The Alchemist and an Amaretto ( The Guild Codex: Spellbound 5) by Annette Marie [early review]

Hello to all,

                      while the tempest is blowing outside , i jumped on the opportunity to take a good cup of tea along with an excellent reads.....i was lucky to get an arc of one of my favourite series The Guild Codex Spellbound series by Annette Marie and i couldn't resist one more minute.....now i'm forced to wait until ....next year for book 6 but this was worth it!!
If you haven't started this series it's really time to jump on it as it needs to be read in order.

Happy reading!!

Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.

Publication: 2019

ISBN13:  9781988153322

Genre: urban fantasy, funny, magic

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 As a guild bartender, I can handle pretty much anything—mages, sorcerers, witches, the occasional demon. But show me anything family-related and I'd rather run for the hills. It doesn't even have to be my family.

So I have no idea why I thought spending the holidays with Aaron's mom and pop was a good idea.

Meeting his famous parents is already terrifying enough, but I've got a bigger problem. Students of his family's renowned mage academy are being attacked on the grounds—and somehow no one has seen a single assailant? Unexplained tracks litter the nearby woods, rumors of forbidden alchemy are circulating the campus…and Ezra has been acting strangely since we arrived.

Something deadly is brewing in the shadow of Sinclair Academy, and the longer we take to uncover it, the more dangerous it becomes. But no matter the risk, we'll protect the students.

And Aaron's parents too, I suppose. If we have to.

My opinion:

          Such an adventure! Tori sure is attracting trouble what should have holidays become a hunt with a limited time to save a friend the whole added with arrogant bunch of elitist mages with ego bigger than mountains. I really loved to learn more about Aaron as we meet his family but i also really wanted to punch him when we saw his darker side..;i still wonder why Tori kept cool about it and didn't punch him, Aaron is sure lucky to have friends like Kai and Erza.

This time we focus on shifters and we learn more about what they are in this universe...but we also discover other side of magic  and how some mages are elitist and putting their kind of magic above other. We get to see more of Sin as well and it was good to see how she became real friend with Tori;  both are out of their world in the Aaron's family home and it's not that easy for them.

What i loved even more was learning more about Erza.....he is lucky to have Tori watching over him especially since it's putting her in difficult situation. And of course Tori does find some interesting items along teh way ( even if this time she may not have a use for them herself)

This story is full of action and information , it's a real page turner as the characters have a limited time to succeed you can't stop you need to se what happen  as you get completely immersed in this addictive series.  There is the action, the humour as Tori can't stay silence in front of injustice and also cute moment when she interacts with fae ....but also some moment filled of emotion ... which will make you the next book as soon as possible.

It's a must read for sure but following the series in order.

An excellent book to recommend

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Valleys, Vehicles & Victims ( A Camper & Criminals Cozy 9) by Tonya Kappes

Hello to all,

Fall is here, cold and rainy ....perfect weather for an excellent southern cozy mystery book! We are lucky that the new Tonya Kappes's book release this week  with a fall setting even so grab a good cup of tea and.....Happy reading!

Publisher: Tonya Kappes

Publication: 2019

Genre: cozy mystery, southern 

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!

The Daniel Boone National Forest is gorgeous in the fall. The leaves have painted the sides of the mountains with yellow, oranges, reds and browns you won't see anywhere else. That's why it's such a popular destination for weddings!

When a wedding party show up at Happy Trails Campground, Mae West is thrilled. She's all things girly and excited to assist the bride in all things southern, which is what the bride is hankering for.

Mae recognizes the parents of the bride when they arrive. They are from her past. The past she's been desperately trying to escape...especially since it was the time she was married to Paul West. This just isn't any couple, it's the owners of the famous Moonbucks Coffee Company.

Determined to get the happy couple married off and on their way, hoping to see some of her past drive off forever, Mae volunteers herself and the Laundry Club ladies to become the wedding coordinators.

The wedding is set to take place in the beautiful wedding barn at the Old Train Station Motel, only Gert Hobson, the owner of Trails Coffee Shop and providing the coffee for the happy couple, has decided there's no way she's going to help out with Tom Moon's daughter's wedding since she claims how years ago Tom Moon STOLE her coffee blend recipe known today as the special Moonbucks blend.

A public fight between Gert and Tom leaves Gert a prime suspect after a member of the wedding party is found dead at the wedding venue. There might not be a happily ever after for the bride to be or Gert Hobson if Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies don't solve the murder before the wedding party's RV rolls out of town.

My opinion:

         

        It's always a pleasure to spent time with people from Normal, there is always something happening and mostly it's murder since Mae joined them. No matter what  Mae and the ladies of the Laundry club can't stay out of it especially when one of their friend  is in trouble so when Gert is suspect in a murder, they want to find the real murderer.

It's full of humour and action too because the girls are doing a real investigation not just gossiping. I really loved the investigation part as the intrigue was really well written with twists to keep us doubting the culprit identity and motive.

I loved also to see how the people from Normal got protective of Mae proof she is really one of them now and we do learn more about her past too which was great.

The only thing i liked less was Hank's attitude....really he fell in love with Mae but still want to change her, tries to blackmail her ....he disappointed me. He can be a wonderful protective guy but not dictate Mae life's so i'm curious to see how they will solve that together.

A great southern cozy mystery which can be read as stand alone but so much better  read in order.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Demon Magic and a Martini ( The Guild Codex: Spellbound 4) by Annette Marie

Hello to all,

                       
On this sunny day i decided to share with you my opinion on lastest book in the Guild Codex Spellbound series by Annette Marie. It's a bit special since i've read the spin off first and that it covers some of the events we read about in this book but it just added to my pleasure ( both series can be read independently of each other) i just wanted more of Tori and since book 5 release this fall i wa,ted to be ready.


so enjoy!

Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc

Publication: 2019

Genre: urban fantasy, humour, magic

Violence: mild

Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 When I first landed a bartending job at the local guild, I didn't know a thing about magic. These days, I'm practically an expert on the different magical classes, but there's one nobody ever talks about: Demonica.

Turns out they have a good reason for that.

My guild is strictly hellion-free, but some people will risk life and soul to control the biggest bullies on the mythic playground. And now a demon has been loosed in the city.

My three best friends are determined to slay it, but even badass combat mages are critically out-magicked. And that's not all. The monster they're tracking--it's not hiding. It's not fleeing. It's not leaving a trail of corpses everywhere it goes.

The demon is hunting too. And in a city full of mythics, it's searching for deadlier prey.

If we can't unravel the demon's sinister motivations, more innocent people will die, but finding the answers means digging into dark secrets ... and learning truths I never wanted to know.

--
Note: The three mages are definitely sexy, but this series isn't a reverse harem. It's 100% fun, sassy, fast-paced urban fantasy.

My opinion:

          I really love this series so i couldn't wait to be up to date and ready for book 5 this fall but  i admit that while i love it this is my least favourite so far. It's wonderfully written full of action, humour and emotion a real page turner  read in one sitting but  2 of our favourites mages disappointed me.

Aaron and Kai were really disappointing ...they know Tori and they know how she reacts so accusing her not to care was totally out of character . They protect Erza yes but he is the only one acting normal towards Tori ( bonus point for him)

That being said  this story was fabulous and we see a new side of Darius too.....i loved the tarot cards as welll because let's be honest ^^ Tori and the magical artefacts is a funny tale, i do wonder what she will get each time as we can't accuse her not to be practical.  Tori is as always loyal to her friends and taking risks for them and that include fighting demons.

i loved to see her reactions to some new characters and that include one named Zylas i do hope to see more interactions between them.

We are learning quite a lot about Erza and lot of others topics in this book which makes me just more impatient for next one. A series not to be missed!

A small note, we can see part of this story from other characters point of view in the spin off Taming Demons for beginner, you don't have to read it to enjoy the Spellbound series but it's really a funny addition and it can also be read as stand alone so in any case you wouldn't regret it, it does deepen this story.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Risk Everything ( A Bree & Tanner Thriller 4) by Janie Crouch

Hello to all!!

Today is the release for the last of Bree and Tanner thriller " Risk Everything" and i couldn't have hoped for a better one even if as often we are sad to finish the last book of a series.

Remember those can work as stand alone too ( but so much better read in order)

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

Publication: 2019

ISBN:  1335604650

Genre: romantic suspense

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

 Description from goodreads :

 The wedding is two weeks away

If they survive until then...

Following a fire at the New Journeys women's shelter, Deputy Tanner Dempsey is on high alert, and his fiancée, Bree Daniels, fears that one of the shelter's clients is being targeted. Outmanned and outgunned, Tanner and Bree must make a last stand for justice and unravel the twisted plot of a dangerous sociopath. Will it be "'til death do us part" before they can say "I do"?

My opinion:

          Perfect!!  I can't believe it's the last of the series as i really want more of Bree and Tanner as well as Noah. This was just the right balance of action, lot of suspense, romance with wonderful touches of humour. Also some scenes with the women of the city are simply  too wonderful to describe, i nearly cried with emotions.

Bree is preparing her wedding as well as working at the women refuge and she made great progress since her arrival in Tanner's life and the road has been quite tumultuous. I really loved to see her grow in her social skills and becoming a real partner with Tanner. Also all the characters seemed more than realistic, the way the women at the shelter react and such which immersed us even more in the story.

Tanner is really a god man and his brother who has a bigger role this time than in precedent books isn't less wonderful, protective and loyal. I loved the way he reacted to Marilynn and her children. Tanner is determined to protect Bree and those she care for which means the women at the shelter but he wasn't expecting things to get worse so much and so quickly with Marilynn ex husband ...time to get proofs is diminishing as the wedding approach but no matter what it's against them Bree and Tanner are the greatest team ever!

This was fabulous from the start to the end, read in one sitting  and i just hope to get more of the whole group. To recommend ( can be read as stand alone but i do advice you to read the whole series in order).

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Unmasking the Shadow Man by Debbie Herbert

Hello to all,

                       a new week is starting so it's time to share my opinion on some new release as well.

Happy Reading

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

Publication: 2019

ISBN:  1335604685

Genre: romantic suspense

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Description from goodreads :

 In a race against time

Can they defeat an unseen foe?

Officer Liam Andrews knows trouble when he sees it, and trouble should be Harper Catlett’s middle name. Especially considering the mysterious goings-on in the home where Harper’s sister died decades before. Secretly working undercover, Liam is soon roped into Harper’s amateur detective work as she probes Baysville’s sordid secrets. But together, can the pair solve these long-buried crimes…before they both wind up dead?

My opinion:

          Very interesting. A lot is happening, several investigations so the level of suspense is really high and  we stay glued on our seat wanting to discover what is happening  to Harper's house, what happened to her sister, who killed the homeless and so much more as the story progress....we only get the answers at the very end of the book which is wonderful. Guessing the culprit too early strip the story of part of his fun; here it's not the case.

The characters are really interesting and their personalities deep. The author built them with care and we enjoy following them in their investigation.  The pace of the story is just what we need with touch of romance from time to time to balance with the dark side of some investigation so this is a really great written romance suspense .

to be recommended.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Taming Demons for Beginners ( The Guild Codex : Demonized 1) by Annette Marie

Hello to all!!!


                        i'm over the moon right now...if you follow me you know i have discovered Annette Marie  earlier this year thanks to her series The Guild Codex: Spellbound and i've become completely fan of it  it's full of humour, action, great characters  i never have enough of it.
Surprise!! Tomorrow a spin off release and even better while it's a new series derived from the first one , set in the same universes with cross over it works as a separate stand alone series without any difficulty.

SO if you haven't read anything by this author yet, jump on this occasion and start this new series without delay you will just want more.


Happy Reading

Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.

Publication: 2019

ISBN:  9781988153360

Genre: Urban fantasy, Magic
Violence: mild/strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: earc

Description from goodreads :

 Rule one: Don't look at the demon.

When I arrived at my uncle's house, I expected my relatives to be like me—outcast sorcerers who don't practice magic. I was right about the sorcery, but wrong about everything else.

Rule two: Don't listen to the demon.

My uncle chose a far deadlier power. He calls creatures of darkness into our world, binds them into service contracts, and sells them to the highest bidder. And I'm supposed to act like I don't know how illegal and dangerous it is.

Rule three: Don't talk to the demon.

All I had to do was keep my nose out of it. Pretend I didn't find the summoning circle in the basement. Pretend I didn't notice the shadowy being trapped inside it. Pretend I didn't break the rules.

But I did, and now it's too late.

--
From the author of The Guild Codex: Spellbound comes a new series that will plunge an unprepared young woman into the darkest magic of the mythic world.

My opinion:

         

           Fantastic!!!!!! It's a fabulous beginning for a new  series  that only leave you wanting for more!  Zylas is too funny and i love how playful he is with Robin without realising (or without caring) he kind of became her teacher about demons and  he i so great!

Robin is an interesting heroine she stayed away from Magic but was always attracted to it and after her parents 'death she is trying to get what should be hers not knowing her uncle is under illegal activities at first but nothing is that simple. She has a good heart and is determined to do the right things. However she is also shy, doesn't like confrontation with make her relation with Zylas even more funny.

The story grabs your interest right at the beginning and the non stop action will make you read this is one sitting so easily. I devoured this book and just want to jump on the next one because it's so, so good.

We are learning about a new branch of magic " Demonica" along with Robin and it's captivating.

Just a small note this is a series that can be seen as a spin off but it's perfectly working alone so even if it's the first book you are reading from this author you wouldn't feel lost and i do recommend you to try it if you want a funny full of action and humour urban fantasy ( then when you want more you can start the other series as well but it's addictive^^)

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Blood Rite ( Ivy Granger 6) by E.J. Stevens

Hello to all,

               Nearly dying or having deep injury if it wasn't for the additionnal step you suddenly took can be nerve shaking and sure make you see things differently....not that reading a book with zombie had any link to what happened but i sure felt sympathy for a few of them ( only a few) so without more delay here is my opinion on the latest book by  EJ Stevens: Blood rite 6th book in the Ivy Granger series.


Happy Reading!

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press

Publication: 2019

ISBN:  0989488799

Genre: dark urban fantasy

Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: allusion
Public: 18+

Description from goodreads :

  Ivy Granger takes on a simple grave robbing case, but in Harborsmouth nothing is ever simple when dealing with the dead.

Grave robbing is Harborsmouth's second best-kept secret. The first is the existence of supernatural creatures that live alongside the city's humans. In fact, the dirtiest little secret of all might be the truth behind most of those empty graves.

Most supernaturals eke out a pretty mundane existence. Nobody wants a return to the Burning Times. Well, nobody sane.

The creature that was stealing the more odoriferous of Harborsmouth's citizens from their graves had to be crazy. Sir Gaius, ruler of the local vamps, owned the harvesting rights to every corpse buried within the city limits. No one touched the vampire master of the city's property without permission and lived to scream about it--until now.

Warning: This book features necromancy, grave robbing, an abandoned amusement park, and zombie clowns.

Blood Rite is the sixth novel in the award-winning Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. The world of Ivy Granger, including the Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective series and the Hunters' Guild series, is filled with bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines

My opinion:

          Really good but very dark. This series is becoming darker and darker without loosing its little touches of humour or romance which is a very good point. That being said i sure didn't expect it to be so dark either yes it include grave robbing and zombies but  it's deeper than that. The ambiance , what we fear to expect it's really creepy.

As always Ivy does lead the investigation but even herself feels that there is a lot more to this case , she can pinpoint it but she knows and it leave us with an feeling of business unfinished and worse to come. Villain is taken care of but is it the real bad one?

It's hard to explain  i really liked this story as we get to see how each character improves (for example Forneus and Ivy) the rhythm is fast but not too fast so we are not lost, even if i missed book 5 i had enough info to understand what was happening  but while it's not really a cliffhanger  i didn't get a feeling of closure at the last page more a foreboding one which kind of frustrated me. I do want the next book soon!!

I do recommend this book if you love zombies and dark ambience but i can't recommend you enough to read this book in the series order to get a better understanding and it's so worth it too.

Score:  4/5