The Wolfman – A review
Hey folks! So this weekend I did a movie marathon and one of those movies fits really well with the Shapeshifter theme, and that’s The Wolfman. First, let me say I don’t typically “Do” horror movies, though I’m not sure this one qualifies more as horror as opposed to paranormal though. Yes, it’s gory, but it’s possible to ignore such blatant displays of blood and gore to search for the plot. Notice I said search?
The Wolfman does justice in the arena of special affects. It reminded me, at times, of the mini Movie Thriller, by Michael Jackson. Watching the transformation was horrifically exciting. I loved each and every transformation, though the movement of our dear Wolfman in his animalistic form was not so attractive, but then, this isn’t a romance.
But we were talking plot. That’s right. where was that thing anyway? Nope, not here, under the bed. Not hidden in the dark, almost colorless world of historic England. Nope. No plot. Ok, there’s the Anthony Hopkins plot. That was kewl. He stole the show, folks. In every scene he was in. Dark, family secrets, shown in small bits of perfect acting and good writing. But what I didn’t understand was why the writing didn’t work for the hero of our story. Nor for our heroine. I never got a good Feel for what they were about. Yes, the hero is dark and tortured, and has flashbacks of horrific events in his life, perpetrated against him by his father. Yet still, I didn’t “Feel” anything.
Then came the oddest part. There was a beautiful little bit of “Foreshadowing” in the opening scene. Foreshadowing that never came to pass? Scenes with the heroine, racing against the clock to save the man she loves. Only she never does? None of that made ANY sense. It’s hard not to give away the plot when I talk about this, (or lack thereof?) but it’s like reading a story where the heroine knows how to save the hero and then lets him die anyway. WHAT?
My husband laughed and said “he wasn’t her true love”. Well, maybe?
All in all, I left the movie confused. I didn’t understand what the beginning sequence had to do with the end of the movie. Kind of reminds me of a prologue I once read in a romance novel. I’d forgotten it was there till after I finished the book, then I realized it didn’t add anything at all to the story. In fact, had I remembered it was there, it probably would have detracted as I tried to fit the puzzle pieces together, and then found one missing.
That’s what The Wolfman felt like to me.
So, all in all i give it a C-. Not because it was poorly done cinematically, but because of the missing “piece” of the puzzle.
BOM: Amazon Ink, Lori Devoti
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: May 26, 2009
ISBN: 978-1439154274
It’s been ten years since Melanippe Saka left the Amazon tribe in order to create a normal life for her daughter, Harmony. True, running a tattoo parlor in Madison, Wisconsin, while living with your Amazon warrior mother and priestess grandmother is not everyone’s idea of normal, but Mel thinks she’s succeeded at blending in as human.
Turns out she’s wrong. Someone knows all about her, someone who’s targeting young Amazon girls, and no way is Mel going to let Harmony become tangled in this deadly web. With her mother love in overdrive, Ms. Melanippe Saka is quite a force…even when she’s facing a barrage of distractions — including a persistent detective whose interest in Mel goes beyond professional, a sexy tattoo artist with secrets of his own, and a seriously angry Amazon queen who views Mel as a prime suspect. To find answers, Mel will have to do the one thing she swore she’d never do: embrace her powers and admit that you can take the girl out of the tribe…but you can’t take the tribe out of the girl.
Hi everyone! I sincerely hope that you’ve been enjoying the summer as I have. Playing taxi to my increasingly busy teenagers, working, and still trying to get in the occasional barbeque, I barely found time to read Lori’s latest. Barely was the key word so you know I did and here it is!
I really wasn’t sure how I’d appreciate such a strong female character, but Mel kinda grew on me. It was quite entertaining to watch her struggles as a Mom with a teen, since I can so relate to that! I reflected back on my own family frequently throughout the novel. Isn’t it true that all families have skeletons in their closet and as our children mature, we decide when and if to reveal them. Mel I think it’s time to explain the Amazons in the front yard even if you have a clever cover story. Children these days are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. If you think you know when your child is lying, look at it from their eyes as well. Your child more than likely knows she is being lied to. I found this book to be very hip, up to date, and dead on, repeatedly a typical day in the life of a teenage girl. Drama, drama, drama! Lori brings alluring mystique, and non stop excitement to a basic who dunnit, with a very interesting history lesson of an extinct and mythical culture. I even liked the who dunnit part, I usually don’t read mysteries well, but this one kept me turning pages and guessing until the end. So if you want an intriguing mystery that’s written for today’s mom with a little SciFi thrown in for good measure. Read Lori Devoti’s new book, Amazon Ink! You’ll have a great time and maybe gain a little insight as to which battles you should pick.
BOM: Bride of the Wolf, Jennifer St Giles
BRIDE OF THE WOLF SHADOWMEN BOOK FOUR
Pocket Books
Release Date: April 28th, 2009
Bride of the Wolf (ISBN 1416563415)
Injured Blood Hunter Navarre is kidnapped along with oil heiress Marissa Vasquez. Their bid for freedom, puts them into a deadly race for their lives as they become the hunted prey of two Vladarian Vampires and the evil Dr. Cinatas. Together Marissa and Navarre’s spirits form a powerful link matched only by their passion. But can a mortal woman attain true love with a man who is half wolf? Or will their enemies steal their one chance at happiness?
Jennifer St Giles let me say first your Shadowmen Series is da BOMB!
I’ll admit it took me longer to absorb the story lines that were taking shape in Bride of the Wolf. At first I kept blaming my busy schedule for my extended reading time. However, then I realized about halfway through Bride of the Wolf that the real reason was that the story was so jam packed full of details that I was slowing my reading down in order to let it all soak in.
Absorb I did, the vibrant descriptions of the locations in which Bride of the Wolf took place had me reminiscing warmer climates as I suffer through my first turbulent spring in Michigan. The tumultuous experiences of the characters often brought perspective to life’s little nuances. I found myself pausing throughout my reading to send heartfelt thanks to my GOD for the little joys he brings to me in life. To re-experience the innocence of First Love is a wonderful gift that Jennifer St. Giles has bestowed upon us all in Bride of the Wolf. Thank You Jen! If first love doesn’t entice you, Jennifer’s attention to detail will. Jennifer pulls out all the stops in Bride of the Wolf with non stop action, paranormal adventure, and even food! It’s wrapped up neatly in a yummy tamale just for you! (Note to self: must look up the delectable recipes from this book) (Note to Jennifer: Do you have said recipes? Maybe we can post them in this Book of the Months post discussion for Bride of the Wolf.
So all you avid paranormal junkies grab your fork and dig in to this one!
From this reviewers perspective it was a savory morsel! When is dessert?
Penelope Fitzgerald
BOM: Eternal Moon, Rebecca York, Part 2
Sorry for the delay on this posting – for some reason the date didn’t update like we thought it had.
ETERNAL MOON (ISBN: 978-0425227008, Berkley Sensation, April 2009) Good and evil clash down through the ages in a struggle for supremacy. Renata Cordona is the reincarnation of an ancient goddess. Jacob Marshall is a werewolf, a dog whisperer, and her true consort.They have met countless times through the centuries in different lives. And each time, a demon steps into the equation to keep them from fulfilling their destiny. They’ve never been strong enough to fight the ancient evil. But can a werewolf change the equation? Or will they repeat the pattern of destruction and doom humanity along with themselves?
So what did you think, exciting wasn’t it? Wow! Did you guess who was on the side of evil in this story? Now’s the time to give us your opinons, because one lucky person will win a copy of a book from our next monthly focus author, which is Jennifer St. Giles.
Destiny of the Wolf by Terry Spear
By Teresa D’Amario
Lelandi Wildhaven is determined to discover the truth about her beloved sister’s mysterious death. But everyone thinks she’s out to make a bid for her sister’s widowed mate…
He’s a pack leader tormented by memories…
Darien Silver blames himself for his mate’s death. When her twin arrives in his town, he finds himself
bewitched, and when someone attempts to silence her, he realizes that protecting the beautiful stranger
might be the only way to protect his pack…
and himself…
I read Terry’s book on a plane from NM to NC, with a three hour layover. Obviously I had plenty of time to enjoy this awesome read. Those three hours sped by, which was much to my husband’s dismay, because I didn’t talk to him much.
I’ve hesitated to read Terry’s books, not becuase I didn’t think they would be great, but because reviews show some similar factors between her books and mine, and I was afraid it would “rub off” too much. While Terry’s world building is different than mine, it’s obvious both she and I have one thing in common – we both know our wolves. A MUST KNOW part of writing wolf shapeshifting stories. Kudos on your research Terry! It shows!
Now, on to the story. Darien is an awesome alpha – a male who doesn’t need to do more than offer a look to have his every command obeyed. That is, until he meets his dead mate’s twin sister. From the instant she arrives, disgusised with hair dye and dark glasses, she takes HIS table at the local bar, refusing to obey his every command. The sparks fly from the first glance to the last, keeping the reader entranced in this highly intense, dangerous game of “who dunnit.”
I thoroughly enjoyed this awesome read, and if you like shifters, wolves, or just love a good mystery, this is the book for you. 🙂 Kudos Terry! (oh wait, I already said that).
Oh, and not only do we have two books with the name Teresa in it (And uhm, we know what happened to HER in both books… oops) we also have a Larissa! How funny is that? Betcha can’t wait to see who she is, and what happens to her in Terry Spear’s Destiny of the Wolf.
Review: Kiss of Fate by Deborah Cooke
Haunted by dreams of a lover who takes the form of a mythical dragon, Eileen Grosvenor searches for the truth. She never expects to find a real dragon shape shifter, let alone one who who awakens her passion and ignites memories of her own forgotten past.
Erik Sorensson is focused on leading the Pyr to triumph against the Slayers at all costs, even the sacrifice of his own life. When an ancient relic that can turn the tide of the battle reveals itself again, Erik knows he has to retrieve it from Eileen’s possession. But he’s shocked by an incredible firestorm when he tries to claim the relic — a firestorm that forces him to confront the truth about Eileen’s identity. Her presence touches him in unexpected ways, reminding him of mistakes he’s determined to not make again, and Erik is forced to make a choice…duty or love.
Only by unlocking the secrets of the past can Erik and Eileen fulfill the final prophecy of the Pyr – but can they face their deepest fears and claim their destined love in time to defeat the Slayers?
I read Deborah’s first book with a little skepticism. Dragons? How on earth can dragons be sexy? Prior to this I’d not read any real dragon shifters before. Books with dragons, yes, but not where they shifted to human form. Yet within the pages of Deborah’s books, the impossible becomes real. You can smell the sulphur, feel the beat of their wings, and burn with the sensuality of their love.
So Friday I got my copy of Kiss of Fate, the newest installment of the Dragonfire Series. What an awesome book this was. Original and exciting, this book drags you across the ocean and back again, from one continent to another. The richness of the prose in London is so clear you can almost smell the city streets, visualize the buildings and feel the wood beneath your feet on the historic bridges above the rushing water. The same can be said once you reach back across the waters into America, the contrasts in the two cultures noticeable to one who has seen both.
But more than scenery, is the intensity and danger within these pages. For me, I love a good romance that makes your heart beat in fear, terrified something horrible will go wrong. And when it does, feeling the pain, the fear, and even crying a tear. But also cheering when something goes right, when history doesn’t repeat itself, when our Hero and Heroine manage to do the impossible.
Deborah has done that and more. I found myself turning page after page, determined to make it to the end in time to bring you this review today, rather than waiting till I come back from today’s scheduled trip (I’m off to never never land, errrr, New Mexico). Erik and Eileen prove that love has no bounds, through time, space and distance. Wrongs can be righted and pain can be soothed.
If you love a good romance, filled with good hot sexual tension that literally sparks of the page, mixed in with danger and intrigue, this is the book for you. Two thumbs up!!! Great job as usual, Deborah!
Now, I have a contest for you. One which is just a little different than most of ours. And, the contest has a story of sorts.
Deborah Cooke and Larissa Ione both have books with one thing in common. They both use MY name in their books. I would like to say I was the reason they used the name, but after reading about my namesakes, that idea gives me shivers. The Scary king. But, just for grins, we’ll say it’s my namesake in each of these books, and I inspired each to such greatness (just kidding!)
So the contest is this:
Send an email with your name to desertpetiri@aol.com,. When you send me your entry, tell me what happens to Teresa (my namesake) in both Kiss of Fate by Deborah Cooke, and Larrissa Ione’s Pleasure Unbound.
We have to do this in email because I certainly don’t want to ruin anyone’s enjoyment of the books in question.
One lucky winner will receive a print copy of Tigress by the Tail. (No sense in me giving you their books, because to win, you have to have already read them!)
And due to the nature of the contest (Having to read two books) I’m going to give you TWO FULL WEEKS to send me your answer! So on Monday, February 23rd I will chose one lucky winner to receive Tigress by the Tail.
Happy reading, if you haven’t read them already!
Review: Ghost Moon
GHOST MOON, Rebecca York (Berkley Sensation)
ISBN: 978-0425222454
Buy Link
http://rebeccayork.com
Reviewed by AJ Hampton
Sexy, fun, fast paced and engaging. These are a few things I have to say about Rebecca York’s 7th novel, GHOST MOON, in the Moon series. I was drawn into her universe within the first few pages and couldn’t put the book down until I salivated over the last page.
Quinn and Caleb’s first meeting is intense, seductive, dark. The chemistry between them was unmistakable and sent shivers down my spine. There is something sexy about what we cannot see, and that was Quinn’s first meeting with Caleb. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel him. His energy, his emotions, the way he held her against him… Combine that with a creative, well thought out plot that was meticulously weaved into the romance and I was treated to one hell of a novel.
One thing I love about GHOST MOON is the series factor. GHOST MOON is the latest in the Moon series and it didn’t disappoint. Rebecca York does a magnificent job in keeping her universe consistent throughout the novels but giving it a unique spin that allows readers starting in the middle of the series to understand what is going on.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to sink their teeth into an erotic paranormal thriller with elements of magic, shifters and ghosts.
Want a chance to win a wolf puppet donated by Rebecca York?
Comment on any post throughout the blog (excludes past contests which have already drawn winners). I’ll be picking a random commenter to win! You MUST post today, 05/06/08, to win. There is no need to label your post “contest”, just look around the blog and leave a note on what strikes your fancy 🙂 Questions? You can contact me at: aj_hampton@hotmail.com