Review: Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden

Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden
Grand Central Publishing (June 1, 2011)
Mass Market: $7.99
ISBN: 9780446572804

Favorite Lines: “Such a delicate balance. Every time he had to work harder to keep control, to force himself to savor every second of the pain, every molecule of their fear. This one’s fear was like a palpable force in the room, her mewls behind the gag high and hoarse. Acrid sweat bloomed on the surface of her smooth, flawless skin, displayed so beautifully by the scrap of silk she wore. So smooth, so perfect, so beautiful.” (p. 30)

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Review: Vanish in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

Vanish in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
Harlequin/HQN (May 24, 2011)
Mass Market: $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775767

Favorite Lines: “Lying in the military hospital, day after day, he’d had no choice but to accept the fact that he’d survived when the others had died. He’d made his plans. He just hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to carry them out.” (p. 65)

Review: South of Salem by Janni Nell

South of Salem by Janni Nell
Carina Press (May 30, 2011)
e-book: $4.99 (66,000 words)
ISBN: 9781426891670

Favorite Lines: “”The Sir Galahad Award for Honorable Treatment of Women.”

I didn’t ask whether he was serious. I could tell by his expression that he was. Curious, I asked, “Who are the other nominees?”

“Henry the Eighth, Caligula and Jack the Ripper.”” (p. 108)

Review: Neon Graveyard by Vicki Pettersson

Neon Graveyard by Vicki Pettersson
HarperCollins: HarperVoyager (May 31, 2011)
Mass Market: $7.99
ISBN: 9780061456794

Favorite Lines: “I was here because of the choices I’d made, and even in hindsight, I’d choose each of them again. But today I’d take those lessons learned and choose something else entirely. I’d leave this world’s conflict and battle to those who wished for it instead.”

Review: Baby, Drive South By Stephanie Bond

Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond (Netgalley)
Harlequin/MIRA (May 31, 2011)
Mass Market: $7.99
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2944-2

Favorite Lines: “In the side mirror, the amazing watercolor sunset was melting onto a distant mountain range. Nikki paused a few seconds to drink in the matchless scenery. If this town ever took root, it would blossom in the most glorious of surroundings.” (p. 70-71)

Updated Review Policy

My review policy really hasn’t changed that much, although it looks a bit different. However for your reading enjoyment and in honor of my upcoming fifth blogoversery, I give you my Updated Review Policy (and a little bit about me).

Review: Before the Witches by Karina Cooper

Before the Witches by Karina Cooper
HarperCollins (May 17, 2011)
e-book: $1.99
ISBN: 9780062105172

Favorite Lines: “She didn’t have to fake her tears. One plopped on the burner, sizzled, smoked.” (p. 29)

Recent Books that I didn’t Finish Reading

Recently I’ve been overwhelmed by several books that I could not force myself to finish reading. This is unusual for me because they are books I’ve bought and was excited to read. Most of the books were urban fantasies that I thought were silly despite the blurb that made the books sound gritty. So here are the DNF books in no particular order.

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends (April 12, 2011)
Hardback: $16.99; ebook: $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-312-65008-7

Favorite Lines: “Every so often, they picked a citizen at random. They put artifacts in his private space and then they accused him of hoarding. They needed the consequences to be fresh in everyone else’s mind. This was how they kept us from questioning their decisions I’d once believed the elders to be benevolent and wise.” (p. 113)

Review: Skeleton Crew by Cameron Haley

Skeleton Crew by Cameron Haley
Harlequin/LUNA (April 28, 2011)
Trade: $14.95; e-book: $8.79
ISBN: 9780373803262

Favorite Lines: “Everyone has an irrational fear. For some people it’s spiders, for others it’s snakes, or maybe clowns. I have a big fucking problem with zombies. I can deal with ghosts–even the really creepy ones. Hell, I share my condo with a spook, an old woman named Mrs. Dawson. I can also deal with dead bodies–as long as they stay down. If they get up and try to eat me, that’s just too fucking much.” (p. 15)