Magic Strikes review

Magic Strikes is the third book in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and it is as fantastic as the first two books! With the extraordinary world building the series is known for and the expressive writing style, the Kate Daniels series is not to be missed by any urban fiction or paranormal romance fan.

Once again, I was sucked into the Atlanta of Andrews' magical world and Kate's newest and most dangerous problem so far - how to find out what happened to Derek and make sure it doesn't happen to any other Pack members. Only she has to do it without letting Curran find out!

The chemistry and byplay between Kate and Curran are phenomenal as always and Kate's ties to other members of the Pack are clearly growing deeper as the series progresses. Andrea, Kate's best friend and fellow Order of Merciful Aid employee, is along for the ride as well which makes for some interesting interaction with the Pack - but I won't say why so I don't spoil it for you :)

In Magic Strikes, the source of Kate's power is pretty much revealed - though Andrews' doesn't say it explicitly. The Midnight Games and the events afterword make it clear for those who hadn't figured it out from the hints in the earlier books. Additionally, Kate's trust in Curran grows significantly as evidenced by the evenst at the end of Magic Strikes. To me, it seems like Kate has come a long way in the three books because she barely trusted anyone to have her back at the beginning of the first book.

Simon makes another appearance in Magic Strikes - and he's as crazy and fun as always! I think he might be my favorite secondary character simply because you never know what he might do or say. Other new characters - ones we've heard of but not met and completely new ones - are introduced as the world Andrews' is building expands with this third book.

If you haven't read the Kate Daniels series yet, I can't recommend it enough!

Synopsis

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games – an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament – she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

Morgan's Fate review

Morgan's Fate by Dana Marie Bell is part of the True Destiny series featuring characters from Norse mythology. Morgan's Fate takes place directly after the events of the previous book, Howl for Me.

Given the title, it is no surprise that Morgan's Fate features Morgan, one of the twin sons of Thor and a Jotun, along with Skye/Skul, the Norn fate of the future. Skye has lost her memory and does not know who she is but she shows up to warn Logan and his family of impending danger because she still gets glimpses of the future. Morgan is determined to protect his family and Skye and avenge his father even as he struggles with his attraction to the forbidden Norn fate.

There is a lot going on in Morgan's Fate as usual with the True Destiny books - this series gets more complicated with every book and there are tons of characters with multiple names to keep straight. Just keeping track of who is related to who and how is mind numbing. As pieces of the prophecy of Ragnarok happen, Morgan and his ever growing family are trying to understand the prophecy and change the way they have always understood it.

Morgan's Fate features lots of action and several new characters make appearances - Sleipnir, another of Loki/Logan's children; Sif/Sylvia, Thor's ex-wife; Sigyn - Loki/Logan's ex-wife; and Adam/Frey, Jordan's father. The end of Morgan's Fate sets up the next book for Morgan's twin, Magnus.

As always, if you enjoy funny and action packed paranormal romance but are looking for something different, I highly recommend Bell's True Destiny series.

Synopsis

His Fate is finally in front of him…and he’s never letting go.

Morgan and Magnus Grimm return from their search for Skuld, Norn of the Future, only to find that she’s been living under their noses this whole time. Now that Morgan finally has the woman of his dreams within reach, nothing—not amnesia, not Odin, not even his father’s death—will prevent him from claiming the Fate he’s wanted for centuries.

Skylar Kincade is lost among these crazy people who swear that they’re the old Norse gods. But…there’s something that strikes a chord deep within her. Something from which the hot, redheaded Morgan wants to protect her.

But when the memories burst free, there’s no softening the devastating blow. For overstepping her bounds and changing their fates to save their lives, her powers were stripped away, leaving her as just another Norn.

And it seems more punishment is coming down: one of Logan’s children is missing. Skye is determined to do her part to make it right—by journeying all the way to Valhalla to meet a fate from which Morgan may not be able to save her.

Warning: This novel contains explicit nookie on a kitchen table, graphic
language in one or more dialects, and a Fate worth living for.

In Rides Trouble review

In Rides Trouble by Julie Ann Walker is the second book in the Black Knights Inc. series and is an okay action oriented romance.

The set up for In Rides Trouble was fairly obvious in the first book, Hell on Wheels, and unsurprisingly features Frank, aka Bos,s and Becky, mechanic extraordinaire. Frank is a clear alpha male - he has to be to head up the team of special ops - but Becky is not in any way a subservient or even shy female. They butt heads hourly it seems - but they both like it that way.

Frank, however, has massive issues with the age gap between the two and that's why he refuses to give in to what is obvious to everyone around them - that they belong together. It's a fairly ridiculous excuse but he has issues from his past so I was willing to overlook that especially once it is fully explained. However, Frank betrays Becky in a pretty heartless way although not in the way the reader is led to believe throughout the book. That kind of betrayal - and it was a betrayal - was not acceptable to me from one half of the romantic lead couple. Also, it throws Becky completely out of character because it is the ONLY time she comes across as a doormat instead of a strong, independent woman. It just didn't fit with the rest of her character at all. Between the betrayal and the character incongruity, my opinion of this book dropped from good to barely okay.

There are a number of new characters introduced and future books set up within In Rides Trouble including Angel and Snake, two characters who seem quite interesting and it is only because of them that I will continue to read the series. Hopefully, going forward there will be no more unforgiveable betrayals and characters will be completely congruous.

Synopsis

Rebel with a Cause
Becky "Rebel" Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Man with a Mission
Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank's way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it's just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.

Shades of Gray review

Shades of Gray is a novella by Katie MacAlister featured in The Undead in my Bed anthology. As of this writing, it is not available as a standalone e-book.

While I enjoyed Shades of Gray, it seemed like you really need to read other books in the Dark Ones series because there is a lot about the world MacAlister built that is not explained in the novella - I could mostly figure it out and I understand the space constraints of a novella require a lot to be left out but a brief explanation of the world and the different supernatural entities would have been nice.

Gray and Noelle are funny, entertaining, and interesting characters. The development of their relationship, brief though it was, didn't feel rushed or unrealistic. Noelle was a character who refused to put up with any nonsense no matter how old Gray was and while she tried to be understanding and patient, mostly she just made him keep up with her.

Shades of Gray had lots of action and some crazy secondary characters like Miles and Nosty, who is a ghost. The secondary characters made the novella seem fuller and richer despite the length.

All in all, I enjoyed the novella and would recommend Shades of Gray to anyone who enjoys a funny vampire romance and is looking for a quick read.

Synopsis

A TV crew is filming a paranormal reality show on the grounds of an imposing old Czech Republic estate. But the electric passion behind the camera is what’s out of this world. When Noelle, a Guardian, meets vampire Grayson, who has roamed for three centuries, she awakens an aching hunger in him that only her touch can relieve. . . .

Alabaster Nights review

Alabaster Nights by Elle J Rossi is the first novella in the Josie Hawk Chronicles although it was published after Crimson Beat, which was originally published in the Celtic Tapestry anthology but is now available as a stand alone e-book.

I adore Huntress Josie Hawk and vampire Keller - I mean really, who doesn't love a guy with an Irish accent?? - and their relationship is fascinating. So I was very excited when Elle decided to write a novella showing how Josie and Keller first met and give us a glimpse into Keller's mind.

Josie is my favorite kind of female character - she's tough, she's sarcastic, she's smart, but she's also kind and protective of those she sees as hers, in this case all the humans in Nashville. In Alabaster Nights, Josie isn't sure what to make of Keller even as he falls hard and fast for her. The dichotomy of the two characters thoughts is compelling and makes for a fun read.

After reading Crimson Beat, I had a lot of questions about Keller but many of them are answered in Alabaster Nights. Seeing his struggle with the darkness inside him and his reaction to Josie show why he does what he does in Crimson Beat.

If you enjoy the Kate Daniels series, I highly recommend the Josie Hawk Chronicles. I suggest reading Alabaster Nights and then Crimson Beat despite the publication order.

Synopsis

A Vampire with a soul. A Huntress with a knife.
In Nashville, Blood equals Power.
Will one taste of Josie Hawk cost Keller everything?

The Constant Princess review

The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory is the first book in the Tudor Court series. This fictional account of the life of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife, follows the Spanish princess to England for her marriage to Arthur, Henry’s older brother.

Known best for being Henry VIII’s first wife and for being supplanted by Anne Boleyn, Catherine fought with everything at her disposal to become, and stay, the Queen of England. It was a lifelong struggle. Her marriage to Arthur should have prevented Catherine from becoming Henry’s bride but she fought the church, the King, and prevailing opinion in order to follow what she considered her destiny. Of course, the fight came full circle when she had to fight Henry and Anne in their attempt to remove her from the position she had struggled so long to gain.

Gregory deftly weaves historically accurate events together with fictional dialogue and a sympathetic portrayal of a young woman’s feelings upon being thrust into a strange country and a marriage to a man she’d never met. There is no pretense that Catherine was a saint - she was clearly manipulative and willing to do nearly anything to get and keep the crown. But Gregory shows us what could have led a young Spanish princess to the actions she took and gives us a more well-rounded version of a Catherine as a young woman rather than as the embattled queen most historians choose to focus on during Henry’s reign.

As always, Gregory’s writing is lush with vivid detail, easily transporting the reader back to Tudor England, and pulling us into the daily lives of these long dead monarchs. Detailed without being mired, Gregory educates and entertains in equal measure with The Constant Princess.

Synopsis

"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is a Katherine the world has forgotten: the enchanting princess that all England loved. First married to Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, Katherine's passion turns their arranged marriage into a love match; but when Arthur dies, the merciless English court and her ambitious parents -- the crusading King and Queen of Spain -- have to find a new role for the widow. Ultimately, it is Katherine herself who takes control of her own life by telling the most audacious lie in English history, leading her to the very pinnacle of power in England.

Set in the rich beauty of Moorish Spain and the glamour of the Tudor court, The Constant Princess presents a woman whose constancy helps her endure betrayal, poverty, and despair, until the inevitable moment when she steps into the role she has prepared for all her life: Henry VIII's Queen, Regent, and commander of the English army in their greatest victory against Scotland.

Murder Past Due review

Murder Past Due is the first book in the Cat in the Stacks cozy mystery series by Miranda James. The Cat in the Stacks series features librarian Charlie Harris and his cat, Diesel, as the amateur sleuth in the small college town of Athena.

As the first book in the series, Murder Past Due is really setting up the main characters and the setting as well as providing a murder mystery. Murder Past Due is well paced and interesting with a murder that has almost every resident in town as a viable suspect. James does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of a small college town and the people who populate it while keeping the plot moving fluidly. As always, one of my main criteria for any mystery is that the author doesn’t make it too obvious who the killer is before the big reveal and James did a good job with that by providing some fairly obvious and some less obvious potential suspects for Charlie to investigate.

One of my more recent pet peeves with cozy mysteries, as regular readers of this blog will know, is that so many authors are now portraying the police as stupid or bumbling. James does not fall into this trap - in fact, Charlie is chastened to realize he may have caused a good bit of harm to the police investigation while he was trying to assist. He is smart enough and aware enough to realize that the police have to follow procedures and investigate every clue and possibility or a murderer could go free and that is quite refreshing after some of the portrayals I’ve seen in 2013.

While Charlie is a librarian and that does play into the murder mystery, there is far less time spent in the library or on library business in Murder Past Due than in the Library Lovers series by Jenn McKinlay that I’ve recently read. That’s not a bad thing - it is just different.

Overall, I very much enjoyed Murder Past Due and recommend it to any cozy mystery fan. I already have the second book ready to read on my next day off!

Synopsis

There's a cat in the stacks…

...and he makes the purr-fect partner for a librarian-turned-sleuth.

Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows librarian Charlie Harris-and his Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash. They also know his former classmate-turned-famous bestselling novelist, Godfrey Priest.

But someone in Athena took Godfrey off the bestseller lists- permanently, and with extreme prejudice. Now, Charlie and Diesel must browse through the history section of the town's past to find a killer.