BOOK REVIEW - WILD THINGS by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 9 - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE - NAL - HACHETTE

By: Chloe Neill
Published By : NAL, Hachette
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from Library, 350 Pages

RATING: 3.75 STARS

Blurb: Goodreads 

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

It seemed quite strange when I started reading Wild Things, which is book number nine and the story line is only ten months on from book number one.

I feel like I have settled into this series and it has literally been years, which in reality is true, waiting for the books to be released, but in Merit’s world, it’s only been ten months since we have met her and all the other characters.

So much has happened in this time to all the characters, love, heartache, giant gnome, magic has caused a lot of havoc, Berna has wanted to fatten up Merit... the list goes on.

Ethan is still a hunk of burning love.

And then there was Ethan.

He was built like an athlete—long and lean, with taut muscles and a body that fit perfectly into his trim black suit. His hair was straight, shoulder length, and golden, framing a face so gorgeous it might have been sculpted by a master artist. Straight nose, honed cheekbones, lush mouth, and eyes as sharp and green as flawless emeralds. Ethan was alpha as they come, protective and pretentious, intelligent and strategic, and stubborn enough to match me well.

Gabriel is a fave of mine. I could quite easily read a spin off series with him in it before he met Tanya and how they got together.

“Kitten,” said Gabriel Keene, the Apex of the North American Pack. He gave me an up-and-down perusal. “I trust I’m not interrupting anything?”

“Sleeping,” I managed, crossing my arms over my chest. “We were sleeping.”

Ethan stepped behind me, chest bare, buttoning jeans. “I’m fairly certain you know precisely what you were interrupting.” 

We are introduced to a gorgeous new character, Damien Garza. He sounds all sorts of humma, humma.

The shifter who stood in the doorway was tall and rangy, with black hair that reached his shoulders and a shadow’s worth of stubble. His skin was honeyed, and his eyes were chocolate brown and deep set, offsetting honed cheekbones and a generous mouth. He wore the NAC jacket over jeans and boots, and a series of tangled cords and wraps on his right wrist.

Now I am seeing a Damien Garza spin off in my head. J

One thing in the story line had me cocking my head to the side like an inquisitive owl, the mention of Merit and personal items from the shop that had Jeff and Damien getting all guy embarrassed at what the possibilities of those personal items could be. The only way I could read that was the girlie monthly personal items and vampires, do they need these? I know it doesn’t ever get discussed in vampire books, but...

I do love this series and I keep coming back for more, and I will read it until its last page is written, but I’m in need of more from the plot. 


This book would be my least favorite and it truly pains me to say so, I was a little underwhelmed by it. I felt the characters had their moments, but there was a fair amount of not-a-lot-going-on. Things did happen, true, but there was a lot of down time that equated to being fairly boring.

I'm missing the real action and deeper connection with the characters I have grown to really love. Wild Things could have been a lot shorter if a lot of the less interesting stuff had been taken out or for me personally and more inviting with more energetic writing.

It doesn’t feel adult anymore, sure there are the glimpses of adult moments, but for such a long running series, I would be expecting the writing to be getting more exciting from an author that truly does know how to deliver.

I am left scratching my head at this installment as I did find it a slog at times to get through. I may sound harsh, but this is book number nine and I have been watching a few past books in the series lose their shine.

I am not the first to note this, so I feel that it’s alright to mention.

Yeah... this series needs a little shake up of story line and getting the characters back to the connection that once was, with the readership. 

Without a doubt I will be back for more and looking forward to reading Blood Games # 10, especially after that prophecy of Gabriel’s.

Michelle

CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES - ADULT URBAN FANTASY - SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 8 - NAL PUBLISHING

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 8

CHLOE NEILL

CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES SERIES

I am quite addicted to the ever popular Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill. 

I started reading it back in August 2011 and I eagerly await each installment as it comes down the pipeline.

Merit, Ethan and all the sub characters take me on quite a satisfying urban fantasy ride in each installment.

Ethan Sullivan is just ...Rawrrrr...rrr....prrrrr. He is a vampire and Master of Cadogan House.

Jeff is such a fun character, he is into computers and a shifter.

Gabriel Keene - Alpha - The Central North American Pack - Shifter. He is a hot guy who likes to call Merit, Kitten.

Catcher Bell is a sorcerer who has his hands full with Mallory, Merit's bff.

I really love Malik, he is this uber sexy vampire, he is quite the floating character throughout this series.

Berna! You will love this tough old broad. She is another floating character who is most hilarious. When Berna is talking, it is very hard not to put on an accent in your head.

Wikipedia has quite a nice run down of each of the characters HERE

I really do see Jill Flint as Merit and Gabriel Aubrey is so Jonah! 

I even got to do a character interview with Jonah and Jeff.

Jonah - Merit - Jeff

In each installment , I can find one thing that really stands out. What I mean is Drink Deep # 5 had a scene that was pretty cool. It had Blackbird, a Beatles song in it. Another had a giant Gnome. Well, you have to read to understand.

Chloe writes such awesome sub characters that keep me entertained and the books keep getting written, which makes me uber happy.

Chloe is writing at least up to # 13, according to Goodreads.

You can find my reviews HERE just scroll down to the start.

You can find the series here on GOODREADS

Jeff got a novella - Howling For You # 8.5

If you know the Chicagoland Vampires series, then this isn't too bad a vid clip that is fan made. Maybe not who I pick for Ethan, but with limited footage this person could use to portray in their vid,  I thought it was pretty good.

I highly recommend this urban fantasy series. 

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - HIGH STAKES by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 8.25 - KICKING IT ANTHOLOGY - NOVELLA

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: ROC

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from the library, 353 Pages

High Stakes = 40 Pages

RATING : 4 THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR... STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

******

Review only for:

HIGH STAKES - LUC AND LINDSEY'S NOVELLA

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

This was a great, short read into a little of Lindsey's past. It is short and sharp. Lindsey's past has come back to haunt her. 

Lindsey isn't sure of where her relationship is at with Luc. Luc is sure, but Lindsey is still not quite there one hundred percent. She has her fears.

Luc has a pair of bitchin' boots he just wants to give her and see her wear, with little else.

Will he get his wish?

Lindsey's niece ,Rachel, in a matter of speaking, needs her Aunt's help. Somebody is trying to lure Lindsey to a meet.

Will Luc let her go by herself?

Will Lindsey get to wear those boots?

I love Luc that little more after reading this short insight into Luc and Lindsey.

He ran a hand through his curls. "I can't shake you, Linds. As much as you push me away, I can't shake you. I don't want to shake you. I want you - all of you. If I can't have that, then I don't know..."

Michelle 

BOOK REVIEW - BITING BAD by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 8 - NAL - HACHETTE - ADULT URBAN FANTASY

By: Chloe Neill
Published By: NAL, HACHETTE
Released : Available Now 
Details : Paperback from Library, 350 Pages

RATING: 4.25 METHAN STARS!

Blurb : Goodreads

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I am ALWAYS excited to read an installment in the Chicagoland Vampires. I love me some Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance and Chloe always delivers.

I love the world Chloe has made for us. It is a very addictive series.

I LOVE Ethan and Merit. There is nobody else for these two. They are solid.

I know this is an adult series but I can’t help thinking these two are getting a bit too comfy with each other.

Nobody throw pillows at me or sharp objects.

What I mean is it is an adult series and in the early days I thought this series was definitely in that category. Sure they get their smexi on but it can be more fade into black these days. Not that I am wanting to be voyeuristic , but it is an adult series.

Ethan slid into bed beside me, his body warm and ready.

“Yes,” I said. And that was the end of all thought.

Ethan found me, prepared me, and took my body for his own, lust lingering with exhaustion, with sweat, love made tangible by palms and calves, with the curve of his spine and the apple of his shoulder, with my breasts and his fingers.

Love sparked and dissipated like sparks in the wind, and the sun rose high in the sky.

But night came again, because night, like death and taxes, was inevitable.


Chloe gave us another scene that was more heated, but then there were also fluffy pajamas many pages later... ehhhh. 

I can’t see Bones and Cat from the Night Huntress Series EVER getting too comfy with each other and donning fluffy pajamas.

Chloe was teasing us mercilessly in Biting Bad.


My heart nearly stopped. Was he...? He couldn’t be ...

As casually as he’d picked me up, Ethan flicked a bit of lint from the knee of his pants.

“Just a spot of dust,” he explained, rising again and grinning wickedly at me. “Did you think I was on one knee for some other reason, Sentinel?”


“Are you proposing?” I drowsily asked.

“When I propose, you’ll know it.”



I couldn’t help agreeing with another reviewer, I too thought some miracle might happen and Merit will get pregnant.

Yeah , I know, blaa..blaa...blaa, vampires can’t father children. Oh please, if Edward can get his giggle juice to work from Twilight, anything is possible.

If Ethan can come back from the dead.

Why not?

Edward raised the bar when it comes to vampy baby juice dispelling that theory.

I love Ethan when he shows us that ego charm that we love.

I’m looking now for more growl worthy Ethan.

This is adult romance people!

Ethan smiled wickedly and pressed a hard kiss to my lips. “I’m rarely good, Merit. But I’m often spectacular.”


I got to say Biting Bad was interesting and I love ALL the sub characters but it wasn’t as exciting as the others for me personally. 

I still very much enjoyed it.

How could I not.

Chloe always like to have several things going on in each book at the same time which keeps the pages turning. We bounce between side stories that end up weaving together. We get to see all the other characters that we all love. It’s not just the Ethan and Merit show, aka Methan.

Although under the right circumstances I could just read the Methan show.

I love Catcher and Mallory, they have a lot to sort out in their relationship and Mallory is still trying hard to redeem herself and be trust worthy. I did feel sorry for Mallory not being strong enough and turning to the dark side. I love that Gabriel sees something in Mallory and is there for her, mentoring her. Doing what even Catcher can’t.


Gabriel is VERY alpha and seeing him holding his little babe Connor is beautiful. Gabriel gets my motor purring when he calls Merit, Kitten.

“Kitten, have you ever known me to do something accidentally?”

Purrrrrrrrrrr...

Jeff is just gorgeous, he always makes me smile and he is just a stand up guy.

Malik, I do miss him a bit. There was only a pinch of him in this book. I have a bit of a crush on Malik from the earlier books. I have always been curious about his wife, the one we never hear or see, but know exists.

Berna ALWAYS makes me laugh out loud and I instantly gain an accent in my head when Berna talks. I would have loved more of Berna in this one. She is such a crack up. I have this heavy accented , gravelly voice speaking in my head.

“You could be fatter.”


Jonah is simply gorgeous and Chloe maybe giving him a HEA.

Maybe?

Time will tell. Hope so. Cause I gotta say he is too lovely to have nobody and have us just watching him quietly moon over Merit. It would be a waste of a dreamy lad to not have a woman in his life.

The GP are causing a massive headache for Cadogan House, Clean Chicago are doing their best to riot and burn the place down, there is a questionable 1957 Mercedes Benz being dangled in Ethan’s face and McKetrick is back with his nasty hatred for vampires.

Shiz is going down and it isn’t looking too good for the Chicago vampire population.

I liked where Chloe was going with the villain of the story. I liked the idea she had. It was such a dastardly dangerous idea for the vampire population.

Who will stand by who when the going gets tough, knowing the consequences?

Who is public enemy # 1?

Can Nick report the truth?

What I do know was there was no Giant Gnome. L

No matter what, I am rather addicted to this series and I keep coming back. I am looking forward to bringing back more of the adult flavor to savor in this series . 

I can’t help feeling a direction the next book # 9 Wild Things could be taking.

Will I be right?

Release date February 4th 2014

Kicking It - #8.25 Lindsey & Luc Novella - 

Book features other authors : Kalayna Price, Rachel Caine, Rob Thurman to name some.

Yay, Jeff gets a novella # 8.5 - Howling For You. 

This news has me clapping my hands together in excitement like a seal at Sea World. Due for release January 7th 2014 - Novella sized - 88 pages.


Jeff Christopher is a shapeshifter and ally of Chicago’s Cadogan House of vampires—he’s also a tech whiz and mostly-legal hacker. And the only protective shields he’s never been able to find a way around are those of the powerful Keene Family.

For a long time, Jeff has only had eyes for the beautiful Fallon Keene. Unfortunately, she is the only sister of the lethal North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene. The intricate balances of power and politics make it all but impossible for Fallon to trust her feelings.

But fate takes a hand when the Pack’s totem is stolen—threatening the Keene family’s rule—and Fallon enlists Jeff’s help to retrieve it before the Pack is thrown into chaos. Can she and Jeff find the totem, and restore order, before it’s too late? And will Jeff finally be able to prove himself to the only person he truly loves?

# 10 has a cover releasing August 2014 - Blood games

Hell yeah! bring. It.On. 

Looking at the cover for Blood Games # 10. Looks like some shiz is going down. Merit is showing some attitude on the cover. That excites me.

While Merit didn’t choose to become a vampire or Sentinel of Cadogan House, she vowed to fight for her House and its Master, and she’s managed to forge strong alliances with powerful supernaturals across Chicago. But even though Merit has had wild adventures, this may be her deadliest yet...

A killer is stalking Chicago, preying on humans and leaving his victims with magical souvenirs. The CPD hasn’t been able to track the assailant, and as the body count rises, the city is running out of options. Vampires and humans aren’t on great terms, but murder makes for strange bedfellows. Can Merit find the killer before she becomes a target?

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - HOUSE RULES by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 7 - ORION BOOKS

By: Chloe Neill
Published By: Orion Books, Hachette
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from Library, 333 Pages

RATING: 4.5 NEW BEGINNINGS STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I just keep coming back for more in this series. I do enjoy the humour and all the dramas with Ethan and Merit , better known now as Methan. BAHahahaaa!! I did laugh out loud.


“You’re Methan.”

“We’re what?”

“Methan. Merit and Ethan. Methan.”

“Nobody calls us that.”

Every vampire in the room turned back to look at me, sardonic expressions on their faces. 

See what I mean. Chloe knows how to make us laugh, but she also knows how to make us gasp and go WT!!!

Merit is still one of my fave female protagonists. She stands up for what she believes in and she suits Ethan.  Mercedes ( Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs)  and Chess ( Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane)  are my other two female protagonists I love. They are very likable and can kick butt. 

Book # 7 is still going strong with story line and characters. I am a huge fan of Berna! I always have this bizarre accent in my head when I read Berna...hehe. I can't seem to shake it. No matter what book she is in, I have the same accent/voice for her dialogue.


“Hi, Berna. The food looks good.”

“You eat enough?” she asked in her heavy Eastern European accent.

“Always,” I assured her.

“You eat more,” she said, then poked Mallory. “You back to work.”

“I was just saying hello to Merit.”

Berna made a sarcastic noise and pinched my arm. “Still too thin,” she pronounced, then walked away.....” 

Jeff is just a hoot with his humor and lines. He has himself some hilarious Nymph time. I keep visualizing those scenes in my head and they make me laugh every time. He gets into some role playing.

“Merit. Have you finally decided to ditch the zero and get with the hero?”

Ethan cleared his throat -- loudly -- while I bit back a smile. I didn’t see anything wrong with reminding Ethan that I had other options. Even if they were slightly goofy options I’d never actually take advantage of.


“What’s all this?” I asked. “Diplomacy in action,” he quietly said. “The nymphs were giving Catcher fits, and Jeff thought they might be calmed by a show of virtual strength.”



“I can run them through a program that flags image manipulation. beep beep boop boop.”

Luc, Juliet Lindsey, and I looked around at one another.

I squinted at the phone. “I’m sorry, Jeff, did you just say ‘beep beep boop boop’?’

“Computer sound effects,” he said , as if I’d asked him to explain the most obvious conclusion in the world.


Lacey makes me think of nails screeching down a chalk board. She makes a very good thorn in Merit’s side.

Jonah, how I do love Jonah, very interesting events in this instalment.

Jonah and I had complementary magic -- magic that operated on a similar frequency . A supernatural kinship, of a sort.


Gabriel...he is another fave of mine.

He skipped the greeting, walked toward Gabriel, and offered a bear-sized hug, Gabriel slapped him on the back.

“All right, old man. Let’s not make Kitten jealous.”He glanced around Ethan and smiled at me. ‘Hello, Kitten.” 

Cadogan House is up for a fight of the legal kind and vampires are turning up dead. A scene is set. Going Rogue is never easy and Chloe is throwing a few things at Ethan and his house of vampires.

I really enjoy how Chloe juggles a lot of characters it keeps the story moving and we can bounce about with Merit as she tries to show Ethan that she can help in more ways than one.

I loved hearing more about Peter the Cadogan House founder. It gave me more of Ethan too.

The one thing I have noticed and this is just me, but Merit and Ethan used to be smexier together in earlier reads. Sometimes I find it hard pressed to stamp adult as the genre on some of the books

in the series, quite rightly with the more graphic sexual content in the earlier installments, but now it is a more mellow scene. Am I watching what happens when couples have been together for a time? I know there was still the silvering of the eyes and some hanky panky but, it is less spelled out. Not saying this is a bad thing, just what I have noticed. Ethan still has his smexi on...but......

Chloe serves up another installment on a silver platter in this very much loved series with her own brand of humor with her characters. Throw in a villain or two and some great sub characters like Berna and Gabriel and I am hanging for the next book. 

But best of all is Team Methan.

I'm going to say, that I really, so badly want to send the UK/Aussie covers packing. I just can't like them. I LOVE the US covers. When I buy this set I am getting the US covers. The chick is very Merit on the US covers and soooo not Merit on the UK covers. Gahhh! It is just a pet peeve of mine. What can I say?

Looking forward to Biting Bad...next cab off the rank.....6th August 2013 - Chicagoland Vampires # 8.

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - BITING COLD by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 6 - NAL - 4.5 STARS!

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 337 Pages

RATING: 4.5 GNOMES CAN HANDLE THEMSELVES STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.

No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

The way Drink Deep ended # 5, I was asking myself, where is Chloe taking us with Mr Ethan Sullivan? My first reaction was EEEeeEEEeeee..... he is back, thank the lord Chloe brought him back, then my second thought was, oh dear, I hope he was brought back intact.

What I loved about this book was Ethan Ethan Ethan, he was in a lot of scenes and he was with Merit.

“Ethan...”

“No,” he said, crystalline green eyes boring into me. “You are my choice. I told you before --- you are mine, by blood and bone. I won’t let her come between that, no matter how sick she is.”

Mallory has become this force to be reckoned with and she is playing the part of good girl turned bad very nicely, queue the wind blowing her hair as she chants from the Maleficium.

This book kept moving us about. The good ol’ GP was being a pain, Darius was being a thorn in Ethan’s side when he really had other more pressing issues to handle.

Faeries were being helpful.

WT!

I also noticed Merit said thankyou to one. Isn’t that a big no, no, in the faerie rule book. Just something I noticed.

Mallory.... what a tangled web we weave when one practices to deceive, and errr.... turn evil. I do feel sorry for Catcher. I hope they make it.

Gabriel, my fave shifter has turned up with his Merit name calling. I love it when he calls Merit, ‘Kitten’. Gabriel is dishing ( no pun intended) out tough love, I could have hugged him for showing a compassion I didn’t think he had in him.

Gotta love Gabriel J J

I must mention Berna... lol! No joke whenever she speaks I have this voice in my head that is Berna. Berna makes an appearance and she is just too funny.

I would not tell her that though.

She immediately scowled at me. “Still too thin. You eat?” she asked, her voice thick with an Eastern European accent.

“I eat constantly,” I promised.

She shook her head and muttered something under her breath. Then she pounded a fist on the bar and stared at all of us. “You will eat now.”

Jeff, I just love the guy, he is the Knight in errr.... shining blanket when a certain person needs him, just an all round good guy who knows right from wrong and helps out when he is called on.

Adorable as Jeff was, I couldn’t get the image of him riding excitedly in an old- fashioned sidecar --- brown locks waving in the wind, as happy as a puppy ---- out of my mind.


“Just stay in play as my backup.”
I nearly swerved the car off the road. “I’m sorry --- your backup?”
“You know, in case it doesn’t work out with Fallon.”
“And what about Ethan?”
Jeff chuckled . “ I just figured he was your backup for me.” 

I am loving the librarian getting his glasses in a fog over a new character. 

Malik is still such a gorgeous character, he isn’t power hungry, he just gracefully steps aside when Ethan comes back into the picture. He is such a loyal guy who you would trust in a heartbeat.

Now Ethan, you put Merit in as Sentinel, mate, you gotta let her be a Sentinel and stop worrying, you had me waiting and waiting for the smexi time because you worry too much. You carry so much on your back. If I was Merit I would have walked to your door, knocked, and stood there in a sexy bra and knickers. I know there were more pressing matters at hand, but you came back from the dead!!

Chloe the frustration of waiting for Ethan to either demote Merit so they can get their funky chicken on ( so he doesn’t have to be a worry wart) , or accept that she can handle herself and get naked!!

Jonah, I do love thee too. Oh dear, the day Ethan finds out you kissed Merit. I shall stand clear when that happens.

Lovely twist in this book, all is not what it seems. I liked that!

This was another great instalment in Chloe’s Chicagoland Vampires.

Sexual tension...check!

Ethan being over protective...check!

Giant Gnome..check!

Yes , I said Giant Gnome....didn’t see that one coming did ya, lol!

Michelle

RANDOM POSTING # 54 - BECAUSE I WANNA BE IN RUNNING TO WIN BITING COLD by CHLOE NEILL

BITING COLD

by

CHLOE NEILL 

CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 6

RELEASES AUGUST 7TH 2012

I UNASHAMEDLY WANT TO WIN A COPY SO

POP OVER HERE TO HAVE A BASH AT WINNING ONE TOO....OR NOT...CAUSE I WANNA WIN...MWAH..HA..HA..HAAAAAA! ( EVIL LAUGH)

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - DRINK DEEP by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 5

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: Orion, Hachette

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from l ibrary, 321 Pages

RATING : 4.25 MAYHEM STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.


Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.
 

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,

Take these broken wings and learn to fly........

BOOK REVIEW:



I love the Chicagoland Vampires series, it is a great Urban Fantasy read. I did miss Ethan in this book. I think anybody who loves this series will tell you that a gaping hole was left behind. Even the characters in this book are feeling it, big time.


This brings me to Jonah. He is no Ethan, but he is gorgeous and you can see how much he would like a relationship more than partnership with Merit. He is a tempting morsel.


I was having a little trouble totally feeling this instalment until we got past the half way mark, maybe because of that gaping hole that Ethan left behind, maybe something else?


Oh the GP dude, Frank. (looks around for my smelliest stinky dead fish, so I can slap that boy upside of silly) Chloe REALLY makes you loathe the guy.


I would have loved to have seen Gabriel and his pack in this instalment. Obviously they weren’t necessary. I think with Ethan making it into dreams, I needed big Gabriel to call Merit, ‘kitten’. I think I was just lost without Ethan. Jonah was like this putty filler, who filled in the cracks for me. Interesting to see where Chloe takes Jonah and Merit now she has signed on the dotted line.


Chloe has given us some wonderful twists in the latter part of the book, these got me back to feeling in the zone with this series. I’m hoping more Faerie influence may become a part of this series.


Jeff is still so adorable I could pack him up and take him home. He has such a way with the little ladies..hehe!


Oh Catcher, what are we going to do with you..........?

There is a scene in this book , hence my little Blackbird lyric intro, it was quite touching. Made me swallow a lump.


I enjoyed this instalment, and am looking forward to reading ‘Biting Cold’, there are some things left in the air at the end of this book and maybe some new beginnings?


I have a pet peeve, I am not digging the UK covers at all. The girl is so not Merit. No offence, just blagh! I don’t like the poses. These books have some grit and the covers aren’t Urban Fantasy....did I just say all that out aloud...oops!



FAVE QUOTES:


   “You ever think about coaching baseball, that kinda thing, when you and Mallory have kids? You know , doing the whole soccer dad routine?”

   Catcher threw a pistachio in the air and caught it in his mouth. “While hoping they don’t fry the universe from day one? Yeah, that thought has occurred to me.” He sat up straight and looked at Jeff. “can you imagine some little girl with Mallory’s hair? The blond, I mean.”

   “Heart. Breaker,” Jeff said. “You’ll have to keep a shotgun by the front door just to ward off the players. Or I guess , you could have Mallory do it for you.”

   “I could,’ Catcher allowed, then --------- realizing I was in the room -----looked up and glared right at me. “ I’ll do that right after I have her kick Merit’s ass for spying.”

   I grinned and stepped inside , offering each a wave. “Hello, proud papas of children not yet conceived.”





   “You’re still alive.”

   “Last time I checked. And here’s a fact to add to your database----fairy blood turns vampires batshit crazy.”

 

Now the scene in the book, musically only ,sounded more like this..

Michelle

BLOG TOUR #3 - CHLOE NEILL - DRINK DEEP TOUR - JEFF AND JONAH CHARACTER INTERVIEW FROM THE CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES SERIES + BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! INTERNATIONAL!!

Hi Jeff and Jonah, Oh yes, they are hotties!  Welcome to Australian Book Blog, Novels On The Run. You boys hang out with Chloe Neill and her other characters from the Chicagoland Vampires. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions on our Blog Tour Stop. Jeff , you have such a happy personality, you are fun to read and a computer wizz . Jonah, nice to meet you....* whispers* I won’t tell anyone you are a RG.


That’s lingo for Red Guard. See I'm down with it.


I will be having a giveaway at end of this interview so stick around and enter.


Michelle: Hi Jeff, you are a Shifter part of Gabriel’s Pack and you work for Chuck, Merit’s grandfather. You had a rather large crush on Merit. If she had reciprocated, how would Gabriel have felt about you and her? Or were you just all playful humour with her? You seemed quite taken with her in the early books.

Jeff Christopher aka Matthew Gray Gubler

Jeff: *Blushing* I wouldn't say I had a crush on her. I'm just, you know, friendly. She's a doll, though. And Gabe probably would have flipped his lid. Dating a vampire is one thing. Dating Sullivan's vampire, and Sentinel of the House? Totally different story.


I probably wouldn’t go there either, could get a bit nasty..heads would roll.


Michelle: Is there another side to Jeff that us ladies aren’t seeing?


Jeff: *Winking* I think the ladies see exactly what they need to see, don't you?


Um, well it’s always nice to see more...I didn’t say that aloud , did I?

Michelle : What is a perfect date with Jeff?


Jeff: A little romantic music, a little wine, maybe some discussions about Leetspeak or my new WOW character. And

spaghetti is good. Very "Lady and the Tramp."


Note to self.


Michelle: Can you tell me something personal about yourself that Chloe doesn’t know?


Jeff: I'm not sure there's anything she doesn't know. Um, I prefer boxers to briefs? Plaid, if possible. *Grins wildly*


Plaid...not that I am visualising Jeff in Plaid boxers, washboard tummy........oh back to interview...mind you I do like that visual...I’ll come back to it later.

Michelle: What does Merit smell like to you, as you have a keen sense of smell?


Jeff: Gardenias. And usually chocolate.


Oh , so he does know her scent. I wonder what Jonah thinks, I’ll ask him too......


Michelle: Hi Jonah, you are a Red Guard and Grey House’s Captain. You appear to have an appreciative eye for Merit. Is there something you would like to tell me?

Jonah aka Gabriel Aubrey
Somebody pour a bucket of water over me..sigh

Jonah: Merit is a recruit with a lot of potential. That's the only thing I appreciate. Anything else is between me and her.


Errr...roger that!


Michelle: What 5 words would you use to describe Merit that aren’t obvious, like, strong, determined etc, maybe a more personal observation. I’m sure you got some time to observe * waggles eyebrow* when she decided to have a deep sleep after you had been out to that crazy Rave.


Jonah: Hmm. I'm not going to comment on that last part.


Oooooooookkkay!!

Merit aka Jill Flint

Jonah: As for Merit, lovely. Skilled. Honorable. Loyal. Undecided.


Michelle: You once called Merit a ‘train wreck’, how do you sit with that now?


Jonah: I don't recall using those words, exactly, but I suppose I was initially underwhelmed by my perception of Merit. But now that I've seen her in action, I'm more impressed.


Michelle: Vampires have a scent. What does Merit smell like to you?

Jonah: Roses in a stately old library.

Nice smelling rack of books she would have..I am saying this in my head...


Michelle: Thanks Jeff and Jonah for stopping by it was nice chatting and I am looking forward to reading more about you in Drink Deep. I love this series and highly recommend. Please check my reviews in left side bar if you haven't started and want to know more, without knowing too much:D

Head over to the Chloe Neill web site from this link.

 GIVEAWAY TIME!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!

INTERNATIONAL!

I am giving away 1 x Drink Deep Paperback

From the Book Depository.

Please check before entering they post to your country.

NOW!! at this stage you will be receiving this cover on the left, as it's cheaper.

BUT!!

Release date 1st November

If prices drop then I will post this cover, on the right .

RULES OF ENTRY :

Please be a GFC follower and leave your GFC name.

Please leave a comment with your email address so I can contact winner, easily.

It's that easy!!!

Good Luck!!

Competition starts now!!!

Ends 7th November Midnight Aussie time

Next blog on Blog Tour is

 Lore Lush Book Reviews - 31st October

p.s. Book # 6 Cover - Biting Cold

 

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - HARD BITTEN by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 4

By : Chloe Neill
Published By : Orion Books
Released ; Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 350 Pages

RATING : 4.25 OMG ! STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else. Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem too ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...


BOOK REVIEW:



OMG! CHLOOOOEEEEE!!! Did not see that coming...I actually got sucker punched, blind sided...just WOW! I didn’t even have a clue, you completely winded me. My mouth was left gaping open, deer in head lights, stunned, WT!!! And then my heart kind of had a hole in it.


It is not often an author can do that to me.


I think you broke my fictional heart.


You hurt me.


I have a teeny crack of hope......


‘Hard Bitten’, I thought ....was a quieter book, not as action filled and then you went and did that! I really enjoyed it.


I just love Jeff, he’s fun. Catcher, I miss him, I want him to be coaxed out to play more. I can’t help feeling like Catcher could have his own spinoff. I keep wanting to peek under the sheets ( so to speak) with Catcher and Mallory , or am I being a bit pervy...lol!! We keep getting teased with their characters. They are this side dish I want more of.



Jonah , oh Jonah...he has me intrigued...where are you going with Jonah? ......hmmmm.....

Drink Deep cannot come quick enough.

FAVE QUOTE:

He looked up at me, worry tightening his eyes.

God , I hated to see that worry. I hated what I'd done to put it there. And so I went to him, all reasons to the contrary. I slipped between his chair and the desk, and when he leaned toward me and rested his forehead on my abdomen, I slid my fingers into the thick golden silk of his hair.

"I'll be careful."

Michelle

I am on blog tour 30th October 2011, I will be having a character interview with Jeff and Jonah and giving away a copy of Drink Deep. Drop on by and enter.