May Reviews
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Urban Fantasy -May 7th, 2019
4 1/2 stars
Mercy Thompson is a coyote shifter, auto mechanic extraordinaire and mate to the Alpha of the local werewolf pack in the Tri Cities. Recently she vowed to protect the area they live in. Unfortunately, humans and other supernatural beings are taking her up on her promise! First there is an invasion by a violent goblin, then there are strange zombie goats and finally a human family is being targeted by supernatural powers. Making protecting the Tri Cities a full time job. To make matter worse, a new and deadly witch coven wants to move into their area and they are not averse to using dark magic. And Mercy soon finds how ugly and evil black magic can be. Especially, when they see Mercy as an obstacle they would love to remove! Without her usual back up, Mercy finds herself on the defensive and trying to scramble and find a way to protect everyone she loves. But will she figure out in time or will her pack and those around her pay the price?
This book was a solid read and enjoyable read. However, it didn't feel as long or as complex as prior books in the series. The beginning of the book starts out slowly as Mercy and a couple of the pack are investigating a possible goblin murder. This is followed by a montage of events that seemed that they would occur in the normal life of Mercy living in the Tri Cities. It does get until about a forth way through the story that I felt that something nefarious is happening in the Tri Cities. That is when the book really starts to pick up. My favorite sections are how Patricia Briggs goes back to Mercy's roots as an auto mechanic and adds Zee’s presence to the story line. Zee has been an integral character to Mercy but thus far his past and powers have always been somewhat mysterious or in the background. I enjoyed reading him getting to show off some of his serious skills along with his son Tad. This book also tackles a darker side of magic as the black coven creates slaves to do their bidding. There are also some surprises as Adam's witch friend, Elizaveta, is more than she appears. The best things about this book are the secondary characters I can’t wait for the author to explore them more. Their newest pack member, Sherwood has some powers that even he is unaware of. And Larry the King of the goblins makes appearances that made me wonder if he will become a larger player in the Tri Cities. I only hope that Aiden will play a larger part in future books.
A superb new addition to the Mercy Thompson series I only wish it hadn’t ended so fast.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
April Reviews
Fire Season by Stephen Blackmoore
Urban Fantasy - April 16th, 2019
5 stars
Fast paced, fanatical action that never stops. This book is a shot of adrenaline and what a heady rush!!
Eric Carter is a necromancer with lots of power. When he returns to L.A. he is hoping for some down time. But he soon finds himself being framed and trying to stay alive after some seriously painful assassination attempts instead! This is definitely ‘excitement’ he could live without. When a political group offers to help him, Carter is suspicious and wary. He likes being independent and wonders what their secret agenda is. To add more trouble to his plate, Carter soon discovers that a vengeful wind God named Quetzalcoatl has come back to hunt Carter and burn down his city! Can Carter last? Trying to save his skin and rescue L.A. maybe a bit more than he can handle....
Hot, HOT, HOT! This book is a whirlwind of constant mayhem. Carter is on one long and phenomenal week that is out of control like the infernos he is trying to put out. The phonetic pace of this book had me glued to the pages until the early hours of the morning. Incredible story telling -crazy magic, vicious enemies AND allies and a hero that just won't stop even when it would clearly be the sensible thing to do. All of these things make for one of the most entertaining fantasy books of the year. Fire Season is my introduction to Stephen Blackmoore's writing and it certainly won't be the last. Although this is 4th book in the Eric Carter series. The author easily brings any new reader up to speed so I felt that I didn't have to struggle at all to keep up and this book has a LOT going on. If you are an impatient reader like myself, I would suggest not starting this book unless you plan to finish it that day. Carter is funny, irreverent and totally insane (in a good way). I enjoyed reading his pithy quips and sense of humor - nothing seems to keep him down for long. I was also fascinated by his access to his family's collection of 'magics.' Some dangerous items that have mysterious saying such as, 'DO NOT OPEN THIS THING... SERIOUSLY DO NOT OPEN THIS THING.' The mysterious magic pieces themselves are openings for so many fun and maniacal new stories in itself. I can’t wait for more. Another fun thing is that Carter now seems like he has a surprising new and powerful ally.
This book was seriously good, so don't miss it!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack
Paranormal Romance April 16th, 2019
4 stars
Roan Wet has an unusual ability. He can touch any inanimate object and feel the the memories imprinted on them. His skills are called psychometry. Roan is content with his antiques company, selling rare items he finds and returning some to their rightful owners. But all this changes when he is delivered a mysterious package by his fellow friend and psychometrist, Stuart. Stuart and a group of like minded psychometrist have been trying to unravel the mystery of objects that seem out of their time period called ooparts. They think that they are the key to time itself. However, Roan cannot ask his friend anything about the package and the antique he has sent him because Stuart and most of the members of the psychometrist group have recently died or disappeared! Worried for his friend and a new female psychometrist named Melicent that he has recently discovered, Roan thinks anyone with their powers are being targeted for murder. Can he solve his friend's disappearance and protect the lovely Melicent?
This novel has mystery, romance and intriguing paranormal elements. What I particularity found fascinating was the psychometry skills that the main characters possessed. They could use their abilities for good or for their own gain. I admired how the main characters were able to use their gifts to help others. I was also surprised how emotional I felt when the stories of the rare items they held unfolded into their own unique stories. And I loved 'seeing' the life of the owners reflected through them. The author does a wonderful job of making the reader feel they have gone back into the past and become a part of history. Her vivid storytelling and heart felt characters made me wish that I had a touch of the amazing skills that Roan and Sun (another psychometrist) had. The only issues that I found was with the plot. What was Roan not able to discover earlier who the real culprit was since his sense of touch was so sensitive? The romance also seemed a little rushed but very tender and sweet.
Lyrical storytelling and superb historical imagery make this book well worth reading.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence
Fantasy April 9th, 2019
4 1/2 stars
Holy Sister is the third novel in the Ancestor trilogy. This fantasy saga has many religious aspects as well as several cool and lethal female warriors. Although the author provides a brief synopsis before the story it should not be read as a standalone.
The world Nona knows is harsh and unforgiving. The people war among themselves for the small area of land that are inhabitable from the deadly and encroaching ice. As the cold limits the land available for survival, people hope for the Chosen One. A person to save them from the lethal cold. Some believe that Nona or her friend Zole may by their savior. Both have inherited powers from the ancestors.
At the Abbey here Nona trains they believe that the mythical shiphearts from the long past ancestors may hold the clue to freeing their world from ice. Nona is on a mission by her Abbess to find and use the shiphearts. But power hungry and devious enemies want them, too! Can Nona and her friends complete this impossible undertaking or will a bloody war tear their lives apart?
This epic journey has caught my imagination. This novel is vastly different from the prior books as Nona has grown up. She has come into her skills and mastered many of them. Her fighting scenes are exhilarating to read. I love reading her accomplish the impossible! Also, Nona knows more than she says. Because Nona holds many secrets it makes the story both frustrating and suspenseful. Another thing is that there is great uncertainty due to the shocking death of key characters in the last book. The trials that the characters suffered made for stronger bonds. The camaraderie of the remaining survivors was fun to read. I liked how old classmates met and help one another. And reading them fulfill the promise of their early training was even better.
Do not miss this thrilling series. As masterfully trained, ‘holy’ female warriors fight to save a dying world. Oh, yeah!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
The Savior by J.R. Ward
Paranormal Romance - April 2nd, 2019
5 stars
J.R. Ward is the Queen of deeply emotional and darkly edgy paranormal romance. This juggernaut keeps creating fresh and fascinating characters that I can't get enough of!
Muhrder, lives alone among humans. Wasting away his skills and rotting in self imposed punishment for a past that he cannot forgive or forget. Once he was one of the highly respected Black Dagger Brotherhood. That was until an act of extreme violence had him expelled. Tortured by the knowledge that he could not save a helpless pregnant female of his kind, he thinks he has found redemption when she contacts him and asks him to find her son. Finally feeling that his life has purpose again, Muhrder, abases himself to the Brotherhood and the King that see him as insane animal. Asking them to use their resources to help him on his quest. However, they are wary and do not trust their former Brother. When they reluctantly relent, Muhrder has an uphill battle to prove his worth when it soon becomes clear that his past was more noble than any but Xhex realized. On his mission, Muhrder meets a striking human scientist named Sarah Watkins and immediately finds a kindred soul who has also seen darkness and deep suffering. However, their mutual attraction is doomed as it is decreed that her memories of her time with the vampires (including Muhrder) will be erased to protect their world. Muhrder and she will never have a chance of a life together.
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster. I cried with their pain and I laughed with their joy. Sarah and Muhrder are two beings who have suffered greatly and although their initial time together was brief this reader could feel their emotional connection and how much they were meant for each other. Muhrder is a great tragic hero who carries a primal intensity. Even through torture, his essence/sense of honor never broke. Sarah has been trying to make sense of the death of her fiancée two years ago and slowly start a new life that seems empty and meaningless. They both are united by a new purpose and a love that is both tender and full of angst. I also enjoyed the second story line which includes John and Xhex. Xhex has always been a mysteriously, cool character and John is on a constant, personal mission to prove himself. The only disappointment was that Xhex did not stand up for Muhrder sooner and explain their past together. I felt this accounted for unwarranted suffering on Muhrder's part which was probably prolonged for the story but did not portray Xhex in a positive light.
Dark, brooding intensity and two star crossed lovers make this satisfying melodramatic romance work in spades.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Grave Destiny by Kalayna Price
Urban Fantasy April 2nd, 2019
4 1/2 stars
Grave Destiny is the sixth book in the Alex Craft series. This series only gets more complex and fascinating as Alex’s powers manifest. Plus her sticky relationship with the deadly and fickle Faerie is getting way too close for comfort.
In this novel, Alex realizes her new found powers need direction and she resolves to find an instructor who can teach her how not to harm herself and others. But the problem is that she knows of only two other plane weavers like herself. And they were part of the mysterious Faerie High Court. A near mythical nearly court forgotten in time. And a court that she has no idea how to access. So she reluctantly asks her father how to find it but he tells her he can only tell her if she investigates a mysterious murder in the Winter Court. With the help of Falin, the Winter Court Knight and Dugan, the Prince of the Shadow Court, Alex finds herself stuck in the middle of a deadly court intrigue with vicious players and extremely high stakes. In order to solved the murders she must carefully navigate several Faerie courts. But getting to each is never free and favors must be paid… As she gets closer to the truth Alex finds herself trying to stay alive and save her friends! Can she discover the murderer and uncover the plot to destroy the Winter Court before it is too late?
The Alex Craft books keep getting better. I particularly enjoyed the end of the novel which brings more challenges for Alex and Falin. It looks like Alex may finally find some happiness. In this novel there are short episodes where Death and her father appear but most of the story deals with her, Falin and the Shadow Prince. The author gives us glimpses of Alex’s father which only make you want to know more about him. Falin is a great hero, bound to the Winter Queen to be her lethal killing machine but he still manages to maintain a heart and integrity. I enjoyed reading how Alex is trying to explore her new powers and becoming more confident. Alex gets to explore the various courts and it was interesting to see how the Shadow court has suffered and the differences between the different courts and their origins. I only hope the author delves more into Alex’s heritage and the different courts, especially the winter court! This was a satisfying mystery with fantastic paranormal elements and a dash of romance. I loved it!
Urban fantasy at its best, this series keeps getting better.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
March Reviews
Stone Cold Heart by Laura Griffin
Romantic Suspense -March 26th. 2019
4 ½ stars
Stone Cold Heart is the latest in Laura Griffin’s popular Tracers series. Which follows the workers of the renowned Delphi Center Crime Lab. This book, as with all the Tracer books can be read as a standalone. However, the author does drop the names of several past characters and readers will bound to be curious and want to read books about them, too!
Sara Lockhart loves her job. She is a premier forensic anthropologist at the Delphi Center. But some may say she is too dedicated to her work. And even Sara is starting to realize that she doesn’t have much of a life outside of her work! But somehow she can’t seem to motivate herself to pursue a real social life. (Especially because she is still smarting from a disastrous broken engagement.) When she is called from a friend’s wedding to view an emergency case, she finds herself under the gun to find clues about the remains of a young female. A female whose body that may be only one of many. As the mounting pressure from the media, local government and a handsome detective comes to a head, Sara finds herself trying to pursue her own leads. Even though they may place her in serious danger….
This fast paced novel kept me up all night. I didn’t want to stop reading! Sara is a strong, likeable and smart character. Many workaholics will recognize her drive and admire her integrity. She is someone you want helping you if you need help finding the truth. Unfortunately, Sara also seems to push her body past her limits. Lack of sleep, poor food and little R &R seem to be the norm. Add to this, the frantic edginess of a possible serial killer. Thankfully Sara has found an attractive man who also is driven and bent on finding the murderer. His name is Nolan Hess and he is the head detective on the case. Although Nolan works in a small town he has big city experience and is just as intelligent as Sara. As he and Sara team up, this reader felt they would find the killer at almost at any cost. Their sense of justice and service made me wish that they were real characters. Plus the author has a fine balance between the mystery and the budding relationships that keeps you involved with the main characters and care for them. I particularly liked how Sara has a past and she isn’t expecting Nolan to enter her life and change it. Nolan is good for her and not the typical hard- nosed detective who runs himself ragged/unhealthy. I also enjoyed how Nolan watches out for her and makes her open to a relationship again.
Masterful storytelling, a tense mystery and two characters bent on finding justice make for a thrilling novel.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Embrace of the Shade by Kayla Mansur and Amanda Murtoff
Paranormal Romance –March 15th, 2019
4 stars
Two thieves bent on finding the same powerful artifact compete against each other but unexpected passion interferes with their sworn missions.
Kin is a dashing man on a mission. His purpose is to steal an ancient book from the Great Library of Capul. But he meets his match when he finds an attractive woman ahead of him. She is also looking for a rare, archived book. But they are discovered and temporarily decide to form a partnership and escape together. Both find an undeniable attraction, but the lady thief leaves Kin and slips out into the night. Both cannot forget each other.
Unexpectedly, they meet again at a socialite’s party. Kin discovers that the elusive female is named Amarie and is yet in another disguise. Intrigued, he follows her. Sparks soon fly between them but when they discover they are after the same object a friendly rivalry ensues. Even though they decide to help each, a hardened Amarie is torn between letting the playful Kin into her heart or doing the smart thing and not trusting him at all. For Amarie’s protective instincts may be correct after all. Because Kin has dark secrets….
Smoldering passion flares in this exciting paranormal romance. As the two clever main characters spar for the same artifact. All the while, they try to fight their intense attraction to each other. Amarie’s relationship to the artifact is not fully explained but she is able to mysteriously manipulate the shards which only makes her more intriguing. Clearly the authors have more to reveal about the shards and their power. Kin also has many secrets that are barely hinted upon in the first book. At first he seems like a light hearted rogue but his origins are unknown even to himself. There are hints of a dark Master and that Kin has not been exactly honest with Amarie. In addition, romance readers will enjoy the playful banter between the main characters and their sizzling chemistry. The addition of two mythical and beautiful being from the Aeric race add an extra allure to the story. However, the end hangs on a shocking cliffhanger as the authors leave several unanswered and puzzling questions that readers will want to solve in the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholic Romance Book
That Ain’t Witchcraft (InCyptid book 8) by Seanan McGuire
Fantasy March 5th, 2019
4 ½ stars
As the eighth book in the InCryptid series, Seanan McGuire still has much to explore. In a world inhabited by mythological creature and the Price family that has vowed to protect them from the blood thirsty Convenant of St. George.
The latest installment in the InCryptid series picks up where the last one left off. Antimony Price has been on the run, trying to stay ahead of the Covenant of St. George. They want to kill her or convert her to their cause. In the last book, she made a devils pact with the crossroads to save her friends. And now her payment is due. Unable to ask her family for help for fear that she will cause them harm she must try to stay alive with a little help of her friends. Antimony seeks shelter in Maine. But only too soon she and her friends find themselves in hot water when they try to help a mysterious intruder. Antimony must try figure out a way to cheat the crossroads and save all of them.
This book was very interesting as the author goes back to the origins of the crossroads and the reader meets friendly and not so friendly ghosts/spirits from past books. The plot takes a darker turn as the crossroads seems to have a sinister mind of its own. The story also features a new character with powers that help Antimony understand more about her talents - if she could use them. I liked how the author explores more about the possibilities of Antimony’s magic. Antimony’s books have always been darker than her siblings books. She is the mysterious and serious Price child. While she does not have the likeability of her older siblings, she has complexity in spades. As such, Antimony isn’t easy to understand but that makes her the most interesting of the family. In this book, Seanan McGuire attempts to explain Antimony character more. This book also explores her grandfather, who also had the magic talent and his sudden disappearance. (I hope that her grandparents will eventually be reunited and we will finally find what exactly happened to him?!) The only issue is that this book, like all of Antimony’s books seems to add more questions than answers for the reader. So her books tend to feel less resolved than her other siblings’ stories. I did enjoy this novel but because Antimony’s books are darker in tone they lack the exuberance of the earlier books that I miss. I forward to next InCyptid installment which is to feature her brother!
The author brings a new dimension to the crossroads and her strongest heroine yet.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Wild Country by Anne Bishop
Fantasy –March 5th, 2019
4 ½ stars
Wild Country is a standalone spin off from the Others Universe. Here, the author has created a burgeoning new community called Bennett. A town where the Elders, who control the land, are allowing humans to inhabit again. However, it is with the understanding that Bennett will only be under the leadership of an Others or the terre indigene. But as new humans settle what follows is the inevitable: strife, envy and violence. However, there are humans who want to live peacefully with the Others, among them a young female police officer named Jana. She is hired as a deputy under Virgil Wolfgard, a wolf shifter who has no love for humans. The ultra violent, Humans First groups killed most of his pack and his wife. Now the Sherriff of Bennett, he and Jana will have to learn how to depend upon each other. When a dire threat comes in the form of a clan of criminals, they will interrupt the fragile community’s balance. Jana and her other human friends must help the Others before the Elders forcefully take back what is theirs.
This novel will entertain fans of the series. Jana is a spirited heroine who does not seem to fear the Others as much as she should. It was fun to read how she and her new dog integrated with the Sheriff’s pack and became part of them. It was also enjoyable to read how a new town was slowly building itself -as the Lakeside Courtyard was already established when Meg Corbyn arrived. The humans and Others interactions are what make this series great. The Others have straightforward needs and are often confused by human euphemisms or niceties. Their outlook is in many ways childlike –which is not a bad thing! Although this story is marketed as Jana as the main character. She is actually one of several main characters that vary from humans, Others and even villains. The varying point of views never gets confusing but I do admit that there were Other characters which I would have liked featured more. (I hope that the author explores Bennett with another book!) Since life is tough and the Elders are all powerful the fight for survival can be grim as unworthy humans are culled from the pack. But this novel seemed a bit more violent than prior books.
Laced with humor and darkness, this gritty new Others novel will keep you spell-bound until the very end.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Veil of Spears by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Fantasy PB -March 2019
4 stars
This sweeping saga is about the fight to free the legendary 13th tribe and find them justice from the supposedly immortal Kings of Sharakhai. These despotic Kings have ruthlessly abused the 13th clan to further their own power.
Ceda is a young woman trained as a warrior. When she finds she carried the blood of the 13th clan she also discovers how they were betrayed. And vows to avenge and free them from their terrible ‘prisons.’ But each of the Kings have their own power given to them by the Gods. And it will be no easy feat to kill each of them. In the Veil of Spears, Ceda has been able to kill 2 of the Kings but there are many more out of her reach. Can she find enough allies to help her on her cause and who can she trust?
First of all, this is not the last book in the series as I had expected. There is another book called, Beneath the Twisted Trees due to be released. Because of this,the ending while it has some resolution -still leaves our characters in mortal danger. This story is on an epic scale. The sweeping deserts and Persian influences make it feel like the Arabian Nights. The author starts right into the plot so new readers should not attempt to start with this complex story. My favorite character is Ceda and I found myself skimming the areas that did not include her. Her courage and determination are admirable but I could not stop thinking how she is fighting against almost impossible odds. The author also breaks the story in several points of view. These include some of the Kings as well as other seemingly insignificant characters. He cunningly writes just enough to whet the readers interest but not enough to give away keys sections of the plot (which can be frustrating). This story has several hidden agendas, intrigue and betrayals which will keep readers on their toes. But I found except for Ceda, I did not particularly like many of the characters. I thought they were interesting but read them mostly to figure out where the plot might be leading rather than enjoying their personalities. I also wonder if Ceda will ever find happiness or a fitting reward for her many sacrifices.
A complex, intriguing desert storm with a noble and deadly heroine.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club