My Book Haul/In My Mailbox

The Story Siren hosts a weekly meme where bloggers can share what goodies they've purchased/received this week. If you get a chance head over to The Story Siren and check out what everyone is up to! Some of my internet purchases came through this week - lots of favourites to enjoy!

Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock 4)- Faith Hunter

Publisher: Roc Fantasy

The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to the Master Vampire of New Orleans they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, he sends an envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane Yellowrock. But when a group of local campers are attacked by something fanged, Jane goes from escort to investigator. Unless she wants to face a very angry mast vampire, she will have to work overtime to find the killer. It's a good thing she's worth every penny.

 

Jane Yellowrock is a great hunter - and I adore Beast! I feel bad that I haven't read Mercy Blade, the third book in the series yet, but now I can read books three and four without the wait!

 

Sins of the Demon (Kara Gillian 4) - Diane Rowland

Publisher: Daw

The homicide beat in Louisiana isn't just terrifying, it's demonic. Detective Kara Gilligan of the supernatural task force has the ability to summon demons to her aid, but she herself is pledged to serve a demonic lord. And now, people who've hurt Kara in the past are dropping dead for no apparent reason. To clear her name and save both the demon and human worlds, she's in a race against the clock and in a battle for her life that just may take her to hell and back.

 

Kara is another heroine I love - and I do enjoy the mix of detective work and demon summoning in this series. Definitely a must-buy series for me!

 

The Shadow Reader - Sandy Williams

Publisher: Ace Fantasy

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden. But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

This looks like a fun new UF read for me! Plus I love the colours on the cover. :)

Switched - Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Tor

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.

I never read any Amanda Hocking when she was the independent author star, but I spotted this paperback in Asda as part of their 2 for £7 and rather liked the sound of it. I have to admit the cover did attract me at first - it is rather striking!

Before I Go To Sleep - S.J. Watson

Publisher: Black Swan

Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.
Welcome to Christine's life

This was the other book I picked up in Asda as it sounds intriguing and memory related stories seem very popular at the moment!

Working Stiff - Rachel Caine

Publisher: UK - A&B

Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice. With the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

I picked this up dead cheap at The Works as it looks like an interesting take on the zombie story.

Wedding Fever - Kim Gruenenfelder

Publisher: Harper

After listening to her closest friends' latest travails in love, parenting, and careers, superstitious bride-to-be Nicole believes she has the perfect recipe for everyone's happiness. So she sets to work in arranging a bridal shower "cake pull" in which each ribboned silver charm planted in her cake will bring its recipient the magical assistance she needs to change her destiny.Melissa, still ringless after dating the same man for six years, deserves the engagement ring charm. The red hot chili pepper would be perfect for Seema, who is in love with her best male friend Scott, but can't seem to make their relationship more than platonic. And recently laid off journalist Nic wants the shovel, which symbolizes hard work, to help her get her career back on track. Nic does everything she can to control who gets which silver keepsake - as well as the future it represents.But when the charmed cake is mysteriously shifted from the place settings Nic arranged around it, no one gets the charm she chose for them. And when the other party guests' fortunes begin coming true, Mel, Seema, and Nic can't help but wonder... Is the cake trying to tell them something?

I have to confess I actually bought this for a friend last year who was getting married, but I put it aside and just re-discovered it when I was cleaning up! It looks like a lot of fun and although I will still pass it onto the friend - I think I will read it first!

What have you picked up this week?