It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 4)

What Are You Reading is a weekly Monday Meme that is hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey:  http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

Post the books you read last week, book currently being read and books you plan on finishing this week.

Last week I read:

1. Dead by Morning - Beverly Barton
2. Hunt the Moon - Cassandra Palmer
3. Wicked Lies - Lisa Jackson
4. Hit List - Laurell K. Hamilton
5. Otomen Vol. 2 and 3 - Aya Kanno

I’m currently reading:

1. Cover Me - Catherine Mann

Books I’m planning on reading this week:

1.  Dead Awakening - Kendra Leigh Castle
2.  What a Goddess Wants - Stephanie Julian
3.  Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris
4.  Alex Cross's Trial - James Patterson
5.  Otomen Vol. 4 and 5 - Aya Kanno


Here's the link:

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2011/07/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-94

Manga Review: Otomen, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

I've finished "Otomen Vol. 3" by Aya Kanno.

Product Description

R to L (Japanese Style)

Asuka takes Ryo to an amusement park where he plans to confess his feelings to her. Too bad all the rides Ryo wants to go on frighten Asuka! Can he overcome his fear for the sake of love?

About the Author

Aya Kanno was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is the creator of Soul Rescue, which has been published in the United States, and herlatest work, Otomen, is currently being serialized in Japan's BetsuHana magazine. Blank Slate was originally published in BetsuHana magazine.

Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (August 4, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421524724
ISBN-13: 978-1421524726


My Review:

In this issue we are interested to Asuka's main kendo rival Hajime Tonomine.

In the first chapter Ryo is volunteering at day care and has asked Asuka to help out.  This section was very hilarious with Asuka's fatherly activities with the kids.  Laugh out loud hilarious!

In the second chapter Ryo and Asuka go to an amusement park together.  This should be a romantic outing right?  How wrong you are!  Asuka has to deal with a love-sick suicide bomber!

In the third chapter Asuka turns into a detective.  Juta has three girlfriends who ask Asuka to find out if Juta has an extra-special girlfriend.  They become suspicious when he's too busy for them.

In the fourth chapter we are introduced to Hajime who has a rivalry with Asuka.  Asuka has always beaten him in kendo so that aggravates him to no end.  When they bump into each other in the street they find out they have more in common then they think. 

5/5

Manga Review: Otomen, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

I've finished "Otomen Vol. 2" by Aya Kanno.

Product Description

R to L (Japanese Style)

Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things -- sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn to Ryo, but she likes only the manliest of men! Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to the girl that he's falling for?

Asuka's mother shows up with a surprise announcement -- it's time for Asuka to meet his fiancée! What kind of girl does she have in mind for him? And how will Ryo respond to the match?

About the Author

Aya Kanno was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is the creator of Soul Rescue, which has been published in the United States, and her latest work, Otomen, is currently being serialized in Japan's BetsuHana magazine. Blank Slate was originally published as Akusaga in Japan in Hana to Yume magazine.

Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (May 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421521873
ISBN-13: 978-1421521879


My Review:

In this issue Asuka acquires a disciple Yamato Ariake, a very young boy who is mistaken for a girl and teased since he was a young kid.  He sees Asuka as a masculine idea and sets out just to be like him.  He also wants to be a man so he can confess to the girl who has stolen his heart.

During the Christmas season the relationship between Asuka and Ryo seems to be turning to a more romantic one when his mom returns and announces he is to meet his fiancee, Iruka Sakiyama!  She's a really wacky  person who is the Queen of Cuteness and lives in a life size magic castle dollhouse in humongous bedroom inside her family's mansion.  She sees Asuka as her Prince Charming.

Asuka has to be rescued and can you guess who comes to the rescue?

Full of humorous scenes especially centering around Iruka, great storyline and beautiful illustrations.

5/5

Thanks Maylene from Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Dead By Morning [Paperback]

I've finished "Dead by Morning" by Beverly Barton.

Product Description

The darkest sins . . .

He begins his work just before dawn, wielding a knife with the precision of a surgeon. Cunning and meticulous, he's always in control. Mercy is not an option.

Will always . . .

Maleah Perdue is tough, outspoken, and completely dedicated to her work at the Powell Security Agency. But her fearless exterior shatters when a madman begins killing her colleagues one by one, mimicking a notorious serial killer already behind bars. Working alongside top profiler Derek Lawrence, Maleah will do anything to find the murderer, even if it means playing a psychopath's twisted mind games.

Come to light.

No one connected to the agency is safe. No one is beyond suspicion. For as Maleah and Derek piece together the clues, they uncover a chilling legacy of lies and brutal vengeance -- and a killer who has been hiding in plain sight all along.

Product Details
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra; 1 edition (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110357
ISBN-13: 978-1420110357

My Review:

Storyline: Powell agents and their families are being killed by brutal means and found in pools of water with triangles cut out of their arms and legs. The killer is known as the Copycat Carver because of the similarities  killing methods to the original Carver Jerome Browning the serial killer locked up for life in a Georgia State prison.  The Copycat Carver had Maleah in his sights and knows exactly how to lure her into his sick game.

Characters:  Maleah Perdue is one of Powell Private and Security and Investigative Agency's most skilled and dedicated agents.  She is also Nicole Powell's best friends and is a smart, strong and independent woman.  She has survived a horrible and abusive childhood touched by tragedy.  She has peaches and cream complexion and sun-streaked blond hair.

Derek Lawrence is a top-notch profiler and consultant for Powell Private and Security and Investigative Agency who is a former FBI profiler.  He comes from a very wealthy family but has shunned the life of a trust fund millionaire. 

Romance:  Derek has been fascinated by Maleah ever since their first meeting but Maleah hasn't trusted the tall dark and handsome womanizer.  I really loved the antagonism between Maleah and Derek because it was so much fun to read and how she reasons with herself why she shouldn't be so attracted to Derek.  Loved how they got to know more about the both of them and they realized they actually like and respect each other.  They are honest with each other about everything.

Killer(s):  The mastermind has hired an assassin to do his killings and Griff is the ultimate prize.  He knows this will hurt Griff to the core which has caused some problems with his wife Nicole.  He also has forced someone to start killing people associated to Yvette's charges and Powell agents.

5/5

In the Mail Saturday 2011 (July 2)

In the Mail Saturday is hosted every Saturday at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews.

I received these in the mail this week.

For Review:

Time of Death (In Death) [Paperback]

Product Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author: three popular Eve Dallas stories together for the first time in one volume.
J. D. Robb's In Death novels have been praised as "Law & Order: SVU-in the future" (Entertainment Weekly). Now, together for the first time in one volume, are three stories that spotlight Lieutenant Eve Dallas doing what she does best: solving crime with skill, integrity, and passion.

Eternity in Death

A seductive killer is luring in victims with a promise of the impossible-immortality. Eve Dallas must strip away the fantasy to catch the coldhearted madman.

Ritual in Death

Eve is plunged into the violent aftermath of a ritualistic murder-and into the mind of an alleged witness who can't remember a thing to save his life.

Missing in Death

When a woman disappears from a New York City ferry, it's a case that only Eve Dallas can solve- because the woman didn't jump, and yet she's not on board.

Product Details
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240827
ISBN-13: 978-0425240823


Thanks Penguin Canada!

ARC Review: Fallen: A Novel [Hardcover]

I've finished "Fallen" the 3rd book in her Georgia series by Karin Slaughter.

Product Description

There’s no police training stronger than a cop’s instinct. Faith Mitchell’s mother isn’t answering her phone. Her front door is open. There’s a bloodstain above the knob. Her infant daughter is hidden in a shed behind the house. All that the Georgia Bureau of Investigations taught Faith Mitchell goes out the window when she charges into her mother’s house, gun drawn. She sees a man dead in the laundry room. She sees a hostage situation in the bedroom. What she doesn’t see is her mother . . . .

“You know what we’re here for. Hand it over, and we’ll let her go.”

When the hostage situation turns deadly, Faith is left with too many questions, not enough answers. To find her mother, she’ll need the help of her partner, Will Trent, and they’ll both need the help of trauma doctor Sara Linton. But Faith isn’t just a cop anymore — she’s a witness. She’s also a suspect.

The thin blue line hides police corruption, bribery, even murder. Faith will have to go up against the people she respects the most in order to find her mother and bring the truth to light — or bury it forever. 

Karin Slaughter’s most exhilarating novel yet is a thrilling journey through the heart and soul, where the personal and the criminal collide, and conflicted loyalties threaten to destroy reputations and ruin lives. It is the work of a master of the thriller at the top of her game, and a whirlwind of unrelenting suspense.

Product Details
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345528204
ISBN-13: 978-0345528209

My Review:

Storyline:  GBI Investigator Faith Mitchell arrives at her mother's house after work to pick up her baby daughter, only to find her daughter locked in the tool shed, her mother missing, and several gang members occupying her mother's house which turns into a bloody battlefield. Faith's formidable boss, Amanda Wagner, arrives and butts head with the Atlanta Police Department over jurisdiction which was a hoot. Amanda and Will pursue their investigation, as do the Atlanta Police Department and Faith tries to pursue her own investigation and find her mother while keeping her son and daughter safe.

Also it showcases Will Trent's early years when he investigated Faith's mother for corruption and arrested many of the men in her squad. The book also deals with an abundance of former police officers who have been or still are imprisoned and a group of gang members. As usual Amanda knows more than she's telling but she  suffocates Will more than usual under her manipulation of him and the people around him.

Characters:  Angie is quite the monster in this book because she taunts Sara that Will wouldn't hurt himself like he did for her.  All the characters are well written and you learn some things about Faith's mother.

Romance: I really enjoy the romance between Sara and Will because they are really attracted to each other but are awkward around each other.  You finally see some bedroom action between the two but the way Will treats Sara afterwards .....

Killer(s):  The main killer had a group of friends who listened and did what ever their friend told them to do.  This person blamed Faith's mother and was jealous of Faith and her kids so they retaliated by torturing and trying to kill the whole family.  This is one sick freak!

4/5

Thanks Authors on the Web and Random House for sending me this ARC to review, greatly appreciated!

Book Blogger Hop #3

This Meme is hosted by Jennifer from Crazy for Books on Fridays. 

RULES: 


Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

1. Post about the Hop on your blog (feel free to grab the logo at the top of the post!)

Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier!

In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!).

“How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?”

Jennifer's Answer: I think my TBR is toppling over at about 1,000 right now. I have run out of bookcases so I have resorted to just piling them on the floor in my spare room. Yes, it is out of control. I guess my blog name is appropriate, yes?! LOL!

My answer: Wow I don't even know how much is in my TBR pile right now! All I know is it's never-ending! LOL! Probably about 200 to 300 right now.

2. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below.

In your description, please state the main genre that you review – Example: Crazy-for-Books (contemp. adult fiction)

3. Visit other blogs in the Linky List!

Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! Take the time to make a quality visit! Check out other posts and content, make a new friend! Don’t randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them! No spamming please! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs – it’s just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

“What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?“

I have to have a connection with the characters and the storyline has to be interesting for me to read the whole book.  If the characters aren't well written or I just don't care for them then I will stop reading.

July Releases

5th
An Irresistible Bachelor - J.R. Ward
One Summer - JoAnn Ross
Pride Mates - Jennifer Ashley
Undead and Undermined - MaryJanice Davidson
No Rest for the Dead - Anthology
Dengeki Daisy Vol. 5 - Kyousuke Motomi
Black Bird Vol. 9 - Kanoko Sakurakoji

12th
Quinn - Iris Johansen
Blood Work (graphic novel) - Kim Harrison

15th
Quiver - Holly Luhning

19th
Justice - Karen Robards
Split Second - Catherine Coulter
With No Remorse - Cindy Gerard
Code of the Wolf - Susan Krinard
La Quinta Camera Vol. 1 - Natsume Ono

26th
Born to Die - Lisa Jackson
Seduce Me in Flames - Jacquelyn Frank
Spell Bound - Kelley Armstrong
The Lost - Caridad Pineiro
Bound by Moonlight - Nancy Gideon
Vampire Knight Guilty Vol. 3 DVD

28th
The Whisper (pp) - Carla Neggers

18 and Over Book Blogger Tag Along Friday Hop #28

Laurie from Bitten by Paranormal has created a 18 and Over Book Blogger Tag Along Friday Hop where you can find adult bloggers. Thank you for this since I was looking for more adult blogs.

How it works:

*First make a post on your blog with this picture on top. That lets us know we are in the right place to make a comment so you can follow back. If you don’t do this I will have to take you off the tag along.

*Second place your name or blogs name in the first linky tool. I want to add here, put in (paranormal romance) beside your blogs name what you mainly review. Then add your URL to the tag along post in the second Linky tool.

*Third visit blogs listed if you like what you see hit the follow button. Remember to leave a comment, so they can tag along back.

If you have a question or problem you can email Laurie: bittenbyparanormalromance@gmail.com

Now, if your new don't be shy most of these ladies are here every week and they are very, very friendly (I know because I follow most of them;)

Follow My Blog Friday #54

This Meme is hosted by Rachel from Parajunkee's View on Fridays.

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host {Parajunkee.com} and any one else you want to follow on the list.

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://erika-letstalkaboutbooks.blogspot.com

3. Put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

7. If your new to the Follow Friday Hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

The Friday Follow Feature is ...





Hello wonderful PJV readers,

My name is Erika and I have an addiction to books. Oh sorry, wrong place…

I am addicted to reading and just like any person with a passion for something, I love telling people about the books I read. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone that loves reading as much as I do. My lack of reading buddies forces me to talk my fiancée's ear off with all of my book talk. I am not sure if he processes what I say but at least he nods and smiles in the right parts. Realizing that my fiancée can only take so much, I decided to start a blog. I’ve been Blogging since 2010 but I decided to dedicate more time and commitment to Let’s talk about books about 3 months ago.

Let's talk about books is a blog dedicated to reviewing and talking about... well, books. I love reading just like you (I am assuming since you are reading a blog about books) and began this blog to keep track of what I read, inform others about it and to meet fellow readers and talk about what we read. I read books from different genres as you can see from my posts, so this blog may include contemporary fiction, YA fiction, romance, historical fiction, non-fiction, etc... I'm a lame romantic girl, so you will see that most of the books I read will have some romance. I have many favorite books but it would take hours to list them. I will just name a few that come to mind, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare, My Name is Memory by Anne Brashares and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.

I am always doing emergency runs/visits to my nearest Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and local library. So if you have any suggestions on what I should read next, just let me know. Do not hesitate to say hello, the reason for my blog is to make friends and discuss what we read.

Thanks for taking the time to learn about me and joining me in talking about books.

Thanks a million to Parajunkee for featuring me. Now I owe her cookies but it’s worth it. J

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

My favorite paranormal book characters would be Zarek from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series and Zsadist from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
 
My favorite romantic suspense book character would be Roarke from J.D. Robb's In Death series.
 
My reaction would be wow three hot guys in the same room I better hide them or else they will get mobbed. Then I would ask them how did they like the characterization of their characters and would they change anything about themselves. I would also ask are they happy with their heroines and if not what kind of heroine would they have liked to have ended up with?