Malfunction ( Dark Desires origins 1) by Nina Croft [early review]

Hello to all,


                              I was debating what to share with you today  and i ended up choosing to do an early review for a book that really surprised me and which deserve some spotlight. Also i wanted to inform you that the series from which this one is a prequel has the first book "Break Out" free at the time being so even if it's to read later better jump on it in case you can't wait after reading this story when it release later.


Happy Reading!

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Publication: 2020

ISBN:  1682815250

Genre: sci-fi paranormal romance
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: earc

Description from goodreads :

  Investigator, Sergeant Logan Farrell, has never been convinced the human race deserves saving. But it looks like he’s got the job anyway.

It’s been five hundred years since we fled the remnants of a dying Earth in search of a new home. Twenty-four ships, each carrying ten thousand Chosen Ones. All sleeping peacefully...until people start dying in cryo.

Malfunction or murder? Hopefully, the former—a serial killer in the fleet would be drastic for morale. But Logan is determined to find the truth. Unfortunately, he’s got a new partner—and he works best alone.

Katia Mendoza, hot-shot homicide detective, has been woken from cryo to assist with the investigation. But is she really interested in solving the case, or does she have her own agenda?

Before he can answer that question, though, they become targets themselves.

Nothing like a few near misses with death to bring a couple together, and Logan finds himself falling for the alluring detective. But he doesn’t know that Katia is hiding a secret.

It’s not only humans who fled the dying Earth.

My opinion:

          I love it , i really love it!! to be honest i jumped on this without knowing what to expect because it was written by Nina Croft and i loved all i've read from her so far so i wanted more.  It's what i would call a sci-fi paranormal romance suspense.....strange mix but wonderfully written!

You get shifters, vampires, fae etc and of course human too but in the space and of course there is some murders or malfunctions so an investigation is set to get the bottom of this.....However, if Katia is sent from the second ship in hope to find what is happening while keeping the existence of the others a secret,  she must work with Logan, human empath and soldier wanting to fit in  .Both have just been awoken from a 500y sleep in a cryotube and they have a lot to adjust to  as well as deciding if they trust each other and what to do about an investigation some refuse to see be done.

I really got immersed in the story quickly and i loved it, the investigation is really well done with twists and lot of action as well as numerous humour touch so it was captivating and easily read. Rico the vampire captain is really funny and protective of his folk.  Katia is so funny especially when she is hungry  and Logan is really intelligent  as well as courageous. they are steamy scenes well written but i enjoyed all the rest a lot more. Secondary characters like Callum were especially funny and interesting to read about, Dylan  is a curious one etc so really you have at least one character you will want to survive.

I had my suspicions about the culprit identity  ( and i was right) what i was a little disappointed with is the ending....it's kind of HEA but culprit has it too easy  and i hope in the next book we will see some consequences fall upon that being.

i'm really curious about this series now so i definitively plan to keep reading it as i want more of these characters.

Score:  4,5/5

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

Extreme Medical Services ( Extreme Medical Services book 1) by Jamie Davis

Hello to all!

It's soon the weekend but we still have to work before that short break so i decided to share with you my opinion on a book i just discovered thanks to a freebie ( you cans till get it if you hurry) and sometimes with those we find pearls.

Really it was a wonderful promising start a series i plan to continue so without more delay if you love urban fantasy and medical tv show this should be just the book for you!

Happy Reading

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Publication: 2015

ASIN: B014Q1EVEO

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal, vampires, shifters,
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: free ebook

Short description from goodreads :

 Read the book described by one reader as "Like Grimm With Paramedics." Follow the exploits of new paramedic Dean Flynn as he gets assigned to a backwater station no one has ever heard of, Station U. He soon learns that his unusual patients are far from normal. They are the creatures of myth and legend. His tough, experienced paramedic trainer Brynne is determined to teach him everything she knows. With vampires, werewolves, witches and fairies as patients, will he survive? Will they?

My opinion:

          I really love the mix between urban fantasy and the medical part, it was a refreshing point of view and we are getting the opportunity to meet a lot of different paranormal creatures.  Dean is a young new paramedic who wants action but he never imagined to be assigned to a unit for unusual (aka paranormal) patients. With problem nearly normal for a paramedic: asthma attack, cardiac arrest, dishydratation etc but pertaining unusual people ( vampire, shifters etc)...it's a bit overwhelming at first but thankfully his mentor Brynne is not new to the job and it's subtleties. Dean is really good student but we glimpse deep down also a very gentle heart and good soul covered by a lot of determination ( a excellent combination fora paramedic i guess)

It's full of action and mystery with twists and intrigue behind the specific interventions scenes that are wonderfully written immersing us in the paramedic world easily and making us ( at least me) want more. I could easily imagine a tv series made from this book it could be fascinating!

My only disappointment is the cliffhanger ...we are getting deeper into what is happening and then after a big info  we are left waiting for book 2....thankfully it's already release with a few others so no need to wait before getting your hand on it help.....because this series may be very addictive if it continues with this quality.

A great surprise.

Score:  4/5

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

Mississippi Blood Cake ( Southern Psychic Sisters Mysteries 2) by A. Gardner

Hello to all,

 Since today is St Valentine i decided to share my opinion on the last book i fell in love with. Really i asked to review it because it was a genre and a setting i loved but i wasn't expecting such pleasure so while you eat some chocolate.....

Happy reading!

Publisher: Gardner Books

Publication: 2018

Genre: paranormal cozy mystery
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 The Greene sisters are back in this witchin' new series from USA Today bestselling author A. GARDNER!

Kill 'em with kindness . . . or just kill 'em.

A simple act of southern hospitality pulls Ember Greene into a murder investigation when she finds her new neighbor, a vampire exec at Corpse Corp., dead. And the mysterious wound that killed him points to someone she least suspects.

The coastal town of Misty Key is in a frenzy with the annual craft fair approaching, a ghastly remodel at the Crystal Grande Hotel, and a Peeping Tom haunting the streets at night. But with the family bakery struggling to stay afloat, Ember doesn't have time for gossip.

Until her friend is framed for murder.

To save an innocent soul, she enlists the help of a bloodhound named Yogi and her sister who sees the dead and uses her psychic gifts to snuff out the real killer. Something isn't right in the magical world, and a trail of clues leads her to another victim – one with a secret worth dying for.

Can Ember catch the murderer and save the family bakery?

Book 2 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.

My opinion:

          Fabulous!!! I loved this paranormal cozy mystery...really it was read in one sitting and  i'm just wanting to read more now. The story is great well paced and  great bonus (cherry on the cake) i didn't guess all what was happening in the first chapters. No , there are a lot of twists and so well written that you keep being surprised until the end so this one is definitively a favourite.

I guess i should explain a little more, this is the second book in the series but you can jump in the wagon without worry of being lost. Ember is a seer with the power of numbers...she is born in a seers family so her sisters and mother also have powers but each one has a different one , like Stevie the oldest who see the dead....in this universe Seers are seen as mediator between paranormal...so aside from a mundane job to have funds to live they must work free for the greater good...Ember works in the family bakery- as far from the oven as possible-but when her neighbour is killed in strange circumstances and one of her shifter friend is being accused she must discover the truth and quickly but vampires dead or alive are not the most cooperative being.

I loved to see the relation between the sisters and how different they are, Ember is really cute and i loved the fact she was not perfect , far from it even. She is loyal and still learning her gift so i really admired her.I would also love to learn more about Stevie, her gift isn't the easiest and as single mother she must even have harder but still she is smiling and cooking fantastic cake to make other happy. Aqua is the rebel one and she can be funny but i most loved the dog Yogi. Thad is funny and i definitively want to learn more about him too.

This is the perfect book if you want a cozy mystery with paranormal element set in the south so i recommend it without any hesitation while waiting for book 3!

Score:  5/5

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

Demon Spiral ( Dr Wolf; the Fae Rift book 2) by Cheree Alsop

Hello to all!!!


Since i have a bit of time before people comes to change water pipes ( why i still don't know) i decided to share another review with you from not a new release but a series i take great pleasure reading: The Fae Rift series by Cheree Alsop. Actually 4 books are released so far so  you will probably not have to wait too long to have my opinion on those as it's quite addictive.
Let's start with book 2 though.


Happy reading!

Publisher: Cheree Alsop

Publication: 2016

ISBN13:  9781310202964

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

Source: won ecopy

Description from goodreads :

 When the head doctor’s daughter is bitten by a goblin, Dr. Wolf is forced to the edge of his limits to save her life. Other victims show up, turning the chance attack into one calculated to send a message. With the safety of the human race hanging in the balance, Dr. Wolf has to find out how an Archdemon made it to Edge City. The answer could mean life or death for the young woman whose blue eyes and warm smile have stolen his heart.

My opinion:

          After loving the first book a lot i was determined to continue this series, it took me a moment but i don't regret it. However, there is one element that bothered me a little...this can't be read as standalone, really can't. Now, i do love to read series in order and i do recommend it but what i mean is that if you start with this one you could feel lost and perhaps even give up which would be very sad so to start well start with book1: Shockwave!

Since we started with the most negative point let see why i do love this book and series. As soon as i remembered a little how the first instalment finished i was immediately immersed into this story because it literally take off where the last one ended. We are immersed into the action which makes us understand even more the characters since most of them like us were thrown into the mess without notice.

I loved to see how the relation between different characters, for example in this one we see police officer we met in book 1 and their attitude is changed. Dartan opens more and we discover what he sacrificed to save our world, Aleric we learn about him as well but he is also learning about himself and it was funny to see a human telling him what he was unconsciously doing . He is terribly loyal no matter how much he suffered but he still thinks he must redeem himself .

I also loved to discover more fae like the kind troll, the grims children and gargoyle as pet ^^.Really it's a great adventure easily read in one sitting...this one has a lot of action so really a page turner and i can't wait to start on the next book ( book 3 &4 are already available so don't wait and start the series if you haven't already done so)

Score:  4/5

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:

Black Arts ( Jane Yellowrock 7 ) by Faith Hunter

Hello to all,

                  Already February.. time is litteraly flying while i'm trying to remodel  the house to make it easier for my mother so the January wrap up will be up but another day ( i do plan not to forget those in 2016^^;;).

Today i'm sharing my opinion on another sequel i had in my pile from a favourite series of mine: Jane Yellowrock series focusing on her witch friend ( which make this oen perfect for not only one but 3 challenges^^)

Happy reading!

Publisher: Roc

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  0451465245

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

Source: gifted

Short description from goodreads :

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own—no matter the cost...

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.


Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy—one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.

My opinion:

          Faith hunter really created a engaging world that you take pleasure to visit again and again....that being said  it also get more complicated with each installment so i do recommend to read this series in order.... i did and simply because  of the time i took between the book i was a little lost  a time or two during this story.

The plot was good and i really enjoying but there were a few things that got me disappointment with this installment.... first: the repetition... So far it has never been that repetitive and if the character Jane herself think it’s getting old i let you imagien what it is for the reader.... i can admit it was an important element but too much is too much. Speaking of “too much”.... i couldn’t stand Jane’s reaction to Rick anymore... after everything that happened  precedently i don’t see how she could be reacting like she is. I wanted to shake her until she found her mind again... and Beast wasn’t that efficient on that part^^. She can’t stay naïve like that it’s really too stupid!

That being said here were part i loved as well, Beast is as always funny and we want more of her remarks. I also really apreciated all teh allusion about jean Lafitte as you know i’ve learned a lot about him thanksto the series by Suzanne Johnson so having him cited here was a pure treat even if i’m not sure i would like to discover he is a vampire in Jane ‘s World... i don’t know why. Still the fact it played well with the New Orleans history was more than enjoyable ...and lastly...Angie...this littel girl isa real light in Jane’s universe but she is also giving her a lot of worries and it sound like it will only get worse as she master her powers more and more.

There were touching moments, some angsty one, some funnier so, when eveything is put together, it was a good read even if not my favourite and i definitively plan to continue the series.

Score:  3,5/5

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

Challenges:

Fury’s Kiss ( Dorina Basarab 3) by Karen Chance

Hello to all!

                       Really there isn't enough time in the day to do all we want, or have, to do... at least in my case. Right now i'm back at making list to make sure i'm not forgetting any task and it's time for the review of the week!
This time i'm going back in a universe i really enjoy via it's spin off which i think i'm even starting to like more than the main one but honestly i can only recommend to read both series and jumping from one to the other following the reading line the author kindly provided it makes the experience a lot more pleasurable.

 So without waiting here comes " Fury's Kiss" third book in the Dorina Basarab series by Karen CHance

Happy reading!

Publisher: Penguin

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0451413237

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

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. But so far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing...

Dory is used to fighting hard and nasty. So when she wakes up in a strange scientific lab with a strange man standing over her, her first instinct is to take his head off. Luckily, the man is actually the master vampire Louis-Cesare, so he’s not an easy kill.

It turns out that Dory had been working with a Vampire Senate task force on the smuggling of magical items and weaponry out of Faerie when she was captured and brought to the lab. But when Louis-Cesare rescues her, she has no memory of what happened to her.


To find out what was done to her—and who is behind it—Dory will have to face off with fallen angels, the maddest of mad scientists, and a new breed of vampires that are far worse than undead…

My opinion:

          I loved this book but I must say it was far from the easiest to read in the series…. It can even be really confusing at time with the memories from different characters, the time shifts and the mind speaking added.  I’m not sure I’ve grasped all the details either honestly but at the same time strangely I was never lost if it makes sense…

Karen Chance mastered her story in a very interesting way leading you one way then another without a reprieve but you do glimpse some info along this tortuous path and you can’t be driven wrong. In a sense, while I would not recommend it at all, this book could even works as standalone probably, though it doesn’t represent all the instalments. It has been years since I’ve read the precedent books or one in the other series Cassandra Clare (both series intertwine in the time line) but really it was not a problem for the understanding of the plot.

Dory is a damphir, as the daughter of a senate member she isn’t hunted but works with the vampires at the moment which doesn’t means she trusts them or like them….Things get complicated when she is the sole survivor of a mission and worse a mission she has no memory of….. She wants to discover the truth and for that she is taking risks….

I loved how Dory was maturing, able to put her prejudices aside for what she believes in and… getting some elements of her past was both informative and entertaining….we start to understand Dorina, the vampire part of Dory, in a new light….the author really did well by using the method of storytelling and memories travel to give them to us it fit wonderfully with the world building and what we learned in past instalments…even if it can leads to some confusion yes.

You see when Dory get full damphir mode, survival mode, it’s Dorina personality that is at command and normally one doesn’t remember what the other did ( as we were told)…so we get part from Dorina point of view and other from Dory…some actual , some from the past and the transition is sometimes abrupt.

For example we have the case of a child…but I still don’t understand how Dory/ Dorina “lost” it during their escape…because Luis Cesare never speak of him/her either….we have another mention later but is it the same child? I guess but I’m not sure and that moment I don’t know where to put it in the story frame time….. there are so many  jump between past nights and present ones that left me confused on some elements like this one.

However the main plot, the investigation, what happened etc. is perfectly clear and so enjoyable… I did guess the culprit ( a talent of mine) too quickly but discovering the “why “and “how “ along the ride kept my interest  well focused on the story which I’ve read in one sitting.

I don’t want to tell you too much because all the mysteries are part of the story in itself and you should savour it. So, I can tell you that the action is intense, the romance finally takes more importance and with Dory personality and snarky remarks the humour is a big part of this book as well. Some characters will surprises you other will moves you and you will want to beat others . It’s a great story and I can only regret that the next book, which promises to be something, isn’t released yet nor will it be soon because it’s a series I really want more of.

If you love action romance and dark humour ^^ it’s a book/series for you!

Score:  4/5

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

Challenges:

Minuit 9 : Au-delà de Minuit par Lara Adrian

Bonjour à tous!

 Je profite d'un jour férié pour avoir un peu plus de temps pour lire alors je ne vais pas être trop longue aujourd'hui et je vais partager avec vous mon avis sur le neuvième tome de la série Minuit par Lara Adrian.

Bonne Lecture

Editeur VF: Milady 2013
Titre original:Deeper  than Midnight ( edited 2011)
Genre: bit-lit, romance paranormale
Violence: élevée
Langage: normal
sexe:élevé
Public: +18ans
Obtenu par achat

Quatrième de couverture de l'éditeur milady:

La Lignée est parmi nous depuis toujours : de puissants guerriers vampires mènent une guerre secrète contre les Renégats pervertis par la Soif sanguinaire.

La vie de Corinne Bishop a basculé en un instant lorsqu’elle a été enlevée par un cruel vampire : Dragos. Libérée après des années de tourments, la jeune femme voit sa sécurité confiée au Chasseur. Le mâle le plus mystérieux de la Lignée, autrefois au service de Dragos, travaille désormais contre celui-ci et ne reculera devant rien pour se venger. Il va cependant être confronté à un choix difficile: les émotions qu’éveille en lui sa protégée sont un frein à sa mission, mais s’y fermer briserait le cœur de Corinne.

Avis:

          Un  récit longtemps attendu car Le Chasseur était resté très mystérieux jusqu’à présent  et qui amène l’histoire générale à un tournant important. Pourtant, je dois reconnaître que ce tome est loin d’être mon favori dans la série. Il est difficile de pointer exactement la raison, je pense que c’est parce que je ne suis pas fan de Corinne… j’admire son courage, sa résistance mais on a pas d’atomes crochus… la façon dont elle espère utiliser le chasseur au lieu de faire simplement confiance à l’ordre m’horripile.

Il est aussi important de noter que on a en fait  deux intrigues cette fois. D’un côté, on a la relation entre Corinne et le Chasseur et la recherche qu’ils mènent. De l’autre,  on a le cas de Chase…le guerrier est sur une pente dangereuse qui el fait s’éloigner du groupe mais malgré son état il reste un guerrier dans l’âme et poursuit la traque de Dragos, mettant le doigts sur certains événements majeurs pour lesquels il n’a pas conscience des conséquences. Cette partie là est importante pour le reste de la série et malheureusement c’est celle qui se termine sur un cliffhanger, cela joue sûrement sur mon appréciation globale de l’histoire.

Lara Adrian parvient à faire encore monter le niveau de tension et le suspense croit de façon exponentielle, ce qui nous pousse à ne pas trop attendre avant de poursuivre la lecture du reste de la série. Une fois chose positive cependant est que à côté du passé du Chasseur et de Corinne, on apprends aussi des éléments sur Savannah et Gideon , ce à quoi je ne m’attendait pas et m’a laissé dans une situation où j’en veux plus. De même, on voit tous les autres guerriers un minimum et c’est toujours un bonus.

 Un bon élément dans une série qui tient ses promesse.

Score:  3/5

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.

Challenge:

Pirate’s Alley (Sentinels of New Orleans 4) by Suzanne Johnson

Hello to all,

                       If there is one author i don't want to miss any release because i'm never disappointed  that's Suzanne Johnson.  If you follow this blog since the beginning you saw  how my love for her writing only grew with each new titles as i kept being surprised...

After a long, really too long, wait due to publishers, book 4 in the Sentinels of New Orleans will be released next week and since i was lucky to get an early copy i can already share my opinion if this book with you. Despites all that's happening here, i did want to share my review with you before the release so that you could still pre order it as it's important for authors. So if you are interested in this series, if you want to read it after reading what i have to tell about it don't hesitate and buy it before tuesday!

If you haven't started the series yet, you really missing something but thankfully Suzanne is hosting a giveaway to win one of the first 3 books so please go tell her a big thank you while you participate and good luck!

Happy Reading!!!

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication: 2015

ISBN:  0765376970

Genre: urban fantasy,suspense
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none ( allusion)
Public: 16+

Source: arc

Short description from goodreads :

 Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought she had gotten used to the chaos of her life in post-Katrina New Orleans, but a new threat is looming, one that will test every relationship she holds dear.

Caught in the middle of a rising struggle between the major powers in the supernatural world—the Wizards, Elves, Vampires and the Fae—DJ finds her loyalties torn and her mettle tested in matters both professional and personal.

Her relationship with enforcer Alex Warin is shaky, her non-husband, Quince Randolph, is growing more powerful, and her best friend, Eugenie, has a bombshell that could blow everything to Elfheim and back. And that's before the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, newly revived from his latest "death," returns to New Orleans with vengeance on his mind. DJ's assignment? Keep the sexy leader of the historical undead out of trouble. Good luck with that.

Duty clashes with love, loyalty with deception, and friendship with responsibility as DJ navigates passion and politics in the murky waters of a New Orleans caught in the grips of a brutal winter that might have nothing to do with Mother Nature.


War could be brewing, and DJ will be forced to take a stand. But choosing sides won't be that easy.

My opinion:

          Oh my I can’t tell you how much I loved this book; really the wait has been more than worth it. Suzanne Johnson manages to surprise us each time and in several ways while making us more than a simple reader caught in a fascinating story.

I’m still in hyper mode after my reading but I will try to explain why I’m so enthusiastic about this new instalment.

This story starts just a few weeks after the events in “Elysian Fields”… so while it could be still possible to jump into the universes starting with this book… I would not recommend it. With book 2 or even 3 it would not have mattered as much I think.  Yes the author gives us small reminders of what happened but to really catch all the subtle threats and implications it would be really better to start at the beginning so if you have the opportunity to do so I can only recommend you to start with book 1 and see the magic at work.

So like I said this is set a few weeks after DJ got injured and bonded to Rand….she is trying to adjust and all things considered she is doing quite well with all what happened. However peace never last long in New Orleans and soon our Sentinel has to face new challenge. The supernatural creatures being fed up with the power the wizards keep for themselves decided to call for a council of their own……and of course when it comes to power those hungry for it won’t give up easily.

First there are the matter of what happened (trying for no spoiler here^^) and justice must be given…yes safe that the definition if justice can differ. Jean Lafitte for example put trust and loyalty in high regards…so if you stab him in the back… vengeance won’t be he can forget….our Jean is not really forgiving and he has the time on his side.

Knowing that DJ’s Boss orders her to shadow him and prevent any incident from happening.

That’s only the beginning and one of the few things we could sure know Jean.

However more forces are at work and new elements over the past plot start appearing and the divers sections ( fae, vampires, shifters, historical undead, wizards, shifters etc) each react in their own way…. This can only lead to one thing: war if nothing is done to prevent it.

Dj has many friends or allies that are not wizard and she is one of the few capable to think more globally which can’t be said for her boyfriend Alex… as a enforcer he is a strict follower of the rules all is either black or white…all what DJ isn’t and that causes some tensions. I got quite angry with Alex at several moments but mostly he stays the same as he always was so far.

DJ has greatly matured…and more important she is starting to really see what she wants…now that she is forced to make some really important choice she is staying true to herself and I absolutely loved that.

Suzanne manages via the alliances, treacheries etc to give us a deeper insight of characters we have come to love or hate and really it it was done in a master’s way making us take side along with Dj ( perhaps not always the same as her either). We learn about past enemies and discover new ones.. the villains getting harder to identify sometimes and at other simply such that we want them to find their demise soon and in a very painful way ( hear me Rand…I did not like you and it’s getting worse). Also as we get a better understanding of the characters and their motivation we can see how it was never a real love triangle( I don’t see how some saw a quadrangle even^^;;), the romance get a little step back in profit of the action but Dj gets some clarity too making the romance one we want to see more of while at the same time we don’t really need it ( too caught into the story to mind).

I loved to discover the faes and while I’m not sure where I stand for some of them yet this made the book even more passionate, some characters are only cited for now but we find ourselves already wanting for more. The suspense is perfectly distilled and the action constant so I could not stop reading until the last page.

 Really this book was a fantastic read and I can’t wait for book 5 ( please no more than a year this time!) really it was fabulous and the ending while I won’t classify it as a cliffhanger really make us which for more soon.

If you love urban fantasy this is really a series you must read.

Score:  5/5

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

 If you want this book you can buy it on  amazon or on  Bookdepository 

You can find more informations on the series and Suzanne on her Blog

and you have the opportunity to participate in her contest to win book 1 ( or 2 or 3)in her monthly giveaway in april so don't hesitate to give it a try!

Deadly Curiosities ( Deadly Curiosities 1) by Gail Z. Martin

 Hello to all!!


                    I hope this week is a good one for you so far at least better than mine^^ ( never contradict your body or it will make you pay double^^).
Now, i told you i wanted to try to read about as many creatures i could this month  but i also try when possible to match it with the event GGMMMU event hosted by Brenda ( see my post here) to give you some idea on the book and perhaps tempt you to participate in her giveaways as well if you have a few minutes^^

So today i decided to give you my opinion on Deadly Curiosities by Gail Z Martin.... it includes vampires, special abilities and witch, wizard so  little of everything.

Happy Reading

Publisher: Solaris

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  1781082332

Genre: urban fantasy, supernatural, ghosts, magic, lgtb ( light)
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: won (thanks Lettie!)
 

Short description from goodreads :

Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles & Folly, an antique/curio store and high-end pawn shop in Charleston, South Carolina that is more than what it seems. Dangerous magical and supernatural items sometimes find their way into mortal hands or onto the market, and Cassidy is part of a shadowy Alliance of mortals and mages whose job it is to take those deadly curiosities out of circulation.


Welcome to Trifles & Folly, an antique and curio shop with a dark secret. Proprietor Cassidy Kincaide continues a family tradition begun in 1670—acquiring and neutralizing dangerous supernatural items. It’s the perfect job for Cassidy, whose psychic gift lets her touch an object and know its history. Together with her business partner Sorren, a 500 year-old vampire and former jewel thief, Cassidy makes it her business to get infernal objects off the market. When mundane antiques suddenly become magically malicious, it’s time for Cassidy and Sorren to get rid of these Deadly Curiosities before the bodies start piling up.

My opinion:

          Captivating! When I saw the blurb of this book I knew I had to read it and let me tell you it didn’t disappoint. I was completely immersed in the story as the action start immediately and what a great adventure it is. The characters knows each others and they have worked together already so you are not getting a lot  of information and background to set the story, now you do get the background info you could hope for but sporadically along the novel so it quite fast spaced and you can’t stop turning the pages.

Really telling you all the good points of this book would be too long but among the most important one…one character is Belgian!! ( yes us!) Sorren the master vampire comes from my Country^^ and he is quite good, even better for animals lovers there is Baxter a funny little dog quite protective but  so cute and a ghostly one Bo even more protective. Cassidy is funny and I really don’t envy her gift, then Teag is also a fabulous character I really appreciate him, he is loyal, a good fighter, a great friend. On a side note he is gay and in a relationship but I appreciated that the author didn’t focus on that making the story accessible to a large audience., His boyfriend Anthony could become an interesting character as well but so far he isn’t into the secret and as a lawyer he is cautious so he didn’t grow on me except for his protective instinct toward Teag and Cassidy.

The plot itself was really well built and I loved to learn more step by step. There were several moments with humour and those happened right at the moment I needed to breathe a little because this is quite suspenseful and I won’t feel that reassured in a museum in the future I think ;)  The city description was interesting, I never visited Charleston but from what I’ve learned about the city it’s really the perfect setting for such a book.

If you love magic ( Viking one, voodoo, etc ), mysteries and supernatural this is a book you have to try, I really loved the idea of different groups trying to either own or destroy powerful artefact and the shop cover^^ . Yes the story is a little dark but there are good ghosts not only bad one and the ending isn’t a cliffhanger so really urban fantasy lover it’s a book you should enjoy.

On a side note:  if the characters know each other it’s because the author created this universe several years ago so she really masters it. There are several novellas happening before this novel, if you want to learn more about Sorren for example, but you can really dive into Deadly Curiosities without any prior knowledge.

Score:  5/5

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

Challenges:

Angels’ Pawn (Guild Hunter 0.6) by Nalini Singh

Hello to all!

                  Last month of holiday has started and  i'm nowhere ready for all i have on my to do list ^^. Do you also have the feeling time is going too fast?

Anyway, when i gave you my opinion on Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh i told you there was one novella that i really recommended you to read before that title. I thought i should let you know why  without waiting to long so you get that today.  This novella can be found as an  ebook but i would recommend you to get the anthology with all the prequel novellas "Angel's Flight" that way you won't be be missing any; it's the edition i got and i'm really happy with it even if to make things easier i will review the novellas separately.


Happy reading

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: won

Short description from goodreads :

In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...

My opinion:

          This novella is written well enough to work as standalone or even as an introduction to the Guild Hunter series It’s a prequel though and I really loved to see how it easily fit in the main series… I have read it after book 1 so at first the fact it focuses on another hunter surprised me a little but I quickly enjoyed Ashwini she a talented hunter, different than Elena but one I can’t wait to read more about it.

You see Ashwini’s particularity is that most of her contracts are to hunt the same Vampire “Janvier” and until now it never really was successful because the contract finish to be cancelled off each time as Janvier finds himself back in the good graces of the angels he bothered in the first place. It frustrates the hunter but we immediately can find that there is a lot more behind that. Both of them are not enemies far from it but there were friends exactly either.

When our dear hunter comes to see Janvier and ask him some question about another hunt she must do she didn’t expected him to declare he would join and help her…. That starts to clear things a little between them and really the interaction between them 2 are too funny.

Ashwini will need his help more that she even believed and this mission won’t finish without some consequences because you can’t meet an Archangel, even less one like Nazarach, and not be impacted.

Now like I said I did read this one after reading book 1 and I guess it helped me to see the characters under a new light but also this novella was really useful for my reading of Archangel’s Kiss book 2, I wouldn’t say it was essential but I really recommend you to read this one as it give you a insight about Nazarach that will be needed later

The rhythm is rapid but good for a novella and the plot itself was really keeping my full attention. It’s short but leaves you wanting for more without feeling incomplete which is excellent for novella in a series.

Score:  4,5/5

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