Reliquiae Challenge - Completed

Man oh man..I got the last book finished just in the nick of time.

The Reliquiae Challenge challenged participants to read books with a paranormal aspect to them, each book had to be different (witches or vampires, etc). I chose to read 3 books for the challenge. The challenge ended today, January 15th 2010.

I read:

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris (vampires)

The Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard (witches)

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (shapeshifters)

Click HERE to read my original post about the challenge and reviews for the three books.

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery
Pages:304
Challenges: Reliquiae Challenge, 101 Fantasy, Series Challenge 4, TBR Challenge
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Mercy Thompson is asked to repay a favor to Stefan. Stefan just happens to be a vampire. There is something evil hunting in the Tri-cities and Stefan has found it and wants to approach it. He believes it is another vampire, who is also a sorcerer, and might have power over Stefan. If Mercy goes in her coyote form, the other vampire probably won't be able to control her.

This vampire does get away from Stefan and Mercy, and Stefan is sent to hunt it. Two of the local werewolves also join in. Things get worse when Stefan and one of the werewolfes disappears and when the other werewolve is found beaten and left for dead.

Mercy knows she's the only one who can find the sorcerer and put and end to the killings and increase in violence.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:

This is the 2nd book in the series. I really enjoyed it. I love Mercy's character, I think she is a very strong female. The story held my interest the entire time and whenever I had to put it down I couldn't wait to pick it up again. I haven't felt this drawn to a book in awhile.

I know these types of books aren't for everyone, but I personally find them a lot of fun. One of the things I like about this book over some others is that the vampires and werewolves and other creatures aren't made to be all cuddly and nice. Sure, they don't go around killing people, but there is a sense of fear that goes with them. You know that at any moment they could lose control and harm somebody. I like that because it's what I think we all expect these creatures to be like.

This is definitely a series I recommend to those who like a bit of paranormal are drawn to these types of stories.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

The Witche's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Avon

Genre: Mystery
Pages: 262
Challenges: Reliquiae Challenge, Thriller and Suspense, TBR
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Ophelia has been having dreams, rather good dreams if I may say. She's been dreaming about a man that she has a connection with. When she is at a function at a local winery and meets the mans he's been dreaming about, it feels like a true connection and they have known each other for ages. He feels the connection too. They take a walk and when they stop, Stephen is shot.

Bill, the local sheriff, thinks that Ophelia was the target. Ophelia dismisses this until she is shot at while in her backyard. Abby and Ophelia send Tink to stay with their relatives while they try and figure out what is going on.

Ophelia thinks this is all due to the latest book that Stephen is writing, and she decides to take a trip to St. Louis (my town...woohoo!) to talk to his assistant. When she does find the assistant, she is in the hospital because she's been mugged.

To make the matters more interesting, Ophelia keeps having dreams where she is a French model living in Paris during WWII. She "lives" this ladies life and learns how she tried to help those who were hunted by the Jews. Abby thinks this is Ophelia in a pas life, but Ophelia doesn't really think so. Ophelia believes it has ties to what is going on in present day, but not sure how it comes together.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
What can I say, this is one of my favorite cozy series. I love the paranormal aspect to it (did I mention that Ophelia and Abby are modern witches? Don't worry..no spell casting..more just being in-tune with nature and energy). I love Ophelia because she's so uncertain with her life and things going on, yet still trying to make the most of it. I think she grew in this one and I cant' wait to see how she grows in the next one.

I definitely recommend this book/series to others. This is the 6th, and of course I recommend starting with #1.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery

Pages: 208
Challenges: Reliquiae Challenge

Simple Description:
This is actually a compilation of all the short stories that the author had written with Sookie as the main charactor, so far anyway. I believe there is another short story being published later this year so of course that wasn't included. I believe there were 4 stories in all.

I am glad I read the introduction, the author tells you when they stories were originally published - as in what is the timeline between these stories and the actual books.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought the stories were fun. They were fast reads, they were short and to the point. I think it would have been more fun to read the stories between the other books, as they were written, but it was still fun to read them.

If you haven't read the short stories yet and are a fan, I recommend this book.

I know I know, not the best review but with this type of book, you can't really get into the stories. They are so short and cute/fun, I figured an over-all review would be good enough.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Reliquiae Challenge

Yes..I decided to join another challenge.

The Reliquiae Challenge is being hosted by Ana O. There is a blog dedicated to the challenge, which can be found here.

I chosen to do the level: Bite on the Neck. So I have to read 3 books. I haven't decided which books I will read yet and don't think I will plan that in advance.

Here's the info regarding the challenge:

Rules:

1. Challenge runs from July 15th 2009 to January 15th 2010.

2. Choose the number of books you want to read by selecting one of the reading levels we’ve proposed (see below).

3. Books must fall under one, two or all of the categories we’ve proposed depending on the number of books you wish to read (see above).

4. Sign up by using Mr. Linky (see bottom of post).

5. Share your reviews with us by leaving your link with Mr. Linky on the appropriate post.

Levels:

• Bite on the Neck: 3 books.
• Flying Cauldron: 4 books.
• Deadly Red Moon: 5 books.
• Haunted Nights: 6 books.

Categories:

• Vampires
• Witches
• Ghosts
• Shapeshifters
• Fairies
• Elfs