WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

Hey there, "Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine, featuring those books that you wish were out. Right. This. Second.

My WOWs this week are: the 4th installment in the Darkest London series.  I'm such a fan!!  Can't wait to read Jack Talent and Mary Chase's story :).  And an amazing book I saw last week on another blog (thanks, Readdicts!).

Goodreads summary:

Once a heart is lost in shadow...

Life has been anything but kind to Mary Chase. But the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals has given her purpose. Now she's been tasked with catching a vicious murderer dubbed the Bishop of Charing Cross. But someone is already on the case—and the last thing he relishes is a partner.

Only someone who lives in darkness can find it.

Jack Talent has been alone with his demons for many years. He never expected to have the willful Mary Chase assist him on the Bishop case. Their age-old rivalry reaches new heights—even as their desire for one another reaches a fever pitch. Though he aches to bring her close, Jack's dark secrets are a chasm between them. With dangerous enemies closing in, Jack must find the strength to face the past...or risk losing Mary forever.

Goodreads summary:

I want someone who will talk to me honestly about things. You're the only person who ever has. Maybe you don't know this, but when you're disabled almost no one tells you the truth. They feel too awkward because the truth seems too sad, I guess. You were very brave to walk up to the crippled girl and say, essentially, wipe that sunny expression off your face and look at reality. That's what I want you to do next year. Tell me the truth. That's all.

Amy and Matthew didn't know each other, really. They weren't friends. Matthew remembered her, sure, but he remembered a lot of people from elementary school that he wasn't friends with now.

Matthew never planned to tell Amy what he thought of her cheerful facade, but after he does, Amy realizes she needs someone like him in her life.

As they begin to spend more time with each other, Amy learns that Matthew has his own secrets and she decides to try to help him in the same way he's helped her. And when what started out as a friendship turns into something neither of them expected, they realize that they tell each other everything—except the one thing that matters most.

So, these are the 2 books I'm waiting on--how about you? :-)

Hope you're having a great week,

Ninja Girl

NINJA GIRL'S BEST OF 2012

Happy (almost) New Year everyone!!   Here's my list of the best books/authors I discovered in 2012.  Yes, I was a little late to the party on some.  But they still kicked major a** :-)

 

BEST YA CONTEMPORARY:

 

 

BEST YA PARANORMAL/FANTASY:

 

 

BEST ROMANCE:

 

 

BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE:

 

 

BEST NEW YA SERIES:

 

 

BEST ADULT SERIES:

 

 

BEST NEW AUTHORS:

 

1) Ilona Andrews (I devoured the Kate Daniels series)

2) Stephanie Perkins (will read anything by her after AatFK)

3) Courtney Milan (the woman knows romance <3)

 

BEST HERO:

 

Three-way tie: Lucas (Easy) and Ash Turner (Unvelied) and Gavriel (Grave Mercy).

 

 

BEST HEROINE:

 

Kate Daniels (aka the most kick-ass chick you'll ever meet :p)

 

 

Hope everyone has an awesome New Year's!!

 

Ninja Girl





MOONGLOW by Kristen Callihan

There's something great about knowing that you're going to love a book.

And with Kristen Callihan, you just know.

The fantastic gothic world she created in Firelight gets even better in the second installment, Moonglow.  The romance, the danger, the hero and heroine, the reasons to read this book were too many to name, but I'll do my best to sum up.

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, never thought he'd fall in love again.  After countless women, all paid, all with the same features, he knows his type: red hair, green eyes, the perfect body.  But when he finds Daisy, the only survivor at the scene of a recent werewolf attack, she awakens Ian's protective instincts.

Recently widowed, Daisy isn't the type of girl to swoon at the sight of blood.  Though one of her dear friends was murdered by the were, Daisy is reluctant to trust the Marquis.  Her gut feeling where Ian is concerned is to run far, far away.  But his flirtatious yet dangerous nature calls to something deep within Daisy, that side of her which was beaten back in a loveless, abusive marriage.

Together, Ian and Daisy discover several more bodies, and a plot which revolves around women who wear the very perfume Daisy created for herself.  With a killer led by scent and an intelligent heroine determined to save herself, Ian will have to be very careful not to lose his life--or his heart--to the one woman he never saw coming.

If you want to know why to read…

Ian + Daisy = Out-of-this-world Chemistry.

These two characters really got to me.  Ian and Daisy were perfect for each other.  And it wasn't just the romance--though that was *sigh* spectacular!!  At the moment, I can't think of anything I've read recently that has two characters with better conversation and more natural chemistry.  I couldn't put it down!

Daisy was so smart and fearless.  Usually the two don't go hand in hand; the heroine does something stupid, which makes this ninja roll her eyes.  But not Daisy!  Callihan made sure to give her power so she could protect herself.  And Daisy was just as much of an unapologetic smartass as Ian and had a great sense of humor.  Wow, a girl with brains and bravery.  A rare sight in Queen Victoria's London J.

And Ian Ranulf.  Oh, he was such a strong hero.  Scottish, bad boy werewolf with a tragic past and effortless charm whose brogue gets stronger when his blood is up.  Need I say more? J

Great plot.  The whole perfume angle was interesting, and I have to say I just love these Ellis sisters.  Can't wait for Poppy's story!  Moonglow was even better than the first book, and I'd totally recommend it.  If you love romance and gothic goodness, you don't want to miss Daisy and Ian.

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

FIRELIGHT by Kristen Callihan

I've never read anything so creepily romantic.  (And that's a compliment! J)

 Firelight was my introduction to supernatural Gothic romance, and Kristen Callihan did a fantastic job of drawing me in.  This book made me realize how important strong first chapters are--at least to me.  If the beginning is stellar, if it introduces me to intriguing characters in an interesting way, creating a picture I just cannot get out my head, it's a done deal.  I'll read till the end, those first chapters driving me to the finish.

Here's the scene that stuck with me: The dreaded Lord Benjamin Archer, a man who hides his deformity behind a black-as-night mask, is on his way to commit a murder when he comes upon a street urchin about to be attacked.  Despite being cornered in an alley by two bigger, brasher opponents, the street urchin doesn't look the least bit frightened.  Even when her hat gets knocked off, and all that fiery hair tumbles down, revealing her to be a girl, Miranda (aka the street urchin) doesn't back down or try to run.  Her fearlessness sparks something in Lord Archer.  He saves her; she finds out he's actually there to get revenge upon her father; and after a very sexy interlude, we're off and running.

The story was filled with danger, adventure, and mystery, but the best part was the romance.  These two characters, Miranda and Archer, were perfect together.  Watching them get to know each other, denying their true feelings at every turn--feelings we get to see first-hand through the alternating third person narrative--was as entertaining as it was excruciating.

Paranormally goodness was also present throughout the novel (Miranda's gift/curse, Archer's hidden past, a secret club that messed with the natural order and whose members are now being picked off one by one), but what struck me was the very human quality of Callihan's two leads.  Miranda's fearlessness was incredibly believable, her fear of herself a great contrast to that defiant nature.  Archer was moody and over-confident and had just the right mix of snark and sincerity.  I loved, loved, loved their chemistry.  It flared and simmered and lit up every page (too many fire references??)

And since today is Teaser Tuesday…a short excerpt from the book:

"He took a quick breath, and his voice dropped. "You've no notion of the effect you have on me"

The words gave a hard tug to her belly. She closed her eyes and swallowed. "If by effect, you mean finding yourself in unchartered waters, wondering whether you are coming or going...." She stared at his shirt, watching his breath hitch. "Then I fear you have the same effect on me, my lord.”"

And that's just one of the many "breath-hitching" moments J

I also loved Miranda's sisters--would've loved to see more of them in the story--and Ian McKinnon.  He was such a delicious little instigator.  Apparently Callihan thought so too, since his book is next in the series. *whoop*  The danger was thrilling, the murders/mystery appropriately horrific.  I'd recommend it for adult readers who love paranormal romance but are looking for that little something extra. 

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl