4 STARS | BLEACH Volume 51: Love Me Bitterly, Loth Me Sweetly by Tite Kubo

Title: BLEACH, Volume 51: Love Me Bitterly, Loth Me Sweetly
Series: BLEACH #51
Author: Tite Kubo
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Japanese Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Paranormal
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1421543048
Published: November 6th, 2012
Source: Library
Events: Bout of Books Read-A-Thon
Rating: 4/5 STARS
Series Reviews: Volume 45 | Volume 46 | Volume 47 | Volume 48 | Volume 49 | Volume 50
Purchase: Amazon

Don't put your finger
In my heart

Knowing Tsukishima is after Ichigo, Ginjo continues the Fullbring training at a secret base. Ichigo is mastering Fullbring at an incredible speed and regaining his lost powers, but is he ready to face Tsukishima just yet...?

As Ichigo is fighting Jackie and her Fullbring Dirty Boots, Tsukishima attacks! Ichigo fights him, but his Fullbring isn't quite there yet. Yukio uses his Fullbring, Invaders Must Die, to place Ichigo in a different dimension and away from Tsukishima. Ichigo's next training opponent is Ginjo himself and his Cross of Scaffold. Orihime is brought in to help with Ichigo's training. And Urahara and Isshin's plan moves forward with a little help from the Soul Society.

In Ichigo's battle with Jackie, we get a glimpse of how little they know about Ichigo's past experience as a warrior. "I was a Soul Reaper for only a short period. But in terms of experience...I got more then you guys." It's after this that Ichigo's Fullbring advances into a clad-type. "For Ichigo, wearing his power is his true form." This form of his Fullbring isn't complete, but it looks just like his shihakusho.

After Tsukishima's attack, Ichigo continues his training. His next opponent is Ginjo. Chad brings Orihime to help with this stage of training to heal Ichigo when needed. It's funny to see Riruka get a little jealous when she sees Orihime. She wants to dislike Orihime, but Orihime has a way of making everyone like her.

We see vague images of Urahara and Isshin going about their mysterious project, and with the help of a Soul Reaper. In the meanwhile, Ginjo takes drastic measures by blinding Ichigo. What is Urahara and Isshin up to? Who is the Soul Reaper helping them? What does it have to do with Ichigo? And now that Ichigo's sight has been taken from him, will he be able to defeat Ginjo? These are all questions I was left with by the end of this volume--I can't wait for the answers in the next volume.

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The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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3.5 STARS | BLEACH Volume 50: The Six Fullbringers by Tite Kubo

Title: BLEACH, Volume 50: The Six Fullbringers
Series: BLEACH #50
Author: Tite Kubo
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Japanese Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Paranormal
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1421543031
Published: November 6th, 2012
Source: Library
Events: Bout of Books Read-A-Thon
Rating: 3.5/5 STARS
Series Reviews: Volume 45 | Volume 46 | Volume 47 | Volume 48 | Volume 49
Purchase: Amazon

Time always approaches from behind
Growling and flowing past our eyes
Stand your ground
No matter how much time shows its fangs
In order to wash you away to a beautiful past
Do not look forward
Your hopes creep up behind you
Only existing in dark turbid waters

After a long battle, Ichigo loses his Soul Reaper powers and is now living a quiet and peaceful life. But when a mysterious man named Kugo Ginjo approaches him, Ichigo might have a chance to regain hi powers. But what are Ginjo's true motives...?

Ichigo begins training to master Fullbring and quickly makes progress in the first stages. But while Ichigo is with the members of Xcution, Orihime is attacked by Tsukishima. And while all of this is happening Urahara and Isshin are secretly planning something.

When Ginjo explains Xcution's mission to Ichigo, he mentions an interesting fact about Hollows. Why do they have holes in their chests? They lose their hearts from the pain of not being saved by a Soul Reaper, and that lost heart becomes their mask. Each member of Xcution has their parents attacked by Hollows before they were born. They want to remove their Hollow-like powers from themselves. And to do that, they need a Soul Reaper. That's where Ichigo comes in. It's really pretty interesting when you think about Ichigo, Chad, and Orihime and how they got their powers. Sure, Ichigo already had latent Soul Reaper powers because of his dad, but I'm thinking the Hollow power he got when his mother was attacked.

"Ichigo. You may think you're hiding it. But honestly, I couldn't stand watching you since you lost your powers. You wanna fight, don't you? It hurts you that you can't protect those around you, right? You don't have to hide it. Ichigo. That's what makes you who you are."

I think Chad's words are what finally made Ichigo accept Ginjo's help in regaining his powers. This is nothing new with Ichigo. It literally hurts him when he can't protect those he loves. He doesn't want power to be able to fight for fighting's sake, he wants power to be able to fight to protect.

Riruka's first reaction to seeing Ichigo is hilarious. She's got a HUGE crush on him!

Ichigo begins his Fullbring training inside Riruka's Dollhouse. While being chased by a giant talking stuffed pig, he tries to figure out how to use Fullbring. Eventually he realizes that he needs to use his Deputy Badge, but he also needs to know how to manifest his Fullbring. Now the first stage of Ichigo's Fullbring is pretty cool--it looks like Zangetsu's guard. "Things have changed, you're no longer helpless. A glimmer of hope and you're a completely different person. Experience or instinct. Which is it? Ichigo..." Hope is Ichigo's greatest strength, while despair is his greatest weakness.

Uryu was the first of Ichigo's friends to be attacked and this time it's Orihime. Tsukishima cuts her with his Fullbring, Book of the End. It has a strange power, though. It doesn't seem to really cut someone, but plant false memories. Orihime thinks of Tsukishima as a friends after this and doesn't know why. This leads Ichigo back to Ginjo to learn more about Tsukishima. He was once the leader of Xcution, but he changed his mind and disappeared. He's attacking Ichigo's friends to get his attention and to keep him away from Ginjo and the others. All things said, it's safe to say that Tsukishima is dangerous.

Ichigo begins stage two of mastering Fullbring by fighting Jackie and her Dirty Boots. I can't wait to see how Ichigo's Fullbring evolves. Every time Ichigo gains a new power is always very awesome.

Twitter | Goodreads

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Frostbitten
Series: Women of the Otherworld #10
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Elements: Werewolves, Demons, Shapeshifters, Necromancers
Publisher: Bantam
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0553806625
Published: September 29th, 2009
Source: Library
Events: Women of the Otherworld Series Challenge
Rating: 5/5 STARS


Series Reviews: Bitten | Stolen | Dime Store Magic | Industrial Magic | Haunted | Broken | No Humans Involved | Personal Demon | Living with the Dead
Purchase: Amazon

Being the world’s only female werewolf has its advantages, such as having her pick of the Otherworld’s most desirable males. And Elena Michaels couldn’t have picked a more dangerously sexy and undyingly loyal mate than Clayton Danvers. Now their bond will be put to the ultimate test as they follow a bloody trail of gruesome slayings deep into Alaska’s frozen wilderness.

There’s nothing the werewolf community dislikes more than calling attention to itself. So when a pair of rogue man-eaters begins hunting humans, it’s up to Elena and Clayton to track down the predators. But any illusions their task would be simple are quickly dispelled. For even in werewolf terms, there’s something very disturbing taking place in the dark Alaskan forests. A werewolf more wolf than human and more unnatural than supernatural is on the hunt—a creature whose origins seem to spring from ancient legends of the shape-shifting Wendigo.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, Clayton and Elena find themselves confronting painful ghosts from their pasts — and an issue neither of them is eager to discuss. For one of them has been chosen to become the new Pack leader, and as every wolf knows, there can be only one Alpha. They’ve always been equals in everything. Now, when their survival depends more than ever on perfect teamwork, will instinct allow one of them to lead...and the other to follow?

Elena Michaels is tracking a young werewolf who ran with two known man-eaters, Liam Malloy and Ramon Santos. She only wants to speak to Reese Williams and warn him about Liam and Ramon's backstabbing tendencies. But with a reputation like hers, Reese isn't going to stop for a chat, so he takes off for Alaska.

Coincidentally, Alaska is where a number of possible wolf kills has taken place, and Jeremy sends Elena and Clay to investigate. With strange wolf behavior, missing friends, mythical shapeshifters, and a pack causing all sorts of trouble, Elena has a lot to handle and she gets a taste of what Alphahood will be like.

The first thing I realized when I read the names Liam and Ramon was that these are the two werewolves that attack Derek and Chloe in the Darkest Powers series. It seems that when they couldn't pin their kills on Reese, they went after a young, not necessarily naive, werewolf.

Being from Minnesota, I was able to really appreciate Elena's remark about the Minneapolis Airport and the Mall of America being traps for the directionally challenged. I've never been in the MSP Airport, but the MOA really is a trap for those who don't know where they are going. I can't even find my own way in that place.

I thought it interesting that Elena may or may not have a familial connection with the Russian Pack. Elena's mother was an Antonov, and there are a few Antonovs in the Russian Pack. It's an old werewolf family in Russia, apparently. Roman Novikov, the Alpha of the Russian Pack, invited Elena, Clay, and Jeremy to Russia to see if there is indeed a connection. I'm really curious about this myself, I would love to know if Elena has family in the Russian Pack. That could possibly help her in the long run when she becomes Alpha of the North American Pack.

One of my favorite moments was when Elena visited Lynn Nygard and saw a painting of herself as a wolf on Lynn's wall. That is way too coincidental that Lynn had a print of one of Jeremy's paintings.

We know Elena's history with her foster fathers and brothers, how they sexually abused her, some even raped her, and that was all brought to the forefront of her memory when she received a letter from one of her foster fathers, asking for forgiveness as part of his therapy. So when she met Travis Tesler for the first time and he tried to rape her (and the numerous times after that first meeting) she was brought back to that little girl who just tried to hide from it all. But Elena, being who she is now, was finally able to fight back. Elena is probably my favorite character in this series, and the strength she showed in Frostbitten just reinforced that.

Then there is the Stillwell family. They were former members of the Pack, but left and moved to Alaska when the Alpha ascension was taking place. Dennis still kept in contact with Jeremy, though, but hasn't made contact when he said he would. This is another thing Jeremy asked Elena and Clay to check out. I don't want to say too much about them, because they play a big part in the Tesler takeover, but in the end the Pack gains a new member from this family. Plus two more possible members if Reese Williams decides to stay, and if Morgan Walsh decides to head south after his experiment in Alaska.

With a mythological shapeshifter race (which one it is, I won't tell) and a rogue werewolf pack close to waging war in the Alaskan Wilderness, Elena must act as mediator and take matters into her own hands before more innocent humans are killed. This is all definitely a great way to get Elena ready to be Alpha.

"So, what do you think of your pack?"

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Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4 STARS | Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Living with the Dead
Series: Women of the Otherworld #9
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Elements: Psychic Abilities, Demons, Werewolves, Necromancers, Witches, Sorcerers, Ghosts, Angels
Publisher: Bantam
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0553806649
Published: October 21st, 2008
Source: Library
Events: Women of the Otherworld Series Challenge
Rating: 4/5 STARS


Series Reviews: Bitten | Stolen | Dime Store Magic | Industrial Magic | Haunted | Broken | No Humans Involved | Personal Demon
Purchase: Amazon

Robyn Peltier moved to Los Angeles after her young husband's sudden death, trying to put some distance between herself and her memories. Though she's still grieving, the challenges of her new life as the PR consultant to Portia Kane--the world's most famous celebutante wannabe--can sometimes be amusing, even distracting. But when her client is gunned down in the back room of a nightclub, Robyn is suddenly on the run as the prime suspect in the murder. And as more bodies pile up around her, it seems like only Hope Adams, Robyn's best friends, and Hope's somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl are on Robyn's side.

Hope Adams follows the kinds of stories whose headlines scream from supermarket checkout lines. But the difference is that Hope's stories are even weirder--and they're all true. Though determined to help Robyn, Hope knows it's only a matter of time before her best friend is caught. But it's not the police Hope is worried about. For Robyn has gotten herself in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Otherworld cabals who'll spill any amount of blood--human and inhuman--to protect what they consider theirs for all eternity. And the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she's safer knowing nothing about.

Robyn Peltier took a PR job representing Portia Kane in an attempt to leave the painful memories of her husband's untimely death behind. With help from her best friend, Hope Adams, Robyn is slowly getting back to herself. But when a clairvoyant paparazzo kills Portia for a photo she took on her cell phone, Robyn is accused of the murder and ends up on the run from the police--and the killer.

Adele Morrissey is a clairvoyant and a member of the Kumpania. The Kumpania strongly dissuades interaction with the Cabals, so when Adele discovers that Portia Kane has a photo with Adele meeting with Irving Nast in the background, she'll do anything to get that photo before anyone in the Kumpania can see it. Adele is ruthless--she kills anyone who gets in her way, and she uses and sabotages anyone to get what she wants. I didn't like Adele at all. I think she may be one of the worst villians in the Woman of the Otherworld series so far.

It was pretty funny how everyone thought that Robyn was a supernatural, just because she's friends with Hope. They're all asking, What kind of supernatural is she? Like, is it so inconceivable for a human and supernatural to be friends?

Just like in Haunted with the reference to Eliot Ness and the Untouchables, Living with the Dead has a reference to the policeman in The Fugitive who would not give up trying to capture Richard Kimble. That's who Damon compares Finn to, because of his relentless pursuit of Robyn.

Detective Finn is a necromancer who didn't know he was a "necromancer." Though he's a supernatural, he didn't know anything about that world until this case. Finn has help from Robyn's dead husband, Damon, with the case. He even gets a visit from Eve at one point. Finn was one of my favorite characters in Living with the Dead. I hope we get to see more of him in future books.

Hope and Karl appear in Living with the Dead. Aside from trying to help clear Robyn's name, we get to see how their relationship has developed. With Karl's birthday and their first anniversary approaching, Hope still fears that Karl will leave her, and she also fears how dependent she has become of him. When Hope receives a business proposal from Rhys, a clairvoyant mercenary, she knows she has a tough decision to make--and she has to make it herself. I really liked Karl's show of commitment. The infinity symbol charm for Hope's bracelet, with the engraving "No matter what" was so sweet. I love seeing that side of Karl. What I really want to know is if they ever made it to that cabin in the woods, LOL!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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3.5 STARS | Lightning by Taryn Kincaid

Title: Lightning
Series: 1Night Stand #138, Sleepy Hollow #1
Author: Taryn Kincaid
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Erotica
Elements: Succubi, Incubi
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Format: PDF
ASIN: B009SEKGNA
Published: October 17th, 2012
Source: FMB Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: 3.5/5 STARS
Series Reviews: 1NS: Menage Bound | Escape to Me | Power Play
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | ARe

In mystic Sleepy Hollow, succubus Lily Night put her prom date, Campbell Jones, into a coma after a night of wild, unbridled sex. She has steered clear of mortals ever since, afraid of damaging them or worse, not to mention the inconvenience of knocking out the power every time they have sex.

Successful architect Campbell Jones has lived with strange powers and a sexy secret since that prom night. He’s buried himself in work to forget the woman who’d dumped him at the ER then vanished from his life without a trace.

Neither Lily nor Campbell have forgotten that night or the love they’d shared. Will a 1Night Stand help them bury their past?

I really liked Lightning! Lily left Camp their senior year during prom after putting him in a coma after having sex. Just disappeared, leaving Camp to deal with all the strange changes that happened to him after that. 10 years later, it's their high school reunion. Both are dreading and secretly hoping to run into each other again. Neither has been able to forget the other. And thanks to Madame Eve's 1Night Stand service, sparks fly between them once again.

There was something really sweet about Lily and Camp, especially at the end. And it's interesting that Camp developed all these powers after being in a coma senior year. Is he now an incubus? Or is he still only a human, but with supernatural powers? It's never stated right out if he is or not. I think he must be at least half incubus if not a full one.

I can't wait to read Thunder, the next book in the Sleepy Hollow series, which is also a part of the 1Night Stand series. That is about Camp's younger brother Sean and the witch who is having her house renovated by the brother's construction business.

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Multi-published author of HEALING HEARTS, a sensual Regency romance from Carina Press; SLEEPY HOLLOW DREAMS, an erotic paranormal from The Wild Rose Press; LIGHTNING and THUNDER, both erotic paranormals for Decadent Publishing's 1Night Stand series.

A former award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist, Taryn currently slaves away in the booby-trapped field of law, escaping into the delicious world of romance every chance she gets. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Hudson Valley RWA, RWA’s Beau Monde chapter, RWA’s Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter, and RWA’s Electronic & Small Press Authors Network.

She lives in the historical Hudson River valley region outside of New York City, where the shopping is fabulous, the scenery is awesome, and things can very often be relied upon to go bump in the night.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | Mia's Heart by Courtney Cole

Title: Mia's Heart
Series: The Paradise Diaries #2
Author: Courtney Cole
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Lakehouse Press
Format: PDF
ASIN: B00A6YW4BI
Published: November 13th, 2012
Source: Kismet Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: 5/5 STARS
Purchase: Amazon

My name is Mia Giannis.
I am seventeen years old.
I live in Valese, Caberra.

This has become my mantra and my lifeline, having recently lost my memory due to a scary natural disaster. Yeah. I have amnesia. Messed up, right?

You don't know the half of it.

Not remembering anything has turned my world upside down. My parents try their hardest to “remind” me of who I was, but it doesn't feel right. Or, if what they're saying is true and that really was me, I'm not sure I like that person very much.

And then there’s my love life. Apparently, Gavin Ariastasis is my oldest and best friend in the world. Also, apparently, we’ve never dated. But now, noticing him for what feels like the first time, he’s making my heart do somersaults. He knows me inside and out—the real me. Plus, he’s sexy and charming as hell. Sounds perfect, right?

But then... there’s the new guy. Quinn McKeyen – tall, gorgeous and deliciously American. His mischievous grin and slow Midwestern drawl turn my insides to mush in two seconds flat making me question who I really am and what I really want.

Seriously. What am I supposed to do with all that?! I feel torn between them, but I barely even know who I am, let alone what I want.

I just hope my indecisive heart will clue me in. And sooner rather than later…before I lose what little of my mind that I have left.

Mia Giannis is always fighting with her mother about her clothes, her actions, her friends, just about everything and how it could reflect on her father. Being the daughter of the Secretary of Defense of Caberra has a lot of expectations, when Mia just wants to be herself, not who her parents want her to be.

When a devastating earthquake rocks Caberra, Mia rushes home looking for her mother and finds her house reduced to rubble. Determined to find her mother within the wreckage, Mia along with Gavin and Quinn, search what's left of the house. While in the remains of her bedroom, another aftershock rocks the house and a piece of debris hits Mia on the head, resulting in her having amnesia.

Now Mia must navigate truths and deceptions to know what is real. This is a time for Mia to find who she really is and who her heart truly wants.

Mia's relationship with her mother is NOT very good in the beginning of the book. The earthquake and Mia's amnesia are what change their relationship for the better, with her father too. What I didn't like was how her parents used her amnesia to make her into the daughter they want her to be. Going so far as to dye her hair back to its natural color and removing her nose ring while she's unconscious in the hospital. I mean, who does that? It's just so wrong.

The two love interests are Mia's childhood friend, Gavin Ariastasis and Reece's childhood friends from Kansas, Quinn McKeyen. Mia loves them both, but for different reasons. But she has trouble figuring out what her heart wants, when she doesn't even really know herself yet.

I noticed that the pool at the Old Palace is a popular place to cry ones heart out. First it was Reece when she saw Elena and Dante together, then Mia after she talks to Gavin when he walked out of the ballroom after seeing Mia and Quinn dancing and the look she was giving him. It's like a Pool of Sorrow or something.

I loved reading Mia's story and it was great seeing Reece and Dante again. I can't wait for the next book!

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Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could.

She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds.

Every Last Kiss is her debut novel and she followed it with the rest of The Bloodstone Saga (Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath and My Tattered Bonds).

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4 STARS | The Scourge by A.G. Henley

Title: The Scourge
Series: Brilliant Darkness #1
Author: A.G. Henley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Elements: Zombies
Publisher: A.G. Henley
Format: PDF
ASIN: B0073O59OI
Published: January 31st, 2012
Source: Kismet Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★

Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She's never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings' tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be.

And she's always known this day would come—the day she faces the Scourge alone.

The Sightless, like Fenn, are mysteriously protected from the Scourge, the gruesome creatures roaming the forests, reeking of festering flesh and consuming anything—and anyone—living. A Sightless Groundling must brave the Scourge and bring fresh water to the people of the forest. Today, that task becomes Fenn's.

Fenn will have a Lofty Keeper, Peree, as her companion. Everyone knows the Lofties wouldn’t hesitate to shoot an arrow through the back of an unsuspecting Groundling like Fenn, but Peree seems different. A boy with warm, rough hands who smells like summer, he is surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Although Fenn knows his people are treacherous, she finds herself wanting to trust him.

As their forest community teeters on the brink of war, Fenn and Peree must learn to work together to survive the Scourge and ensure their people’s survival. But when Fenn uncovers a secret that shatters her truths, she’s forced to decide who and what to protect—her people, her growing love for Peree, or the elusive dream of lasting peace in the forest.

The Scourge isn't at all like I thought it would be. This isn't you're typical zombie apocalypse-type story. I was really surprised by the twists that took place. The romance between Fenn and Peree was really sweet, too. I loved that they were able to overcome their statuses as a Groundling and a Lofty. There are characters that you love to love, and those you love to hate. A.G. Henley does an amazing job describing the world and she has written a world with a lot of depth. There are still things to be discovered and people to meet. I can't wait for the sequel.

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A.G. Henley is the author of the young adult novel, THE SCOURGE. She is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they've had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she's not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she's inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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3 STARS | Friends with Benefits by Jennifer Labelle

Title: Friends with Benefits
Series: The Edge #49
Author: Jennifer Labelle
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, M/M
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Format: PDF
ASIN: B009LBOBRW
Published: October 5th, 2012
Source: FMB Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: 3/5 STARS
Series Reviews: Night Music | Hypnotist
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | ARe

Collin Harrison is loving life as a bachelor, but can’t convince his meddling mother to back off. To make matters worse, he’s confused by his attraction to his new neighbor, Devin. But Collin has never been with a man before.

Devin Hardy is no stranger to fulfilling his intimate desires—desires which include his hot neighbor. Good things come to those who wait, but Devin is getting tired of waiting to turn their friendship into one with scorching hot benefits.

This was my first time reading a m/m story and I thought the story itself was great, but maybe just not my thing. I usually need a female character in a story to really get into it, and there wasn't one in Friends with Benefits (and I don't count Collin's mother, that would just be kind of weird).

I think I would have liked it a bit better if there had been a little more background, like when Collin and Devin first met or something.

Please note that this is just my opinion. While it didn't really appeal to me, it might to others who like m/m stories.

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Jennifer Labelle resides in Ottawa, Ontario Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she's decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4.5 STARS | BLEACH Volume 49: The Lost Agent by Tite Kubo

Title: BLEACH, Volume 49: The Lost Agent
Series: BLEACH #49
Author: Tite Kubo
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Japanese Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Paranormal
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1421543024
Published: October 2nd, 2012
Source: Library
Rating: 4.5/5 STARS
Series Reviews: Volume 45 | Volume 46 | Volume 47 | Volume 48
Purchase: Amazon

I wonder if I can keep up with...
The speed of a world you're not in.

After the long battle with Aizen, Ichigo loses his Soul Reaper powers... Ichigo now leads a quiet and peaceful life until he is approached by a mysterious man. What does the man want and how does it relate to Ichigo's lost powers?!

Ichigo has lost his powers! But the world still goes round and danger is always around the corner. When one of his friends is attacked, Ichigo searches for a way to regain his Soul Reaper powers.

I thought it was pretty cool how this volume begins almost exactly like Volume One. It states the place, day, and time. Then introduces Ichigo. The only difference this time is that is says "I can't see ghosts." And the morning starts as crazy as always. Almost as if all the events prior never happened. But you can definitely see the changes they caused.

An interesting turn of events is that when Ichigo lost his powers, his younger sister, Karin's, powers increased. And now that Ichigo's not a deputy Soul Reaper anymore, Uryu takes care of the Hollows.

The thing about Ichigo and most warriors of any type in general is that, though they say they are happy with a normal life, they will always feel more comfortable in combat. In Ichigo's case, the reflexes and body he worked on as a Soul Reaper now help him in fights. This is proved when he retrieves a school bag from a thief running away with the owner chasing him.

That owner just happens to be Kugo Ginjo. Ginjo raises questions that Ichigo may not be able to or want to answer. Does Ichigo really know as much as he thinks he does about his dad? His own family? What does he really know about Urahara? This is how Ichigo is introduced to Xcution.

When one of Ichigo's friends is attacked by an unknown, Ichigo feels powerless to do anything to protect his friends. This leads him to call Xcution. Since Ginjo knows about Ichigo and his dad, he knows that Ginjo is no ordinary human, therefore he feels that Ginjo can help him. This is when Xcution's goal is revealed: For Ichigo to regain his Soul Reaper powers.

We don't learn much about the members of Xcution, only that they are humans with the ability they call Fullbring. One thing I wasn't expecting was for Chad to be one of them. If I think about it, if Chad is like them, wouldn't Orihime be too? It's definitely something to think about while reading future volumes.

Volume 49 is the beginning of The Lost Agent Arc, and though it's a slow beginning, it's bound to pick up and I doubt we'll be disappointed when it does. Tite Kubo knows how to keep his audience engaged.

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The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | BLEACH Volume 48: God is Dead by Tite Kubo

Title: BLEACH, Volume 48: God is Dead
Series: BLEACH #48
Author: Tite Kubo
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Japanese Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Paranormal
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1421543017
Published: October 2nd, 2012
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5 STARS
Series Reviews: Volume 45 | Volume 46 | Volume 47
Purchase: Amazon

People are all imitations of monkeys
Gods are all imitations of humans

As Aizen strolls through Karakura Town, Ichigo undergoes furious training in order to master the one technique that could bring an end to the conflict. But when the battle is finally over, how will Ichigo's world have changed...?

This volumes brings the Arrancar Arc to an end. With Aizen's metamorphosis complete and his advance on Ichigo's friends and home, Ichigo will need to come back with the Final Getsuga Tensho if he hopes to defeat Aizen. There are sacrifices that are life-changing, changes in loyalty, and tearful goodbyes in this conclusion to the Arrancar Arc.

I was really surprised by Gin Ichimaru. Who would have thought he'd turn his sword against Aizen? "I'm a snake. My skin is cold. I have no heart. I slither looking for prey with the tip of my tongue. I swallow the people I care about whole. That's the kind of creature I am." In some ways Gin is like a snake, but the reason why Gin sided with Aizen revealed a very noble motive. Rangiku was at the heart of Gin's motivation to side with Aizen to eventually kill him. He became a Soul Reaper to change things so that Rangiku wouldn't have to cry anymore. I never thought that I would like Gin, but in the moment that Rangiku finds him dying and is crying over him, I couldn't help but like him. This is tearful goodbye number one.

The battle between Ichigo and Aizen was pretty awesome, though Aizen was really annoying with all his holier-than-thou talk. Ichigo's just standing there like he just wants Aizen to shut it and start fighting. Ichigo's new power is really amazing and the Final Getsuga Tensho is just... I can't even say how cool it is. He literally becomes Getsuga.

Tearful goodbye number two comes during a flashback of his battle with Zangetsu. "Do you remember what I said when this fight began? That what you wanted to protect wasn't what I wanted to protect? What I wanted to protect was you, Ichigo." If Ichigo uses the Final Getsuga Tensho, he loses his Soul Reaper powers. Seeing Zangetsu cry was a powerful moment.

This is totally unrelated to Ichigo's battle with Aizen or his farewell with Zangetsu, but am I the only one who thinks the longer hairstyle really works for Ichigo? I don't know, it seems more warrior-like.

The whole ordeal with Aizen has made a lot of the Soul Reapers realize their weaknesses. Some are training, while others try to move on.

Ichigo was asleep for about a month after the battle with Aizen and losing his powers. The third goodbye isn't tearful, but it's definitely more final. This one is between Ichigo and Rukia. "Goodbye, Rukia. Thank you." They have had to say goodbye to each other before, but like I mentioned, with Ichigo having lost his powers, he won't be able to see her anymore, and that makes this goodbye harder than the first.

Now that Ichigo's more or less normal now that he doesn't have his powers, we find out in the next volume, the beginning of The Lost Agent Arc, what he's willing to do to get them back when one of his friends is attacked and seriously wounded.

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The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

Continue Reading →