Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Ace, available in print and as e-book

 The Source: The Bookshelf
The Grade: B+ 
The blurb:

Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water...

The Review:
I was a bit hesitant to re-read this book, since I have had a bit of bad luck when it comes to re-reads recently. In the end, I am glad I re-read it.

What I like with Patricia Briggs novels is the detailed worldbuilding, and how she can take something and give it a fresh twist. This book, and the rest of the Mercy Thompson series, are no exception. This book focused on the werewolves, but I liked how she introduced the other factions in the world, both vampires and fae. I liked how the werewolves in the US were ruled by the Marrok, and how he kept a firm but benevolent grip on the reins. It felt right, somehow.


Despite the fact that I vaguely remembered what happened, I couldn’t stop reading. I held my breath, from the moment Mercy met Mac, to her search for Jessie and Adam. The plot moved at break neck pace, and I loved how the stakes gradually increased as Mercy and her friends they tried to figure out who was behind this. I'll admit that there was times when I wondered if they would figure out who the villain was in time. 
   

Meeting the characters again felt like meeting old friends. I liked that Mercy a lot. She had a core of strength and confidence. And while she defied Adam a lot, she also knew how to handle werewolves, and when to keep quiet. I also liked her loyalty to her friends, and how she was prepared to do anything for them. 
I couldn’t find anything bad, the only thing that keeps it from getting an A is that I felt it lacked that something.

* The blurb is from the UK edition, since I couldn’t find a proper blurb for the US edition online. Which drove me nuts. I hate when all I can find is a three line blurb.

Friday Bargains: 0.99 books at Sony

The bargains I am excited about right now is at Sony. I haven't bought anything from Sony, just downloaded freebies, but I think that will change. ;).

Anyway, they have to ongoing campaigns right now.  The first one is  Fall in love with a series, which Amazon is price matching.  It is mostly romance, but I am excited, since several of the books are on my Wishlist.
The second is in their newsletter, and it is a hodgepodge of genres. 

Oh. They have a third campaign: Buy 6 books, get one for free. You can read more here.

Sourcebooks offer 30% off on Linda Wisdoms Paranormal Romances this week.

30% off any Linda Wisdom novels this week!

Created on Thursday, 11 October 2012 08:00

Author Linda Wisdom’s tales of witches and demons are wickedly entertaining! Her light paranormal romances are a delightful way to spend an October evening! Take 30% off any of her books at Discover a New Love with coupon code “WISDOM” when you check out from the cart. Expires October 18, 2012

Friday Bargains: Samhain bargains

I got an e-mail from Samhain, telling me that they have a 30% off code ( coupon: TRICKORTREAT) on the following 8 e-books. Unless something has changed,  this stacks on top of the new release discount, which means 60 percent off.

Ballroom Blitz by Lorelei James
She's got the rhythm, but he's got all the right moves...

Unleashing The Receptionist by Juniper Bell
You can tie a girl up, but you can't keep her down. 

Dark in the Woods by Rosemary Laurey
When the wild things are stirring, taking sides could get you killed.

Sex and the Single Princess by Bonnie Dee and Marie Treanor
Behind every beautiful shoe is a sexy shoemaker. 

Just a Kiss by Erin Nichols
She's unforgettable... which is what got him in trouble the first time.

My Regelence Rake by JL Langley
Before you find your prince, you have to kiss your share of rakes.  

 Wanderlust by Vella Munn
Her feet say its time to move on. Her heart says something else..

The Fallen Boys by Aaron Dries
The road to forgiveness is covered in blood. 


The current Samhain bookclub offering is  Heat of Passion by Elle Kennedy and Shadows in the Mist by Brian Moreland.





 

Friday Bargains: A lot of Historical mystery

For me, autumn means I want to curl up on the coach and read mysteries. And, the publishers are appearantly reading my mind this week. 
Right now, the first three books in  Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily's series are discounted to 1.99 at Amazon. ( That price, in combination that Amazon didn't add Whispernet fees, was enough for me to snap up the first one.)

Joss Alexander's Tainted Innocence is discounted to 1.99 at Carina Press, until September ends.  This is another one I plan to buy. 

Still Life with Murder by P.B Ryan is free at both Amazon and Smashwords.  ( I have this one, I have started to read it several times, but I never finished it.)

Friday Bargains: Mostly Novellas and short stories

Kobo has very nice round up of novellas, and short stories here, priced between 0.99-2.99. I am tempted to buy some, but I probably wont since I am trying to purchase less e-books.

Amazon   offers 100 e-books for 3.99 this month.  The romance e-books sounds quite interesting, but  the one I really want is in Fantasy..  I might actually buy something from Amazon, instead of just downloading freebies.

Poisoned Pen press offers several of their books for free right now.  (If one of the books isn't free, price report it.)

And, since I am weak I signed up for Samhain's newsletter ( I love coupon codes). Speaking of Samhain, their current Book club selection is Blaze of Glory by Sheryl Nantus. Today is the last day.

Amazon Gold box deal of the day: 10 contemporary romances for 1.99 each (Kindle)

I normally don't post deals on Sundays, but when I discovered this deal I decided to make an exception.  

Amazon offers  Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber and other bestselling romance authors for 1.99 each.  This deal is today only. And the best part? No pesky Whispernet fees for those of you who lives in Europe..

Urban Fantasy Challenge: Monster in my closet by RL Naquin

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Carina Press, available as e-book

The Source: Net Galley

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

I stopped believing in monsters long ago. But I knew I wasn't imagining things when I found one in my kitchen baking muffins. I'd seen him before: lurking in my closet, scaring the crap out of my five-year-old self. Turns out that was a misunderstanding, and now Maurice needs a place to stay. How could I say no?
After all, I've always been a magnet for the emotionally needy, and not just in my work as a wedding planner. Being able to sense the feelings of others can be a major pain. Don't get me wrong, I like helping people--and non-people. But this ability has turned me into a gourmet feast for an incubus, a demon that feeds off emotional energy. Now, brides are dropping dead all over town, and my home has become a safe house for the supernatural. I must learn to focus my powers and defeat the demon before he snacks on another innocent woman and comes looking for the main course...

The Review:

I rarely request ARCs through NetGalley, but I decided to make an exception for this book. And I am glad I did.

This book has everything I want in an Urban Fantasy. Familiar fantasy races, but with enough twists for them to feel brand new. And then there are the Closet monsters. I loved Maurice, with his fretting and cooking. What's more, all the twists and the reasons for them made a lot of sense. 

This was the first time I read about a wedding planner, but it was intresting to get an insight in how much job it is. I loved following Julie's struggle to adapt to the changes in her life. From the closet monster in her kitchen, to the fact that she has a gift. But it wasn't just that. I loved the snarkiness and the quiet humor that Julie had, and how much she cared about her clients, even though some of them annoyed her.

The plot was intriguing, and filled with plot twists that took me by surprise, yet made sense when they happened. I loved how the stakes gradually increased through the book. From the first time Julie and Sebastian met, until the last confrontation.  I also liked that Julie didn't expect anyone else to solve this. She faced down Sebastian several times. When it comes to the romance between Riley and Julie, it was cute and I am curious how it will affect the two of them in the upcoming books.

What I didn't like was that even though a lot of the plot twists took me by surprise, I had a hunch about who the final victim was for a long time. But that is the only thing that mars the book, at least for me.

But I definitely plan to buy the next book in the series, since I liked this one a lot.

Urban Fantasy Challenge: No Dominion by C.E Murphy

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Kickstarter, not available for sale (yet).

The Source: Kickstarter ARC

The Grade: A+

The Blurb:

Recently widowed after nearly fifty years of marriage, Gary Muldoon had given up on adventure. Then shaman Joanne Walker climbed into the back seat of his cab, and since then, Gary has trifled with gods, met mystics, slain zombies and ridden with the Wild Hunt.
But now he must leave Joanne’s side to face a battle only he can win. Because as their long battle against a dark magic-user races toward its climax, it becomes clear that it was not illness that took Annie’s life, but their enemy’s long and deadly touch.
Though lovers be lost, love shall not…
     …AND DEATH SHALL HAVE NO DOMINION.

The review:

I have waited for this book since I first heard about it... Actually, that is not true. I have hoped C.E Murphy would write Gary's story since I first read Urban Shaman. But I never expected it would be like this. This book... is C.E Murphy at her best.

I'll admit that for the first pages it felt odd to not read about Jo, but I got used to it. I loved Gary's voice. Loved it. I could almost hear him speaking in my mind ( I imagined him as having an Irish dialect. Yeah, I know. He is from Seattle).I kept on reading as he rode with the Hunt, and was delightfully human towards Cerunnos. Not that he mouthed off, but that he didn't show any deference. Through the whole story, Gary is delightfully himself. No matter if he is talking with Cerunnos or with one of his Army mates. He is his own gruff, rocksteady self.

This story had everything that a good story should have. Action. Lot's of it, especially in the beginning. From the start, Gary goes on Wild ride. There were times how Gary managed to keep up with Cerunnos. But there isn't just action. No, what made most impact on me were the part when Gary went back in time, to the time he met his wife Annie. It was poignant to read about their romance. Yet in it, there was a touch of paranormal. I admired Gary for keeping quiet, and letting their marriage unfold. But the end. Oh lord. The end. It made me cry. And I cannot remember when that happened the last time.

So, what I didn't like.

There is nothing I didn't like with the story. This is C.E Murphy at her best. I just wish that more people hade been able to read it since it adds an layer to Raven Calls, but hopefully it will be available sometime in the future.

Curiosity Friday: Urban Fantasy Problems Meme

I stumbled upon this one at Twitter, and it is hilarious.  And, even better, it is a giveaway.  What better way to start the weekend than with a laugh and a chance to win free books.

Kudos to Vampire Book Club and Stellar Four for creating it.

Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Angry Robot, available as print and e-book. 
The source:  purchased at Robot Trading Company
 The Grade: D
The blurb:

Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she’s forced to take on her least favourite kind of job – missing persons.

Being hired by reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a teenybop pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass and their animal companions live in the shadow of hell’s undertow.

Instead, it catapults Zinzi deeper into the maw of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she’ll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives – including her own.

The Review:
 

I have been curious about this book for a long time, so when Angry Robot had an 50% off sale, I decided to take the chance.

It was refreshing to read an Urban Fantasy that was set outside the US. The hustle and bustle of Joburg flowed through the page, and there were times I could hear her talking with the street vendors or her boyfriend. What I liked were the contrasts between the rundown apartment were Zinzi lived, and the luxious house her client lived in.

I liked the concept of the animalled, and how you got an spirit animal if you committed a serious crime. It felt right that some people disliked them, and other loved them.

I liked the characters, from Zinzi with her bad habits, to the spoiled pop stars she had to deal with. There was mix of desperation and hope in this book that gave me goosebumps.

That said, I had lot of problems with the plot. I found the plot to be confusing, and I couldn't follow her motivations. One reason for that feeling might be the excerpts from articles that was scattered through the book. They annoyed me, and jarred me out from the book.

Urban Fantasy reading challenge: Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Berkley, available in print and as e-book

The Source: The bookshelf

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy—and sexy—operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency.  But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times.  My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she’s stressed.  Menolly’s a vampire who’s still trying to get the hang of being undead.  And me?  I’m Camille—a wicked-good witch.  Except my magic’s as unpredictable as the weather, as my enemies are about to find out the hard way... At the Wayfarer Inn, a portal to Otherworld and the local hangout for humans and beasties alike, a fellow operative, Jocko, has been murdered.  Every clue points to Shadow Wing, the soul-munching, badass leader of the Subterranean Realms.  He’s made it clear that he aims to raze humankind to the ground, turning both Earth and Otherworld into his private playground.  Our assignment:  Keep Shadow Wing and his minions from creeping into Earth via the Wayfarer.  The demons figure they’re in like Flynn.  After all, with only my bumbling sisters and me standing in the way, how can they miss?  But we’ve got a secret for them:  Faulty wiring or not, nobody kicks ass like the D’Artigo girls...

The Review:

One of my reading challenges this year is to re-read the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn, originally the plan was to re-read it before Shadow Rising was out in February, but obviously that didn't happen.

That said, I am glad that I made that vow, since I enjoyed this book a lot.

The world was rich, and intriguing. I loved the twists on the myths and standard tropes that was revealed, and in some cases hinted at.

I also liked the impact the Sidhe had on humans, that some loves them and some hates them. Which makes totally sense.But more than the world, I loved meeting the characters. I loved Camille. Her struggle with her feelings to the Svartan Trillian, who showed up without warning. Her love to her sisters. Her courage, and determination to do what is right.

The plot was fast paced, yet it felt as if it wasn't too fast. It was easy to understand the characters reactions and actions. I loved how Camille's Magic affected the plot. Not that it made it easier, if anything it made it harder.

So what I didn't like with this book. It took a long time before it sucked me in, before it hooked me. In fact, it wasn't until page 150 or so that I felt the urge to just keep on reading. Before that I put it down and picked it up several time.

Interstingly I have had different reactions each time I have read this book. The first time, I felt it was good, but not great , the second I loved it. This time it was a mix of the previous times.

Book recommendation: Thieftaker by DB Jackson

A warm evening in colonial North America's leading city. Smoke drifts across the city, and with it the sound of voices raised in anger, of shattering glass and splintering wood. A mob is rioting in the streets, enraged by the newest outrage from Parliament: a Stamp Tax . Houses are destroyed, royal officials are burned in effigy. And on a deserted lane, a young girl is murdered.

Ethan Kaille, a thieftaker of some notoriety, and a conjurer of some skill, is hired by the girl's father to find her killer. Soon he is swept up in a storm of intrigue and magic, politics and treachery. The murder has drawn the notice of the lovely and deadly Sephira Pryce, a rival thieftaker in Boston; of powerful men in the royal government; of leaders of the American rebels, including Samuel Adams; and of a mysterious sorcerer who wields magic the likes of which Ethan has never encountered before.
To learn the truth of what happened that fateful night, Ethan must recover a stolen gem and sound the depths of conjurings he barely understands, all while evading Sephira and her henchmen, holding the royals and rebels at bay, and defending himself and those he loves from the shadowy conjurer.
No problem. Provided he doesn't get himself killed in the process.

I really look forward to this one. I have, ever since I heard about in on Magical Words. It is an historical urban fantasy, with a large dose of mystery. I'll admit it: Normally I would have waited for the paperback, but since I have read a couple of his books written as David B Coe and liked them, I am taking the plunge.
Thieftaker will be released by Tor Books in July 2012.
You can read the first three chapters here.

Pre-order it from : Amazon, BN, Book Depository

Urban Fantasy reading challenge:Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane:

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Orbit, available in Print and as e-book

The Source: Purchased at Bokus during a sale

The Grade: D+

The Blurb:

THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah

The Review:

I have been on the edge on buying this book since it was released, but when I found it on Sale in february I decided to buy it.

This is a book that you either love or hate. I wanted to love it, since it has a lot of the elements that I love in Urban Fantasy.

The world was dark, and gritty. There were several things that fascinated me. One thing were the magic system. I am not sure if I have seen a magic system like it before. I loved the way it used European folklore to banish Ghosts.

Another thing that intrigued me was the ghosts, and how their existens were the base of the Church, and employed the Debunkers and Liasons. 

The plot were filled with unexpected twists. One thing that I liked were that the motives stemmed from pure and simple greed. From Bump's wish to open the airfield, to Chess wish to buy more drugs. The stakes kept growing, and I kept reading to see how the mystery was solved. And the end took me by surpise, yet it made sense.

The characters were deliciously flawed. I loved that they showed how different Chess lives were. The upside life were she was a Church Debunker and interacted with Church Elders, Goodys and suburban families. Then there were the Downside life, were she interacted with Terrible, Bump, and street urchins. 

So what I didn't like. 

I didn't like Chess.   Everything Chess does, she does to earn money to purchase drugs. I'll be honest, this book was very close to becoming an DNF for me, but curiosity made me read on.. 

Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: Motor City Fae by Cindy Spencer Pape

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Carina Press, available as e-book
The Source: Purchased at Kobo ( I think.)
The Grade: C
The blurb:
Detroit artist Meagan Kelly has had a strong sixth sense all her life, but that doesn't mean the gorgeous stranger's crazy story—that she's a half-elf, half human heiress—is true. But Meagan can't deny the evidence of her own eyes—he's Fae. A tall, blond, handsome, pointy-eared elf—and a man she just can't get enough of.
Ric Thornhill's assignment just got a lot more complicated. The more time he spends with Meagan, the harder it is to see her as a political tool to prevent an all-out war between humans and Fae.
Now Meagan's in a race to master her newly released powers in time to prevent the conflict, convince a jealous Queen not to strip Ric of his powers, and find out if she can build a life that straddles two worlds.

The Review:

I think I have started reading this book twice before, but put it down. But people kept praising this series, which made me wonder if I had missed something. So I decided to read it again. So what did I think?

Despite the fact that the world was populated by the standard races ( werewolves, fae and magic users), it felt unique. One important reasons were that the elves wasn't perfect breathing mannequins. No, they are delightfully flawed. Some are ruthless, some xenophobic, some honorable. Just like humans.

This is reflected in the plot. The stakes in the plot gradually increased, thanks to the pressure of the Queen. The plot twists took me by surprise, yet they had been cleverly foreshadowed in the plot. A lot of them stemmed from actions by characters, and the characters feelings ( both good and bad).

I loved the sense of loyalty that exuded through the plot. Ric was loyal to the queen, Meagan loyal to her friends, Ric's friends supported him. But what I didn't feel through the book was a spark between Meagan and Ric. Which was a disappointment, since the romance subplot was an important part in the book ( The hints about Aidan and Eileen did make me want to read their story.)

Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: Heart of Stone by C.E Murphy

The Particulars:  Urban Fantasy, Luna, available in print and as e-book
The Source: The Bookshelf
The Grade: B-

The Blurb: 

Okay, so jogging through Central Park after midnight wasn't a bright idea. But Margrit Knight never thought she'd encounter a dark new world filled with magical beings--not to mention a dying woman and a mysterious stranger with blood on his hands. Her logical, lawyer instincts told her it couldn't all be real-- but she could hardly deny what she'd seen and touched. 

The mystery man, Alban, was a gargoyle. One of the fabled Old Races who had hidden their existence for centuries. Now he was a murder suspect, and he needed Margrit's help to take the heat off him and find the real killer. And as the dead pile up, it's a race against the sunrise to clear Alban's name and keep them both alive.

The Review:

It has been years since I read this one the first time, and before this I would have said it was on my Keeper shelf, but now I am not so sure.

First, I love the world of Old Races. The races feels fresh and unusual, even the standard fantasy races like Dragons and Vampires.  I loved that each of the races represented an element.  But everything isn't perfect among the longlived Old Races.  They live their lives in the shadows, avoiding discovery by humans. 


It is a delicate balance, and Alban's decision to approach Margit disturbs it.
Soon, Margrit juggles her normal workload, her quest for Alban's innocence and  an suspicious cop boyfriend.  I loved how everything slowly dragged Margrit into the world of the Old Races.   
How it all felt connected, but I admired Margrit for her courage and her sense of justice.  She butted heads with  Dragons and Vampires, refusing to show any fear.  
She ignored the grumbles of her boyfriend, that they yet again is on differing sides of a case. Add in the fact that her lover is a cop, and that she is spending a lot of time with a suspected murderer. .   I am amazed that she managed it.  (No, honestly. I would have collapsed, but maybe it is something they teach you in law school. ) 


Despite the fast paced plot, what made the book for me were the characters.  Margit has core of honor that pulls at her through the book. She is sharp, and bargains with powerful men. And, as the plot races on she really wants to tell her roommates, not to mention boyfriend, what is going on.
Alban... His soul is battered, but  being around Margrit is pulling him back into the Old Races from his exile.  I loved how Alban's past were a red thread in the book, and how smoothly it was woven into the plot.


The romantic subplot was bittersweet, since both of them knew that they couldn't happen.  


So, what I didn’t like with this book. Despite the intriguing world and plot, there were an invisible barrier that stopped me from sinking into the book.  It might have been the fact that I decided to read it with the intent of reviewing it.

Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge:Blood Song by Cat Adams

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Tor, available as print and e-book

The Source: Purchased from Kobo.

The Grade: C

The Blurb:

Bodyguard Celia Graves has definitely accepted her share of weird assignments, both human and supernatural. But her newest job takes the cake. Guarding a Prince from terrorists and religious fundamentalists is hard enough, but it seems like the entire supernatural world is after this guy too. When she is betrayed by those she is employed to help, and everything goes horribly wrong, Celia wakes to find herself transformed. 

Neither human nor vampire, Celia has become an Abomination—something that should not exist—and now both human and supernatural alike want her dead. With the help of a few loyal friends—a sexy mage, a powerful werewolf, and a psychic cop—Celia does her best to stay alive. On the run from her enemies, Celia must try to discover who is behind her transformation…before it’s too late.

The review:

Cat Adams is another author that I have wanted to read for awhile, so when Tor offered their first three books for 2.99 I bought the first one.

Once I started reading this book, I devoured it. It is set in an intriguing world, filled with a number of paranormal creatures. What I liked were the fact that Celia was already a part of it as her job.

The world felt solid, and well researched both when it comes to vampires, werewolves and demons. I loved how holy water affected demons, and the silver affected werewolves. It was based on a lot of myths, with a twists.

Set against this background is Celia's struggle to adjust to her life as an abnomation. Which is clearly shown through the book. I liked it. I especially liked that Celia refused to enter Birchwoods, but at the same time recognized that it might be necessary.

As if this isn't enough, she also has to deal with her ex-boyfriend, and other life issues.

This was well written, but not perfect. I think some of the issues I had with it depended on my mood. The biggest issue I had was Celia. I had trouble connecting with her. I cared about what happened to her, but not much. Part of the reason were the fact that so much happened. Sometimes it felt as if the authors had gotten an idea, and added it without connecting it to the plot.

Will I read more books by Cat Adams? Maybe.

Urban Fantasy and Horror reading challenge: Matchbox girls by Chrysoula Tzavelas

The Particulars:  Urban Fantasy, Candlemark and Gleam, available in print and as e-book
The source: Received as a Kickstarter pledge reward
The Grade: B+

The blurb:

Marley Claviger is just trying to get her life together. Stumbling into an ancient conflict between celestial forces is going to make that a whole lot harder...

When Marley wakes up to a phone call from a pair of terrified children, she doesn’t expect to be pulled into a secret war. She rescues them from an empty house and promises to find their missing uncle. She even manages to feed them dinner. But she barely feels competent to manage her own life, let alone care for small children with strange, ominous powers...

And when a mysterious angelic figure shows up and tries to claim the girls, it all falls apart...

Plagued by visions of disaster, Marley has no idea what she’s gotten herself into, but she knows one thing: magical or not, the kids need her.

The review
I received this book as part of a Kickstarter pledge. Since I was in an Urban Fantasy slump, I didn’t read it immediately. Which I regret, since this is a really good Urban Fantasy novel.  The intriguing worldbuilding takes the standard tropes of angels, demons and fairies, and twists them around a couple of times, until the end result is something unique.   The writing starts with a bang, or a phone call to be more correct, and it doesn’t slow down. Marley’s reaction to the  events were refreshing.  She isn’t a kick ass heroine, she is just an woman who wants to return to her normal life.

The plot is just as fast paced as it should be, and when you think that nothing else can go wrong for Marley and her friends, something unexpected, yet totally logical happens, that turns an already dire situation into a catastrophic situation.  

But what made this book for me were the cast of characters. All of them were deliciously flawed. From Marley with her shambled life, to Zacharias with all his secrets, to the impulsive twins, to the new friends she gets in Corbin and AT. And Neath.. I loved Neath. She behaved like I imagine a cat should.  The bad guys were scary. Brr. I wouldn't want to be alone with either Severin, Tarn or any of the other bad guys.

What keeps me from giving this book an A is the sparseness of description. It stopped me from imaging the settings to the level I wanted, and needed to get really sucked into the book.
Still, I'll definitely get the sequel, since I believe in supporting good authors. And Chrysoula Tzavelas is definitely one of them.

 

Steampunk Challenge: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

The Particulars: Steampunk, Berkley, available in print and as e-book

The Source: Purchased at Kobo

The Grade : A

The blurb:

Note: This blurb is the official one, but it  contain spoilers for Iron Duke.

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.
When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

The Review:

This is the second book in the Iron Seas series. I read The Iron Duke and enjoyed it. This one? Was better. Set in the same world, filled with zombies, bugs, and the Horde. I am not sure why I liked it better? Maybe it because it lacks the save the world mentality? The stakes is still high, for all of them but it is in't on save the world level.

I enjoyed the fast paced adventure, the way it started with a bang and never slowed down. Or at least it felt like that. I am sure it was a slow paragraph here and there.

I loved the way everything felt connected, and that both Yasmeen and Archimedes had things at stakes.

But what I really loved with this book was the characters. The snarky banter between Archimedes and Yasmine. The sensual tension between them.

I also loved that there was so many different kinds of characters. From jackasses, to traitors, to rough brawlers, to smart women, and curious boys.

Most of all there goes a thread of loyalty through the book. In so many ways.

I loved this book in so many ways, and I regret that I waited so long with purchasing it. The only thing that bugged me were in the beginning Archimedes said intended to fall in love with her. I could have accepted seduce, since it would have fit better. On the other hand, after finishing the book, I can understand why he intended to do that, but it still bugged me. 

The Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff:

The Particulars:  Horror, St Martin's, available as e-book and in print
The Source: Purchased at Kobo
The grade: B-
The Blurb:
Homicide detective Adam Garrett is already a rising star in the Boston police department when he and his cynical partner, Carl Landauer, catch a horrifying case that could make their careers: the ritualistic murder of a wealthy college girl that appears to have Satanic elements. 

The partners make a quick arrest when all evidence points to another student, a troubled musician in a Goth band who was either dating or stalking the murdered girl. But Garrett’s case is turned upside down when beautiful, mysterious Tanith Cabarrus, a practicing witch from nearby Salem, walks into the homicide bureau and insists that the real perpetrator is still at large. Tanith claims to have had psychic visions that the killer has ritually sacrificed other teenagers in his attempts to summon a powerful, ancient demon.

All Garrett's beliefs about the nature of reality will be tested as he is forced to team up with a woman he is fiercely attracted to but cannot trust, in a race to uncover a psychotic killer before he strikes again.

The Review:


I bought this a month ago, spurred by the fact that Alexandra Sokoloff blogged about her self-published UK version.   I bought it from Booksonboard, though. Or was it Kobo?  Anyway.  I started reading it, and I was hooked.   The book has everything I want in a good novel.  A gruesome murder, a healthy dose of suspense and interesting plot. I loved Garrett for the fact that he is ambitious, and he doesn't hide it.   He is dating a DA  with connection, he relish tough cases. ( And this is definitely one).  I like that his partner is so different.   In many ways his partner is a cliche.  Old, chain smoking male detective.  He is a good contrast to Garrett, though. And Tanith.  Yepp, she is a witch.  But she is a strong character, without being bitchy.  Also, she has learned from her mistakes.

The plot is solid, and moves fast. But not too fast. They makes progress, and the decisions they make fits with the evidence. The  supernatural was woven into the plot from the start. And the supernatural part only grew. Which I gobbled up. It was fascinating how Garrett kept having to talk with Tanith, despite the mistakes he made. And he made mistakes. A lot.  But that was what I liked about him.  He dares to think outside the box, no matter if it gives him trouble with his boss.  He doesn't give up.  He just continues,  determinded to get justice for the victims.  

What I liked about this book, was that Garrett is forced to think about the box. To step into the supernatural. He have a choice: start believing, or  don't find the killer. 

So, what I didn't like about this book.  I didn't like the sex scenes with his girlfriend. It felt like they didn't add anything to the plot. Also, sometimes Garrett felt a bit.. dense. No, that's wrong. It felt like he was too arrogant, and didn't really think about what consequences everything would have.


Still, the book was enjoyable and I will probably purchase more of Alexandra Sokoloff's books in the future.

The Zero Dog War by Keith Melton

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as  e-book.

The Source: Purchased at Allromance

The Grade: B-

The blurb:

After accidentally blowing up both a client facility and a cushy city contract in the same day, pyromancer and mercenary captain Andrea Walker is scrambling to save her Zero Dogs. A team including (but not limited to) a sexually repressed succubus, a werewolf with a thing for health food, a sarcastic tank driver/aspiring romance novelist, a three-hundred-pound calico cat, and a massive demon who really loves to blow stuff up.
With the bankruptcy vultures circling, Homeland Security throws her a high-paying, short-term contract even the Zero Dogs can’t screw up: destroy a capitalist necromancer bent on dominating the gelatin industry with an all-zombie workforce. The catch? She has to take on Special Forces Captain Jake Sanders, a man who threatens both the existence of the team and Andrea’s deliberate avoidance of romantic entanglements.
As Andrea strains to hold her dysfunctional team together long enough to derail the corporate zombie apocalypse, the prospect of getting her heart run over by a tank tread is the least of her worries. The government never does anything without an ulterior motive. Jake could be the key to success…or just another bad day at the office for the Zeroes.

The review:

I had heard good things about Keith Melton, so when Allromance offered a 50% discount on Samhain books, I bought it. The story starts with a bang, and everything wents down hill from there. The plot twisted and turned. I liked how they only had partial success, never a total victory, when they faced the villain.  I enjoyed the misfits of The Zero Dog Mercenaries.  From Rafe, the werewolf, to  Mai with her undead pets.  I enjoyed how the author played with the prejudices, and turned them into something new.  

This story has a large dose of humor with the action, and I loved the snark, and the way Andrea couldn’t  stop mouthing off with Jake.  However, at times it felt like the author focused to much on the humor. 

This especially shows when it comes to the villain, which is a heap of clichés.  In  fact, it felt like the author had piled on every cliché he could think off.  So, will I buy another book by  Keith Melton?  Probably.  It was a fun,  fast paced read and I enjoyed it.