BOOK REVIEW: VISION IN SILVER by ANNE BISHOP - THE OTHERS # 3 - PARANORMAL/URBAN FANTASY - ROC

By: Anne Bishop

Published By: Roc

Released: Available Now

Details: Hardback from the library, 400 Pages

RATING: 4.25 OTHERS STARS

Blurb: Goodreads

The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before; both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep…




BOOK REVIEW:

This series is raved about and gets so many five stars and glowing reviews, and that is absolutely freakin’ fantastic!

I do personally find it very, very slow-paced.

I am addicted to reading the series…but not a lot happens inside each book for such thick books.

But I’m addicted.

This series is so different, and it really is Simon’s series, he kinda owns it with Meg playing side-character, even more so in this installment, but yet she is the reason for the series. But this story was also shared with Monty and Lizzy.

I don’t have any quotes that stood out and that annoys me because I feel as though I should have some.

Visually I see everything so clearly, but it is like a slow stroll in the park the action side to the story, and that kinda bothers me too for a paranormal/urban fantasy read.

There was one fighting scene that stood out for me. Simon got hurt, shit went down, and tragedy happened. But Meg is still giving out sugar cubes, sorting the mail and thinking about her feelings for Simon. Now the girls have banded together to help the other Blood Prophets survive outside of their previously controlled existence.

Simon is a smart wolf, but he seems so clueless with Meg. He owns a bookstore, he needs to order in a self-help book on ‘How to have a relationship’ and have a thorough read. I get that Anne is showing us two individuals having a hard time working out how to hold hands and what it means, but, this is the third book in the series.

Time to grab that hand and… well, we are halfway there. ;)

I like the introduction of the mysterious ‘other’ above Simon and the da…da…da…daaaaaa moment.

I feel as though I need a break and will continue Marked In Flesh at a later date.



Signed: Addicted

BOOK REVIEW - GRAVE VISIONS by KALAYNA PRICE - ALEX CRAFT # 4 - URBAN FANTASY - ROC

By: Kalayna Price
Published By : ROC
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 331 Pages

RATING: 4.5 FAE & HUMAN DRAMAS

Blurb: Goodreads

Grave Visions by Kalayna Price is the much-anticipated fourth installment in the kick-ass urban fantasy series about Alex Craft, a grave witch who can communicate with the dead. 

If you want to hear voices from the dead in Nekros City, you call Alex Craft. She's a Grave Witch with reasonable rates and extraordinary powers, who specializes in revealing the secrets of the dead. But now she's the one fighting to keep her own secret. She's not human—and her newly discovered heritage is causing havoc for her both in the human realm and in Faerie. But her status as an unaffiliated fae also makes her an ideal candidate to investigate a new street drug that has surfaced in several of the spaces between the human and fae worlds.

This glamour-infused drug causes hallucinations that turn real—at least for a while and often with deadly consequences. Searching for the source of this drug—and its purpose—lands Alex front and center in the conflict brewing in Faerie and she must find answers before she's dragged so deep she loses her freedom.

BOOK REVIEW :

It was a long time between drinks, but this instalment was worth waiting for. I do enjoy Kalayna’s writing. 

We may have been getting a bit dry and dusty waiting FOUR years for the fourth book, but I’ve always got enough in my TBR pile to keep me busy.

Alex Craft is one of my fave urban fantasy gals. I kinda want to be her.

She’s got herself in a bit of a fae pickle with starting to fade away unless she chooses a court and there are some shenanigans going on with a drug that is killing the user in the most brutal ways.

Winter Queenie is having her own problems and Falin, being her Knight, is all tied up with her shenanigans.

I’m still trying to work out what the heck is going on with Alex and Falin or Alex and Death.

Now I know there are issues with that whole star crossed lovers thing going on with Death and Alex, but I would like to read more of him in each instalment. He’s just yummy to read.

Falin is Falin. He told Alex he loved her and then not to trust him and even though she is getting some from Death, ( not that you get any detail, I mean where has all this fade to black come from?) it’s all kinda up in the air all over the place.

No real headway at all with any of the dudes in this book, but it was a really great read.

Not so long to wait between drinks for book 5.

Giddy up!

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - HELL BENT by DEVON MONK - BROKEN MAGIC # 1 - ADULT URBAN FANTASY - ROC BOOKS

By: Devon Monk
Published By: Roc 
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 357 Pages

RATING: 5 HELL. YEAH! STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Instead of the deadly force it once was, magic is now a useless novelty. But not for Shame Flynn and Terric Conley, “breakers” who have the gift for reverting magic back to its full-throttle power. In the magic-dense city of Portland, Oregon, keeping a low profile means keeping their gifts quiet. After three years of dealing with disgruntled magic users, Shame and Terric have had enough of politics, petty magic, and, frankly, each other. It’s time to call it quits.

When the government discovers the breakers’ secret—and its potential as a weapon—Shame and Terric suddenly become wanted men, the only ones who can stop the deadly gift from landing in the wrong hands. If only a pair of those wrong hands didn’t belong to a drop-dead-gorgeous assassin Shame is falling for as if it were the end of the world. And if he gets too close to her, it very well could be....

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

How much do I love Shamus Flynn?

HUGE!

Love him. Crazy about his character in Allie Beckstrom series.

How much did I love this first installment in Broken Magic.

Shiz loads! Devon is the woman, when it comes to urban fantasy. Such a rich story line with characters we can't seem to get enough of.

Sure, you don’t have to have read the Allie Beckstrom series to read Shamus and Terric’s spinoff series, Broken Magic, but, I highly recommend reading Allie Beckstrom first. I believe you will miss far, far, far too much of Shamus and Terric’s complicated relationship by jumping straight to Hell Bent. You will miss far, far, far too much about all the sub characters development.

8 of the books in the 9 books Allie Beckstrom series.

“What was that text?” I asked.

“Personal.”

“And?”

“Do you really want to know what’s going on in my personal life?”

“Well, no. Not really. But that text made you stop talking. And I am always interested in ways of accomplishing that.”

Faint smile. He sat back, fork left behind in the mashed potatoes. “I’m dating someone.”

“Uh-huh.” I drank beer to wash down salt and grease.

He was watching me. Waiting.

“Terric, you always have a boyfriend. Don’t care.” Half the burger down, half to go. I took another bite.

“That was him on the phone.” Shrug.

“You like him?” I asked.

His eyes skittered away from mine. “Most of the time.” Eyes back on me again. Smile that faded too quickly.

I moved on to the pile of french fries. “And the rest of the time?”

“It’s complicated.” 

Broken Magic is a two book spinoff series, from Allie Beckstrom, it was written because the fans wanted more of Shamus and Terric, so Devon Monk delivered.

Giddy Up!

Terric was nearly my opposite. I had dark hair, eyes that were sometimes black and sometimes dark green, rarely bothered to shave, and lately, I’d been running a good twenty pounds under my fighting weight.

Terric was taller than me which I hated, and built like a guy who might need to jump on a jet and hit the catwalk at any moment. His hair was white-silver even though he was on one side or the other of thirty and his eyes were blue and set in a face that could knock Hollywood’s leading man off the marquee.

Boy. Did Devon deliver.

I have so many quotes from Hell Bent, I can’t possibly put them all in this review. Shamus just has a way with words. 

“Why are you always looking at me?”

“Because I know which of you won’t play by the rules.”

I gave him my best smile. “I like rules. They make that cracking sound when they break.”

Terric and Shamus have this thing they do, back and forth.


Dash looked over my shoulder through the window to see who was coming into the office. I didn’t have to look. I’d know that heart, that pulse, that life anywhere. Terric.

“You killed my ficus,” he called out across the room.

I stood. Strolled out into the main office. “They were ugly.”

“They were fragile. And hard to keep alive.”

“Took care of that. You’re welcome.”

He dragged his fingers back through his platinum white hair, grabbing at the back of his head before letting go. “It’s coming out of your paycheck.”

“Why is every conversation with you an argument?”

“Seems a waste of time, doesn’t it? Especially since I’m always right.”

 I love reading their complicated friendship. Nothing they do or say to each other is without a mini argument, or verbal fight.

“Doctors don’t work on me.”

“You’re not inhuman, Shame.”

I didn’t say anything. This was an old argument.



Terric bent, putting his mouth near my ear. “Don’t argue and make this harder,” he said. He slid one hand and arm behind my back, and the other under my knees.

I was about to be manhandled. It was as physically close to him as I’d been in years. I shut my mouth and stared at the ceiling, trying not to say anything, trying not to think anything while he half lifted, half slid me into a prone position.

“Don’t say that.”

“What? Don’t tell you the truth?” I lowered my voice. “You are a piece of work, Conley. You say you want to talk, but you don’t want to listen. I like it. I like killing.”

Shamus is snarky, witty, but under all that, there is a guy who is looking for something more in his life.


She was my air, my sensation, my world.

And, for the first time in a very long time, I wondered if this was what love felt like.

“Oooh. I like it when you talk dirty.”

She stood. Stepped up close to me.

I thought maybe I ought to kiss her. Maybe I ought to talk her into seeing things my way, Shamus-style.

“You stil haven’t given my boyish charms a chance,” I said.

“To seduce me?” she said.

“To make you never want to be with any other man as long as you live.”

She laughed, truly laughed. It was musical sort of thing that filled the silent places in me.

“You think very highly of yourself, don’t you?”

“Not at all. I am painfully humble.”

Ok, so let's back this truck up a bit, people!

Now, it is true for the Allie Beckstrom series, that Shame wasn't gay, but we didn't see him hanging with any chicks doing the funky chicken, either. There was always this tension between Terric and Shame, which left us readers bouncing up and down in wonder. We knew where Terric stood, but we didn't know where Shame stood. It always felt to me like he was on the fence. There was all this clever tension between the two of them.

This was always a part of their complicated relationship I enjoyed.

She nodded. “He’s...more than a friend, isn’t he? The look on his face when he opened his door and saw you there the other night, Shame. He loves you, doesn’t he?”

“I think so,” I heard myself saying. Apparently, one truth tonight wasn’t going to be enough.

“But you don’t love him?”

I took a deep breath.


From Allie B, we know Terric is gay and he's Shamus’s Soul Complement. Normally, Soul Complements are male and female.

Terric Conley is Life magic and Shamus Flynn is Death magic. I absolutely adore how Devon writes these two in this book. I really felt for both the characters. They have a lot to deal with when they draw on their particular magic. I think Shame drew the shorter straw.

Life magic.

“No,” I said. “Not happening. Not here. I told you to keep your hands off --“

Terric called on Life magic.

Here’s what happens when he does that -- he goes all white-light angelic looking, which the chicks, and I guess some of the dudes, really like. Then the magic inside him devours his humanity. His eyes go silver, no pupils, no white. Any shred of heart, soul, or mind of that man is wiped away. Replaced with a cold, alien thing that looks out from behind his eyes. Life magic. It was not human. It was not Terric. And one of these days when he called on it, Life magic was going to take over for good and Terric wasn’t going to come back to being Terric.

Jesus. He knew. How much I wanted to consume. That I barely held it in check. I hadn’t ever talked to him about it.

Well, maybe just that one time when I was really drunk.

“Want me to pinkie-swear I won’t kill you, mate? Worried that I’ll lose control of Death magic and squeeze the pulse out of your ticker?”

It is so hard to put into words how the reader watches Terric and Shamus play off each other, so I might just use quotes and let the lads show you. 

Terric was on the phone. Pacing. Couldn’t tell who he was talking to.

I started looking for my shoes. Remembered I’d come over barefoot. Crap.

Terric stoppped pacing. Glanced over at me. One look at me and he paused a second in his good-bye, which made me grin.

Damn straight I was worth looking at.

He pocketed his phone. “I know it’s only brown, but damn, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in a color. Shame. You should wear colours more often.”

“I do wear colors: black, coal, ebony.”

A couple of minutes ticked by in silence.

“So, if you don’t need anything,” I started.

“Just.” Terric turned, held my gaze. Blue eyes darkened by sorrow. “Would you shut up and sit here for a few minutes?”

I opened my mouth.

“Please.”

I closed my mouth. Handed him the bottle. He took another drink and handed it back, swiveling his chair so he could stare out the window.

I watched him for a minute. Thought about things I could say. Thought about things I probably should have said a long time ago.

Decided to just do what he asked and kept quiet. I even remembered to wipe the taste of him off the bottle before I took another gulping swallow.

I love all the other characters getting some sort of mention in this book. I felt like I was home again with Allie Beckstrom series.

Zayvion and Allie make an appearance or three.

Zay and Allie stopped next to me. They stood there, arm in arm, Allie just an inch or two shorter than Zayvion’s six foot something. She wore a tank top that showed off those kick-ass magic-born tattoos down her arm and the bands of dusty black ringing her other wrist and elbow. Now that we weren’t on the run for our lives, both Allie and Zay had put on about ten pounds, and lost the dark circles under their eyes.

They smiled more, laughed more, and had that calm, sweet dedication to each other that meant they never walked into a room without holding hands.

Zay was always like a brother to Shame in Allie B, voice of reason.

Zay put a hand on my shoulder. Heavy. Wide. Hot.

I didn’t pull on the life in him. Not a single drop of all that gorgeous, rich life. His life.

He waited a second, then nodded. “You’re good, Shame.”

“Good? Come on, now. You know I am the best, Z.” I gave him a grin.

One eyebrow rose. “You’re all right.”

“The lies coming out of your mouth,” I pushed on the door. “I do not know how she puts up with you.”

“It’s a little thing called love,” Zayvion said so quietly I almost didn’t hear him. “Can’t run from it, can’t deny it.”

“Sure I can.”

“Now who’s lying?” he said.

Mackanie Love is a great floating character who I think gets under used. He just floats in and out every now and then.

“You still breathing, Flynn?” Cop was a huge dude from Hawaii, named Mackanie Love. We’d met back in my petty crime days. He’d never cut me slack. But then, I hadn’t deserved any.

Davy. Love Davy, he was a great character in Allie B.

Davy looked like he was barely old enough to drink, although he’d shown me his license once that said he was twenty-three. Blond, sort of an easygoing-skater-kid look, complete with a turquoise beaded necklace. Most people had no idea he was the head of the entire network of Hounds in Portland.

Stone!!! One of my fave side kick creature characters. 

There was a gargoyle on the roof. Namely, Stone.

Well, he was really an animate -- which is a construction of stone and gears powered by magic. He’d been made by Cody Miller, who had once been an incredible artist and magic user.

Even though magic shouldn’t be strong enough to keep Stone going, he was still as mostly alive as ever. He’d been Allie’s loyal companion for years now, was a good-natured doofus who liked to stack household items.

In a fight he was a deadly, ferocious brute.

He folded his wings and four-footed it to the chimney, sitting with his hands wrapped over his toes. He peered down at the police moving around, then looked out at me.

I held up a hand. “Look after Allie,”I said in a normal voice I knew he’d hear. He tipped his head, both ears rising into sharp points, and showed a little teeth.

Cody, good seeing him...back.

“You’ve become a little more blunt, I see,” Cody said as he got into the passenger’s seat.

“I tried subtle. It chafed.”

Other characters of note make an appearance too. You can find out who they are yourself.

Shamus gets his own side kick ghost, Eleanor, who you would have met in Allie B series. Sometimes I felt quite sad and lonely for Eleanor. Shamus has a good heart when it comes to Eleanor.

There is a character who we meet in Allie B series who gets a meatier role in this book, playing the part of a crazy villain. I liked what Devon did here. Mind you, what he did was... well, you will have to read to find out.

This was a fast paced read which I totally dug, full of snark, tension and two characters who keep me guessing. Will they get a HEA?

I am looking forward to Stone Cold the conclusion to this little spinoff series, I think already I am going to miss Terric and Shamus. 

Michelle

KALAYNA PRICE - ALEX CRAFT SERIES - ADULT URBAN FANTASY - SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 7 - ROC

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 7

KALAYNA PRICE

ALEX CRAFT SERIES

GOODREADS

Grave Witch # 1
Grave Dance # 2
Grave Memory # 3
Grave Visions # 4

 I love me some Alex Craft and all the great sub characters. I started reading this series back mid 2011. 

Alex is a great chick whose life keeps on taking turns. I enjoy her interaction with all the sub characters and the more we learn about Alex ... the more I keep reading this series.

These are parts of my review for Grave Witch # 1 in the series to give you a taste of the story.

Alex Craft is essentially a Grave Witch, hence the title of the book , some call her ‘magic eye’, she likes to think of herself as a P.I. Her business, ‘Tongues For The Dead’. She lives in The Glen or Witches Glen and her landlord and good friend Caleb, is fae. Fred, is the resident gargoyle , a 3 foot granite winged cat. Fred likes to be found in the way on the footpath, and P.C. is her roomie.

Daddy dearest has decided having a witch for a daughter isn’t in his best interests, so he had her name changed to bury her family association. A call from her sister Casey, starts Alex poking around with her good friend Detective John Matthews, where she shouldn’t , leaving her with a painful souvenir.


I love me some Falin.

Detective Falin Andrews, with a name like that , long platinum hair, I’ve read enough Urban Fantasy books to question his humanity, looking like he does. Was I right? But who cares what I think...he is gorgeous and he is all things readers look for in a lead guy , smexi, stunning, the rescuer, knows how to ...* waggles eyebrows* ...very well!! ( I wasn’t talking make a nice cuppa Java here, although he can cook) he drives a rather lovely sports car and seems to be there when Alex gets in over her head and of course ...the tension.


And some Death. 

Death, Angel of Death, Soul Collector, Grim Reaper...call him what you want, but this muscled, jeans wearing hottie who pops up when he has a soul to take has started to help Alex ... possibly against the better judgement of his boss. Death is somebody I want to know more about, I am very intrigued to see where Kalayna is taking his work relationship with Alex.

There has been a looong break between # 3 Grave Memory and # 4 Grave Visions which appears to have been pushed back, again, to March 2015.

I can wait. I am patient.

I recommend this rich urban fantasy read. I am not sure how many books are in the series but it looks like at least five.

You can find out more about Kalayna's books on Goodreads and check her website out HERE

My reviews for Alex Craft HERE .

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - RUBY ROSE by KALAYNA PRICE - ALEX CRAFT # 2.5 - KICKING IT ANTHOLOGY - NOVELLA - ROC

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: ROC

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from the library, 353 Pages

High Stakes = 39 Pages

RATING : 4.25 KILLER STILETTO STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY


New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

******

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Please note this review is only for Ruby Rose novella.

A Darque Files Story

Briar Darque and Derrick Knight...get it, dark and night, anyhoo, they are partners and fellow investigators working for Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau.

Yeah. MCIB. Sounds kinda cool doesn't it.

We meet them in Grave Dance or Grave Memory, I can't remember, because this was written after Grave Memory.

I hadn't really paid that much attention to them until I read this little short novella.

I must say I am rather drawn to Derrick now.

Derrick is doubly wyrd. No, that doesn't mean he is weird. He has witch powers, he gets premonitions and he has touch Clairvoyance.

He always carries gloves with him, and his own sheets etc. He is thirty six years old and he just sounds interesting.

The only light poured out of the doorway where I stood; it was just enough to frame Derrick's form in the bed. At a glance I knew I hadn't woken him, and I stole a moment to admire the toned flesh on display. We were partners, so I'd never let him see me look at him like that, but damn, the man was gorgeous. The sheets were his - sultry red- and as usual, he slept in the buff.

He'd had a rough night if the twisted and fallen sheets were any indication. Of course that left only more - as in nearly all- of him on display. My gaze stole several moments to glide over the sleek muscles of his back, down to the half-covered outline of his ass, and then onward over the sheet until his strong legs reappeared. He was a thing of beauty- and that wasn't just my relationship-starved hunger talking. 

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I think we need to hear more from these two.

We are introduced to Russell Lancaster, a nineteen year old officer who is a sensitive. He sounds like he could be sidekick material.

Derrick was sitting sideways on his bench, taking up the entire thing, so I scooted over to allow the young officer to join us. He did, but his movements were disconnected, uncertain.

"Officer Lancaster, this is my partner, Inspector Knight. And vice versa."

Russell held out his hand but, no big surprise, Derrick didn't take it. Even with his gloves on he never shook hands. Instead he gave the young officer a sharp half wave. I could all but hear Russell's teeth grinding from the perceived insult, but it wasn't my place to reveal that my partner was wyrd.

Again, not weird.

A suspicious pair of red stilettos have Derrick and Briar on a case, with Russell getting all googly eyed over Briar.

This seriously can't come down to a pair of stilettos?

Wham, bam case is solved with a few shenanigans to show us what Briar can do, perpetrator is under wraps.

I think I was more interested in getting to know Briar and Derrick , more than the actual case.

I could read a spinoff on these two just from this thirty nine page novella. There appeared to be a little smexual tension with Derrick.

He frowned. "You're not hurt, are you?"

... Well, if he was going to sit in my room and ignore me, I was losing the charred pants. I stripped and tossed the pants on the floor with my jacket. The charms in the clothing had protected me from the flames, but damn, I was really going to miss that outfit. Now I'd need to tweak the spells worked into my backup jacket.

Across the room, Derrick cleared his throat. I turned, still pantless, and found his gaze locked on his document desperately so, judging by the tightness on his face. He'd seen me half-naked - or worse - before, but I took pity on the guy and grabbed a pair of yoga pants from my luggage.

Oo Yeah. These two have captured my interest.

A great , short novella read that has me wanting to read more about these two.

What was the case about, again?

Michelle

Due for release :

12th July 2014

BOOK REVIEW - HIGH STAKES by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 8.25 - KICKING IT ANTHOLOGY - NOVELLA

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: ROC

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from the library, 353 Pages

High Stakes = 40 Pages

RATING : 4 THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR... STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

******

Review only for:

HIGH STAKES - LUC AND LINDSEY'S NOVELLA

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

This was a great, short read into a little of Lindsey's past. It is short and sharp. Lindsey's past has come back to haunt her. 

Lindsey isn't sure of where her relationship is at with Luc. Luc is sure, but Lindsey is still not quite there one hundred percent. She has her fears.

Luc has a pair of bitchin' boots he just wants to give her and see her wear, with little else.

Will he get his wish?

Lindsey's niece ,Rachel, in a matter of speaking, needs her Aunt's help. Somebody is trying to lure Lindsey to a meet.

Will Luc let her go by herself?

Will Lindsey get to wear those boots?

I love Luc that little more after reading this short insight into Luc and Lindsey.

He ran a hand through his curls. "I can't shake you, Linds. As much as you push me away, I can't shake you. I don't want to shake you. I want you - all of you. If I can't have that, then I don't know..."

Michelle 

URBAN FANTASY AUTHOR - DEVON MONK - SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 1 - ROC

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY # 1

DEVON MONK

I am a mega huge fan of Devon Monk's, urban fantasy series, Allie Beckstrom. I have read them all.

You will find all my reviews for Allie Beckstrom series in the left side bar of the blog.

Roc publishing house have firmly got Devon Monk on their books with all her series.

If you are looking for a wild time in the magic world, then Allie Beckstrom is a great addition to your reading pile. Allie is a really cool kickass chick and all the sub characters are really awesome.

You will also love Stone. He is...well, I shall let you find out. I love him. He is not human, I will tell you that much. He also likes to build.

 I thought I would spotlight Devon as I don't really see her books often around the blogosphere. I think they are a must read if you love Urban Fantasy and well written characters.

Goodreads

I love that she has written two books in the spinoff series, Broken Magic. I am on my waiting list at library for Hell Bent. These are Shamus and Terric's books. Now we never worked out if Shame was gay in Allie Beckstrom. Terric is and he is always partnered up with Shamus in Allie B. As far as I was concerned, Shame truly stole the limelight once he arrived in Allie B series. He is such a cool guy and a bit of a smart mouth. Shamus wore black, was a bit gothic. Not sure which of the guys is on the covers, but it kinda makes me think it's Shamus, plus Terric has different hair color. 

Stone Cold just released 1st April 2014.

Goodreads

Devon also has the Age of Steam , steampunk series I have yet to read. I love me some Steampunk.  How cool is this cover art!!

That is not a question.
I gotta read these.

Goodreads

But, there is one more addition coming. A new series. Woot!!

House Immortal series with book one being, House Immortal. Just this cover promises to deliver a kick ass chickie babe.

Goodreads

Releases : 2nd September 2014

DEVON MONK'S PAGE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Devon Monk has one husband, two sons, and a dog named Mojo. She lives in Oregon and is surrounded by numerous family members who mostly live within dinner-calling distance of each other. She writes the Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series and the Age of Steam steampunk series. Her collection of short stories, A CUP OF NORMAL is a finalist for the Mythopoeic and Endeavour Awards. When not writing, Devon drinks coffee and knits strange things.

BOOK REVIEW - CLAIMED BY SHADOW by KAREN CHANCE - CASSANDRA PALMER # 2 - ADULT URBAN FANTASY - ROC

By: Karen Chance

Published By: ROC 

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 374 Pages

RATING: 4.25 UNPREDICTABLE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Clairvoyant Cassie Palmer has inherited new magical powers-including the ability to travel through time. But it's a whole lot of responsibility she'd rather not have. Now she's the most popular girl in town, as an assortment of vamps, fey, and mages try to convince, force, or seduce her—and her magic—over to their side. But one particular master vampire didn't ask what Cassie wanted before putting a claim on her. He had a spell cast that binds her to him, and now she doesn't know if what she feels for him is real—or imagined…

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

In my review of Touch The Dark, the first book in the Cassandra Palmer series I did want more doing and less info dumping.

Karen delivered that in this installment.

With a nod to The Wizard of Oz, three old women, throw in some going back in time, some handy dandy tattoo wards, a total character 180 degree makeover in Pritkin, a pile of shenanigans and you have yourself a fast paced and entertaining read.

I say fast paced, but at the same time I found myself rereading parts, quite often, I think my mind was wandering a little again. I'm not sure why I do that with this particular series.

I love Urban Fantasy and the worlds that get built for me, but I did catch myself doing it again in this installment. I'm aiming for book # 3 to fix that.

I liked Mircea’s character much better in this installment, even though Pritkin was in it more.

Between Mircea, Pritkin and Tomas, I have three male characters who interest me in winding up with Cassie.

They all got a character makeover and raised the bar from book # 1.

The Graeae were the entertaining sidekicks in this installment.

Tony was eluding everyone, Myra was trying hard to do away with Mircea and Cassandra was under a geis that had powerful and painful results.

I was rather surprised at who got to claim Cassandra’s ‘V-card’ , considering book # 1, but unpredictable this installment was.

I liked what Karen did with Billy Joe’s character and Mac was a character I really wish stuck around a lot longer. I like him.

There once was a ghost name of Billy,

Who got in a jam rather silly,

He found a beautiful lass

And quick made a pass

Forgetting he only had mist for a willy.

HA!

With nods to Bram Stoker, Dracula and good ol’Jack is back, getting a bit of his own medicine.

For all the build up of getting into Faerie it was rather a short stay and I was kind of confused by the quick departure considering what they came for.

I had some questions about the whole going back in time and how that impacted the ‘now’ of the story. But, hey, let’s not think too hard about all that. I think it was explained to me, but then...

Anyhoo, moving on.

A lot is thrown at Cassandra, she has no time to even pee. It is all go, go, go.

It may be me, but some things I got a bit lost in with the geis, and the other geis and Mircea and Tomas.

Pritkin was my biggest surprise. He really was an ass in Touch The Dark but he is extremely likable and sexy in this installment. I was yo-yoing whether I could trust him.

Cassandra really grew on me in this book. She is kickass, doesn’t complain and is forever out to save somebody, even a clay man. She is learning how to use what she has and has to make a lot of quick thinking decisions.

I am enjoying her getting better kickass chick lines too.

“Girlfriend,” I told her, blinking to clear the blood out of my vision, “you so do not want to fuck with me today.”


Up next is, Embrace The Night.

Michelle

Recently named the world’s chief clairvoyant, Cassandra Palmer still has a thorn in her side. As long as Cassie and a certain master vampire—the sizzling-hot Mircea—are magically bound to each other, her life will never be her own…

The spell that binds them can only be broken with an incantation found in the Codex Merlini, an ancient grimoire. The Codex’s location has been lost in the present day, so Cassie will have to seek it out in the only place it can still be found—the past.

But Cassie soon realizes the Codex has been lost for a reason. The book is rumored to contain some seriously dangerous spells, and retrieving it may help Cassie to deal with Mircea, but it could also endanger the world…

BOOK REVIEW - TOUCH THE DARK by KAREN CHANCE - CASSANDRA PALMER # 1 - ROC - URBAN FANTASY

By: Karen Chance
Published By: ROC
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 307 Pages

RATING: 4 STARS MOSTLY

Blurb: Goodreads

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits—talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk…a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire—and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay....



BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I’m going to be honest and say I was hovering between 3.75 stars and 4 stars for Touch The Dark. My reasons being that I was in a love VS wandering mind relationship with Cassandra Palmer # 1.

I loved all the delicious male characters, Louis Cesar , Mircea, Tomas...yes he was delicious, but...and even Billy Joe has his moments. Pritkin is a judgemental ass.

I loved all the paranormal characters, mages, pixie, witches, vampires, ghosts, weres...even the shrunken’ head.

I think Cassandra is a very likable character. She was raised by a mobster vampire who used her clairvoyance for his own nefarious dealings. She escaped the lair at fourteen to go it alone after finding out some news, assisted by the ghost of a girl killed by Tony the mobster vampire.  Cassie was able to survive on the dead girls families hidden cash. I do have some questions there, but ehhh, I will let that be.

I thought this book got off to a great strong start. I was intrigued. 

An obituary left on her computer announcing her own death, time and cause. 

Great start, makes me want to read more. 

Next it is time to find Tomas, the smexi, silky long haired hunk who happens to be her roommate. 

Cassie is more or less on the run from Tony the mobster. She helped cripple the biggest crime family in Philly.

Then shiz goes down and vampires are attacking Cassandra and Tomas with surprising results.

Enter all the other lads that are going to become a constant fixture in Cassies time in this book.

I kind of found myself from then on with my mind wandering off in its own little world of Christmas shopping etc. I had to keep shaking my head and rereading to get myself back on track.

There is a lot, lot, lot... of info dumping. I know it is world building but I found the pages that consumed the rest of the book really consisted of long paragraphs and lots of explaining of stuff that probably needed less explaining and more doing.

I needed DOING, people!

There were a couple characters trying to do the horizontal tango...and ... lets throw in a pile of info dumping.

WT!

Not now, they are trying to stamp the V card, null and void.

Now I know I am coming late to starting this series and I did check on Goodreads to see if others felt like me. I was just wondering if maybe I was reading at a busy time of the year and my mind wasn’t in the game.

But no, others were having the same problem as me.

I really am dedicated to reading this series as I feel that it was just Karen needing to tell us a lot about...well a lot. And that is ok.

I am all for world building. I understand that a first book in a series can be subject to this criticism if over done. 

I felt I understood the world, but I got info overload on other stuff that may not have been that prudent.

But hey, one mans overload on info is another mans interest.

I found that the group of characters would move to another spot in the story and then do all this info dumping again.

Ha!

It is a very colorful and descriptive world that Karen has given me. 

I would have liked more movement forward...for me anyway. 

There are a couple nice twists which I really enjoyed.

Yes! Love twists. Throw them at me it keeps me very entertained.

I did like Karen’s little quirk she did with bringing in a character that was possibly Cleopatra but not quite called Cleopatra, Rasputin, The Man In The Iron Mask... Jack The Ripper...

This was great and entertaining and clever weaving these characters into Cassandra's world. 

Jack lived up to his name. History got a little twist to it with him becoming a vampire. You can take the human out of Jack but you can't take the delight he gets from ...well...doing what he was famous for.

Gah!!

Then there was the scene where I felt more ewwww than possibly what it was supposed to be doing for me. Let's just say it was a rather sticky situation when three of our lads decide humiliation is an excellent punishment whilst dining out on takeaway.

Pass the flannel.

Mop up on aisle 5!!

I really just had to lower my rating for review because of sooooo much information that I was lost in my own mind and I had to get back on track.

I seriously was battling my brain to stop wandering about . When Karen had me switched on, I was switched on. But then...have I got the kids all their Christmas gifts sorted...have I got the turkey...do I need to pick anybody up from their mates house...

I’m definitely in for the long haul and will be reserving more of these from the library because I am intrigued to see where it is all going with Cassandra and the lads.

Looks like Cassandra Palmer is going to have her hands full with a certain smexi lad who I have mixed feelings about at this stage and a new job description.

Looking forward to Claimed By Shadow.

Michelle

Clairvoyant Cassie Palmer has inherited new magical powers-including the ability to travel through time. But it's a whole lot of responsibility she'd rather not have. Now she's the most popular girl in town, as an assortment of vamps, fey, and mages try to convince, force, or seduce her—and her magic—over to their side. But one particular master vampire didn't ask what Cassie wanted before putting a claim on her. He had a spell cast that binds her to him, and now she doesn't know if what she feels for him is real—or imagined…