Ice Cold Grave, Charlaine Harris

Qucik Review: Poor, Good, Great, Fantastic

Synopsis
        Hired to find a boy gene missing in Doraville, North Carolina, Harper Connelly and her brother Tolliver head there, only to discover that the boy was the only one left of several who had disappeared over the previous five years. All of them teenagers. All unlikely runaways.
        All calling for Harper.
        Harper soon finds them—eight victims, buried in the half-frozen ground, all come to an unspeakable end. Afterward, what she most wants to do is collect her fee and get out of town ahead of the media storm that's soon to descend. But when she's attacked and prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes a part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long-hidden secrets of Doraville—knowledge that makes her the next person likely to rest in an ice-cold grave.

Themes
Family Relations
Serial Killer
Paranormal

Content
Mild lanuage, sexual content, violence

Review
Well Ms. Harris, I am a HUGE fan!! I really love the way she writes and portrays her characters. Again, this is at the end of a series and I have read the previous books. They have all been excellent and I was really looking forward to this one. I was not let down. It was an attention grabber and I can't wait to read the next one!

(Picture and synopsis taken from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ice-cold-grave-charlaine-harris/1100255730?ean=9780425224243)

Into the Flame, Christina Dodd

Quick Review: Poor, Good, Great, Fantastic

Synopsis
Meet Doug Black—the Wilder brother who’s been missing for centuries. With no idea of where he’s from, he’s become an angry young cop with the ability to transform into a cougar. in search of others like him, he comes across a beautiful woman who may hold the secret to his destiny...



Themes
Romance
Family Relations
Paranormal Persons
Shape Shifters

Content
Mild language, sexual content, violence

Review
So Good!! I didn't realize that this was the last of the series of 4, so I would recommend that you read the previous books first. However, this was excellent. There was some sexual content and if that is something that bothers you I would recommend that you skip that part. Overall, the story was really interesting and very captivating. The characters were compelling and I couldn't put this story down until I was done. Great Read!
(Picture and synopsis from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-flame-christina-dodd/1100359136?ean=9780451224668&format=paperback)

Copper Beach, Amanda Quick

Synopsis
A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.
Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Themes
Paranormal powers
Romance
Mystery

Content
This book contains mild violence, mild language and sexual content.

Review
This book was a pleasant surprise. It was fun to read and the story was interesting. I found the characters likeable. I was expecting a book about vampires or something, but this one is about people who have special paranormal powers.
At first I thought this book was not the first of the series. I felt like I was missing something when the story began because the book referenced things that I was clueless about. However, it is the first of the series. It took some time to understand some of the references, but overall ,it was interesting and enjoyable.
(picture and synopsis from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/copper-beach-jayne-ann-krentz/1100238076?ean=9780399157875)

Bound By Night, Amanda Ashley

Synopsis
A Vampire's Kiss Is Forever. . .

     Once featured in a horror movie, the crumbling Wolfram estate is said to be haunted by ghosts, witches, and worse. But Elena doesn't believe a word of it—until she spends the night and wakes up in the arms of a compelling stranger. . .
     Tall, dark, and disturbingly handsome, Drake is the most beautiful man Elena has ever seen. For centuries, he has lived alone, and Elena is the first woman to enter his lair—and survive. And Drake is the first man to touch her heart and soul. By the time she discovers who he really is—and what he craves—it's too late. Blood lust has turned to love, and Elena is deeply under Drake's spell. But forever comes at a price for each of them. . .

Themes
Vampires
Romance
Family Relationships

Content
This book contain very mild language and some graphic descriptions. There is some sexual content.

Review
I've read a ton of vampire books, from extreme to mild. This would range in the medium category. The story line was interesting, but it wasn't very well written. The author uses the same phrases and words repeated (I think the word "preternaturally" was said about 72 times! But, I wasn't counting.) The author also uses cliche's often enough that they are distracting. Was the book horrible? No. Was it great? No. It wasn't a real attention grabber, but it was a quick and easy read and the story line brought a couple of new ideas to the vampire genre that I haven't read before. Overall, 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

(Picture and synopsis from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-by-night-amanda-ashley/1028045600?ean=9781420104455)