Jaci Burton: Hunting The Demon

IN A WILDERNESS SEETHING WITH SIN AND SEDUCTION, THE CHASE IS ON.

Hunting demons for a living can have its moments. Especially when Shay Pearson’s latest quarry is the gorgeous bronzed surfer who just stepped out of the sea. Uncovering Nic Diavolo’s devilish side could prove Shay’s toughest assignment yet. Because while she’s acting as bait to snatch this sexy bad boy, Nic’s got a plan of seduction no woman—earthly or otherwise–can resist

Caught between two warring realms, Nic needs to stay alive long enough to figure out who his enemies are. That includes the beautiful hunter who won’t let him out of her sight. And something far worse: A force of evil with an almost unimaginable goal – possessing Nic’s very soul. But the hunt really heats up when a guy who’s hotter than Hades and a woman who’s afraid to love join forces, igniting an inferno of lust and longing that could send them into mortal danger…or straight into each other’s arms…

To be perfectly honest, I might not have picked this book up on my own. I wasn’t crazy about the first book in the series, and Hunting The Demon releases at a time when I just don’t have time to visit bookstores and such.

So I’m really glad that Jaci sent me an ARC (yes, she was brave, because my review was mean) because I think HTD improves on where Surviving Demon Island shone and at the same time, a lot of the little things that annoyed me about SDI aren’t in HTD.

In other words, it’s also a page-turner, but it’s a very rereadable page-turner; I’ve had to reread this several times, partly because I’ve been dragging on this review, and I think it stands up to rereading quite well.

The only part that didn’t stand up to rereading is Nic’s refusal to believe that Derek is his brother. Uhm, DNA testing? Sidenote: I would have liked to find out how a half-demon’s DNA defers from a human’s.

I do think that Jaci’s taken her handling of the h/h relationship to a new level in HTD, and I’d certainly rank Shay and Nic in my top 3 Jaci couples.

Hunting The Demon rates 4 out of 5.

Julie Leto: Dirty Little Lies

Sigh. I was an idiot. First I refuse an ARC of this book, then I forget to reserve a copy at the bookstore!

I think I liked the previous book in the series, Dirty Little Secrets, better. I think Dirty Little Lies has lost a bit of the sparkle that made me await this book so eagerly. IOW, mild sequelitis.

That said, I think the mystery was better executed than in Dirty Little Secrets.

Also, this is realllllllly late, but you should go buy this book because we won’t get the sequel otherwise and I want that sequel! (Julie’s publishers, are you listening?)

This rates 7.5 out of 10.

Ruth Wind: The Diamond Secret

I got this book because Evil Edie is a Ruth Wind fan.

Before I start talking about the book, I’d like to say that the copy editor for the book sucked. Achellies’ heel? Kuala Lampur?

I liked the book well-enough, but I feel that the characters weren’t that great.

Luca’s motivation seems forced.

Sylvie’s a gemologist, which is all and well, but we don’t really get to find out how she thinks. We know what but I’d rather know how.

Paul…Sigh. Not that kind of sigh. It’s the He Could Have Been So Much More! kind of sigh.

This gets 6.5 out of 10–the 0.5 is for the little notes about gemology at the beginning of each chapter. I’m feeling generous today.

Oh and this is my entry for Angie’s TBR Challenge!

James Rollins: Deep Fathom

This book does hook you in. It has that something that makes you want to sit down and finish it in one sitting.

But the ending sucks.

Really, Mr Rollins, your lead character as the god of light? I’m terribly disappointed.

Worst of all, I may yet pick up Map of Bones just because it sounds so good.