#MondayBlogs #BookReview of Worth Dying For (Dying for a Living book 5) by @KoryShrum #amreading

Guess who has a new book out this week? Well, yes, I do too, but that's not who I'm talking about. Today is the release of Worth Dying For, book 5 in Kory M. Shrum's Dying for a Living series! Squee!!!

I LOVE this series. It's for reals in my top 10. Jesse is so spunky and raw, I just can't help but love her to pieces. Book 5 hits the ground running and doesn't stop. I so can't wait for book 6. Typity type type, Kory! : P Just kidding. lol (but seriously, it's coming soon, right?)
  

My official #review of Worth Dying For: A masterful collection of all the best things—action, suspense, romance, and a dash of humor!

Book 5 of Shrum's Dying for a Living series picks up shortly after the end of book 4. Jesse, Ally, Maisie, and the rest of the gang finally understand that life as they knew it is over, and despite the depressing and terrifying reality that the end is nigh, they are all grasping for some shred of happiness as they stay under the radar and hatch their next plan of action. Jesse and Ally's relationship finally evolves into something more. Maisie begins to understand her true value and the weight of the choices she will soon have to make. Rachel and Gideon make some critical moves toward defeating Caldwell, and Gloria and Monroe shake things up with a soul-wrenching mix of horrifying premonitions and hopeful possibilities.

The story is fast paced with lots of unexpected twists and turns, and the end left me desperately longing for the next book. I’m still holding out hope for a happy ending, even though it seems nearly impossible at this point. A fight this big just doesn’t go down with everyone emerging unscathed… or on the same side where they began.
 

So yeah, 5 stars all the way! If you're new to Kory's series, fret not, you can fall in love with Jesse and company for FREE in book 1 on Amazon HERE.

Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner Kim and her ferocious guard pug Josephine. She is very fond of naps and foods made of sugar, which is, as you can imagine, a deadly combination. But she tries to compensate for her extreme physical laziness with her overactive imagination. She's an active member of SFWA, HWA, and the Four Horsemen of the Bookocalypse, where she's known as Conquest. She's the author of five contemporary (and somewhat dark) fantasy novels in the Dying for a Living series: Dying for a Living, Dying by the Hour, Dying for Her: A Companion Novel, Dying Light, and Worth Dying For.

Learn more about her and her work at: 

www.korymshrum.com 

Or connect with her via: 

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

 

#BookReview of "Space Cowboys and Indians" (Cosmic Cowboys Book 1) by @LisaMedley #MondayBlogs

I can't say enough good things about author Lisa Medley. You've probably heard me squee about her before, but if not, go grab a copy of the first novel in her Reaper series (for FREE) and you'll totally understand:

Kindle | Smashwords | Nook | Kobo

Meanwhile, in addition to writing about ridiculously hot and hilarious reapers, Lisa's also tackled sci-fi space opera. And I do mean tackled. I LOVE this new series!

Get it on Amazon HERE

How can the chance of a lifetime go so horribly wrong? 

Mining Engineer Cole Hudson signed up for NASA astronaut training, but after washing out short of getting his gold wings, he retreats to Alaska where he stakes out a gold claim. When billionaire entrepreneur Duncan Janson offers him an opportunity to join a mining team on an asteroid, Cole jumps at the chance. 

But nothing is as it seems. Former NASA reject and rival classmate, Tessa Hernandez, is also a member of the team, and from the beginning of the mission test flight, things go wrong. They soon discover they’re not the only ones on the asteroid. As they try to escape, they are pulled through a wormhole and back to the early 1800s New Mexico desert where aliens and Apaches may be the least of their problems. 




My review:

I don't read a lot of space fiction, preferring more fantasy than sci-fi, but after reading Lisa Medley's Reaper series, I'll give anything she writes a go. So when she came out with Space Cowboys and Indians, the first episode in her Cosmic Cowboys series, I was ready to dive in! I'm so glad I did, too. 

This novella packs a punch, with non-stop action and a super fun cast. The banter and sexual tension between Tess and Cole is great, and even Noah, the apparent third wheel of their crew, has some fun lines. I really had no idea how they were going pull through all the trouble they ran into on their mission, but I was so anxious to find out, I read the entire story in one sitting. Now I'm patiently (okay, maybe not patiently, but I'm waiting, all right) for the next episode, The Astronaut's Princess. Good stuff!

Get it on Kindle for only $2.99

Lisa Medley writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance about monsters in love, because monsters need love too. Look for Reap & Repent (Bk 1) and Reap & Redeem (Bk 2) of The Reaping Series, available now. 

A lover of beasties of all sorts, she has a farm full of them in her SW MO home including: one child, one husband, two dogs, two cats, a dozen hens, thousands of Italian bees and a guinea pig. Not so in love with the guinea pig. She can do ten pushups IN A ROW and may or may not have a complete zombie apocalypse bug-out bag in her trunk at all times. Just. In. Case. 

Website | Facebook  | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+ | Amazon Author Page

 

Happy Release Day & #BookReview of "Burned by Magic" by @jasmine_writes

Author Jasmine Walt's debut novel Burned by Magic is out today! Woot! I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy, and let me tell you, I am really excited about this new series.

Click cover to order on Amazon now!

In the magical city of Solantha, being a hybrid is risky business--especially if you're half mage. Then it can mean your death. Sunaya Baine, a half-jaguar, half-mage hybrid, has been hiding her true nature most of her life, but when a magical mishap puts her at the mercy of the Chief Mage, Sunaya's world is turned inside out. Her investigation of a string of related silver poisoning murders is put on hold while she's held captive at the Chief Mage's castle until he decides her fate.

This was a fun, fast read! The world-building was well done, the characters diverse, and the action top notch--as well as the sexual tension. Sunaya is a snarky badass, with her many weapons, her steambike, and her fiery attitude--what's not to love? Her interaction with the two very different worlds--the human/shifter real world and the mysterious world of the dangerous upper-crust mages--will pull readers into the heart of Sunaya's struggle and make them realize that nothing is ever as black and white as it appears from one side of the fence.

If you're into snarky heroines, murder mysteries, kickass fight scenes, wild new worlds, and a dash of romance--Sunaya is your girl!

About Jasmine Walt...

I'm a devourer of books, chocolate, and all things martial arts. Somehow, those three things melded together in my head and transformed into a desire to write. Usually fantastical stuff, with a healthy dose of action and romance. My characters are a little (okay, a lot) on the snarky side, and they swear, but they mean well. Even the villains sometimes.

When I'm not working on my next book... well, honestly there's not much else I do aside from writing because I ghostwrite as my day job. But when I'm not chained to my keyboard you can find me working on my dao sword form, spending time with my family, or binge-watching superhero shows on Netflix.

 Find Jasmine all across the interwebs...

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

#BookReview of "Lupo" (The Immortals book 8) by Monica La Porta @momilp

Congrats to Monica La Porta on the recent release of Lupo. I really love this paranormal series, and while each book can stand on its own, it's always best to start where it all began. Besides, the first book, The Lost Centurion, is FREE on Kindle HERE.

Click cover to order on Amazon now!

If you follow Monica’s Immortals series, then you know where Lupo’s tragic story left off at the end of The Lonely Wolf. After running away with Jasmine, his Purist were-panther mate, a fatal police chase leaves Lupo devastated and set to spend a year sentence in Regina Coeli, the paranormal prison. 

Lupo’s grief nearly saps him of his will to live, and only the love and dedication of the father he’d only just been reunited with gives Lupo the strength to prevail. Even with prominent fathers pulling strings to ensure his stay at Regina Coeli is as comfortable as can be expected, Lupo endures harsh treatment, crooked guards, and attacks orchestrated by those he’s slighted on the outside, looking for revenge. Lupo has imaginary conversations with Jasmine to pass the time in prison, only questioning their merit when the conversations suddenly stop. Is it a sign from the Great Wolf that it’s time to move on? Or does it mean something more?
 
Without giving anything away, I think it’s at least safe to say that Lupo’s story gets the closure it deserves at the end of this book. There are some definite tense moments, and some really, wonderfully descriptive bits about the Roman setting. As always, La Porta delivered another thrilling, colorful tale of star-crossed love, danger, and mystery, all set in the secret paranormal world of the Immortals series.

About Monica La Porta...

Monica La Porta is an Italian who landed in Seattle several years ago. Despite popular feelings about the Northwest weather, she finds the mist and the rain the perfect conditions to write. Being a strong advocate of universal acceptance and against violence in any form and shape, she is also glad to have landed precisely in Washington State. 

She is the author of The Ginecean Chronicles, a dystopian/science fiction series set on the planet Ginecea where women rule over a race of enslaved men and heterosexual love is considered a sin. She also published two other series: the futuristic love story across the universe, Elios & Gaia, narrated in two books; and the paranormal romance/urban fantasy series The Immortals set in Rome. Stop by her blog to read about her miniatures, sculptures, paintings, and her beloved beagle, Nero. Sometimes, she also posts about her writing.

Find Monica all across the interwebs...

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

#TuesdayBookBlog #BookReview of Dying Light (Jesse Sullivan book 4) by @KoryShrum #amreading

If you’re not familiar with the Jesse Sullivan series by Kory Shrum, you totally should be! Especially since you can get the first book, Dying for a Living, for FREE on your favorite ereader HERE. 


I was totally hooked by the first chapter! And I’ve anxiously awaited each new book since. ♥ Book 4 picks up after book 2, since book 3 was actually a different POV of books 1 & 2 mixed with additional flashbacks, all from Brinkley, Jesse’s tough as nails handler. I’m not usually one for retakes from different POVs. I like to know what’s going to happen NEXT. Do not skip over book 3. OMG. It was amazing! There was so much backstory that plays a significant role in book 4, and Kory really did a fantastic job mastering Brinkley’s voice. If you ARE familiar with the first 2 books, you probably understand the bittersweet significance of book 3 as well. T-T 

Anyway, on to book 4, Dying Light. WOW. 
My review: This series just keeps getting better and better! The action and tension have spiked in book 4, and the overall plot has really blossomed, affecting things on a more global level and raising the stakes to that point that leaves you wondering if there's any way this could possibly have a happy ending. It was exciting to see some characters from previous books again, and while the overall mood and ending seemed to promise doom and gloom ahead, I can't wait to read book 5 next year!!! 

I’m biting my tongue to avoid spoilers, but I can at least tell you that there is a sneak peek of book 5, Worth Dying For, at the end of book 4. Squeeee!!! 

A bit about Kory… 

Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner and a ferocious guard pug. She has dabbled in everything from fortune telling to martial arts and when not reading or writing, she can be found teaching, traveling, or wearing a gi. She is the author of four books in the Jesse Sullivan contemporary fantasy series. She is also an active member of both SFWA and HWA. 

Learn more about her and her work at: 

www.korymshrum.com 

Or connect with her via: 

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

 

#BookReview of "The Lonely Wolf" by Monica La Porta

Happy Release Day to Monica La Porta! The Lonely Wolf, book 6 in her Immortals series, is out today! Kindle readers can grab a copy HERE.

I'm a big fan of Monica's work, and while all of her Immortal novels have been fast-paced, and full of mystery and romance, this one really tops them all!

A forbidden love affair between Ludwig and Quintilius, an angel and an alpha werewolf, is threatened when Ludwig is promoted to archangel. At the same time, the alpha's long lost son is discovered, but the young wolf comes with his own mountain of troubles. As a member of the Reds, a fearsome werewolf gang, his involvement in a vampire assassination attempt puts him in hot water with the Immortal Council. To make matters worse, his wolf leads him to his soulmate, only to find that she's betrothed to another. 

A happy ending often seems impossible for La Porta's characters, but she leaves just enough hope and intrigue to keep those pages turning. This is definitely my favorite of the Immortals series, and I can't wait for the next one!

Monica La Porta is an Italian who landed in Seattle several years ago. Despite popular feelings about the Northwest weather, she finds the mist and the rain the perfect conditions to write. Being a strong advocate of universal acceptance and against violence in any form and shape, she is also glad to have landed precisely in Washington State. 

She is the author of The Ginecean Chronicles, a dystopian/science fiction series set on the planet Ginecea where women rule over a race of enslaved men and heterosexual love is considered a sin. She also published two other series: the futuristic love story across the universe, Elios & Gaia, narrated in two books; and the paranormal romance/urban fantasy series The Immortals set in Rome. Stop by her blog to read about her miniatures, sculptures, paintings, and her beloved beagle, Nero. Sometimes, she also posts about her writing.

Find Monica all across the interwebs...

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

#BookReview of Dying for Her by @KoryShrum + #Giveaway for $100 Amazon GC & More

It's here, it's here, it's HERE!!! The 3rd book in Kory Shrum's Jesse Sullivan series is out TODAY! Can you tell I'm excited? I love this series so hard. The first two books were amazing, and I totally fell for Jesse. So the thought that she wouldn't play a major role in the third book was a little distressing. But from the first page, I was hooked. Brinkley has always been a loveable guy--even though he's a hardass. You'll have a million more reasons to love him (and bawl your eyes out) after reading this book. 

Here's my official review of Dying for Her:

If you’re a fan of Shrum’s Jesse Sullivan series and have read the first two books (Book #1 is now FREE!) you’ll LOVE this! This is the story of James T. Brinkley, Jesse’s handler. In the first two books, we’re only given a glimpse of his mysterious background and his fatherly tough love for Jesse. And while he can be abrasive and demanding at times, the endings of books one and two damn near break the heartstrings—in a lot of ways, because of him. 

Have your tissues ready, because half of Brinkley’s story runs parallel to the second book in the series, showing things from Brinkley’s POV. The other half, consisting of flashback chapters sandwiched between the present, dive way back into Brinkley’s past, when he first started working for the FBRD, the Federal Bureau of Regenerative Death, and when he first met Jesse’s father, the equally mysterious Caldwell. The chapters set in the past hold all kinds of exciting revelations, and we also see more of Gloria—one of my favorite characters! You won’t see too much of Jesse in this book, but don’t be too disappointed. Brinkley can hold his own.


If you're new to Kory Shrum's series, you're in luck. Her first book, Dying for a Living, is now available for FREE!

Kory is also an amazing blogger. Stop by, say hello, and enter her awesome giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card, signed books, and some super cute swag! http://korymshrum.blogspot.com 

Book Review of THE ALEWIFE by Jason T. Graves

This was meant to be a video review. I’ve been really revved up about re-launching my YouTube channel… and of course that’s when I come down with the plague. I never get sick. NEVER. And when I do, I’m over it in no time. It’s been over a week. My throat and eyeballs feel swollen. My voice is all but gone. So video reviews are not an option at the moment. : (

Maybe I’ll be feeling like myself again by the time New Year’s Day rolls around, so I can accomplish ALL THE THINGS. In the meantime, Imma just leave this review here.

Mr. Jason T. Graves is a pretty cool guy. I met him through a mutual friend, UK author Clare Davidson, and then I contributed a short story to OFF THE BEATEN PATH, an anthology he edited and released last year. I recently finished reading his latest book, THE ALEWIFE, and let me tell you, I’ve got some things to say about this book…

 
First of all, do not let the cover deceive you. If the image was any more detailed, it would spoil the story. I started reading this book late in the evening. Big mistake. I was up until 3am, because I had to finish it. HAD TO. Aren’t those the best kind of reads?

So everything starts off simple enough. Middle-aged couple, heading off on a cozy little getaway to relax and try to make a baby. Doug and Jillian are a pretty typical couple. Doug is full of cheesy puns (which I love), and Jillian is a little high-strung. They get to their hotel and have dinner at the hotel restaurant, where things get interesting. Apparently, Doug has been to this restaurant before, and he’s quite familiar with the hot little waitress serving them. She worked there twelve years before, when Doug last visited with a friend. As if the awkwardness with Jillian isn’t bad enough, the girl doesn’t look like she’s aged a day. So Doug, the genius who booked a romantic getaway where his past would most likely be waiting to haunt him (good job, Doug!) is ogling the waitress even more. It’s not very conducive to baby-making with Jillian.

What follows has an erotic, mystery vibe to it—which is fun enough on its own—but then things dive off into the vast depths of sci-fi thrillerdom! Strange science and creatures galore! Great fight scenes and even a touch of romance. Oh! And more puns. Can’t forget those. This turn of events was entirely unexpected and glorious. It reminded me just a bit of Christopher Moore’s FLUKE. So fantastic! It’s definitely one I’ll be reading again.

Click HERE to go to Jason's page where you can stalk him and find links to everywhere you can buy THE ALEWIFE. Since you should. For reals.

 
Happy reading!

Giveaway & Review: DYING BY THE HOUR by Kory Shrum

If you missed my first post interviewing and gushing about the talented Kory Shrum, you can catch up by reading it HERE. I adored the first book in Kory's Jesse Sullivan series, DYING FOR A LIVING. And I adore the second book, DYING BY THE HOUR, even more!

After 83 deaths, Jesse Sullivan knows how to die. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. But using her NRD to save lives is why she’s being hunted.

For Ally Gallagher, death is permanent. If she fails to protect Jesse again, there will be no third attempt. After a quiet year the signs of serious danger have returned. People connected to Jesse are disappearing. Her home is vandalized and threatening messages are turning up in the safest of places.

Then Jesse is taken and Ally has only hours to get her back. But no salvation comes without its price.

My official review: Sexy, Snarky, & Supernaturally Fantastic! This one has it all! Just as awesome as the first! There was a lot more tension and action in this sequel to Dying for a Living. There was also a second POV, from Ally, Jesse's friend/coworker/love interest. I usually don't care for the alternating views when a book is written in first person, but it really made this story that much better. Ally's adventures were critically insightful, and a very interesting contract to Jesse's. This was much darker and more intense than the first book, but I was glad that Shrum still maintained the snark and humor I so enjoy in her work!

To celebrate the release of her much anticipated sequel, Kory is giving away all kinds of awesome goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also chat with Kory and win more goodies after her blog tour concludes, at the Facebook Afterparty on September 16th HERE.

Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner and a ferocious guard pug. She has dabbled in everything from fortune telling to martial arts and when not reading or writing, she can be found teaching, traveling, and wearing a gi. She is author of the urban fantasy novels Dying for a Living and Dying by the Hour. She'd love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or her blog: www.korymshrum.com 

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

 

Crazy Ex-Ghoulfriend Blog Tour & Giveaway

Life is currently chaos, and I seem to be running on fumes these days. I have a ton of follow up work to do for the Prombie Apocalypse, and I'll be posting some event coverage in the next day or two. Right now, I'd like to kick off the blog tour & giveaway for Crazy Ex-Ghoulfriend! I've been hearing a lot of really nice feedback. There were even a few teens at the Prombie Apocalypse who tracked me down to let me know how much they enjoyed my new novel. ♥ You all are the greatest!

For the blog tour, I'll be giving away a signed paperback of Crazy Ex-Ghoulfriend and a $20 Amazon card, along with a few swag goodies, like Ghoul hand sanitizer and bookmarks. I'm also giving away an ebook of Crazy Ex-Goulfriend to 3 runner ups. Be sure to check out the other blogs on the tour! There are some fun interviews and guest posts, plus additional ways to gain giveaway entries for tweets and blog comments. For my blog comments, tell me what famous person you'd like to see raised as a zombie! : )

10/21 - Roquet's Reapings 

10/22 - Romance Junkies 

10/22 - Toot’s Book Review 

 10/23 - Fang Freakin' Tastic Review 

10/23 - Must Read Faster 

10/23 - Stacey Clifford 

10/24 - Fundinmental 

 10/25 - EclipseReviews 

10/26 - For the Love of Bookends 

 10/27 - Coffee Talk Writers 

10/27 - Literal Addiction

10/29 - Living an Eternal Fairytale 

10/30 - Book Pages and Dripping Ink 

10/30 - Mythical Books 

 10/31 - Kimber Leigh Writes 

10/31 - Mad Hatter Reads

10/31 - Notebook of Books 

10/31 - Tome Tender 

11/1 - FUONLYKNEW 

11/2 -3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! 

 11/3 - Books Books and More Books 

11/4 - Salacious Reads 

11/5 - Book Lovin Mamas 

11/7 - Book Monster Reviews 

11/8 - URBAN FANTASY LAND 

11/9 - I SmellSheep 

11/9 - A TiffyFit's Reading Corner 

11/9 - Close Encounters with the Night Kind

 11/9 - Dalene's Book Reviews 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Janie Parker is in love with the boy next door, but he's dating Miss Popular. That is, until she wraps her car around a tree and bites the dust. Just when things settle down and Janie thinks that she might have a shot at going to prom with the boy next door, Miss Popular comes back from the grave, and she's one crazy ex-ghoulfriend.

 
Kindle | Nook |  Smashwords |  Paperback 

OTBP Blog Tour & Giveaway | Author Interview: Sharon Sant

The Off the Beaten Path Blog Tour & Giveaway is almost over, but there's still time to enter for a chance to win one of the many prizes available! Check out the details below!

Today, I' like to share a little about author Sharon Sant with you. Sharon is the author of the Sky Song trilogy, Runners, The Jackie Chan Fan Club, and, most recently, The Memory Game. I actually got the chance to read The Memory Game over the weekend, and it was wonderful! I'm really digging the cover too.

David is an average fifteen-year-old. He has a mom and step-dad, friends at school, and he delivers newspapers. One evening, while on his paper route, he is hit by a car and dies. He suddenly finds himself stuck without a body, left to wander around his hometown where no one can see or hear him... except Bethany, the most hated girl in school, who David wasn't all that nice to when he was alive. Together, David and Bethany try to discover why David didn't go on to wherever people are supposed to go when they die.

This was such a sweet, fun read. There were lots of laughs and tears! Beautifully written. Sharon is also the author of "Soul Trading", a short story featured in Off the Beaten Path. 



Sharon Sant was born in Dorset but now lives in Stoke-on-Trent. Agedeightshe wrote a poem about ET, which received the ultimate praise of being pinned onto the classroom wall, and from that moment on she knew she'd never stop writing. She graduated from Staffordshire University in 2009 with a degree in English and creative writing. She currently works part time as a freelance editor and continues to write her own stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes across many genres, when not busy trying in vain to be a domestic goddess, she can often be found lurking in local coffee shops with her head in a book. Sometimes she pretends to be clever but really loves nothing more than watching geeky TV and eating Pringles. Young adult novels Sky Song, The Young Moon and Not of Our (the Sky Song trilogy) and Runners were all released in 2013 to glowing reviews. The Memory Game, a YA paranormal novella, was released in August 2013.

Find Sharon all over the interwebs...

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Review of "American Psycho" by: Bret Easton Ellis

Now a major motion picture from Lion's Gate Films starring Christian Bale (Metroland), Chloe Sevigny (The Last Days of Disco), Jared Leto (My So Called Life), and Reese Witherspoon (Cruel Intentions), and directed by Mary Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol). 

In American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. Patrick Bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s Manhattan. Young, handsome, and well educated, Bateman earns his fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in ways we cannot begin to fathom. Expressing his true self through torture and murder, Bateman prefigures an apocalyptic horror that no society could bear to confront. 


Review: This book was chosen as my book club's monthly pick. I was actually looking forward to reading it, and then maybe seeing the movie. It was highly reviewed by critics, so I was optimistic when I started reading it. 

I believe my Kindle showed that I was 21% of the way into the book when I couldn't take it anymore. It read like a catalog for Wall Street Schmucks. The author listed brand name after brand name after brand name. I understand what he was trying to do. I get that he wanted to showcase the overindulgent and materialist lifestyle of his characters. I just think he overdid it. Really, really, REALLY overdid it. 

I skimmed the rest of the book, trying to find out what all the hype was about. There were a few mildly interesting scenes, like a run in with Tom Cruise in an elevator. The few psychopath scenes were adequately vulgar, though disturbing as the book was written in first person present tense. It was like reading a psychopaths journal about his conquests torturing and murdering prostitutes, stabbing a child at the zoo, taunting the homeless, and pampering himself like a vain little priss. And as far as I could tell, there was zero plot. 

Call me narrow-minded if you will, but I prefer books written from the perspective of a character that I can grow to like or at least relate to on some level. This was probably the most disappointing book I've ever tried to read. I don't even want to see the movie now.