Review: Soul Taken

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This installment of the Mercy Thompson series was a bit unexpected for me. This Harvester storyline was not something I envisioned, but I have to say that it fits in with the time of the year (near Halloween) quite well, complete with a pumpkin patch. It reminded me of an old school scary movie with a scythe-wielding maniac stealing souls around the Tri-Cities. (It’s a sickle!)

Review: Final Heir

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The Final Heir is the action-packed finale to the Jane Yellowrock series, and I am so sad that the saga is over. I want to go back and read it from the beginning! There were some chapters closed for Jane in this last book, some good closures and some sad. It seemed like the interaction between Jane and her mentor “in the smoke” at the beginning was super poignant, but then it didn’t feel resolved and I felt it like a gaping wound as I read.

Review: Smoke Bitten

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I got a bit behind on this series, so I’m binging the latest 3 books. It bothers my OCD that I don’t have time to go re-read the whole series (which I love) because I have forgotten some details in my absence. Like, I can remember who Wolfe (the vampy Wolfe) is or where he came from. And I like him. He’s just the right mischievous and dangerous element for the story. And, he makes me laugh.

Review: Ruby Fever

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Ruby Fever concludes the Catalina Baylor portion of the Hidden Legacy series, and much like the rest of this series, it did not disappoint. Ruby Fever was packed with action, magic, team work, family and drama. I moved to Houston around the inception of this series, so I have loved “growing” into my new residence along with this series, and seeing all the familiar areas and places mentioned. I can’t help but “look” for Nevada, Connor, Catalina and friends as I happen upon places like Buffalo Bayou, River Oaks, etc.

ARC Review: Sucker Punch by Laurell K. Hamilton

Series:	Anita Blake #27
Pub. Date:	Aug. 4, 2020
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	496 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

This was quite the different kind of book for Anita and the Marshalls, one where they were trying to save a life instead of take it. I don't know if it was the rush to beat the clock or just the different situation, but the investigation didn't seem to fall into place well for me. There also wasn't the thrill of the hunt of the defeating of the big bad villain, so it just wasn't as exciting overall.

ARC Review: Spells for the Dead by Faith Hunter

Series:	Soulwood #5
Pub. Date:	July 28, 2020
Publisher:	Ace
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I so enjoy spending time with Nell Inghram, our widder-woman who liberated herself from a cult in East Tennessee. Oh, and a yinehi with unique powers and abilities. I have loved watching her come into herself as the series has progressed. As Nell's experiences have grown beyond pizza and Krispy Kreme, she has amassed a family through blood and the land. So Nell is no longer our loner against the church, but now has a team to help fight battles both personal and professional. Her common sense approach to life and solving crimes is endearing and inspiring. And her relationship with Occam, the werecat, is so dang cute that I can't help but smile at their interactions.

ARC Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Hidden Legacy #4
Pub. Date:	Aug 27, 2019
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	352 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

Sapphire Flames is the first full novel in the Hidden Legacy series transition from the story of Nevada Baylor, to that of her younger sister, Catalina Baylor. I do recommend that you read the novella, Diamond Fire, first. The novella serves as a nice bridge between the two series arcs, and we get to see Catalina before she becomes the Head of House Baylor, while she is still growing into her confidence and power.

ARC Review: Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Hidden Legacy #3.5
Pub. Date:	Nov. 6, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	160 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

This is a major blogger shame review - I totally forgot I had a copy of this ARC. How could I miss Nevada and Rogan's wedding?!?! Gack! Anywho, Diamond Fire is a novella in the Hidden Legacy series that serves as a bridge to transition from the story of Nevada to that of her younger sister, Catalina. Because this is a novella, this is going to be a mini review so I don't give away any spoilers.

ARC Review: Fire & Earth by A.D. Starrling

Series:	Legion #2
Pub. Date:	July 25, 2019
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	280 pgs
Source:	Author

I've been a huge fan of A.D. Starrling and her brainy books for a while now, so I'm always happy when a new one lands in my inbox. The Legion series is technically a spinoff of the Seventeen series (one of my favorites), but I don't think its absolutely necessary to start with Seventeen. Honestly, I can't exactly remember how it spins off, but I know I realized it in the first book... my brain is just getting too old to remember details in between book releases. I obviously need to take and keep better notes! You will need to read this series in order, however, as there is a continuing story arc that needs to be followed closely.

ARC Review: The Beyond by Chloe Neill

Series:	Devil's Isle #4
Pub. Date:	June 4, 2019
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	336 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

It's always a happy-sad moment when you come to the end of a series, and The Beyond, the final installment of the Devil's Isle series, is no exception. After living in New Orleans (and moving away a couple years ago), Devil's Isle has held a special place in my heart. Chloe Neill is also an author who does New Orleans right... even though Devil's Isle is somewhat post-magical apocalypse, Neill is spot on with her New Orleans layout and history. I have loved her re-imagining of New Orleans in this series.

ARC Review: Blood & Bones by A.D. Starrling

Series:	Legion #1
Pub. Date:	March 26, 2019
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	279 pgs
Source:	Author

If you know me, you know that I am a huge fan of the Seventeen series, and A.D. Starrling in general. So I was super excited to learn that the Seventeen series was getting a spinoff. Shockingly, I didn't really realize that this was the actual spinoff until I was pretty far into the book. Starrling is introducing a whole host of new characters at once, and I didn't immediately connect anything to the prior series.

Audiobook Review: Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Iron Covenant #1
Pub. Date:	July 19, 2018
Publisher:	NYLA
Narrator:	Steve West
Length:	12 hrs 51 min
Source:	Audible

So I kinda let Hugh slip through the cracks and let this audiobook sit on my to-read shelf for longer than I intended. I even finished the Kate Daniels series before checking out Hugh's story - and I was kicking myself back at the time for not reading this book before Kate and Curran battled Roland.

ARC Review: Circle of the Moon by Faith Hunter

Series:	Soulwood #4
Pub. Date:	Feb. 26, 2019
Publisher:	Ace Roc Books
Length:	368 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I'm a huge fan of Faith Hunter, and this series is a perfect example why. Our heroine, Nell Ingram, is such a unique and interesting character that I could read about her every day and never get bored. I love the aspect and characteristics of her power and land, and her upbringing in a polygamous cult adds a dynamic aspect to her character that brings her down to earth and makes her relatable. Not because of the cult aspect, but just her simple common sense approach to everything, and even her ability to turn on the church widder woman persona when she wants to prove a point or manipulate someone.

ARC Review: Stray Moon by Kelly Meding

Series:	Strays #2
Pub. Date:	Feb. 5, 2019
Publisher:	Harper Voyager Impulse
Length:	336 pgs
Source:	Publisher

Note:  This is a review of the second book in the Strays series, which features a continuing story arc. Therefore, this review may contain spoilers for the first book, Stray Magic.

Audiobook Review: The Voodoo Killings by Kristi Charish

Series:	Kincaid Strange #1
Pub. Date:	May 10, 2016
Publisher:	Audible Studios
Length:	11 hrs 41 min
Source:	Audible

Kristi Charish is a new-to-me author, and one I am happy to have found. I am always looking for more talent in the realm of urban fantasy, and the Kincaid Strange series has definitely piqued my interest.

ARC Review: Outcast by Lexi Blake

Series:	Thieves #9 / Hunter #4
Pub. Date:	Dec. 4, 2018
Publisher:	DLZ Entertainment
Length:	325 pgs
Source:	InkslingrPR

I absolutely love the Thieves/Hunters world, and these are some of my very favorite urban fantasy books. Unfortunately I made the mistake of starting this book late at night, so I was up until 2am finishing it. Now my brain is too tired to write a coherent review!

Audiobook Review: Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh

Series:	Guild Hunter #11
Pub. Date:	Oct. 30, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley / Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Justine Eyre
Length:	11 hrs 44 min
Source:	NetGalley / Hoopla

Elena and Raphael are back center-stage in this eleventh installment of Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. I always love coming back to spend some time with our power couple that started it all. Elena is still the beloved mortal-turned-angel of New York, and consort to Raphael, our increasingly power archangel of the territory.

ARC Review: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Rebel #1
Pub. Date:	Oct. 30, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	Publisher

This review is super late, and you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while... but my work life has been absolutely nuts for the last couple months and I haven't been able to read much at all. I miss it! So I apologize to Jeaniene and Avon for my tardiness. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Avon.

It's unfortunate that it took me so long to be able to read this first installment of the Night Rebel series, as I am absolutely gaga for our fun-loving, yet vulnerable hero, Ian. I knew, after the conclusion of the Night Prince series, that Ian's story was going to be spectacular. So I do suggest you read that series (along with Night Huntress) first, so you have the full backstory of what's going on. If you haven't read those series, be advised that this review may contain spoilers for those previous series.

ARC Review: Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Kate Daniels #10
Pub. Date:	Aug. 28, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	336 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Magic Triumphs is the final installment of one of my very favorite series, Kate Daniels, by Ilona Andrews, a most excellent husband-wife writing duo. This book was so bittersweet for me. We have been working toward this conclusion for years, but the closer we got, the more reluctant I was for the series to end. Kate and Curran are two of my favorite urban fantasy characters, and this is one of the series that I have re-read time and time again. I'm sure I will be re-reading these again in the future, and I think there are rumors of a spinoff series, but I'm still a little sad to say goodbye to this dynamic duo in their current iteration.

Audiobook Review: Faery Born by Donna Joy Usher

Series:	War Faery #1
Pub. Date:	June 12, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Rachael Beresford
Length:	7 hrs 39 min
Source:	Publisher

Faery Born was a somewhat surprising read. I didn't realize it was young adult when I started it, and while I do read some young adult, it's not something that I pick up often. This story did seem somewhat juvenile, but I think that was partially because the narrator sounded so young. So I wasn't sure that I was going to finish the story at first, but something about it kept my attention and kept me listening until the end. So I think the story was good, I just had to get over the age and maturity level of the characters.