SWEET VENOM
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062001817
ISBN-13: 978-0062001818

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Sweet Venom is the first book in a new series by author Tera Lynn Childs.  After reading the author’s Mermaid series, I was anxious to find out how her new series would incorporate children of Greek Mythology.  As many of you know, I wasn’t a good student who stayed awake during school.  So I missed out on the legends and myths of Greek mythology in school.  Thank goodness authors are starting to introduce it into their stories more! 


With Sweet Venom, we get to read from alternating points of views between Grace, Gretchen and Greer who also happen to be descendents of the famous Medusa.  While the three never knew about the others existence until now, they all agree that something weird is going on in the world and mainly San Francisco.  Together they need to figure out what is going on and try to find Gretchen’s mentor Ursala, so they can stop the evil monsters from entering our world. 


Each character had their own personality that brought something great to the story.  Gretchen was the black clothed combat girl who has been training with Ursala for a while now.  She knows about the mythological monsters that are terrorizing our world.  She fights them on a daily basis and has given up relationships and friends to make it a better place to live.  Grace bumps into Gretchen and can’t believe she has a sister.  She has recently started seeing the monsters and thinks she might be losing her mind.  When Gretchen explains things to her she definitely wants to learn how to protect herself and become closer to her sister.  Grace was the peacemaker of the bunch and always optimistic in having a sisterly relationship.  She is learning to stand up for herself more now and she looks to Gretchen as a mentor for herself.  Greer was introduced later in the book and I found myself not liking her that much.  She is the typical spoiled teen girl who always gets her way.  She has no desire to have sisters and doesn’t want anything to do with them.  She wants her perfect life with no interruptions.  I loved how Grace had to play the go between with Greer and Gretchen.  They both butted heads and Grace was constantly trying to keep the peace. 


While the girls struggle to find their footing in a new destiny, they each discover that each is what the other needs.  Together they need to find and rescue Ursala while fighting evil and trying to have some sort of normal life as well.  While this is a great start to a new trilogy, I was a little disappointed in the ending.  It ended with some questions unanswered, but since this is a trilogy I assume that secrets will be revealed as we go.  Be prepared to be left hanging at the end of the story and you will be anxious to get your hands on the next installment in the series!

ANIMAL ATTRACTION
Animal #2
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Author
*I received this ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425244008
ISBN-13: 978-0425244005

She’s tempting his basic instincts…

Jade is used to planning everything in her life, but Dell’s understanding has sparked an uncontrollable desire. And though Dell has never had time for love, Jade’s strength and sass is the kind of call no red-blooded male can resist…

Why have I not read this series before? What rock have I been under to have missed such a great story and author?  Since this is the second book in the Animal series, I wasn’t sure if I was going to understand what is going on.  Yet as I started reading it, the book definitely can be read as a stand alone novel.  With that being said though, now I want to pick up the first book in the series to read about the other characters!


Jade ran away from her life in the big city after a tragic event at her previous place of employment.  She ran to Sunshine, Idaho to rediscover and reinvent herself.  She always knew it would be temporary and even told her boss Dell Connelly that the job he gives her would only be temporary.  They have both found each other attractive, but never made any attempt at a relationship since Jade would be leaving.  Of course, now that Jade is getting ready to leave, the two find themselves fighting the attraction even more.  While Dell tries to get Jade to open up about what happened in the past and work through it, the two start to express their feelings towards each other and give up the fight.  Everyone can see that they like each other, but is love enough to keep Jade from leaving?


I loved this story!  Dell was a great vet, friend, brother and romantic lead.  He was charming and loved his work without letting it get to him.  Jade was okay in my opinion.  I wanted her to just explain the situation sooner to Dell than keeping it a secret.  I think if she would have opened up sooner to him, they could have had a better chance at a relationship.  Of course then there would be no drama for the romance novel if it went the way a reader wants it to.  So I trusted the author and went with it.   I also loved the witty banter between the two and had a smile on my face for most of the book.  The writing flowed easily and kept you not only interested in the main characters, but in the side characters as well. 


I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series and have already read a few more by this author!