Wounds

Alton Gansky

A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.

A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.

Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.

The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.

But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.(from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I connected with the story right from the beginning. The two main detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock, are responsible for investigating some bizarre and very gruesome murders. Along with this, Carmen is fighting demons from her past having to do with the murder of her sister when they were in high school.

I liked the relationship between Carmen and Bud. They worked well together and often exchanged witty, sarcastic comments. There was some interesting connections between Carmen, Ellis Poe and the killer. I thought the author did a very good job of weaving the plot and sub-plots together.

I enjoyed the two main characters so much, I was hoping this was going to be a series - but I do not find any evidence of that. Alas, parting is such sweet sorry.

My thanks to B&H Publishing Group, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this for an unbiased review.

Publish date: May 1, 2013.

　

Nightsiders
Gary McMahon

Welcome to Number One Oval Lane, the last house at the top of the hill. Robert Mitchell thought he lived there with his wife and children, but he doesn’t. Not anymore. A new family—the Corbeaus—has taken up residence, and they are on a deadly mission for mischief.

Soon Robert will understand the true nature of ownership, and he will discover that real life is nothing more than a story…a horror story.

We're playing games now. We're just beginning (From Netgalley)

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts

The theme song from The Twilight Zone kept playing through my head as I read this - although with the sex and violence, it would have to be The Twilight Zone - circa 2013.

Take an ordinary family and stick them in the middle of an unexplainable, bizarre situation and see who is still standing when all is said and done. I must say, it ended differently than I thought. I love when that happens.

This was a short story and it zipped from beginning to end. My first book from this author and I must say - well done on the creep level!

Thanks to Dark Fuse, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: April 30, 2013.

The Eternity CureBlood of Eden: Book 2

by Julie Kagawa

How do you face the end of eternity?

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make. (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) was one of my most favorite books of 2012 and it has been a long painful wait for book #2.

Well, I’m hear to tell you, it was well worth the wait. The Eternity Cure was better than I could have ever imagined. This story has twist and turns, moments that made me gasp and times when I held my breath. It has that fun mix of characters you love to love and characters you love to hate.

It would be impossible not to cheer for Allie - sweet, determined, feisty - always fighting the inner monster of being a vampire, who just so happens to be in love with a human named Zeke. Is it even possible for their relationship to work out? And who wouldn't fall in love with Zeke - committed and fearless. I like Kanin for his integrity and common sense. I was oddly attached to Jackal. For some reason, I found his sarcastic wit endearing.

I must say, this book flew by way too fast. Ms. Kagawa has a way of pulling the reader into the story and making it where you don't want to put it down. This was excellent! I am really looking forward to continuing the journey of this very entertaining story.

Many, many thanks to Harlequin, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: April 30, 2013

Depraved Heart: A Novel

by Kathleen Valentine

Growing up in Salem, Massachusetts, art curator Tempest Hobbs was surrounded by metaphysical practitioners but considers her own empathic powers a curse. The feelings that assault her became so terrible that she was confined to a psychiatric hospital. Upon her return home, badly shaken and weak, she discovers a letter from Hathor, the mysterious mansion of the Ravenscroft family.
Located on the island of Hephzibah Regrets just off the coast, Hathor is said to be filled with fabulous art and "fairy retreats" where lavish parties are held. But sixteen years ago, during one of those parties, the distinguished dancer and Ravenscroft heir, Raven Silver was shot and killed. His sister Rachel's husband Syd Jupiter, a powerful NFL fullback, was convicted of the depraved heart murder of his brother-in-law and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison.
The letter is from Syd Jupiter, now paroled and living at Hathor. Wyatt Ravenscroft is dead and has left his entire estate to Anjelica, Syd and Rachel's fifteen-year-old daughter. Syd offers Tempest the opportunity to live at Hathor for the summer while cataloging the vast art collection. She welcomes the chance to be away from the constant pressures of life in society.
Tempest is dazzled by the art she finds but is soon aware that there are secrets and lies all around her. Hathor's housekeeper, Audrey, hates Syd and was once, Tempest discovers, Raven's lover. Miles Wainwright, a local fisherman and the only witness to the murder, is hiding something, and Anjelica lives in fear that Syd will be sent back to prison. And then there is Syd's mother, Marie-Isobel, the owner of a Santeria shop in New Orleans' French Quarter, who joins them for the summer with her candles and cleansing rituals.
In the fishing village on Hephzibah Regrets the locals gather every night in the Riptide where men drink and talk fishing, women spin and knit, and everyone relishes the rumors about Hathor. They tell stories of Will Silver, the father Raven and Rachel never knew, and of wild Rosalind, their beautiful mother who died in an insane asylum. As the heat of summer intensifies Tempest discovers more about the secrets, deceptions, love affairs, madness, and mysterious deaths of Hathor's residents. And about Syd Jupiter who is as enigmatic as he is alluring.(From Goodreads)

My Thoughts

My first book by Ms. Valentine and what a great selection! This book had a little of everything - mystery, murder and just the right amount of romance. I really liked the two main character, Tempest and Syd. They both have troubled pasts and lots of reservations about getting involved with each other. I found myself really cheering for both of them. The story takes us right down to the end before we know if their relationship will survive the hurdles placed in their paths.

This book hooked me from the very beginning. I so glad I gave this book a go! Now I need to go check out some of the other books from this very talented writer.