THE LADY IN THE GLASS is an Anthology of Author Anne Bishop's short stories written throughout her career including both previously published and unpuTHE LADY IN THE GLASS is an Anthology of Author Anne Bishop's short stories written throughout her career including both previously published and unpublished tales from both old and new worlds. This collection of work ranges from the very dark retelling of well-known fairy tales to horror to sci-fi to fantasy.
Fans of Bishop's The Others award winning series will be ecstatic to discover a new story taking place after Etched In Bone and featuring Meg Corbyn, the blood prophet and Simon Wolfgard, the shapeshifter in "Home for the Howlidays. Friends to Corpses will appeal to zombie fans as well as fans of police procedurals in a world where the police are tasked with controlling the zombies.
Author Anne Bishop is a master at bringing fantasies to life - from the very darkest to the scariest to the heartwarming. I found it interesting to read some of her earlier writings and hear from the author herself about her progress in her writing journey. From Realms of Blood and fairytale retellings to stories of space exploration with its' unique creatures, the evolution of the author's work is evident.
Fans of Author Anne Bishop will want to grab this collection and settle in for an entertaining afternoon of reading. While every story isn't for everyone, there's something here that will appeal to readers of various genres of fiction. Bishop's work is unique and magical with a tendency to skate on the dark side just like, I suspect, the author herself. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Berkley for a free copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. Review available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. ...more
Author Ali Hazelwood is one of my go-to authors when it comes to romance, so I was intrigued when I received an ARC of BRIDE and learned it was paranoAuthor Ali Hazelwood is one of my go-to authors when it comes to romance, so I was intrigued when I received an ARC of BRIDE and learned it was paranormal romance. The synopsis and cover were enough to entice me in, and I slipped into this one cautiously optimistic. What I discovered was a multilayered, unique world of supernatural characters mired in political turmoil. A place where history and tradition command the uniting of a vampyre bride and a werewolf groom to strengthen an alliance between age-old mortal enemies. A couple who each come into the relationship with few expectations and a hidden agenda . . . only to discover a world of possibilities if they can let go of the past and work together.
Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyr councilman in the South is ordered to wed Lowe Moreland, the most powerful Alpha of the Werewolves in a marriage of convenience. Both sides have much to gain from the union, and Misery has no say in the matter, but readers soon learn she actually has her own reasons for carrying through with the farce of a marriage, and Lowe is smart enough to stay wary of her intent. Unlike his predecessors, Lowe is a fair and compassionate leader who agrees to the union with hopes of unmasking traitors among their midst and solving the mystery of missing people and attempted murders. Mistrust drives the action at a fast pace with political unrest bleeding over into the couple's relationship, keeping them at arm's length in spite of their intense attraction to one another. Both Misery and Lowe find it hard to let go of the past, open up and place their trust and heart in the hands of someone else. Their people may be mortal enemies, but the sparks flying between them are igniting yearnings for so much more. Is it possible for a vampyre and a werewolf to find real love and make a family together?
BRIDE is a unique, action-packed paranormal romance with twists and turns that keep readers burning through pages for answers. It's a smorgasbord of mystery, romance, and fantasy all rolled up in a sizzling forbidden love story. The paranormal world created by Hazelwood is a highly visual masterpiece with great characterizations and a multilayered plot line with a side of humor and sensual banter. While the suspense edges out the romance, there's no doubt this is a couple right out of a fairy tale. Author Ali Hazelwood has proven romance is romance in any genre, and she knows how to deliver. Highly recommended to fans of mystery, romance, and paranormal romance. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for an arc of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. ...more
I'm such a fan of Nora Roberts's trilogies and was delighted to learn that her new Lost Bride book is indeed the first in a trilogy in the fantasy/parI'm such a fan of Nora Roberts's trilogies and was delighted to learn that her new Lost Bride book is indeed the first in a trilogy in the fantasy/paranormal genre. Even better, it's the tale of a Victorian mansion haunted by deceased brides who were murdered on their wedding day which is indicative of an intriguing mystery.
INHERITANCE is the story of graphic designer Sonya MacTavish and the subsequent events that occur when she learns that her deceased father had a twin brother she never knew of, and that uncle has left her a haunted mansion on the Maine Coast with the stipulation she live there for at least three years. Sonya is at loose ends having just broken up with her cheating fiancé who's making her life miserable at their mutual place of employment. Making a life altering decision, she travels to Maine where she can work freelance, meets with Trey the young lawyer handling the execution of her uncle's Last Will & Testament, and immediately falls in love with the stunning mansion even with all the strange occurrences. Trey is upfront about the house's history of dead brides and ghosts, but Sonya feels like she's finally found her place in the world and moves in. To say that things go bump in the night is an understatement, but Sonya takes it all in stride until she meets the one malevolent spirit who's tries to drive her away. By this point, she's made new friends, garnished new business and maybe, just maybe, found new love so she sets out to solve the puzzle of the missing brides and hopefully help the bride spirits cross over. Who were the brides? How did they die? Can she break the spell cast over the next bride before it's too late?
Nora Roberts signature style of writing is evident in INHERITANCE with well-developed characters, an intriguing plot line and mystery to be solved. The gothic setting with a haunted mansion harboring spirits and years of secrets takes on a lead role like another character as tension builds with the escalation of the fury of the bad spirit. Sonya is a strong, reliable female lead, and support characters like Trey and best friend Cleo round out a great cast. The tone is eerie, and the pace increases steadily as Sonya draws closer to uncovering the truth of the past murders. While I enjoyed Sonya and Trey as a couple, their mutual attraction falls a bit flat in my opinion, but I'm thinking that will be rectified in books two and three. Being the first book of a trilogy, one can expect that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but I wasn't prepared for how huge a cliffhanger it would be as it literally stops in the middle of a major event leaving readers clamoring for the next book.
INHERITANCE is an intriguing, highly atmospheric fantasy mystery that's impossible to put down. Roberts's creativity in plot lines never ceases to amaze me as does the inclusion of a strong, tenacious female lead interacting with and supporting other females. The author is a master at incorporating past history of characters, their ancestors and setting in rendering a unique, highly entertaining mystery complete with ghosts and spirits and things that go bump in the night. I can't wait to see where the author takes these characters in the next two books of the Lost Brides trilogy. Highly recommended to fans of Roberts and readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.
3.5 Stars. Many thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this title which is scheduled for release on Nov. 21, 2023. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. ...more
I was introduced to Meg Long's descriptive prose in the stunning Cold The Night, Fast The Wolves. The world building is outstanding and the story lineI was introduced to Meg Long's descriptive prose in the stunning Cold The Night, Fast The Wolves. The world building is outstanding and the story line mesmerizing. I'm happy to say she's taken that world to new heights in Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame. Remy Castell, a support character in the previous book, takes center stage in this book as she's on a mission to find the friend she was forced to leave behind - the friend who helped her recover from the brainwashing she was forced into as a genetically engineered corporate agent. Remy was betrayed by her genopath partner Kiran Lore and left for dead. Now it seems she must seek out his help if there's any hope of finding her friend and saving a planet even though it means returning to the jungle planet of Marass that is plagued by a hellstorm that's growing larger by the day. Danger lurks everywhere . . . perhaps most in the man whose help she seeks. He portrayed her once . . . can she trust him now?
The highly atmospheric setting in Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame steals the show at every turn. Long's world building stretches the imagination and yet is unbelievably realistic. It's all-consuming in every way - tantalizing all five senses to the point that readers are drawn into the battles taking place. The plot line and characters are larger than life and yet somehow feel so authentic that you believe every word you're reading. I love the inclusion of characters from the previous book, especially Sena and her vonenewolf Iska with whom this whole thing started. The author has expanded the world and broadened the reach of characters while blending the past with the present. The pace is insane in this action packed story and so intense that I found myself holding my breath at times.
Meg Long has rendered another fantastic otherworldly story in Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame and reeled me into it. While young adult fantasy isn't my go-to genre, I found myself trapped alongside these characters, battling my way through to the final page. Long's expertise at building vivid, larger than life worlds is nothing short of brilliant as is her talent for delivering fascinating, complex characters readers pull for. Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame is an intense, vivid, gritty story I highly recommend to fans of fantasy and sci-fi. Special thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. Release Date: Jan. 17, 2023 Review published at Cross My Heart Book Reviews...more
DIVINE RIVALS is the first book in Rebecca Ross's Front series. It's an epic romance featuring two reporters vying for the same position at a newspapeDIVINE RIVALS is the first book in Rebecca Ross's Front series. It's an epic romance featuring two reporters vying for the same position at a newspaper. The editor turns it into a competition by challenging them to come up with the best war story with the winner getting the job. Iris and Roman come from two different worlds - one poor and one wealthy. Their rivalry sets the stage for an intense enemies-to-lovers story set in a fantasy land. War is brewing among the gods and people are choosing sides. Unfortunately, Iris's brother who's fighting in the war has disappeared. Iris eventually joins the war effort as a front-line reporter in order to search for her brother. At the same time, a romance blossoms between her and Roman through letters passed magically through the slots of their wardrobe doors . . . only Iris has no idea who her secret "pen pal" is which allows her to let down her walls and reveal her vulnerability. The story that unfolds is complex with a multi-layered plot line unfolding through unique characters.
Once I settled into this world, I became entranced with the story of rival lovers unknowingly connecting in the middle of a war over power between divine beings. The undertone is dark and bleak and yet these two characters provide a spark of hope in the midst of darkness. Themes of love, loss, enemies-to-lovers and found family are at the core of the twisted plot line enhanced by other-worldly characters and the devastation of war. The story is highly emotional and heartbreaking driving the intense plot forward at a pace that increases as one turns the pages heading to the shocking climax. DIVINE RIVALS is a beautiful love story all wrapped up in magical paper and delivered via an ethereal experience. Highly recommended to fans of romance and fantasy. Many thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this story. All opinions expressed are my own. Review available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews....more
Canadian homicide detective Mallory Atkinson visits Edinburgh to be at the bedside of her dying grandmother. While taking a break and going for coffeeCanadian homicide detective Mallory Atkinson visits Edinburgh to be at the bedside of her dying grandmother. While taking a break and going for coffee, she hears screams and enters an alley and is brutally attacked and left for dead. Mallory blacks out only to wake up in Edinburgh in the year 1869 in the body of Catriona, a nineteenth century housemaid. She is now a servant to a local undertaker who fancies himself a forensic scientist of sorts - a medical examiner. Mallory fakes amnesia to buy time to figure out who to trust and what route to take to get back to future time. Problem is someone is still trying to murder her. How can she solve the case without revealing skills a housemaid wouldn't possess and without shocking everyone by behaving outrageously for a Victorian lady.
I've always enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's romance suspense with a paranormal edge. A Rip Through Time deviates from the author's norm quite a bit as the author explores new territory, but it's an excellent start to a new series. Armstrong brilliantly weaves enough historical information into the story to keep it authentic without bogging down the story line. I found the forensic aspects quite fascinating especially when comparing it to today's wealth of knowledge in the field. The characters are well developed and believable within the situation they find themselves in and the mystery works to drive the pace at a steady rate. Readers will find themselves quickly drawn into this time travel mystery as Mallory works to solve a local murder mystery that may tie in with the attempt on her own life. If she can catch the murderer, she may find the answer to returning to her former life. Armstrong also sets the stage for the next book in this new series. They're several hints of things to come. Highly recommended to fans of mystery and fantasy.
Together We Burn is a magical, intimate dance beautifully orchestrated by the author as she directs characters, as well as readers, through the steps Together We Burn is a magical, intimate dance beautifully orchestrated by the author as she directs characters, as well as readers, through the steps of this complex story. Red capes and dresses swirl, feet prance and glide while dragons breathe fire in this age old dance between man and beast. Like medieval Spain where matadors enticed the bulls and flamenco dancers enchanted audiences, Together We Burn is rich in Latin history, seeped in the culture and social beliefs of the times. Readers will find themselves totally submerged in this exquisite world of scintillating colors, magical beings and larger than life characters in battles of life and death.
Zarela Zalvidar and her father are carrying on a five hundred year old family tradition of entertaining audiences as she dances the flamenco with beauty and grace, and he faces down fire breathing dragons with courage and skill in their famous dragon fighting arena. Things are looking up until part of their stable of dragons escape during the anniversary show, killing several audience members and gravely injuring her father. When Zarela is summoned before the Dragon Guile to defend her family's honor and involvment, she understands just how dire their situation has become. The Zalvidar family is being held accountable for all damages, and they stand to lose their ancestral home and livelihood unless Zarela can prove someone sabotaged their estate and dragon ring. Who has reason to execute a dragon trainer and ruin their family name? A rival ring owner? One of the political groups protesting the killing of dragons in the ring? Zarela is determined to find out who murdered their only remaining dragon trainer as well as the rest of their fighting dragons. She will prove her family's innocence - even if it means she has to set aside her fear to become a Dragondor and fight in the ring herself. To do so, she must solicit the help of the baddest, most skilled dragon hunter and trainer in the land, Arturo Diaz de Montserrat.
Together We Burn is a compelling story that will draw readers in and hold them in a trance until the end. The setting is quite simply mesmerizing - it's picturesque, alive and humming with age old melodies and tradition - one of the most original fantasy worlds I've ever been privileged to reside in even briefly as a reader. The culture of medieval Spain is embraced and celebrated in brilliant, vivid color with no stone or detail left unturned. Ibanez's control of dialogue and symbolism is quite simply brilliant as it serves to drive this story forward at a fast clip. Character development is out-of-this-world amazing. Sparks erupt into flames as Zarela and Arturo come together in a dance of forbidden love - bantering back and forth, teasing and antagonizing one another while hiding true feelings. They're fire and ice with denied desire as Arturo trains Zarela for the ring in spite of his disgust at the killing of the dragons that he respects and secretly trains for other purposes. Zarela stands in defense of her family traditions and culture just as Arturo counters with all the reasons it's time for change. Their chemistry ignites the pages. A menacing tone persists throughout, reemphasizing the danger Zarela and Artula face as they investigate a murder and prepare for judgment day at Zarela's first fight as a Dragondor. A complex plot line overflowing with lies, secrets, betrayals and sabotage will keep readers burning through pages of twists and turns to the final death defying performance.
One of the things I love most about Together We Burn is the overall balance the author achieves across the board. While one can argue that this story is fantasy or a mystery or romance but also historical, it's such a perfect blending of genres sure to satisfy the palette of all readers. No one part overshadows the other. This phenomenal story addresses conflicting ethical, political and cultural beliefs. Zarela and Artura each represent opposite sides in an age old battle between tradition and the need for change with family, tradition and honor weighing heavily in both defenses. The author has woven a magical tapestry with an abundance of threads representing the many sides of social beliefs and traditions and a couple's journey to find a common ground. Together We Burn truly has it all. The fantasy is magnificent, the murder mystery dark and dangerous and the love affair scorching hot. I will be singing the praises of this book for months to come . . . and who knows, one day I may also get the chance to dance with a dragon. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's not to be missed. *Special thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this book. **Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews ...more
I love a good story featuring a strong, independent woman ascertaining her own power - her own voice. The Change features three such women staring dowI love a good story featuring a strong, independent woman ascertaining her own power - her own voice. The Change features three such women staring down midlife crises while struggling with the tough hand dealt them by life. It would be easy to fold, but instead they combine their newly discovered powers to challenge the status quo and thumb their noses at men who have relegated them to lesser positions in life. The end result for readers is a fantastic blend of genres including fantasy, mystery and women's fiction with a heavy side of social commentary all rolled into one high action, graphic story that I believe will appeal to readers across the board.
Three middle age women who have been dished by the men in their lives in one way or the other are dealing with the dreaded "change" and they resent it. Is this it? Is their life over? It wasn't suppose to be like this. When faced with more of the same old, same old, they must decide what they will do with the rest of their lives. Forming a friendship leads to each of them realizing and sharing their individual special gifts with the others. Nessa hears voices as her grandmother did before her - of people who have passed on. Harriet is a plant guru and healer, and Jo can channel all the rage she's feeling through her body and into other objects. When the three band together to seek revenge for a brutally murdered seventeen-year-old girl, no force on earth can stop them from hunting down and eradicating the evil hiding in this town. They're on a mission for justice and revenge for the dead girl/s discarded like yesterday's trash, for all the injustices women have suffered at the hands of men, for the poor, the forgotten, the lost. In doing so, these three hellions blaze a path of fury through the wealthy city of Mattauk, Long Island. Heaven knows, the self-claimed entitled residents' money won't protect them from these three as they put the world on notice. They're taking it back.
The Change is a stunning story that runs the gamut of human emotions. Readers are sure to find themselves cheering these women on as I did - laughing and hollering one minute and raging mad the next - producing the perfect balance to keep me turning all 500+ pages as the stakes are raised and the violence escalates. The author's expertise at interspersing wit and sarcasm into the grim story line helps tone down what might otherwise be considered male bashing, although one can argue that most men in this book certainly deserve what they get. Nessa, Harriet and Jo may be considered vigilantes - and I guess on one hand they are - but I see them as women coming into their own, shedding the roles forced upon them by society and welcoming their new found freedom and the many changes occurring in their lives. It's powerful watching them come to the realization that they're more than they've been told, that life isn't over at forty or fifty or even sixty. It's out there waiting for them if they're brave enough, strong enough to seize it with no fear.
Miller has rendered an epic, genre-defying, action-packed story featuring a mixed smorgasbord of genres with something for everyone. She flawlessly weaves in backstory, pulling readers in as they learn where these women came from and what sparked and fueled their rage. Support characters's stories are also shared, making readers privy to what drove them to become the people they are - good or bad. The end result is an intimate connection with almost all of the characters. The pursuit of a serial killer serves to drive this story forward at a breakneck speed through twists and turns to the final reveal. Miller brilliantly wrestles the multitude of threads together by the end, turning them into a masterpiece - an extraordinary story that flows from beginning to end showcasing several tough social issues with humor and grace.
The Change is for every person of a certain age who has been passed over, turned down and made to feel somewhat less. It's raw, at times dark and yet inspirational. I hope readers catch the double meaning of the title The Change and embrace this book with all the wonder and excitement it so richly deserves. Readers of all genres - fantasy, mystery, women's fiction, realism - I highly recommend this book. Don't let the classification or the long length deter you. The Change is simply phenomenal. The book to read in 2022!
Sloane, a Scion - descendant of the ancient Orisha gods, has spent her entire life hiding her special ability to literally incinerate enemies from a sSloane, a Scion - descendant of the ancient Orisha gods, has spent her entire life hiding her special ability to literally incinerate enemies from a society that prosecutes anyone with powers. But things change when she is forced to train for the Lucis army alongside the very people who want her dead. However, Sloane is intelligent and she hatches a plan to infiltrate the regime and bring it to its knees. Her ultimate goal is to discover what actually happened to her mother who has disappeared without a trace. Sloane quickly rises up the ranks, getting stronger every day while keeping her powers hidden. However, the ultimate challenge may be to retain her own identity and not become the monster she fights.
Sloane is a strong, complex protagonist aka a survivor. Her journey is difficult and yet she learns more day by day as the author expertly weaves themes of family, self-discovery, loyalty and trust into the story line. The support characters are a force to be reckoned with also and as the story unfolds Sloane learns several important life lessons such as family isn't always determined by blood. The setting is colorful, rich and vivid lending to the overall richness and enjoyment of this epic story. The mythology and world building is so compelling to the point of becoming real while serving to draw readers in. Blood Scion is a powerful, sometimes poignant, brutal story that tackles issues of forced child soldiers, genocide and the horrors and victims of wars. It's an emotional, action packed journey I highly recommend to fans of fantasy and strong female protagonists. Special thanks to Harper Teen for an arc. Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
Seventeen-year-old Sena is a seasoned loner, living on the outer edges of society in a small town on the frozen planet of Tundra. She survives by pickSeventeen-year-old Sena is a seasoned loner, living on the outer edges of society in a small town on the frozen planet of Tundra. She survives by picking the pockets of rich tourists and while she's good at it, she's not sharp enough to escape being caught by Kalba - a cruel capitalist with a stable of fighting wolves and several sled race teams. Sena is highly sought after by race teams because she possesses the knowledge to survive the strenuous races - skills learned from her mothers (one a racer and one a scavver) who disappeared in the last annual sled race to the exo-carbon mines. Ex-carbon, the most valuable resource on the planet, is coveted and controlled by capitalists whose methods of mining are destroying the ice planet. Through a lot of misfortune and a string of bad decisions, Sena finds herself working for Kalba, trying to heal one of his injured fighting wolves within one month or else. One catastrophe leads to another, and an injured Sena must flee barely escaping with her life and a killer she-wolf. A team of scientists takes her and the she-wolf called Iska in and nurses them back to health in exchange for Sena teaching team members the survival skills needed to win the deadly sled race. Sena refuses to run the race that killed her mothers, but in the end her choices are limited. The story that ensues is one of the fight for survival against all odds. One of a young girl and the killer wolf she rescued bonding and finding a way to persevere through a blood-thirsty journey where danger lurks around every bend. It's a story of the search for truth and justice and the acceptance of family forged by necessity not by blood.
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is an outstanding debut novel with amazing, skillful world building - from the frozen planet to the genetically altered wolves to the predators both animal and human to the different societies and races - it's a visual wonderland. While I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi, this book captured and totally immersed me in a young girl's race for survival in a harsh world where she doesn't fit in. I was completely captivated by Sena - her tenacity and determination to overcome all odds and discover exactly what happened to her mothers who were the best sledders on the planet meaning they didn't die from making a fatal mistake. Sena knows in her gut there's more to what happened than that, and she's determined to find answers even if she dies trying.
While this story starts out a bit slow, I found every single page of it fascinating. Long does an impressive job of world building - one scene, one character, one larger than life danger at a time which proves to be highly beneficial as the story progresses and the pace picks up. Without the meticulous setup, I would have soon lost my way in this complicated world of futuristic beings. Instead, I was totally immersed in a story that bombarded all my senses as I held my breath several times sure that all was lost. Author Meg Long proved to me that a futuristic sci-fi story can also be a great suspense thriller. There's no way to follow Sena on her journey from beginning to end and not get deeply immersed in the mystery of what happened to her mothers - did they succumb to fate . . . or murder? Or are they still alive?
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is an amazing debut novel that has me looking forward to more great things from Meg Long. It's intense, captivating, detailed and ultra-visual, worthy of reading in one sitting. I would love to see this book turned into a movie and can only imagine how the big screen would explode with color and creatures and characters and epic life and death battles. Fans of fantasy and sci-fi will devour this book; however, I also highly recommend it to fans of suspense thrillers. Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a delicious combo of genres that will rattle all your senses. *Special thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this book. **Review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine ***Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews ...more
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