REVIEW: Devon Monk's MAGIC FOR A PRICE

Book: Magic for a Price

Author: Devon Monk

Series: Allie Beckstrom

Publishing stats: November 6th 2012 by ROC

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Cover Blurb:  For most of her life, Allison Beckstrom has used magic and accepted the heavy price it exacts. But now that all magic is poisoned, it’s no longer just using people—it’s killing them.

With Portland about to descend into chaos, Allie needs to find a way to purify the wells of tainted magic beneath the city. But the only options left to her are grim: attempt to close down magic forever, or follow her father’s plan to set magic into the right hands—even though she’s learned to never trust his word.

Now, Allie will have to make a choice and face the darkness of her own deepest fears, before time runs out for them all…

First line: I never expected cookies at the end of the world.

What I liked: This book is the last in the Allie Beckstrom series and as such led to a lot of loose ends being tied up, what I liked, however, was that it wasn't done all at once or even one after the other. Right up until the very last minute there were questions hanging, questions that were answered in what felt like their own time rather than being rushed to shove it into the last book. Even better, those answers weren't what I was expecting, not by a long shot. This book also served to setup the upcoming spin-off series for secondary characters Shame and Terric in such a way that you have a firm idea of at least some of the plot points the new series will be tackling. Last books are never easy and I've read more than one where it ended and I was left staring at it thinking, "Seriously? That's...that's it? That's the end? You have GOT to be kidding me." This, I'm happy to say, was not one of those books; it was quite the feat and remarkably well done.

What I didn’t like: There was a lot of action going on, a lot of activity, which was by no means a bad thing, however with all of the story and the action going on there were very, very few moments of ordinary to break things up and remind the reader what it was the heroes were fighting to regain. Heck, I don't even think Allie went to Get Mugged for coffee until the very end. Understandable when you're a wanted fugitive, to be sure, but still disappointing that there were none of those happy ordinary moments, especially of the Zay and Allie variety.

Overall: I've waited eight books to see how happily ever after would be achieved for Allie; to say it seemed impossible at times is an understatement. The girl began the series with magic use costing her chunks of her memory and things just went downhill from there. Case and point, she began this book possessed by her dead father (whom she loathed when alive), on the run from a company of magical overseers led by a woman possessed by a pair of evil ghosts (there's a lot of possession going on, okay?) and whose every minute use of magic leaves her literally sick to her stomach or worse. But, hey, the book also starts off with cookies. Lots and lots of cookies - you can't go wrong with a book that starts off with cookies. Somehow, despite all the darkness and the seeming impossibility of happy endings, Ms. Monk manages to trudge her way through and  work everything out for one heck of an ending that's well deserved.

Would I read this author again: Yes - her next series cannot release too soon, especially if it includes more glimpses of Allie and Zay enjoying their happily ever after.

My rating: ☺☺☺☺☺/5

To purchase the book for yourself, you can find it at Chapters.Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, or The Book Depository. Enjoy!

REVIEW: Carrie Vaughn's KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY

Book: Kitty Takes A Holiday

Author: Carrie Vaughn

Series: Kitty Norville

Publishing stats: April 1st 2007 by Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Cover Blurb:  After getting caught turning wolf on national television, Kitty retreats to a mountain cabin to recover and write her memoirs. But this is Kitty, so trouble is never far behind, and instead of Walden Pond, she gets Evil Dead. When werewolf hunter Cormac shows up with an injured Ben O'Farrell, Kitty's lawyer, slung over his shoulder, and a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes starts sniffing around the cabin, Kitty wonders if any of them will get out of these woods alive...

First line: She runs for the joy of it, because she can, her strides stretching to cover a dozen feet every time she leaps.

What I liked: I really loved how Kitty's emotional turmoil was captured in writing. She had a rough time of it in the book before this and seeing her struggle through the emotions those events stirred up in her was a journey and adventure all its own. I especially liked seeing her interactions with the rival supernatural-based talk show host; it provided a nice sort of foil seeing how her views on the rival show changed with her views of herself.

What I didn’t like: The entire Cormac storyline. I felt that, with the past books, something was building on that front but with a few well placed swipes I feel as though that entire possibility came toppling down which makes me feel cheated. What's more, by the end of the book Cormac was taken out of play in more than one sense leaving me starring at the book and screaming, "How could you DO that?!" I love Cormac as a character and I saw a lot of potential in him - he provides a great contrast to Kitty in several ways - but now the writing's on the wall and all my hopes for him are pretty much rubble. Bright side, I'll hopefully get to rebuild them over coming books in new designs and directions.

Overall: One of the things I love most about this series is being able to watch (so to speak) Kitty grow and change over each book. In the first book, Kitty is a definite submissive, abused in several senses by her pack's alpha and whose only protection and affection comes from her best friend  and fellow wolf, TJ. By this book - third in the series - Kitty has left the pack and the abuse behind, developed a successful and prospering radio show and been out as a werewolf to the public with the video footage to back it up. This books really serves to show the final steps Kitty takes from who she was at the beginning of the first book to who she will be in coming books. The strength, courage and compassion she's been hinted to possess in the past comes to full flourish within these pages and it is truly a delight to see. At the same time, you get a very stark view of how the world - and its people - beyond Kitty's life
are adjusting to the realization that vampires and werewolves aren't just the stuff of story books.

Would I read this author again: Yes - the train wreck of the Cormac storyline aside, I still want to see how the rest of this story progresses and grows in coming books, to say nothing of its characters.

My rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

To purchase the book for yourself, you can find it at Chapters.Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, or The Book Depository. Enjoy!

Top 5 Sundays #26 - Most Underrated Book Series

So, this week there was a choice on the topic front due to tied poll: either Favourite Book in a Long-Running Series or Most Underrated Book Series. I've chosen to go with the latter. Long-running series are, for the most part, currently ongoing and so my answer on the favourite book front is rather fluid and tends to change depending on each new release. At least with Most Underrated Book Series I can provide more stable answers.

So, without further ado, I present Calliope's Domain Top 5 Most Underrated Book Series.

#5 - Alexandra Sabian series by Jeannie Holmes

This series has it all; a complicated romance, family secrets, a dark, realistic take on crime and, of course, vampires. It's written in such a way that there's something of a duality between cold facts of the official investigation and the unpredictable emotions of the characters. The fact that the third person narrative tends to bounce between the heroine, Alexandra Sabian, the hero, Varik Baudelaire, the villain du jour, whoever he or she might be, and a myriad of other characters, rounds out the stories in a way a single or dual narrative wouldn't be capable of.

#4 - Shades of Fury series by Kasey Mackenzie 

I am a huge fan of mythology and this series has them all - literally. Where else can you read about a Fury (of Greek Mythology) reuniting with her Anubian Warhound ex (of Egyptian lore) to go up against brainwashed sidhe clones (drawn from Celtic legend). And that's just one scene of the first book.

#3 - Metawars series by Kelly Meding

Superheroes lose their powers without explanation as children only to regain them all of the sudden fifteen years later. As the author herself describe the series, it "follows a group of adult superheroes who are dealing with malfunctioning powers, a world that hates them, and a lot of romantic complications." Now, really, be honest - what's not to love about that? In my opinion, books featuring legitimate superheroes - complete with costumes and code names - are far to few in this world.

#2 - Monère: Children of the Moon series by Sunny

I love how this series is written - each book packs in so much more action and activity, so many more twists and turns than you'd expect given the back cover copy and page count. The emotion, however, that's described - the relationships and turmoil that arise between Mona Lisa and her men - is truly what gives these books their value. I cannot wait for the next book and hope to all the gods that it won't be too much longer!

#1 - Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk 

Author Devon Monk puts a whole new spin on the idea of magic users with this series and about a dozen other elements of urban fantasy. Set in Portland, it follows a young woman as she learns that the world, magic and people she thought she knew are truly nothing like she imagined - including herself. The last book is set to release in just one more week but, because Fate can't be cruel all the time, next year is set to see a couple of the secondary characters get their moment to shine in the driving seats.

And there you have it, ladies and gents, this week's Top 5. Be sure to check out Larissa's own list over at Larissa's Bookish Life. Until next week, my loves!

Top 5 Sundays #25 - Books I Would Love to Get Signed by the Author!

This week's Top 5 theme is books I would love to get signed by the author. I think it goes without saying that I wouldn't turn down an author's offer to sign one of their books - what sort of crazy person would? However, I also think it goes without saying (but I'm going to say it anyway) that there are some books that, for one reason or another, have come to mean something more to you than the words on their pages. These are the books that have gotten themselves tangled up in your emotions, in your memories, in your affections. These are the books that you turn to for comfort not only because of their stories and familiarity, but because they've come to be associated with so much more. Having the author sign these books...well, it's almost like a validation, like a recognition of all that book has come to mean to you. With the creator's name scrawled within, it's like the book's personal importance to you has been given a stamp of approval.

And what's not to love about that?

So, without further ado, I present this week's (belated) Top 5 Books I Would Love to Get Signed by the Author! Enjoy.

#5 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Okay, be honest, what person growing up with Harry Potter wouldn't sell their little brother whole for J.K. Rowling's name scrawled by the lady herself inside their copy of any one of the Harry Potter books? The last one, the first one, the fifth one - I wouldn't care which, just so long as whichever one it was got to come home with me at the end of the day. Hell, I might even toss in my sister just for the heck of it.

#4 - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

What can I say? My favourite contemporary authors might all be tied to the vamps, weres, witches, demons and magic filling their stories but when it comes to the classics, it's Pride and Prejudice all the way. I blame Mr. Darcy - man knows how to bounce back from a really botched proposal like nobody else. Unfortunately, considering that there's a finite number of signed copies in existence (at least until the zombie apocalypse) getting one of these puppies really would require I resort to human trafficking.

#3 - Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth

For my thirteenth birthday, one of my friends gave me a gift card for Chapters. I remember going with my grandfather to pick out the book and being worried that I was taking to long and boring my poor grandpa. I ended up taking home Witches of Eileanan - mostly because of the awesome cover (it has a dragon - what's not cool about that?) - and my library was begun. Getting this book signed would be just another way of highlighting the significance it holds for me.

#2 - The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

Now, truth be told, I started reading the Vampire Chronicles because of the film adaptation of Queen of the Damned and, as is usually the case, quickly discovered the books to be better. The Vampire Lestat, though the second book in the series, holds particular importance being as its the first book where Lestat narrates. Having Anne Rice sign any one of her books would be amazing - like receiving a personal letter from Johnny Depp amazing - but having her sign the copy I actually read - the copy I lost myself in over and over again - that would just be phenomenal.

#1 - The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

I adore this series. If this series was a person, I would marry it. I own a lot of books - hundreds, no question - but of them all the books in this series are hands down the ones most read. And reread. Whatever mood I'm feeling, I can find a passage, a scene, a chapter - or ten - in these books to suit. I own - and have read - everything that Anne Bishop has ever written but these series - and specifically these three books - they're my literary equivalent to comfort food. Getting them signed...that would just floor me.

And there you have it! Until next week, boils and ghouls, I bid you adieu!

Top 5 Sundays #24 - Series or Author That Make You Forget/Ignore Your TBR!

This week's topic on Top 5 Sundays are those series and authors I just can't wait for and absolutely, positively MUST read just as soon as I can, to hell with what other books might be waiting! This is probably something any bibliophile can relate to - heck, anyone who has ever waited in line for admittance to a night club can relate. Sometimes, no matter how good you look, someone (or something) else for one reason or another simply jumps ahead.

Here's my Top 5 and the reasons why; hope you enjoy!

#5 - MetaWars series by Kelly Meding

The interesting thing about this series is that it reads like a comic book. The plot is simple: a group of young adults suddenly have their former powers return to them after they mysteriously vanished fifteen years earlier and decide to band together to rebuild the tarnished reputation superheroes have incurred since the aftermath of the last great hero/villain super match. What really distinguishes these books, however, are two things. Firstly, the stories actually bother to deal with the collateral damage incited by superheroes doing battle with the villains in the middle of major city centres. Secondly, the characters are amazingly well written with complex histories, distinct personalities and engaging dynamics. It's like The Justice League meets The Middleman and too good to wait any longer than absolutely necessary!

#4 - Monère: Children of the Moon series by Sunny

These books are not that long when it comes to the number of pages between their covers. When it comes to the plot, however, these books are jammed packed, using every word, every scene for all it is worth and just when you think everything's over, that's when the story flips. Take the first book; just when you think everything's settled, a car accident orphans Mona Lisa's brother. Among the book's other points: Mona Lisa learns she's only half human and, oh yeah, a Queen, falls in love, finds and meets her birth mother, acquires two  indentured servants, is introduced to a high court, meets the prince of Hell, loses her lover, gets kidnapped, falls in love again, escapes her kidnappers, exposes another Queen's treachery, and regains her lover. And that's only the first half of the book. Now imagine five books just as bursting with activity. Yup. It's like that.

#3 - Undead/Betsy Taylor series by MaryJanice Davidson

I have never managed to get through one of these books without laughing. Betsy is a self-absorbed, shoe-obsessed air head who somehow landed  herself the job of vampire queen. Needless to say, hilarity ensues. Among my favourite adventures to date are Betsy's trip through time with her Satan spawned sister and unraveling the mystery of her zombified friend while coping with a total lack of help from her visiting future self. Wild times, man, wild times.

#2 - Charley Davidson series by  Darlynda Jones

Another hilarious narrative but in a totally different manner. There's something about Charley's tone and thoughts that reminds me of my own making for a narration I find beyond easy to relate to. Toss in ghosts, demons and one hell of a hunky son of Satan and the only bad thing about this series is the unbelieveably torturous wait between book releases.

#1 - Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

This series has everything - a sarcastic, crazy heroine whose powerful and kickass but has a heart, a domineering, control-freak alpha whose not afraid to let his devotion show, an extend cast of developed and distinct secondary characters, compelling and intricate mysteries that draw on mythologies and history from around the world and an overreaching story plot that progresses and deepens with each book. Add in the fast paced and engaging writing and, really, there's no question why these books jump the line.

REVIEW: Sable Grace's Chosen

Book: Chosen

Author: Sable Grace

Series: Dark Breed

Publishing stats: August 28th 2012 by Avon

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Cover Blurb:  She was a Dark Breed -- half Vampyre, half Lychen.
Now she is CHOSEN…

Kyana is the new Goddess of the Hunt, chosen for her determination to survive as much as for her passion to protect those she loves. Now, just when she's finally ready to shed her past and let the one man who really matters into her heart, an evil has resurrected, and only Kyana stands in its way.

But Ryker, as the new Zeus, will not let her fight alone. It has taken him too long to convince Kyana they belong together for him to lose her. And if it means descending into the depths of Hades to make the ultimate sacrifice, then so be it.

The fate of the world is at stake, and for Kyana and Ryker, no fight has ever been more personal.

First line: She watched Haven tilt her head back and let out an unladylike shout of laughter, and everything in Kyana Aslan's body warmed with contentment.

What I liked: One of the things I love most about this series is the character development. In the first book, we're met with a Kyana who is essentially a lonely, angry warrior bitch with but a few friends to whom she is completely loyal. As the story  unfolds, however, and glimpses of Kyana's past are shown you come to gain a better understanding of Kyana. Simultaneously, as Kyana's present twists and turns in ways she never could have imagined, she comes to thaw and let more of herself be shared with those around her. In particular, the romance between her and Ryker acts as sort of a stablizing agent for the both of them. Serious and noble Ryker finds himself cutting loose, tough and prickly Kyana finds herself softening. This book had all of this development coming to full bloom and, finally, let readers see the final result.

What I didn’t like: The story happened, the bad guy was defeated, new roles were established and then...it was over. We didn't get to see Ryker and Kyana settled in their romance. We didn't get to see the reprecussions of a beloved character's death. This was supposedly the last book of the series but several loose ends were left dangling. I hope that this was intended to Kyana's story and not that of the series itself - it would be nice if there could be more books, perhaps taking on Haven as a main character, that would develop on the ending Chosen provided.

Overall: This book was not as good as its two predescessors and, in my opinion, did not live up to the tension the back cover blurb promised. That being said, that more than one character dies by book's end did come as a surprise, especially considering the identities of those characters. Overall, however, the book's redemption comes from the fruition of the character development and being able to witness just who Kyana and Ryker - among others - have grown into over the course of the three books. What is more, this book really highlighted the relationships that tie this cast of characters together and demonstrated how these relationships have served to shape and strengthen the characters.

Would I read this author again: Yes, if she (technically, they, I know) continued on with this series in some fashion - I did mention wanting the ending developed and fleshed out, didn't I?

My rating: ♥♥/5

To purchase the book for yourself, you can find it at Chapters.Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, or The Book Depository. Enjoy!

Top 5 Sundays #23 - Favorite Male TV Characters!

There are a lot of men out there in TV Land of all different types and appearances and personalities. It's a virtual man zoo out there and, like any kid at zoo, I've got my favourite must-see specimens. Here, for this week's installment of Calliope's Domain Top 5, are my top male TV characters.

Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs, CBS)

A mathematical genius, Charlie Eppes is a university professor with a sweet and decidedly geeky personality. What makes him one of my favourite male characters, however, is the fact that despite his genius, despite all his accomplishments in his field and all of the recognition his work affords him, at the end of the day Charlie is just an awkward kid trying to get the approval of his big brother.  It's something younger siblings the world over can relate to, and it doesn't hurt that in this case the big brother is an FBI agent who isn't afraid of telling the NSA (or anyone else, for that matter) to back off his little brother.

Bo Duke (Dukes of Hazzard, CBS)

Bo was a blonde haired, blue eyed good old boy who drove around the rural counties of Georgia in a Chevy Charger with his older cousin, Luke. He was impulsive and quick to anger, with the mean left hook to match. More often than not, he and Luke would land themselves in one sort of trouble or another, usually on account of Boss Hogg. He was a charmer, a definite ladies' man, who would have just as much fun turning a no into a yes as getting a yes straight off. His main point of appeal? Man, could that boy drive a car. I am willing to forgive a great many faults for a man who can drive as well as Bo Duke. Oh! And he totally do the bow and arrow thing. He was a modern day Robin Hood, complete with loyal steed!

Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds, CBS)

What can you say about a man whose best friend is the overly flamboyant  computer technician who, on top of being heavy set and in need of glasses, is definitely firmly set on the geeky side of life? Penelope Garcia's the type of girl whose really very sweet, friendly and loyal but, drop her into any high school the world over, and she'd be mercilessly bullied and then some. Morgan, meanwhile, is the heart throb who, once upon a time, played high school AND college football as, you guessed it, the quarterback. And despite these two coming from totally opposite ends of the high school social spectrum, they're best friends. Despite Garcia being the analystist to the team as a whole, more often than not it is Morgan who serves as her primary contact, calling her from the field for info and updates. He's also dubbed Garcia with several nicknames, including "Baby Girl," "Doll Face," "Sweetness," and "Mama." His loyalty and sweetness towards Garcia more than anything else makes him a favourite in my books.

Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock, BBC)

I think it goes without saying that Sherlock - in all of his incarnations - is an ass. His ego is like the universe - ever expanding - and he uses his rather intimidating intellect as both a blunt instrument and a shield. His manic, exciteable personality has him jumping about like a five year old on a sugar rush one moment and sunk into a bored depression the next, all depending on whether or not he has a case to work. And then, in the middle of it all, will come a sweet and touching moment; he'll apologize to Molly for not appreciating her or drop a villain out a window for roughing up Mrs. Hudson. He's a complex and many layered character that can't help but entrance.

Dean Winchester (Supernatural, The CW)

Dean, Dean, Dean, what can I say? He's got a smart mouth and a cocky attitude. He's a monster hunter whose main concern isn't so much slaying the monsters as it is making sure his family makes it through the monsters okay. And the going hasn't been easy. He pretty much died at the end of season one, had to sell his soul to bring his little brother back from the dead at the end of season two, went to hell at the end of season three, got to watch his brother unleash Satan had the end of season four, lost his brother to seal away Satan at the end of season five - the list goes on. He's gotten a little broken, a little beat up - he's certainly not the same man who showed up in his brother's appartment at the beginning of the series premiere. He's darker, grittier, wilder...but at his core he's still the big brother wanting to do the right thing to get his brother through whatever evil machinations the bad guys might concoct in one piece. Hands down, my hero.

 ***BONUS*** Batman

So, he's been in a couple of shows - Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice...the list goes on. He's always the hero who's going to stay true to his ideals no matter what, always the hero who's going to make the hard choice, always the hero who'll know the most, have deduced the most, have the most background information going in. On the flip-side, he also the hero most likely to take in the vengeful preteen and train them so that they learn a code, learn to defend themselves so that when they go for their vengeance they do it within the legal system in such a way that guarantees their own survival. How can anyone not love Bats?

Top 5 Sundays #22 - 2013 Sequels I'm Dying to Read!

This week's Top 5 is really, really, really late because of my recent hop across the pond to teach in the London area for a year. It's also the cause for the lack of recent reviews or non-Top 5 posts. Relocating has been a pretty huge ordeal. Apologies, ladies and gents, but hopefully now that I'm getting settled I'll be back to my usual routines - both on and off the blog - soon!

That being said, it's on to the promised Top 5 post, late though it be! Almost each and every year sees all of my favourite authors releasing at least one book in their continuing series - be there one or many such series under their belts. This gives a girl a lot of options to narrow down to just five. Ultimately, I just chose five at random that happen to have had their covers revealed already.

So, without further ado, I give you this week's belated Top 5 post.

#5 - Haunted Moon by Yasmine Galenorn (Otherworld #10)

Release Date: January 29th 2013

This series rotates between three narrators - sisters, each with her own distinct personality that colours her voice and her observations.  Because author Yasmine Galenorn is some kind of bionic woman, she puts out two books per year in her Otherworld series and another book per year in her Indigo Court series.  This next installment will feature Camille as the narrator. Eldest of the sisters, Camille is a witch whose books tend to focus on the darker side of magic and have a different flavour of emotion compared to those of her sisters. I'm especially excited for this installment, given the trauma Camille suffered in her last book and the reappearance of the sisters' father, last seen when he disowned Camille for following her goddess' directive to join an Earthside Fae Court.

#4 - Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #7)

Release Date: March 5th, 2013 

I can't imagine anyone who claims to be a reader of urban fantasy (or any genre remotely similar) not being excited about the next Mercy book. With the last book, River Marked, having come out almost two years ago and tossing in such game changers as a wedding and a paternal revelation, it's small wonder why anticipation is so high.  Especially when this book is rumoured to bring back the vampires and vanish the werewolf pack, hunky alpha Adam included.

#3 -Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire (InCryptid #2)

Release Date: March 5th, 2013

 The first book in this series, Discount Armaggedeon, had everything: adventure, humour, mystery, family and even a dollop of romance. Honestly, it's that last part (and the humour and the adventure and the mystery and the family) that has me coming back for more. On the one hand you have fun and fiesty Verity, professional dancer and cryptozoologist, and on the other hand you have serious and severe Dominic, professional slayer and monster hunter - a more unlikely pair there isn't. I'm intrigue, however, to see if they make it work and the sparks that will no doubt ensue if they do.

#2 - Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #8)

Release Date: March 26th, 2013

You know how sometimes you'll find yourself holding certain elements of a story - a character, a couple, an object, a place - sacred. You get yourself wrapped up in certainty that no matter what else happens, Sirius will always be there to take care of Harry or Chuck and Blair will be together forever or Leonardo will always have his katana. After all, you tell yourself, after they get through so much else together, they just have to make it through to the end. And then Sirius is killed, Chuck tries to sell Blair for a hotel and the Foot Ninja snap both katana blades. For a good long while you just sit there and stare at the screen or the page, absolutely positive that you misunderstood, that that didn't just happen. But it did. The thing is, though, is that if you just hold tight and stick with it you'll see that, yes, Sirius died but he by no means left Harry alone; alright, Chuck and Blair split but they eventually find their way back to each other; sure, the katana were broken, but Leonardo reforges them better than ever. This is what this series is about - getting through the bad to get back what was broken.

#1 - Undead and Unsure by MaryJanice Davidson (Betsy Taylor #12)

Release Date: August 6th, 2013

So, to date, our beloved vampire queen has, well, found herself a vampire, got promoted to Queen of the vampires, fell in love and married Sinclair, had various wheeling and dealings with Satan, found out her sister has Satan for a mom,  had her father and stepmother die in a car crush, acquired her baby (literally) brother as a ward, and to top it all off, time travelled back and forth and back again. The last book tied up a heck of a lot of loose ends - so many in fact that I wondered where the story could go from there - and then the last chapter happened and the whole world exploded to realign in new ways. (Brighter side, this book's release coincides with my expected return to Canada! What's not to love about that? ^^)