What an enchanting world Alexandra Ivy has created in the Magic for Hire series. Book two is Ancient Magic and features Skye Claremont and Micha. What an enchanting world Alexandra Ivy has created in the Magic for Hire series. Book two is Ancient Magic and features Skye Claremont and Micha. Urban fantasy, a mystery, a kidnapping, and a paranormal romance are combined into an enthralling storyline. The Vampire Cabal are investigating Skye’s friend Peri to determine whether she is a threat to vampires. However, someone is trying for a power grab.
Skye is a mage who has visions and whose father indentured her when she was young to pay off his gambling debts. When he returns and asks her to meet him, it turns into a trap. However, a vision tells her Micha must be kidnapped as her father’s debtholders desire.
Both Skye and Micha are well-defined characters with depth. A byproduct of Skye’s magic is that she can sense emotions which can be overwhelming at times. She tends to hide her emotions, has a rigid sense of integrity, is intelligent, courageous, stubborn, and has a high degree of curiosity. Micha is a scholar at heart. He’s self-controlled, stubborn, plans meticulously, and can be arrogant at times.
Action, suspense, and drama immediately pull readers into the story, which is well-written. The plot is twisty and flows well. There is the right amount of mystery, romance and creative twists to the paranormal to keep readers engrossed and wondering what was going to happen next. The descriptive writing doesn’t slow the pace, but enhances the reader’s experience. The world-building is excellent except I wanted to know more about the Gyre. Themes include trust, instant romance, betrayal, fear, greed, murder, kidnapping, found family, ruthless ambition, and much more.
Overall, this is a fast-paced and entertaining tale with great characterization and plenty of action that kept me engaged throughout the story. Whose story will be next?
Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Press and Alexandra Ivy provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 23, 2024. ------------------------------------------ My 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasies, then this novel was written for you. Despite being the fourth book in the series, DaIf you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasies, then this novel was written for you. Despite being the fourth book in the series, Darkness Rises worked as a standalone for me. However, I plan to go back and read the earlier ones.
Krysta’s special abilities help her fight vampires. She sets herself up as bait and then proceeds to fight those she lures in. However, one night she finds an unexpected ally. Etienne is two hundred years old, but he’s not a vampire. He also fights vampires preying on humans.
Krysta is strong and outspoken, but somewhat selfish in the beginning of the novel. She is so focused on revenge that she puts her brother’s life at risk night after night. However, she does show growth during the story.
Due to the number of characters, I believe it would be better to start at the beginning of the series. Additionally, there may be nuances to the world-building that would be clearer by reading the books in order. Despite this, the world-building was great and the relationships between individuals were amazing.
Duvall brings action, suspense, and romance to this novel. The characters are well-defined and there is a solid plot with plenty of action and some heat. The ending sets up the next book in the series which I can’t wait to read. Woven into the story line are revenge, family, friendship, romance, loyalty, hatred, and power.
Overall, this novel immediately captured my interest with intense action, great characters, and a compelling plot.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was January 1, 2013. ---------------------------------------- My 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Once again, Patricia Briggs has blended urban fantasy, action, suspense, and a little romance into another fantastic novel. Winter Lost is the fouOnce again, Patricia Briggs has blended urban fantasy, action, suspense, and a little romance into another fantastic novel. Winter Lost is the fourteenth book in the Mercy Thompson (Hauptman) series. Mercy is a car mechanic, coyote shapeshifter, and mate to Adam Hauptman, the leader of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack. Mercy needs to travel to Montana to help her half-brother Gary, but now that she’s not alone, Adam goes with her. In the Montana wilderness, they become trapped with strangers at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge. The storm isn’t your average storm and neither is Gary’s problem. Ancient magics abound. Will Mercy and Adam solve the problems and escape unscathed?
Mercy is a strong female lead character. She’s independent, kind, thinks the best of others, and has a sense of humor. She doesn’t get mad, she gets even when crossed and she doesn’t like people to worry about her, so she doesn’t always communicate what she should. Adam is a strong alpha werewolf and is good at walking tight ropes. However, his temper isn’t always his strong suit. They do a great job of supporting each other and are stronger together. The other pack members play minor roles in this story line, but occasional interludes keep readers up-to-date with some of them, but the interludes have a slight adverse effect on the overall flow of the story.
I was quickly drawn into Mercy’s life once again. It was easy to visualize the scenes and be transported to them throughout the story. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and strong characters. The plot is twisty, the pacing is fast, and the mystery unfolds and culminates in a fascinating conclusion.
Overall, this is an excellent urban fantasy novel with great characterization and fantastic world-building. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Those who enjoy urban fantasies, supernatural suspense, and books by this author will likely enjoy this series. Since the story line as well as the characterization builds over the course of the series, I recommend reading it in order.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Patricia Briggs provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 18, 2024. ---------------------------------------- My 4.77 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
In Wolf Hunger, Paige Tyler brings romance, action, and suspense to the seventh book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team paranormal romantic suspIn Wolf Hunger, Paige Tyler brings romance, action, and suspense to the seventh book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team paranormal romantic suspense series. Set in contemporary times and mainly in Dallas, Texas, this novel features SWAT werewolf Max Lowry and Lana Mason.
While attending a police awards ceremony, Max and Lana meet and are instantly attracted to each other. Max realizes that Lana is also a werewolf, but does she know it? Additionally, hunters arrive in Dallas and seem to be pursuing Lana. Can Max and Lana achieve reach their happily ever after? Max and Lana seem to be well-matched. However, Max’s character has a lot more depth than Lana’s. He is charming, funny, patient, thoughtful, and protective of others. Lana was a quippy sense of humor, is willing to stand up for herself, and is intelligent.
The plot had some twists and turns and the stakes were high. The significant amount of danger and action kept me full engaged. The author uses a unique take on werewolves and did a great job of painting the picture for readers without slowing down the pacing. It is a riveting story with protagonists that I liked and cheered on as their efforts.
This book delivers on escapism through instant attraction, friendship, family, found family, romance, trust, protecting and helping others, and love. At the same time, it tackles the serious issues of domestic violence, murder, secrets, and much more. While most conflicts and issues are resolved, I was left with a few open questions. There is one steamy scene at about the halfway point.
Overall, this was a suspenseful novel, full of danger, and action-packed. If you enjoy thrilling paranormal romantic suspense novels, then I recommend you check out this series. There is enough background that this novel can be read as a standalone, but the series is best read in order.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was December 5. 2017. ---------------------------------------- My 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Do you love young adult urban fantasies that feature politics, family, and love potions? If so, then look no further than The Poisons We Drink by Do you love young adult urban fantasies that feature politics, family, and love potions? If so, then look no further than The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste. The country is divided between humans and those with magic. Eighteen-year-old Venus Stoneheart supports her family by making illegal love potions. Magic users are being discriminated against and tyrannized by humans. An impending Registration Act law will result in further restrictions on magic users. When tragedy strikes their mother, Venus must now keep her younger sister Janus safe. When the head of the magic wielders offers her the chance to get revenge, it comes with a steep price. Magic, power, trust, and corruption mix with magic and power in this compelling story.
Venus wants to live in peace, but an event three years ago caused a deviation in her. It’s dangerous and unpredictable. Who will end up controlling who? Janus is reckless, but fun-loving and powerful. The secondary and tertiary characters are well defined and complex as well, but there are many of them.
The worldbuilding was excellent in this one. However, there were some occasional pacing issues and the book seemed a little too long because of that. There is plenty of action and violence as well as a few surprises along the way. A long list of content warnings is provided at the beginning of the book. There are many kinds of love potions, not just the one that immediately comes to mind. A list is provided at the end of the book along with a glossary of terms.
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, and some unique differences in the magic system. Political intrigue, accepting responsibility, discrimination, family, friendship, love, grief, death, trust, vengeance, power, love, fear, and fractured relationships play various roles in this exciting story. I hope this is the first book in a series featuring Venus and her family and friends.
SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Bethany Baptiste provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024. ------------------------------------------- My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
James J. Butcher returns with the second novel in his urban fantasy series set in and around Boston, Massachusetts featuring Grimshaw Griswald GrimsbyJames J. Butcher returns with the second novel in his urban fantasy series set in and around Boston, Massachusetts featuring Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby. The world is divided into those without any magical or paranormal capabilities and those that have them and there is access to another dimension called Elsewhere. Grimsby is the newest Auditor in the magical Department. Auditors are the magical elite who are government-sanctioned witches with power and prestige. They enforce the laws about magic, but Grimsby learns not all such tasks are exciting. For six months, he’s handled mundane magical troubles. Fed up with being overlooked for a better case, he takes a case file intended for a friend, Auditor Rayne Bathory.
His partner, Huntsman Leslie Mayflower, has not been showing up for work for a month, but when he sees the appropriated case file, he recognizes the ritual in the case photos as being like one of his cases from 20 years ago. Working together, can they stop the ritual from being completed? Eighteen-inch tall Wudge has also been living with Grimsby for the last six months and is still searching for the mysterious door that had been promised to him in book one of the series.
The dynamic between Grimsby and Mayflower as well as between Grimsby and Wudge was fun to experience has they got to know one another better and worked together. Grimsby is bothered by hypocrisy, dislikes arguing, and he is lonely, loyal, hardworking, and kind. Mayflower has a temper and he’s grouchy, bitter, and dangerous. Wudge provides comic relief and takes conversations very literally. Rayne tends to be cold, calm, professional, stressed, lonely, and feels betrayed. These are just four of the individuals in this novel filled with diverse and well-developed characters.
The plot is layered and has plenty of twists and turns combined with suspense, tension, and action. It is more polished and the pacing is better than book one of the series. There’s a significant surprise in this story line. Once again, it was hard to put the book down because there was always something new happening that piqued my interest. What an ending! It was not what I expected, but it certainly sets the situation up for a fantastic book three. The fantasy part of the world-building was terrific. The story contains elements of fantasy and suspense with a mystery that kept me turning the pages. Additional themes include dealing with failure, not giving up, friendship, trust, betrayal, theft, power, and doing what’s right, as well as human struggles and growth.
Overall, this novel was engaging and entertaining with a vivid fantasy environment created to immerse readers in this new urban world. This series should be read in order. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group - Ace and James J. Butcher provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 10, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------------------------------- My 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Cold Curses by Chloe Neill is the fifth and final book in the Heirs of Chicagoland urban fantasy series. Combining supernatural suspense and a bitCold Curses by Chloe Neill is the fifth and final book in the Heirs of Chicagoland urban fantasy series. Combining supernatural suspense and a bit of romance with plenty of action made this a great read. Elisa Sullivan is the only vampire ever born. She’s engaged to shifter Connor Keene, the son of the local pack leader. Everyone is working to repair Chicago’s wards, but unwelcome creatures are slipping through and wreaking havoc on the city.
Elisa is an associate ombudsman, one of the city’s human-supernatural liaisons. She’s goal-oriented, dedicated, and puts others first. She also tends to use sarcasm against fear. Connor is dedicated and hard-working. He is facing several challenges to his ascension to Apex when his dad retires.
The author does a great job on characterization as well as world-building. The novel is well written with a unique situation that results in multiple action scenes. There’s plenty of angst as Elisa and her allies try to make sense of the changing circumstances. With exciting scenes, a larger-than-life protagonist, and strong and evil antagonists, the story captivated me from beginning to end. Themes woven into the novel include power, romance, family, friendship, love, bias, violence, evil, anger, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this was an engrossing and entertaining novel with great characterization, plenty of action, and lots of drama. I recommend reading this series in order. The background and gradual addition of characters will make the experience more enjoyable.
Berkley Publishing Group and Chloe Neill provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. ------------------------------------ My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
The Vampire Huntress by Ashlee Sinn is a paranormal romance featuring Sopia Glen and Viktor Kaska and set in New York City. Sophia was born a vampThe Vampire Huntress by Ashlee Sinn is a paranormal romance featuring Sopia Glen and Viktor Kaska and set in New York City. Sophia was born a vampire hunter and spends her nights hunting rogue vampires. She’s and Silas, another hunter are partners in more than one way. However, when a serious threat faces the city, Sophia is forced to work with an ancient vampire: Viktor.
Sophia is stubborn, determined, and fierce. While she has earned the respect of others, she doesn’t have many close friends, isn’t always a team player, is impatient, and feels underappreciated. Viktor is powerful, charismatic, and captivating. The other characters have very little depth. This includes the antagonist and Silas.
There is a plot in this short novel, but it is interspersed with some extremely steamy scenes and some slow pacing interrupted with bouts of action. It was also somewhat predictable. However, there are some unique and intriguing views of vampires and their capabilities and weaknesses in this story. There are also some cross-over of characters from the Callaghan Clan series. Overall, this was an entertaining novel that didn’t quite work for me.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was March 15, 2016. ---------------------------------------- My 2.37 rounded to 2 stars review is coming soon....more
Slay by Laurell K. Hamilton is a relationship intense urban fantasy blended with paranormal romance and supernatural suspense. It’s the thirtieth Slay by Laurell K. Hamilton is a relationship intense urban fantasy blended with paranormal romance and supernatural suspense. It’s the thirtieth book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Preternatural U.S. Marshal and vampire hunter Anita Blake is preparing for her wedding to the vampire king of America Jean-Claude. Humans think she is siding with the monsters and the vampires fear he has fallen under the spell of the most powerful necromancer in several millennia. It’s time for her family to meet Jean-Claude. Frederick, her father, thinks Jean-Claude is evil, but unbeknownst to Anita, prejudiced and far more vitriolic Grandma who abused Anita when she was young comes too. On top of this family drama, there is another powerful and evil force intent on destroying Jean-Claude.
This book focuses on relationships for a large part of the book, but there is also more suspense and action that there was in the last novel. Whether it is Anita’s relationships with the many men and women in her life or with the various members of her family, there is a lot of domestic drama. The author does a great job on characterization. The story is well written with a unique situation that resulted in a showdown set-up with a powerful evil creature. There are some mildly steamy scenes as well, but not like many previous novels. Themes woven into the novel include romance, relationships of all types, bias, violence, evil, power, anger, grief, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this was an engrossing and entertaining novel with great characterization, plenty of action, and lots of family drama. I recommend reading this series in order. The background and gradual addition of characters will make the experience more enjoyable.
Berkley Publishing Group and Laurell K. Hamilton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 7, 2023. ------------------------------------------ My 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Danger, suspense, tension, romance, and action provide readers with an entertaining and compelling reading experience in Shadow Dance by ChristineDanger, suspense, tension, romance, and action provide readers with an entertaining and compelling reading experience in Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan. The eighth book in the Shadow Riders series switches from the Chicago Ferraro family to their cousins in New York City. Geno Ferraro became the head of his family and his family’s territory at the age of thirteen after an event that left this father severely injured. Eighteen years later, his parents are killed in the latest string of murders. He sets a trap and thinks he has the assassin caught. Amaranthe “Amara” Aubert is a classical ballerina and a shadow rider. She had nothing to do with the murders, but when Geno connects to her in the shadows, she can’t hide her true reason for being in New York.
Shadow riders are a fascinating concept where they slip from one shadow to the next to travel unseen. Tasked with the job of bringing justice to those who can’t get it achieved via regular law enforcement, it is a dangerous job requiring training from an early age. Geno and Amara are compelling characters. Geno took on business and family responsibility at a young age. He puts family first, has learned to compartmentalize, thinks quickly, is trained in self-defense and fighting techniques, has a strict moral code, and is very good at observation. He’s also viewed as ruthless and cold by many. Amara is a talented ballerina, determined, captivating, fast, confident, deadly, and can process info at an extremely rapid rate. While there are several new characters, including Geno’s brothers, Salvatore and Lucca, readers also get to spend time with some of the Chicago members of the family as well.
A chilling scene to start the novel immediately pulls readers into the story. Who is committing the murders and why? Who will be the next target? As knowledge is pooled and research delves into events, possibilities become known. The significant amount of danger and action kept me fully engaged and made this a true page turner for me. It is a riveting story with protagonists that I liked and cheered on as their journey progressed and became ever more dangerous and unusual. It contained the elements that I love in this genre of books. The book delivers on escapism through attraction, friendship, family, romance, action, and love while also tackling serious issues including secrets, trust, abuse, stressful situations, honor, having the courage to do what’s right, duty, loyalty, battling evil, and selfless sacrifice for others. There are a couple of steamy scenes in the second half of the novel.
Overall, this briskly paced novel was engaging and had great characterization. I can’t wait to find out who will be featured in the next book. I recommend this to those that like paranormal romantic suspense novels and urban fantasies with relatable and likeable main characters.
Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 22, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------- My 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Twice as Hot by Gena Showalter is a paranormal romantic suspense novel set in contemporary times when the book was published (2010). It features BTwice as Hot by Gena Showalter is a paranormal romantic suspense novel set in contemporary times when the book was published (2010). It features Belle Jamison and Rome Masters. Both are employed by a government agency known as Paranormal Studies and Investigations and both have extraordinary capabilities. But Belle is still learning to control her supernatural capabilities. She and Rome are engaged, but he returns from a mission with selective memory loss. Additionally, the man responsible for taking those memories wants Belle for himself. On top of that, a new group of supervillains is causing trouble.
This is a story that combines romance, suspense, and action with humor. A fiery and intense protagonist, a manipulative ex-wife, a supervillian antagonist, and great secondary characters are combined with a compelling story line, exciting scenes, and a plot with a few twists and turns. Overall, this second and final book in the Tales of an Extraordinary Girl is an entertaining read with emotions yo-yoing, plenty of action, and an excellent wrap-up for the series.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own....more
Kim Harrison’s urban fantasies keep getting better and better. Her first book in The Shadow Age series, Three Kinds of Lucky, has great characteriKim Harrison’s urban fantasies keep getting better and better. Her first book in The Shadow Age series, Three Kinds of Lucky, has great characterization and world-building with a unique new magical world. Petra Grady knows she has no talent for magic. However, as a sweeper first-class she’s turned her ability to handle the damaging magical waster generated by mages into a decent life working at the mage’s university.
However, when her childhood acquaintance Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for his research project, she gets stuck working on his team. However, he doesn’t understand magical waste the way she does. When an accident occurs, they go on the run to seek the one person who might we able to help. Grady learns of hidden talents that could risk the world has they know it. Grady can be surly and sour due to the way sweepers are treated, but she is great at her job and can even smell magic. Sweepers are considered low status, but they’re in high demand. Despite this, they are treated with condescension. Benedict is sure his project can revolutionize how magical waste is dealt with, but he’s not good at explaining complex things to others.
Besides great characterization, the worldbuilding is excellent. The stunning plot has twists and turns as the story builds momentum. There is plenty of action, conflict, and suspense as well as a few surprises along the way. Wait until you read the incredible conclusion!
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, gripping scenes, and a magic system that is unique. Accepting responsibility, treatment of others, friendship, betrayal, death, trust, and power play various roles in this exciting story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series to those who love urban fantasies. There should be a content warning for one scene in the book.
Berkley Publishing Group, Ace and Kim Harrison provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024.
---------------------------------------- My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
The Draka & The Giant by Liane Zane is the third and final book in the Elioud Legacy series and the third one that I have read by this author. TheThe Draka & The Giant by Liane Zane is the third and final book in the Elioud Legacy series and the third one that I have read by this author. The author brings action, attraction, and suspense to a new paranormal romantic suspense urban fantasy thriller. The novel is largely set in the Czech Republic and Albania with some side trips to France, Poland, and Belarus.
Three years ago, Alzbeta (Beta) Cerna, an officer in the Czech military intelligence learned she is one of a hybrid race tasked to protect humanity. After Andras Nagy saves her life during a failed mission, she leaves and something dark is after her. In her intelligence job, she is sent on a three-year-deep-cover assignment. Andras is heartbroken at Beta’s disappearance. When he is tracking a group of dark individuals, he picks up Beta’s scent. Beta and Andras are dynamic characters that transform during the course of the storyline. Several characters from the previous books play key roles in this story.
This trilogy needs to be read in order. Readers that start with this novel will lack much needed context and background. The opening is strong and intriguing and pulls the reader into the story. The prose was well-written and engrossing. Despite being fast-paced with plenty of action interspersed with some time to get to know the main characters, it is also vividly descriptive without slowing down the pace. However, there were a couple of instances when the scenes switched focus on characters that affected the pacing. The ending is dramatic, with lots of tension and suspense.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read. Themes include supernatural abilities, betrayal, jealousy, friendship, trust, secrets, romance, and much more inside a story line of good versus evil. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Liane Zane provided a complimentary copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
------------------------------- My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon. ...more
Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton is a relationship intense paranormal romance blended with a supernatural suspense story line. It’s the twenty-ninthSmolder by Laurell K. Hamilton is a relationship intense paranormal romance blended with a supernatural suspense story line. It’s the twenty-ninth book in the series. Preternatural U.S. Marshal and vampire hunter Anita Blake is preparing for her wedding to the vampire king of America Jean-Claude. Humans think she is siding with the monsters and the vampires fear he has fallen under the spell of the most powerful necromancer in several millennia.
While Anita’s best friend U.S. Marshall Ted Forrester is being fitted for his best man clothing, she gets a call from the local police. They believe the Sunshine Murderer has hit again. However, that is not the only bad thing to occur in St. Louis. An ancient evil has arrived to challenge Jean-Claude for his crown. Even Jean-Claude’s enhanced powers as king along with Anita’s powers aren’t enough to defeat this being. They need more help to stop it.
This book focuses on relationships for a large part of the book. Whether it is Anita’s relationships with the many men and women in her life or with the local police or federal agents or friends, there is a lot of domestic drama. This is compounded by Jean-Claude’s relationships as well. Their struggle with all of the various types of relationships they have makes the suspense portion of the story more tangible and full of angst. However, I felt some disappointment that this book did not resolve all of the suspense threads.
The author does a great job on characterization. The story is well written with a unique situation that resulted in a showdown set-up with a powerful evil creature. It works to fix relationships and help Anita understand some of them better. There are some steamy scenes as well, but not as many as usual. My biggest quibble other than not knowing this was a set-up book for the next one was the urgent need for planning at the end that was continuously interrupted. With the amount of power that Jean-Claude and Anita have, I wanted them to be more forceful. Themes woven into the novel include romance, relationships of all types, violence, evil, power, anger, grief, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this was an engrossing and entertaining novel with great characterization and complicated relationships. I recommend reading this series in order. The background and gradual addition of characters will make the experience more enjoyable.
Berkley Publishing Group and Sarah Hawley provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 21, 2023. --------------------------------------- My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Red Delicious was written by Caitlin R. Kiernan writing as Kathleen Tierney. Siobhan Quinn is half werewolf and half-vampire. She’s being pursued Red Delicious was written by Caitlin R. Kiernan writing as Kathleen Tierney. Siobhan Quinn is half werewolf and half-vampire. She’s being pursued by someone hostile to vampires and her boss, Mr. B., continually sends her on dangerous missions.
Unfortunately, I did not connect with this book. While this urban fantasy was fast-paced, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. The version I read was full of grammatical errors and missing words. Additionally, the main character used so much profanity that it was distasteful to read for me. There is an author’s note at the beginning of the book that warns readers of this.
This is a case of the wrong reader for this book.
Opinions are mine alone. Publication date was February 4, 2014.
---------------------------------- 1.31 rounded to 1 star ...more
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert is an exceptionally steamy reverse harem paranormal romance. Mina has desired freedom from her father’sCourt of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert is an exceptionally steamy reverse harem paranormal romance. Mina has desired freedom from her father’s control and mistreatment for years. She’s half human and half vampire and doesn’t fit into either world. At twenty-five, he gives her to Malachi Zion in a political move. Malachi has been starved for blood for years and their first meeting doesn’t go well. Fear, lust, and distrust start their relationship. However, Malachi’s two closest friends, Wolf and Rylan join them soon and she becomes the center of their world. Can they take down her father and get Mina the life and crown she deserves?
All four main characters are dynamic with flaws and strengths that are tested as the story unfolds. As a result, their outlooks and attitudes change and grow, which also affects the relationships between the four.
This is an extremely steamy novel with many detailed hot scenes. However, there is a plot that is woven into the story; especially in the last half of the book. While I would have liked it to be a greater part of the first half, there needed to be time for the three male vampires to get acquainted with and develop relationships with Mina and renew their friendships of old. This appears to have been originally written as three novellas that are combined into this novel. That results in some repetitive information at the beginning of Acts 2 and 3.
Katee Robert isn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics that include, but aren’t limited to, having multiple partners and considering whether or not having or keeping a child was suitable for the situation in which the four main characters found themselves involved. In addition to this, she weaves in themes of desire, attraction, facing one’s enemies, trust, love, choices, control, family relationships and complexities, power, freedom, fear, and much more.
Overall, this story is one of finding love that works for the individuals and fighting for freedom. There are moral questions, friendships, challenges, issues around relationships, and much more. The author delivers a steamy, explicit, and spicy narrative that tackles some deeper themes if one reads it in its entirety.
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. The publication date is currently set for September 6, 2022....more
Amanda Ashley brings danger and suspense to her second book in the Enchant series, Enchant the Dawn. Set mainly in and near New Orleans, LouisianaAmanda Ashley brings danger and suspense to her second book in the Enchant series, Enchant the Dawn. Set mainly in and near New Orleans, Louisiana, readers meet Dominic Falconer who rescues Madison (Maddy) Bainbridge when she is attacked in her parents’ home. Maddy recently lost her job and is staying at her childhood home while her parents are on an extended world vacation. Dominic is a young but strong vampire sent to New Orleans with his great-grandmother, a powerful witch, to learn where the new headquarters of the Brotherhood is. They wish to speak with the Elder Knight.
Both Maddy and Dominic are likeable, but flawed characters. While Maddy evolves during the course of the novel, Dominic doesn’t have quite as much growth and development as I expected. The chemistry between them is almost immediate and adds another dynamic to the story. I want to connect with the main characters in a book, and Maddy and Dominic were both relatable. However, I thought Maddy’s acceptance of the supernatural came too quickly. While other characters vary in depth, Claret actually had the most character growth over the course of the novel.
Despite this, there’s plenty to like in this urban fantasy and paranormal romantic suspense storyline. It has the right amount of romance and unique twists to the paranormal. I was quickly turning the pages to discover what was going to happen next. Readers learn early in the book who the antagonists are, so there isn’t a lot of mystery around that. The danger and suspense arise from their actions, and that is the plot driver along with the budding romance.
One thing that stood out to me was that Dominic was not always the rescuer. With his inexperience, he sometimes gets in over his head and needs help. This provides a different aspect to the normal alpha male narratives that are so common. I was surprised at several points in the story and this kept the tension level high throughout the book. I liked the plot development and the dialogue was engaging. This story is fast-paced and the writing flowed well. Other threads woven into the novel include death, family, right versus wrong, revenge, and the power of love and forgiveness.
Overall, this was an intense, action-packed novel with suspense, romance, and plenty of danger. If you desire an entertaining paranormal romantic suspense novel involving witches, humans, wizards, and vampires, then this series is one to check out.
Kensington Books and Amanda Ashley provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 23, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------- My 3.51 star review rounded to 4 stars is coming soon....more
Dead Man’s Hand is the debut novel of James J. Butcher. The author gives readers imaginative world-building and diverse characters in this urban fDead Man’s Hand is the debut novel of James J. Butcher. The author gives readers imaginative world-building and diverse characters in this urban fantasy set in and around Boston, Massachusetts. The world is divided into those without any magical or paranormal capabilities and those that have them. Auditors are the magical elite who are government-sanctioned witches with power and prestige. Unfortunately, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is not one of those witches.
Grimsby flunked out of the Auditor training programs and spends twelve-hour days doing janitorial work and performing at children’s parties at a restaurant for minimum wage. His evaluator from the Auditor program is murdered, and he becomes the main suspect. Can he prove his innocence? Grimsby has tried to resign himself to being a mediocre witch, but he still wishes to prove himself worthy and capable of being an Auditor. He seems weak and inept, has no friends, and handles stress by telling bad jokes. The other main character in the novel is the legendary Huntsman, Leslie Mayflower. Before his retirement, he was partnered with the Auditor who was murdered and is pulled into the investigation by the Department’s assistant director. He has trust issues and has been spending time drinking excessively. I developed genuine feelings for both main characters and enjoyed watching them grow as the story progressed.
The dynamic between Grimsby and Mayflower was fun to experience has they got to know one another and worked to discover the murderer. Part of the plot was a little predictable, but there were layers and subplots that were entirely unpredictable. There are plenty of twists and turns combined with suspense, tension, and action as well as some uncomfortable situations. However, the pacing was a little uneven in spots, but it was hard to put the book down because there was always something new happening that piqued my interest. The fantasy part of the world-building was terrific. However, this novel could have taken place in any city. I didn’t get a feeling for Boston as a setting. The diverse types of characters in the story were extremely creative. The story contains elements of fantasy and suspense with a murder mystery that kept me turning the pages.
Overall, this novel was engaging and entertaining with a vivid fantasy environment created to immerse readers in this new world. It highlights relationships, deaths, trust, and friendship, as well as human struggles and growth. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 11, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ------------------------------------------ My 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner is the first book in the Warriors of the Rift series. The author does a great job of meshing urban fantasy wKiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner is the first book in the Warriors of the Rift series. The author does a great job of meshing urban fantasy with paranormal romantic suspense. It’s mainly set in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens periodically. This allows supernatural beings to cross. As with humans, they may work for the good of the earth or they may bring turmoil and pandemonium. Nix de la Fuente is a liaison between the region’s Council of Preternaturals and the local police. She’s devoted to solving crimes between the world’s mortals and its supernatural beings. Vampire special agent Tobias Caine arrives to help investigate a string of violent murders. He and Nix had a relationship years ago, but neither wants to rekindle it. The characterization of Nix and Tobias is good and readers get a strong sense of their previous bond and the turmoil that is created as they meet again. Nix’s human partner, Detective Dante MacMillian, provided some balance and insight as well as a little humor.
The author provides an original scenario for how vampires, werewolves, and others came to earth and how they exist here. It was interesting to see how the different beings treated each other. The novel combines urban fantasy, a police procedural, action, and a paranormal romance in an interesting story line that gets readers’ attention. However, there were a few slower spots and the ending left several open threads to be explored in future books in the series.
Overall, this this entertaining read that pointed out how many beings treat others that are different from themselves as well as including an intriguing mystery.
This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was February 1, 2012. ...more
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