Review: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Title: Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid series, #1)
Genre: Urban Fantasy (with romantic elements)
Publisher: Zebra Fantasy (Imprint of Kensington)
ISBN: 9780758216410
The Romance Author's Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Blurb:
Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...

I've had this book sitting on my To-Be-Read pile for about a year, if not longer. I've looked at it a number of times and considered whether or not to pick it up. You see, I've read all of Ms. Mead's Vampire Academy books and absolutely loved them. I had high expectations when it came to Succubus Blues and I was scared of being disappointed. It happens often enough. 
But finally this week I thought "suck it up, princess!" and grabbed it down from the shelf. And the verdict, you're wondering? Well, you can already see I've given it 5/5 stars, so that should answer your question!
Seriously, though, I am impressed that Ms. Mead's writing style can lead itself so well to both Young Adult and Adult fiction. I could see the similarities that marked this as a Richelle Mead book, as well as the differences in voice between the two singular markets. I've read a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Ms Mead's world in Succubus Blues was a refreshing change to the usual parade of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters. I also loved the complexity of her world. There's no hard line between good and evil. In fact, in this book, an angel and a demon are best-buds and they regularly hang out with two vampires, an imp, and of course Georgina, the succubus. 
Speaking of Georgina, she is the kind of heroine I love to read. Outwardly she's beautiful and confident, yet inside she is a mess of confliction and confusion. Though she is a succubus, she was also very human, I suppose because she once was one. 
I think this is one point authors often miss with characterization. Its the flaws in a character that we as readers, as people with feelings, connect with. Sometimes a character will have virtually no flaws, or their flaws are superficial and thus make the character seem shallow. I've said on this blog a few times that I want the nitty-gritty, I want to see the deep dark inside the character. How else are we going to get to know them, to form a bond that will keep us turning page after page? Georgina hid nothing, held nothing back. She had insecurities, she obssessed over her past mistakes, she grappled with regret, she often didn't know what the best course of action was, doubting and questioning herself and the motives of those around her. But she also had moments of real heart, of love toward others and kindness of spirit, despite being a servant of hell. 
Okay, maybe I'm rambling a bit. But writers, if you want a study in forming a successful character your readers will connect with, then read a Richelle Mead book. Readers, if you want a fantastic urban fantasy, then Succubus Blues hits all the right notes. I'm off to the library to find the next book in the series...

Review: How I Met My Countess by Elizabeth Boyle

Author: Elizabeth Boyle
Title: How I Met My Countess (book #6 in the Bachelor Chronicles)
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon (Imprint of HarperCollins)
ISBN: 978-0-06-178349-4
The Romance Author's Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Blurb:
The Earl of Clifton intended one day to find the perfect countess ...
. . . then he met Lucy. The improper daughter of an infamous spy, Lucy Ellyson saved Clifton's life and taught him everything he needed to know about serving his country . . . even how to fall in love. He vowed he would come back and make her his unlikely countess, but the war kept them apart for too long, and when he finally returned, she'd vanished.
Lucy hadn't gone far—living a new life in the heart of Mayfair. But proper Society hasn't taught her how to mend her scandalous ways, and when Clifton happens upon her, she's landed in the sort of trouble that only a hasty marriage can solve. He's more than willing to be the hero she taught him to be and make her his countess, but all too quickly, secrets from their past threaten the passionate love that ignites them both . . .


The day is yet to come when I am disappointed in an Elizabeth Boyle book. Its no small wonder to be able to pick up a book by an author and know without a doubt that you'll be sitting up late at night, frantically flicking pages, just to find out what happens next.
I will admit, this book started off a little slow. When we were introduced to the hero and heroine, the Earl of Clifton, and Lucy Ellyson-cum-Lady Standon, I felt a little in the dark. They had a past together and their accidental meeting on the street was full of innuendo about things I didn't quite get. Then in the following chapter, we flash back seven years earlier. At this point, despite my obvious love of Ms. Boyle's work, I found myself worried. Was this going to be one of those back-and-forth kind of stories that leave me with a headache from trying to remember where and when I should be?
Of course, I shouldn't have worried. From that point the story stays in chronological order leading back to the chance meeting in the street and then tying everything together quite cleverly.The little hooks and hints Ms. Boyle masterfully drops into the story keeps you guessing right up to the last few chapters. And even once you have mostly worked out the entire story, you still find yourself hurrying through the pages to get to the unavoidable confrontation, just to see how the characters are going to react.
As always, Ms Boyle has written a fabulous historical romance, and I'll be going on to read Mad About the Duke as soon as I can get my hands on it.
If you love a historical romance with something a bit extra; espionage and adventure, then you need to read Elizabeth Boyle. You'll never be disappointed by one of her books.