Les Secrets du Démon ( Kara Gillian 3) par Diana Rowland

Bonsoir à tous,

  contrairement à ce que vous auriez pu penser je ne vous oublie pas. J'admets avoir été plus occupée que prévu et puis j'ai aussi profité un peu du soleil quand il était là mais les avis en français sont prêts. Afin de changer un peu d'auteur tout en restant dans le thème du mois aujourd’hui je vous présente le troisième tome des aventures de Kara Gillian par Diana Rowland.

Bonne lecture

Editeur VF: Milady 2012
Titre original:Secrets of the Demon ( edited 2011)
Genre: urban fantasy, romance, paranormal
Violence: élevé
Langage: élevé (insultes nombreuses)
sexe: élevé
Public: +18ans
Obtenu par achat

Quatrième de couverture de l’éditeur Milady:

Son métier : flic. Son hobby : invoquer des démons.

Kara Gillian appartient désormais à une unité spéciale chargée d’enquêter sur les crimes paranormaux au sein de laquelle elle est épaulée par Ryan et Zack, deux agents du FBI. Ensemble, ils doivent résoudre une série de meurtres mêlant argent, sexe, rock et… golem. Mais entre le marché que Kara a conclu avec Rhyzkahl pour sauver la vie de Ryan et le fait que ce dernier semble lié au monde des démons, la jeune femme ne sait plus où donner de la tête. D’autant que Rhyzkahl la trouve tout à fait à son goût, ce que Ryan n’apprécie pas du tout…

Avis:

          Un excellent tome, j’ai pris du plaisir à retrouver Kara et ses acolytes dans une nouvelle aventure. L’intrigue principale est  toujours bien maintenue et bien suivie nous offrant cette fois encore quelques révélations et indices mais nous laissant sur notre faim alors que l’intrigue secondaire, l’enquête principale au centre de cette troisième histoire, elle trouve une parfaite bien que surprenant conclusion.

Les personnages restent tout a fait cohérent, et on découvre combien Ryan est encore affecté par le lien existant entre Kara et son seigneur démon. Son attitude est vraiment déstabilisante pour Kara qui n’a en fait que peu d’expériences en relations sociales en dehors de celle du travail. On découvre combien le lien entre Zack et Ryan n’est pas aussi évident que celui auquel nous aurions pu songer et notre chère inspectrice met très habilement le doigt dessus. En gros ce tome nous en apprends bien davantage que les précédents sur les protagonistes principaux sans nous éclairer complètement, nous découvrons ce qu’est Zack mais le pourquoi reste secret, on a des indices sur Ryan mais le pourquoi et le comment sont encore plus flous. La tante de Kara, Tessa, est revenue changée de son séjour dans les limbes et cela affecte sa relation avec sa nièce…. Elles doivent retrouver leurs marques bien que Kara ait gagné en indépendance. Carl semble en savoir bien davantage mais il reste toujours aussi énigmatique dans ses propos, caractéristique qu’il partage désormais Tessa.

Cette fois l’enquête porte sur la tentative d’agression d’une chanteuse et sur plusieurs meurtres dans son entourage. Les éléments arcaniques or paranormaux  étant trop évident, Kara devra faire confiance à son supérieur en lui révélant finalement la vérité, laquelle il acceptera bien que difficilement pour garder son soutien à sa meilleure enquêtrice. L’intrigue est bien  ficelée, j’avais des doutes sur le coupable mais la raison  et le reste m’ont très agréablement surprises. Pour une fois, Kara doit aussi décidé jusqu’ou elle est prête à aller et j’ai vraiment apprécier de voir se doutes et hésitations qui la rendre plus humaine à mes yeux.

Le tempo est parfait et l’intrigue principale pour laquelle nous avons glané des bribes d’infos s’épaissit avec les tentatives d’attaques magiques sur Kara en provenance d’un ennemi de Rhyzkahl. Le risque étant si grand que le dit seigneur démon impose à Kara un gardien ou plus précisément une gardienne ( pourquoi cet aspect ne m’étonne pas venant de notre grand et si mystérieux seigneur démon qui n’aime pas la concurrence ;) ) dénommée  Eilahn.  Cette dernière doit protéger Kara, et pas seulement physiquement, suite aux tentatives d’invocations dont elle a été victime. Afin d’être à même de réaliser sa mission cette dernière se fait donc passer pour un agent des force de l’ordre travaillant avec l’unité spéciale. On ne l’a pas encore beaucoup vue à l’action mais elle semble être amusante et prendre son travail au sérieux, reste à voir si cela durera et si elle fera des révélations à Kara.

C’est vraiment une excellente série que je recommande sans hésitation, j’apprécie la vision qui est donnée des démons ici ainsi que la dimension enquête policière fortement présente bien que soupoudrée de paranormal.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: Toutes les opinions exprimées ici sont les miennes, il s’agit de d’un avis honnête et personnel. Aucune compensation n’a été fournie en échange de ce dernier.

Challenges:

A great but quick international giveaway!

hello to all!

 Who doesn't want to start the Weekend with a good news?


Annabelle from  Sparkles and Lightning could make your dream to get more books true!

 For a few hours only, starting now, you can enter to win her giveway for  books up to 50dollars and of course it's international like the majority of her giveways!. i can't tell you how happy i would be to win this but if it's one of you i won't be as disappointed

So hurry and may one of us be the lucky one!



Visit her excellent blog and enter this fabulous giveaway with haste ( but don't forget to read the giveaway pages first!)

New way to follow: BlogLoving!

Hello to all,

 With the notification that GFC and /or google ereader was going to disappear this summer, i've tried and added bloglovin. To be short it's similar to google ereader and allow you to see the new post published by the blogs you are following ( you can transfers your subription from google ereader really easily)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

So you can use the button in the sidebar to add my blog to your subcription on bloglovin and stay updated with new posts. It's free and easy

Sorry for the incovenience , i know we are still month before summer but i prefer to be prepared^^;;

until next time^^

Storm Force Episode 4 by Susannah Sandlin ( review and discussion)

Hi!

 Welcome to my review/discussion post about the new episode of Sorm Force by Susannah Sandlin. The story is moving fast and will keep you edgy this week but Susannah promised us even more in an interview she did last week ( you can find the link on her blog) so join us in experiencing this paranormal  romantic thriller released as a serial.
I will first give you my opinion on the new episode , trying to avoid spoiler which is becoming harder and harder ^^;;, then we have the questions that can be answered even without having read the book, a little difference is that this time i will start the dicussion a little.

So First i will remind you that the kindle price is only 1,99 dollars at the moment and with that you will get all the episodes already released and the new one as soon as it is without additional cost.  With the newest schedule it means the book will be completed in May but for the print edition, and audo etc you will have to wait until July when it will be released  and at that time the kindle price will also go up so let you be tempted.

 For more info on Susannah and her books you can check her blog HERE

 To buy Storm Force on amazon click on Storm Force serial

Story:

               Episode 4: Kell and Mori are on the run and they must find a secure place to speak.  It’s time for the Ranger to see where his loyalties lie and who he can trust. He is glad for his teammates’ support despite the strange circumstances. Mori couldn’t imagine Kell keeping secret from her as she is doing, with her life on the line she wants to trust him but he is only human. In hope to protect him, she decide to act alone, never imagining it could get worse than her worst nightmare 

My opinion:

          I loved this chapter that kept me quite anxious for the characters, one moment I was grinning the next I wanted to cry, to slap some sense in Mori. This chapter was really a storm for my feelings and I really couldn’t guess what to expect next. The tension is also reaching some tops.

Kell doesn’t really know why he is taking all these risks to help Mori but he feels he must do something. Conscious of the risks, he doesn’t want to include his team but his partners don’t leave him any choice, they are a team even in the worst moment. Kell didn’t think, Robin could act like that and he is surprised but happy of discovering the loyalty his team is showing.  However, the biggest problem at the moment is to keep Mori from fleeing from him and to get some info from her. He wants her to trust him and to trust her but he knows that the secrets he kept from her can be an hindrance to achieve that goal and the secrets she is keeping are not helping.

When Mori discovers that Kell lied or at least kept secrets from her she is hurt but having done the same she can’t really blame him. Now she wants the truths and along the way she must recognise some of her feelings and expectations she was blinding herself to.  Destabilised, she reveals some things to Kell but don’t open completely, seeing hurting she think she can do better alone but she never really knew Michael and didn’t think he could be as bad as he start to reveal himself to be. I didn’t understand how she could go back to him after he hit her… really he is evil, he showed it in his office and she believe she can  do something…. She never thought he could be manipulating everything…. I so wanted to slap her for not trusting Kell. She knew he has a team but she didn’t wait to see if it was a special one, if they would have enough power to help her no she just decided to protect being the stronger of the two… that’s an alpha attitude same as Kell wanting to protect her as well as his team…I really don’t see Michael as a alpha just a psycho maniac evil -_- .

This episode is terribly well written as we are deep in the romantic thriller part. I really recommend you try this serial

Score:  5/5

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

Discussion:

1)       Could you sacrifice your happiness in the name of some family obligations? Do you think it’s something positive sometimes or never to be done?

“ I don’t think about obligations as big as the one Mori has but we are all confronted to things we have to do or imposed to do that don’t make us happy. I remember as a child my father imposed me to keep contact with my godmother meaning that around twice a year we had to go to visit them and I had to accompany them despite my protest. My father thought he was doing well but those moments were really hard for me with the little hateful remark and such .. when I was back home I was really in a bad shape, crying, angry and I isolated myself. It didn’t make me happy at all but it was for family and it was imposed since I was little… as soon as I was old enough for my father to accept my decision, which never changed, I stopped going.

Another time, when I was older my father started to be quite ill and I decided to arrange my study schedule to have more time at home then when the situation got worse I put my studies on hold. My father didn’t ask for this, quite the opposite, but I felt like I had to so I could give more time to my father and mother. I could do the shopping so she could stay with him, I prepared the meal, took care of the house when she was visiting him at the hospital etc…

 In comparison the moment at my godmother house were not as difficult or as painful for me as seeing my father in that state but the difference is that for the second I choose to do it and now I’m happy I could have at least helped a little (even if that time my happiness was non existent and my life like suspended) So for my part I don’t think imposing it it’s fair or can have positive result, when it’s your decision it can be different but we all deserve happiness. “

2)       In a relationship, can the people keep secrets from each other? Are all truths good to say?

            “ … I think there is a difference between telling lies and keeping secret…. I don’t know if the second is really better but sometimes you need the trust before sharing the secret…”

So what do you think? Did you decide to buy the kindle since the serial has started? Don't hesitate to comment and participate with us.

 until next week for Episode 5

Demon Hunting in Dixie (Demon Hunting1) by Lexi George

Hello to all,

 I wanted to give you this earlier but i've got a serious cold that made me get behind my schedule so before i go back to rest and fighting this nasty cold i want to share this with you.

To tell you the truth i thought about reviewing another book first but something happened... for those who know me they know i'm very and i mean very sensitive and emotionnal ( even worse when i'm sick) so when one of the little bird coming to eat at home didn't make it ( be it the cold, illness, heartattack  etc we will never know) i was devastated.. really i cried all morning , i didn't want to eat = total disaster. However, i had to read and since the main topic for this month will demons,  i though hey it can't be worse, demons means dark and i'm in a dark mood so i took a book, one that i really really couldn't wait any longer to start and.... i laughed... oh not just a little but really laughed during all the book. This book was simply perfect and it took my mind miles away from any negative waves.

 It's the reason i decided to share this one with you first because you perhaps need this little light too to make you smile while reading a really good story because it's so rare to get demon in a book and Humour mixed with romance.

So here comes Demon hunting in Dixie, first book of the demon hunting series, by Lexi George!

Happy reading and have fun!

Publisher: Brava

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  0758263090

Genre: paranormal romance, humour
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: mild+
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 A warrior, a demon, and the girl next door. . .

Looking For Trouble

Addy Corwin is a florist with an attitude. A bad attitude, or so her mama says, 'cause she's not looking for a man. Mama's wrong. Addy has looked. There's just not much to choose from in Hannah, her small Alabama hometown. Until Brand Dalvahni shows up, a supernaturally sexy, breathtakingly well-built hunk of a warrior from—well, not from around here, that's for sure. Mama thinks he might be European or maybe even a Yankee. Brand says he's from another dimension.

Addy couldn't care less where he's from. He's gorgeous. Serious muscles. Disturbing green eyes. Brand really gets her going. Too bad he's a whack job. Says he's come to rescue her from a demon. Puh-lease. But right after Brand shows up, strange things start to happen. Dogs talk and reanimated corpses stalk the quiet streets of Hannah. Her mortal enemy Meredith, otherwise known as the Death Starr, breaks out in a severe and inexplicable case of butt boils. Addy might not know what's going on, but she definitely wants a certain sexy demon hunter by her side when it all goes down. . .

My opinion:

          Fabulous! I didn’t laugh as much in a long time and never with a book about demons. Generally when you pick a book with demon it’s at least a little dark or filled with tension at least, yes there are demons with honour and a set of rules, not all “demons” are evil etc  but until now I’ve never encountered a book with them included  that made me laugh for more than 90% of the story , the 10% left were for the action, tension part and the romance when humour was low or no present but in a whole this book made me smile when i thought it impossible and when i started i couldn’t stop! Lexi George really managed to create a wonderful universe filled with action, romance and humour where everything has its place.

 In this universe, demons called “djegrali” as well as those who hunt them come from an alternate universe, they can jump in time and between worlds without difficulty. The hunters or “Dalvahni” are tripped of all emotions, their sole goal is to hunt the demons to imprison or destroy them. They have a huge (and i mean HUGE) appetite, some special powers like immortality, invisibility etc and to better accomplish their mission they do have some advantage like an understanding of all languages, special purse that deliver money of any kind at will and they can alter memories. One other good point is: they are terribly gorgeous.

Brand is one of those famous warriors and while pursuing some Djegralis in our world, in Alabama, he is put at a disadvantage in a combat when he is confronting several enemies. Addy, short for Adara, was walking her dog Dooley when her instinct told her something was wrong, trying to get back her dog after she flew she is confronted to a creature of nightmare until in a blinding light appears a man with a sword who start to fight… seeing others creatures she call out to him, helping as she can but the consequences are dire since she is hurt in the process.

Confronted to a choice, Brand decides to save his new ally however it’s something forbidden or at least no recommended since his has an impact on the human. Now, Addy can hear and understand her dog and when she gets angry strange things happens…. which start to happen a little to often as Brand and his fellow warrior Ansgard, who has the worst timing ever, are around.

Lexi George use the fact they are coming from another universe to play with the languages because if they understand it… it’s only the basics one and not all the idioms, sayings typical from the south and that gives some interesting and so funny scene. Add to that fact that Brand is chivalrous, polite, possessive alpha with a tendency to tell the truth to easily without prior knowledge of the privacy or the taboo of some topics and you get hilarious scenes. He is making Addy as furious as possible all while getting completely out of control suddenly overwhelmed by unknown feelings.

 The action is there, like I said Ansgard has a terrible timing that made me sorry for Addy and Brand, even more when he has such an icy attitude at first.

 We get the romance between Adara and Brand but despite all his rhetoric and rules the icy warrior isn’t immune to human charm either since he got easily transfixed by Evie, Evangeline, the best friend of Addy who has the particularity to see faeries. Because, as Addy will learn, her little town isn’t as boring and simple as it seems. Lot of demons and demons descendants are living there as well as humans with some magical power. The name of the town also means something for the Dalvahni even if we are still a little unsure of what at the moment.

Really this is a wonderful read if you need to relax a little, to smile but want action and romance this is the book for you. I can’t wait to have the other books in the series (without forgetting the novellas, it’s really to good to miss). I really recommend you to try it

Score:  5/5

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

Challenges:

Storm Force Episode3 by Susannah Sandlin (review and discussion)

Hi!

 So yesterday was the release of the third episode of  Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin thanks to the publisher who decided to do a weekly release intead of one every two weeks. Since it's becoming even more addictive than it was , i'm really happy about this decision^^

I will try to do share my opinion of it with you each week ,however after thinking about it this post will be scheduled on Wednesday . I think it's better since the release can happen anytime on Tuesday and for those who follow i want to let them have some time to enjoy it before entering a discussion^^. And like last time, even if you are not reading the book as of yet don't hesitate to participate in the discussion with the questions you feel safe to answer and you can also go back to precedent dicussions too

So First i will remind you that the kindle price is only 1,99 dollars at the moment and with that you will get all the episodes already released and the new one as soon as it is without additional cost.  With the newest schedule it means the book will be completed in May but for the print edition, and audo etc you will have to wait until July when it will be released  and at that time the kindle price will also go up so let you be tempted.

 For more info on Susannah and her books you can check her blog HERE

 To buy Storm Force on amazon click on Storm Force serial

               Story:

                   Episode3: While Kell is set on obeying orders even f they clash with his moral code, Mori starting to think about give up under the threats.  However Michael is really determined and acts to reduce Mori’s possibilities of action, even if the team knows now that shifters have aligned with the opposite camp, the reasons and their identity is still unknown. Kell only has a few minutes to make his choice.

My opinion:

          I really can’t wait until next instalment, the tension is going up with each release and my dislike of Michael is proportional to my appreciation of Kell and his team.  I guess the only thing that bothered me a little was how far Kell was ready to go to follow orders even more when he was so conflicted about it. It must be so hard for him but Susannah Managed some twist to make it happens differently in a way that had all my preference even if Mori’s feelings of powerlessness were the decisive factor.

 I really appreciated to see how alpha Kell can be when he goes all protective, it’s really cute and not really something I expecting or at least not so strongly he is marking points^^. I do also appreciate to see how his team is reacting as a group I mean they went to save gator and it’s something some wouldn’t thought of it ( when I was reading the part where the danger was, I was so afraid the “ugly” was going to take revenge on poor Gator, really stressed^^;;;)

I enjoy to see the characters starting to act more for themselves than for duty and taking risk for that even if it’s just for a little instant. Now we will have to see how the secrets will mix with that but the suspense and tension is really moving up to several levels higher and I’m becoming more and more immersed in the story so can’t wait for episode 4;even more that episode 3 does have a big cliffhanger ( though keep in mind that it’s a serial, not the book  yet)

Score:  4,5/5

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

Discussion:

1)       How far would you go to follow order? To please your superior? And to save someone?

2)       Should species in danger protected depending on their “cuteness”?  What can be done for the species more “ ugly” or less liked?  ( I mean some spider or snake for example  I wouldn’t want to pet them but I do understand they are useful ( still keep them far away from me!) ^^;;)

April RAK Sign up

Hello to all,

                   Welcome to a new month of Random Act of Kindness created by the girls ( Isalys and Vanessa) from Booksoulmates to share the love of books between the blogger from all around the world.

I'm really happy to participate once again, i had my most wonderful experience last month ( more than 1 year after i started to participate) and it really motivated me to continue to try my best to share the love despite the less happy experience i also encountered.

So don't forget to write if you want handmade gift, if i don't contact you this month i could still mark you on my list for a future time.

Happy RAK!

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository  or fishpond and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peezy!!

Links you will need:

Sign up for April 2013 [HERE]
See who else is participating [HERE]
If you have any questions regarding RAK, please contact us via the following:
rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com

This month, i'm number 18 on the list. If you want to grant me a RAK, please send me an email at isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com and i will give you my information.

I have a long wishlist but that way everyone can find something they like and in their budget. I also accept gently used books from no smoking house (allergic), but i'm international so the shipping without bookdepository can be expensive. 

You can find my complete wishlist here and if i have to choose some favorite ( always difficult) in no particular order ( but really any book from my wishlist is fine):

-Taking a shot ( play by play3) by Jaci Burton

-A fantasy Medley 2 by Yanni Kuznia ( for the rat catcher novella by seanan Mcguire, i've become a fan of Tybalt^^;;)

-Alpha instinct by Katie Reus
-Exiled by MR Merrick
-Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
-Etiquette and Espionnage by Gail Garringer

- Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout

-In a fix by Linda Grimes

-An heiress at heart by jennifer Delamere

-Othermoon by nina Berry

ps: i don't accept ebook normally but there is a small exception for the pdf files of the Tales from the archives ( short stories from the ministry of peculiar occurences) by pip ballantine and Tee Morris. It exist only in digital so far and i'm a fan of this series and fortunately they are on smashword in all format ( included pdf) so the list for that is:

Tales from the Archives collection 2
Tales from the Archives collection 3
Tales from the Archives collection 4

Happy RAK to all participants and don't forget to write if you accept/want handmade gifts either in the right case on the form or in the comments!