Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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Bite

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30279

Bite (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #8.5)

My rating: 4.6 of 5 stars
 Each story was very different from the other and while I liked some better than others I was still kept entertained by them all. The stories are all supposed to be based around vampires and lust, but only a few actually hit upon the lust.

‘The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death’ is an Anita Blake short that takes place between Blue Moon and Obsidian Butterfly, which means Anita is still fighting her attraction to Jean-Claude, silly girl. A mother comes to Anita asking for help in finding her daughter before she can be turned and Anita goes to the one person she claims to want to avoid. While the heat level could have been higher I give it 5 stars for just showcasing Jean-Claude, who could have me with a look.

‘ One Word Answer’ is a Sookie Stackhouse short, very short, that does not really give much of anything. Bubba is present as well as Bill but this is about a cousin who is mentioned only briefly and does not really affect things one way or the other. The Queen of Louisiana sends two of her men to inform Sookie that her cousin is dead and has left her a legacy. This was a bit bland with nothing to really make it a true part of the overall story. I gave this 4 stars for at least having vampires in it.

‘Biting in Plain Sight’ is a Queen Betsy story. I really like these shorts with the dippy Queen, you always get to meet some of her more interesting subjects. Dr. Sophie is a veterinarian in Embarrass, Minnesota and has been for the past 40 years, not that anyone mentions it. It seems that one of her clients has had a crush on her since he was a little boy and now he is ready to act on it. The only problem is she is going to need to see the Queen because a vampire is being bad. I gave this 4.5 stars, it has a good story along with a little lusting going on. There are some laugh out loud moments as well.

‘Galahad’, is a great story and I am glad to have found this author who I have never read before. Caroline has only recently been turned into a witch and transported to Avalon, which is in another dimension. She starts having visions which show her fighting beside a very handsome vampire which she cannot ignore even though she would like to. This was a story that had everything as advertised, hot vampires, sex, and action. I gave this 5 stars and will be looking for more in the Mageverse.

‘Blood Lust’ is another story with an author I have not read before but will  in the future based on this. Daniel Hart is a scientist who has been working on synthetic blood in order to benefit mankind. He gets backing from a man who turns out not to be what he seemed and who steals all his research leaving him broken and battered. When he is healed he goes looking for revenge and finds much more than he expected. This got 4.5 stars because it had just the right mix of romance and vampire intrigue.

I would definitely recommend this book to vampire lovers.

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Red Sands

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24384174

Red Sands: An Orbs Prequel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a continuation of the story started in White Sands. Jeff and David have survived alone for an unknown amount of time. They are staying ahead of the aliens and hoping that maybe their father was able to do the same. The writing is still very clear with a nice feel for who the boys are. There is also a look at the man in charge of the NTC, Dr. Hoffman, who seems to want to save humanity but if it might risk his life he will not try very hard.

Another nice entry in the Orbs saga leading us to what is behind the invasion and what we can do to win.

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Guilty Pleasures

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6519728

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Graphic Novels #1-2 issues #1-12)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I totally enjoyed this graphic novel based on one of my favorite series. The story follows the novel but gives you that visuals that you always had to supply yourself. If you enjoy the Anita Blake series then you will definitely want to give the graphic novels a look. They hit the mark very well on their renditions of the characters. Going to keep reading them as long as they have them.
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White Sands

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22613151

White Sands: An Orbs Prequel (Orbs Series 0.2)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This prequel gave a good background on the children and how they came to be at White Sands when everything happened. I would have liked to have gotten a little more on the parents before things went completely crazy. The narrative flows well and the story is good if a little light on some details. The language is great and the relationships ring true.

Jeff and David are traveling to White Sands with their step-mother Paula for Jeff’s birthday. Their father Michael is stationed there working for the NTC. When the aliens come and start to wreak havoc,  life becomes terrifying for the boys and their father as they try to survive.

Definitely a must read if you want more on the people who populate the later novels.

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Lost Embrace

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25183805

Lost Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #6.5)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was very happy that this was done because it gave me a chance to catch up with characters who have not been seen fully for a while. This was the perfect short to bring this portion of the story to closure. With Sydney having been turned and not dealing with it, you had to wonder if she would even survive. Then there is the little fact that a serial killer that she put away has escaped and is making his way to New Orleans for some payback.
Anthony, Sydney’s old partner arrives in New Orleans with the news that a serial killer Syd put away has escaped and is more than likely on his way to her for pay back. What he finds is Sydney turned and unable to feed because she has psyched herself out because a demon tried to kill her.  Kade asks for Anthony’s help and because he has always been a little in love with Syd, he gladly gives it. But Sydney is still a cop at heart and she wants to bring this guy down for even thinking about coming after her.

Though it is a short story it is a fully realized one that gives a great story with characters not seen before who are very interesting. It also sets up the next book in the series with a character who has been elusive for several books but who you know has been orchestrating from the shadows. A must read!

* I just finished listening to this book on 9/10/15. Listening was even better than when I read it. The narrator gives such life to all the characters, though the women do sound like a man doing a woman, he still gives it a great try. This can be enjoyed both ways very easily.

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Dimitri

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22916532

Dimitri (Immortals of New Orleans #6)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved the Immortals of New Orleans since the first book and things just keep getting better and better. There is a lot more complexity to the relationships of the characters than was first shown and it makes them more interesting as they are revealed. Characters who have not been completely explored still can have an impact on you because they still have enough substance to make you care. The story naturally flows without bogging down at all and keeps you reading well after you should have stopped for the night. The banter between the characters is priceless and always one of the things I enjoy the most.

Dimitri has gone to San Diego, California in order to get away after his trip into hell world with Léopold to save Ava. Since he came out something has been wrong with his wolf and he has not been able to shift. He has gone off alone to try to find out if things can get better or if he may have to step down as Beta. Gillian was lured to San Diego by the area Alpha in order to force a mating on her. She is special and the Alpha wants her gifts for himself whether she is willing or not. Gilly escapes but brings down a pack of trouble on our Beta who cannot handle it at the moment.

There are a lot of things going on in this story, some of them happy, some of them sad, and some just plain wrong. There is always a good deal of heat involved when these supernaturals get together for any amount of time. You must enjoy menage, exhibitionism, and unconventional sex.

“When the music stopped, the curtains to their booth flew open. Jax, the devastatingly handsome Nordic wolf, leered down on the lovers, who smiled up at him in amusement. “I said pretend to be her mate. At any point, did you hear me say, ‘Come up to New York and fuck my sister in public…during one of my company events?’ Did I say that? I really don’t recall saying that.” Jax scrubbed his fingers over his tightly cropped hair. He moved to the balcony, overlooking the patrons who were shuffling into the lobby for the intermission. “Sorry.” Dimitri laughed. He knew that they should have been slightly less conspicuous but the draw of his mate had been too much to resist. “Sorry? Really? That’s all you’ve got?” He turned to Gillian, who scrambled up to her feet, adjusting her dress. “And you? What’s your excuse, little sister? Seriously, every shifter in the room could hear you.” “Um, well, yeah, sorry about that. But technically this is your fault. I mean, what did you expect? You asked Dimitri to come here…to pretend to be my mate.” Gillian reasoned that her comeback sounded solid, inexperienced in dealing with her Alpha brother.”
― Kym Grosso, Dimitri Kym Grosso
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Submit By Treaty

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25654012

Submit By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #4)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

I find myself totally absorbed into these books and wanting more and more to keep participating in the lives of the people involved. The characters continue to keep my interest because they have such emotional depth to them which brings out their personalities. I love the fact that while you know the human and the alien will submit to the other in one way or another it is never an easy transition, giving us a look at how individuals find their way to understanding each other. The language continues to work for the characters and conveys their feelings and emotions effortlessly.

After locating and rescuing Raiss Tyrone, Commander Meseri is happy to have him on board as she attempts to capture his friend and team-mate Zeus Windsor. Zeus has been on a killing spree since getting away from his captors and is considered extremely dangerous. Even with the help of Raiss it is not easy to subdue Zeus who has become mentally unstable while being held and tortured by the K’lahn and then the Surashan.

Lieutenant Zeus Windsor was once in line for the British throne, though way down the list, but is a good soldier who has been broken by his captivity. When he finds himself on a ship with ‘lizards’ he is very leery of what is going on, even though they say they are taking him home. He is so damaged after hearing his friends be tortured that he is even unable to interact with Raiss. Meseri finally is the only one who can find to help him break out of the insanity which he has been living with. But what will they find as they break down the barriers in his mind which seem to have been built so tightly?

There is so much more going on in the background of these seeming love matches. Why are they so drawn to each other? Is the Qui Empress willing to honor the agreement she made with earth, even if they are trying to double cross her? Is war on the horizon? There are a lot of questions being raised and I am going to keep reading so I can get my answers. This is good science fiction and erotic romance together.

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Angel 6.0: Pursuit

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Angel 6.0: Pursuit (Angel 6.0 #4)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was another great entry in the life of a girl who cannot seem to catch a break no matter what her situation. The story continues to build on itself bringing more and more complexity to the characters and to the world that they are living in. The tone can be fun and light at times making you laugh or just smile,it can then become dark, or very hot. I like the way it flows from situation to situation with surprises laid out as things progress.

Angel is less than thrilled to be returning to Gran space, though she is happy to see her royal friends on her return. What she finds is that in the short time she has been away Prince Rollick has grown and is moving out of his adolescence, and has decided that he wants Angel as more than a friend. She has decided to play matchmaker for two people who she is fond of and would like to see happy. But this is Angel and no matter what she does the universe seems to be against her ever finding a moment of happiness.

I have said it before and will say it again, this is a really great series! I love the fact that the characters continue to evolve both emotionally and intellectually. The heat level is high but does not interfere with the story and keeps me wanting more. I want to know what happens to Angel because I have come to really her, she feels what every woman feels over their lives at one point or another, that they are too different to be loved or nothing more than a freak. I am looking forward to the next installment!!

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It

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13506334

It

by Stephen King (Goodreads Author), Steven Weber (Narrator)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read this book 4 times and enjoyed it every one of those times. This reading was different because I got to hear it in a different way. Steven Weber did a great job of conveying the feelings of the children and the menace that was projected by It in all Its guises. The book is epic in how it handles the fright of the kids, the disintegration of their safe world, and how they handle something that would drive an adult crazy. There are also some low-key references that a true fan of Stephen King novels will pick up on more readily when listened to it.

In the summer of 1958 seven children were drawn together by an evil that had festered in their town long before they were born. Each of them had experienced a frightening apparition that they could not explain and did not want to believe was real. People, kids are dying or disappearing and nobody knows what is happening.

Fast forward 27 years and those seven kids are now adults and being called back to finish what they started. But can they really best a creature that has only been truly seen by children or are they going to their deaths.

What more can be said other than I love this and while it is not super scary, it is creepy, and disturbing on a lot of levels.