Book 35-Ghoul by Brian Keene

I must say this book was good, but a bit of a disappointment from Brian's "Dead Sea". It was not zombie infested, and didn't have the gore factor. Like I said before, a bit dissapointing, but still enjoyable.

The book takes place in 1984 with Timmy, Barry and Doug as the main characters. They are 3 best friends set to enjoy their summer vacation, exploring and hanging out together in "The Dugout"-an area where the boys have dug a large cavern under the edge of the local cemetery. They spend the days hanging out, reading dirty magazines, talking about girls, and playing with BB guns.

While they are playing around the cemetery the boys start to notice sinkholes forming around the graves, both old, and new. Their parents say it's normal for that to happen, but Timmy thinks something else is happening. And he's right.

Again, I can't get to far into explaining the book, as it is not that deep of a story. This story is a typical monster in the dark type of story, that all the adults don't believe exist when the kids bring it up to them.

The story was good, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't have the "Keene edge" I saw in "Dead Sea". There was no gratuitous gore, and no flesh eaters. Instead there was family abuse, pedophilia and depression. Kind of read like a Dr. Phil self help book.

And another thing!?! Why is it all monsters in books have HUGE penises?!?! Sorry just never understood that... :)

Book 36 will be "The Rising" by Brian Keene...yes I'm still on the Keene kick.

Book 34 Dead Sea by Brian Keene

Hello All! Please forgive me for not keeping up with my posts. I have temporarily drifted away from my goal of 100 books to read in 2010. My love of cross stitching kind of got in the way...plus the fact I couldn't actually latch onto a book that would cleanse my fiction palette. Alas, so much time was lost...BUT I have found an AMAZING author who has cleaned the slate for me, and I am hungry for more!!

Brian Keene..what can I say...but that he is an amazing author. I have seen many of his books come to my mailbox by way of the Horror Book Club I subscribe to (Thank you Dorchester!). I glanced at them and thought, I'll get to him eventually. Man am I a DOPE.

Mr. Keene, in Dead Sea pulls out all the stops in this zombie apocalypse novel. It is not your typical zombie story...he adds some scientific aspects along with the humanity and the gore...god the gore!!! Every word on the pages brought a HUGE smile to my face. I mean really who doesn't love a good zombie munching gore fest!

Dead Sea is about a young gay black man named Lamar Reed, who is struggling to survive after being laid off from his job at the Ford plant. That is, until the rats come out of the sewers and start attacking people, not just any rats...dead rats...with innards hanging out, and limbs missing. They are the undead rats, that start attacking people and transferring "Hamelin's Revenge" (so it is named in the book, after the story of the Pied Piper). A disease which kills the host and turns them into the living dead, who feed on ANYTHING living.

Now don't think this disease is transferred only to humans, it seems this zombie plague only affects some species-cows not horses, dogs but not cats, and so on and so forth. Definitely different from the zombies I'm used to...but yet totally refreshing.

Lamar struggles to survive, lurking in alleyways to avoid the afflicted, and finds two young children-Tasha and Malik-who are also struggling to survive. They work together to avoid getting munched on by the undead.

I can't tell to much more, as it will give to much away...but trust me...this book is an absolute roller coaster ride! Brian Keene has a great "literary eye" and explains the zombies and gore beautifully. I mean what a work of art...Lamar is hiding in a dark alley when he sees a human (not yet afflicted) walking by holding his stomach together with his hands. He is in a daze, blood oozing between his fingers..Lamar watches him pass and then notices a zombie child following him eating his intestine. God damn is that poetic!

Read further and you have all sorts of innards, rotting corpses, skin stripped from bones, empty eye sockets and lots, no tons...of blood. It makes this horror fanatic smile a happy smile, and sleep well at night. Kind of like my lullaby...

For those of you without a weak stomach, I would definitely say pick this one up! It is definitely a treasure! I am going now to search my bookshelves for his other books. They are now the top of my "To be read" pile.

Till next time everyone!

Book 33 Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

Okay okay...now before you all start lynching me for not reading something horror, or even around horror...after all this is "my rants about the horror world I so love", let me explain.

My BF Dawn and I agreed to try and read 100 books in the year of 2010. Now I don't know if that will be accomplished, but damn it I'm still trying!! Anyway...the whole point of this 100 books was to branch out, and "step out of your comfort zone" when it comes to authors. So when Dawn handed me Naked in Death by J.D. Robb..I knew she is also known as Nora Roberts...I was kinda iffy. But I took to heart I enjoyed Morgans Cross immensely, so I went with it and took the book. Well lets just say I am a happy camper now!

Naked in Death is the first book of 30 or so in the Eve Dallas series. The book focuses on Eve and how she is trying to find the person who is killing "hired professionals" in other words prostitutes..but without the street corners and without pimps. Did I forget to mention this book also takes place about 50 some years in the future?? So with flying cars, autochefs and no guns anymore, here is Eve trying to discover who the killer (who by the way is killing them with an "antique handgun) of these women is, when she meets Roarke.

Roarke is immediately attracted to Eve, and Eve is completely trying to keep him away, but something about him keeps drawing her in (cough cough-c0uld it be the amazing blue eyes, the super body, Irish accent and the fact he's a multi-millionaire?!?! No...No...not at all).

The book is absolutely amazing!! It's like nothing I have ever read, it's kind of like a scifi/romance/mystery type of story...a scimancetery??? Hmm....I kinda like that... :)

J.D. Robb is wonderful with her descriptive language and really pulls the reader into the story. I love the fact that you can feel the sexual tension between Eve and Roarke seep off the pages. Eve, the hard as stone cop up against the smug, but patient and caring Roarke. They fight like cats and dogs, but also use each other to lean on in times that get rough. It's very warm and sweet. Ugh...I think I just had flecks of gag in my throat there...I think I'm getting old...

Anyway...next book is Glory in Death. Yes I know..I'm an addict! I can't help it! Maybe I need to go to JD anonymous. Don't worry fans, followers and friends! Zombiemom hasn't changed, I'm still the bloodthirsty freak you know and love...I'm just stepping out of my box for a bit...Right Dawn?!?!

Till next time!

Book 32-Bloodline by Kate Cary

The book focuses on the characters of John and Lily Shaw, siblings who have lost their parents. Mary Seward, a nurse in the sanatorium in the England town of Purfleet, and Quincey Harker, John Shaws commanding officer in the army.

John Shaw is enlisted in the army and is forced to the trenches where he works as a communications officer, under the command of Quincey Harker. There are whisperings of how Harker is strange, and often brutal with both the enemy and fellow soldiers.

John is overcome by a wound he receives, and is forced to return to Purfleet to the sanatorium where Mary works. Mary takes John under her wing helping him through his nightmares and the fever he has developed.

Lily Shaw meets Harker when he returns from the trenches, and so the story begins.

Bloodline was almost like a blast from the past. It takes place 35 years after the original Dracula and is written basically the same way. Journal entries from the major characters in the book. It was definitely different and something I'm not used to, besides when I read Dracula many many years ago. It makes things a bit hard to follow on occasion, but once you understand how the book is written your buckled in and ready for a heck of a ride.

The characters were a little bit hard to swallow, as they book is set in 1916 during the first world war. Women being concerned with being submissive to the men. Men being to much of the "I'm the hero" kind of mentality...but that was the way things were then, so I choked my distaste back and finished the book, and i was glad I did. The book brought a heck of a lot more than I thought it would.

Kate Cary has a way of describing settings, and characters with a keen "eye", she takes the time to describe things so the reader can actually envision the characters and setting cleanly. When the setting is dark, gloomy or somewhat glum she chooses her words well.

I think my biggest complain was someone was a crappy editor when one of the journal entries is listed as "John Seward". I actually had to go back and check and make sure I wasn't losing my mind, I remember asking myself "Isn't it John Shaw?" Yes it was...stupid editors. Nothing bugs me more than finding a poorly edited book.

Possibly a new career path?!?! LOL! Not likely!

Next book is Naked in Death by J.D. Robb. As recommended by my BF Dawn. She says the books will become and obsession...which worries me a little...but hey I haven't gone wrong with her recommendations before.

Books 30 & 31 The Vampire Diaries The Fury & Dark Reunion

What really pushed me to read these books was the TV series "The Vampire Diaries". I was curious to see if I could place the TV actor Ian Somerhalder as the Damon in the book, plus I was wondering how much the TV show was based on the book. Alas on both counts. Damon in the book is described as being dark haired and dark eyed...which is not so of Ian. With those amazing ice blue eyes...how could I picture him with dark eyes in my minds eye?!? I couldn't fathom it...I swoon at the thought of those eyes! Excuse me for a moment.....

Ok back! The Vampire Diaries books read almost like there is not a break in the books at all. Each book starts right after the last book ended. For instance, the book could end with "She opened the door" and the next book will be like "She opened the door and a blinding light came at her". Sorry I'm not a writer...or I'm just tired tonigh...probably both.

I can't tell you much about the books as it is a series and I would give to much away. But I can tell you the book left with with a LOT of jaw dropping moments. I sat there dumbfounded many a time in the third and fourth book going "What the hell?!?!"

These books honestly are really good to read. Yes they are a YA novel, and yes not all that heavy on the gore factor, with a bit of romance...but hey, it's about vampires. How can you go wrong?!?! The ending of the fourth book left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth...it was way to "fruffy poofy" (for those of you who don't know me, that means a happy lovey squishy type of thing, which I am really not into. I would be happier if someone ended up slaughtered in a very bloody fashion, but hey, I can't have everything right?). Still L.J. Smith weaves a nice story that is easy to get into and serves the vampire masses what they crave.

The next book is Bloodline by Kate Cary. I picked this book up in Montreal, when I was there briefly in 2008 on a trip for work. I have never picked it up, but always looked at it thinking "I should really read that". Well I guess now is the time to read it. :)

Book 29-Beware by Richard Laymon

I was introduced to Richard Laymon about a year ago, and now I can't get enough. He uses the art of horror unlike no one else!! With a dash of suspense, some romantic tension, sexual violence and all out gore...he is my dream man, to bad he passed away a few years ago. Dead or not, he can always turn your stomach or start the chills!!

Beware is a story that starts with Elsie Hoffman is a retiree who owns the local grocery store in town. She is a content woman who does everything she can for her local town mates. One night she is getting ready to close up her store when weird things start to occur. Elsie leaves the store only to come back the next day with Red and his dog Rusty to take care of the "hooligans" who harassed Elsie. Well needless to say...Rusty ends up a bloody smear on the store linoleum.

Red & Elsie decides to spend the night at the store to avenge his fallen comrade with his shotgun. Well I guess you can imagine what happens to the two of them....Elsie ends up shrink wrapped on the meat counter in little pieces, and Red...well...Red dies after losing an arm. And this is only how the story starts...it definitely is a joy ride of blood, guts and yes quite a bit of sex.

After this the story centers on Lacey Allen the reporter who found Red and Elsie dead in the market, and who is raped by the "presence" in the store. She flees away from the town to try and come to terms with what happened and start a new job. Although her wishes won't be fulfilled so easily as the "presence' has followed her.

Beware was a ton of fun to read! Honestly it kept me going and I wanted to read every second...but sleep had to come in there to. :) I wasn't a big fan of how it ended, but thats just me.

Would explain more, but I have a lot to do tonight! Heading to Banff tomorrow for a much needed break from my kiddies. To bad it's going to be rainy and cold all weekend. :(

I am reading The Vampire Diaries books 3 & 4 next.

Book 28 Morrigans Cross by Nora Roberts

Ok...well I went into this book with lots of "Why are you picking this up" and "What the heck are you thinking?!" Nora Roberts?!?! My brain must have taken a vacation to pick this book up...but you know what?! It wasn't that bad!! It was actually quite enjoyable.

Morrigan's Cross begins it's story in the 12th century and is the story of Hoyt, who is called on by the god Morrigan to stop Lilith, a vampire "queen" who is planning on taking over the world. He is put to task to gather 5 others to create the "Circle". One of the members is Hoyt's brother Cian who was changed by Lilith into a vampire.

Hoyt sets out on his journey after being told to travel to the "Dance of the Gods" where he is thrown into New York in the 21st century. He discovers his brother is still alive and doing quite well for himself. Hoyt convinces Cian to help him in his quest and so the story begins. Together Hoyt and Cian gather Glenna, the witch, Moira, future queen of Geall, Larkin a shape shifter, and Blair a demon huntress. These six individuals are tasked with saving the world, past present and future.

When I first started reading the book I didn't know how to take it. You have Hoyt who is a sorcerer mixing potions and the like and planning on going after Lilith who has changed his brother. It totally read like a fantasy book which I totally despise.!

Once Hoyt ends up in New York things change. It becomes more present day. Cian and Hoyt almost remind me of Damon and Stephen from the Vampire Diaries. One is quiet and the other is a loud mouthed ass. They have a lot of animosity toward each other for different reasons, and you can feel the tension while reading the pages.

The book is very well written and flows like a good song. It pulls you in and holds you there. You can feel what the characters are feeling and almost physically feel it when they are injured. I actually ended up laughing out loud at some of the scenes, and usually I don't do that.

Honestly I think I will soon pick up the second book in this trilogy "Dance of the Gods" and maybe look into her other vampire trilogies. With writing so smooth and enticing, how can I say no???

Now don't get me wrong, but I am not going to jump on the Nora Roberts band wagon. Personally, romance novels (unless they deal with vampires, werewolves and the like) do not interest me at all. If there's no blood with the gratuitous sex...I don't want to read it.

Anyway..book 29 I haven't quite figured out yet...but I will let you know in time.