Melanie's Book Reviews

Prodigal Son is the first book in the ‘Truth Seers’ series by Debra Mullins and thought it was fantastic! I love the idea of a ‘gifted’ bounty hunter that uses his gifts to track down criminals and Rafe was a great leading man, he had a lone wolf, brooding, mystery about him and I couldn’t wait to unlock some of his secrets. I was very intrigued by his visions and his ‘Hunter’, it made his character even more interesting. I really liked the connection to Cara when she entered his life, it made sense for them to team up considering it was her brother they were trying to find but neither were prepared for the attraction they shared, it was electric. I loved what she could do for him further into the story and that there is talk of ‘mates’ – we all know how much I love soul mates - and they fit well together and made the chemistry very believable & I liked what they brought to each others lives. Rafe also has some unfinished business with his family which ties into the book so well and was the cause of some bad blood, I enjoyed this part too and I got why he turned into the bounty hunter and why he became the loner we first meet, it goes a long way into getting to know the character a lot more and a great introduction to his family and their powers too. I thought the storyline was great and quite original, I loved the idea that there are descendants of survivors from Atlantis and they possess certain powers. I also like how the Atlantis connection isn’t cut and dried and that throughout the book it is opened up a lot more showing us a variation in those powers. I really liked that Rafe chose to be a bounty hunter and how his gifts were an asset to his profession, I liked how he used them and the premonitions he got and I especially liked the use of precious stones to enhance and channel the power and energy and thought they were used well throughout the book. The threat was really good and sinister too because of what the enemy could do, it gave a feel that no matter what happened that Rafe & Cara would never be safe especially with the run and chase scenario that happens for a good portion of the book. It was a very intriguing book and I loved the mystery of it all, it really kept me on my toes and interested, the pacing was great and I loved that there were surprises thrown in at random to grab my interest even more. I will definitely be looking out for the sequel to find out more about Rafe, Cara and his family. 

See How She Runs was a really good introduction to the ‘Chronicles of Izzy’.
In this story we meet Izzy, a bike messenger, she’s 24 nearly 25, lives with her best friend – Kennan – who works in a bar and happens to be male. Izzy is just going about her usual business when she is asked to deliver a letter to the head of a corporation, upon delivery she gets really bad vibes from the man and tells her boss that she won’t deliver to him anymore. When she tells Kennan about this man, he gets angry but when the man apparently bumps into her and asks her on a date….Kennan packs her bags because Izzy is about to find out that her whole life has been a lie and that man from the corporation wants her, for her abilities?!? Izzy is in for a quick study as she finds out she is a Seer and that Kennan is in fact her Guardian and with the corporation after her, she has no other choice but to run.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought Izzy was a great character and had a great voice that you could easily connect with, she dealt with things with humour and even though her world was changing so much, she never pitied herself or her situation. Kennan was perfect for her and they created some hot sexual tension in a will they, won’t they romantic scenario that brought some sweetness to the plot as Izzy tries to come to terms with seeing her friend in a different light and Kennan battling between his feelings for Izzy and his obligation to her.
The storyline was good, the premise is that Izzy is a Seer (something she was unaware of) and each Seer comes with a Guardian who can be hundreds of years old before he finds his Seer, Kennan happens to be Izzys Guardian. The corporation is the bad side of the Seer/Guardian lifestyle where they would capture a Seer and use her for profit, so you can understand the need for Izzy to run. This book focuses on Izzy finding out about the world she is really from and who people are around her, who the enemy is, how they operate and of course her training in her powers and how to defend herself with just that smidge of romance. I found it intriguing, Seers aren’t that popular in books so I found it a nice change from the norm and I enjoyed immersing myself in their world and will be reading book 2 very soon. 

Brandy L Rivers does it again as she brings more paranormal romance with her new series ‘Others of Seattle’ a series in the same world as her ‘Others of Edenton’.

If you’re a fan of the Others of Edenton books, you will not be disappointed as that world is expanded upon bringing is the lives & loves of supernatural folk in Seattle. This time around we have an awesome leading lady in the shape of Roxana Nights –rock chick and total kick ass babe in all areas!- who finds love at first song with the lead singer of Lunar Storm – Trevor Malone. Trevor knows that Roxi is the one for him as soon as he sets eyes on her, there’s something about her and it’s not long until he realises that she is his ‘Mate’ for Trevor is a werewolf and he knows the story of the supernatural who find their soul mates. Roxi has a past and a pesky ex who treat her so badly that she’s never gotten close to a long term relationship again because he gets all obsessive when she finds a new boyfriend but this time she’s had enough, the bond is too deep with Trevor- but will he hang around long enough for her to deal with Jordan? Trevor comes with secrets of his own and a bad history with even worse enemies and when they track him down to Seattle, Roxi is the target to hurt Trevor… the thing is, Roxi has some skeletons to uncover in her own families closet, making her the target of a more sinister enemy and when those secrets start to be revealed… Roxi’s world is about to be rocked in more ways than one – will our lovers survive?

This was another excellent book from this author, she does paranormal romance so well, I love her use of soul mates for her characters and that has a big impact on why I love her books so much. The new setting was really good and opens up her world even further and made a refreshing change, plus we get a whole new set of characters to embrace. The new characters in this are just as compelling as the other series and I love how the ladies are never needy or reliant on their men, in fact – Roxi could give any of those men a run for their money. As I mentioned, Roxi is an awesome character and I loved everything about her, she’s a rock chick as lead singer of Night’s Embrace and by the end of the book is kick ass in every way. I loved the relationship that developed between her and Trevor, they share music in common but have their secrets to uncover, they were really perfect together though and you could really feel their chemistry giving the book so,e super hot moments.

The storyline was great, full of all kinds of supernaturals but at this point, most don’t really know who is what. We have a firmly established werewolf pack in the form of Trevor’s ‘Clan’ who have just moved to the area and through those we get hints of whom or what other characters are. A lot of this plot is linked to the secrets that come out as the story goes on and some of those revelations are jaw dropping as in…. you will not see a lot of stuff coming. It was also awesome to get some input from the Edenton gang and how they related to others from outside the area and also great to see them come through and offer their support to the new guys, I mentioned in a previous review that they really put across a sense of community and family regardless of blood ties and I stick to that here. It’s hard not to give so much away so I will leave it there but know that this is a great read filled with all kinds of supernatural characters, some known, some not – all with a story of their own – it is jam packed with secrets that are about to explode, it has love, camaraderie, romance, revenge and a long held vendetta or two that’s leads to an all out, action packed finale that leaves you so satisfied… but needing book 2. 

YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
With each book by Brandy L Rivers, I always say it was the best so far because she always comes up with something different – even in the same series – and this is no exception! Way to open up the world they live in! This was brilliant!
We met Isa & Toryn in book one – Night’s Embrace – and Isa made an impact for me because she was seeing a character from that book but was clearly feeling something more for Toryn… but Toryn was seeing someone and that led Isa to believe he was only into men. So here we are with their story as things come to a head between them because it’s quite clear that something has to give in their friend zone relationship and that is just the beginning….I have to say, I wondered how they were going to be together because of Toryn’s relationship with Leon but that worked out perfectly and is part of Toryn’s secrets. In the beginning they are both mooning after each other, both loving the other but neither bold enough to make the first move. It is so hot when they do eventually get together, this couple will literally burn those sheets with passion and it’s clear that they are meant for each other, they feel right together and the relationship feels more real because of the bonds of friendship they shared beforehand. I loved how they came together and I love Isa’s need for independence and her acceptance of the changes in her life, this woman takes everything in her stride and the only thing that can scare her is losing Toryn. Toryn was so admirable because even though he is her protector, he still understood her need to look after herself and even though it goes against his feelings, he let her act on that.
 Toryn is hiding a few secrets from Isa, one being that he is her protector and another being that Isa has no idea who she really is and is about to find out. The storyline in this was epic, I LOVED everything about it and I really enjoyed finding out about Isa’s true heritage. There are a lot of surprises in store for her starting with what Toryn has been hiding but then that becomes small in comparison to what else she learns. For one, she has a family she never knew existed, two – she is super powerful, three –she is a very special person, four – people are hunting her and want to use her, five – her world is about to be turned upside down but six – Toryn loves & wants her making her able to handle anything else.
As I mentioned, the world of ‘The Others of Seattle’ is about to opened up in a major way and some new species are introduced that we haven’t seen before including satyrs & dragons!! (I’m excited about the dragons) Some of the book even had a fantasy feel to it and that’s something new also and there wasn’t a werewolf in sight.  The threat was very sinister & seedy with a very creepy enemy (who also links the book to ‘The Others of Edenton’) and this is where we get to Isa at her best and strongest as she faces down more than one enemy. There is tons of action, threats, power plays, huge secrets and lots of sexytime making this a must read for fans of paranormal romance. I would gladly read another book about this couple and couldn’t recommend it enough…… oh and did I mention it has Dragons??? I need their books too! 

I’m probably in the minority of people who didn’t love this book because it has a lot of high ratings but for me – it didn’t blow me away. I liked it for the most part but the first 60% or so was not fun for me, it dragged and it was boring – yeah, I get the whole world building part and the setting up of the relationships etc but it moved so slowly and like an historical book instead of a fantasy and the last 40% is the only reason I’m giving this 3.5*s and not 2.5.
I liked the premise of the book, I like the idea that a whole nation of people were conquered and forced into slavery because you know that you are going to get an uprising and that is what kept me reading. I found that for all Kestrel was seen to have a privileged life, she too was sort of oppressed with her choices of who or what she could be – military career or marriage aren’t very good choices. She came across as very aloof and spoiled but we could also see that she had a sympathetic side too. I liked the way she and Arin connected, it wasn’t a love at first sight thing but she felt some sort of pull to him which spurred her on to buy him and as the story progresses they draw ever closer but neither will admit what they feel because they are enemies. When Arin’s secret is revealed I would have thought that Kestrel could have seen his intentions for what they were and what he tries to do for her but again, she is indoctrinated to think and behave in a certain way.
As I said, I liked the premise and that it was screaming that an uprising was on the cards but it was a long time coming. Saying that, I didn’t mind the getting there, I just wish it had been more exciting and less of a slow build. The way they lived was very militant and was all about how they had conquered and enslaved these people, it was sad to read about the people enslaved in their own former homes and made to obey the people who took everything from them – of course you are going to get rebellion, I’m surprised they waited so long. Once that rebellion kicks off then the story became a lot more interesting to me, I liked how it came about, I liked the battles, the strategy that was used and ultimately what conclusion it came to. I loved that Kestrel finally came through for the greater good and I could feel that change in her and I’m curious as to what will happen next. I only wished the pacing and action had been more consistent throughout the book to keep me interested from the start, I understand the build up but it has to grip me and at times this felt like a chore to read but hopefully now all that ‘getting to know you and your world’ is out of the way we will get more of the good stuff in the sequel.

Fading Light is the brilliant sequel to Shadows of Fate and second in the Shadow Born series.
After the conclusion of book one we find that some time has passed, Brenna’s punishment has been lifted meaning she and Gray could return to their homeland anytime but because of what has been unleashed on Earth and that the Humans have no chance of fighting the supernatural – they chose to stay and help prevent another war. Brenna is still coming to terms with the revelations that were thrust upon her in the latter part of the last book and it does nothing for her trust issues. When humans start turning into statues of ash at an alarming rate, it’s up to Brenna & Gray to find out what is going on and prevent it from becoming more widespread but they will be blindsided by what they discover and the race is on to protect Earth from a formidable foe hellbent on domination. As they scramble to build a defence, Brenna & Gray will not only put their lives on the line but their hearts.
As I said, this was a brilliant sequel with great progression in both the plot and relationship status.
Relationship wise - Brenna had a lot to take in about who some people really are and that has made her lose her trust in those who deceived her - which included Gray and her boss Seraph – and for someone who is very familiar with betrayal, it’s a trust that she didn’t give freely. I liked the fact that she held back from Gray and didn’t just jump into the relationship because that was how things were, she wanted to see that he meant the things he said, that she could trust him, that he wanted her for the right reasons and not out of obligation. For her it was like starting from scratch, building a newer relationship, developing her feelings and making sure they were right which is admirable of a character in this type of book. Gray frustrated me somewhat with his pressure on her, he needed to be more understanding of who she was now and what had happened in her history that moulded her into that, she had every right to be cautious.
Storyline wise – We are aware of who the bad guy is from book one, he was not beat and he is back stronger than ever with some new friends in tow along with his demon allies. The world is still at risk because he has found a way to hurt the humans again and a possible pandemic is on their hands. He is well aware of Brenna & Gray and what they’re capable of so is a very calculating, playing the game to perfection and seems to have all of the cards in his hand. Our Hero & heroine are in for some major reveals that they will not see coming leading them all to suffer betrayals, loss and many life threatening situations. There is no let up in the action and battles making this another thrilling read that I can’t get enough off, I love the Urban Fantasy genre, especially when it’s as well done and easy to read as this – it’s all action, all of the time, no filler just a great story with a great Hero & heroine at the centre whose romance gives you just enough sweetness to offset the violent world they live in and I’m definitely looking out for more from this author. 

Heir of Fire is the stunning third book in the Throne of Glass series and like its predecessors – it was awesome!
This book felt like a game changer as Celaena takes on a voyage of true self discovery. She is a different person in this, rather broken and feeling like she has failed all of those people who believed in her. Nehemia’s sacrifice has opened up a lot of wounds and it seems like she can’t get past them. She sacrifices everything in the hopes that someone will have answers in Wendlyn on how to stop the King and his dark magic but what she finds is something different. She is forced to train, to embrace her Fae side, to prove that she is worthy of the knowledge she is trying to obtain – and because we’re talking about Celaena here – she will do it the hard way. We are introduced to Rowan, a fae prince under the rule of Maeve, the fae Queen and he is forced to see to Celaenas training – with not so great results – as they both clash. During this training they uncover some deadly secrets as the enemy seems to have followed Celaena with its own agenda bringing new and even more deadly foes in its wake leading to a massive battle that they just might not win.
Elsewhere, Chaol starts investigating in Adarlan in an effort not only to keep his charge Dorian safe but also Celaena – even if she is potentially their biggest threat. What he now knows about the king is something he isn’t comfortable with because of the threat it poses to Dorian and whilst Chaol has no love for the king, his fealty will forever be with the Prince – even if they aren’t the best of friends right now. What Chaol uncovers will really start to challenge his beliefs and I liked that he was open minded enough to try and take in the truth, that Celeana had opened his eyes and his heart to fight for what is right, even if he doesn’t know what that is yet. Dorian wasn’t in this as much but when we did see him, he was trying to quell his magic so that no one would find out and it’s also how he finds love. It was so gratifying to see him move onto someone following his feelings for Celaena, something sweet and untainted that gave him some hope. One thing for certain is that Celaena has certainly opened all of their eyes making them challenge everything and they ALL now know the true enemy.
As if that isn’t enough, we also have a new clan to meet and this clan may not be on our favourite characters team, in fact they are brutal, deadly and stone cold. They are also in the pocket of someone who can give them what they had lost long ago – which would make them a very formidable opponent indeed.
So, there are a lot of things going on in this book, told from at least 5 points of view that give a great & varied view into all that is going on across the kingdoms. The enemies seem to be piling up and the new ones introduced throughout are very scary indeed, if they can make our assassin quake then you know they’re trouble. The world is opened up a lot more too and we’re off to new shores, meeting new people, seeing new kinds of magic as well as keeping up with happenings in Adarlan through Chaol & Dorian. I mentioned that this feels like a game changer because you can feel the players taking their sides, swaying in direction or making solid alliances. We find that Celaena already has a following through rumours & hearsay about her true identity, that she is alive but it remains to be seen whether she will embrace that destiny and maybe that’s what the training is all about. There’s not so much in the romance department this time as only Dorian gets a little action and I did miss the three – Celaena, Chaol & Dorian – together, investigating the castle, legends & magic but I totally understand why the separation needed to happen and I’m seriously looking forward to the reunion. This was again filled with action, mystery, battles, magic, betrayal, acceptance and all of the things you would expect from this absolutely fantastic fantasy series and that ending? It’s a shocker! – I couldn’t recommend this series enough – simply stunning! 

Win the Rings was a really great read and a promising start to a new series.
Here we have a world where people can become ‘shifters’, now these aren’t your normal shifters that change into animals and such…. These people can acquire your appearance, your memories, your clothes, your life….. with the touch of a hand. Ever since the US Army found out about this ability among the populace it devised a test in which all five year old children are given the test to discover whether or not they are shifters, if they are - they become property of the US Army and live their lives in a prison-esque training camp where they will become weapons for their country, if they survive. Others choose to run and are taken by family members before the test is administered, living a life off the grid but always running. That is how we meet both of our leads in this story. Jace has been in the ‘care’ of the US Army since her testing at five years old, she’s been trained and moulded into a hardened young 16 year old, capable of defending herself against anything and anyone. She is the perfect weapon and few will challenge her but with that status comes hatred from her peers and a loneliness that no one should bear. She focuses on being the best that she can be so that one day, she will be set free.
Grey is a ‘runner’ and along with his sister Nia, has been on the run since he was five having escaped just before the testing. Life on the run isn’t great and he is forced to use his ‘shifting’ abilities to survive and they’ve been surviving for 11 years until all of a sudden, he’s on everyone's radar and they’re coming for him with all barrels blazing forcing him and Nia into a run/hide/chase scenario. Jace is soon on the case as she is promoted and given more freedom, her General is trusing her with this new position and has made her a promise that if she can win three rings by doing these missions successfully, that he will deploy her to active duty and therefore freeing her of her current confines. Nothing will stop her from this goal and that of her ultimate goal too.
I really enjoyed this book and to be honest, it’s not something I would have necessarily have read. The characters are easily relatable and I empathised with both of our lead characters. I enjoyed both of their alternating points of view and thought it brought a very balanced aspect to the story because on one hand we get what it was like for Jace who was institutionalised at 5 yrs old and made into a weapon, trained in combat, given others lives to use in such training and made to live in a hostile environment with her peers, fighting for survival on a daily basis, not to mention the lack of love & such emotions a child would need – basically they are moulded as a type of super soldier. Then we have Grey who shows us what happens when you fight back, when you flee the testing because your family knows what will happen if you fail and living a life where you’re constantly looking over your shoulder and having to resort to doing the wrong thing in order to survive. Both aren’t free, both are trapped, both just want to live their lives in peace.
The storyline was very fast paced, just the way I like them! We have the shifting ability which could bring endless possibilities to a story, we have a secret Army facility that trains children with abilities and we see an opposing force to this facility and it all revolves around Grey because everyone wants a piece of him. As I mentioned, it is a run/hide/chase scenario, filled with action and I find these great for keeping me on my toes and interested in the story because you never know what’s going to happen next. I thought this was great opener to the series, it is brimming with potential and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. 

 Chosen is a good read featuring Kaddy Richston, a girl considered a freak because of her striking red hair and silver eyes, so much of a freak that everyone she has ever loved has rejected & left her, except her band – Mike, Josh & Owen – and together they are just doing time until their funds are high enough to get their butts outta the small town that has stifled them since birth. That is until Cole Huntington enters the music store she works in and it’s hate at first sight; fair enough she feels connected to him, he has an intense blue eye thing going on for him and she can sense his presence… but they won’t be around much longer so she isn’t interested in forming attachments, they never work out for her anyway. When something strange starts to happen to Kaddy – Cole is there to make it better – When a strange man with red glowing eyes attacks her – someone with blue glowing eyes saves her – When the pains overtake her body – Cole soothes them – but when he tells her about her destiny – She isn’t having it! Nothing & no one will map out Kaddy’s life, she will not be beholden to a destiny that puts the weight of the world on her shoulders! She’s moving on, putting this chapter of her life behind her and Cole Huntington will not stand in her way.
As I mentioned, Chosen is a good read and I enjoyed it. Kaddys character is both vivacious and sad; vivacious because she owns who she is, how people see her, what she’s been through and when she’s on stage – she’s in her element – but sad because of most of the same reasons; she hates how people see her, as a freak, she hates how everyone has left her, rejected her, blamed her for things out of her control – every time she gives her heart, it gets trampled on so it’s understandable that when she feels a connection to Cole she pushes him away. It was sad to see her do this to herself, she has safe relationships with her band, Mike especially who vowed he would always be there for her and Mike’s mother (who took her in when she was 14) but she lets no one else in and it’s intentional. Now, Kaddy has some changes to go through in this book and those changes will bring about a big reveal which is the main story of the book and will open up the plot for the whole series. I can’t really speak of it so, what I will tell you is that Kaddy is special, she is destined for bigger things, as the title suggests she is ‘chosen’, she is at the centre of a prophecy but not a rigid prophecy and as the series title suggests – she will ‘fight fate’. She shares something in common with more than one character and a certain someone will be the key to opening up Kaddys world. She will blossom throughout this, become even stronger in body & soul and finally let someone in…. but this is just the beginning because let’s not forget, the band are going on tour!
This was very much a getting to know you book as we get to know Kaddy, Cole & the band, it is also filled with information about things that Kaddy never dreamed existed and we are right there with her and will be right there for book 2 as well. 

 So I Married a Werewolf is the third book in the Seattle Wolf Pack series by Kristen Miller and brings us the well-loved scenario of friends to lovers with a nice marriage of convenience thrown on for good measure, giving a very satisfying story.
I loved both of our characters and they are definitely a couple who belong together –even if they can’t see it and everyone else can- and share a beautiful chemistry based on a strong friendship. Faith is a girl who is comfortable in herself, her life is all about making sure her brothers college dreams come true and making enough money to make that happen. She doesn’t need to make an effort with herself and isn’t bothered about a boyfriend because of past experiences, but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t crushing on Carter – hard! She has a tragic past that left her with a visible scar that makes her feel unattractive so hiding behind baggy clothes is the norm for Faith, so no one ever really sees just what she has to offer in the curves department until she starts dressing for her part as Carter’s ‘fiancee’ and he sees her in a whole new light. Carter propositions his best friend into agreeing to a sham marriage in exchange for funding her brothers college tuition and hopefully Carter finally getting a promotion to detective. He’s worked hard for the place and has a rival for the position who is engaged which is really what his bosses are looking for – a mated man- showing them a stable, settled wolf who can focus on the job. Faith has feelings for him in a big way and has doubts that she can ‘pretend’ when her feelings are already involved but Carter is determined to keep this as purely an arrangement between two friends, he isn’t after a relationship because he married his Luminary (his soul mate) who unfortunately died and knows he won’t find another….. or will he?
I can’t resist storylines like this and as I mentioned, the friends to lovers and marriage of convenience are always winners for me especially when you get the paranormal element too. The storyline is very much devoted to the relationship development and obtaining the promotion, it was soooo good and it flowed so well making it an extremely easy read. It also helped that the characters were so easy to connect to, they had great chemistry before the intimacy and reading about the change in the relationship dynamic was great. I enjoyed reading about Faith blossoming into a sexually confident woman and Carter letting down his defences to let love in, they complimented each others character a lot making them better people together and you could really get behind their cause and I’m a sucker for HEA’s.
When I first decided to review this book I was unaware that it was part of a series let alone the third and decided to read it anyway hoping that it would read as a stand alone and it does! Nowhere throughout this book did I feel like I was missing any parts of the plot or bigger picture nor was I introduced to characters that I thought I ‘should’ know, so feel free to do as I did and dive right into this fun, sexy, sweet read – I myself will be adding the other two books to my ‘to read’ pile. 

Misty Evans and Adrienne Giordano are back with the second instalment of the thrilling Justice Team series.
This time around we have Mitch Monroe; we had met Mitch in book one and I for one was very curious about the man who was a ghost and lived off the grid, so was thrilled to be getting his story. Within the first chapter we get a good feel for who Mitch is and how he’s living and then bam! by the end of that chapter…. Mitch is framed for murder and his already fugitive status just sent him straight to the top of his former colleagues’ to-do lists. Needing help he turns to Special Agent Caroline Foster, not only a top agent but also a top sniper and the woman he spent one incredible night with. Caroline has never forgotten Mitch, he broke her heart when he ran and cut all contact with her but she knows Mitch did not do the crimes he is accused of, so when he tells her about another friends death and she checks out those claims…. She decides she will put the past behind her and help him clear his name. Yet again she finds her career in jeopardy through Mitch but if what they uncover is true… they really need to blow this case wide open, not only in the hopes of freeing Mitch but to catch the real culprits… not only putting their lives in danger…. But their hearts.
This is yet another movie worthy book filled with intensity, passion, injustice, action and romance that hits all the spots for me. I mentioned that Mitch had caught my interest in book one, I liked his character then so I was definitely invested in his book and that opening chapter was definitely a shocker but what a great way to open the book because it hooked you in straight away. It was nice to get Mitch’s background and I really enjoyed his connection to Caroline, you got the sense of familiarity between them from the outset, they both ‘knew’ each-others in and outs and that’s without the intimacy between them. They made a brilliant team investigation wise, fitting so well with each other, knowing how each others thoughts, that gave a really deep feel to not only their professional relationship but their personal one too and I also liked how their different personality types complimented each other. It stands to reason that if they work so well professionally that they work intimately too, giving us some very steamy moments but with feeling too.
The storyline is definitely where it’s at and if you have read the first book in the series, you will know what type of plot we will be in for. What we have here is a tense political thriller sprinkled with romance and as I mentioned before – would make an amazing movie. We have murder, a man on the run trying to clear his name, a woman willing to risk it all for a man, conspiracy theories, gun running, sabotage, near death situations, a complex investigation that needs cracking and some good old sexytime - We even get a good few Justice Greystone scenes and see his operation in action, showing its full potential. It was tense, exciting, edge of your seat stuff where you can really become invested in the characters and their lives, where you want to see justice prevail and the bad guys ass get handed to him… it’s good, really good! And I can’t wait for more. 4.5*s

How to Date Dead Guys is a really good start to a new series featuring Emma Roberts and her Book of Shadows.
As the synopsis states; Quiet, bookish student – Emma Roberts – finally shows an interest in a boy – Mike Carlson – who just happens to be the brother of her roommates latest beau- Eric - who she watched Chrissy & her sister put a love spell on. She finally has the chance to get to know Mike better on his 21st birthday when he gets smashed and decides to go for a wander, Emma follows him on his adventure but it soon takes a turn for the worst when Mike, decides to go for a swim in the river. The river has taken a few lives over the past few months so Emma decides to join Mike in his night swim in an effort to make sure he gets out alive….. but he doesn’t, he dies and Emma is burdened with guilt. After a particularly nasty encounter with Mike’s mother & brother where they clearly blame Emma, she decides to be pro active and armed with Chrissy’s sisters ‘Book of Shadows’, Emma sets about raising Mike from the dead…… only it’s not Mike that returns…at first…. So it’s up to Emma to put things right and solve the mystery of the rivers victims….. unfortunately, there’s also a pesky cop on her case.
I enjoyed this book and thought the idea behind it was really good. Emma was likable character but a bit of a flake in the beginning, she’s had bad experiences with bullies and hasn’t many friends anyway but that gets even worse following Mikes death and she ends up a very pitiful figure. It was quite heartbreaking watching her bear the burden of a guilt that wasn’t hers and how it affected her, it was horrible when the confrontation with Mike’s loved ones makes her feel even worse and forces her to take desperate measures but this is a turning point for her and as she helps the victims, she becomes empowered in a way by each of them showing her something about herself and themselves, teaching her to live too and it’s then we see her blossom and start to become a more confident person & selfless too.
The storyline was really good and I like a good ghost story that involves people helping them gain some sort of resolution. I used to watch Medium a lot and this book is along those lines with Emma being the only person to see the ‘real’ person beneath the veneer and the only person to help them move on and just as I liked Medium, I like this too and it’s not often I read books like this but when I do, I always enjoy them. The main difference here is that Emma has actually resurrected the spirits into a physical form and I have to say that that did add a certain something to the story because she could interact with them physically too although it was a bit awkward for her to explain the different spirits to people who also interacted with them… but fun too. I liked how each victim got their own little segment of the story and how we find out what happened to them, I also like how Emma interacts with them & then we see Emma help to put things right so they could return to the river. I thought the added threat of the police officer on her tail was good, it added an element of danger, a threat to her mission but I also liked how it turned out. I appreciated that as Emma was sorting others lives out, that her life was getting the same kind of treatment, her parents became more aware of her, she gained some friends that could be way better for her and as I mentioned before – she blossomed in confidence & character. There was one death that wasn’t totally sewn up for me and it leaves me wondering if it will become the series thread but I was very satisfied with the ending and would love to know what happens next for Emma. 

Breaking Free might be the fourth book in the ‘Others of Edenton’ series but there is no let up in the story, the action and the sexytimes. If you’re onto the fourth book, you’re obviously aware of the world of Edenton and its residents and boy are we in for a few surprises this time around because some skeletons are tumbling out of those closets.
In this book, it’s Jamies’ turn to find her mate…… in her dreams! Devlin is a Dreamwalker, a rare kind of supernatural and sought after by those who practice the darker magics. He has been held captive by one of the worst, most sadistic kinds of supernatural for over twenty years where he has been forced to use his magic for evil…. Until he escapes. Soon after his escape he enters Jamies’ dreams, he doesn’t know why it’s hers that enters and neither does Jamie, they just both know that their connection is deep. Devlin has never felt this way about anyone and for some reason feels drawn to use his freedom to seek out Jamie in Edenton, to hold her at least once….. and of course, Jamie will be more than willing. Devlin knows that no matter what he feels for Jamie, he simply cannot stay because evil is on his tail, they want him back and will not stop in their endeavour so his only option is to do what he’s done for most of his life – run! but there is more in Edenton for Devlin than Jamie, someone who has no memory of him… but he knows her and he loves her too making it a really hard decision to take his troubles to their doorstep but the temptation to be near Jamie is too strong. Jamie will not stand for finding her true love only for him to up and leave and when she finds out his ties to Edenton, the whole town will be behind him as they all stand together to banish evil once more.
I thought that Falling into Place was the best book in the series and it was but this book is not far behind it, infact action wise and progression of storyline wise – this tops it! I have not once been disappointed in any of the books in this series, they are easy to read, flow well and hit about every spot in what I like about this genre. Jamie has been a constant character since book one so we already have a sense of who she is and what she is about, she went through a couple of bad times and a break up with another character – Preston – her sister and friends always fear her taste in men because she has not got a good track record of choosing the right one, she has a heart of gold and she is just as powerful as others but chooses to downplay it. Devlin is very untrusting, most of his life has been spent on the run and the last 20 yrs or so have been spent in captivity where his magic has been used for evil under coercion, he thinks himself evil, he has no confidence in what he can do, who he is or that he is worthy of love; quite a pitiful character really but we get to see him grow under the right guidance and the love of a good woman. They made a great couple, Jamie was the perfect remedy to Devlins’ feelings & doubts and I loved how they started off, they smouldered together from the get go and you want them both to have this piece of happiness.
The storyline was awesome and was filled with lots of secrets and revelations; skeletons in the closet causing an avalanche here! It’s a bit hard to discuss the storyline with so much hinging on the secrets that are revealed so I’ll try and tease a little of it out…. I mentioned that Dev is connected to someone else in Edenton which is secret #1 but then who & what comes after Dev brings more secrets and for more than one character. I liked this storyline most because of the intertwining of the ‘secret’ threads, it involves & will affect multiple characters and will have a major impact on Edenton as a whole. I loved how everyone came together against a common enemy, banding together, willing to give their lives for each other, willing to help break others free & make things right. I have always felt the community of these characters but this made me have a sense of family between each and every one of them and it felt good. Yes we get a lot of Jamie & Devlin building a relationship, we also move forward in a couple of other relationships, seeing happiness for our much loved characters but on the flip side we see a real evil and how that can be used, how a good person can be used for evil and what that evil has planned for the future if not stopped. The action was amazing, the climax of the book was superb where everything and everyone came together for a final battle with full on action & fighting, magic being flung around like no ones business – it was awesome! And just the icing on the cake for this fantastic book and I loved it! It did kind of feel like a conclusion to the series but seeing as how I know there’s more to come – I’m a happy bunny =) 

I have mixed feelings about this book, in one respect – I liked it – but in another – I didn’t - and nearly stopped reading.
The biggest problem was that the first 30% was so slow and really dragged, the main character was very introspective for the most part and there was very little interaction with others and his mood was so depressing – I pitied him, yes – but he could give any emo a run for their money and it wasn’t holding my interest. I struggled, really struggled and I was actually going to stop reading but I hate leaving a book that I have started and to be honest – it did get better, a lot better so much so that the latter part of the book was really good – so I’m glad I stuck with it but the beginning affected everything about how I felt about the book as a whole and the characters because I couldn’t connect emotionally with them, I did like them and wanted them to have their HEA but that’s about it connection wise.
I did enjoy the story once it got started and liked the idea behind the ‘Fated Eternals’. I thought both Jack and Leah made a lovely couple and the soul deep connection was portrayed well. I loved Jack’s protectiveness towards Leah which is understandable given his history and I loved how Leah’s art connected to their history. I wouldn’t say this is a typical tale of reincarnation, there are some differences that are explained throughout and it’s a nice concept. As with most books about immortality, there is usually some sort of governing body of elders which there is in this and that is where hints of a threat come in…. It is quite complicated but to hint of the way things come about will spoil major reveals so I will just add that they are a mysterious, unusual bunch of immortals with jobs to do and with every group of immortal people you get good ones and you get bad ones and with eternity on your side…. The possibilities are endless and people get bored. The threat posed to Jack & Leah was quite heart-breaking and led to me finally ‘feeling’ for them and Jack was most chivalrous to an ending that brought about a most satisfying conclusion and a whole lot of ‘I didn’t see that coming’! So, from a really slow start, this turned into a quite enjoyable read. 

This is my first ever audio book and I found the experience quite strange. Whilst I was busy doing chores, I could listen to it fine but when I just sat still – my mind wandered. I’m not saying I didn’t like it – I did – I just feel that I didn’t take things in as much as I would have by reading the book myself and my mind wandering is not a good thing because it goes off subject and takes my thoughts elsewhere, in fact I felt like it was a massive ‘story time’ period.

I liked Ivy, I liked her uniqueness and her willingness to follow what she believed in. I felt for her when we find out how she had grown up and that her father wasn’t there for her emotionally or physically and at 15, that had to hurt her and you could definitely feel the chasm between them where she felt unloved and rejected. It wasn’t surprising the lengths that she went to, to track down a new member of her family, especially when she thought none existed. I adored her connection to Nimiki Bluff, I love anything to do with American Indian folklore and mysticism so this was guaranteed to spark my interest and that’s before a family curse is brought into play which made the story all the more appealing. As the story unfolds, Ivy blossoms and gains confidence when the people accept her, giving her faith in herself also and making her feel less of a freak which is a massive thing for her because where she is from, she is bullied for being different.

There are three boys that she ends up being connected to – Cal, Gabe & Dan – who are friends already but not all will take her joining the group well. Cal is the first person she meets on her journey and she feels a connection to him immediately, it’s only when she starts school that she sees him again and they form an instant friendship that is easy for both of them. Gabe is her grandfather’s neighbour and is apparently very close to the man but Ivy doesn’t take too kindly to the fact that her Grandfather makes Gabe obligated to keep her safe, she doesn’t want anyone to have to be forced to look out for her and although she feels a connection to him, it could get complicated so she chooses to keep him at arms-length. Dan is the only one who is hostile to Ivy, he takes an instant dislike to her and that doesn’t really change until we find out his reasons and Ivy proves herself to him but saying that, I will be interested to see how their relationship dynamic changes following the conclusion of this book. Any one of these could be a potential love interest for Ivy, she isn’t a one to just jump into something and is very level headed so it will be nice to see how the relationships develop with all of these and how the curse will affect how she is with them all – because to love one of them is potentially a death sentence.

I enjoyed the storyline very much, in the beginning we have Ivy just arriving in Galena trying to make it to Nimiki Bluff to meet the Grandfather she never knew she had. Upon arriving, it doesn’t take long for her true identity to be revealed and I thought it opened the book up beautifully because here we have a relative that has been kept a secret from Ivy, living in a mysterious place filled with legend and you also know that there is a reason that Ivy’s father kept this from her so that sparks the curiosity straight away plus the initial meeting is always tense and helps connect to the characters involved. After getting the lowdown on the stories of the bluff, one in particular resonates with Ivy and her Grandfather, that of the Thunderbird clan and it’s whilst visiting the mounds of said clan, Walter was struck by lightning and left in a coma, leaving Ivy lost and needing to work out a way to bring him back – so she turns to the boys - needless to say, the legends and folklore of the bluff come into play and I mentioned how I love this type of thing. This is definitely a getting to know you book and is very character driven because nearly all of the relationships formed are fresh and new and with the ones already established, it’s about rebuilding them but it sets a great foundation of what will follow, not just character wise either but what will transpire following the dramatic ending because I have a feeling that it will affect all of those involved on a different level and it’s only just begun. I haven’t really touched upon the curse because it is also in its early stages and isn’t as much of an impact to our characters…. Yet! But it will be and I look forward to seeing it come into play. This is a great start to the series though, a series with the potential to be awesome. 4*s

Carnal magic was a good introduction to The Wraith Accords series and as the synopsis states – 200 years ago, an alliance was formed between the Tuatha de Danann and Vampires in the effort to stop the extinction of the Tuatha and to give the Vampires a safe haven in Fae should they need it….. However, the alliance is crumbling; mistrust & disrespect are becoming commonplace so it is up to Isabel Santiago – Sage to the most powerful Vampire Cabal & originators of the original treaty – to head to Fae in a show of good faith and to salvage what is left of the treaty. Whilst there she meets Aed mac Goll, one of the Fianna; a warrior who has been charged with being Isabel’s personal guard. He finds his ideas about vampires are challenged through Isabel, he is drawn to her and begins to see her as something else, and her him but his loyalty is put to the test when Isabel is accused of murder and people want her dead…. So it’s up to Isabel & Aed to unravel the reason why someone would falsely accuse Isabel of this heinous crime – or risk all out war.
I really enjoyed Carnal Magic and thought it was a more mature story that appeals to an older audience with its whodunit mystery, power plays & romance. I liked the world in which we find our characters, the fact that there is a fragile alliance between the Tuatha & Vampires is very interesting a good basis for the story. The Tuatha de Danann withdrew from the world and live in a fantasy/medieval set up, filled with magic too whereas the Vampires stayed in the real world, evolving as humans have, embracing technology etc. the difference between them is telling and it seems that the Tuatha de Danann are embroiled in a lot of internal power struggles where alliances, power & status are very much prevalent and politics are weaved to fit any situation which of course always brings corruption & prejudice. It seems someone has seen fit to use the Vampire ambassador as a pawn in a power play and that is where the conflict is brought into the story. I like how this is dealt with, the danger it put Isabel in and how magic was used to put her in even more peril. I thought it fit the story well that Isabel is very level headed and can see all angles – it definitely helps her plight but I feel the secrets she uncovers throughout are only the tip of the iceberg. I have to say that I was more focussed in the relationship between Isabel & Aed – I like how they were both dominant and it became a kind of power play between them in the beginning, each vying for dominance but neither besting each other. I liked how they both opened up to each other – Isabel through accepting her feelings, she views love as a weakness and had to learn that that isn’t always the case, then Aed has to challenge his preconceptions about Vampires, having never met one but hearing lots of stories and only having those to go on, plus his loyalty to his order all play a part in his reluctance to go there with Isabel – obviously they do get it on and they really heated those pages up by bringing the dominance into the bedroom. I wanted them together and thought they had a good connection/chemistry and it was nice to see Aed give her his loyalty because it seemed like a massive thing for him to do, I’ll be interested to see where they go from here seeing as they are from opposite sides of the fence.
 As with most first books, I think this was just a peek at what could come from this series, it got my interest, I like what I read and I will look out for book 2.