Shadows Before the Sun ( Charlie Madigan 4) by Kelly Gay

Hello to all,

       A new week start and September is slowly reaching its end...which start to make me stress at the idea of not being ready on time for Christmas. However i need to stay calm and go one step after the other so let's finish september before thinking october and even worse December.

The read-a-thon hosted by Tressa is now finished and i was able to read a little more as to surpass my goal and before i give you a complete wrap up that i'm sharing with you my opinion on one of the book i've read during this event: Shadows Before the Sun by Kelly Gay.

 This book was in my TBR pile for a long time but i couldn't decide to start it after learning it was the last of the series because the publishers didn't want to continue it....such a disappointment as i really loved the series but i was afraid  to read it. Lately, i saw that there was a cover for a book 5 so  knowing the author wasn't giving up  i couldn't delay any longer and this read-a-thon was the perfect solution to give me the little additional push i needed.

Happy Reading!!

Publisher: Pocket Books

Publication: 2012

ISBN: 1451625480

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 The electrifying sequel to the acclaimed urban fantasies The Better Part of Darkness, The Darkest Edge of Dawn, and The Hour of Dust and Ashes!


After filling out mountains of paperwork, Detective Charlie Madigan sets out for a death-defying trip into heavenly Elysia to rescue her partner Hank and bring the siren home. Of course, she doesn’t expect to leave behind an all out siren revolution or return home to find that jinn crime boss, Grigori Tennin, has begun a massive search for the divine being, Ahkneri. Tennin’s tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the crosshairs of the shadowy creature known as Death and awakens Ahkneri from her long sleep. And when Vengeance rises, Atlanta will never be the same

My opinion:

          Very good! I has been ages since i’ve read the precedent book but i was only confused for a few pages before getting completely immersed again in the universe. But i do recommend you to read this in order as it’s not a stand alone.

In this story we visit places of Elysia and i really enjoyed that part iit was interesting to see and even more knowing what we knew about the dark secrets hidden there... and the elysian ( adonai especially are so full of themselves!)

The plot is very well structured and the pace is just perfect... it could never be too slow wxith Charlie after all she can’t stay in one place or keep silent for too long ;) but it wasn’t too fast either. Sandra is a good friend for Charlie and her knowledge really vast while at the same time she is staying so mysterious and alone... foreseen part of the futur isn’t a power i would like to have.

Charlie stayed true to herself and i loved to see how deep her loyalty run. Emma is also as funny as she is intelligent and Charlie can be glad to have her. The plot is grpping all your attention as each element can have a role in this story or in the future which is something that is usual with this series but is also a reason why we love it so much.

Now  i must tell you that this book  doesn’t answer all the questions we had in the previous installments, we get a few hints, part of answers and... more questions and mysteries.  This book wasn’t written to be the last of the series that’s for sure to much is left unsaid like... who is Leander! What he wants etc.. we do get a kind of  conclusion yes even if the ending is a kind of cliffhanger it can also be saw as  the fact they continue their job so  i was both unsatified and glad it wasn’t an ending putting you on edge either.

 I do hope though that the book 5 which has a cover now will really come into existence and answer all our interrogation once and for all however with this one i can wait without being on edge so  i’m happy.

Score:  4/5

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

Challenges:

Cursed (Fallen Siren 1) by S. J. Harper

Hello to all!

                       Here the Carnaval has ended which means calm has come back ( and fiable internet connexion as well) and i can share a new reads with you.
But first i wanted to thanks everyone of you who helped to make my Birthday, monday, a fantastic day when i felt cared for. Be it via a small message, an email, a letter or a gift you all made me feel loved and for that i'm really grateful so thank you to each of you!


Now today i'm sharing with you my opinion on Cursed, the first book in the Fallen Siren series for which i had sharefd the prequel novella sometimes ago.

Happy reading and once again Thank you!

Publisher: Roc

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  0425263290

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: won

Description from goodreads :

 Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She's cursed. He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.

Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

My opinion:

          This first instalment promises a great series if the quality stays the same. I spend a wonderful reading moment with this book and while I had read the prequel and enjoyed it this is even better that what I hoped. Reading the prequel also helped me to understand the characters a little better since it was their first encounter but for those who can’t get the prequel, don’t worry this novel is sufficient by itself to enthral you.

I really like Emma and I feel for her… having to see so many of her friends die with time but still being able to create relationship and care for other that’s require a lot of courage I think.  Demeter sound really like a vengeful b**** to me now it’s true roman and greek goddesses were often portrayed that way but still thousand years of punishment that’s enough but no and she keep coming to torture Emma  with threat and memories…

Emma really hasn’t it easy she can’t use her powers all she wants, she must stay discreet, hiding her true identity and features but she also must guard her heart if she doesn’t want to see her loved one killed.

After meeting Zack in a past affair and working with him they both succumbed to their strong attraction but with the condition not to keep contact, see each other etc after…no string attached in the stronger sense of the expression… but that doesn’t mean she can forget easily…so when he appears again in her life she is torn by curiosity and hope but also terrified of the consequences. However despite her personal problems she takes her job as FBI agent specialised in finding missing person very seriously and she is doing her best (even before her friends get concerned.) She also puts other before herself.

Zack is a werewolf, a secret one safe that Emma knew it at first glance. He is an alpha, loyal, protective but filled with guilt from his past as well. Deeply attracted to Emma, he pursues her but in a respectful way, respecting her wishes and her secrets. He doesn’t know what she is only that she is different ant that there is something between them, not what danger it means.

I really like him as well and I hope his power will reserve us some surprise ;)

The story was really interesting as well.. missing people… missing vampires, investigations that must be done under the radar and  a really well written plot all to make you so interested that you can’t stop turning the pages.

Part of me wonder what aside siren, goddess, witches, were and vampires can this world offer us next and it makes me even more impatient for book 2. Especially since one master vampire got on my bad list all my warnings bells chiming but I can’t really guess why so far.

Definitively a series to try and to follow up.

Score:  4,5/5

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

Challenges:

Captured (Fallen Siren 0.5) by SJ Harper

Hello to all!

                         Halloween preparations are starting to blossom everywhere but  i'm more Christmas.  The advantage to this time of the year is the numerous blog hop, giveaways and reviews focusing on paranormal romance and urban fantasy... i can't resist even if my wishlist suffer at the same time.

I told you i was going to try to post more this month and i still hope i will manage while crafting on the side ( yes i'm not as far as i hoped i would be) and better to start now.

Today i'm introducing you to a series via the prequel novella ( which has been offered some times ago) the second book is releasing this month so i though it would be fitting to start with this one so today it's mermaid and werewolf and... suspense^^. -If you are lucky i will perhaps even post about book1 later this month but we will see- ( after all i plan to try to give you a little on different creatures so everyone should find one that fit his/ her tastes)

Happy reading

Short description from goodreads :

Join FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She’s a Siren. He’s a Werewolf.
Their mission is redemption.

Emma Monroe is a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now she works for the FBI and is on temporary assignment in Charleston. Solving this next missing persons case could be the key to ending her ancient curse—unless the temptation that’s her new partner gets in the way.

Zack Armstrong is a Werewolf. Tall, dark, and dangerous, he currently works for one of the bureau’s elite Child Abduction Rapid Deployment teams. In many respects the man is every bit as mysterious as his secret and perilous past. But there are two things he’s certain about, that he’s going to get his man and his woman.

When Zack finds himself suddenly shy a partner and a third child goes missing in Charleston, Emma goes from consultant to CARD team member in the space of a few hours. The abductions of the first two boys ended in murder, an outcome that neither Zack nor Emma can abide. As they race against time to track down the kidnapper and rescue the latest victim, they find themselves fighting something just as treacherous—a growing attraction that can’t be ignored or denied.

My opinion:

          I loved it! Really it was a wonderfully done prequel which could even work as stand alone. We are directly introduced to the main character Emma Monroe a siren -think godly being with supernatural power yes but no fins- in disguise who works as a FBI agent whose task is finding missing persons. She is doing that to try to make amends for not saving Persephone which is the reason Demeter cursed her.

She is called in for the case of a missing young boy by Agent Zack Armstrong who is in charge of that file and a werewolf.

The spark between them is immediate but I really appreciated that they put the case first and the investigation was well described as well as how it affected them. They can be supernatural beings, in secret or not, but they are not insensible. They are dedicated to their job and do they best. Zack is quite the gentleman, he sound loyal and more than sexy. Emma has suffered a lot  but I love how she can be strong willed. They are really good together and great partner.

There is some romance yes, even steamy one but not until the end which I found particularly appreciable with this kind of story. The suspense is well balanced by some humour little moments (and the love of foods^^). It’s well paced not too quick but not slow and since it’s a short story it’s really good.

We are not left on a cliffhanger, the case is solved, the characters have decided of what they want ( or can afford) so at the end we are satisfied… we do want more yes but in the good kind of want^^.

If you want some urban fantasy, with more than a touch of romance but investigation as the foremost element this is definitively the short story to try as it will introduces you to what should become a really promising series

Score:  4,5/5

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

Challenges:

The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan2) by Kelly Gay

Hi!

 I won't be long because i really need to be resting, this winter is a little too long and too harsh for me. Sometimes life is strange... i wanted to take a book that wasn't entering a specific challenge (apart the 2013 tbr reading pile) and i nerly forgot what this series was about...Anna told me sometimes ago that i shouldn't stop at the first book that it was just getting better in the next one so i decided to take this one from my shelf... as soon as i started it i remembered all book 1 and that this series does have fae in it so it was good one for this month ... so i did read for pleasure AND for the challenge for once ;) ( but i really need to pick some books i just want to read without having a reason to do so)

Enjoy Reading!

Publisher: Pocket

Publication: 2010

ISBN:  1439110042

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

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night. . . .
Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun—one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work . . . but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

My opinion:

         Globally, I enjoyed this book more than the first one; this series still isn’t my favourite but I do want to read it without waiting so long.

It was really an enjoyable read and in this book we get new creatures like nymph and a dragon…I guess I’m in a diversity phase because I really prefer those to the book on one kind of paranormal creatures only. I enjoy seeing the alliances, treaties, conflicts between all these groups and how they adjust differently in our universe. I really loved this arrogant but loyal dragon, druid and also ruler. I hope we will see more of him.

Kelly Gay manages to create a really good story with each book so far having its own and complete investigations and conclusion while staying in a perfect continuity of the general plot. It’s not always easy to be done but the advantage is that you can read each book without worry if you have to wait for the next one even if you really want to read it and continue following those characters you are not left hanging.

Now, that Charlie knows what has been done to her she is showing some changes, some that terrifies her other that can seem useful. For example she is starting to see sometimes a few seconds in the future, can see invisible things or under glamour. The trouble is she isn’t mastering those news “gifts” and when she is needing them the most for healing for example she has trouble concentrating. I loved to see her discovering them and how she was affected but those. Her daughter is also proving to have inherited special talents whose she is keeping secret from her mother.

I really loved to see more of Hank and learning little bits of his past… still a lot of secrets yes but we see another side of him and the romance is heating up quite a lot in this second book. This time, Hank confesses his attraction but even if Charlie is sharing it she is trying to avoid admitting it and succumbing to it….though Hank isn’t the kind of siren to give up. I also enjoyed to see more about his powers, thing I regretted in book 1 where the siren’s part was nearly off immediately, this time we get to see how his “voice” influence his life and relationship with other sirens, why kind of powers he has without his voice and what is linked to that specific powers.

We get to learn more about Brym and the “ash” drug from book 1 too so the primary plot thickens, seems like the Adonai  have some embarrassing secret, one real enemy makes himself now etc. In the same time, we get the investigations about the adonais ‘murders which constitutes the main plot of this book. Solving this mystery gives Charlie clues to solving her main goal: make the darkness disappear from the city. And we do learn a lot even if a large part is still speculations.

 This is really an excellent dark urban fantasy and I recommend it to lovers of this genre. I can’t wait to jump on book3

Score:  3,5/5

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

Challenges:

Do you get sometimes the feeling that you don't read what you really want to? That the pressure in the selection of your books is too strong?