Dark Secrets: A paranormal Noir Anthology with Rachel Caine, Suzanne Johnson , Mina Khan and others ( early review)

Hello to all

I'm really happy to share with you  my opinion on an anthology which will be released soon " Dark Secrets"  which include a favourite author of mine but also new favourite ( some i  had read and just got even more fan of, some completely new)and new authors to me.... A wonderful group of women, very talented and generous as well because if you pre order the book now, before the release on the 29th, you can get it for 99cent only if you are in the USA.

Six stories for that price that's a great offer. But even better, they thought about those of us who love print books more and it will be released in print in the future as well.

I have opted to read the stories in order of the anthology and not jump directly to those of the authors i knew beforehand and i think i was a good way to go about it as I didn't get any specific expectations but was open to anything. I really recommend you this book if you love dark paranormal of if you want to try any of these authors, you have nothing to loose so don't hesitate.

I will give you my opinion, short as not to spoil too much, novella by novella so the post will be longer than usual  but first a little words about each of them.

 happy reading!

Publication: 2015

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

Source: ebook received in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

 Six award-winning authors bring you this spellbinding collection of stories about dark desires, mysterious worlds, and danger that lurks in the shadows of the night. Where nothing is black and white; where things might not be as they seem; where magic and mayhem rule.

MARION, MISSING by Rachel Caine

Valentine is a detective with two major problems: he's been offered a kidnapping case that will probably get him killed, and his partner won't let him turn it down. He owes her that much … since his partner's a ghost, and he blames himself for her death. A dark, haunting noir mystery of love, hate and loss.

FEMME FATALE by Cynthia Eden

PI Mick Swayne has seen it all—his clients have included liars, thieves, and even killers. He thinks he can handle anything and anyone. Then she walks into his office. Savannah Moreau is beautiful, seductive, and…a vampire? The gorgeous vamp hires Mick to help her track down a killer who is hunting in Chicago, but as Mick slips deeper into Savannah’s paranormal world, he wonders if he can really trust his new client…

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Megan Hart

When the devil starts the music, you'd better get ready to dance.
Kathleen Murphy has sold her soul to the devil. Fame, fortune, success...everything she's ever dreamed of is hers, and all she has to do is the devil's bidding. When love comes knocking, the last thing in the world she wants to do is involve Jake in her twisted world, but the devil's started up the jukebox and Kathleen has no choice but to learn the steps

THE CONSORT by Suzanne Johnson

Faulkner Hearne, the captain of the ruthless Fae Hunters, finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture the consort of Faerie’s cruel Prince of Summer when she flees across the veil into modern New Orleans. Can Faulk turn Liandra over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her?
An all-new novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans multiverse.

HEART’S BLOOD by Jeffe Kennedy, a Twelve Kingdoms novella

A dark fairytale retelling of a princess robbed of rank, husband and even her name.
Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

THE DJINN IN THE MIRROR by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella

A paranormal Cinderella story with a young witch as the heroine and a wicked, sexy djinn instead of a fairy godmother.

Dahlia, the step-daughter of a power hungry wizard, promises to free a djinn trapped in a mirror if he rescues her from impending death. But Ashmael the djinn has his own agenda: to trick & seduce his way to freedom. The only problem is he ends up falling for Dahlia. Can he win his freedom and save the girl?

My opinion:

          Marion, Missing by Rachel Caine

It was well written and heartbreaking .... i don’t see how you could remain unmoved by this story Rachel Caine really did well but  for me it was too sad. So far she is the author i have the less affinities with so i’m not surprised  if i don’t connect too much with it.

The story speaks about racism too and in a such a way that you are not really sure of what time it... of course you have element showing it’s the past but it done in sucha way that you really can imagine it still done now in some place of the word and that’s probably what makes it unsettling. It’s not my favourite short stories but mostly because ofthe topic and ending and how it left me. I must  precise that this was REALLY wonderfully written.

Femme Fatale by Cynthia Eden

This was a novelty for me as i didn’t read this author before even if i do have at least one of her book in my TBR pile. In this short story about vampire and PI i really liked to be surprised as the author manages to maintain the doubt until the end.

 It was well built and Mick is an inetresting Heroe, i liked how he wanted to stay honorable and all.

So very good reading time.

Dance with the Devil by Megan Hart

Another new author to me and new series of course. The good point is that you can absolutely read this without prior knowledge. If you are one of those who don’t like to read about demons and angel you should probably  pass this one but if you have an open mind this is an interesting story.

 I don’t think i would follow up this series though but as a try it was good

The Consort by Suzanne Johnson

I LOVE IT!!! Suzanne Johnson never disappointed me but this is simply fabulous, even if you have never heard of her series you can follow this easily and it just leave you wanting for more.

You have the action, humour some suspense and romance... just perfect I really liked Liandra, she is only half fae but she is strong willed and intelligent and couregous. Faulk... i just want to read more of him and his team it’s a wonderful treat that works wonderfully aside from the main series but i do hope we will see more of the characters we met here either in other shorts or in the main series but i want more^^

Heat’s Blood by Jeffe Kennedy , a Twelve Kingdoms novella

Oki this is my last liked in the anthology... it’s not bad written or anything, quite the opposite even but it’s not my cup of tea at all... i don’t like cruelty towards animals ( fae or not) or  unjustified violence.... If only the vilains got what he/ she deserved but i didn’t feel as it was the case.

 Some how i would have wanted the fae‘s wrath to apply judgement or something... i’m definitively not ready for the series after reading this, like i said it’s not bad written simply it’s not for me at this time. I reassure you it has an happy ending but i ‘m still upset days after reading it so better if i put it aside for a time

The Djinn in the Mirror by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella

I loved this one as well. I had read and loved other works by this author  but nothing about her stories with Djinn and now i really want to read those ( part of me want to see a certain revenge well deserved)

 This novella is a little difficult to tell you about without spoiler but if you are new to her Djinn universe like i am don’t fear you will be swept by the story really easily!  It’s engaging, mysterious and so well written.

 There is romance, action, tension and a lot more

You will love Ash and Dalhia story i’m sure if you love magic, witches, djinn and want a good romance.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review. Source: an ecopy received in excahnge of an honest review

Challenge:

You can pre order this book on amazon Here

Working Stiff ( Revivalist 1) by Rachel Caine

HAPPY  HALLOWEEN!!!

The special party will start soon so i have to get ready but first i wanted to share with you one last review this month.... i tried to read different paranormal creatures and i discovered some i love to read about, other i don't mind and some... that yes i don't like. I found fitting to give you a review today for a book that put me quite ill at ease since it fit the night. After all a lot  of people want to get afraid even before the dark fall on the city and this book would help them.


Today topic is: Zombie

( remember to enter the GGMMMU hosted by Brenda on carzy four books, low entries means bigger chance to win^^)

Happy reading!

Publisher: Allison & Busby

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  0749040815

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

Source: gifted
 

Short description from goodreads :

 Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.


Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead..

My opinion:

          Giving you my opinion on this specific book isn’t such an easy task as I’m quite undecided on what I’m feeling now that I have finished it.  I didn’t hate it but I didn’t loved it…it’s the first book I’m trying that focus on zombies and perhaps I’m not ready for that paranormal creature. It’s hard to explain because while I wasn’t at ease with the story right at the start –I couldn’t understand why normal procedures wouldn’t have worked ( though we get the answer later) for example- I was still interested enough to keep reading with as less break as possible.

I did love the thriller part and the investigation, I guessed some events but they were twists that kept the story fast paced and a page turner.

Perhaps I pitied Bryn, she was so full of dreams and so happy about her job when everything change… I don’t like when characters dies  and with zombies is quite a mandatory step…perhaps a part of me would have wished for a reverse system as unbelievable it could be, even worse I know it should not exist  but it just sounded too unfair for my sensibilities.

Now you can also forget, for this book, the zombies decaying, trying to eat brains etc… it’s different. They are in fact the result of the use of a specific drug “ Returné” that if they keep using it make them appear completely normal. They can eat, sleep etc but they are dependent on the drug because if they stop taking it their body starts the natural process again.  While taking the drugs, they are kind on stand by on the door step and the drugs make their body regenerate so they are really hard to kill ( be disposed of being more accurate), even head injury heals on its own with enough Returne and time.

However what is even more important to note is that those who take it  are completely conscious, they are not normally robot like they can feel and think.

Aside from the action, which is fast and without a lot of moments to take a breath there are also some romance. Oki yes that felt strange to me because as Bryn knows she is dead It didn’t feel natural she could fall in love. Or that someone knowing the truth could loves her… The romance is only starting and only kisses are exchanged so it’s not too bad but I wasn’t at ease and preferred the action part.

That being said Rachel Caine did manage to write a really good story, in the horror genre yes but not too dark despite some events not easy to read.  I did prefer this book to the other one from her I’ve read but at the same time I’m not sure I want to continue the series which is complete with 2more books. It’s a possibility for later if I come across the last 2 books really cheap but I’m really unsure….i’m quite satisfied with how this book ended and I fear more would be too much for me.

Score:  2,5/5

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

Challenge:

Vampire City : tome 1 Bienvenue en Enfer par Rachel Caine

Bonsoir à tous!,

 Il était temps que je vous livre un nouvel avis, en français cela va de soit, et pour une fois je voulais changer et ne pas vous présenter un titre du même éditeur car certes j'adore Milady et ma bibliothèque en recèle une majorité mais ce n'est pas la seule maison d'édition française et  comme un titre était particulièrement adapté à ce mois-ci je n'ai pu résister.

En effet, ce mois d'octobre a pour sujet, du challenge de romance paranormales, les fantômes mais  même si je vais essayer d'en lire plusieurs correspondant à ce thème j'ai surtout envie de me faire plaisir et de simplement lire quelques romans d'urban fantasy or romance paranormale qui me font envie parfois depuis très longtemps et qui sait cela voudra peut-être dire plus d'un avis en français ce mois-ci.

En attendant commençons par celui-ci, Rachel Caine est uen auteur assez connue et la série " morganville" a un certain succès aussi je me suis laissée tenter...et le premier tome étant disponible chez le livre de poche section jeunesse l'affaire a été vite conclue et je l'ai lu rapidement mais malheureusement je suis restée sur ma faim mais je vous laisse en découvrir plus.

Bonne Lecture

Editeur VF: Le Livre de Poche, col. Jeunesse 2013
Titre original:Glass Houses ( edited 2010)
Genre: paranormal romance, bit lit, YA
Violence: élevée
Langage: normal
sexe: aucun
Public: 16ans+

Prix : 7,75euro

Obtenu par achat

Quatrième de couverture de l'éditeur Le Livre de Poche Jeunesse: 

Claire Danvers est une étudiante de génie. Ses parents l’envoient pourtant s’enterrer à Morganville, dans une université au fin fond du Texas. Très vite, elle devient le souffre-douleur de la « mafia manucurée » du campus. Claire trouve alors refuge dans la maison de ses rêves. Elle se lie bientôt d’amitié avec ses trois colocataires, Eve la gothique, Shane le rebelle et Michael, musicien prodige qui ne sort qu’après le coucher du soleil. Mais Claire n’est pas encore tirée d’affaire. Car à Morganville, certaines personnes ont les dents longues et, la nuit, les ombres sont habitées.

Avis:

          Je suis assez perplexe après ce premier tome qui, autant prévenir dès à présent, se termine par un cliffhanger. Ce n’est pas que ce soit mal écrit mais je n’aime pas trop passé d’un récit  à la première personne à un à la troisième….je n ‘ai rien contre chacun de ces points de vue narratif mais je n’apprécie pas trop le mélange. D’autre part,  j’avais plutôt l’impression que cela s’adressait à de jeunes adolescents, j’aime lire les récits YA et même pour un public encore plus jeune mais j’ai rarement eu un sentiment aussi fort d’inadéquation avec l’histoire, l’histoire manquait pour moi de profondeur et les personnages étaient un peu trop superficiels à mon sens.

Oh l’écriture n’est pas mauvaise loin de là et l’histoire a du potentiel mais je n’ai pas vraiment accroché à ce premier tome, en fait c’est limite si je ne regrette pas la dépense. L’histoire est plus que facile à lire et est assez  prévisible mais agréable à suivre mais plus de 7euro pour ça c’est trop à mon goût, il y a des séries beaucoup plus captivantes et à moindre coût..

J’ai apprécié cependant que chacun reste comme il est  au moins dans ce premier volume mais c’est loin d’être acquis pour le reste de la série qui en version originale est bien plus longue déjà que ce qui a été traduit à ce jour. Une partie de moi était intéressée de découvrir le personnage de Claire avec lequel je partage plusieurs points communs mais après quelques pages l’intérêt s’est dissipé. Claire est intelligente certes, elle a du mal a être acceptée car son objectif est d’étudier pas de faire la fête, très bien mais dans le même temps elle m’a paru molle.  Eve la met au courant pour les vampires, elle a des doutes c’est logiques mais même après avoir eu plusieurs preuves elle fait encore des bêtises mettant tout le monde en danger.  Pas vraiment cohérent avec une jeune fille très intelligente et mature. De même sa réaction quand elle découvre la nature de Michael est trop calme, le «  on en discutera plus tard » n’est pas logique au vu de son comportement au préalable. J’ai trouvé que Rachel Caine manquait de cohérence  dans la personnalité de ses personnages comme si elle n’était pas encore certaine de leur image. Michael est intéressant mais la fin du livre me laisse perplexe,  son impuissance est alors des plus troublante. Au final le personnage que j’ai le plus apprécié, sans l’avoir adoré, c’est Shane car sa personnalité est la plus cohérente, on est assez surpris à la fin certes mais si on réfléchis c’est  parfaitement en lien avec son histoire et son comportement.

 Je vais probablement essayer de continuer la série si je la trouve en promotion par exemple mais c’est loin d’être une de mes priorités en ce moment. Si vous aimez les histoires sans trop de complications mais avec cliffhangers, les vampires, fantômes etc. si vous souhaitez une lecture assez rapide ne nécessitant pas trop de réflexion, c’est un livre pour vous. (intéressant quand vous avez une pause à l’école ou entre deux devoirs quoi^^)

Score:  2,5/5

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: