ARC Review: Out for Blood by Kristen Painter

4.5 Feathers

Out for Blood

by Kristen Painter

(House of Comarré #4)

This has got to be my favorite book in this series!  It was the perfect blend between all the dark, gritty characters and storyline, action, suspense, love, loss and betrayal.  Truly a whirlwind of things that happened and that have been set up for the final episode in this series.

Chrysabelle is dealing with the repercussions of visiting the Aurelian, of having her signum redone using the Ring of Sorrows, which is now a part of her, and having Mal's bad blood flowing through her veins.  It definitely made for a change in her character.  But she's still feisty and fighting for herself this time.  Her mission is now to find her brother.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Mal was so amazing in this book.  His love for Chrysabelle showed through at all times, he's got new powers to flaunt, new possibilities to maybe get rid of his curse, and whole lot of good humor.  He was playful and sexy and....fangy!  Yes, there's a bite involved.  He gave me a small scare for just a bit and then Ms. Painter decided to torture us and there's an unexpected turn of events at the end.

There were a lot of other storylines taking up quality space time which I found were great to move the story along.  I enjoyed the fact that we were not so focused on Tatiana and the different Houses this time around because there are new bad guys in town to watch out for.  And to be found in the most unlikely of places.  No I won't tell you who or what, but they kept the story very interesting.

There are also some new developments with the characters we already love and care about, Fi and Doc have a lot going on.  Creek as well.

Overall, I think the author did a wonderful job with this book to keep things moving along, keep me interested even through the changes of POV and stories, and it all worked well.  But I have to give it to her that she's finally given us more of Chrysabelle and Mal as a couple.  They are so perfect for each other!  And now after that ending, I'm just so anxious to get the next book ASAP!!!

Favorite Quote:

"You really do love me, don't you?"
He answered without opening his eyes. "Enough that it frightens me, too."

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Covers to Covet

Agave Kiss

by Ann Aguirre

(Corine Solomon # 5)

Available March 2013

Calculated in Death

by J.D. Robb

(In Death # 36)

On Manhattan's Upper East Side a woman lies dead at the bottom of the stairs, stripped of all her valuables. Most cops might call it a mugging gone wrong, but Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows better.

A well-off accountant and a beloved wife and mother, Marta Dickenson doesn't seem the type to be on anyone's hit list. But when Eve and her partner, Peabody, find blood inside the building, the lieutenant knows Marta's murder was the work of a killer who's trained, but not professional or smart enough to remove all the evidence.

But when someone steals the files out of Marta's office, Eve must immerse herself in her billionaire husband Roarke's world of big business to figure out who's cruel and callous enough to hire a hit on an innocent woman. And as the killer's violent streak begins to escalate, Eve knows she has to draw him out, even if it means using herself as bait. . .

Available February 26, 2013

Apollyon

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

(Covenant # 4)

Available April 9, 2013

Last Blood

by Kristen Painter

(House of Comarre # 5)

Available 2013



Thrill Ride
by Julie Ann Walker
(Black Knights Inc # 4)

HE’S GONE ROGUE

Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information,
and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes
horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even
his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc.
aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all,
but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows
just how to drive him wild—refuses cut him loose.

SHE WON’T BACK DOWN

Vanessa Cordova hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist
very long, but she knows how to read people—no way is Rock guilty of murder.
And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun
has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side
in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

Available April 2013

Review: Bad Blood by Kristen Painter

Bad Blood

by Kristen Painter

(House of Comarre # 3)



When I first started reading this series I thought it was going to be a trilogy, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out before I started this book that it would continue.  The thing that keeps drawing me to this series is the sophisticated world.  There is still so much that can be done with this characters and so much more than can happen!

This book starts off pretty much as soon as the last one ended.  Chrysabelle is still recovering from her injuries, her life was saved thanks to Mal, and again she's not talking to either him or Creed.  A bit selfish maybe if you ask me.  Chrysabelle was a bit more withdrawn in this book and in some ways things that happened in this book felt more like a setup for the rest of the story.  She's now looking for her brother.  One that she didn't know existed before.  To accomplish this she must get back to see the Aurelian to get a name.  But she can't go back with our her signum.

She makes the decision to melt the famous Ring to use the gold for her signum.  Good or bad decision?  We will soon find out!  But you will never believe where she had stashed the ring for safekeeping!

We get to travel to yet another city in Painter's world.  This time is the ever popular New Orleans.  I actually loved her twist on the city as it now belongs to the fae and vamps are persona non grata in the city.  In order to get her ring back, Chrysabelle, Mal and Mortalis must help the fae in New Orleans solve a few issues.  While back on the home front Creed, Doc and Fi are dealing with well.... a lot going on back home.  Samhain is here and the creatures are out.

Mal and Chrysabelle's relationship was cemented a bit more in this book, which pushes aside the love triangle we started to see in the previous book.  I'm happy about this.  They both love each other, and Mal's feelings run deep.  I'd love for them to be able to explore their feelings in the nest book.

I'm excited to see what's to come out, even though I'm still not sold on this as a favorite series of mine, it's unique, intriguing and interesting!

Purchase Links: Amazon

Interview and Giveaway with Kristen Painter!

We are very excited to have one of 2011 hottest new series authors, Kristen Painter.  One of the most original UF series I've read in a while, Kristen is the author of the House of Comarre series.  Please help us welcome her to UTC today and lets get started!

Thanks for stopping by today! What has been your best experience about being a published author? 

Meeting fans at various cons and getting to chat with fans via Facebook and Twitter. I love interacting with people who've read the work and want to talk about it! For an author, I think that's one of the best things there is.

How would you described the concept of The House of Comarre? 

Underworld meets Memoirs of a Geisha

There are a lot of "unique" terms used in your novels (good thing I had the glossary in the back, I used it a few times). Is there a reason why you've used them and where do they come from? 

The terms are all my own making and I've used them because it's all part of building the world in which the comarre and vampires live.

Who is your favorite author and what is it about their work that resonates with you? 

I don't have one favorite author, but there are many whose work resonates with me. I'm an instant fan of any author who can draw me into their world and make me forget the one I live in.

If you were casting a film for The House of Comarre who would you pick to play your main characters? 

Probably unknowns. I don't really "see" my characters that way, although I know a lot of other writers do. I'm open to suggestions though!

If you could replace any heroine in any book with yourself, which book would it be? 

Hmm. Another hard question. Considering the trials and tribulations most heroines undergo throughout the course of a novel, I'd be happy to stay myself. lol

Being a successful and known author now I'm sure you've met some amazing people. Who had the most impact on you?

Some of the most amazing people I've met, outside of fans and other authors, are the talented team at Orbit Books. I love the folks that work at my publisher. They're amazing!

Your cover art is gorgeous. Where you involved in the creative process for it at all? 

Not too much. I gave some small inputs, but overall the look is the vision of the artist, Nekro, my editor and the art department at Orbit. (Shout out to Lauren!)

If you could wake up in the world of any book, which one would you NOT want to be in and why? 

Twilight. I'd punch someone if I had to do high school all over again.

Which female character in ANY book would you take out for a drink? 

Wow, you ask hard questions! Probably Ophelia from Hamlet. I'd try to make her get some swimming lessons.

What is next for you after The House of Comarre?

Hopefully a spinoff series!

Rapid fire questions

Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise if it's someplace other than home.
Beach or Mountains? Beach!
Coffee or tea? Both - hot or cold.
Fave book? Wow, that's a toughie. I can't pick one!
Fave place to read? In bed
Tats or piercings? Tats - although I don't have any. Yet.

Feeling stalkerish?
Learn all about the House of Comarre at the series website here
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Kristen is graciously giving away a copy of 

BLOOD RIGHTS to one US commenter.

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely-wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

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Review: Flesh and Blood by Kristen Painter

Flesh and Blood

by Kristen Painter

(House of Comarre # 2)

Did I mention already how much I love the covers for this series? Yes? They are awesome!

Now onto the book. Chrysabelle has stayed away from Malkom since coming back to Paradise City and the events at Corvinestri. This annoyed me a bit. She had made a promise to him to go the Aurelian to try and break his curse but with everything that happened she can't go back to Corvinestri. Does she realize what he did for her? So she just sends him blood with Doc in the meantime.

And then there's Doc. He's devastated over the death of Fiona but turns out she's not really all the way dead again. Wow this girl has gone through so many stages of death I can't begin to describe it. So he's looking for a way to bring her back to life.

While all this is going on Tatiana comes to Paradise City now with her new abilities she can sort of shapeshift into anyone she wants and she uses that ability to her advantage to try and find Chrysabelle and the Ring of Sorrows.

And that Ring has brought yet another player into the mix. Creek is a human vampire slayer for the Kubai Mata. Everyone seems to think this group is a fairytale. I actually really liked Creek as a character but of course, this wouldn't be a good UF series if you don't introduce a good ol' love triangle, right?

Yep! You got it. Creek wants Chrysabelle. Even though his job is to protect Chrysabelle and get the Ring of Sorrows back to the Kubai Mata. And even though now Malkom wants to stake his claim on her, which by the way I thought was really cute! The bickering and arguing between Malkom and Creek was entertaining but what I don't get is how these two very obviously possessive alpha males are ok with Chrysabelle saying that she basically wants both of them. How is that going to work? I'm extremely curious to see this part of the story unfold in the next book.

And then there's Tatiana. Truly a great villain, she's evil, most of the time things go her way and it's kind of disturbing to read her point of view. She has no care to destroy people's lives of those around her or just whoever gets in her way. I can't wait for her to get her own.

And for the grand finale, well not quite the ending, but what Chrysabelle did at the end was wrong even though was the only thing she could do. It was a bit of a betrayal. The actual ending was a bit anticlimactic but I guess that's because the next book released very close to this one so it's almost like continuing the story. 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

3.5 Feathers

Blood Rights

by Kristen Painter

The House of Comarre is a dark and gritty world. A comarre is basically a human with some special strength, and they are raised and trained to eventually be sold to the highest vampire bidder. They are the food source for vampire nobility. And hence the vampire who pays for them owns their blood rights.

This complex world of vampire politics and world domination plotting kicks off when Algenorn, Chrysabelle's master, is murdered and a precious ring is stolen from his possession.

Chrysabelle was almost at the point in her service where she should've been offered freedom from Algenorn and after finding him dead runs away, thinking she would be the first suspect in the murder.

She now has to prove her innocence while trying to stay alive. And who can she align herself with? Her best bet is an anathema vampire who's been cursed and cast out of nobility. Malkolm is a sexy, tortured hero. He is cursed to drain anyone he drinks from and has not drank directly from a human since the last girl he killed came back to haunt him as a ghost. Fiona is a source of much entertainment, especially when she chooses Chrysabelle's wardrobe. Along with the lowlife vampire and a ghost there's a shape-shifter, her aunt (comarre) and a few other supernatural misfits along the way that will be crucial to clear her name and prevent Tatiana, the evil vampire, from achieving her plans.

I really liked the characters and I loved the complex new world. I was having a bit of a hard time getting adjusted to all the new terms (and I might've glanced back at the glossary a few times) but after 60% I was ok with it. But somewhere around the middle of the book the pace started dragging a bit.

I did enjoy the slow building of the relationship between Chrysabelle and Malkolm and I can see them being great together in the next books. And the twist at the end... I did not see that coming!

Intrigue, action and a sort of raw sensuality as well. It all comes together and promises to be a great series! I can't wait to read more. 

Purchase Links: Amazon

NY Comic Con 2011

Under The Covers goes to NY Comic Con

Hello maidens!  I can't tell you all how excited I was to be able to get a ticket last minute to go to Comic Con, at least for one day!  So let me give you all a quick update.  I started out the day really early and was at the Javits Center 2 hours before the show actually opened.  Let me tell you that was not early enough, the line to actually get in was already massive!!!  So after standing in line in a cramped "basement" for two hours, along with hoards of people, we were finally let in!  By the time I practically ran to the Conan panel (which started at 10am) the line was already closed because the room would be over capacity!  So I missed the panel about the movie.  So next stop... pick up my ticket for my photo opp.  With ticket in hand the lady at Celebrity Authentics tells me to be back there at 1:30pm for the photo.

Started walking around the booths, and let me tell you there were sooo many vendors and so much cool stuff!  Of course I had a great time just looking at people's costumes!  Some were extremely well put together.  However, I did not understand the massive fascination with Pikachu.  Maybe because I never got into it too much, but THAT was the most popular costume!  I would say a good 30% of the people seemed to be dressed up, which I thought was pretty cool!  My favorite though... and no I didn't get pictures of any of those because I was running around... were the anime style outfits!  Those looked sooooo cute and sexy!  Even the steampunk outfits were crazy cool!  Definitely fun to see!



A couple of things to keep in mind if you are planning to attend the next one. You cannot do everything you want! It's almost impossible. I only got to do one panel, and if I had done one more I would've missed signings or something else. There's a lot of running around trying to be where you need to be at a certain time, a lot of standing in lines, and it's chaotic to figure out where you're going and navigate through so many people. So be prepared to go in a group so you can get more done and make sure you know in advance at least the times of the signings, panels and things you want to do and see.

No, there wasn't a lot of time for eating or even bathroom breaks! LOL

OK but enough of that!  Let me tell you about the BEST part!  The books!!!!!  Books.Books.And More Books!  The people at the publishers booths were extremely nice, I got lots of free goodies from Harper Collins, Penguin Group and Del Rey (I know I'm leaving some out)!  Special author appearances by MY FAVORITE urban fantasy ladies included: Jeaniene Frost, Marjorie M. Liu, Kristen Painter, Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, Alison Goodman and Sabrina Benulis.  And yes I got to meet most of them!  Yay me!  Totally starstruck!  And yes, I got to even take a picture with our Author of the Month!  Check out my pics:

Jeaniene Frost

Marjorie M. Liu

Alison Goodman

Patricia Briggs

They were all so extremely nice and funny!  The panel We're No Angels was a lot of fun!  We got to hear how the authors started writing, the writing process, the editing process, the publishing process.  The way their careers have changed their lives!  It was a great insight into some of my favorite authors out there as well as a great of learning about authors I haven't read before and now I can't wait to dive into!  I loved that Marjorie M. Liu made the decision of leaving behind her career as an attorney to become an author and had to downgrade her lifestyle to do what she loved, even though she was a bit worried about what her family would think about her writing steamy sex scenes in her books.  Jeaniene Frost admitting that she's a procrastinator with the Mañana Syndrome.  Kim Harrison admitting to not being afraid of writing crap and then throwing away a bunch of chapters that she wrote until the story started really flowing and coming to her.  Sabrina Benulis being influenced by anime and manga, I'm very curious to read her book now.  Kristen Painter was just so much fun!  Alison Goodman made her decision of becoming a writer when she was in college and it took a while for her family to accept that but they finally did; and how cool is it she was there all the way from Australia?!?  Patricia Briggs was amazing to hear, a lot of fun and I loved that she told the story about her husband calling her one day complaining about his job and she told him "You can quit now!".  They also talked about the difference in the styles of writing between male and female writers in UF and talked about favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon being one mentioned often.  And my favorite question from the audience... a guy that actually admitted he reads romance novels and wanted to know why the men are always so alpha!  ;)  Response, women like to read about the tortured alpha males, that are alrger than life, and the woman who can fix them.  I also got to meet the artist of the Dark Swan graphic novel, he was extremely nice!

I got a lot of free goodies!!!  Thank God I dragged my boyfriend along because he was carrying about 3 totes worth of stuff around for me, as well as standing in lines while I was in others so I could get everything done.  Isn't he sweet?!?! 

So you want to take a pic at my loot?

And yes.... you might be wondering about a certain picture there on that table *sigh* You know I love all the authors I met and heard speaking, and I got a lot of goodies, and all that was fine and exciting.... BUT, and please don't hold this against me, the best part of the show was Jason Momoa!  That was the photo opp I was talking about before, so let me finish the story.  I go back at 1:30 all excited to take my picture, and they're taking pictures with Rose McGowan.  So I asked what happened to Jason Momoa and they tell me his slot was 11:30 - 12:30.  So I started freaking out until someone there took pity on me and told me they would bring him back to take my picture!!!  Don't I just feel special?!!?  So even though I had to wait a little extra, meeting Jason Momoa and having this picture makes up for ANYTHING else, and yes this was my favorite part of the show!  *wipes the drool off the keyboard*  I was very proud of myself I could carry on a conversation with him, even as he was looking me in the eye, holding my hand, and speaking in his low sexy voice!  You just want me to stop talking now and show you right?

Jason as our Hottie of the Week (in June)