Red Headed Stepchild (Book 1) has one of the THE funniest scenes I think I’ve ever read in urban fantasy (hint: It’s when Sabina learns she’s not “just” a vampire). When I picked up Green Eyed Demon, it was so enjoyable because I had almost forgotten how much I had enjoyed the first two. The mythology that Wells has provided is simply unheard of til now and truly awesome. There’s a good amount of classical/latin (Pythian Guard, Hekate Council) mixed in with biblical references. Her premise is that Lilith was the first vampire and that after “de-sanctifying” the Garden of Eden, anything apple is fatal to vampires. Therefore, it’s not just stakes, but applewood stakes. Sabina loads her gun with apple cider bullets. Also, all vampires are identified by their red hair: after Cain killed Able, he was punished by God and “marked” with red hair. Sabina, only half vampire, has black hair with streaks of red. It’s a very cool take on what I think is becoming a bit tired.

Here’s an excerpt from Ms. Well’s latest short story, Violet Tendencies:

Violet Tendencies

by Jaye Wells

All in all, excellent stuff. It’s a fun, fresh take on the usual Vampire mythos, so pick it up if you’re getting bored with all the other stuff out there! You can read the first chapter here, and be sure to follow Jaye and Giguhl on Twitter!

As a quick recap from Tempest Rising, we know that Jane is half selkie–she can call on the power of water. Her new boyfriend, Ryu, is a vampire. This leads to a fun romance with lots of steamy scenes (Did I mention they have a lot of sex?). With Tracking the Tempest, Jane is still coming into her power. She is coached by Nell, a powerful gnome, and Trill, a kelpie. Along with this newfound power, she maintains a long distance relationship with her new beau, Ryu. Everything goes well until Ryu decides that she should visit him for Valentine’s Day. With that visit, Jane’s contentment goes Ka-BOOM!

Jane becomes embroiled in yet another investigation, this time a killing spree. All evidence hints that the murderer is a halfling–just like Jane. The action is fast paced and Ms. Peeler packs so much into this book that its size is deceiving.

Jane is again thrown into a supernatural world she is still new to. The characters really come together in Tracking the Tempest, from Ryu’s detective team to Jane’s coworkers at the bookstore, keeping the reader interested not only in our main characters, but the supporting cast as well. Nicole Jane is downright bawdy at times, leaving me laughing at almost every page (I got a lot of weird looks while reading this one). The range of supernatural (gnomes, kelpies, ifrits, and even brownies) is just as refreshing as when I read Tempest Rising.

There are eyebrow waggling moments, jealous boyfriends, and some seriously scary moments as well. All is woven together seamlessly, creating one fun read! I have really enjoyed seeing Jane come into her power–at first a very fragile character, she really begins to hold her own in this book. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Jane in Tempest’s Legacy!!

I get around a lot.

But shockingly, there’s a lot out there I haven’t done.

First, I have never listened to an audiobook. Secondly, I have not yet read Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series. I know, I know!! Bear with me here.

Last month, I did something amazing. Something unbelievable. Something naughty. I signed up for Audible.com. The first thing I downloaded was Charlaine Harris’ Dead Until Dark. I got sucked in (haha, get it?). Now I got it bad, for both audiobooks and Ms. Harris alike.

But aren’t audiobooks just for listening while driving? Au contraire, dear readers! I thought that too, not so long ago. Dead Until Dark, a delightful 8 hours, kept me entertained while I:

• walked/played with the dog
• worked in the garden
• prepped and cooked dinner
• tried to fall asleep
• folded laundry
• prepared boring spreadsheets at work
• drove

Now, normally, I would never be able to read while doing some of these things. Many a time have I wished I could walk the pup while reading a book (though I have a feeling it would end in disaster). Of course, for safety, I walk with only one earbud in so I can still hear what is going on around me.

This has been a breakthrough. Of course, I knew audiobooks existed, but for some reason (mostly $$) I never really got into them. I am furious at myself now for not experimenting earlier! When I was in college, it was a 3 hour drive to get home to see my parents. The time wasted trying to figure out new radio stations when I could have been immersed in a book! While driving! Ugh. Well now I know better. Now, with a long distance wedding coming up next month, a lot of driving, and a dog that needs exercised, I couldn’t be happier about this choice.

Now. On to to Sookie. Did I mention I really enjoyed Dead Until Dark?

Charlaine Harris is both hilarious and deadly, in the same instant. Dead Until Dark tells the story of Sookie Stackhouse, a cocktail waitress in a small town in Louisiana. She has a certain “disability” (reading thoughts) that makes relationships very difficult. While Sookie’s world is similar to ours, hers includes vampires, who “came out of the coffin” several years prior. When vampire Bill Compton first sets foot in the bar where Sookie works, she only hears silence, as opposed to the yammering thoughts she has to continually block out. To her, this magical silence is a godsend, and she continues to see Bill, until women begin turning up dead. Women who have had previous relationships with vampires. In such a small town, Bill’s arrival and the coincidental timing with the murders sets tongues wagging, and it’s up to Sookie to figure what is going on, before she becomes one of the murderer’s next victims.

The book is at times terrifying and funny, and I found myself loving Charlaine’s writing. She goes from extreme to extreme with barely a thought, and reader has no choice but to haplessly follow along. There are laugh out loud scenes, steamy sex scenes, and utterly frightening scenes. She writes all with ease and then links them together for a thoroughly satisfying read.

What made this first time experience even better was the narrator. Listening to a book adds a fun new element–voice. The narrator was just as I would imagine Sookie–a honeyed southern accent that voiced all the other characters with ease.

If you loved library time in grade school, check out audiobooks. You won’t regret it.

Side Note: In this sense, the books are a little formulaic, but that’s what makes them so ‘comfortable’ to me– Someone comes to Harry for help. Big baddies come after Harry while he investigates. Help is going to take a lot more than Harry anticipated. Harry outsmarts/outlucks/outmaneuvers baddies. Harry saves the day.

Oh boy. I couldn’t have been more wrong *looks contrite*. Changes begins in the usual Dresden manner–fast, gritty, and in your face. You are left sputtering “Harry has a daughter????? With Susan???” (not a spoiler, it’s on the back cover!) and the book just keeps getting better from there.

The beginning of the aforementioned formula begins to weave itself together, and I can almost see Jim’s face while he says “Ha! Take that!!” while pulling out the rug from under the reader’s feet. Just when you begin to fall under plot’s hypnotic spell, everything Changes. The book title is significant in that Harry’s relationships with many supporting characters also undergo some form of Change. He learns that Mouse, while often a great help in a tight spot, has even more to offer. He finds out about his mother’s relationships and how they affect him and those in his care. He discovers Susan’s reasons for keeping such a life altering secret, and the list goes on.

Finally, there is a HELL of a cliffhanger ending that kept me reading right into the author’s note. I realized that Jim’s living arrangements and vicious guard dog have nothing to do with Harry’s story, and had to go back a few pages and reread. I simply kept on reading because I assumed there would be more!

I’ll end with that, as MORE is what I am left wanting. Maybe that will be the next title (Eh? Think about it, Jim!).

The first four chapters can be found on Jim Butcher’s site.

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden’s lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…

He’s fighting to save his child.

You can check out the first few chapters on Jim Butcher’s site here!