First Drop of Crimson HBIC Review- Emily @ What Book is That?

Title: First Drop of Crimson
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Page Count: 371 pages
Publisher: Avon
Genre: paranormal romance
Copy for review was purchased by this writer

50 words or less: Denise swore she'd never get involved with vampires again after a horrible situation. Spade swore he'd never get involved with humans again after a horrible situation. My, how things change...

I love, and I mean LOVE, when books live up to their hype. I haven't met anyone yet who didn't at least like Ms. Frost's Night Huntress series, and I certainly know I was excited when I heard Spade was getting his own book. After the hellacious things that happened to her in the Night Huntress books, I'd say I was pretty happy to hear that things were going to work out for Denise too.

First Drop of Crimson did not disappoint. The characters were enjoyable, the story worked at a good pace, and the romance simmered at first and came to a boil pretty quickly if I do say so myself. I think having read the rest of the Night Huntress series helped, but it wasn't absolutely necessary for enjoying this book and the spoilers that were included here were mild and didn't really give away anything you couldn't glean from the backs of the other books.

It's hard to think of things to say about this book that haven't been said in other reviews but I do want to touch on the subject of Denise. A lot of people didn't like her because she really didn't want to be a part of the supernatural world and could be a little bit whiny at times. I agree with that assessment to a certain degree, but I think Denise was an unbelievably strong character who really cared about the people close to her, even if it left her alone to deal with pretty tragic and horrible things. Sometimes I find a vulnerable character a lot more easy to believe than a kickass lady, and I think that Spade was definitely drawn to Denise's vulnerability, since he likes to take care of people too.

Spade made an excellent lead for this book too- we get to learn a little bit more about him and his history and it becomes clear that if there's a perfect match for Denise out there, he's it. He's understanding and sympathetic when needed but also tough and take-charge, and they make a pretty good team all things considered.

I thought the ending of the book was especially sweet. I like how everyone stayed true to their feelings and dealt with things in a mature way that made sense, instead of pages and pages of agonizing over decisions that are pretty much a done deal anyway. Very well done.

There are cameos in this book too! The cast of the Night Huntress books make an appearance and their roles in the story, while not central to the main event, definitely enhance the feeling of the book overall. There's a definite lesson on good and evil and how neither thing is completely absolute, especially within a certain group, that was presented very well.

Cough cough there's shower action! cough cough and that's all I'll say about that.

Anyway, this book is a great way to spend a Saturday morning or a day at the beach. If you're a Night Huntress or PNR fan in general or just want to read a good book, you won't be disappointed.

Overall Grade: A
Blog With Bite Rating: 4/4
*****
Discussion Questions
Denise and Spades chemistry sparks more than a firecracker on the 4rth of July. Did you like the chemistry between them and did you feel the development of the relationship work? I really enjoyed this facet of the story. I think both characters were authentic with their feelings, especially since each one had to kind of let go of the past in order to move forward. I think that made them ultimately coming out with their feelings for one another very sweet, and I really enjoyed that they were willing to compromise and work together to get what they needed to be happy. It's not something you see all that often in PNR and I felt it was very well done here.

Have you read the Cat & Bones series? Denise is such a different (wimpier) character than Cat... did that make a difference to you? Since I've taken up the banner of Cheerleader for Denise I'm especially eager to address this one. I have read the Cat & Bones series and I have to say there were a lot of times that I frankly did not understand or sympathize with what Cat was doing. I think Cat tended to make decisions without understanding their full ramifications and that caused a lot of heartache for herself and the people around her. I see Denise as someone who tends to think things through and doesn't want other people to get hurt, but who actually communicates what she's doing with the people around her, so when her ideas get overruled or shot down, it tends to be as the outcome of a discussion instead of a fight after the fact. So no, I don't think Denise is wimpier, I think she's less of a shoot now and ask questions later kind of person, and there's not a thing wrong with that.

LIGHTNING ROUND. Identify your top three favorite PNR series. "There are too many!" is not an answer. Neither is more than three. Name the top three. Ready.....go!
1. The Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole
2. The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
3. The Night Huntress World series by Jeaniene Frost (yes I consider this to be part of that series)

Sizzle or Fizzle? Sizzle. Definitely sizzle. Fans of Chapter 32 won't be disappointed here.

HBIC Review-First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost posted by Tina

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

Avon Mass Market Paperback, 371 pages

Purchased

Book Synopsis:

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a evil shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together... Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost.

Review

Well this was my second Jeannine Frost book and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I know I might have missed out on big back stories but I felt as a new reader, it wasn’t hard to put things together and enjoy the story for what it was. I’ve only read Halfway to the Grave so yes some spoilers are in First Drop of Crimson, but nothing that would stop me from reading the previous series.

After the murder of her husband almost a year ago, Denise Macgregor has done everything to distance herself from the paranormal world. But when evil rears its ugly head and Denise is left with a major branding problem she'll have to call upon friends she never planned to see again. Desperate for help and with Cat and Bones on the other side of the world, Denise's only hope comes from Spade, a master vampire and previous character from Frost’s prior books. Spade who at first is reluctant to get involved in the tangled mess that is Denise, quickly changes his tune when the sparks between them begin to fly.

Spade can't imagine the way his life will turn upside down as he begins to search for the missing family member, Nathaniel, who is responsible for Denise’s family ordeal. Not only is he protecting her from a demon, but he also discovers Denise is suffering PTSD over the death of her husband. Only as the two travel to Europe in search of answers do they discover how dangerous Denise’s situation is and how much alike they really are.

The story shifts between Denise and Spades perspectives and although Denise seemed whinny at times, with her mixed feelings and self-doubt, Spade made up for her as the dynamic character. The romantic aspects between the two of them developed very nicely and by the time we get to the climatic point of their relationship, the reader and the a-hem characters are defiantly ready.

This is smut with a capital S…but I loved it. I thought the mix of good writing with suspense, paranormal and humorous side characters brought an enjoyable read for any PR lover or newbie into the genre.

And for everyone who has read this..........................this one's for you Denise!!!!!!!



3/4 -PNR

BWB Discussion Questions


1.Denise and Spades chemistry sparks more than a firecracker on the 4rth of July. Did you like the chemistry between them and did you feel the development of the relationship work?
I thought the development was just right! The timing made sense, they both needed a bit to fall-in love and nothing felt rushed or unbelievable. They for sure had hot chemistry but after a while Denise with all the oh, maybe he likes me got on my nerves.......

2.Have you read the Cat & Bones series? Denise is such a different (wimpier) character than Cat... did that make a difference to you?
I read the first one, and hate to admit, I thought it was borderline cheesy. Denise is whinny but I think she showed to be a tough gal in the end of the book.

3.LIGHTNING ROUND. Identify your top three favorite PNR series. "There are too many!" is not an answer. Neither is more than three. Name the top three. Ready.....go!
I really liked this book- Id say my favorite PNR so far........I also liked The League Trilogy by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld.

4. Sizzle or Fizzle?
Sizzle for sure!!

First Drop of Crimson Discussion Questions

Denise and Spades chemistry sparks more than a firecracker on the 4rth of July. Did you like the chemistry between them and did you feel the development of the relationship work?

Have you read the Cat & Bones series? Denise is such a different (wimpier) character than Cat... did that make a difference to you?

LIGHTNING ROUND. Identify your top three favorite PNR series.  "There are too many!" is not an answer. Neither is more than three.  Name the top three. Ready.....go!

Sizzle or Fizzle?

Hourglass HBIC Review: Emily @ What Book is That?

Title: Hourglass
Author: Claudia Gray
Page Count: 339 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: paranormal romance, young adult
Copy for review provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

50 words or less: Bianca and Lucas are trying to navigate not only the world of the vampires, but the world of the Black Cross hunters. Both of them have to learn the hard way that sometimes it's luck that conquers all, and that some relationships don't hold up under strain.

Daaaaaaaaaang. True confessions time! I, as you may have noticed, wasn't all that overwhelmed by either Evernight or Stargazer. I didn't hate them, I just wasn't moved to episodes of poetic rapture by them and thought there was something in each of them that didn't quite win me over. Hourglass, fellow readers, is a totally different kettle of fish.

The problem with reading pretty extensively in a few genres is that after awhile, certain story elements or story lines start to feel pretty much played out. Star crossed lovers? Done. Mysterious origins leading to massive power surges? Done. Inexplicable prejudice somehow being ignored in the face of Troo Loove? All set. This series came perilously close to teetering over the brink of mediocrity when Claudia Gray flexed her writing chops and punched us in the face like Count von Count punched Edward Cullen.

Seriously- Lucas and Bianca are on the lam from the vampires AND the wraiths and have taken refuge with Black Cross, a risky move at best and a deadly one at worst. Things take a serious turn for the worse when Balthazar, our resident friendly vampire, is captured by Black Cross and they commence their deadly dealings tout suite.

In their efforts to save Balthazar from a decidedly unsavory and messy fate, they set in motion events that will dramatically chance their lives together and the whole tone and direction of the series. The narrative that comes out of this turn of events is fantastic- it's twisty and turny with lots of changes and surprises that I didn't see coming, although now that the story is finished, make perfect sense.

I also really enjoyed the maturing and expanding of Lucas and Bianca's relationship. I said in my review of Stargazer that I didn't really understand what these two saw in each other and at that point in the series, my feelings will probably stay the same. Both of them do some growing up here in terms of their attitudes and actions (literally and figuratively) that really made their time together a whole lot more believable and interesting to read about.

Yes, I am excited that Balthazar is getting his own book.

A favorite thing about this series is that each book is better than the last. If this trend keeps up, then Afterlife is going to be fan-freaking-tastic.

Overall Grade: B+

Hourglass by Claudia Gray - HBIC Review

Hourglass (Evernight Novels #3) by Claudia Gray


ARC review copy provided by Harper Collins.

PJV's QUICKIE POV: I thought Evernight (links take you to reviews) was a good YA book.  Stargazer and OK follow-up, but Hourglass...blew both books away.  Never before has a third in a series entertained and delighted like this book did? A third?? Can you believe it? This book had it all, tragic love, fights for their lives, a hint at a triangle, some life or death decisions, a little hanky-panky and an ending that had me throwing the book across the room than running over to it to reread and than cursing that I would have to wait like forever for the fourth book, Afterlife, to come out. Word on the street is that there will also be a Balthazar book, but hints at 2011 releases have me pulling out my hair.

Review:  I can't review this without SPOILERS for Evernight & Stargazer so go and read those books before you read this. Bianca after being lied to by her parents, attacked by ghosts and survived a Black Cross raid is now living amongst the enemy - but she is with Lucas, her soulmate.  They aren't given much time together though as she is forced to bunk under nasty conditions, and train as a Black Cross agent - learning how to fight and kill her own kind.  All the while she is desperate to spend as much time with Lucas, sneak away to get a little "blood" snack, and remain perfectly and 100% human ot the Black Cross people.

The third Evernight book is stuffed full of suspense and heart ache. Lucas and Bianca are literally stranded in a world that they never chose to be a part of.  Lucas was raised to hunt and kill vampires, Bianca was raised to some day become a vampire herself. They were never given choices, they were never even given another option, their life was fated before they were even born. Bianca's was filled with lies and half-truths, Lucas' was filled with misconceptions and bigotry.  They are forced to remain in Lucas' world until they can finally save up enough money to escape...but what other options does a 17 and 19 year old have, especially with no education and no money?

The Romeo and Juliet connotations continue throughout this book...all the way until the end, and what a shocker that was! Oh I'm still reeling from that bomb that Ms. Gray threw at me. Thanks! Now I will go insane with wonder. Love those cliffhangers.

Recommendations: Recommended that you read Evernight and Stargazer before reading Hourglass. You don't have to but it forms the foundation of the relationship between Bianca and Lucas and Balthazar quite well.  These book push the mature teen envelope, this is a maturing teen couple...there are sexual scenes in it. Nothing descriptive at all, I would give this to my teen. Fans of vamps, UF and YA paranormals read this series.

BWB 4/4 Rating

There are 5 Copies of Hourglass to be won at Blog with Bite.  Click on the image below to be taken to the contest post!

HBIC Review- Hourglass by Claudia Gray

HBIC Review- Hourglass by Claudia Gray posted by Tina

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

March 2010 by HarperTeen , 352 pages
Copy Review provided by Publisher

Book Synopsis
Bianca and Lucas have found a way to be together. But it means lying to the people who care about them the most. After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, the elite group of vampire hunters led by Lucas’s stepfather. When Bianca’s close friend—the vampire Balthazar—is captured by Black Cross, Bianca knows she has to do whatever it takes to save him. But at what cost?

Review

I’m at a loss for words………………………………………………………

Ok maybe I can pull some out.

Hourglass was an amazing, non-stop rollercoaster ride and everything I was wanting and everything I was not wanting………

We begin our tender morsel right where Stargazer left off. Bianca and Lucas have fled Evernight Academy and have taken shelter with Black Cross (vampire hunters) in order to survive the wraith and vampire attacks. Things aren’t so simple for Bianca though- they are in a closed off deserted area and in complete lockdown. No one knows who she is or what she needs in order to survive. As the days pass by so does Bianca’s strength and ability to stay focused. In a twist of events, the group heads to the main headquarters of Black Cross and are shortly after discovered by vampires form Evernight. In an attempt to save Bianca, many are killed and Balthazar is captured. Lucas and Bianca’s life take yet another turn trying to help Balthazar out and so many shockers hit me while reading I’m almost dizzy.

Lucas and Bianca face some dire consequences due to their decisions and a MAJOR event in the book almost made my heart plummet- I was not expecting Gray to take the novel in the direction it went and I can’t even write about it because it will spoil the entire novel…….

I think this is the best book out of series thus far. Evernight was a fantastic introduction and I loved Stargazer because of Balthazar and if anyone has read the interviews around the blogosphere this week Gray is writing an entire book dedicated to Balthazar…(Oh wow-here’s me doing the happy dance) I think each book has gotten better, and Grays writing has become almost genius. To say I read this like lightening is putting it mildly- I soaked up the world of Hourglass in one sitting and hated -hated- that it had to end...how do we wait for Afterlife? I guess one book at a time. -Go Claudia, that's not your real name but you are awesome-

Rating
Hourglass is mild for language and violence, but does stem into the mature realm on sexuality. I would recommend this for 16 and up.

4/4 YA- Romance, Vampires, Wraiths, Balthazar……..
*A big Thanks to Harper Collins for Review Copy- and providing Copys to the Blog with Bite Vamp Week

Firespell - Participating Reviewers

Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1) by Chloe Neill BWB reviewers


Support our reviewers by visiting their blogs!

Julie @ My 5 Monkeys

Lexie @ Poisoned Rationality

Misty @ Book Rat
Yesenia @ Silly Little Game Called Life

Monica @ The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Kari @ A Good Addiction

Also don't forget to enter to win 1 of 5 copies of Hourglass by Claudia Gray! Click here.

Pick up your copy of First Drop of Crimson - our Adult selection for March!

Hourglass by Claudia Gray Feature & Giveaway!

Hourglass (Evernight Novel #3) by Claudia Gray

This week Blog with Bite is featuring Hourglass by Claudia Gray.  Along with HBIC reviews and author features, we are also hosting a giveaway!

Harper Collins has kindly offered 5 (FIVE!) copies of Hourglass for Blog with Bite readers!

This is going to be a fun week on the BWB and on the HBIC's websites.  In honor of the release of Hourglass we are having a Vamp Week! We will be featuring the hottest vamps on screen and on print for your viewing pleasure. Don't forget to check out the festivities!

Book Description (goodreads.com)
Bestselling author Claudia Gray’s Evernight series continues. In Hourglass, Bianca and Lucas have found a way to be together. But it means lying to the people who care about them the most.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, the elite group of vampire hunters led by Lucas’s stepfather. When Bianca’s close friend—the vampire Balthazar—is captured by Black Cross, Bianca knows she has to do whatever it takes to save him. But at what cost?

Hourglass, the third book in this gripping vampire series by the author of the New York Times bestseller Stargazer, has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s books runaway successes.

 Win 1 of 5 Copies of Hourglass by Filling Out the Form Below!
One winner will be chosen with the use of random.org. Winner will be notified by email, and has 48 hours to respond.

Rules & Regulations:

• Must be 13 or older
• Must be US or Canadian resident (Mailing address)
• Please no PO Boxes
• You must be a follower of Blog with Bite
• Contest Ends March 12th Midnight CST
  

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Fill out the form below.  Please do not leave your email in the comments section. Entries will not be counted unless you fill out the form. This is to protect you from spammers!

March Titles- The Votes Are In!

Well, raise your hand if you're surprised, but here are the titles Blog with Bite will be reading and reviewing in March:

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost is book 1! Review Deadline: March 14th, 2010

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa is book 2! Review Deadline March 29th 2010

Timelines for posting and linking reviews will be coming shortly. Also, stay tuned for extra special content for Vampire Week next week, celebrating the release of Hourglass by Claudia Gray!

Firespell - HBIC Review by Parajunkee

H B I C R E V I E W  - by Parajunkee

Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1) by Chloe Neill



This book purchased with my own moolah (kindle version).


PJV's QUICKIE POV: I was very impressed with Some Girls Bite, so I think I had overly high expectations for this book, which led to a bit of disappointment. The book was entertaining, well-written and enjoyable, but it wasn't very original.

Review: Lily has been abandoned by her parents because of a two year research hiatus in Germany. They send her to Chicago, and an all-girl's private school called St. Sophia's.  Away from her friends, away from her parents, and to a world of old money and a lot of secrets.

Immediately she is introduced to Scout, one of her new roommates, and they become fast friends.  Fast enemies are also formed as she is judged and proved unworthy by the brat pack. In typical Mean Girls style they try and trick her and the insults fly around like mosquitoes in June. All the while, Scout is running around in the middle of the night and is obviously lying about something.  The headmistress, Foley lets slip that her parents might also be lying to her about their careers, and even her new crush interest might not be what he appears.

As Lily is sucked deeper and deeper into the world of St. Sophias and Scout's world, her life might never be the same.

Mean Girls meets The Covenant.  Without the weanie bikinis...let's pause for eye candy.

The Covenant (2006)

When they got into the meat and potatoes of this novel all I thought was The Covenant, with a few revisions. The brat pack was very typical in their behavior, reminiscent of Mean Girls and all those other movies that has a trio of ridiculous and well dressed bitches. Like I said earlier, I was entertained, and will probably read the second novel, but it was much like watching a Miley Cyrus movie. Entertaining if you don't think too hard about it.

My problems with this book lay within the plot.  Friends that Lily had and missed in Sagamore were quickly forgotten after a text message and introduction to the crush interest. Lily and Scout also became fast friends without any kind of development. It was like "Your my future BFF." "Ok." It just lacked the depth of character and relationship building that Neill's Chicagoland books possess.  I hope the second novel is better. Once again, though, excellent writing and I can see that this series might have a great future.

Recommendations: Nothing to worry about parents, book is completely innocent. Recommended for younger teens and all the way up to the adults.

2/4 BWB Rater

1. Lily and Jason.  Discuss. What do you think the next book holds for them? 
1. Well they will probably finally hook up.  I'm predicting that they might have a few issues with Lily maybe being destined to be evil or something. Which will probably lead to some relationship issues between them. 
2. Lily & Scout's friendship had a lot of secrets, so in the end who did you relate to more, Lily or Scout? How about Lesley or Veronica? Would you hang with the brat pack or be a loner?
1. I related to Lily more of course. The character of Scout was not as developed as I would have thought. Lesley was like a non-entity, and Veronica was just a typical snob queen.  I would most likely be a loner.
3. What do think of the overwhelming trend in YA literature where the parents of the protagonists are either- dead, strung out or shipping their children off to boarding schools? Do you think this is a real look at parents today and what teens are dealing with?
1. I think it might happen more these days than before, especially with  people having to work harder these days and more single parent homes. It might not be typical, but neither is witchcraft.
4. Follow up to parental question.  Authors employ the missing parents to mature their teenage protagonist. The protagonist doesn't have the option to act as an irresponsible teen, because they do not have any parental supervision.  Did you find Lily's behaviour normal for a teenager, or more mature than most?
1. Lily showed some maturity that I don't think many teenagers might posses, especially since she wasn't used to the parental abandonment, which would mature a teen.