Jessie recommends 'Dark Currents,' 'Poison Princess'

Today's promising releases ...

Paranormal romance

Dark Currents, Jacqueline Carey

What it's about: Daisy Johnson, a woman who is sired by an incubus and raised by a single mother (human), tries to keep order in both the human and paranormal worlds. There are hot werewolves, reclusive Norse goddesses and a whole lot of criminal investigation.

Why you should read it: Jacqueline Carey is a master storyteller. Anyone who is a fantasy fan has read her Kushiel's Legacy series and fallen under her spell. When I found out a new series was in the works -- something more paranormal than fantasy -- I knew I had to read it. With Carey you'll get twisted, complicated but steamy romance, enough action to satisfy an adventure seeker, and a plot that is both rich in dynamics and its telling.

Tidbit: On her website, she tells readers, "I do hope that you'll give Dark Currents a try! It's filled with whimsy, wonder and creepiness, and although the urban fantasy field is a crowded one, I'm having a great time putting my own stamp on it."

YA paranormal romance

Poison Princess, Kresley Cole

What it's about: Evie is a spoiled Southern princess who suffers from a mild case of mental instability that manifests itself in seeing horrifying dreams and nightmares. Lands of hellish proportions and apocalyptic happenings. After her 'time away' (hint: She was committed!) she meets a hottie, tries to get settled in school and learns she's not actually crazy.

Why you should read it: This week is filled with new releases by fantastic authors and Cole is one of them! Check out her best-selling Immortals After Dark series. Poison Princess is funny, romantic, scary and beautifully written. Sometimes the story gets a bit confusing with the hallucinations and mention of Tarot cards, but I know that the further we get into the series the better it will get.

Tidbit: Kresley says, "Jack Deveaux is one of my favorite heroes I've ever written. I wanted to depict a bad boy (a hardened fighter who expects nothing from life, honed by a brutal childhood) whose bad traits actually serve him well after the Flash. He's strong, resourceful, and fiercely protective of Evie, the heroine."

Urban fantasy romance

Fury's Kiss, Karen Chance

What it's about:Fury's Kiss is the third book in Chance's Dorina Basarab series, and I recommend reading the first two before this one. Her heroine, Dory, is a half-human, half-vampire and is only able to live so long (dhampirs are subject to violent uncontrollable rages) by killing vampires and demons. In Fury's Kiss,, Dory faces bigger challenges still: fallen angels, mad scientists, new types of vampires and the choice of committing to Louis-Cesar or losing him.

Why you should read it: If you love the Dorina Basarab series, then Fury's Kiss// will not only live up to expectations … but surpass them. The book is massive, and the twists and turns are everywhere. This is my favorite book of the series. Chance's writing is elegant yet realistic.

YA urban fantasy romance

Breathe, Sarah Crossan

What it's about: The world is dead. There are no trees. Humans are alive solely because Breathe (a corporation) has found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air. This story is told in three different POVs, each a different class of society. Their world is dark, and their saviors might just be their keepers.

Why you should read it: This book is for fans of dystopian novels, especially for readers who enjoy books that deal with warnings for the future. Crossan's world is filled with classes, inequalities and the bravery that comes from just standing up and taking the first step.

Tidbit: Sarah tells me, "I was taking a trip to Washington state when I saw whole mountainsides stripped of their trees. I am easily panic-stricken and wondered what Earth would look like if there were no trees at all. From this idea, Breathe was born."

Fresh e-book

Destroy Me (Shatter Me 1.5), Tahereh Mafi

What it's about:Destroy Me is the perfect thing for fans eagerly waiting Unravel Me (Shatter Me, book two). This novella bridges the two books and gives fans a taste of Juliette and Adam. We see more of the ruthless villain from Sector 45 (it's in his POV!) and even scarier: his father the Supreme Commander, who isn't fond of Juliette, though his son is, and has new plans …

Why you should read it: I heard about Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me almost a year before it came out. People were buzzing about this new author and I pre-ordered Shatter Me. It was fabulous, a typical YA book, except the love triangle was twisted, the heroine couldn't touch people without killing them, and the writing was harsh and real. If you haven't picked up Tahereh yet, I urge you to read Shatter Me, then download Destroy Me. It's the perfect way to wait for the next installment, which will be released in February.

Tidbit: Tahereh tells me, "Destroy Me is actually an e-novella that takes place in the two-week gap between the first book (Shatter Me) and the second book (Unravel Me); it's written entirely from the perspective of Warner, the central antagonist in the story, and picks up where he drops off in Shatter Me, leading readers right into the sequel. … I can promise that readers will learn a lot more about Warner's backstory, his motivations, and his unguarded emotions in Destroy Me."

Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She is a top 600 reviewer on Amazon and also does reviews for Bitten By Books and AllRomance.com.