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

Nephilim Falling: a Trenton Investigations prequel by Felicia Beasley

Hello to all!!!

                   It's not often that i post two reviews per week but Nephilim Falling release this week and i was lucky to get an arc so i had to share my opinion on it even if i wasn't really sure how to express it at first..yes some books are like that

Happy reading!

Publisher: Felicia Beasley

Publication: 2017

ASIN:  B01MZE3R3D

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal, investigation
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: earc

Description from goodreads :

  They say demons and angels don’t mix. I say people should mind their own damn business.

My brother, Damian, has been my rock ever since mom left. Didn’t matter to him that I was a lowly half-demon while angel blood flowed through his veins. I was his and he was mine.

But nothing lasts forever.

He wants me to go to college. I’d rather fight a hundred sentinels than lead a boring, safe life hiding who I am. So when a nephilim goes missing, I go behind Damian’s back to find the teen. Maybe if I can solve the case, he will upgrade me to his partner in crime solving.

As bodies begin to drop, I realize I’m in way over my head. But there’s no way I’m going to admit that, not when my future hangs in the balance. Instead, I set my eyes on recruiting the help of the new kid. Lucas is arrogant, sexy, and persistently trying to get my number.

He’s also a nephilim. Off-limits, no matter how good he looks flinging fireballs.

Then again, I was never good at resisting temptation

My opinion:

          A great investigation in a universe where nephilim, angel, demon, etc are among us and not everyone is happy about that. Sentinels area  group of supposed humans who hunt the paranormal being , despising them when they are "kind" they put them in ghetto, prison most often they simply kill without asking question. Because of that reality, Nephilim ( descendant from angel) or damion ( descendant from demon) are hiding... not really accepted by their parent side they are left to fend for themselves and don't mix together.

However Damian is different he is a nephilim working as a PI for both groups and he protect his sister who is a half demon... he is courageous, super protective and has a lot of responsabilities but Lexi isn't that little anymore and she wants to be his partner not just the little sister...when case of missing nephilim appears she goes behind his back to find and punish the culprit. She is determined, intelligent and loyal i loved that about her.

To have a little chance and because of the circumstances, she end up with the new boy at school as her partner: Lucas who is also a nephilim and one so , so sexy. He is hiding part of his part but he is really attracted to Lexi, showing some interesting powers when needed.

The investigation is really well done, some part of the story end on cliffhanger but this is a prequel so i hope we will learn more later.I guess the only thing i regretted a little was how quickly Lexi and Lucas became intimate... yes she is 18 not 15 (even if she sure acts like it) and with the story it make sense but somehow i would have wanted her to think more.

I liked Damian....perhaps it's why i'm not that happy with what happen....Wes his partner is definitively funny and despite his looks he sure care for Lexi. i hope to see more of him

definitively a series i would be happy to follow as there are still a lot to discover.

Score:  3,5/5

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

[early review] Magic Reborn ( The Peacesmith 1 ) by Carly Hansen

Hello to all


            Happy Valentine' Day!  Since books are my first love i had to share one with you today and i'm really happy because this time i will tell you about a book not released yet but one that absolutely loved and such a promising series so perhaps it will become one of your new "coup de coeur"

I will update this when the book is on goodreads but you can already find the info on some ebook retailers.

Happy reading!!!!

Publisher: Carly Hansen

Publication: 2017

ISBN:  ?

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

Source: earc

 Description from goodreads :

  On the run and disguised as a boy, Fenix Graystone finds sanctuary when a witch opens her home, arms her with charmed knives, and transforms her into a fearsome fighter. But when an enigmatic vampire overlord arrives seeking help to solve the murders of three young women, Fenix’s newfound peace shatters.

The kidnapping of a fourth girl stirs up strange emotions in Fenix, bringing her illegal magical powers to the surface. But the magic within her points Fenix to suspects too close to the vampire overlord for comfort.

Now she must ally with an enemy she didn’t even know she had if she hopes to rescue the girl and bring the killers to justice—before she becomes their next victim.

If you like fast-paced action, strong female leads, and a dreamy love interest, you'll want to get lost in these pages.

My opinion:

          A very good surprise! Somehow i wasn't expecting this story to be so good so, discovering how much i enjoyed, it was great.

The beginning isn't  the best as we jump from a place to another without really knowing who to follow but once we meet with the team and with the hero: Fenix  -passing for boy but in reality a young woman- we can't stop. The intrigue is well written with some information given  sometimes clearly sometimes more subtly  but we really get all we could wish for to understand the characters and let grow on us. Of course it's the first in a series so there are more to discover but the main plot of the book  is solved so no big cliffhanger to make us despair but just an ending making us want for more without anguish.

I loved Fenix, she is quite loyal and has deep sense of justice, she may not know what she is at first but certainly act as it and i can only it will continue to show later in the series. She suffered but still can put others first, she isn't just a damsel in distress jumping in the rm of the first male playing the knight in shining armor. She may be attracted but she still thinks and put trust before attraction so for me she was simply perfect and so courageous.

Her little gang isn't bad either i particularly love java the falcon shifter and the healing witch for whom money isn't a priority.

Micha is an intriguing vampire....though his age didn't make him less naive. He is one wanting to protect the supernaturals and playing judge and enforcer but if a special class existed to do that before  there must have been a good reason and from what we discover how important they were and how needed they still are despite what some thought at a time. Vampire master he may be but he would prefer to be human and have peace between human and supernatural world. Discovering Fenix 's secret but keeping it while being attracted and going against protocol to try to be with her he is a little too arrogant and speak without thinking...but even with his pride wounded he does keep his promise which show how loyal he can be as well.

So far we learned the name of the big bad vilain and what he did (and why) but he is still quite mysterious so the series could be very promising if the quality stay the same, the main idea magic/ psychic peacemaker/peacesmith is interesting and i would gladly follow it as Fenix, like us has still a lot to learn and allies to make.

Score:  5/5

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

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:

Heart of Stone (Gargoyles 1) by Christine Warren

Hello to all,

  Today i decided to share with you my opinion on a book i discovered with Brenda's event during the last halloween " Heart of Stone". This book was in fact a prize, a pre order of it to be more precise.... i wasn't lucky enough to win it but i couldn't forget the blurb  so as soon as i could i did get my copy of it and i can only be grateful to Brenda for this discovery... i'm becoming fond of gargoyles now ^^

Happy Reading

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  1250012651

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong, steamy
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

From bestselling author Christine Warren comes a thrilling new series about a young woman caught between a rock and a hard place—between gargoyles and demons…

Ella Harrow is trying to carve out a normal life for herself. Well, as normal as an art geek with psychic abilities can hope for. As museum docent and gift-shop manager, Ella is able to keep her distance from people—and her powers in check—while surrounding herself with the artifacts she loves. But how on earth is she supposed to act normal when a thousand-year-old statue on the museum's terrace suddenly comes to life?

Heart of Stone


Not your ordinary gargoyle, Kees has been asleep for eons, waiting for a portent of evil to wake him from his slumber. Kees isn't a vision; he's a bat-winged guardian created to protect the world from the seven demons of the Dark. Somehow, Ella triggered his reawakening. Maybe the demons have been unleashed? Maybe his heart is finally ready to be chiseled open? The fate of the world isn't carved in stone…yet.

My opinion:

          I love it! It’s my first book by this author but it won’t be the last for sure, really i couldn’t stop turning the pages I loved the story a lot!

But let’s start at the beginning, “ Heart of Stone” is a  paranormal romance with gargoyles…yes gargoyles but you must think of them as magical creatures, being able to take human form  ( a really sexy one by the way), working on the light side. They were summoned from another plane to protect our world and humans in general again the evil and his minions …so yes it’s gargoyles vs demons….so they are guardians … when they are not fighting, when the demons are contained they go in a kind of slumber and looks like statues yes but they are not sleeping they stay awake enough to learn about the changing world around them.

Of course when they are in such a state they are more vulnerable it’s the reason for the existence of the Wardens…. Those are humans with Magic  who are in fact at the one who regrouped to summons the guardians in the first place. Their role is simple: they keep vigilante, they keep watch for the dark force and act against them. They aren’t the primary fighters it’s more the recon team ..when they take note of a rising in the evil force they dispatch the proper answer…against simple humans ( because yes the dark forces have they own guild/order of followers) they can use their magic and interfere but they wouldn’t fight minor demons alone , they are minor guardians to help for that too. However when the danger is greater when the evil  is awakening so when one of more of the seven main demons is playing havoc their role is to wake up the guardians/gargoyles ( who are 7 like their counterparts) those nearly immortal are the main fighting force. Normally each Guardians has a warden assigned to his care meaning one that take care to wake him up and in “peaceful “ time take care of his form to know where each guardians is.

Kees has been in slumber since 1703 with a few interruptions for let say “administrative” stuff…. So he is more than surprised to find him awakened by a woman, not his warden, knowing nothing about magic and the guild and more strange…no demon in the vicinity.  Logically he shouldn’t have awaken in these conditions…while trying to understand what happened he will discover a situation direr than  any of the past and without the usual resources at his disposition he must rely on Ella, while protecting her, teaching her the basics and fighting his growing feeling for her.

Ella always thought she was strange… having some capacities she can’t put a name on frighten her and she is doing her best to keep everything inside her…working at the museum is a good solution for her, she loves the topics and  the socialising part is staying at a minimum. However when a man threaten her one night she takes refuge at the foot of a sculpture that always comforted her, asking for his protection without hoping the same statue would suddenly come to life and jump at her rescue from a new attacker. Ella is far from a hopeless woman even if at first she is naïve, frightened and doubting herself.  In a perfect world, the Guild would have found her and taught her about her powers and the Magic but left to herself she has come to fear the force inside her….

When  Kees appears she won’t hesitate to stand up for herself and she adjust quite quickly in the new universe she is introduced to despite the dangers. She even makes excellent suggestions… not a warden but with the abilities to become one and in a way  doing the job already she better has to learn quickly. She doesn’t know how to react when Kees make some 180° in their relationship and while it’s understandable perhaps it  become irritating  at times ( nothing to deter me from keeping reading)

I really loved it and the fact the guardians will need to bang together reassure me that we will keep seeing more the character we just met because right now I’m quite addicted and I so want more *_*. The villains were partly surprising and I really spent a excellent time the only thing that bothered me came at the end… while all the time Kees fight against the idea of having emotions and wonder why and how he was awaken…. He reveals that the answer is all written in one of their books… just like that.. it was a little too abrupt for me and made them look as fools for not having checked that to start…. The tension built… you are intrigued, yes you guessed their relationship had a lot to do with everything  but dropping that story/legend just at the end I don’t know it was like a bucket of water thrown on you and the reason why I can’t give a 5/5 .

So if you love paranormal romance, want something different (gargoyles stories are not that common) this is more than a promising series debut and I can only hope book 2 will be as good when it released later this year. There are more than a lot of action, the rhythm is fast and  yes a lot of steamy scenes if you love that^^

Score:  4,5/5

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

Challenges:

Bloodstone ( Deadtown 3) by Nancy Holzner

Hi!

i know i've already posted something today but it wasn't book related so i decided to give you this bonus^^. Like i said precedently, at the moment, i'm ejoying browsing in my TBR pile to find books with druids, Celtic Legends or Magic ...special time of the year for me^^....( Blame Saint Patrick if you want ;) ).

So far, i started new series, or i read stand alone but today i go back to a series i put aside a little ( still need to get the more recently released books) the Deadtown series. At first i discovered and started it because it included zombies and it was a topic for challenge i entered...not my favourite subjet i admit but then... i remembered from where the main Character got her special talent ^^; and yes it fits what i'm looking for  right now^^ thus here comes my opinion on Bloodstone by nancy Holzner


Happy Reading

Publisher: ACE

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  044102100X

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

Source: bought
 

Short description from goodreads :

 Boston’s diverse South End is known for its architecture and great restaurants, not its body count. So when mutilated human corpses begin turning up in the area, the entire city takes notice. The killer—dubbed the South End Reaper—uses a curved blade for his grisly work. And even though there’s no real evidence pointing to a paranormal culprit, the deaths are straining the already-tense relations between Boston’s human and inhuman residents.


As the bodies pile up, Vicky, her formidable aunt Mab, and her werewolf boyfriend Kane investigate, only to find that the creature behind the carnage is after something much more than blood…

My opinion:

          What I really enjoyed this time is that even if it has been ages since I read the precedent book I fell immediately back in the universe Nancy Holzner created. There were enough info to put us back on track especially since the events in Bloodstone are deeply linked to those in Hellforged, some are related to events from book 1 because we see again Vicky’s family and her niece Maria but even those are detailed enough so a newcomer to the series wouldn’t feel completely at loss starting here ( though I don’t recommend missing the first 2books)

This story focus on demons yes plural because Pryce is still around but he isn’t the only one sadly and we discover how deeply rooted in the celtic legends both his and Vicky’s family are. We knew she is Cerddorion and that’s what makes her a shapeshifter but we didn’t know a lot apart that…since this book involve all her family  we learn a lot more and while some were predictable it still surprised me quite a lot. Maria is starting to show sign of the awakening of her powers and that frighten her mother Gwen more than anything so she ask Vicky help.. then Mab the elder of the family and master at demon hunting come to the rescue (or intented to^^) and we discover a complete new side of the family and it helped me to understand Gwen a little more…if the past had been different she would perhaps not have chosen the same path ( or not so quickly)

We also learn quite a lot about the Old Ones, the special vampires (though I won’t tell more because it’s complicated and I must keep the surprise twist^^). It was deeply interesting and I really thought the series reached another level.

I loved that we saw a lot of precedent characters like Daniel, Tina, Norden, Gwen, Juliet etc and for those who follow the series we finally discover what species Axel the bar owner is^^…;it was the funny part I guess.

The investigation does come to a conclusion, there is no cliffhanger but you feel the series isn’t finished far from it and it was really well done. You can take a break after this book or continue the series immediately by jumping in the next book one way or another you won’t feel bad in my opinion.

Now this book is also darker than the precedent ones, I had to shed a little tear here and then too but the rhythm is really well paced, not rushed. All is linked and fall into place. So I can only recommend this book if you love zombie, vampires, shapeshifter, magic  because this book has a lot of it^^, action and dark ambiance^^.

Score:  3,5/5

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

Challenges:

Raven Cursed ( Jane Yellowrock 4) by Faith Hunter

Hello!

           The weather is spoiling us right now with 7 degrees above the normal ( nearly 17°c) and a bright sun so i won't be long because i want to enjoy it as long as i can ^^, it way to early so we know it won't last but it's really good for the moral to savour it when we can.

Today i decided to pick a book from my pile that fitted several challenges and i opted for the fourth book in the Jane Yellowrock series since it got shifters and witches and is an older book too... i've enjoyed the book but strangely i had a little more difficulties to express my opinion on it so i can only hope i will be clear enough^^

 happy reading and i hope spring will come to enlight your days no matter where you live.

Publisher: ROC

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0451464338

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal, shifter, witches
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to the Master Vampire of New Orleans they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, he sends an envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane Yellowrock.


But when a group of local campers are attacked by something fanged, Jane goes from escort to investigator. Unless she wants to face a very angry mast vampire, she will have to work overtime to find the killer. It's a good thing she's worth every penny.

My opinion:

          I have mixed feeling this time… oh I do have loved this book and it’s still as well written as the precedent and a great addition to the series. However I had some trouble to understand Jane this time or agree with her decisions….as a result I was quite angry at some moment even if I couldn’t put the book aside.

Jane finally reveals what she is at more people but that was what I felt wrong….she could have say the truth to her shaman Angie that I would have understood….Derek Lee too (until now he was my favourite) but she tells it to Ricky.. the unfaithful, lying, deceiving man of her life…. In my opinion It could have been the worse choice, not that I would have loved to see her tell all her secrets to the vampire but Ricky! Arg I don’t trust him for a second and he is tempted to go back to the enemy once again , with a special agency that is dangerous for all supernatural.. arg Jane think with something else than your body! Beast is perhaps thinking Ricky could be a great bed partner… but she doesn’t see herself bound to him for eternity so secret should be kept!

It’s true that I always preferred Derek the more responsible and one that’ seemed to understand Jane better….now it’s not exactly what happen in this story but I guess all friendship needs to be refreshed at a time or another, especially since they were more partner, colleague than friend to start with.Derek at least stay reliable in my opinion. We don’t see too much of Leo this time, even if we do hear a lot from him, since it’s Gregoire that Jane is tasked to protect and  that  outside New Orleans….I didn’t remembered Gregoire well I admit but I was delighted to see more of the B-Twins and they are working well with Jane all the while being more than simply colleague….when she needs understanding she didn’t think it would come from them nor did she think she would need it but they were there and I want more of them.

This story focus largely on the magical part since Evangelina, head of molly’s coven is practising illegal magic and… black magic too. I hated her and that feeling just grew stronger that woman is pure evil and completely out of her mind this time she even goes against her coven, yes we don’t know all her past but still….i don’t approve her at all. So magic is predominant this time even if the shifter part is still well built with the werewolves who escaped last time, the lack leopard who still need to be taught a lesson and Ricky which we still don’t exactly know the future..

I really appreciated to get a little more of the Cherokee legends since Evangelina called one demon from them but Angie baby knows more than it seems and it was really wonderful to learn and it let so many possibilities open, I do want more .

However another part disappointed me a little: Molly…..we don’t often see strong female friendship so I was really happy to see Jane and Molly….despite her husband not liking her friend Molly stayed true to their friendship… until now. We discover that she doesn’t trust Jane near her children as before since she doesn’t go again Big Evan. Sadly it just got even worse….it’s something I regret, I do hope we will see the situation improving but I’m not sure. Jane has another friend prospect, on the vampire side but friendship needs time to grow so it’s too early to tell.

The story was fast passed and the humour vastly presents despites the violence and heartbreak so it’s really an excellent instalment in the series, I can’t wait to start on the next one either. I would recommend to read this series in order but at the same time, if one book could be read without having read the precedent ones it should be this one, the author gives the necessarily information and the story is focusing so well that you are immersed directly. 

If you love, magic, shifters, vampires, native American legends, history, humour and fast paced action, this series is right for you

Score:  4/5

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

Challenges: