Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey

Genre:  Adult Urban Fantasy

Agent of Hel Series, Book 1

Jacqueline Carey's website

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Goodreads):

The Midwestern resort town of Pemkowet boasts a diverse population: eccentric locals, wealthy summer people, and tourists by the busload; not to mention fairies, sprites, vampires, naiads, ogres and a whole host of eldritch folk, presided over by Hel, a reclusive Norse goddess.

To Daisy Johanssen, fathered by an incubus and raised by a single mother, it’s home. And as Hel’s enforcer and the designated liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, it’s up to her to ensure relations between the mundane and eldritch communities run smoothly.

But when a young man from a nearby college drowns—and signs point to eldritch involvement—the town’s booming paranormal tourism trade is at stake. Teamed up with her childhood crush, Officer Cody Fairfax, a sexy werewolf on the down-low, Daisy must solve the crime—and keep a tight rein on the darker side of her nature. For if she’s ever tempted to invoke her demonic birthright, it could accidentally unleash nothing less than Armageddon.

This book is the beginnings of a new paranormal series.  And since I liked Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series, I thought I'd give it a try.  But I don't think I connected with the book as well as I could have.  It could definitely be that I read it at the wrong time in my life, or I just really couldn't connect with the characters.

Pemkowet: the paranormal tourist city.  And Daisy is right in the middle acting as a liaison for the human community and the human community.  Life kind of gets complicated when you're a half-breed.  And did you know that Daisy has a tail?  Personally, I found the tail moments a little annoying.

Anyways, this city has your fairies, vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and paranormal underworld.  This book does a really good job of giving you a glimpse of all the different paranormal creatures, but it doesn't seem to go into enough depth.  One of the ghouls, Stefan, was totally eye-catching.  I wanted to know more about his story, but we don't really get into it.  And the steamy werewolf: Cody?  Same issue here.

This book is very much an introduction into a new paranormal world.  It's an easy read, a nice paranormal who-dun-it plot, but it doesn't really go into much depth.  I think I'd be more attached to the second book if I decide to pick it up...

Challenges:  Paranormal Reading Challenge

manda-rae's Haul

Stacking the Shelves consists of books we received in the last week, hosted by Tynga's reviews.

I've been working a lot of overtime at work in an attempt to afford my new used car...  But I have been reading a little bit in my spare time.  Hopefully, the reading continues or picks up a bit.  Happy weekend everybody!

From the Library:

• Scorch by Gina Damico
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• Croak was a really cute read.  So I absolutely couldn't resist when I saw the second one come out.  Unfortunately, this a series not many have read, and I think a lot of people should pick up the first one.  I'll let you know how the second one goes.

manda-rae's Past Week
(It's kind of pathetic, but it's a result of my horrible bad luck with cars...)

Memes:

• Waiting on Wednesday: Vortex by Julie Cross

Promos:

• Bringing YA to You (It's a group of authors letting you vote where they should go next for a tour stop.)

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it spotlights upcoming books that we as readers are anxiously awaiting...

Vortex by Julie Cross
Genre:  YA Paranormal Fantasy
Tempest Series, Book 2
Julie Cross' website
Expected publication date:  January 15, 2013
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Goodreads):

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

So I remember reading the first one in one or two days.  And I absolutely loved it.  Plus all of the important stuff happened on the day I happened to get married.  So, anywho...  Looking forward to reading this one.

Bringing YA to You

Have you ever wished that a big YA book tour would make a stop in your hometown? Well, here's your chance for that wish to come true! YA2U is a program that features five award-winning and best-selling authors who are holding a contest to see what city they should visit in an exclusive tour stop!

The authors are collecting votes from January 1 to February 15, and any city in the continental US or any Canadian city that has an international airport can win an exclusive visit from all five authors, including an author panel and book signing! Entering is super easy--and if you help spread the word about the contest, you can also enter win a signed copy of all of their books (TEN signed books in total!)--and the book contest is open internationally!

The authors in the program are: 

• Marie Lu, the New York Times best-selling author of Legend and the upcoming Prodigy
• Marissa Meyer, the New York Times best-selling author of Cinder and the upcoming Scarlet
• Beth Revis, the New York Times best-selling author of Across theUniverse, A Million Suns, and the upcoming Shades of Earth
• Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch and the highly-anticipated upcoming The Archived
• Megan Shepherd, author of the debut novel The Madman's Daughter

And they want to have an event in your home town! To participate, just got to the YA2U website and let them know what city you want them to come to. And while you're there, help spread the word about the contest and you can be entered to win all of their books--TEN signed books in total!

Here's why the YA2U Team should come to MY hometown!

They should come to Madison, WI because I live here (obviously).  Plus, they can come out, sign books, freeze their butts off, and be thankful they don't live here in the winter.  Also, we have lots of snow which means they can make snow angels.  You have to make snow angels at least once every winter (or think about making them while drinking hot cocoa and sitting next to a roasting fire).  In short, they should come to Madison because it would make my day and year...

Why should the YA2U Team come to your hometown? Why not join in the fun today and share with others about this program and your hometown. The more votes your town gets, the closer you are to having your very own personal tour stop! Vote for YOUR town here!

And if you help spread the word, you can also participate in the book giveaway. Tell them that you learned about YA2U from me and we both get extra entries in the contest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

manda-rae's Haul

Stacking the Shelves consists of books we received in the last week, hosted by Tynga's reviews.

So the last time I posted about the books I received was three weeks ago.  And a lot has happened since then.  Let's just say Christmas was a pure downer for me.  Prior to Christmas, I was on vacation visiting family in Utah.  For the most part, I was sick.  Food poisoning tends to completely incapacitate you.  And then the drive home right before Christmas, my car broke down in the middle of nowhere.  Long story short, I worked a lot of overtime to pay for the car getting fixed.  They didn't fix it very well, and it never made it home.  It was an eventful Christmas full of work and stress.  And now I'm attempting to find a new car and survive while being carless.  Oh, and I'm working a million hours of overtime, so I can afford a new one.  Hence, I really haven't been reading lately.  But I'm getting back into the habit.  I certainly miss it.  And since I go into work today, I won't be able to reply to your hauls until later tonight or tomorrow.  Here's to hoping everyone's new year has been going better than mine...

Gifted (from the Husband for Christmas):

• Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• Ooh, shiny cover.  I remember this book had caught my interest a while back.  The cover is certainly intriguing.  And my husband was attempting to get me books that I didn't know about but would find interesting.  And I think he succeeded.
• The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• An Alice in Wonderland remake.  I honestly can't say I've heard of it.  You think I would have with that cover.  My husband did an awesome job at surprising me.
• Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• You know when you have those rants where you keep thinking I need to buy this book.  I must have this book.  I'm going to die if I don't get this book.  And then you never get it?  Well, apparently my husband remembers said rant of mine...

Gifted (from the Holiday Card Exchange hosted by Turning the Pages):

• Christmas Tree Card from Carrie at Sweet Southern Home - I love the card.  Thanks for thinking of me!
• Ornament Card from Kimberly at Turning the Pages - The card was beautiful.  And this card exchange was such a fun idea.  Thanks for setting it up!
• Winter Town Card plus bookmark from Candy at Purple Shadow Hunter - Thanks for the holiday wishes.  I truly needed it to combat my Scrooge spirit.  And the card was beautiful.
• Merry Christmas card plus Christmas tree spong and recipe from Anna at Herding Cats and Burning Soup - So the sponge came in a pill, and I was a little nervous to see what it was.  I mean, who sends pills in the mail?  And it turns into a Christmas tree sponge, how adorable!  I loved it.  And I plan on trying the recipe out asap.  Thanks for the goodies!

Purchased (e-edition):

The Grimm Diaries Prequels by Cameron Jace

Amazon | Goodreads

I picked these up when they were 99 cents.  I mean they're all retakes on fairy tales, right?  You can't go wrong there...



manda-rae's Past Three Weeks
(Again, my life has been quite eventful which prevented me from a lot of reading and blogging.)

Reviews:

• Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
• Flock by Wendy Delsol
• Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Memes:

• Top Ten Books I Read In 2012
• Waiting on Wednesday: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
• Top Ten Books I Resolve To Read In 2013
• Waiting on Wednesday: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Guest Post/Book Blitz:

• Fang Girl by Helen Keeble
• Spellbound by Nikki Jefford