Review: Soul Taken

Buy on Amazon

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: Smoke Bitten

Buy on Amazon

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.

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: 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!

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.

ARC Review: Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Series:	Heirs of Chicagoland #1
Pub. Date:	Aug. 14, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	352 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Wild Hunger is the first book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, is a spinoff of Chicagoland Vampires. I admit that I have been eagerly anticipating this book as I was totally sad that the original Chicagoland was ending. It's so hard to believe that the entire series had taken place in approximately a year... and now here we are about 20 years in the future.

ARC Review: Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton

Series:	Anita Blake #26
Pub. Date:	Aug 7, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	512 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

It's hard to believe that Serpentine is the 26th book in the Anita Blake series. I wish the Merry Gentry series had so many books out! I'm glad they are both still going as, whenever one comes out, it's like spending some time with old friends (who are ass-kicking monster killers).

ARC Review: Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

Series:	Psy-Changeling Trinity #2
Pub. Date:	June 12, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	430 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Ocean Light is the second book in the Psy-Changeling spinoff series, Psy-Changeling Trinity, which focuses on the alliance (and its members) among the Psy, Changelings and Human Alliance. Instead of focusing on the races separately, we now are working toward a more integrated society with the signing of the Trinity Accord. Silence has fallen for the Psy, and they are attempting to make inroads into the human race as they have learned that, much like the empaths, they are necessary for the health of the PsyNet.

Audiobook Review: Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

Series:	Honey Badgers #1
Pub. Date:	March 27, 2018
Publisher:	Kensington Tantor Audio
Narrator::	Traci Odom
Length:	433 pgs 13 hrs 14 min
Source:	Publisher

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston is the first book in a fun new paranormal romance series, the Honey Badgers, featuring three certifiable sisters and a diverse cast of paranormal characters. 

You don't find many honey badgers in the shapeshifter world of romance, so I was glad to have something a little different here. And the honey badger family in this series are nucking futs, much like their real honey badger kin. They are high strung, anxiety-ridden, vicious, obstinate, and largely unconcerned with others lives besides their own (and their close family). All of the sisters in this family are POC for those readers looking for a little diversity in their romance.

ARC Review: Dark Queen by Faith Hunter

Series:	Jane Yellowrock #12
Pub. Date:	May 1, 2018
Publisher:	Ace
Length:	432 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Sigh, I was so happy to be back with Jane and the gang that I really didn't want this book to end. Then as I was reading, with this being the end of a story arc (the Sangre Duello), I was afraid it would be the end of the series. Jane and Beast have become one of my very favorite heroine pairs in urban fantasy, and I hope they stay around for the foreseeable future.

Audiobook Review: How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper

Series:	Mystic Bayou #1
Pub. Date:	Jan. 23, 2018
Publisher:	Audible Studios
Narrators:	Amanda Ronconi Jonathan Davis
Length:	6 hrs 33 min
Source:	Audible Romance

I thought this story was just as cute and fun as all get out, but that is kinda what I expect from Molly Harper. I can't wait for the next books in the Mystic Bayou series to see what the magi are getting up to down in the Lousiana swamp. 

This book is an Audible Original - so the print copy has yet to be released. But I encourage you to listen to the audiobook if you are able. The narrators did a great job... but I really really liked the female narrator Amanda Ronconi. She did a great (and believable) Cajun accent, probably the best I have heard in an audiobook. I wish she had narrated the whole book just to have continuity, but Jonathan Davis didn't do a bad job either.

ARC Review: Guardian's Bond by Rhenna Morgan

Series:	Ancient Ink #1
Pub. Date:	March 12, 2018
Publisher:	Carina Press
Length:	393 pages
Source:	NetGalley

I'm a big fan of Rhenna Morgan's Men of Haven series, but this is the first time I have read one of her paranormals (despite having her Eden series on my TBR forever). So I'm glad to be getting in on the Ancient Ink series at the outset, and this will spur me to get started on Eden. 

Ancient Ink centers around a race of magical people in a somewhat clannish society. Their various powers are tied to the Otherworld and they have a animal companion, which allows them to shapeshift into that form. They are a long-lived race integrated with human society, but don't seem to be "out" as far as their magical abilities go. The world setting is the modern United States, so not a ton of world building is needed and you instead will be focusing on the characters and their relationships.

Audiobook Review: Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison

Series:	Elder Races #3
Pub. Date:	Oct. 6, 2011
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Sophie Eastlake
Length:	13 hrs 14 min
Source:	Audible Romance

My re-read for the Elder Races series continues, and I'm approaching the point where I got waylaid in the series before. So I'm making sure to take notes this time! I continue to enjoy Harrison's world building and unique paranormal characters, and I remember the next book, Oracle's Moon, being one of my favorites so I will be moving onto it very soon. That's not to say that Serpent's Kiss wasn't very good... it was.

The hero of this installment is Rune Ainissesthai, a gryphon and First Sentinel for Dragos Cuelebre (hero of Dragon Bound). In the last installment, Storm's Heart, Rune made a deal with a vampire to save Tiago's life... and now he has to go pay up the favor he owes her. Rune is a typical weir hero, a growly alpha male that is dominant and protective when it comes to his mate. Rune is also a being of the between places, as his gryphon nature demonstrates. He has an affinity for portals to other times, places and dimensions... and we see that working in interesting ways in this story.

ARC Review: Baby, I'm Howling for You by Christine Warren

Series:	Alphaville #1
Pub Date:	Jan 30, 2018
Publisher:	St. Martin's Press
Length:	320 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

It's been quite a while since I have read a werewolf book, and even longer since I have read Christine Warren. I can't say why other than I am behind on her series and I just haven't had time to catch up lately. Anywho, I really like the premise of this new series she has created in Alpha, Washington - a town full of misfit shifters who don't quite fit in elsewhere or with packs of their own kind.

Renny Landry has always heard about the almost mythical Alphaville, but she knows that making it to the town is her last chance to get away from the danger on her tail (literally). Being pursued by goons sent by an obsessed stalker coyote, Renny is both so close but also not quite close enough when she makes her last desperate attempt for freedom. But fate intervenes and sends Renny into the path of a reclusive alpha werewolf that could be her salvation, and much more. Renny was a pretty good heroine. She wasn't a runner, which was a plus. Sometimes I did feel like she was too nonchalant about her safety, but I understood her wanting to start a new life and not feel like she was running scared all the time.

ARC Review: A Deep Dark Call by Rose Vane

Pub. Date:	Dec. 4, 2017
Publisher:	Carina Press
Length:	133 pages
Source:	NetGalley

I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. This is my first read from this author, so I can't compare A Deep Dark Call to her other works. But this one didn't work for me for several reasons.

I did like the setting of Wallachia/Romania, as that is still somewhat unique when it comes to the staging for romance and paranormal stories. And given the release date, I was happy that this was set around Christmastime with lots of snow. But that is about where it ended for me.

ARC Review: Sleeper by Lexi Blake

Series:	Hunter #3 / Thieves #8
Pub. Date:	Oct. 17, 2017
Publisher:	DLZ Entertainment
Length:	476 pages
Source:	InkSlingrPR

I'm very greedy for this series, to the extent that I did an entire series re-read last year and then bought the whole series from Lexi at the RT Convention. So I did a happy dance when I saw we had a new installment coming out this month. And, seeing as I got the ARC on my birthday... happy birthday to me!!!

As this is an urban fantasy series, you really need to read all the earlier books before embarking upon Sleeper. There are new storylines for each book, but there is also a continuing series arc that would be difficult to follow. Plus, all the books are awesome so... just read them.

Guest Review by Julie: Forever Mated by Alma Black

Series:	Shifter Date #4
Pub. Date:	Jan 10, 2017
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	100 pages
Source:	Author

Professionally, Kyra is a confident and intelligent woman. When it comes to relationships, however, that same confidence disappears leaving her struggling on the dating front. She's made a fool of herself once in the love department and has no desire to repeat the experience. But there's just something about Zac that calls to her inner lioness. 

Guest Review by Julie: This Kitten's Got Curves by Alma Black

Series:	Shifter Date #3
Pub. Date:	Dec 28, 2016
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	102 pages
Source:	Author

Burned by what she believed to be her forever love, Rachel has sworn off men. However, this sassy female doesn't stay down and out for long. At the urging of her best friend, Rachel decides to use the dating app to get back on the cart. Gareth needs to find his mate before his birthday or he may lose the alpha position to his pack and that's not an option. Even though he's been looking, nothing satisfies his bear and in semi-desperation, he decides to use the Shifter app. However, with one glance at Rachel's profile, both man and bear are taken. 

Guest Review by Julie: Hungry as a Wolf by Alma Black

Series:	Shifter Date #2
Pub. Date:	Dec 7, 2016
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	105 pages

Luke has been hot for Jasmine, his best friend Theo's little sister, for a long time. In theory, he feels it's deeper than a physical attraction. Unfortunately, he can't really test that theory because of the unspoken 'best friend code'-and the "Do not touch little sister" message is getting harder and harder to ignore each day. However, when Luke learns Jasmine is just as attracted to him..well, with the alpha lion away this wolf shifter is coming out to play! 

Guest Review by Julie: Must Love Lions by Alma Black

Series:	Shifter Date #1
Pub. Date:	Nov 28, 2016
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	116 pages

Max is a relatively open minded lion shifter, creating a dating app to see if shifters and humans are capable of being compatible enough to have a romantic relations-from a scientific aspect of course. Alexis is a human reporter sent to interview Max regarding the app and unlike Max, she appears to be in the camp of separate species..until she actually gets to know a little bit about Max.