Marina's Review: Close to You (Downside Ghosts #5.5) by Stacia Kane

Close to You  (Downside Ghosts #5.5) by Stacia Kane

 The Holidays Are Hell.

Churchwitch Chess Putnam has seen, and banished, her share of ghosts, but not of the Christmas Past variety—the holiday has been illegal since the Church of Real Truth defeated the undead and took control of the world in 1997.

Yet when she and her boyfriend, Terrible, make a trip to an abandoned auto junkyard, they find more than the rusted auto parts and spare tires they’d bargained for. They also run across a creepy Miss Havisham-type hell-bent on reuniting with her long-dead husband just in time for Christmas—even if it means taking Chess and Terrible down with her into the City of Eternity…

If Chess and Terrible don't manage to keep these ghosts in the past, they won't have a future…

• Release Date:  October 8th 2013
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
• Author's web site

*No Spoilers

It's been a long-long time since I last read a Downside Ghosts book, and reading this novella made me almost homesick.

In Close to You we find Chess and Terrible playing a game of hide and seek in an auto junkyard and they come across a mysterious Mrs Havisham who is trying  to reunite with her husband......her dead husband! What will Chess do facing the unconditional love Mrs Havisham has for her husband and why this odd lady is still celebrating Christmas?

In this short book we get a glimpse of the Downside world Stacia Kane has created and it's admittedly unique! If you are a fan then you should definitely try it, but even if you haven't read any of the books it's a good start.

Happy New Year !
Hope all your wishes and dreams come true!!!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

Our TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

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Top 5 Sundays #113 - Most Underrated Book Series!

Hey guys!! 

Sorry about the issue with the poll this week! 

I will be using Poll Daddy from now on =)

Seems we have a tie... so I'll let the choice of topic up to you... you can write your post or comment about either one... I would LOVE to read it!

ps: I meant Underrated! =/

This week’s results:

Top 5 Sundays Theme? {October 28th} (Poll Closed)

Favorite Book in a Long-Running Series 50%  (3 votes) 

Most Underrated Book Series! 50%  (3 votes) 

The theme for today is:

Most Underrated Book Series!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

*in no particular order

Dowside Ghosts

by Stacia Kane

The heroine is a bit out there with the drug addiction for sure, but this is a series that definitely deserves more spotlight,... if nothing else, because of Terrible! =D

World of Lupi

 by Eileen Wilks

I am glad this series is surviving, but it is so awesome that I wish it was much more well known!

Allie Beckstrom

by Devon Monk

Another series I think more people would check out! I LOVE it and have been following for a long time!

Dragon Kin

by G.A. Aiken

I LOVE G.A. Aiken's writing as Shelly Laurenston, and I think this Dragon themed series deserves just as much attention =)

October Daye

by Seanan McGuire

I LOVE October and her world so freaking much! I'm just glad this series is still goind strong and I hope it keeps on going =)

Attention! Please HELP! If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments! NEED NEW IDEAS! Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of 

Most Underrated Book Series!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

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Top 5 Sundays #103 - Best Book Couples! {Part 2}

Back in Augusr 22nd 2010, I listed my Top 5 Sexiest Book couples, almost exactly 2 years later, I'm listing another 5 couples that i simply adore!

This week's poll was tie, so I'm leaving it up to you to pick which topic you want to list =D

Hope you'll join me!

This week’s results:

Best Book Couples! {Part 2}	7 (50%)
The Next TBR Books To Be Read!	7 (50%)

The theme for today is:

Best Book Couples! {Part 2}

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

*in no particular order

Chess & Terrible

Downside Ghosts Series by Stacia Kane

I LOVE Terrible and I feel that he makes the Downside Ghosts series the awesomeness that it is!

Chess and Terrible together are simply amazing!

Benedict & Arjenie

World of Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks

I do lobe Rule and Lily, but Benedict and Arjenie stole the show in Blood Challenge and are one of my favorite couples ever!

Eve & Roarke

In Death Series by J.D. Robb

What can I say! I have succumbed to the awesomeness that is Roarke and Eve!

Allie & Zay

Allie Beckstrom Series by Devon Monk

One of the first UF series I have ever read and I just love Allie and Zay together!

Andrea & Raphael

Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

After seeing Andrea in the background through Kate's book, it was amazing to finally see her in the spotlight with Raphael. I love them!

Attention! Please HELP! If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments! NEED NEW IDEAS! Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of 

Best Book Couples! {Part 2}

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Read more...

Chasing Magic {Downside Ghosts #5} by Stacia Kane

A DEADLY HIGH

 

Magic-wielding Churchwitch and secret addict Chess Putnam knows better than anyone just how high a price people are willing to pay for a chemical rush. But when someone with money to burn and a penchant for black magic starts tampering with Downside’s drug supply, Chess realizes that the unlucky customers are paying with their souls—and taking the innocent with them, as the magic-infused speed compels them to kill in the most gruesome ways possible.

 

As if the streets weren’t scary enough, the looming war between the two men in her life explodes, taking even more casualties and putting Chess squarely in the middle. Downside could become a literal ghost town if Chess doesn’t find a way to stop both the war and the dark wave of death-magic, and the only way to do that is to use both her addiction and her power to enter the spell and chase the magic all the way back to its malevolent source. Too bad that doing so will probably kill Chess—if the war doesn’t first destroy the man who’s become her reason for living.

from GoodReads.

• Publisher: Del Rey
• Release Date: June 26th, 2012
• Series: Downside Ghosts Series  
• Author's Website

*NO SPOILERS

Stacia kane is a wizard with words. She has been able to turn a unrepentant drug addict into a likable heroine that you can't help but root for. Of course, you do want to jump into the book and kill her from time to time, but after Chess gets into your heart, you are done for.

I have to say though, that a lot of that likability is on the hero’s shoulders. I mean, what would the Downside Series be without Terrible? I don’t know, but it would definitely be much less enjoyable.

Terrible is as fantastic and reliable as ever. Sacrificial Magic was a wild ride, but I LOVED Chasing Magic even more. It is hard to love Chess sometimes, but I absolutely adore the interactions between her  and Terrible, not to mention that you can’t help but keep rooting for these two kids to find happiness together.

Even though Chess can get on my nerves sometimes, the glimpses we get from her past, makes me want to join her in her drug induced numbness. 

Regardless, Chess and Terrible have become one of my favorite couples and Chasing Magic is another emotional roller coaster that you don’t want to get out of.

Besides the romance, Chasing Magic is full of nail botting and intriguing action that will not let you stop reading for a second. I love how Stacia Kane is able to balance both sides of the series and deliver not only an action-packed novel, but a heart wrenching one as well.

Sacrificial Magic is my favorite Downside book so far and I hope there is more Chess and Terrible’s adventures to come, because I cannot get enough of it!

Previously On The Downside Ghosts Series:

My Review of Downside Ghosts Books 1-3

My Review of Sacrificial Magic

Check Out My Design Blog:

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Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Top 5 Sundays #93 - Favorite Books from the 1st Half of 2012!

*Even though I'm STILL having issues with the comment box on blogger, I CAN comment from the Ipad. So i will be doing that from now on =D.

I'm Baaaaack! So sorry that i was M.I.A. last week, but I was traveling for the weekend and I didn't have time to make a post =/

Well, I am back and the Top 5 sundays list is back as well. 

One thing I have to say is that since I haven't read as much as I would like lately, I will be picking my favorites from the reading I have done and will probably not mention awesome books that I have yet to read hehe

Hope you will join me this week!

  This week’s results:

Favorite Book Quotes - Part III	5 (31%)
Fave Books from 1st Half of 2012!	11 (68%)

The theme for today is:

Fave Books from 1st Half of 2012!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

*in no particular order

LETHAL RIDER by Larissa Ione

Lords of Deliverence Series

I have such a weakness for Larissa's books. I promise it has nothing to do with her being my namesake LOL She is just such a talented story teller! I LOVE all her books and Lethal Rider was amazing!

CHASING MAGIC by Stacia Kane

Downside Ghosts Series

I was so lucky to get an advanced copy, but holding on to my review for months has been torture LOL This book is so awesome! 

NICE GIRLS DON'T BITE THEIR NEIGHBORS by Molly Harper

Jane Jameson Series

The return of one of my fave series ever was triumphant! Harper is better than ever! LOVED IT!

ALIEN DIPLOMACY by Gini Koch

Katherine "Kitty" Katt Series

LOVE everything that Gini writes! I am an incorrigible fan of her Kitty series and AD was just another awesome novel in the series!

A PERFECT BLOOD by Kim Harrison

Hallows Series

After a bit of a shaky few novels after Kisten's death, I feel that Kim is back with the awesome Rachel books! I cannot wait for more!

Special Mentions:

Attention!Please HELP!If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!NEED IDEAS FOR 2012Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Fave Books from 1st Half of 2012!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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