Blood Bound ( Gallows 1) by Sharon Stevenson

Hello to all,


I know i should have picked a sequel for today review but i had a book received for free that sounded too tempting so i had to give it a try even if it was a new author to me... i will read two sequels after i guess^^

Anyway, today i'm introducing you to a dark YA Urban fantasy....the next books are already released so better to start with book 1 ( because it's not a series you could read out of order for sure) Blood Bound by Sharon Stevenson

Happy Reading

Publisher: Sharon Stevenson

Publication: 2012

Genre: urban fantasy , YA, vampire
Violence: very strong
Language: mild
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: free book
 

Short description from goodreads :

 19-year-old twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to running into trouble - mostly the kind with fangs - but while Sarah embraces her powers to their fullest extent, trusting her instincts implicitly, Shaun distances himself from his abilities and can do little more than despair at his sister’s reckless nature and idly back her up.

When they come across 17-year-old Melissa Carling, a demon tracker who’s been torturing innocent super-naturals, they know they have to stop her. Sarah is desperate to punish Melissa for what she’s been doing but Shaun’s instant attraction to the girl points to a soul-mate bond stronger than anything he’s ever had to fight before…

My opinion:

          Interesting first instalment but not enough background info....that was my feeling at the beginning of the book and sadly it stayed well after the last page. I liked the characters but i don't really understand the universe...Shaun and Sarah are demon trackers that was aid and repeated yes and we learn that it gives them some special powers oki....looks like there is some kind of organisation as well and their family is an important one....but why, how? who decided what creature are "good" or evil and right at the beginning we learn that Shaun was gravely hurt ( lost an eye) but not when or how...why he never accepted his power and wants a normal life? how was he raised?

I think some of these answers were needed to make this book even better and i do hope we will get them in the next one so that we really can understand Shaun and Sarah Better because at some time they are very, VERY confusing.

That being said the story is promising, there area lot of violence, some graphic, some no but the suspense and investigation give it a form of balance...some secondary characters are intriguing ( Elle) some are moving ( Katie), Ray is touching.....Dev i don't like him at all.. i don't want to reveal too much but there is another one you will probably hate if you are like me^^

Between Shaun and Sarah i really prefer Shaun, he is suffering but trying his best to adjust...Sarah is too single minded and while she wants to help her reckless attitude cause more damage than help.

So you like dark urban fantasy (with vampire, fae and others creatures) you could give this one a try knowing you will have a lot of unanswered questions, for my part i want to see what happen next before i decide for good where to shelve this book.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Hot Pursuit ( Hostile Operations Team1) Lynn Raye Harris

Hello to all,

                      Summer is there and what a surprise the sun as well because these past weeks we really wondered if it still existed ....unfortunately it won't last as some big storms are already planned so i decided to post this when i could without more delay.

I decided to try a series i wanted for a long LONG time and i can only say that i regret not having read this one sooner. In summer i tend to read a bit more romance suspense ( but not exclusively) so how could i start summer better than starting with a military romance^^

Happy reading

Publisher: H.O.T. Publishing, LLC

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  9780989451208

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: free ebook

 Description  from goodreads :

 He was the last man in the world she wanted to see…but he might be the only one who could save her…

Ten years ago, Matt Girard did something he shouldn’t. When sweet Evangeline Baker offered him her virginity, he took it. Then he left town and he’s never looked back.

Until now. His future as a black ops soldier with the Hostile Operations Team is in jeopardy, and he’s come home for a few days before going back to face the consequences of a mission gone wrong.

Matt still makes Evie’s heart pound, but she wants nothing to do with him. She’s had enough of men who lie and promise things they don’t deliver. But when her sister goes missing and her ex-boyfriend turns up dead, she’s in need of Matt’s special military skills.

With time running out, Matt will put everything on the line to protect Evie and find her sister. Even if it means sacrificing all he’s worked for with HOT. Sometimes, the reward is worth the price. Especially when it’s the one woman he can’t forget…

My opinion:

          I can't believe i wasted so much time before reading this story....i LOVE it! even better it's set in Louisiana and the bayou  which is you follow my blog you must know i've come to enjoy a lot after reading Suzanne Johnson's descriptions of that part of the united states...yes with the blurb alone i had no idea it was the setting but  what a great surprise.

Of course, the setting alone doesn't make a great story but the author not only picked the perfect place, she managed to build a great suspense with a lot of twists and surprise with a fast but rightly so rhythm. The characters are of those we come to love almost instantly and we understand them and want their happiness.

Evie is a strong free spirit, she left her town to pursue a dream ( and also for some not so right reasons) and she succeeded... it didn't last as she was set up and lost everything but even then she isn't giving up and plans to start over even if it means going back home to start. I loved that quality of her.

Matt has been hurt...not only physically as a team leader, he is feeling responsible for the death of some of his men and if it wasn't enough he is soon to be judged for that. However, he is really loyal and he is feeling also bad for what he did to Evie ten years ago...( and he doesn't know half of it)...when he discovers that she is in danger he doesn't hesitate one second to step in and protect her at all cost and it's not because he is still attracted to her no, it's mostly because it's the kind of man he is. Coming from a very rich family he could have chosen an easier life but decided to serve his country and he is really talented at his job , commanding the loyalty and trust of his men who don't hesitate to help even when it could cost them their career. ( I want to learn more about them)

The suspense is really well done and the author keeps our interest until the last page when she makes the right ending... i know in this genre the happy end is a must so it's not a surprise but  the characters can get different version of happy ending and for a little moment i was afraid one would loose more than the other but it's not teh case at all.

In romance suspense my favourite are military one... perhaps because in a sense military men are very similar to supernatural alpha who put loyalty and honour as priority ( oh i'm sure there are black sheep too of course but still the majority is admirable) it's something i really appreciate. So i really recommend this one ( even better it's free on a lot of ebook retailer) it was more than an enjoyable read and i fully plan to read more of the HOT stories

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Ties that Bind (The Spire Chronicles 2 ) by Ashley Meira

Hello to all,


            I do hope you have a better weather than me because here it's storms after storms and not short and small ones either. Thankfully we didn't had any damage  so far but i'm sure hoping for dry weather ( not to warm but dry) for a few days at less.
The advantage of the rain is that it offers me a little more time to read so i did and happily since  i was lucky with what i picked so far.

Today i'm going back to my decision to alternate new series (or new author) with sequel and since the last book was the first in a series, today i'm giving you my opinion on a sequel and in a series i was introduced to very recently  The Spire Chronicles. If you remember i loved book 1 depites some element bothering me and thus i wantedto check book 2 which i don't regret at all as  it's really show improvment in the writing which was already good.

I won't make you wait any longer so Happy reading!!

Publisher: Ashley Meira

Publication: 2016

ASIN:  B01E1J3Y2G

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: very strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review

Description from goodreads :

 Hunter of all things evil and paranormal, snarky witch Morgan Maxwell knows she needs to get herself back into shape before she continues the hunt for the demon-worshipping vampire that tried to kill her, her friends, and the rest of the world.

Until she receives a summons from her estranged father to help solve the gruesome murders of werewolves and shifters that live in his city's forest.

The last thing Morgan wants to do is see the man who threw her aside when she was a child, but even she can’t let bitterness and resentment keep her from helping put a stop to the murder and mutilation of innocents.

But solving the murders will be the least of her worries. Alex – a man Morgan finds herself getting terrifyingly close to – has a personal stake in this case, one that Morgan fears will tear them apart for good.

Ties That Bind is the second book of The Spire Chronicles urban fantasy series, and is 72,000 words of fast paced action!

Readers who enjoyed The Dresden Files, The Kate Daniels series or just like reading action packed stories about tough, snarky heroines with magic powers will likely enjoy this series.

My opinion:

          I really loved this one as we can see how the writing which was already good improved from book 1 with a deepening of the characters. Morgan finally won me over, she isn't really mature yet, she does have childish antics but she can pull it together when it really matters. She doesn't jump to conclusion too easily either which can't be say from Alex....from having read book 1 we do understand where he comes from and it helps understand his reaction to Morgan's father but he was a little to intrusive to my taste and too single minded.

...loyalty is great, blindness isn't . That being said, you could probably miss book 1 and still enjoy this story a lot as the author managed to remind us the most pertaining info from the first instalment so if it was the big part of sex that prevented you to start this series, give it a try by starting by book 2 it would be good as that part was tamed down.

The red line from the story is there but we focus on several murders, some elements were predictable for me but it didn't make me enjoy this less. i particularly loved to discover more supernatural creature this time ( June sound really funny but i won't tell you what she is^^). We do get that investigation solved as well so it's no cliffhanger story ( a big plus).

The violence is important as we get description of gruesome murders but it's a big element for the story and really well written so put in the flow with the action, suspense and light touch of romance it blends wonderfully

i 'm delighted with this one and i can't wait to see how the story will progress.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

A Ghostly Undertaking (Ghostly Southern Mysteries 1) by Tonya Kappes

Hello to all,


               I know i usually don't post on Monday but since i will have medical appointment later this week i though better to be careful and take some advance also i was so happy with my latest reading that i couldn't wait to share it with you.

This weekend, when i was obligated to stay put and not move, i decided to start a  book that was on my radar and in my pile for quite a moment..
to be honest i was reminded of it because of a  guestpost Lexi george wrote lately for a newest release and after that i was in the mood for some adventure in the Southern area...after that i couldn't resist any longer and i picked A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes.

Happy Reading

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication: 2015

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: urban fantasy, cosy mystery, paranormal mystery
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: won

Short description from goodreads :

A funeral, a ghost, a murder…it’s all in a day’s work for Emma Lee Raines…

Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she’s suffering from “funeral trauma.” It’s trauma all right, because the not so dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne--innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee’s granny—she’s adamant that she didn’t just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.

Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can’t cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee’s high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn’t ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie’s ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risk being haunted forever.

My opinion:

          This is my first attempt at a paranormal mystery i think and i really, really enjoyed it.  I was attracted to it because of it's setting....after having read Lexi George's books Southern regions picked my interest and from what i know of it ( which is very little) i felt that Tonya Kappes recreated the perfect ambience for the setting of this story.

Emma is a character i can relate to, she is a little apart and never really felt like she belonged with the rest of her age...she doesn't take time to take care of herself bent to help other and she is loyal. She didn't always had her gift either or perhaps she had and it wasn't active anyway she suddenly sees ghosts even doesn't believe it at first thinking it's only a trauma from her line of work.

However when a woman her family isn't friend with is found dead and her spirit comes banging at her door and interferes in her life she must help her to clear her grandmother's name yes but also to find her tranquillity back. I loved how Emma step in and just don't let thing happen. She was sure lucky to have Jack so understanding and open minded ( and in the right line of work when murders are the topic^^).

The investigation is well written and even if i did guess the culprit its motives were surprising and simply the way Emma  works to solve it was very entertaining and i didn't want to stop before i finished  the book.

It's definitively a series i want to continue ( happy to have the next book ready^^) as it promises a lot of humour and a touch of suspense  while Emma is already a reason enough to  keep enjoying these adventures. If you want a paranormal mystery i definitively recommend this one or if you simply want more of the setting.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Swamp Bromeliad ( InCryptid 3.4) by Seanan McGuire

Hello to all!

 I know i'm late to post this but because of  huge pain ( really HUGE) i was in no shape to read, think or type now that i've started the medecine it's a little better but i've decided to start little by giving you my opinion on another free story from the InCryptid series by seanan McGuire because from all of them so far this is my top favourite and that i'm sure it's not one that Melliane wants to miss - really that's the one you must read even if you only read one!- so to entice her a little more here is my very short opinion ( to avoid spoiler) on Swap Bromeliad


Happy Reading!

Publisher: Uraban fantasy

Publication: 2016

Found: on Seanan’s Website

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: free

Description from goodreads :

The next stop on Verity and Dominic's great road trip brings them back to where it all began: Buckley Township, Michigan, the town where two expatriates from the Covenant of Saint George once decided to settle down and rebuild their shattered family. It's a sleepy, rural community, long removed from the excitement of those early days...but the woods are still dark and deep, and the things that dwell there are still dangerous to the unwary.

When two little boys appear at the Old Parrish Place, claiming that a flower has devoured their friend, it's up to Verity and Dominic to go out into the woods and see whether or not there's something left to save. It's a journey into someone else's dark place, and it's hard to say who's more frightened by the idea: Verity, who knows how much she has to lose, or Dominic, who has no idea.

It's time to see where the past meets the future, and how the echoes of the one continue to inform the other. It's time to return to the woods of Buckley, and see what can be seen there. It's time to bring a child home.

My opinion:

          LOVE it!!!! Really not only this is about Verity who stays my favourite character so far but it has humour, touch of suspense and super hyper cute moments!! Really this one can't be missed, if you love the series it's a must read for sure, you could forget all others shorts( though it would be a shame) but this one NO.

Dominic is really winning points, i love to see him not at ease and ghost aunts are too funny  so this is more than a great instalment in the series.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges: