Review: Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay

Dead on the Delta
Author: Stacey Jay
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 1439189862
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by the publisher for a honest review

For more information please visit Stacey Jay's website.

Once upon a time, fairies were the stuff of bedtime stories and sweet dreams. Then came the mutations, and the dreams became nightmares. Mosquito-size fairies now indulge their taste for human blood—and for most humans, a fairy bite means insanity or death. Luckily, Annabelle Lee isn’t most humans. The hard-drinking, smart-mouthed, bicycle-riding redhead is immune to fairy venom, and able to do the dirty work most humans can’t. Including helping law enforcement— and Cane Cooper, the bayou’s sexiest detective—collect evidence when a body is discovered outside the fairy-proof barricades of her Louisiana town.


But Annabelle isn’t equipped to deal with the murder of a six year-old girl or a former lover-turned-FBI snob taking an interest in the case. Suddenly her already bumpy relationship with Cane turns even rockier, and even the most trust-worthy friends become suspects. Annabelle’s life is imploding: between relationship drama, a heartbreaking murder investigation, Breeze-crazed drug runners, and a few too many rum and Cokes, Annabelle is a woman on the run—from her past, toward her future, and into the arms of a darkness waiting just for her.

Dead on the Delta, the first novel in the Anabelle series by Stacey Jay, is not your average Urban Fantasy, nor does it follow your average heroine. Wildly original and wonderfully developed with a character who has more quirks that virtues, this novel is a fast paced, quick read that is hard to put down. So, if you're tired of the usual 'goody-two shoes' act, Annabelle Lee is a perfect fit as a shameless under achiever with borderline addictive personality.

From the beginning of this novel, the setting is what really struck me. Instantly, you step in to the hot, humid swamps where the air is more moisture then oxygen. The overbearing heat is only matched by the fairy infestation that seems to have taken the place of the clouds of mosquitoes that typically swarm in these marshy locales creating a sense of dread where ever they flit. There was also a great atmosphere built in which there is a very down trodden feeling creating a landscape of the South that is more of a refugee camp then a Parish after the invasion of the mutated fey. The amount of dread that these shimmery creatures leave in their wake is palpable making for an interesting new take on the fey.

The world building was wonderful, with a unique development that was perfectly thought out creating a three dimensional and believable world in which the characters move around. There is ample history to illustrate how the modern world was altered and how the fey came in to being. I also loved the amount of damage these little blighters were capable of causing, altering the landscape of the South to one that is barely recognizable. In fact, there is an unbelievable amount of deterioration in both the social and economic structure in this region and I really loved seeing this so masterfully explored. Also, the different organizations that watch and research the fairy problem, as well as the various entities who police issues tied to the fey, were quite interesting to see developed.

The characters were also quite unique and interesting, a very definite change from what one would normally expect. In fact, Anabelle, the heroine of the story, was unlike anything that I had ever read in the past. She's unashamed of her status as an underachiever, somewhat coarse, and a borderline alcoholic. Of course, with what she is forced to endure because of her status as being immune to the venomous bites of the fey, it's a bit understandable why it is she chooses oblivion over reality with what she is often called in to do for law enforcement. But, at times, I did find her personality to be a bit trying, if not down right repugnant. Truly, I wondered how in the world this woman could be endearing enough to carry a story by herself because she is such a train wreck, utterly unwilling to better herself. However, this was somewhat addressed rather quickly changing her character to something a bit more appealing and I found myself liking her as time went on. In the end I just started accepting Anabelle as Anabelle, and as things start heating up both with the murder investigation and the love triangle that forms, I found myself really engrossed and rooting for the fiery red head. And then there were the peripheral characters whom I really enjoyed. Honestly, they were a very colorful troop, from Fern who I would have loved to see more of, to Marcy who as it turns out has a quite intriguing history that I would love to know more about. Though in terms of love interests, I found both Hitch and Cane sort of lacking. Both are, well, just such downers. True, Cane loves Anabelle, it's obvious. He's a sweety. But, I just can't help bristling at the way he treats her at times. Does she deserve it? Probably. Though for me, he says he understands Anabelle but still he pushes her for a commitment it's obvious she doesn't want to make which sort of made me frown on him a bit. But, Hitch wasn't any better. In fact, I really wanted to strangle him 95% of the time. Seriously, Anabelle needs some new men in her life because these two, not doing it for me.

The story itself was wildly unique with a very original spin on the fey in a modern day setting. There was a wonderful sense of mystery paired with some great tension and action as Anabelle struggles to better herself by finding the killer of a little girl. But, there was also some great mystery about the 'magic' that both Grace, the murder victim, and Anabelle, posses. What does it mean? How is it possible? Is it because of their immunity? So many great questions that I want to see answered. I also found myself loving the down to Earth, easy manner in which the story was told. Southern comfort takes on a whole new meaning as the relaxed work ethics of Anabelle come in to play along with her rather unabashed way of life. The writing style was wonderfully lush creating a very 'Southern' atmosphere filled with great exploration and development of the world this story is immersed in. The pace was quick making this an extremely fast read that kept me on my toes with some interesting twists and turns along the way.

Overall, this was an interesting novel that was unlike anything else that I'd ever read. I rather enjoyed the new take on characterization and the unique spin on the fey. And then there's the Southern atmosphere, a particular favorite of mine when it comes to settings. So, if you love off the wall characters, wonderful urban fantasy that is wholly original, then this is a great choice! I can't wait to see what comes next in Blood on the Bayou, the second installment in this thrilling new series!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Alcoholism and some graphic violent content

Review: Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers

Demons Prefer Blondes
Author: Sidney Ayers
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Demons Unleashed, Book 1
ISBN: 1402251742
Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the publisher for a honest review

For more information please visit Sidney Ayers' website.

With demons the hottest new heroes in the romance category, this is a fantastic debut paranormal.


When beautiful half-succubus Lucy Gregory's antique chest unleashes a Pandora's box of demonic activity in a suburban beauty salon, brooding demon Rafe arrives to run damage control. He's darkly sexy and everything she's avoided-icy and reserved-but that only adds to his mysterious appeal. Being a demon, he knows he should be able to resist Lucy's charms, but his resistance is slipping at the worst moment. And Lucy has no idea of the power she possesses.

Demons Prefer Blondes, the first novel in the Demons Unleashed series by Sidney Ayers, is everything you’d expect about a novel centered around a beauty salon. Its fun, witty and a very girly read filled with fashion and demons. What more could a girl want, right? Well, how about an ancient chest filled with demons which brings out a sexy Paladin to find it before it gets opened located smack dab in the middle of Lucy Gregory’s shop. A great romantic read that is light and fun and sort of reminiscent of the 80’S romantic comedy ‘Earth Girls are Easy’ only without the colorful aliens and musical numbers!

From the beginning I definitely liked Ayer’s world building. There’s a very light hearted atmosphere despite the obvious weight of the subject matter. While the sense of immediacy is nice, I found it often off set by the witty characters and the sassy heroine. It was definitely nice seeing a fully dimensional story still maintain an easy going appeal. It was very unusual as was the setting making for a wonderful tale aimed directly at lovers of chick lit. I even hate to say it because I know people won’t think it’s the compliment that it is, but it reminds me of the 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo centering around a Daphne like character. That’s the sort of atmosphere that Ayer’s created and I really loved it!

The characters are also a wide range of personalities offering characters capable of being serious and those of offering comic relief. Lucy, while being a very approachable character for readers as she struggles to keep her business in the black with a wonderful sense of independence, had a great spunkiness that was wonderful to see develop. She’s sassy, passionate and above all else, a very caring and loyal individual. She treats her friends and employees with great respect and admiration that I really found quite endearing. But, it was also her easy going nature that made me respect her. She doesn’t fight against what she considers to be unfair or impossible, instead she goes with it, embracing those things about herself that defy definition and sanity. But, if Lucy is all things light, then Rafael is all things dark and serious. He’s imposing and has a presence that is very dominating and intimidating. The air of power about him is obvious and a great contrast to Lucy and her Scooby gang. This creates and interesting dynamic in their relationship that was wonderful, sort of like oil and water, but somehow it really works creating a very passionate and tense romance. Also, I feel that I have to mention the secondary characters which were pure fun! From Lucy’s wacky employees, to her amusing friend, to the long list of characters who pop in and out throughout the story, all of them definitely offer something to the story one way or another that I truly enjoyed.

The writing was exceptionally well done, creating a fun yet wonderfully written story that managed to be light and airy without being too silly. In fact, there was a perfect balance of inane witticism, action and romance that kept the story shy of being completely vapid. Instead, this novel was simply put, fun. Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer I believe will really enjoy this novel as it has that same feeling of fun and action that is enthralling as it manages to be at times quite serious and dramatic as well as being light hearted and amusing.

In the end, this novel was a joy to read with a great cast of characters and an interesting plot that I had a lot of fun reading. To be honest, it was something of a surprise as I was expecting the story to not be quite as well rounded as it was. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself reading at every chance that I could just to delve back into this amusing and lush world. Can’t wait for the next installment, Demons like it Hot, due out in December!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Sexual Content

Review: Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter

Mercy Blade
Author: Faith Hunter
Publisher:
Series: Jane Yellowrock, Book 3
ISBN: 110147677X
Purchase Information:
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*Novel won via GoodReads First Reads program

For more information please visit Faith Hunter's website.

Jane Yellowrock, a shape-shifting rogue-vampire hunter-for-hire, is now taking blood money from the very vamps she used to hunt. But things start heating up in the Big Easy when weres announce their existence to the world, and revive the bitter tensions that run between them and their old enemies -- vampires. Jane finds herself caught in the crossfire.

Mercy Blade, the third installment in the Jane Yellowrock series, is my first time reading anything by Faith Hunter and I can’t help but be floored and shocked that she’s somehow managed to stay off of my radar for this long! This novel truly had everything and more, from amazingly developed characters to a plot that kept me reading late in to the night to see what happened next. Fans of Anita Blake and Mercy Thompson will love this series and it’s hard hitting heroine and action packed plot showcasing a world filled with every form of supernatural creature you could imagine. Really a must read!


So, let my just start right off the bat by saying, I love Jane! She’s so fun and feisty, but completely human with her twisting emotions and inner turmoil. She's got a wonderfully developed voice pulling together a perfectly three dimensional character that is tough as nails yet hides a vein of vulnerability that makes her instantly endearing. But, for yet another layer, she is a Skinwalker, quite possibly the last of her kind, with the soul of Beast living within her, a large cat spirit/soul that becomes dominate when Jane shifts. Throughout Jane has a running inner dialogue with Beast and I loved the primal contradictions between them. Where Beast is very instinctual allowing her predator nature to dictate, Jane relies on a very moral and ethical standard. This becomes a problem to her as she is forced to hunt the Werewolves and is presented with the knowledge that she is killing a 'thinking' creature, not an insane vampire that needs putting down. There was also a lot of great duality between the two egos when it came to relationships. Where Beast sees an attribute she likes and wants it, Jane is forced to consider ramifications and the question of love and loyalty. I really enjoyed the dueling aspects and the very different personalities which really brought in some unusual and interesting elements. But, I also found myself loving the cast of supporting characters as well, from Bruiser to Leo and especially Wrassler. Each is masterfully created with greatly differing personalities, each alluring in their own way.

And while this is Urban Fantasy first and foremost, there was also some great romance and chemistry between the characters. However, that said, I really didn't care for Jane's chosen love interest Ricky Bo. Though we didn't see him much in this novel (I'm supposing that he was present more in previous ones), he comes off as being the safe choice. Of course, this is up until we find out that he's undercover and having relations with two Weres, something that I didn't see coming. It's a source of contention with Jane and honestly, it would be with me too despite the fact that in his job he has to do whatever it takes to gain his queries trust. But, there was just something over all caddish especially in contrast to the very passionate chemistry between Jane and Bruiser. I absolutely loved these two together, but with Bruiser's devotion to Leo, the vampire Master of the City, I can understand Jane's redolence to explore the relationship further. Needless to say, there's some great tension on all fronts with a twist ending that has me eager to know more!

And now for the world building. Honestly, there was a lot that I'd seen before hints my earlier comparison to Anita Blake and Mercy Thompson, however, that said, this novel managed to be it's own wholly unique and original novel. There is a wonderful rich history of the Vampire hierarchy and social structure that was extremely interesting. But, it was the lore that had me most enthralled, such as the lore of the Cursed of Artemis which refers to the Werewolves and how they came to be. I definitely loved comparing the myth to what we actually see of the wolves and how any and all of this ties back to the vampires and other shifters. Also masterfully captured was the atmosphere of NOLA, from the hot humid air that stifles to the cloying magic of the various supernaturals. There is a great texture to the novel giving it scope and dimension that I really hadn't been expecting which really brought the story to life.

All of this in conjunction to the wonderful writing really made this a must read novel that was rich in mystery, suspense, action and romance. Steeped in a great mythology, a vivid and lushly created world these characters really seemed to step off the page creating a novel that I couldn't seem to put down. I was always eager to see what new predicament Jane and company could find themselves in next and how she managed to escape and reveal the truth behind a centuries old feud.

All in all, this was an amazing read! I adored the characters, the world and the writing. Without a doubt Faith Hunter is a superb story teller and I can't wait to go back and get the previous novels in anticipation of number four due out next year. If you haven't check this series out yet, be sure to pick up a copy and give it a try! You won't be disappointed.

My Rating: 5 out 5 Scars

Review: Demonspawn by Glenn Bullion

Demonspawn
Author: Glenn Bullion
Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the author for a honest review

For more information please visit Glenn Bullion's website.

Alex Teague tried to live a normal life. He was a normal high school senior . . . until he talked to his first ghost, exorcised his first demon, and cleansed his first haunted house.

If only it ended there.
Now a young man in his twenties, Alex makes a horrifying discovery.

He is part demon. And the supernatural world won't leave him alone.

Demonspawn by Glenn Bullion is a wonderful mix of horror, urban fantasy with just a twist of sexual tension to strum you along late in to the night. Thrilling, suspenseful, action packed and above all else utterly engaging, this novel kept me up far past my bedtime eager to know more about these wonderful characters and the intricate and mysterious world they live in.

First off, let me just say the scope of this novel was amazing. We literally follow these characters from childhood in to adulthood, learning pretty much everything that there is to know about them. This was beyond unusual, but I must say that the insight in to the childhood of Alex and his deep friendship with  Cindy and his connection to his sister Alicia was amazing. I don't think I've ever enjoyed the journey of a character more. The emotions and fears of Alex as he tries to understand what is happening to him came across perfectly making him a sympathetic characters, but he is still very much in control and accepts these oddities making him a strong and likable character that doesn't mope or whine about the lot he was given. In fact, I found him to be rather impressive allowing his friends and family to help him cope with the question of what he is and the unpalatable answers that he comes to find. And likewise, the other characters are wonderfully developed as well, from Cindy, his lifetime friend and the crush of his life, to his sister Leese and a rather varied assortment of other friends that come and go. The group dynamic was wonderful and very fluid creating a ensemble cast that was very devoted and loyal to one another. I really loved that aspect, the loyalty and love between characters. It pretty much went without explanation that any one of the characters would do anything to help the others as well as accept Alex no matter what he was or what he could do. And overlying it all was a heaping helping of sexual tension between Alex and Cindy, yet another aspect that was wonderfully created, extremely organic and utterly intriguing. It really helped to keep the pace of the story while melding perfectly with all of the chaos that Alex is experiencing and only serves to heighten all the emotions running rampant.

The world building was also quite impressive. With not only ghosts and demons in the forefront, we come to find a world where pretty much anything can and does exists, including vampires. But, what I loved was the ever expanding depth in which we become immersed. And from the beginning Bullion does a wonderful job of bringing to life the horrific atmosphere of the ghostly demonic presences that Alex comes in to contact with. Truly, the air horror was chilling and the visceral details really add to this aspect. There is some vivid imagery involved, so reader be warned. However, I feel that it was perfectly placed to get across the true nature of both the demons and the inhuman feats that they are capable of. But, there was also a healthy dose of urban fantasy that I really loved with lots of action and some great suspense. And the culmination? Wow. Just wow. I was so pleased with how this novel ended and only hope to see future ones take place within this world and with these wonderful characters.

The story was highly developed and extremely well thought out taking the reader on a journey. While most novels have a very quick insight in to what the plot will actually be, this novel is fifty miles of hard road. We literally live from moment to moment, problem to problem, and I utterly enjoyed ever single moment! I never once wished for anything else instead relishing in the wonderful evolution of the characters and the ever changing situations that they find themselves in.

What kept this novel from being a 5 from me? Seriously, not much. Literally, it was some editing issues with quite a few missing or wrongly placed or chosen words. Seriously, it isn't much, but given the high quality of everything else, it was a bit bothersome to be so engrossed in the moment only to have to stop and puzzle out an oddly written sentence. But, like I said, this is minor and really didn't detract too highly from the novel as a whole because frankly, I want more.

In the end, I highly recommend this. Unique, original and above all else, I couldn't get enough. These characters are beyond endearing and the world is intriguing. As I said before, I can only hope that this turns in to a series because there is so much greatness left to explore with an ending that certainly left a great opening. So definitely, if you love demons, horror or urban fantasy, then be sure to check out this novel! You won't be disappointed.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Graphic horror related violence some sexual content

Review: Hard Day's Knight by John Hartness

Hard Day's Knight
Author: John Hartness
Series: Black Knight Chronicles, Book 1
ISBN: 0011980850
Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the author via Bookish Snob Promotions

For more information please visit John Hartness' website.

Children are missing.

The police are stumped.

Halloween is coming, with an ancient evil on the horizon.

The vampires are the good guys.

This is not your ordinary fall weekend in Charlotte, NC. Vampire private detectives Jimmy Black and Greg Knightwood have been hired to keep a young client from being cursed for all eternity, but end up in a bigger mess than they ever imagined.

Suddenly trapped in the middle of a serial kidnapping case, Jimmy and Greg uncover a plot to bring forth an ancient evil into the world, and enlist the help of a police detective, a priest, a witch, a fallen angel and strip club proprietor to save the world. This unlikely band of heroes battles zombies, witches, neuroses and sunburn while cracking jokes and looking for the perfect bag of O-negative.

Hard Day's Knight, the first novel in the Black Knight Chronicles by John G. Hartness, was something of a pleasant surprise. Fun, witty and above all else utterly entertaining, this novel had me laughing within minutes and completely engaged by the characters. Written with wit and a healthy dose of sarcasm, this novel has been touted to appeal to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Dresden Files, and as a fan of both, I whole heartedly agree!

First, let me start with the writing. It was fun, fluid and fresh managing to capture the darker world of vampires while making them utterly human and lovable. But, still there was a great sense of mystery and adventure about the story keeping it quick and interesting. The premise was well developed with lots of great aspects and elements spanning from a mere vampire tale to one that delves in to greater demons, fallen angels, zombies, creepy child minion demons and even a quick cameo by the Man Upstairs himself. With such a wide range of creatures, the story still maintains a great focus and wraps up the tale nicely while still leaving the reader wanting more of this dynamic duo.

The characters themselves were wonderful! I really adored them and their subtle quality of dorkdom. And honestly, who doesn't think the suave creature of the night thing is a bit tired. Okay, so definitely not, but still, this was a fresh approach creating a duo of vampires that I really, really loved. They had fun personalities and I enjoyed all of the pop culture references. Truly, if most vampires are ones that you would want to date and fall in to bed with, then these are the two vampires you would most want as friends. The fun banter between them, even the story of their creation, was just plain entertaining and the chemistry between them was wonderful. And there's even a splash of romance in the form of tough as nails detective reminiscent of Murphy from Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. And really, all of the characters were just as unique and interesting, from the good guys to the 'client'.

The world building was just as well done bringing to life a dark and mysterious Charlotte filled with all sorts of things that went bump in the night. While the atmosphere is mostly fairly light hearted, there is an overlying sense of doom coming, but this is in no way a 'dark' tale. I've seen it posted that fans of Buffy the Vampires Slayer and the Dresden Files will enjoy this series, and I couldn't agree more as a fan of both fandoms. It has a lot of the same qualities bringing to life a supernatural environment that still manages to be fun and dangerous at the same time.

Honestly, this is one of the best books that I've read this year and certainly a new series that I will additively be following from here on out. Hartness has a great voice and writing style that I loved, and my only complaint about the novel? It was too short. Seriously, that's it. So, needless to say, I highly recommend this novella to any one who loves Urban Fantasy with some great humor!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Scars

Review: Stolen Dreams by Stacey Kennedy

Stolen Dreams
Author: Stacey Kennedy
Series: The Lingering Spirit, Book 1
ISBN: 0011197897
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barenes & Noble | Smashwords

*Novel provided by the author via Book Lovin' Bitches eBook Tours

For more information please visit Stacey Kennedy''s website.

Tess Jennings has the ability to see and talk to spirits. On a daily basis, they harass and annoy her to save their souls. Sometimes she helps, other times she ignores them, but one ghost will give her no choice. Kipp McGowan, a cop with the Memphis Police Department, uses his ghostly charms to gain her attention and forces her to expose herself to his partner.


As she’s pulled into the five year old cold case of Hannah Reid she wants no part of, she finds herself in more than one precarious situation. But that’s the least of her worries?Tess begins to have a serious problem on her hands. Kipp might be dead, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous and she’s beginning to forget that he’s a ghost.

Murder and corruption has brought Tess and Kipp together. But as her feelings for Kipp deepen, she suspects she just signed herself up for a one-way ticket to the nut house, and can only hope, straitjackets come in a size four.

Stolen Dreams, the first novel in the Lingering Spirit series by Stacey Kennedy, was nothing like I had been expecting and all the better for it! Truly I was impressed by not only the story, but by the characters themselves and the deep emotional appeal that ran throughout the novel. While the synopsis definitely intrigued me, I was in no way prepared for this addictive, wonderful story which I can now highly recommend to lovers of Paranormal Romance.

What drew me in to this novel was definitely the first rate characterization of not only the main characters Tess and Kipp, but the secondary ones as well. Tess is definitely someone you can sympathize with, a woman trying to make her way in the world by throwing herself in to her job ignoring the things in her life that she doesn't want to cope with. It's perfectly understandable and makes her highly relatable to readers. Kipp is likewise a highly endearing and likable character who is utterly charming and oozes sex appeal. As he becomes insinuated in Tess's life, it becomes even more tragic that they aren't able to actually connect on a physical level. But, that just makes the romance between them all the more potent as the emotional aspect is spiked creating a bond that really tugs at the reader's heart. The secondary characters are likewise well developed with wonderful personalities that I really loves seeing explored. The group dynamic between all involved was really surprisingly wonderful considering one of the main characters was a ghost and therefore not able to directly interact with the other characters. Also adding to my surprise was the fact that they seemed to take Tess's ability at face value after a bit of understandable skepticism, yet another thing that I really enjoyed.

And like this realistic skepticism the world isn't supernatural in nature either, instead one much like our own making it instantly real and accessible to readers. I think this fact sort of made me love the characters and their various situations all the more as they struggled with their thoughts and emotions. It served as a wonderful backdrop for a very practical police mystery as the characters go in search of the killer of Hannah Reid in a very unpractical manner. But, I also loved that fact that Kennedy actually captured something more realistic to detective work showing that things aren't like on television. It's a gruelling process full of hard work and dead ends. But, ultimately I loved her twist of Tess being able to question the dead as a nice way of 'owning' her own brand of police work.

The writing style is fluid, insightful and highly emotional all aspects that really serve to draw you in to the story and the characters' lives. Kennedy manages to bring forth a well thought out premise with some wonderful romance as well as a thrilling mystery, though I was able to guess who the killer was pretty easily. Not exactly a deterrent especially considering I was far more interested in the mounting tension between Tess and Kipp and the tragedy that was sure to come. Of course, I have my own theories on Kipp's odd ghostly behavior, especially paired with the fact that no one out and out says that he's dead. Just gone. While I don't want to spoil the end for potential readers, I will say that the ending is a cliff hanger, but I have my very definite ideas about what's to come in terms of Kipp's lingering spirit.

Overall, this was a wonderful, engrossing read that really sucks you in to the story. The characterization was quite frankly some of the best that I've come across with some highly insightful and emotional aspects that definitely appealed to me. I honestly can't wait to see what comes next in this series and can safely say I will definitely be looking in to more of Stacey Kennedy's wonderful work.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Some graphic sexual content

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black

Dark Descendant
Author: Jenna Black
Publisher: Pocket Books
Series:  Descendants, Book 1
ISBN: 1451606796
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by the publisher for a honest review

For more information please visit Jenna Black's website.

From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.


Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . .

Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy.

But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy.

Missing Morgan Kingsley yet? Well, Jenna Black is back and her writing is better than ever! Dark Descendant marks the debut of yet another new wonderfully addictive series with a fresh take on a somewhat old premise with characters you just won't be able to get enough of. With a Marvel-like sense of good and evil where death is a hard won victory, this novel is filled with action, witty characters and some wonderful twists and turns that makes this one Urban Fantasy that shouldn't be missed!


And first things first, the main character Nikki Glass is an intelligent, resourceful firecracker that I simply loved! She has a sarcastic wit that is to die for and a keen insight that I couldn't get enough of. The insight in to her character was amazing! I simply loved the detailed thought processes as well as her take on those around her. I simply loved her ability to adapt to the unbelievable as well as dealing with the problems that seemed to be hurled at her in mass. She's loyal and determined and despite the distrust of her new group of 'friends', she wants to prove herself and be accepted, which was somehow both a vulnerability and a strength. But, while I loved the main character, I truly loved the peripheral ones just as much, if not more. They created some wonderful conflict within the camp of the 'good' Liberi, or rather the Descendants of the gods, with a wide range of personalities that I couldn't get enough of. Truly, I can't wait to find out more about Blake, the descendant of Eros who is able to use sex as a weapon, and Jamaal who is able to use Death Magic. Both were extremely intriguing. And let it be said that no one does dominant Alpha males better then Jenna Black. If you love your men a little on the dangerous side with some serious control issues, then this novel has them in spades!

But, one thing to remember is that the Liberi are immortal, something I kept forgetting! There's so much action and threats being hurled that you forget that Nikki, nor those around her, can be killed or really even hurt that badly as they heal extremely quick. It was always something of a relief when I was reminded of the fact because there are certainly a lot of occasions when I found myself holding my breath waiting for the smoke to clear. It seems that Black also has a quite a knack for suspense, as this novel certainly pointed out! But, that also means that there is quite a bit of violence, something that I do feel I need to point out to potential readers who may not like a lot of fighting and brutality. While it isn't graphic, there's just a lot of it. But, this also makes for a large issue within the story, leading me back to why I called this 'Marvel-like good and evil'. As in comic books, the heroes and the villains are hard pressed to be killed as they simply heal and get back up and go right back into the fray. Of course, these characters aren't as easily classified in to white and black, good and bad, because as is typical with immortals, morality and ethics tend to take on a whole new meaning making these warring factions a question of degree.

That leads me to the amazing world building and the wonderful mythos behind this novel. I simply loved the new twist on an old favorite focusing on the offspring of the gods and that it wasn't simply the gods of one pantheon, instead focusing on many religions from all across the world. I also really enjoyed that the descendants are not immediately given immortality, instead they are offered the ability to steal that gift from others. Of course, this is problematic since most descendants aren't even aware that they are descended from the gods, but it also creates a plot line that I'm sure is going to be explored in future novels as these mortals are hunted down and purged so as not to be a threat to the Olympians and their assumed role as Liberi royalty.

But, the one down side is that if you come in to this expecting some romance to go with the great action, then I'm afraid you'll be a bit disappointed. While there is a little bit of romance, it's all in the background with characters that are not Nikki. In fact, it doesn't seem likely that there will be any immediate romantic entanglements for some time as there is definite lack of trust between Nikki and those around her. While there was a spark of potential, that's about it. Though, I must say that I liked the element of distrust, it seemed somehow more realistic in a way when compared to the easy camaraderie and friendship in other novels between characters. I love that there will need to be some development there, an organic progression as Nikki shows her worth to those around her, but also as they show her that they too can be trusted by her.

In the end, simply put, this is great beginning to what promises to be a highly addictive and action packed series. I can't wait for the next installment! Lovers of Urban Fantasy without all the romantic entanglement will adore this novel, and even if you will miss the romance, there's so many other wonderful attributes that you won't even notice that it's missing!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: Etched in Bone by Adrian Phoenix

Etched in Bone
Author: Adrian Phoenix
Publisher:  Pocket Books
Series: Maker's Song, Book 4
ISBN: 1439137307
Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the publisher

For more information please visit Adrain Phoenix's website.

SON OF A FALLEN ANGEL. FORGED IN VAMPIRE’S BLOOD. SWORN TO A MORTAL WOMAN. IF DANTE FALLS, THE WORLD FALLS WITH HIM. . . .

THREE LEGACIES ETCHED IN BONE

More beautiful and powerful than any creature the world has ever seen, Dante Baptiste has become the supreme target of the three worlds that spawned him. The mortal agents of the Shadow Branch have tried to control his mind through psychological torture. The vampire elders who guide nightkind society have plotted to use him in their bloodthirsty bid for power. And the Fallen have waited for millennia for Dante to claim his birthright as their Maker. But Dante belongs to no one—except the woman he loves. . . .

ONE PASSION SWORN IN BLOOD

Determined to face the Fallen and the world on his own terms, Dante hopes to piece together his shattered past and claim his future, with FBI agent Heather Wallace at his side. But in Heather’s human family awaits an unexpected enemy. One who could rip Heather from Dante’s heart and fill the holes with bullets. One who could force Dante to choose his darkest destiny—as the Great Destroyer. . . .

Etched in Bone, Adrian Phoenix’s fourth installment in the popular Maker’s Song series, is a thrilling novel that once again picks up immediately following the events of the previous novel, Beneath the Skin. Edgy, fast paced and tantalizingly addictive this is without a doubt the best novel in this amazingly enjoyable series to date.


Again, the world created by Phoenix is broken open to reveal even more suspense laden action as the group find themselves back in New Orleans, forced to take refuge within the walls of Club Hell and once more denied the desperately needed rest that they deserve. Dante’s richly built New Orleans once again takes center stage and it’s hard not to say ‘it’s good to be home’ in the wake of all the on-the-road turmoil. However, if you think things would finally begin to settle down for the group of weary souls, think again. Picking up in Gehenna, Dante rescues Lucien and is given an unwanted introduction to the Fallen which does not exactly what you would expect; then again, perhaps it does given Dante’s usual brash manner. The atmospheres the celebratory chaos of Gehenna is aptly captured leaving the world feeling exceedingly vivid. While we don’t spend much time in the Fallens’ realm, it was still nice to get a feel for those who call it home, of course this isn’t exactly a good thing. We come to find that they are just as treacherous and covetous as any human monster eager to get their hands on Dante for their own gain. Back in the mortal realm, the area around St. Louis No. 3 is in chaos after the shock wave of Dante’s brute forced entrance into Gehenna. The scene is captured wonderfully and sets a nice tone of impending destruction for the novel.

The characters are once again wonderfully developed and even more brilliantly explored. Dante’s fracturing psyche becomes an even bigger point of contention within the novel, his grip on reality fleeting at best. There’s a great emotionality surrounding him including superbly expressed tones of grief and pain as well as contempt of not only himself, but of those that seek to use him. He retains his usual flair of insolence and defiance and yet in this novel we see him finally lowering his shields and listening to those around him. Imagine how shocked I was to see this! However, while some characters couldn’t pull of this off without looking disdainful, Dante’s acceptance while under grim circumstances is actually pretty graceful. It comes off as being organic expressing his growing character. Von and Heather are once again the sturdy protectors guarding not only Dante but trying to protect what little grip on his sanity that he holds. As always, their devotion towards Dante is unquestionable and I loved seeing them become more vocal on their thoughts about his actions. Finally, it seems like they are bucking his need to do things his way forcing him to accept not only their love and support, but their help and guidance. Annie, however, is still Annie making it very hard not to want to strangle her. But, with some interesting developments within this novel it makes me curious to see what her character will do in the future and how this will play out.

The plot is once again threaded with complex and lofty sub-plots, but as in the previous novels you can feel the loops tightening, but in this novel they seem to finally pull the noose taut around Dante and his friends. Sub-plots are finally getting more exposure, the agendas behind them becoming clearer as the characters behind them start enacting their nefarious plans. I enjoyed not seeing the Shadow Branch and the FBI as much, instead watching the key players who have gone rogue from the organizations. This leads to more imminent action and suspense as they circle closer and closer to their prey and Club Hell. This adds to a very claustrophobic feeling that mirrors the characters thoughts, ‘We’re running out of time.’ Never before has this been more evident as even more unanswered questions come to light.

Overall, this novel was the most enthralling of the lot with more action, suspense, drama and romance then ever before. Amazingly written with pitch perfect characterization, this is a must read for fans of the series! Of course, the thrilling and maddening ending that we’ve become familiar with is present leaving us once again screaming for more! I seriously can NOT wait for the next installment, On Midnight’s Wings!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Scars

Adivsory: Some sexual content

Review: Rogue Oracle by Alayna Williams

Rogue Oracle
Author: Alayna Williams
Publisher: Pocket Books
Series: Oracle, Book 2
ISBN: 1439182817
Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the publisher

For more information please visit Alayna Williams's website.

Tara Sheridan is the best criminal profiler around - and the most unconventional. Trained as a forensic psychologist, Tara also specializes in Tarot card reading. But she doesn't need her divination skills to realize that the new assignment from her friend and sometime lover, Agent Harry Li, is a dangerous proposition in every way.

Former Cold War operatives, all linked to a top-secret operation tracking the disposal of nuclear weapons in Russia, are disappearing. There are no bodies, and no clues to their whereabouts. Harry suspects a conspiracy to sell arms to the highest bidder. The cards - and Tara's increasingly ominous dreams - suggest something darker. Even as Tara sorts through her feelings for Harry and her fractured relationships with the mysterious order known as Delphi's Daughters, a killer is growing more ruthless by the day. And a nightmare that began decades ago in Chernobyl will reach a terrifying endgame that not even Tara could have foreseen...

Who wouldn’t want to be able to decipher what the future may be bring? We do it everyday in the simplest of ways: flip a coin, ask a Magic Eight Ball, even look for signs to guide us in our daily routine. In Rouge Oracle, the second novel in the Oracle series by Alayna Williams, we are met with a protagonist that does just that. Equal parts mysticism and police procedural, this novel has something for everyone combining to make one thrilling Urban Fantasy novel that’s a can’t miss.

The unique premise of this novel is really what attracted my initial attention as I’ve always been fascinated by the Tarrot. But, what struck me most when I actually started to read the novel was the every accessible police procedural base underlying the story. It was definitely a bit of a surprise to find these two elements of the arcane and the mundane intertwining, but it made for an extremely intense story that was very relevant in today’s world. I also really enjoyed the throwback to past tragedies in the form of Chernobyl, something that I’ve only ever known the barest of facts about. Williams did a wonderful job of making this atrocity extremely real in a way that I had never experienced before through the eyes of her antagonist, The Chimera. These very real ties to the ‘real’ world were perfectly injected into the story to give it a life of its own making it accessible and eerily plausible.

The characters are likewise well developed and this being my first time reading this series, I was quite surprised to find myself easily drawn into their lives. They all have flaws, suspicions and uncertainties making them very three dimensional. Tara is interesting with a very distinctive insight into the world. As a Tarrort reader and forensic psychologist she marries these two very different professions, one grounded in science and the other in mysticism, in a very useful and profound way. Because of the insights she can gleam from the drawing of a card, her hunches and theories propel this story in directions that her mundane lover would not have dreamed possible. Harry Li, while ignorant of all things magical and more then a little skeptical, however, comes to trust Tara’s ability without question. The typical government agent, he’s thorough and disciplined and yet because of his time spent within the Special Projects division he’s beginning to loose himself in a world he doesn’t quite understand. The connection between these two characters is nice, but quite subtle. While you can tell the emotions they have for one another, it’s not really ever voiced and show in only the slightest of ways. I think this is one of the few points within the novel that could have been improved upon with more attention given to actually building this into something tangible. But, where the romance may have faltered, the sense of vengeance was more then present in the creepy development of the Chimera. However, while this character is without a doubt vile and contemptible, there is a wonderful sense of pain and loss about him. His need to feel a part of something is touching, making him understandable to a point. Yet, how he goes about ‘connecting’ to others is extremely disconcerting as he absorbs the thoughts and knowledge of those he assimilates into his being. And believe me, this assimilation is not a pretty picture!

Fast paced action with lots suspense is the norm in this novel as the characters race against time to stop the Chimera’s dastardly plan to share his pain with the world. This definitely keeps the story moving and the readers’ attention firmly rooted as the plot flows effortlessly from the mystical to the practical. The flowing writing style makes this a captivating read building a world and characters that leave you craving more. There are a lot of plot lines left open for future novels that show great promise of being just as intriguing as this one.

This is an utterly original novel that I couldn’t put down. I highly recommend this read to any lover of Urban Fantasy with a penchant for police procedurals. And if you're like me and are unfamiliar with this series, Rogue Oracle is a perfect stand alone novel that is easily accessible to all readers. However, I loved it so much, I will be going back and picking up the first novel in the series, Dark Oracle, and suggest other readers do the same! Believe me, this author is worth it.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars