Am I too Succumb(us) to the Supernatural ?

With the rise of supernatural beings in fiction, it is no wonder our readingpalettes have been obscured with V ampires, werewolves, fallen angels and demons and, if you are like me, then when you read one book or a particular author, you yearn for more; it’s like a calling for you – “I must read more”. To me, when I hear the word series, two words come to mind “formula” and “fiction”.

For all those who don’t speak librarian lingo, “formula fiction” is when a book follows the same format in plot, and it’s what we seek as reliable, as we all know what we are in for.

Being asked to write about a favourite series of books, one of my favourites – and one that I am waiting patiently for book five to arrive – is the “Georgina Kincaid Series”, written by Richelle Mead. Richelle is more popularly known as the authoress of the “Vampire Academy Series” aimed at teens.

The Georgina Kincaid series pushes the supernatural to the next level. It moves the reader into the world of the semi-erotic, paranormal romance.

The series is based around the main character Georgina Kincaid, who is now living her life as a Succubus which, for those who aren’t sure, is a female sex-demon; and she comes complete with a mixed bunch of friends – the super-naturals – and some humans!

As in most of Richelle Mead’s stories, the main character is a strong female with an attitude to boot, and whom always has a knack for finding herself in:

A) TROUBLE, or

B) a sticky situation that results in a problem TROUBLE,

And, for Succubus Georgina Kincaid – as you readers are about to get a sneaky peek into – TROUBLE is a common recurrence and that, unfortunately, Georgina never learns to avoid.



Blue? ...Really?
Book One: Succubus Blues – Richelle Mead – 2007.


To start off this review, I thought I’d clarify what a succubus is: A succubus is an alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. And, for fun, as the book says, the definition of Georgina Kincaid is “a pathetic succubus with great shoes and no social life”.

However, in Succubus Blues, Georgina’s social life is going to get more hectic than she realises. Georgina finds having a social life pretty hard going when you’re a succubus; but it is the way she likes it.

Georgina has her eyes firmly set on her friends: Hugh – An Imp; Jerome – a demon that has a thing for John Cusack (though no matter how much you ask him, he will deny it); Peter and Cody – the vampires; and Carter – an annoying angel.

If this wasn’t difficult, she has all her mortal friends at the bookshop she works at. In this book, Georgina’s favourite author is coming to the bookshop. As usual, Georgina and Seth hit it off, which would have been great if Georgina didn’t have an admirer – Roman, who happens to be a Nephilim and a killer.

As we read, Georgina hits the stacks and becomes a succubus, Nancy Drew. It wouldn’t be a book about Nephilim’s, without appreciating the verse in the Bible’s “Genesis Chapter 6″, which talks about Angels and Fallen Angels.



Yes...?
Book Two: Succubus on Top, AKA Succubus Nights (Depending which copy you pick up) – Georgina Kincaid Series – Richelle Mead – 2008

Love Sucks and Hurts, especially for Georgina, a succubus who has just got herself a new boyfriend in author Seth Mortensen. Georgina has to be so careful not to kiss him or get sexually involved, otherwise she will drain his life-force. Admittedly, the shape shifting and immortality perks are terrific, and yes, Georgina did choose to join the ranks of hell centuries ago. But it seems completely unfair that a she-demon whose purpose is seduction can’t get hot and heavy with the one mortal who knows and accepts her for who she is.

It’s not just her personal life that’s in chaos.

Doug, Georgina’s co-worker at a local bookstore, has bee

'This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in him"- Psalm 118v24

"We did not inherit this land from our fathers. We are borrowing it from our children- Amish Proverb".


Review: Wanted -Book #2 "Sisters of the Heart" -Shelley Shepard Gray-2009

Taking off where Hidden left off , Wanted focuses on the story of twenty-year old Katie Brenneman. With Anna and Henry together and Anna learning the way of the Amish, Katie feels like it's her turn. Katie has always fancied widower Jonathan Lundy , when Jonathan's sister Winnie has to go out of town he asks Katie if she could come and stay with his family and help look after his two daughters. Katie jumps at the chance, seeing it as a way to get closer to her crush Jonathan and at the same time building relationship blocks with his two daughters Hannah and Mary. As Katie is settling nicely into her new lifestyle , a letter arrives detailing Katie's past and what she got up to during Rumspringa. Somebody wants to expose Katie's secrets , the ones she has held on so tightly for and locked away in a Pandora's box. Now Katie is tugged into a difficult spot where as her past is catching up on her , Jonathan is starting to welcome her not only into his home but also his heart. Can Katie stand strong against the attacks and what will happen when Jonathan finds out the truth about Katie's Past? . Will the past destroy and harm all chances of Katie finding love and happiness with Jonathan or will this be that moment where Katie will be able to finally forgive her transgressions and move on with her life ?.
Once again , Shelley Shepard Gray has written a fantastic book that captures not only the essence of the characters but also that familiarity and culture of the Amish communities.

Extra Features Included : Want to read this book for bookclub , check out the list of Discussion Questions.

Readers Around , Stay tuned for the release of Book Three : Forgiveness which tells the story of Jonathan's sister Winnie.

FF - CF- GRAY

One of my favourite Chick-Lit authors is UK Louise Bagshawe. She knows how to write the perfect mix of family saga ,love and mystery all jam-packed into one novel. Today's review is about Desire ...... what happens if the one thing you desired most in life, wasn't meant to be and not just in normal circumstances but in a circumstance that can lead to not only consequences but a deathly consequence if your'e not lucky.

Desire- Louise Bagshawe-2010

What if it was your wedding day and you were marrying a big somebody and you were a little nobody and you caught him making love with somebody else just two hours after you had exchanged your wedding vows ? . Would you A) just ignore and act like it hadn't happened or B)Scream your head off at him and confront him then drink heavily afterwards ? For main character Lisa Costello , she chose Option B unfortunatley the next morning she awakens in their honeymoon suite lying next to a dead body - her newlywed groom and in her hand -the murder weapon. However Lisa knows that she didn't do it and as the number one suspect , she does what any person would do . Skip the country using stolen passports. Enter Sam Murray, former FBI turned Journalist, this story is his ticket to $1 Million dollars . Sam using his connections follows Lisa's trail and when he finally catches up to her , he too realises she is innocent and that whoever killed her husband is now after her to finish the job. On their run from the law , sparks fly as Lisa and Sam get closer and closer to not only the killer but also the passion they hold for each other. Can Sam and Lisa find the killer before it catches up with them or when Sam finds Lisa , is it too late , has the killer won their bounty?.
Find out in Louise Bagshawe's latest Desire - A Tale of Passion, Love, Mystery and Intrigue.

TTBk- GEN- BAGS