll post my thoughts/review once I've read it. :)

I don't know if this is going to be a series book, but I also just bought Moonshine: A Novel by Alaya Dawn Johnson. The cover quote by Rhys Bowen says, "Gangs of New York meets True Blood", so I couldn't pass it up. I loved Gangs of NY and LOVE, love True Blood. I'll see how it is and let ya know.



Summary:
Imagining vampires at the heart of the social struggles of 1920s, Moonshine blends a tempestuous romance with dramatic historical fiction, populated by a lively mythology inhabiting the gritty New York City streets.

Zephyr Hollis is an underfed, overzealous social activist who teaches night school to the underprivileged of the Lower East Side. Strapped for cash, Zephyr agrees to help a student, the mysterious Amir, who proposes she use her charity worker cover to bring down a notorious vampire mob boss.

What he doesn’t tell her is why. Soon enough she’s tutoring a child criminal with an angelic voice, dodging vampires high on a new blood-based street drug, and trying to determine the real reason behind Amir’s request — not to mention attempting to resist (often unsuccessfully) his dark, inhuman charm.

{{And can I just say, it's kinda freakin' me out that I'm reading books by authors that are younger than my baby sister ... makes me feel old. :( }}

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Another one that may not be in a series, but a (had a buying binge) recent purchase of mine. I haven't read anything by Meg Cabot, but I love vamps, so I have to give this one a go.



Summary:
"Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one."

Steph, someone else, can't remember whom, recommended that Meg Cabot one also. I've stuck it on the tbr, and am awaiting pb as I think it's still only in hb, at least from BD. It certainly sounded good, but I haven't read any Meg Cabots either.

Aren't you reading a lot of No.1 books of series this year? You'll have to keep posting as you go, to let us know what you think of them.

I finished up Holly Black's White Cat last month and I really enjoyed it. Her world, so similar to our own, but inhabited by curse workers, was quite an interesting one. I enjoyed reading another YA from a male's perspective as well and the fact at Cassel doesn't always do the right or good thing, but he isn't a bad person at his core.



Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love -- or death -- and your dreams might be more real than your memories.

Book two in the series, Red Glove, is scheduled for release in May 2011

Sandra, I'll do that. I do seem to be reading a bunch of 'first books' this year. Partly b/c I (stupidly when I have SO many on-going to read already) signed myself up for a NEW2ME challenge w/RRR Challenges to read 50+ this year. Obviously I'm doing pretty well on that one and should reach my goal way before 12/31/10. And partly b/c I seem to be drawn to so many of them lately. Some of them lure by their cool covers and others b/c they seem different, which I love.

I'll come back to this post and share my reviews as I read them.

DH, I have that one. I'm glad you liked it. I think I will too. I kinda like a guy's POV, since so many are female POV. That's part of the reason I enjoyed Beautiful Creatures so much.

In the past two months, I've read several new to me series/authors that I liked enough to want to continue on with the series.

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A lot of us read this one for our BOM. I really liked it. I know it got some mixed reviews though.

by Shanna Swendon

This was a funny, quick read. The main character is easy to relate to and the idea of working for a magical business is something different that what's out there.

by Eve Silver

I read/reviewed this one for NetGalley and really liked it. There's a lot of mythology mixed in, the world building wasn't painful and I am anxious to read the other two books.

Steph wrote: "In the past two months, I've read several new to me series/authors that I liked enough to want to continue on with the series.

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A lot o..."

Just to let you know, Sin's Daughter by Eve Silver, book .5, in the Otherkin (Sin) series is available as a free ebook on Amazon.com.

Thanks, Joanne. I just grabbed that freebie earlier this week and I'm looking forward to it. :)

Sandra wrote: "Aren't you reading a lot of No.1 books of series this year? You'll have to keep posting as you go, to let us know what you think of them."

I forgot all about this little thread. It got lost in the background. I'll have to start using it again.

Any/everyone is welcome to post any info re: new authors/series you've recently read also! :D

I read Farsighted by Emlyn Chand for her launch. I was quite impressed with her ability to write a first person narative through the perspecive of a blind character. It's won a number of awards.

Blurb: Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

I gave it 4 stars because of the Greek use of Fate in the novel which is just something that irks me, but otherwise it's a good read.

Sounds quite good! Thanks for sharing, Eliabeth!

When Angels Fall by Stephanie Jackson only .99 for Kindle download! http://www.amazon.com/When-Angels-Fal... …

Danielle Coulter had never believed in anything except her mother, hard work and heartache. She never had time for religious fairytales. But when her mother died, Dani was forced to believe…or die. Not only was she forced to accept that God and Lucifer are real, but also that she is the last living descent of God on Earth. An undeniable fact when the Archangel Gabriel fell to Earth to protect her. Archangel Gabriel; banished from Heaven over four million years ago for refusing to kill his brother, Lucifer, was about to get a second chance to re-enter Heaven. He was sent to Earth on a mission from his Father to protect the last Daughter of God; the last woman to carry the Blood of God on Earth, and kill his brother, once and for all. Gabriel had never expected to feel anything for Dani, but he soon found himself willing to fight Heaven and Hell to keep her safe, even if it meant his own destruction.



Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TB4gd...

Vampire Series, The Blood Thirst Series. #1 The Undead Heart http://www.amazon.com/Undead-Heart-Th... #2 Blood Thirst http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Thirst-Th... ]

No need to list the Amazon link, Stephanie, both books are listed on GRs.

Waiting for release, but really enjoyed the Nightwalker series and this is in the same world.



Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank
Release date: October 30, 2012

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.
 
The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.
 
When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

six book series , three ready now , first in series only 99 cents or 77 pence. "Stream Liner of the Lost Souls"
official web site www.streamlinerseries.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_n...-

keywords=stream+liner+series

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...


CHAPTER FIVE Peek at Stream Liner Meets the Devils Spawn


The look of sheer terror in her eyes turned him on. He was getting off just looking at the gag in her mouth. He could hear muffled screams—exquisite, he thought! The bounds on her wrists and ankles were cutting through her like a knife. The more she struggled the more it hurt. She could see her attacker: he looked calm, too calm. He was tall, quite slim, and she could smell his aftershave; she could not see his face too well as the light was very faint in the room. She squinted at him as he took out a knife. It glistened as the dim light caught the blade.She looked on in total disbelief! He approached her and she struggled even harder. She could feel the warmth of blood dripping down her arms and feet—the restraints were doing their job. He ran the edge of the blade along her naked body. She froze. She wanted to close her eyes but she couldn't, she was helpless. He took a deep breath. He could smell fear, it smelled good. He again looked into her eyes; he was pleased, she hadn't closed them—that would have been a great disappointment to him for he wanted to see as much fear in those beautiful eyes as he could. He pressed the knife in such a way that it only just penetrated the skin. He was an expert: he had done this many times. He wanted his fun, and the longer he kept her alive the better.It hadn't always been this good. At the beginning he used to get carried away, the pressure of the knife too hard, too deep, too fast, and then it was all over far too soon. It made him angry and he was left with disgust for himself. But that was then and this was now; now he knew what he was doing, now he wasn't going to get carried away; no, this time he was going to make the most of it: no more silly mistakes. She screamed as best she could with the gag in her mouth and for all she was worth; she looked at her restraints as she pulled on them with all her might. She looked defeated. She realised she was not going to be able to break free, but she had too, for the alternative was unimaginable; she couldn't give up, she had to get free. The pain in her wrists and ankles seemed to stop; she had a new pain now and it was travelling from her navel to her breasts.He had cut her! She looked down at her stomach and saw blood, her blood…

The Undead Heart: The Undead Heart

Blood Thirst: (#2 in the Blood Series) Blood Thirst

When Angels Fall: When Angels Fall

The Lamp by Stephanie Jackson
The Lamp

The Reaper Within The Reaper Within

If interested in any of these and would like to do a fewiew for me, cantact me Here on goodreads or at [email protected] Review coppies will be by smashwords coupon (Free for you tokrrp) Can't wait to read your reviews!

Here is the start of a fun new vampire series

I am also on pins and needles waiting for the second book in this series.