The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor & Marc Paoletti

The Last Vampire
Patricia Rosemoor & Marc Paoletti
Del Rey – Ballantine Books
June 24, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-50104-2

From the back cover:
Spawned of alchemy and blood, he was the last of a brutal, ancient line. Now he has just been reborn.

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Deep in a Texas cave, the military unearths a five-hundred-year-old corpse, its desiccated flesh teeming with mysterious DNA that can transform mortals into beings of unimaginable power.

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Captain Scott Boulder, leader of a Black Ops unit that has been endowed with these superhuman abilities, is among the first to benefit from the find. But when, with the help of a voodoo priestess, the creature is conjured to life, unleashing an ancient evil bent on reinstating its poisonous kind on earth, Scott knows he must return the monster to the grave. But this is no ordinary vampire. Once a brutal torturer in the Spanish Inquisition, it can bend the laws of science and magic in horrifying new ways.

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Powerless to fight this evil alone, Scott grudgingly seeks the aid of reclusive anthropologist Leah Maguire, an expert in the mystical rituals of the past. To keep humanity from entering a new Dark Age, Scott and Leah will battle unspeakable horrors and will sacrifice everything they hold dear–perhaps even their own humanity–to destroy the last vampire.
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My thoughts:
It’s been years since Leah Maguire lost her father and brother to a vicious creature they disturbed in a Texas cave. She couldn’t stop what happened that day, but now she’s an expert in her field and able to practice ancient rituals if she’d give herself half a chance.

When the government comes knocking with a request for her professional help, Leah has no intention of getting involved. They’re not about to let her off that easily because it seems that the same creature that once destroyed her family is on the loose and she may be the only one who possesses the knowledge to stop him.

Scott Boulder leads a unique unit of men whose talents are kept secret from the general population. Each of his team members have been enhanced through the introduction of the supernatural DNA from a centuries old corpse. Their covert group has been compromised and despite Scott’s protests they’re about to call in help.

The government’s five-hundred year old vampire has just received a wake-up call from a voodoo priestess who will let nothing stand in the way of her goal. The evil they’ve carefully controlled has been set loose on an unsuspecting community. Scott and Leah are humanity’s only hope of stopping the creature as it cuts a bloody path on his way to immortality.

With their own twist on the vampire legend, Patricia Rosemoor and Marc Paoletti have created a storyline filled with murder and mayhem. An evil that’s powered in blood, and formed by alchemy, reenters the heroine’s life and manages to turn the hero’s existence upside down. While I expected more romance, and would have liked more detail about the Black Ops team and Leah’s professional background, I found The Last Vampire to be both interesting and entertaining.

Read the prologue to The Last Vampire by clicking on the book cover: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unworthy
Queen Betsy, Book 7
MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley Sensation
June 24, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22162-4

From the inside cover flap:
Betsy Taylor thought entering the world of the undead was a big adjustment. Being a new bride isn’t much easier. The blush has only been on for two months, and Betsy has a lot to do: set up the new house, finish writing thank-you notes, and raise BabyJon, her half brother and legal ward. Just another happy American family adjusting to marital bliss.
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Betsy's husband, Sinclair, has been perusing The Book of the Dead, and Betsy's visited by a ghost who's even more insufferable, stubborn, and annoying in death than she was in life. She not only blames Betsy for her condition but insists that she fix it. It’s all just a prelude to the fun and games awaiting Betsy and Sinclair when a pack of formerly feral vampires, hungry for blood and power, pays a visit to the happy couple.
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My thoughts:
Betsy Taylor died and woke up as the queen of vampires with a future king ready to tie the knot. Now she can’t quite catch a break on having an easy or quiet life. As the queen, her responsibilities are endless, but her personal life brings just as many unexpected obstacles. Balancing it all and raising her baby half brother is nearly more than she can handle, so it’s a good thing she has so many others around her to help.

While Betsy’s powers continue to grow and surprise her, a new ghost demands her attention and offers no real clue to what she wants beyond making her life miserable. Then there’s Detective Nick Berry, the man who hates her for who she is and what she’s done to him the past. Now he’s insisting she help him solve a case.

Eric Sinclair remains faithfully by Betsy’s side when he isn’t sneaking off to read The Book of the Dead. It seems that the Queen and her King are busy keeping a few secrets, and one day those secrets might come back to bite them.

With life at the mansion being as crazy as ever, they’ve forgotten about the Fiends they have tucked away in Alice’s care. It’s too bad that the Fiends haven’t forgotten them, or that Betsy’s at the top of their list.

This is the seventh book in the Queen Betsy series and is a fast-paced and humorous as the previous installments. Ms. Davidson has her own brand of wit and shocking surprises that makes her vampire series one of a kind. From characters you grow to love or loathe, to the non-stop paranormal action that’s completely believable within this urban fantasy world, Undead and Unworthy is one that fans don’t dare miss.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Giveaway - Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett

How would you like to win a copy of Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett? Thanks to Ms. Bartlett’s awesome publicist at Berkley Books, Darque Reviews has 4 copies to give away!

If you haven’t had an opportunity to get caught up with Glory St. Clair and her friends, here’s your chance. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post anytime over the next week before midnight Wednesday, June 25th. I’ll announce the winners on Thursday morning (June 26th), so be sure to check back to see if it’s you!

From the publisher’s site:
When a female loan shark named Lucky is attacked and left for dead, vampire Glory St. Clair turns her into one of the undead to save her—but eternity would have been safer without her. Vamps prefer a low profile, and that's not Lucky's style. She prefers to flaunt her sexy rock-star ex-boyfriend and great shoes. Trouble is, her flamboyant behavior is not only drawing every vampire hunter within miles—it's bringing her would-be killer out of hiding, too.

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(Glory St. Claire, Book 3)

Berkley Trade, June 2008

368 pages ISBN: 0425221547

Trade Size$14.00

You can see a review of Real Vampires Get Lucky: Here

Visit Gerry Bartlett: Here

Read more about the author and her books at Berkley Jove Authors: Here

Visit Penguin Group: Here

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Evernight
Claudia Gray
Harper Teen
May 27, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-128439-7

From the jacket flap:
Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My thoughts:

Bianca Olivier becomes the outsider in a new school when her parents take teaching positions at the Evernight Academy and she’s forced to leave her old life and friends behind. As classes are about to begin for the school year she meets a boy, Lucas, who is as different from the other students as one could be. They become close friends, but each of them is protecting a secret that could change more than just their relationship, it could put their lives in jeopardy.

Lucas Ross has done as his mother insisted and enrolled in the Evernight Academy, but he’s less than happy to be there. Living in a dorm, he’s gotten a decent roommate in Vic, but the majority of students treat him like the outsider he is. Meeting Bianca is the best thing to happen to him, but the past is about to catch up to the present.

Like many of the young adult vampire reads in the past few years, Evernight takes place at an academy designed for our fanged friends. Set during a time when a number of humans are being allowed to attend the school, the story takes readers on a journey of discovery for both the heroine and her hero. While Evernight starts out slowly, Ms. Gray captures the reader’s attention with a surprising twist and the story picks up the pace from there until the climactic end. Suitable for teens, but may be enjoyed by adults as well.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett

Real Vampires Get Lucky
Glory St. Clair, Book 3
Gerry Bartlett
Berkley
June 3, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22154-9

When Gloriana St. Clair and her shapeshifter bodyguard, Valdez, find a nearly dead woman in the alley behind her building, she does something she’s never done before. She changes Lucky Carver, a loan collector, to vampire. Now she’s responsible for teaching Lucky the ropes. Her mobster father is grateful for Glory saving her life, but he still wants answers and he’s more than willing to pay for what he wants. Her good deed is about to turn around and make life much more complicated.

Not being the type that takes orders from anyone, Lucky ignores the need for secrecy of her new life as vampire and attracts attention in a very big way. She’s just been given an immortal life that she plans to lead in any way she wants, and her first order of business is to take revenge on a guy who jilted her years ago. There are two sides to every story, but Lucky has no interest in giving him a chance to speak his peace and soon more trouble lands in Glory’s lap.

Jeremiah Campbell is Glory’s on again, off again, vampire boyfriend. If it were strictly up to him, he’d have married her long ago, but luckily for Glory he hasn’t given up hope. He does all he can to protect her, but she still manages to get herself into bad situations. This time around, Jerry has some troubles of his own.

This is the third installment in the Glory St. Clair vampire series, and Glory’s humorous escapades will keep readers glued to the pages. Ms. Bartlett pens an inventive urban fantasy tale with engaging characters, an intriguing mystery and a storyline kept light with witty dialogue. Real Vampires Get Lucky is filled with twists, turns and temptation that will keep readers coming back for more.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton

Blood Noir
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16
Laurell K. Hamilton
Berkley
May 27, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22219-5

Anita Blake is a necromancer, Federal Marshall for vampire executions, and the human servant to Master of the City of St. Louis, Jean-Claude. When Jason, Jean-Claude’s pomme de sang, asks Anita for a favor she convinces herself it’s the right thing to do. Afraid of flying, and less than thrilled to be meeting Jason’s family under less than truthful circumstances, Anita says goodbye to Nathaniel and Micah, her live-in boyfriends, and accompanies Jason home. What might have been an emotionally difficult trip for Jason turns into a life threatening time for them both.

Jason Schuyler is a werewolf and has not seen his father in several years. His father is now dying and Jason is returning home to make one final effort in smoothing things out before his death. What he hadn’t known when arranging their trip was that his cousin, Keith Summerland, is getting married during the same time he’ll be in town. The problem is that Jason looks so much like Keith and his twin brother that he’s immediately mistaken for him and has the press hounding him and Anita from the time they touch down. If that weren’t enough, it seems that his cousin has gotten himself into a very bad situation with the vampires, who also mistake Jason as the culprit.

Marmee Noir is waking, and the power Anita holds within her is like a magnet to the Mother of all Darkness. A trip that had already turned life threatening is about to take an even darker turn when Anita finds herself fighting an unseen battle to survive.

This is the sixteenth installment in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Blood Noir centers on an out-of-town trip where Anita accompanies Jason to make peace with his dying father. The action is a plentiful mix of human and supernatural that leaves little time to lose interest. Sex is a part of the overall storyline, because without feeding the ardeur Anita won’t survive. Ms. Hamilton adds detail to a charming character by giving readers a look into his past, and takes her heroine a step further with her battle against powerful dark forces. A must read for fans of the series, especially those fans who want to learn more about Jason. If you’re new to this series you should really start at the beginning. If you’re squeamish about explicit sex scenes then take a pass on this series rather than torturing yourself with such delicious detail.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward

Lover Enshrined
Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6
J. R. Ward
Signet
June 3, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22272-5

In the midst of dealing with a troubled past that continues to affect his life, Phury has taken on the role of Primale to the Chosen. It’s his duty to father the children that are needed in order to insure that their race continues. While it’s not a path he would have originally chosen for his life to follow, his loyalty to the Black Dagger Brotherhood and each of its members was all it took to change the course of Phury’s future.

Cormia has been asked to be the Primale’s First Mate, a position a Chosen like herself is both excited and nervous to be in. She understands her role and the honor it represents, but the longer she waits for Phury the more restless she becomes.

Phury is in a constant battle with addiction, making it more difficult to make decisions and a much easier excuse for avoiding them whenever possible. Everyone around him suffers, including Cormia who is dealing with her own anxiety as a First Mate whose Primale doesn’t appear to be interested in her.

The Lessening Society continues their battle to destroy the vampires of the Brotherhood in any way possible. More often than not the Lessers have found themselves in over their heads, but times are changing and with a new member of their team their strengths and future possibilities have increased.

John Matthew continues to grow, and the strength of loyalty between friends sets off a chain of events that finds them in a difficult position. With few choices for an outcome, the lives of these young hopefuls could change more than they’d ever imagined.

With this sixth installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J. R. Ward has many more surprises in store for fans. While several questions are answered, many new ones will be formed. Intense and emotional, Lover Enshrined has all of the elements readers have come to know and love about the series. While many of the books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series are long in page count, they are over-flowing in action that fills each page. The characters and their world are well detailed, the story is riveting and the developing romance brings much of this tale together. If you’ve been following this series you don’t want to miss Lover Enshrined. If you’ve just discovered it you’ll really want to start at the beginning and enjoy the progression and developments that lead to this point.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine

Feast of Fools
The Morganville Vampires, Book 4
Rachel Caine
Signet
June 3, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22463-7

Claire Danvers is away from home and attending college in Morganville, a town run by vampires. Her intelligence has been found useful to Amelie and she’s been working with Myrnin, an older vampire, whose grasp on reality is deteriorating with a baffling vampiric disease. Under Amelie’s protection, Claire, her boyfriend Shane, and her friends Eve and Michael are relatively safe. Then a stranger rolls into town with plans that will destroy the balance Morganville works to maintain between the vampires and humans.

Mr. Bishop is much scarier than his daughter, Amelie, and that’s saying a lot. He’s also brought some friends along who are beyond anything Claire’s friend, Michael Glass, can stand against. The town will be turned upside down when he starts by dragging Claire’s parents into it for leverage, and then takes over Michael’s house holding them all until Amelie agrees to face him. Mr. Bishop has plans that soon escalate to trying to take over Morganville. With Claire’s knowledge, and help from an unlikely source, the residents of their town may have one small chance. It’s up to young Claire to pull things together and save the family and friends she cares about.

This is the fourth book in The Morganville Vampires series and is as thrilling as the previous installments. Claire’s life has changed drastically since moving to Morganville for college, and we’ve read along as she’s matured into a young woman. She has good friends, an honorable boyfriend and a stronger place in their local society. In sharing her well-imagined world, Ms. Caine gives readers the danger filled supernatural moments they crave while adding friendship, romance, and teen issues to give the story a realistic feel. A fast-moving series where there’s always a surprise just around every dark corner.


Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Weddings From Hell - Anthology

Weddings From Hell
Anthology
Harper
May 27, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-0614-7268-8

‘Till Death by Maggie Shayne – When Kira Monroe receives a call requesting she attend the reading of her great-aunt’s will, she finds herself heading to Scotland to meet the relatives she never knew she had. She also meets the handsome Ian Stewart who captures her attention from the start. It seems there’s a family curse on the women of her mother’s line, and Kira’s convinced there’s a way to break the curse and set the ghosts free. It could be her only chance at love.

Happily Never After by Jeaniene Frost – Isabella Spaga is being forced into marriage with Robert Bertino, a local mafia boss with big plans. Her brother Frazier has disappeared, and Bertino claims to be holding him until their wedding. All is not lost because Chance arrives to honor his sire’s request in stopping Bertino. Once he lays eyes on Isa he’s in it for a whole lot more. Now he’ll just have to convince her that what he is doesn’t make him a monster.

Ghoul’s Night Out by Terri Garey - When Nicki Styx got a call from her cousin, Debbie, she did the right thing by agreeing to be in her wedding. Even if it meant that she had to dress like the Chiquita Banana lady. It’s not long before a ghost pays her a visit and clues her in on how she became a bride’s maid. Someone among the group of Debbie’s friends has intimate knowledge of a murder. Now she just has to get a confession to prove it before the killer strikes again.

The Wedding Night by Kathryn Smith – If Violet Wynston-Jones wondered why she wasn’t happy to be marrying her handsome fiancé, she need only think of Payen. It had been five long years since the night he ran away and never looked back. His sudden reappearance may push her into doing the right thing, but Payne is a vampire child of Lilith, and convincing him to stay is going to take a lot more doing.

With stories from four fabulous authors, Weddings From Hell offers something for everyone who enjoys a good urban fantasy or paranormal read. From ghosts to vampires, sweet to steamy, these strong heroines know what they want in a man and are determined to get it. A fast, fun and entertaining time.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Night Child by Jes Battis

Night Child
An OSI Novel
Jes Battis
Ace
May 27, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01602-0

Tessa Isobel Corday is an Occult Special Investigator for the Mystical Crime Lab unit of CORE, she’s also a mage. She’s been assigned the case of a vampire that’s been killed in a puzzling way. The only clues in the murder appear to be an address and photo found in the victim’s pocket. The address leads Tess and her telepathic partner, Derrick Siegel, to a teenage girl, Mia Polanski, being raised by her aunt. The photo leads Tess into the vampire world where their attractive liaison, Lucian Agrado, is a powerful necromancer who both intrigues and repels her.

When Vailoid demons, who are mercenaries for hire, begin trying to kill Tess to kidnap Mia, she’s sure that there’s more to the young girl’s unsettling past. The closer they get to the truth, the more risky things become. It's not long before their boss pulls Tess and Derrick from the case and forbids them to have contact with Mia. When the young girl desperately needs help, Tess will be forced to decide whether to walk away or risk everything, including her life, to save her.

The first book in a new urban fantasy series, Night Child kicks things off with a murder investigation that leads the heroine down a twisting and dangerous path. Jes Battis takes readers on a tension filled journey of murder, mystery, and temptation. The author’s attention to detail when describing the investigative procedure and mystical talents keeps this fictional tale believable. An intriguing storyline, easy flowing dialog and fascinating characters all combine to keep readers engaged, but it’s the never knowing what’s around the corner that will have readers coming back for more.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Interview - Jeri Smith-Ready

Darque Reviews welcomes Jeri Smith-Ready!

Hi Jeri, thanks so much for sharing your time with Darque Reviews! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and your writing a bit better.

Wicked Game is scheduled to release on May 13th, 2008 by Pocket Books. Can you give readers an idea of what they’ll find between the covers of your upcoming release?

JSR: WICKED GAME is a dark, fun, and sexy urban fantasy about a con artist trying to save a vampire radio station from corporate takeover. It’s loaded with music, spiked with horror, and has more than a touch of romance.

Ciara is an ex con trying to live a straight life, the vampires are DJs forever tied to the eras in which they were turned. Which of these ideas came first, and how did the other follow?

JSR: I was driving to work flipping the dial and came to a classic rock station playing “Bad Company” by the band of the same name. I thought, Hmm, “Bad Company” would be a perfect title for a paranormal book with a shady main character.

By the time I got to work, I had a fully formed idea for the vampire DJs stuck in time and a heroine with a criminal past. (The punch line is that even though it all began with “Bad Company,” the publisher ultimately asked me to change the title.)

It was a few more weeks before I figured out Ciara’s criminal background. Con artists tend to be the most charming crooks (who doesn’t love Redford and Newman in The Sting, or Sawyer from Lost?). It also lets Ciara sympathize with the vampires, because she’s a predator, too.

Will this be a stand-alone story, or can readers expect to see more of Ciara Griffin in the future?

JSR: At least one more book (tentatively titled Bad to the Bone) will appear next spring. Like any new series, its continuation largely depends on reader enthusiasm. (hint, hint—if you like the book, tell all your friends!)

Can you tell us about your previous books?

JSR: I also have a romantic fantasy series with Luna Books. The ASPECT OF CROW trilogy (Reviewers Choice Winner and Rita nominee EYES OF CROW, 2006; VOICE OF CROW, 2007; and THE REAWAKENED, November 2008) takes place in a world where everyone has magic bestowed by their Guardian Spirit Animal. The heroine has the Aspect of Crow, which deals with the powers of death. The character’s world is threatened with destruction by an outside force called the “Descendants,” who lack magic but are more technologically advanced—both due to their alienation from nature.

My first urban fantasy was REQUIEM FOR THE DEVIL (2001), which takes place in modern-day Washington, DC. Lucifer is masquerading as a political consultant (not much of a fantasy, I know). He falls in love, and it changes who he is, how he does his job, and even his destiny.

Which of your characters are you most attached to, and why?

JSR: I would have to say Shane, the hero of WICKED GAME. Ciara is probably my favorite, but she’s completely irrepressible. She could survive anything through strength of will alone. But Shane has that darkness lurking inside, waiting to consume him. The music gives him a reason to live, which makes saving the radio station an even more urgent matter for Ciara, as she comes to care about him.

What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?

JSR: Definitely the first draft. It feels like sculpting air. Once I have a rough draft down, no matter how crap-alicious, I can work to make it better. But that initial creation of the story is torment.

What are you working on now? What can readers look forward to next?

JSR: I’m in the middle of the second draft (yay!) of WICKED GAME’s sequel, BAD TO THE BONE (to appear in spring 2009). I’m also putting the final touches on THE REAWAKENED, the third book in the Aspect of Crow trilogy. That will be released this November. Once those two projects are turned in, I’ll finish a proposal for a young adult urban fantasy series.

Which genre do you enjoy reading? Who are some of your favorite authors?

JSR: I tend to read widely rather than deeply. Want a dark confession? I’m not much of a series fan—I tend to read the first in a series, then no more, no matter how much I enjoyed it. I’m whatever the opposite of an addictive personality is. I’m pretty sure I’d be the world’s first casual crack smoker.

The short list of authors I’ve read 2+ books by include Rachel Vincent, PC Cast, Caprice Crane, Madeleine L’Engle, Charles de Lint, John Irving, Neil Gaiman, C.E. Murphy, James Morrow, Catherine Asaro, and Jana Oliver. And of course the Harry Potter books, but I read them all straight through in a month, which was the only way to hold my attention.

Music was a big part of Wicked Game. Do you always listen to it while you write?

JSR: Usually. It helps me focus amid the background noise of my home. It also keeps me awake, which I find to be really useful when writing.

As to how music affects the actual creation process, the rhythm and mood can drive me through the scene, lending it an extra edge. And of course, when writing a scene that contains music, as often happens in WICKED GAME, I need to hear the song to describe it, so that a reader who’s not familiar with the tune can get a feel for it. If Shane is playing a song on the guitar, I try to find a YouTube video of someone performing it so I can describe how it looks as well as how it sounds.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers or aspiring authors before we say goodbye?

JSR: To readers: support the authors and series you love by buying their books new and spreading the word. These days, it’s the only way to make sure they stick around.

To aspiring authors: If I had treated my writing with the same amount of professionalism *before* I had a contract as I did afterward, I probably would have been published years sooner. So if you’re serious about it, don’t cram it into the corners of time you manage to find each day. Make it a priority and fit the rest of your life around *it*. Yes, even if it means giving up television.

Thanks so much for spending time with us. The best of luck with Wicked Game!

JSR: Thanks for having me, Kimberly. I really enjoy your site!

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

You can visit Jeri Smith-Ready at her website, here:
http://www.jerismithready.com/

You can visit her blog, here:
http://www.jerismithready.com/blog/

You can preorder Wicked Game, here:
Amazon – Wicked Game

The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur

The Darkest Kiss
Riley Jenson, Guardian, Book 6
Keri Arthur
Bantam Dell
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-59114-9

Working as a Guardian for the Directorate is more than a full time job for Riley Jenson. Her werewolf senses and vampire blood give her strength and speed in the hunt, but even she can find herself in a deadly situation. The new cases she’s working will bring her face to face with two killers that are quite different than anything she’s ever encountered before.

The Toorak Trollops are a group of high-society women who date only the wealthy and powerful men who can give them the most. When the men they’ve been with begin turning up dead, the Directorate is called in to investigate. This case also forces Riley to come face to face with an ex-lover who is never far from her thoughts. In her still fragile state from a recent break-up, Riley will have little strength to fight off the passionate connection they still share.

While she’s already on the trail of one murderer, Riley receives a call from Ben Wilson. He’s a wolf she met during a previous case and he’s in need of a Guardian’s help. More murders are occurring that may somehow have a connection to the Toorak Trollops case. Now Riley has two murderers to find who are each committed to exacting their own forms of revenge. Her skills will be put to the test, but stopping the killings is the only option. Riley will do whatever it takes to see it done, even if that means fighting something far stronger and more dangerous than she is.

The Darkest Kiss is the sixth book in the Riley Jensen, Guardian series. Riley’s instincts and skill will lead her to two deadly opponents who each started with an agenda but are more than willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way. Ms. Arthur pens a fabulous mystery filled with vampires and shapeshifters whose unique qualities add to the overall suspense. The danger throughout the story plays a big role in the building tension and the heroine’s passion for catching the killers bring each case to a searing climax. While the cases in this installment are new, readers should read each of the prior books to gain a better understanding of Riley’s background. Readers looking for a great urban fantasy series with mystery and romance need look no further than the Riley Jenson Guardian novels.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

From Dead to Worse
Southern Vampire Series, Book 8
Charlaine Harris
Ace
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01589-4

In the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse waits tables at Merlotte’s, a local bar owned by her shapeshifter boss and friend, Sam. She lives life the best that she can with a telepathic gift that she’s not always happy to have. Last month she survived a life claiming explosion at the vampire summit, and Sookie is trying harder than ever to get her life back on track. With her ties to both the vampire and werewolf communities leading an uneventful life is next to impossible.

Sophie Anne’s rule over the Louisiana vampires has been further hindered by her extreme injuries sustained from the explosion, and someone sees this as their chance to make a change. Meanwhile, Sookie’s weretiger boyfriend, Quinn, hasn’t contacted her since just after the explosion and Sookie is growing more concerned each day.

Tempers rise in the werewolf community, and the vampires find themselves in turmoil that takes them by surprise. As power becomes the main objective Sookie will once again discover she’s surrounded by supernatural battles, but in the midst of it all she’ll meet an unexpected visitor who has special significance in her life.

In this eighth full-length installment of the Southern Vampire Series, Sookie’s loyalties to her friends and family will be tested and she’ll continue the struggle to piece together the puzzle of her life. With supernatural action that never slows, Ms. Harris takes readers on a new thrill ride filled to the brim with fabulous detail, characters that will charm their way into your heart, and the magic of never knowing what might come next. Tension filled, and laced with romantic possibilities, From Dead to Worse advances the storyline as it ties up loose ends and opens new doors. This series is a must read for fans of urban fantasy and should be read from the beginning.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway

Romancing the Dead
Garnet Lacey, Book 3
Tate Hallaway
Berkley Books
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22133-4

Garnet Lacey’s life tends to be a busy one, but things were finally settling down. The Vatican assassins are no longer on her trail for being a witch, and she’s getting ready to marry Sebastian Von Traum, her vampire fiancé. They’re forming a new coven, and Garnet’s meeting with her boss to put in an offer on Mercury Crossing, the occult bookstore where she works. Just as everything seems to be going well for her, Sebastian disappears and her life is suddenly in danger.

When Sebastian doesn’t show for a scheduled speech to the Horticultural Society, Garnet begins to suspect that he’s decided to cozy-up with one of the new coven members. The arrival of her future stepson, and their growing concerns, force them into an alliance to discover his whereabouts. With no real leads to follow, Garnet begins questioning the ghouls Sebastian sees for his feedings.

As her search for Sebastian becomes more frantic a new threat emerges. One of the new coven members develops more than a passing interest in Lilith, the goddess who lives within Garnet. If she’s not careful her relationship with the goddess could be damaged beyond repair and without Lilith’s power she may not have the strength to save the man she loves.

Romancing the Dead is the third book in the Garnet Lacey series. Ms. Hallaway provides another exciting adventure in her unique series, and adds fascinating new characters to the mix. Readers will meet Micah who’s charming, sexy and altogether captivating, even when his actions are less than honorable. Garnet, who is generally a strong character with all she’s weathered, becomes more flawed and human as she deals with the shock of her missing fiancé, accepts help from the future stepson she loathes, and suffers the insecurities of contemplating the future she’s about to share with her vampire lover. Romancing the Dead starts off slowly, but it’s really the only chance readers get to catch their breath before they’re swept up into the melee and left looking forward to more of the same.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Under Darkness by Savannah Russe

Under Darkness
The Darkwing Chronicles, Book 5
Savannah Russe
Signet Eclipse
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22385-2

Daphne Urban is a centuries old vampire working for the government as part of the Darkwing team. It’s not a job she would have picked for herself, but being given the choice of working as a spy or being left permanently dead was a good motivator. As a team the vampires are sent out to prevent or eliminate threats to the US.

When an important historical symbol goes missing, experts are baffled at the how and why of it. The Darkwing team is called in to figure out how it was done, locate it and find out what purpose the theft serves. There’s a much darker plan at work and their worst fears of a terrorist attack may be realized if the team can’t solve the mystery before their time is up.

For Daphne and her fellow vampires there’s more going on with a sudden threat of vampire hunters trying to eliminate them. Darius is back, and while Daphne hasn’t stopped loving him, she still has to wonder if he is behind the attacks. With Darius as secretive as ever, Daphne will have to maintain her focus on the dangers surrounding her and decide once and for all if this is a man she can trust.

Under Darkness is the fifth book in The Darkwing Chronicles. Dangerous brushes with vampire hunters and terrorists making demands have the team on high alert in this newest installment. Ms. Russe shares a well-defined Urban Fantasy and adds danger, death, and romance to the action-packed mix. The characters are engaging and realistic in their world, and more often than not their reactions and flaws are very human. For a solid understanding of where the Darkwing team members came from, and how the steamy romance has gotten to the point where it is, this series should be read from the beginning.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Key to Conspiracy by Talia Gryphon

Key to Conspiracy
Gillian Key, ParaDoc, Book Two
Talia Gryphon
Ace – Penguin Group USA
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01576-4

Though she’d prefer not to, Paramortal psychologist, Gillian Key, leaves Romania and her handsome Master Vampire, Aleksei Rachlav, behind when she’s recalled by the Marine Corps for a special mission. With her handpicked Re-Con team, Gillian is sent to Northern Russia under the cover of helping in a search and rescue after a major earthquake. Their true mission is tracking down kidnapped children in the hands of traffickers and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

While she and her team complete their mission in Russia, an unrelated job waylays her on her return trip and puts her in more danger than ever. Separated from Aleksei, Gillian is more susceptible to Dracula and his minions. When an evil she thought she left behind appears in the flesh, it’s all Gillian can do to get away. With a whole lot of help from her friends, Gillian plans to make it back to Romania and to Aleksei, the former patient she’s waited years to explore a relationship with.

Key to Conspiracy is the second book in the Gillian Key, ParaDoc series. Gillian enjoys her work as a Paramortal psychologist, but when the Marine Corps calls she’s duty bound to take on a new mission. With the dark prince Dracula still on the loose, danger is inevitable. Ms. Gryphon revs up her romantic urban fantasy series with new threats and action-packed danger. Chemistry sizzles between characters and their relationships move to a new level while the fight to break the dark prince’s hold continues. Key to Conspiracy can be read as a stand-alone story, but for a better understanding of the evil Gillian faces readers should start with Key to Conflict.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Midnight Rising by Lara Adrian

Midnight Rising
The Midnight Breed, Book 4
Lara Adrian
Bantam Dell
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-440-24444-8

On vacation in the Czech Republic, tabloid reporter Dylan Alexander comes across a hidden cave. Inside is what appears to be a crypt, but it’s the hieroglyphics decorating the walls that capture her attention until she realizes she’s not alone. Rio, the Breed warrior who’s currently occupying the cavern, is awakened by her presence. Seeing what she believes to be a vagrant, the reporter in Dylan sets out to find a story in what she sees and begins snapping pictures.

Rio’s mission was to destroy the hibernation chamber, and with it any evidence of the ancient vampire like alien that occupied it. Devastated by the betrayal of the woman he loved, and severely scarred inside and out from her treachery, Rio thought to end his own life in the process. In the end he hadn’t been able to do it and now a human had too much knowledge of the Breed.

It seems that Dylan is not your average human; she carries a secret without her knowledge and has a talent that she denies. With the oldest among the Breed turning up dead, their anonymity is more important than ever. Rio will either convince Dylan that her place is in his world or send her back with no memories of meeting him or those he must protect.

Midnight Rising is the fourth book in The Midnight Breed series. After suffering the aftermath of extreme betrayal, Rio thought that any will he had to live was gone. Rio’s mind may be changed in meeting Dylan, but their future is in her hands. Ms. Adrain continues her fabulous series with an entertaining and detailed blend of conflict and steamy romance. Breed fans will love this latest installment, while new readers to the series will want be back for more after getting this tempting taste of the Breed. Veil of Midnight is currently due to release in December 2008.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

One Foot in the Grave
Night Huntress, Book 2
Jeaniene Frost
Avon Books – Harper Collins
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-124509-1

Cat Crawfield is half-human, half-vampire, and spends her time slaying vampires. Now she’s working as a Special Agent for the government doing the job she loves, but Cat’s life has become riskier than ever because someone has a contract out on her. With the hunted stalking the hunter, her life has just gotten a whole lot more dangerous.

Her latest assignment leads her to a vampire who may be her biggest threat. When Cat has the opportunity to destroy her target, she hesitates because this particular vampire has special meaning to Bones, the vampire she left behind. It’s a decision that could very well cost Cat her life.

Just when she least expects it Bones reenters her life and pulls Cat back into the emotions she worked so hard to forget. As truths are revealed, and the past catches up to those around her, Cat tries desperately to convince herself that she doesn’t need Bones or his help. Bones has already made his decision, and this time there’s no chance he’s letting her walk away.

One Foot in the Grave is the second installment in the Night Huntress series. Cat may have been forced into her job position, but she does her job with unmatched skill when it comes to eliminating the rogues. Sometimes even the best need help, and Cat will have little choice but to rely on the vampire she’s tried to forget. Ms. Frost does a fabulous job of bringing further details from the past into the storyline while the lives of her characters move steadily forward. Packed with action, sizzling romance, and a surprise ending, fans are sure to enjoy this new edition in the Night Huntress series.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin

Biting the Bullet
Jaz Parks, Book 3
Jennifer Rardin
Orbit Books
February 11, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-316-02058-9

Jaz Parks is a Sensitive and part of a special CIA team where her talents can be utilized. She’s also been given the extra duty of keeping her boss, Vayl, alive. He’s a vampire who’s on their side, and the CIA’s favorite assassin. Protecting the humans from the often dangerous others, he and Jaz also share a special connection, one that has yet to really be explored.

Their new mission has taken them to the Middle East where their current target, the Wizard, is using his skill as a necromancer to achieve his goals. They’re meeting up with another team whose leader will come as a shock to Jaz, a fact that Pete, their boss back home, failed to share. It seems that there’s a mole in the team, and together they plan to find out who is betraying their every move.

Vayl has found another Seer who insists she has information about his sons, an obsession he’s held on to since their deaths. The price this woman expects him to pay for her talents may mean the end of the already fragile relationship between Vayl and Jaz.

With reavers using a mark she carries to target Jaz, zombies whose agenda they can’t quite determine, and Asha, the Amanha Szeya whose help with both the Wizard and the mahghul has assisted them in surviving, this has been one difficult assignment.

Biting the Bullet is the third book in the Jaz Parks series and just as thrilling as the previous installments. Jaz will do whatever it takes to keep her family and friends alive and safe. She’s about to have those she loves put in a life threatening position and not even a trip to Hell will stop her from saving them. Ms. Rardin has used her fabulous imagination to create a storyline that’s fresh and exciting. The characters are strong, their enemies are vicious, the chemistry is delicious, and their assignments are packed with danger in every direction. While you could read this as a stand-alone story, the series as a whole is just too good to miss. The fourth book, Bitten to Death, is currently scheduled to release this August (2008).

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready

Wicked Game
Jeri Smith-Ready
Pocket Books
May 13, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-4165-5176-8

Ciara Griffon hasn’t led the easiest life, and much of it was spent running cons. When she’s offered a job at a local radio station, WMMP, Ciara’s encouraged to put an end to her less than legal ways and become part of the team. The station is in jeopardy of being sold to Skywave, a company that will take away the individual tastes of the DJ’s and turn WMMP into a clone like the other stations they operate.

Coming up with a gimmick is Ciara’s specialty and it’s not long before she has the idea of announcing that their DJs are vampires. After all, it isn’t like the general population would believe it’s true, even if it is. It’s an idea the public loves, and as the new WVMP launches its campaign the advertising income that the station so desperately needs finally begins to roll in. While she’s accepted by the station’s vampires as a whole, it’s Shane who has captured her attention, but there’s little time to pursue a romance with trouble brewing. Someone is sabotaging the station’s plans and it doesn’t appear to be Control, the group who keeps the vampire community in line. Before the station’s special staff will be safe they’ll have to discover who’s behind the danger, and how Ciara fits into their plans.

Wicked Game is an urban fantasy read with a unique twist on vampires. Ciara grew up with parents who ran a con until their luck ran out and left their teenage daughter to fend for herself. Now Ciara is trying to make a break from that life, attend school, and hold down a legitimate job before her checkered past ends up consuming her. Ms. Smith-Ready weaves an imaginative tale that adds new dimension and limitations on the otherwise long-lived lives of vampires. The characters odd lifestyles and compulsive behaviors lend a realistic quality that’s charming in some cases and downright funny in others. This is a fun escape in a world that readers will look forward to visiting again.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews