Review: The Asylum Interviews

The Asylum Interviews by Jocelyn Drake are two novellas that take place before Angel's Ink,  the first book in her new series. I have not read any of Jocelyn Drake before, but from what I have read I think I am going to have to check out her previous works

http://www.jocelynndrake.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Twitter: @ JocelynDrake

The Asylum Interviews: Bronx  (The Asylum Tales 0.5) 

87 pages - Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal 

Harper Voyager - July 3, 2012

Source: Purchased from Amazon 

Synopsis from Goodreads: In Low Town, where humans walk and work side-by-side with elves, vampires, ogres, and all manner of creature, it's understandable that people occasionally need a little help in their lives. Whether is love, work, or ... other, tattoo artists are there to try to help turn the odds into your favor. When Gage's friend Parker needs help with his love life, tattoo artists Gage and Bronx are only too happy to help. But the incubus ends up getting more than he bargained for with his new tattoo, and his friends are forced to scramble to fix the mess they've created before someone gets hurt

My thoughts: This was my first anything by Jocelyn Drake, and I liked it! I can immediately tell that she is a great storyteller. Though this was a quick glimpse at the characters in her new series, it was also entertaining. At the end, I knew that I wanted more. I had to have more. I think that this was a great introduction to Gage and Bronx. While it was slightly humorous at the beginning, there was depth that isn't necessarily shown in the shorter stories.  There was a nice glimpse into Gage's past and the secret that he is hiding, which creates a deeper sense of understanding. I am not sure of the roles each character will play, but I look forward to reading more about them. 

4 Stars ****

What's Next?The Asylum Interviews: Trixie (The Aslyum Tales 0.6) 

Bronx Cover Image

The Asylum Interviews: Trixie (The Asylum Tales 0.6) 

100 Pages - Adult, Ficition, Fantasy, Paranormal 

Harper Voyager-  September 4, 2012 

Source: Purchased from Amazon 

Synopsis from Goodreads: The second of two prequel stories to Jocelynn Drake's Angel's Ink. Gage's ex-girlfriend is back in town and needs help escaping a master vampire. While not the easiest of tasks, he certainly didn't count of getting help from a mysterious woman with a few secrets of her own.

My Thoughts:  If Bronx's story was an introduction to the characters, then Trixie's story is just a tease.   I am glad that I have a review copy of Angel's Ink so that I can dive right in. I am definitely looking forward to it after finishing this story. I really like Gage, and not just because of the hidden power that he wields, because he really is a good guy. He has a lot of connections because he is often willing to do the right thing without much regards to himself. This is also a common trait found in his friends and co-workers. What I like so far, is that he is not the only character that stands out. I am more interested in his story, but that may be because we are seeing everything through his eyes and we are in his head. I am not complaining, just explaining why I am drawn to him as a character. I do wonder what's going on in the other characters minds. While I am hoping for a showdown between Gage and the Ivory Towers, I am also hoping to learn more about Trixie, Bronx, Jo, Jill and Parker. The gargoyles seem interesting as well. Ahh, there is so much that pulls you into the story. 

4 stars **** 

What's Next? Angel's Ink

Trixie Cover Image

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Review of Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine

Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden Book 2

Roc – August 3, 2004

Facebook: yes a fan page

www.rachelcaine.com

Source: Louisville Free Public Library

Next book in series:  Chill Factor

From Goodreads: Mistaken for a murderer, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is hunted down and killed by her colleagues. Reborn as Djinn, she senses something sinister entering earth's atmosphere-something that makes tomorrow's forecast look deadly

It has been a while since I read the first book in the series, Ill Wind. I was afraid that I would forget crucial pieces and debated on re-reading that one before starting Heat Stroke. I had even forgotten what had drawn me to this series in the first place. I mean, I knew what had drawn me to Rachel Caine-everyone is still talking about the Morganville Vampire series. But I needn’t have worried, I was immediately swept into the story. I remembered how much I liked Jo as the main character. Even though she was not technically human in this book, her voice was very familiar and very realistic (under the circumstances).

                There are a lot of elements that I really like in this book. And since I know that there are 7 more books in this series, I know that the story continues and that is quite comforting because I definitely want more. What I have learned from the first book is that I will never be able to guess at the true ending which is fine with me.

                Jo is now a Djinn and David is trying to teach her control and the ins and outs of Djinn life. But of course something happens that threatens the world as we know it. And of course Jo jumps in to save the day. Jo has gone from an amazing, truly gifted weather warden to a completely dependent “baby” djinn. As the story progresses the costs and risks of djinn-hood are revealed. Jo can take the cowardly way out but she chooses to push through and tackle the hard stuff. Some could say that she’s the hero of the story, but in truth she is only accepting the responsibility for the part she has played in causing the catastrophe (even though she was unaware of it and didn’t make the choice).

                I can’t say that there was a whole lot of growth in Jo, I think she reacted the same way she has always reacted to challenges, but I did learn a lot more about her in this installment.  I would say that if there are fans of Rachel Caine that have delayed on reading this series they should definitely check it out.

My rating:

Always Shine,

Starr K

Short Story Saturday (1)

 This is something that I decided to do to give the short stories some love. Why not? Most short stories are teasers for bigger novels and it's a great way to get to know authors as well as story lines. 

I decided to start with an anthology that I have meaning to get into, but it never presented itself. I checked this out from the library, but I'm going to pick up a copy for me. Maybe I'll pick up two and do a giveaway? We'll see.

Shinny A Weather Warden story by Rachel Caine


I have to admit that I came to Rachel Caine a little late. I had heard great things about the Morganville Vampire Series, my co-worker and friend told me that I really needed to check it out. But I saw that she had some other series that I wasn't hearing anything about. So I went and checked out Ill Wind, the first in the Weather Warden Series. You can read my review here. But, as with most things in life, I got distracted and just now checked out the second book in the series, along with this anthology.

Shinny reminded me how much I liked Jo, and how badly I needed to get back into this series. (Will start Heat Stroke soon or renew from the library, will not let it get away from me now.) So much has happened between Ill Wind  and Shinny, and I can't say what it is because umm.. it would spoil the fun for anyone who hasn't read the series. In fact there was one main thing that happened, that it took me a while to figure out what happened, and had to stop reading Shinny to make sure I wasn't going to ruin some big event in the main series.  But nonetheless I enjoyed the short story and excited to get back into the series,

In Vino Veritas by Karen Chance


Have you heard of Karen Chance? If you  haven't, don't feel bad because neither had I. But if you  don't make introductions soon, you will be missing out some seriously good stuff. I dabble in everything fiction so I don't always keep up with authors of specific fiction, another reason/excuse I tend to fall behind in hot series.  But after reading about Dory, I knew that I would have to check her main series.  I can't tell you if this story is just about the character or if it falls somewhere in the storyline of the series. I can however tell you that Dory is worth checking out. She is a serious butt-kicker and the little snippet of her personality that comes through in this story tells me that she is strong lead character. I want to get to know her better. Dory's story is not the beginning of the series.  Cassie Palmer starts it off, and Dory, while it's own series is a crossover which carries ties back to Cassie Palmer's story. not sure if I explained that right so you can check out the timeline for the story here.  I actually went out this weekend and bought the first book Touch the Dark; just can't wait to get started.

Hunt by Rachel Vincent 


Wow! Oh wow! That is all I have to say about this short story. It is part of Vincent's Shifters series. My only question is why have I waited so long to get started on this series? really why? I can't honestly say, but along with Touch the Dark,  I went out and bought Stray, the first book in the Shifters series and I would like to start it right now! Seriously my fingers keep reaching out for the book and eyes seem to find it every time I pass the bookshelf. But, I am already behind (technically 2 weeks behind) in my reading pile. So until i get caught up... I have to wait. Abby, I like Abby. I like the duality of her strength and vulnerability. I like her loyalty and determination.  I am looking forward to meeting her again.

Okay I was just going to pick out my favorite from this anthology and then move on to the next one. I have a couple more stories to go before I'm finished. But so far, I like them all, and while not all would be featured if I had to have a favorite, they are all pretty good.  Karen Chance and Rachel Vincent did such an excellent job that I went out and bought the first book in their series, so that's a huge compliment. And I am sure that if another characters jumps out and attacks me the way Dory and Abby did, I'll be buying more books. But suffice it to say that this is an anthology that is worth having, especially if you like strong female leads who truly are chicks who kick butt.


See ya next Saturday!!
Always Shine, 
Starr K

Rachel Caine's Ill Wind

                Jo has the unique ability to control and manipulate the weather. She has the affinity for water and air. She is a weather warden who has been entrusted to tame violent weather. Under the cloud of accusations of murder and corruption and with a secret that will ultimately destroy her, Jo is on the run for her life. She has been given a gift she didn’t ask for or even want. She is being chased by a storm that seeks to destroy her and her journey will reveal friends that are really enemies and enemies that are really friends.

First, I have to say that I like the ending. It’s not what I expected or even wanted, and that’s why I didn’t like it at first. Without knowing anything about what the next book is about, or even what the rest of the series is about, the ending to the first book is perfect.  It fits; it’s as if everything built up to this very moment. Without any clues that the story was going in this direction.  I want to read the next book because of the ending of this one. And that is meant as a compliment and not as a complaint.

I have to admit that this was not exactly as I expected. At first I wasn’t a little concerned that the story was told through the perspective of the main character. Sometimes it’s hard to gather the back story through this perspective. That wasn’t the problem with this story. Then I thought that I was going a little crazy when I couldn’t remember the main character’s name. But, in truth, it hadn’t been mentioned in the story yet. (Since it’s told from their perspective and no one thinks of their own name in this perspective-that detail makes sense.)

Jo is a character that doesn’t really follow all of the rules all of the time and it gets her in trouble, but she’s also the type who will find a way out of the trouble-even if it’s reckless. I can’t say that I really care about Jo, in that I-feel-something –for –her kind of way. But I am intrigued in her story. It really is just beginning and I know that more is on the way.  There are still some questions that I have about things that happened in Ill Wind. But not enough to be completely disappointed if the story was to end here.  The romance that starts in this book is nice and sweet with enough steamy passion to root for its success. Though in the back of my mind, I’m thinking of all the other times things were supposed to go relatively easy for Jo but didn’t.  It looks like things may work out, but looking at history I know it will never be that easy.

I have not read any of Rachel Caine’s other books, but I think this is a great series to start with. This is definitely one that I would recommend. To find out more about Rachel Caine, The Weather Warden series or any of her series visit her website at www.rachelcaine.com or find her on Facebook.

Always Shine,

Starr K.