Underground by Kat Richardson

About the book: Harper Blaine was your average small-time PI until she died--for two minutes. Now Harper is a Greywalker, walking the thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm. And her new abilities are landing her all sorts of "strange" cases.

In the cold of winter, Pioneer Square's homeless are being butchered, and zombies have been seen roaming the streets of the underground city buried beneath modern Seattle.

When Harper's friend Quinton fears he may be implicated in the deaths, he persuades her to investigate. They soon discover a pattern that points to an inhuman killer stalking the citizens of the underground, and raising the walking dead in its wake.

Someone has unleashed a monster of ancient legend, and Harper must deal with both the living and the dead to find the creature and put a stop to it...unless it stops her first.

My thoughts: This was an impulse buy at Wal-Mart. Again, I was attracted first by the cover and then liked what I read on the back so I bought it. There was just a little romance with lots of attention the the paranormal. I enjoyed the the historical facts and fictionilized story of Seattle. I especially liked the Native American mythology like the legend of the monster Sisiutl and its master, Qamaits, that Kat Richardson used. A brand new monster! This is the third in the Greywalker series. I'll be looking for more of them.

Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us by Allen Salkin

Product Description: A brand-new and revised edition of the hilarious guide to the national anti-holiday made famous by Seinfeld, complete with never-before-seen material, photos, and illustrations on how to prepare and enjoy your very own Fest.

My thoughts: When I saw this I had to read it because I am a Seinfield fan. It was pretty silly but not as funny as I thought it would be. Still I had to read it. If this book is right there are people all over celebrating Festivus, aluminum pole, The Airing of the Grievances, Feats of Strength and all.

:)

Paranoia by Joseph Finder

About the book: Adam Cassidy is twenty-six and a low-level employee at a high-tech corporation who hates his job. When he manipulates the system to do something nice for a friend, he finds himself charged with a crime. Corporate Security gives him a choice: prison—or become a spy in the headquarters of their chief competitor, Trion Systems.They train him. They feed him inside information. Now, at Trion, he's a star, skyrocketing to the top. He finds he has talents he never knew he possessed. He's rich, drives a Porsche, lives in a fabulous apartment, and works directly for the CEO. He's dating the girl of his dreams.His life is perfect. And all he has to do to keep it that way is betray everyone he cares about and everything he believes in.But when he tries to break off from his controllers, he finds he's in way over his head, trapped in a world in which nothing is as it seems and no one can really be trusted.And then the real nightmare begins. . . .
My thoughts: Coporate intrigue isn't usually what I choose to read, but this one was good. What a twist at the end!

Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman

About the book: Manhattan's nightlife just got weirder. . .It starts as a simple job - but simple jobs, when you're dealing with this magical world, often end up anything but. As a Retriever, Wren Valere specializes in finding things gone missing - and then bringing them back, no questions asked. Normally her job is stimulating, challenging and only a little bit dangerous. But every once in a while. . . Case in point - a cornerstone containing a spell is stolen and there's a magical complication. (Isn't there always?) Wren's unique abilities aren't enough to lay this particular case to rest, and so she turns to some friends: a demon (minor), a mage who has lost her mind, and a few others - including Sergei, her business partner (and maybe a bit more?) Sometimes what a woman hasto do to get the job done is enough to give even Wren nightmares.

My thoughts: Staying Dead, the first book in the Retrievers serise, was published in 2004. I was lucky to have found it while browsing at the library. It was a great addition the the whole Urban Fantasy genre with its unique characters. Do yourself a favor and look it up. I'm going to get the next one soon. I'll have to buy it since our library just caved in.

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

About the book: Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son - and enforcer - of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf who opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer - or Charles will take the fall.

My thoughts: I was attracted to this book first by its cover then I saw that patricia briggs wrote it. So I bought it without reading the back. I'm glad that I did, it was a great story! I'll have to read the first book in Briggs' Alpha and Omega series.

Nuclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey

About the Book: Just when you thought it was safe to go online . . . Serge has returned! That loveable collector of trivia, souvenirs, and murder methods is back with a new A''Tour of Florida. And this time he's out to set the record straight! Serge is upset that his beloved state isn't getting its proper recognition, so he signs on with the big Internet travel services. But his new employers aren't exactly sure they want to send their customers to Serge's favorite haunts - nor do they want to provide tips on how to keep from getting killed on vacation. Serge couldn't disagree more, and he sets up his own wildcat site, hyper''blogging his way down the coast with his perpetually hammered sidekick, Coleman. Unfortunately Serge's Web presence catches the attention of his nemesis, Agent Mahoney, and the chase is on. Meanwhile, professional robbery crews have begun targeting trade show exhibitors, who may or may not be what they seem. Bodies begin piling up, which is less than usual for the locale - except this time it involves rare postcards. Serge has had enough! He's forced into the only logical course of action - go shopping at the Home Depot.

And this only raises more questions: Who is tutoring strippers through the community college? What sparked the grudge match between coin and stamp enthusiasts?

How'd the astronaut in diapers get involved?

Why does Serge have to stop at the NASCAR superstore?

Where did all these diamonds come from?

And does Lynyrd Skynyrd hold the key to everything?

It all starts with a tragic tattoo parlor mishap and soon nobody is safe, especially the person on the Robert De Niro stool, because, after all, Serge has to sit there or what's the point of life? But wait! You say you want more? Serge says, You got it! Guns, drugs, bloody crime scenes, historically relevant sex, library quiet time, glow''in''the dark deformities, hotel drink coupons, a naked woman in a shark cage, and John Travolta. It's time to sign on with Serge and see where the twisting, sun''splashed trail leads in . . . Nuclear Jellyfish!

My thoughts: This is the 11th Serge Storms book. As usual, it was a twisted mad cap dash around Florida. Throw in a little memory loss and it is twisted just a little more. This series is highly entertaining, always good for a laugh and the hero (????) is nuts. I got hooked reading Triggerfish Twist which, of course, was not the first book in the series. Visit Tim Dorsey to see "wacky videos, Serge's favorite Florida haunts, and his souvenir collection.."

The Judas Strain by James Rollins

Description: Buried deep within a jungle, ancient ruins conceal a deadly secret... Buried in a tomb in Venice, a great explorer hides a truth that could shatter history... Buried in our own genetic code, a mystery like no other... But nothing stays buried forever-and it will be up to Sigma Force to face what will be unearthed: a plague beyond any cure, a scourge that turns all of Nature against mankind. From the high seas of the Indian Ocean to the dark jungles of Southeast Asia, from the canals of Venice to the crypts of ancient kings, Sigma Force must piece together a mystery that, unless solved, will end all life on our planet. But even this challenge may prove too large for Sigma Force alone. With a worldwide pandemic growing, Painter Crowe and Commander Gray Pierce turn to their deadliest adversaries for help, teaming up with a diabolical foe who thwarted them in the past. But can the enemy be trusted even now? Or will they prove to be another Judas?

My thoughts: It was a good action pacted story but took place on at least three front with lots of characters. I was listening to it and had a hard time keeping up with everything. I will have to get the next in the series because of the great come-along at the end.

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Description: After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyone—human and otherwise—is stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.It’s clear that things are changing—whether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie—Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire community—is caught up in the changes.In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.

My thoughts: A great addition to the series! This kept me reading. I wonder if Sookie will ever get a boyfriend. First Bill, the Alcide and now Quinn is out. I'm voting for Sam.