Sadened

It's been so long, I finally figured out thanks to Aubrey, how to post again - but the comments were beyond horrible...so I think it might be time to say good-bye for good...I have started reading again, and thought maybe I could come back, but now I just don't think so.

I miss all my reading friends!

Review - Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

7 Sexy Brothers + 1 Kick Ass Sister + 1 Crazy, Messed up, Amazing World = The Drake Chronicles!

The Drake Chronicles are like nothing you have ever read before – promise...with each book comes the promise of a new brother, and a new story – yet, at the same time, with each new book, the “world” that Alyxandra has created flows all around you, filling up more and more of those invisible cracks, answering more and more of those intriguing and disarming questions.

Like a snowstorm that dumps 12 feet of snow – The Drake Chronicles, started slow for me – The first book, My Love Lies Bleeding, left me questioning...don't get me wrong I liked it, and I still do – but I had so many questions, and I felt like I had to almost push myself to enjoy it. Then I read Blood Feud and with more questions answered and more information flowing – I fell even more in love with the “world” - as well as the people.

Synopsis via goodreads:
Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

I think honestly, if I were to pour out a bag of M&M's there might be fewer of them than characters in Out For Blood – heck for that matter, all The Drake Chronicles books. The cast is huge, and somewhat disarming – it's tough to have 7 brothers, 1 sister, love interests, parents, guards, plus the Hounds, as well as the “bad guys” - all in one book, it's daunting...yet somehow Alyxandra is able to keep them separate, giving each character not only a sense of self but also allowing the reader to come to know them well enough, that when someone’s talking you just KNOW who it is.

In this book we get to know Quinn, one of the Drake Brother's and twin to Connor; he's a womanizer and a player – always hanging out at the clubs, always with a different girl on his arm...his phone is so full of names and numbers it's hardly working anymore. He's nothing like his brothers, and for that he's grateful – he has never minded the blood change, what's there to miss after all? A proverbial night owl, on the prowl for the hottest woman he can find!

At the same time he's fiercely protective, as all the boys are of Sol, the baby of the family and the only girl born to any vampire clan in over 100 years. She's destined to be queen, if only she can make it though her own blood change.

We also meet Hunter, aptly named Hunter is a Vampire Hunter, the youngest in a long of the elite, she trains and schools at the Helios-Ra Academy – she excels at nearly everything she tries – a determined leader and a self made woman, Hunter does not take shit from anyone!

These two characters, along with little glimpses from Sol, Lucy as well as the other brother's gives this installment enough mysterious moments to make it pulse pounding, yet they also offer enough of there distinct personalities to make it funny, personable and real.

Bottom Line – I love the way Alyxandra Harvey has wielded this intense story...each book with it's different characters as our “main voices” yet, at the same time she brings in more and more information, as the danger ensues. This one has to be my favorite so far – I just fell in love a little bit with Hunter...she's a hero worth fighting with! An enchanting world with alluring details and a daring plot make this a funny and fierce read!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Alyxandra wields, funny characters, a hint of love, and a dynamic, multilayered plot, which stole my heart! It's a must read series!

Out for Blood (The Drake Chronicles, #3)
By: Alyxandra Harvey
Published: November 1, 2010
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Friday Fav. with Elizabeth Isaacs

It seems that everyone who reads Asteria is fascinated with the character of Edna. Her voice speaks to them, her wisdom, peppered with humor, gives her an endearing familiarity. In truth, Edna is named after my mom, but her spunk comes from my grandmother and her wisdom from my great-grandmother.

I grew up in the city, and my grandparents lived three hours away in the deep recesses of the country. When I was little, I thought that western Kentucky was a different world. One where people got dirt under their nails, grew their own food, and got up with the sun. Everyone had a gravel drive, and if you didn’t break a sweat hiking to the mailbox there was something wrong with you. I once made the mistake of telling my grandfather that I didn’t have anything to do. Two gallons of paint and an acre of fence later, I discovered that boredom doesn’t exist on the farm.
Because of Mammaw and Pap, cantaloupe tastes a little sweeter, corn is considered a nighttime snack, and I actually like rhubarb pie.

The summer days were filled with fishing, driving at the ripe old age of 12, and topping strawberries, but I’ll be the first to admit my fondest memories were at night. Card games, swinging on an old metal glider, and listening to a bullfrog that was so loud I was sure he must be as big as the barn ... these are the memories I cherish most. Even though we lost Mammaw a few years back, Pap died when before I graduated college, I miss them so much sometimes my heart still aches.

And so, in honor of Edna, I'm proud to be giving away an ebook AND a signed copy of The Light of Asteria.

Thanks for the post, Beth.

First, I want a memory, what do you remember most about your grandparents, or great grandparents or maybe even an (older) friend you looked up to like a grandma or grandpa.

I would be pleased if you shared it on your own blog, then came back and shared the link...but your welcome to drop Jenn an email at Jenn@book-crazy.com or leave your memory in the comments. (This memory does not have to be long or crazy in dept, just a few sentences will work!)

A winner will be chosen at random, but if it's alright with you entries will be shared here on the date the winner is announced - who can't get enough loving memories, right?

Now, if you want a few extra entries your welcome to follow Elizabeth in one of 2 places, her website or her fanpage on facebook!

For the winner of the book, only those in the US can win, but for the eBook, it's international! So get those fingers writing, I can't wait to see what memories you all come up with!

Winner's will be chosen on April 27th (My Birthday)!