Book 56-Lover Mine by J. R. Ward

Ever have the issue where you want all the books in a series strictly in paperback or hardcover? One of my pet peeves is having a mismatched series of books. Anyone share my dilema? Anyone? Hmmm....

Lover Mine was a book that came out last year...but in hardcover. As all my J.R Ward novels are paperback I had to wait...and wait...and wait...for the paperback. I would check every month religiously for the release date. On November 30, I was at Indigo books with money in my hand and a smile on my face.

Love Mine is the 8th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Dawn told me about the first book Dark Lover around the time we started our 100 book challenge for 2010. I think she has created a monster. I love the stories and characters (oh Vishous I STILL heart you!). Each book is about one of the members of the Blackdagger Brotherhood, and their journey to find thei one true shellan (word for wife in the books).

Lover Mine is the story of John Matthew, one of the newest members of the BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) who after a sorted past came to be with the Brotherhood after being picked up by the brother Tohrment.

John Matthew has always loved Xhex, the tough, ass kicking "sympath" assassin working at a local club as head of security. Xhex is not interested in love, she is all business, but John turns her feelings upside down, even though she won't admit it.

After Xhex is kidnapped by the Lessers (enemies of the BDB and vampires in general), John fights to find her alive, or dead, and kill those that took her from him.

This is a story of love, revenge and retribution. I completely love Ward's novels. As I said Dawn has so created a monster with these books...I even love the language and slang they use ( I can see Dawn cringing here, she hates the BDB lingo). Yes, the lingo is a little tiresome...I mean you can only read the word "shitkickers" so many times, but hey, it gives the story a kind of life of it's own.

I am eagerly awaiting the next Ward novel in this series Lover Unchained...but that will probably be in hardcover...and then I'll have to wait another year...sigh...

Gonna put on my shitkickers and go Christmas shopping. Ya feel me? (sorry Dawn I HAD to, you know I LOVER these books!)

Hee hee... :)

Book 55 Subterranean by James Rollins

I was introduced to James Rollins by my BF Dawn. She is quite the fan of Mr. Rollins and in her future bestsellers circle has gotten some words of wisdom from him for her writing career.

Dawn introduced me to Mr. Rollins through the book "The Alter of Eden" which I thought was an amazing read. I absolutely loved this book, and now work to find books by James.

Anyway..on our yearly (sometimes semi annual) trip to Canmore Alberta, I discovered a copy of Subterranean at the used book sale for the public library there.

Actually I found a LOT more than Subterranean there, but that's another story....

So after struggling through Twisted Branch (book 54) I picked up Subterranean hoping to be swept away with Mr. Rollins literary finesse. Unfortunately, I was not that impressed....

Subterranean centers around a research team hired to explore caverns underneath the island of Antarctica. They venture into what they think is an unexplored set of caves, or what they think is an unexplored set of caves...little do they know the previous research team disappeared and has never been found.

Ok, so the best way I can describe this book is like a cross between Aliens and Indiana Jones. You have the action\adventure of Indiana Jones (alas, there's no chilled monkey brains), and sort of extraterrestrial creatures of Aliens.

There is one scene in the book where Ashley (one of the main characters) walks into a cavern and sees eggs all over the floor with a Mama monster in the background. I couldn't help but picture Ripley walking into the "egg room" in Aliens.

Don't get me wrong, the book was good, just not my thing.

I wanted to enjoy it, but really...didn't.

My next book was Lover Mine by J. R. Ward. I actually have already finished it (I should have done this blog entry a week ago), but with Christmas shopping, decorating etc. etc. I haven't found the time to sleep, nevermind blog.

I'm going to catch up I swear!