iPhone Kindle app creates reading frenzy
I discovered the Amazon Kindle app for my iPhone from a girl who works out at Curves. It might be an overstatement to say that it changed my life, but I think it might have. It makes reading so much more convenient, without all the expense and clutter. Of course, it sucks up my battery like a good Dyson vacuum, but that's a small price to pay for addictive literature at my fingertips 24/7.
I started off with a few free books here and there. I quickly discovered the genius of this marketing strategy. Take an addictive series like "Midnight Breed" and make the first book free. Not if, but when the reader gets hooked on it, they will purchase all the other books in the series without the slightest pause.
This is how I read 6 books within a week's time. And (happily) lost a lot of sleep in the process.
Kiss of Midnight ★★★★
Kiss of Crimson ★★★★
Midnight Awakening ★★★★
Midnight Rising ★★★★
Veil of Midnight ★★★☆
Ashes of Midnight ★★★☆
by Lara Adrian
Rather than do reviews of each one, I'll say in general that I loved each and every one of these. Some more than others, but only slightly. Each book focuses on a different character, which keeps the story interesting. But the overall story arc progresses nicely across all the books. Four more books are reported to be in the works, to complete the series of 10 books.
I will say this: these are extremely Adult books, as if the cover graphics didn't give it away. The central characters are a new breed of vampire, called (wait for it...) Breed. They're not the un-dead kind of vampires that you're used to. They are very much alive. And no, they don't *sparkle*, but they do have needs. The gore factor is not as high as you might think, but the porn factor is off the charts.
So, you might be wondering why I read them, being the sensitive and conservative person that I am. The truth is I got addicted. The romance element is a nice counter to the sci-fi/mythological story. I can't wait for the next book!
Serial by Jack Kilborn & Blake Crouch - ★★★☆
The word unexpected comes to mind when I think back on this book. It's a Kindle exclusive, so you won't find it in print anywhere. Basically, the two authors each created one main character and wrote a chapter featuring their respective character. The third and final chapter, they wrote together via email. Their two characters meet and a series of rather graphic and unfortunate events ensues. I can't say much about the plot without giving it away. It's meant to be surprising, especially the ending, and I wouldn't want to spoil that.
Magic Kingdom for Sale by Terry Brooks - ★★★☆
The premise of this story was cute. That seems like a lame way to describe it, but I can't think of a better word. Lonely widower sees advertisement for fairy kingdom and decides, "What have I got to lose?" Well, for starters, one million dollars... That's the price tag of this unique item. But he is quickly captured by the mystical wonders of Landover, as was I in reading about it. It's easy to picture from the author's descriptions, but not completely predictable. I found myself wishing it was a real place or that something like this could really happen in real life. I guess a small part of me wishes I could abandon the modern world in favor of something more primitive, but only if I could be a princess. :)
The Widow by Carla Neggers - ★★☆☆
I'm glad this one was free. It wasn't horrible, but I can say that I would rather not pay for any of Ms. Neggers' other books. I'm pretty sure it was her writing style that turned me off. The story in general was mediocre, and her limited vocabulary was distracting. The main character was hard to identify with, and consequently became quite irritating with her determined and aggressive behavior. It was supposed to be romantic suspense, but the romance left me as cold as the autumnal Maine setting of the story itself.
Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry - ★★☆☆
This was another romantic suspense (also free) that left something to be desired. I enjoyed the plot more than The Widow, even though the main female character was irritating. She finally becomes bearable toward the end of the story. I found the setting of Pennsylvania Amish country pretty interesting, and I suppose that's where the title came from, though it was never really clear. Even the ending wasn't very clear. There was a resolution, and you eventually find out "whodunnit", but the reason "Why?" is a bit lacking. It's almost like she got tired of writing and just wanted to skip to the happy ending. The problem with that method is that the ending can't really be happy when you feel there are still loose ends.
If you can believe it, there are more. Then again, I did have a whole month of uninterrupted bed rest, so maybe it's not that surprising. But they'll have to wait until some other time this weekend.
I started off with a few free books here and there. I quickly discovered the genius of this marketing strategy. Take an addictive series like "Midnight Breed" and make the first book free. Not if, but when the reader gets hooked on it, they will purchase all the other books in the series without the slightest pause.
This is how I read 6 books within a week's time. And (happily) lost a lot of sleep in the process.
Kiss of Midnight ★★★★
Kiss of Crimson ★★★★
Midnight Awakening ★★★★
Midnight Rising ★★★★
Veil of Midnight ★★★☆
Ashes of Midnight ★★★☆
by Lara Adrian
Rather than do reviews of each one, I'll say in general that I loved each and every one of these. Some more than others, but only slightly. Each book focuses on a different character, which keeps the story interesting. But the overall story arc progresses nicely across all the books. Four more books are reported to be in the works, to complete the series of 10 books.
I will say this: these are extremely Adult books, as if the cover graphics didn't give it away. The central characters are a new breed of vampire, called (wait for it...) Breed. They're not the un-dead kind of vampires that you're used to. They are very much alive. And no, they don't *sparkle*, but they do have needs. The gore factor is not as high as you might think, but the porn factor is off the charts.
So, you might be wondering why I read them, being the sensitive and conservative person that I am. The truth is I got addicted. The romance element is a nice counter to the sci-fi/mythological story. I can't wait for the next book!
Serial by Jack Kilborn & Blake Crouch - ★★★☆
The word unexpected comes to mind when I think back on this book. It's a Kindle exclusive, so you won't find it in print anywhere. Basically, the two authors each created one main character and wrote a chapter featuring their respective character. The third and final chapter, they wrote together via email. Their two characters meet and a series of rather graphic and unfortunate events ensues. I can't say much about the plot without giving it away. It's meant to be surprising, especially the ending, and I wouldn't want to spoil that.
Magic Kingdom for Sale by Terry Brooks - ★★★☆
The premise of this story was cute. That seems like a lame way to describe it, but I can't think of a better word. Lonely widower sees advertisement for fairy kingdom and decides, "What have I got to lose?" Well, for starters, one million dollars... That's the price tag of this unique item. But he is quickly captured by the mystical wonders of Landover, as was I in reading about it. It's easy to picture from the author's descriptions, but not completely predictable. I found myself wishing it was a real place or that something like this could really happen in real life. I guess a small part of me wishes I could abandon the modern world in favor of something more primitive, but only if I could be a princess. :)
The Widow by Carla Neggers - ★★☆☆
I'm glad this one was free. It wasn't horrible, but I can say that I would rather not pay for any of Ms. Neggers' other books. I'm pretty sure it was her writing style that turned me off. The story in general was mediocre, and her limited vocabulary was distracting. The main character was hard to identify with, and consequently became quite irritating with her determined and aggressive behavior. It was supposed to be romantic suspense, but the romance left me as cold as the autumnal Maine setting of the story itself.
Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry - ★★☆☆
This was another romantic suspense (also free) that left something to be desired. I enjoyed the plot more than The Widow, even though the main female character was irritating. She finally becomes bearable toward the end of the story. I found the setting of Pennsylvania Amish country pretty interesting, and I suppose that's where the title came from, though it was never really clear. Even the ending wasn't very clear. There was a resolution, and you eventually find out "whodunnit", but the reason "Why?" is a bit lacking. It's almost like she got tired of writing and just wanted to skip to the happy ending. The problem with that method is that the ending can't really be happy when you feel there are still loose ends.
If you can believe it, there are more. Then again, I did have a whole month of uninterrupted bed rest, so maybe it's not that surprising. But they'll have to wait until some other time this weekend.