A Flash Of Fiction: Day One (JUNE)

Book: CHANGELESS
Author: GAIL CARRIGER
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE/HISTORICAL ROMANCE/STEAMPUNK


I received this book from my local public library
Picture courtesy of Good Reads

Overview:
Lady Maccon (nee Alexia Tarabotti) makes a return appearance in CHANGELESS, a follow-up to SOULLESS by Gail Carriger. In this novel, Lady Alexia discovers that almost the whole of London's supernaturals (the vampires and werewolves) are suddenly human. What could have caused such a thing to occur?

Lord Maccon, Alpha werewolf for the London pack, finds himself unable to change form also, after sneaking off to Scotland. Lady Alexia finds that she must trouble herself to follow her husband, in order to discover the reason for the abundance of humanity all around her.

Of course, returning to her husband's old pack, also means that she has to meet the in-laws, such as they are. But, Alexia tries to handle herself with as much aplomb as possible while fending off the amorous advances of both her husband, and their mysterious guest, Madame Lefoux. While ignoring the animosity from Lord Maccon's previous pack members, uncovering vampire secrets, and engaging in such entertainment as unwrapping a decades-old mummy, Lady Alexia provides as much delightful entertainment in CHANGELESS, as she did in SOULLESS!


I Liked -- Plot: I did enjoy reading about the development in Lady and Lord Maccon's personal relationship, as well as the mystery that they are charged in solving. But, the stronger steampunk elements in this second novel were what appealed most strongly to me. I was really interested in hearing about the aethographor that played a seminal part in the plot. And, after Alexia's adventures "floating", I found it hard not to imagine jumping at the chance to take part in a dirigible ride, if the occasion should ever come to be!

I Liked -- Character: Though he didn't have as large an involvement in CHANGELESS as he did in SOULLESS, Professor Lyall remains one of my favorite characters, so far in the series. He is the perfect foil to Lord Maccon's rather brash, rowdy, so very werewolf personality. Carriger describes Lyall as being much less imposing, as a man, than her own husband. However, even the most unassuming man can be a fearsome werewolf.


My Rating: 12.5/15 Highly Recommend

EXAMINED: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Book: SOULLESS
Author: GAIL CARRIGER
Genre: STEAMPUNK/PARANORMAL ROMANCE/HISTORICAL ROMANCE


This book is from my local library
Picture courtesy of Good Reads


EXAMINATION
Gail Carriger has reimagined the Victorian era to include vampires, werewolves, and the soulless. Her female main character, Miss Alexia Tarabotti, belongs in this third category. She is otherwise known as the preternatural; vampires and werewolves being supernatural.

Miss Tarabotti suffers some of the worst difficulties that may plague a woman in her time. Namely, being a spinster, Italian and soulless. So, of course, she is quite surprised and put out when a ravenous vampire attempts to attack her, whilst she has tea. One of the very few that can ward off the supernatural by returning them to their human state with skin contact, it seems quite a mystery why she would be the chosen victim of a vampire.

This mystery kicks off the story in SOULLESS. Miss Tarabotti is joined by Lord Maccon of the BUR (Bureau of Unnatural Registry), who also happens to be the local werewolf Alpha. Together they will have to navigate the best of London's society to find out why werewolves and vampires are going missing. Aided by Lord Maccon's Beta and the vampire Lord Akeldama, Alexia sets off to prove that she is not involved in the recent disappearances.

I had seen this book in the bookstore many times before I even picked it up. Then, I read the back cover several times. Each time, I passed on the novel, for one superficial reason or another. Finally, I decided that I was going to read it. (Mostly, because I had a craving for something steampunk, but I wanted something a little lighter than the usual steampunk fare.)

The first sentence, though rather simple, really drew me in. I couldn't stop reading. I couldn't stop laughing. But most of all, I couldn't stop rooting for the heroine, Miss Alexia Tarabotti. She does an admirable job of warding off the undesirables with her parasol. That includes the wax-faced man who seems intent on her death, and her odious mother, a great parody of the 'proper' Victorian woman.

Her relationship with Lord Maccon has a decidedly scandalous nature to it, for the Victorian time. Carriger has written these scenes very well. After all, Miss Tarabotti is well past the age of expecting marraige; therefore, she has more freedom than the average woman. And she doesn't expect to trap Lord Maccon. Also, considering that werewolves, vampires and dirigibles are a part of everyday life, one can forgive the sexual encounters of the two, which (mostly) happen in private. 

Because I tend to read fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance, I am used to reading about vampires and werewolves. But, SOULLESS had a new take on the phenomenon. She manages to seamlessly incorporate the supernatural into known historical events (such as the rise of the British Empire) and create a reasonable explanation for their existence.

What I really liked about Carriger's novel was all of the different strings that she brought together to tell the story. There is the historical aspect to the novel. There is steampunk. There is paranormal romance. And somehow, they coexist with humor for a really absorbing read.

My Examination Results:
3/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language


10.5/15 Recommend

Book Review: the Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks

Book: THE VAMPIRE AND THE VIRGIN
Author: KERRELYN SPARKS
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE

I purchased this book
Picture courtesy of Good Reads

Review

THE VAMPIRE AND THE VIRGIN is the eighth book in the LOVE AT STAKE series written by Kerrelyn Sparks. I have read all of the previous books. It is not necessary to be familiar with them, in order to read this one. Yes, the character Robby MacKay has shown up in previous novels. Yes, most of the other vampire characters mentioned have had their story told. Yes, the reader will appreciate the personalities and situations of the secondary characters, as well as the secondary plotline, if the series is read from beginning to end.

BUT, Kerrelyn Sparks tells the story of Robby and Olivia for new readers, while incorporating the ongoing battle with the Malcontents for devoted readers, without creating a sense of 'what's the heck's going on?' or 'I'll just skip this rehash of the other books'.

Olivia is intrigued by Robby when she see him jogging on the beach. Likewise, for Robby, when he spots Olivia. But, she is ever cautious when it comes to men. He is consumed with thoughts of revenge on his captors. And then there is the little matter of her special talent, empathy. Robby is the first man that the Human Lie Detector (her nickname from her FBI associates) can't read.

While Olivia confesses her secret to Robby fairly early in the book, (thus revealing to the reader her virgin status; she can't be with a man who she can't trust) Robby has to continue to hide his undead status from her. However endearing he may be, blind trust is not something she can afford to give away, not when a dangerous killer is stalking her, despite being in prison.

I honestly enjoyed this book, as I have the others in the LOVE AT STAKE series. I recommend as a good read for anyone looking for a mildly humorous, mildly edgy paranormal romance. If you have read the series before, you'll want to pick up THE VAMPIRE AND THE VIRGIN.

Check out my Good Reads review for a deeper explanation of my rating, and the bonus cover points. Be warned that there will be spoilers.

My Rating: 12/15 Highly Recommend
Bonus Cover Points: 2.5/5

Book Review: Come Hell or High Water by Michele Bardsley

Book: COME HELL OR HIGH WATER
Author: MICHELE BARDSLEY
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE

I purchased this book
Picture courtesy of Good Reads



Review
COME HELL OR HIGH WATER by Michele Bardsley, is a new addition to a humorous paranormal romance series. The BROKEN HEART series involves a whole community of humans that were turned by a 'feral' vampire attack. Each book tells the tale of one of these people. What else sets Broken Heart, Oklahoma apart from the typical small town? Almost all of the inhabitants are single parents.

Looking for love, adjusting to fangs and battling an uber-demon, is the order of the day for Phoebe Allen in COME HELL OR HIGH WATER. It all starts when she has an impulsive rendezvous with sexy Scot, Conner Ballard. Conner turns out to be more than she bargained for. After one night, she finds herself mated to a half-fae. Even worse, the other half is demon!

Throw in a hellhound that looks like a chihuahua and an appearance-changing sister-in-law, and mayhem is sure to occur. Luckily for Phoebe, her son is safely at Disney World with his father. But, that doesn't stop her from worrying about him, especially when she ends up in Hell, courtesy of her new 'husband'.

Her ex thinks she's dead. A very scary demon named Lilith wants her dead. And a prophesy that she would rather have no part in might just be about to come to pass. Phoebe and Conner will be kept on their toes, as they try to defeat Lilith and figure out where their relationship stands.

Michele Bardsley has created a great series in BROKEN HEART, and COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, continues the tradition well. Each novel could be read alone for an enjoyable read, but having read the previous books, I feel that I appreciated this one all the more. What makes the books so easy to jump into is the handy directory in the back, that details the characters and The Ancients (first vampires). There is even a glossary of terms that she uses in the book.

This book will be taking its place on my bookshelf, next to the all others in the series. I recommend it to readers who enjoy a humorous paranormal romance, a spunky and strong heroine, and a sexy half-demon.

For more, and a spoiler or two, go check out my Good Reads review.

My Rating: 11/15 Recommend
Bonus Cover Points: 4.5/5