What do you expect? I was sick!

Instead of writing like a good little girl, I did an amazing amount of reading this week. I swear to all that is holy, if that flu bug hits this house one more time, IT’S WAR!!!!!!!

A few of my highlights were Eve Silver’s Demon’s Hunger, Nalini Singh’s Caressed By Ice, Rachel Vincent’s Pride, and Lara Adrian’s Midnight Awakening.

It’s been a few months since I visited the Psy/Changeling world, and I am glad to be back! Can’t find Mine to Possess to save my life, but that’s a rant for another day…

Caressed By Ice was a pleasant surprise. The first two books in the series were about sensual, dominant Changeling males breaking stiff, stoic Psy females from their emotionless prison in Silence. It’s a common romance theme to have a heavy-handed male rip the bodice off his timid woman, but Caressed was a beast of a different nature: our heroine was Brenna, a previously beaten and battered (in more ways that one) Changeling female and our hero was Judd, a deadly Psy male whose life depended on his training under Silence.

This may be my favorite in the series so far. Brenna was unapologetic in her desire and feelings, pushing Judd until he had to face his emotions. The conflict became more involved, both in the greater political arena and in regard to the protags. Nalini is a master at weaving her romance without being atypical. I get so tired of of the typical outline:

• Act I: Man and woman meet but man is too scared to become involved. Not too scared, however, to screw the woman’s brains out. With much reference to engorged members and heaving bosoms.
• Act II: The Evil One is introduced, generally in a third person narrative where his contrived plot is brought to light and how badly he’s going to fuck with the protags while trusting mindless drones to do his important tasks. Seriously–the MINDLESS part of mindless drone should totally stand out to an evil genius.
• Act III: Woman does something moronic out of annoyance with her alpha male, thus becoming ensnared in The Evil Ones trap and forcing man to save her after suffering much pain and horrifyingly boring emotional drivel.

I don’t have to worry about that with Nalini’s writing! *le sigh* ‘Tis glorious…glorious…

Now for the official stuff:
The Blurb: Here’s hoping cats do have nine lives

I’m on trial for my life. Accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. I’m not guilty. But tell that to the panel of Alphas sitting in judgment. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.

I’m two for three. A goner.

On top of that, Marc is in danger of being tossed from the Pride, then we discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. I think I can protect her from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.

If I survive my own trial…

Rachel Vincent is hosting quite a contest on her blog around Pride‘s February 1st release. Prizes? A signed set of her Shifter series, or a B&N gift card, and chocolate!!!

Now the unofficial stuff:

Pride was another beacon in the night. (Note: all four books where WONDERFUL, but for reasons of laziness, I’m only discussing two) My husband bought the first book in the series for me after much hemming and hawing on my part, worrying over whether a new author was worth the money. Totally was. Totally.

Character development seems to be one of Rachel’s strong points. Faythe has matured from a sniveling girl to a young woman who still makes mistakes but is trying to rectify them. I liked seeing her consider the consequences (albeit a tad late in some instances) of her actions and debating on the right course of action whether than automatically shooting off at the mouth.

Not only that, but I grew to like Marc. I know, I know, I’ve been Anti-Marc since the beginning, towing my load behind Jace. But after Pride, Marc has my heart and my respect. He’s hard-headed and I want to throw him into a wall at times, but he’s grown into a leader, and I can’t wait to see if he gets the chance to prove it.

I heard a song today that reminded me of Pride. A little odd, and a bit more extreme than the events in Pride, but still applicable. At least, I think so. (And yes, it’s a cover. I love both versions dearly!!)