130) Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson

The Blurb :

Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it. But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains. Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early.

Arriving on the Vampire Queen's doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war. The vicious
skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team.

The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn't realize is just how soon she'll have to cash it in...

My Thoughts :

After reading the first two books in this series I felt that I needed to check out this third installment.  I enjoyed the first book, Full Blooded and wasn't overly impressed with the second book, Hot Blooded but hoped that this third part would really clinch things for me.  The problem however being if it made me like the series or put me off for good.

Things started off where the second book left us and just drove on fast and furious from then on.  Then wasn't much time left for a breather during the whole book and if Jessica wasn't currently being attacked then she was fighting her way out of one situation or another.  While the story progressed I felt myself getting more and more uninterested in what the outcome would be.  I could hardly keep focused on what the plot was and what Jessica was aiming to achieve.  Things were just so complicated and speeding along that I felt lost and confused within a few chapters.

I managed to push my way through to the end of the book although at many points I felt like giving up.  Jessica kept gaining/discovering more and more abilities she had and it was getting all a little over the top for my liking.  There were so many situations Jessica managed to survive only to fall into more problems, it got tiring and boring.  Progress was made but only in small leaps instead of bounds.  By the end of the book I felt like nothing at been achieved and that the book was just a big huge subplot to fill in another installment in the series.

This review isn't a 'I hated this don't read it' but more of a 'I liked some of it but others may enjoy it more'.  I can see quite a lot of Kim Harrison and Jeanine Frost readers really liking this but for me Cold Blooded is the end of my travels with Jessica McClain.  However I wouldn't say this is an author I would never try again.  Her ideas are good and if she starts another series I would definitely pick it up if it sounds like something I would enjoy.

 

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Monthly Giveaway Results & Winner Announcement!

The Monthly Giveaway is now closed for entries!

Hopefully you already voted and entered!  If you didn't then you missed out and will have to wait till next month for the next giveaway.  If you subscribe to the blog you won't miss your chance.  See below and make sure you link yourself to Amberkatze's Book Blog via Newsletter, Facebook or Twitter.

Anyway I had five super choices on offer for this Monthly Giveaway!! It is now time to see who has won a copy of one of my favourite reads in May?  Oh and we need to see which book won!

Drop Dead Beauty (A Ghost Dusters Mystery #5) by Wendy Roberts came in last!  Poor thing!  I really love this series and I am sure the fact it is only available as an e-book puts a lot of people off!


Fourth place goes to Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson.  This is a new series for me and I really enjoyed this debut book.  Hopefully you will all check it out even if you didn't want to win it.


One of the most original books I have read in a long time only made it to third place. The Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides #1) by Mur Lafferty is a must read and I can't wait for the next part in this wonderful new series.


There was a bit of a fight for the top three places this month and everytime I checked there was a different book in the lead.  However now that the vote is over and done with A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses (Half Moon Hollow #2) by Molly Harper only managed to hold on to second place.  This is also a must read book and if you haven't check out this author yet then you should be ashamed of yourself! ;)


So that means that this months winner is Dead Man's Deal (The Asylum Tales #2) 
by Jocelynn Drake!  I actually didn't expect anything else to win.  This is a surperb series and I can not recommend it enough.  Well done Jocelynn!

Who won? 

Did you enter the giveaway?  Check the Rafflecopter widget below and see if you have won!  Didn't win this time?  Try again next time and make sure you add these amazing reads to your wishlist or shopping basket!

Your name is showing?  Then send me an email and claim your prize!   You have won a copy of Dead Man's Deal by Jocelynn Drake!

If you are claiming the prize, please make sure you tell me if you would like a paperback copy or Kindle copy.  Also make sure to send the correct mailing address or Email address.

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Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! 
 Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

  

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90) Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

The Blurb :

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

My Review :

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full with action and adventure.  There is an angry goddess and loads of different weird and wonderful monsters but in the end I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book in the series.  It was trying way too hard to be amazing.  There wasn't time to take count of what was happening, had happening or was going to happen.  Too much new information and strange new powers.  I couldn't believe that Jessica could have adapted to the change in her life so quickly and it bothered me so much that she seemed to be doing ok with the constant attacks.  Even if she is some kind of special werewolf.

Which is really what put me off this sequel.  The fact that whatever happened and whatever Jessica came up against, she managed to get through it without a scratch.  It was too perfect.  There was always a new power/development in her fresh new powers to fight anything.  To keep her safe and alive from everything.  It became pretty boring after a while because I knew there would always been some new aspect that would make everything better.

However I did like the variety and scope of the monsters, demons, and other beasts that are packed into this book.  I also like the conept and think the author has come up with something really exciting and good.  All in all the plot isn't bad but as I said before, this book was just trying too hard and it showed.  I found myself speed reading last third of the book because I just didn't care anymore about the fight to get to the goddess and kill her.  I wanted to see Jessica find her mate but I wasn't too interested in the how.

If it wasn't for the cliffhanger ending I may have ended this review with a 'I won't be going any further with this series' line.  However the ending intrigued me and left me interested in finding out what happens next.  While I also aren't too happy with the constant new amazing powers Jessica keeps finding she has, I do want to know what she is and what it all means.  So I will definitely, at some point, check out the third book in the series.

A nice Paranormal Urban Fantasy read that is interesting and exciting.  If you like werewolves and also enjoy being surprised by unusual and exotic creatures then you may just like this one.  A strong headed leading lady with a nice pack of friends and family, Jessica is someone you would like to be friends with, even if you can't really work her out.



    

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Monthly Giveaway Reminder!

The Monthly Giveaway is in full swing!  Have you already voted and entered?

I am feeling very lucky to have already read the five books on offer this month because to be honest it is a hard choice!  Which one do you want to win?  Here are the links to the books on offer :


Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) 
by Amanda Carlson


Drop Dead Beauty (A Ghost Dusters Mystery #5) 
by Wendy Roberts (e-book version only!)


The Shambling Guide to New York City 
(The Shambling Guides #1) 
by Mur Lafferty


Dead Man's Deal (The Asylum Tales #2) 
by Jocelynn Drake


A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses (Half Moon Hollow #2) 
by Molly Harper



To pick which book you would most like to win just go vote in this poll.  Then enter via the giveaway widget.

You still have a few days left until the rafflecopter widget stops taking entries.  So make sure you check to see if you have won or even if you can earn more entries.

Not sure how the giveaway works?  Want to know more?  Just check out the original Monthly Giveaway posting!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Newsletter subscribers! If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!!

The poll will stay open for votes until Monday 22nd of June 2013 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

Enter your email address:   Delivered by FeedBurner

Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! 
 Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

  

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Monthly Giveaway! Vote & Win!

June is here and I am already dreaming of a nice long reading holiday this Summer.  Unfortunately I doubt the Summer will be filled with reading but just more work!

Anyway I am happy to say that I read more books last month!  Also some of the books I read were really amazing reads!  That means I have five super choices to offer you guys for the Monthly Giveaway!!

So who wants to win a copy of one of my favourite reads in May? Keep reading and find out more!

Every month here on Amberkatze's Book Blog there is a Monthly Giveaway

What is the Monthly Giveaway? 

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) then you guys go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Remember! You may not actually win the book you voted for.

Here is a little info about each book on offer this month. Just click on the book title and author to see my review :



Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) 
by Amanda Carlson


Drop Dead Beauty (A Ghost Dusters Mystery #5) 
by Wendy Roberts (e-book version only!)


The Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides #1) 
by Mur Lafferty


Dead Man's Deal (The Asylum Tales #2) 
by Jocelynn Drake


A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses (Half Moon Hollow #2) 
by Molly Harper

How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar ---> there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. Then enter the Monthly Giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. When the giveaway is over the winner gets book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Newsletter subscribers! If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!!

The poll will stay open for votes until Monday 22nd of June 2013 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! 
 Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

 

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75) Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

The Blurb :

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

My Thoughts :
I read and review books because I enjoy it and with a full time job this blog is more of a hobby.  If I don't come across a book on Amazon I most likely will never come across it unless it pops up somewhere else I just happen to check in on.  I just don't have time to research these things.  So it comes as a surprise to me that I missed out on this book.  Surely I should have come across it somewhere?  Maybe I did and resisted the urge to read it?  Whatever the reason this book/series stayed off my radar until now and it was only its appearence (with sequel) on netgalley that I finally found this book on my reading list.  
At first I thought I had made a mistake.  The blurb was a little off putting somehow but there was something there that enticed me.  Within a few chapters I was sure this one was going to go into my 'meh' file where some books end up when I find myself bored by them.  However there was something that kept me reading till the end and I was rewarded for not giving up because Full Blooded showed itself to be something of a late bloomer and a very good read.
It took until about half way in or even longer for the book to really open up and stop being so shy.  There was some extremely interesting aspects to the book already but there were some points later on that made it shine.  I can't really go into the details without spoiling the plot for anyone who hasn't read this yet but thinking that this is just another 'only female werewolf knock-off' (which it does scream out quite loudly) will be proven wrong.  There is more than meets the eye about this series and I have to say it shows a lot of promise.
Of course the sequel will show if I am wrong or right about this series but I am very intrigued and can't wait to read the next installment.  Jessica's turning and the mad action filled days after it has a  'been there, done that' feeling to it from the readers perspective but there are enough new aspects to the story that make it slightly different to the ones before it.  If you enjoyed the Riley Jenson series by Keri Arthur, still love the Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn or followed Lori Handeland's books then you need to take a closer look at this series.  If you are a werewolf fan then this is a must read and if you aren't really into the werewolf thing then give it a try anyway because there is more in Full Blooded than just  Weres.

 

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