Rabid Reads

SO much awesomesauce!

Fang Chronicles: Dmitri
Series: Fang Chronicles #5
Author: D'Elen McClain
Publisher: Indie
Published on: December 17, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: 215 pages, eBook
Provided by: Purchased

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With war on the horizon, Dmitri, liege vampire to the bear clan, offers safe haven to Vorlyk and his new clan. Having another vampire in his territory is difficult but a certain young she-cat makes life impossible. The stalking feline has her eyes set on Dmitri even when his eyes stray elsewhere.

The enemy proves that none of the North American clans is safe and it’s time to fight back. Battle plans are drawn, a traitor continues to wreak havoc, and Dmitri hides a secret that could destroy them all.

Can one she-cat change the deadly tide of war and will Dmitri’s curse keep him from taking a chance on love?

Dmitri is book V in the Fang Chronicles series and should be read in order.

I love this series, and feel it is one of the better indie series that I have read. It’s just more proof for me that indie writers should not be ignored by the reading public. Some of my very favorite authors either are still indie, or started as indie, and I count myself lucky to have found these authors.

Dimitri is the vampire liege for the bear clan. This means as long as the bear clan has him to feed off of them, the enzyme in his bite will keep them healthy and immortal. A win win for both. Full on war between the cats from South America, and the wolves and bears is imminent. To that end, Nicholas’s beastkind, which includes both wolves, and cats that were rescued from South America, have come to stay with the bears. Two of the cats, Nikka and Talya, are immediately attracted to Dmitri, although Dmitri only has eyes for Nikka. Talya is a eighteen, extremely immature, and only has one arm, after being tortured by the male cats in South America. Nikka is older than Talya, and is mute, due also to being tortured in the past. It isn’t a love triangle, because Dmitri doesn’t want to have anything to do with Talya, but she sure doesn’t take the hint. Of course a lot of problems ensue due entirely to Talya and her antics.

Over and above all that however, this book is about the war with the cats(mountain lions) of South America. It’s not pretty, by any means, and the author doesn’t have a problem with killing off characters, but then it is war after all. In this world building, the male cats are cruel, and treat their women as slaves and/or sexual objects. The female cats know nothing good of the world. So this is also a story about the rescued females learning to live in a much better world. But first the cats must be defeated.

The different dynamics between all the different beastkind, and the vampires they live with, was also a big part of the world building. Adding the bears to this ongoing story, brought a whole different dimension to the world of these shifters. Each different shifter race has it’s own customs and ceremonies. Pretty fascinating stuff, I must say.

I enjoyed Dmitri and Nikka’s romance, and their overcoming obstacles that include Talya, and the fact that Nikka is mute. Of course I didn’t enjoy the war, but we finally get to see what happens with all of that. The author wraps up a lot of things from the previous books, and had I not had the next book ready to read for review, I would have thought the series was over with this one. However, the author does have one more story to tell in this series, and I will be reading that one very soon.

This latest entry in the Fang Chronicles was well written, with good characters, most of which readers already know from previous books. Lots of action, and hot sex scenes round out this story. I think paranormal romance fans will find a lot to like about this book, and the whole series.

Daring
Series: Pax Arcana #2
Author: Elliott James
Narrated by: Roger Wayne
Publisher: Orbit
Published on: September 23, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Format: 9 hrs & 38 mins, Audiobook
Provided by: Purchased

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THE WEREWOLVES HAVE A NEW LEADER...AND HE CANNOT BE STOPPED.

Something is rotten in the state of Wisconsin.

Werewolf packs are being united and absorbed into an army of super soldiers by a mysterious figure who speaks like an angel and fights like a demon. And every Knight Templar -- keepers of the magical peace between mankind and magickind -- who tries to get close to this big bad wolf winds up dead. No knight can infiltrate a group whose members can smell a human from a mile away...no knight except one.

John Charming. Ex knight. Current werewolf. Hunted by the men who trained him, he now might be their only salvation. But animal instincts are rising up to claim John more powerfully than ever before, and he must decide if this new leader of wolves is a madman...or a messiah.

I was left with mixed feelings when I finished CHARMING a few months ago; I liked John’s character, Roger Wayne’s narration, and the author’s quirky writing style, but the love interest, and info dumps were definite cons. However, when I read DARING’s blurb and discovered that the werewolves were going to be front-and-center in round two, I just knew that this series deserved a second chance. And, even though I didn’t love this installment either, it was more along the lines of what I’ve come to expect from Urban Fantasy, and my issues with this one were vastly different that its predecessor, so at least it was a step in the right direction. The story was darker, the humour more subdued, and I did struggle to see the links between the four parts, but it all came together in the end which made this novel marginally better than its predecessor.

The prelude was a hoot, James shared a list of the ‘top ten things that people who didn’t read the first book really ought to know’ which served as a good recap while also turning a boring necessity into a fun intro. The opening section was my favourite because it not only explored John’s past as a Knight, but provided some much needed clarification about his insta-attraction to Sig, and set the tone for the rest of the story. The second part was somewhat of a mixed bag; I liked learning more about this universe’s werewolves, although certain aspects were a little overly touchy feely for me—too much zen, not enough predator. The final two were the meatier pieces with plenty of action, unanticipated twists, and an ah-ha ending. The world-building was also greatly muted which made this installment more about the journey than the magical rules which was a welcomed tweak.

DARING was nowhere near as funny as book 1, but given the nature of this tale, it fit. That’s not to say that I still didn’t crack a couple of smiles while listening because I did, however the overall tone was much heavier. I was disappointed that the majority of the secondary characters that the protagonist formed connections with previously were for the most part MIA, although they were replaced with new ones, so at least the author found a way to fill that void. Sig’s role was minimal which made me exceedingly happy because she was my main problem with CHARMING, so I liked that the Valkyrie was pushed to the back burner for the time being. John’s POV continued to delight and entertain; I loved how he talked directly to the reader, and his keen wit and sarcastic dialogue are the main reasons why I am diggin’ this series so much.

As expected, the narrator delivered another winning performance which was why I had no qualms about pre-ordering this audiobook. His voice is well-suited for James’ writing style, and he absolutely nailed Charming’s first person POV. The hero gets his butt handed to him on multiple occasions, and Roger Wayne helped to add authenticity to that fact by slurring his words as though he himself had gotten punched in the teeth. He also showed adaptability as a narrator by taking a step back from the first installment’s snark, and adopting the more somber tone that this tale demanded. It normally takes me a week on average to listen to nine+ hours, but in this case my listening time was cut in half thanks in large part to Wayne.

DARING is proof that werewolves make everything better!

Pax Arcana Series
My Review

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A quick & enjoyable listen. I can't wait to find out how Chloe's tale ends! Full review to follow.

I don’t think that I have EVER dated a man who’s loved novels as much as I do, and although my husband does pick up the occasional book (namely, whenever a new installment in THE IRON DRUID CHRONICLES comes out—my doing!) I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a reader. Diving between the pages once every three+ months does NOT make you a bookworm. Now, perhaps my habits are slightly above average given that I blog, but I think that you have to go through a minimum of x-number of titles a year in order to fall in the aforementioned category. The only thing that really matters when all is said and done is that #1 understands my addiction, is willing to make certain allowances for it, and has an equally time sucking type of hobby (i.e. he’s a Final Fantasy XIV junkie).

Before my guy was introduced to A REALM REBORN our relationship was a bit more challenging because he wanted to spend ‘quality time’ together way more often, and don’t get me wrong I ❤ the man, but balancing the two was difficult. I’m not a football fan, however whenever a new season begins I get this giddy feeling because it means that Sundays are now ‘me’ days. He also loves basketball and hockey, so I started scheduling my reading around games. I am a diehard HABS girl mind you, so the latter didn’t help me out overly much, but otherwise it was a decent system. Now though, we get home from work, look at each other, and silently agree to lose ourselves in our respective obsessions until dinner. It’s great! We’re thinking about possibly trying for a baby soon though, so that might go out the window in the near future. *sigh*

I think that there are SO many other super important qualities to look for in a mate that reader ranks pretty low on most peeps’ priorities list. Guys that love novels are undoubtedly sexy; however fidelity, respect, and honesty take precedence, as does cooking in my particular instance because I can’t boil water. I kid you not! The other day I attempted to make soup for lunch, you know the canned kind where you just have to add water, heat, and serve. Well, I forgot step #2. LOL I asked DH to give it a quick stir while he was in the kitchen, and he was like “sure, do you want me to turn the element on for you too?” And, this folks is why my book title would be I Should Have Been Born Blonde.

Where'd Simon, Tori & Andrew go?? Peeps keep disappearing... 

The Hawley Book of the Dead
Series: Revelation Quartet #1
Author: Chrysler Szarlan
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published on: September 23 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: 352 pages, eARC
Provided by: NetGalley

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For fans of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and A Discovery of Witches comes a brilliantly imagined debut novel brimming with rich history, suspense, and magic.

Revelation “Reve” Dyer grew up with her grandmother’s family stories, stretching back centuries to Reve’s ancestors, who founded the town of Hawley Five Corners, Massachusetts. Their history is steeped in secrets, for few outsiders know that an ancient magic runs in the Dyer women’s blood, and that Reve is a magician whose powers are all too real.

Reve and her husband are world-famous Las Vegas illusionists. They have three lovely young daughters, a beautiful home, and what seems like a charmed life. But Reve’s world is shattered when an intruder alters her trick pistol and she accidentally shoots and kills her beloved husband onstage.

Fearing for her daughters’ lives, Reve flees with them to the place she has always felt safest—an antiquated farmhouse in the forest of Hawley Five Corners, where the magic of her ancestors reigns, and her oldest friend—and first love—is the town’s chief of police. Here, in the forest, with its undeniable air of enchantment, Reve hopes she and her girls will be protected.

Delving into the past for answers, Reve is drawn deeper into her family’s legends. What she discovers is The Hawley Book of the Dead, an ancient leather-bound journal holding mysterious mythic power. As she pieces together the truth behind the book, Reve will have to shield herself and her daughters against an uncertain, increasingly dangerous fate. For soon it becomes clear that the stranger who upended Reve’s life in Las Vegas has followed her to Hawley—and that she has something he desperately wants.

Brimming with rich history, suspense, and magic, The Hawley Book of the Dead is a brilliantly imagined debut novel from a riveting new voice.

GAH. This book . . .

This book has the most original premise I’ve come across in a long time. If you don’t listen to anything else I say, listen to this—don’t read the blurb (except for the bolded part, that part’s fine). Learning that Reve Dyer shot her husband, whom she loved, without any context, is the way to go. TRUST ME. It doesn’t take long for it to unfold (I’m talking the first 5ish%), and this is one time my callous disregard for book synopses paid off.

Revelation Dyer is the last in a long line of Revelations. The first immigrated from Ireland to New England 250(ish) years ago, but this is not another Salem witches retelling. The Dyer women are not pagan practitioners, they are merely women with a variety of gifts. Reve’s Nan has an affinity for wild animals, her mother has a talent for healing. A Revelation who could read minds was a spy during the Revolutionary War, and Reve, herself, can vanish into thin air.

How. Cool. Is. That??

Given the nature of her family’s giftedness, it’s no surprise that Reve was raised on the stories of these remarkable women, disguised as folktales and legends of . . . horror.

The Fetch was the monster of Reve’s childhood. It was the story she begged her Nan to tell her over and over again, despite the fear it inspired. I could almost feel it’s singsong quality, almost see little girls with long hair in white dresses as they spun in a circle or jumped rope to a child’s version of the tale. A nursery rhyme meant to minimize the terror. A rhyme about the Fetch, come to steal you in night, and take you back to his master in fairyland.

Or maybe that was just my way of coping . . . I don’t do scary.

But The Hawley Book of the Dead was more Modern Gothic than Horror—imagine an abandoned village in the middle of a protected forest in Massachusetts.

An abandoned village. In the middle of a forest. In Massachusetts.

*goosebumps*

That’s where Reve runs with her daughters after the death of her husband, and that’s where Reve learns there’s more to her gift . . . where does she go when she disappears?

Disappearing isn’t exactly the word for it. It’s as if I walk through a curtain, enter the passageway to another world. I sometimes feel that I could go further in, but I never do.

So the story/idea is obviously the high point for me. Unfortunately, I’m not a huge fan of thrillers or suspense novels (again, b/c I don’t do scary), so the middle lagged a bit. It could be argued that this entire book is a thriller, but there was enough lore, enough supernatural goings-on in the earlier parts of the book to keep me distracted. The middle is almost pure mystery. There are still bits and pieces of the paranormal, but a magical book that reveals the mind of a psychopath in real time is basically just a brief POV change. And Reve’s desperation, while completely understandable, temporarily makes her not much more than a shrieking harpy, lashing out at everyone around her. I was also disappointed that Nathan wasn’t more developed. Szarlan laid the foundation for an absolutely spectacular secondary character, and never followed through.

Those few things aside, I thought this an excellent read, and I realize that I’m a minority as far as my dislike of thrillers is concerned, so it’s highly likely you won’t have the same issue I did. There’s also still hope for Nathan b/c this is the first book in what appears to be a quartet. *crosses fingers*

The Hawley Book of the Dead by Chrysler Szarlan combines stage magic with real magic, performance art with real life, and fantasy with suspense. In short, it was enthralling. I’d recommend this book to lovers of Urban Fantasy-lite and a good mystery. Get in on the ground floor of this exciting new series, people—I don’t want to hear your excuses of too many books in a few years. You know you are . . . *winks*

Was this review helpful to you? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon or like it on Goodreads!

The TBR Tag was created by Danasquare & A Perfection Called, Books. I was tagged by Bethzaida from Book Itty Blog.

How Do you Keep Track of Your TBR Pile?

GoodReads, my wishlist and Google Calendar.

Is Your TBR mostly print? Or e-books?

Had I been asked this question a year ago, I would have said print, but now eBooks and audiobooks are definitely my preferred formats. They take up 0 shelf space, and I'm all about instant gratification. LOL Screw shipping fees and waiting on the postman!

How Do You Determine which Book to Read Next?

For the most part, I rely on my Google Calendar. I keep track all of the upcoming publication dates of titles I want to read, schedule my reviews as close as possible around 'em, and fill in the remaining spots with whatever strikes my fancy.

A Book that’s been on Your TBR List the Longest:

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. It's been on there since December 2010. URGH!

A Book You Recently Added to Your TBR:

I just received Darynda Jone's Seventh Grave and No Body audiobook this morning. SQUEE!!!

A Book in Your TBR strictly Because of its Beautiful Cover:

Wolf Pact by Melissa de La Cruz: I'm a sucker for red heads, wolves, and moons, which means that I was screwed the moment I saw this one. LOL

A Book in Your TBR that You Never Planned on Reading:

Red Blooded by Amanda Carlson: I just KNEW that it was gonna suck, but I still couldn't resist in the vain hope that I might be surprised. I wasn't.

An Unpublished Book in Your TBR that You’re Excited About:

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews, because well, this author duo needs no reason IMO. They should be on EVERYONE'S TBR!

A Book that Everyone’s Read But You:

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris: I watched True Blood though, does that count? ;)

A Book on Your TBR that Everyone Recommends to You:

The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole.

A Book on Your TBR that You’re Dying to Read:

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong: she's my favourite author, and her anthologies are DA BOMB!!!

How Many Books are in Your TBR Shelf:

15 on my to-read shelf;

27 on my own-to-read shelf;

201 on my wishlist shelf;

243 total.

I'm tagging:

• Julie - Chapter Break;
• Dolly - Just Talking Books;
• Blodeuedd - Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell.

A Dangerous Witch
Series: Witch Central #3
Author: Debora Geary
Publisher: Indie
Published on: September 16, 2014
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 165 pages, eBook
Provided by: Purchased

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It's the end of an era. This is the final release in the world of A Modern Witch. If you haven't met my witches yet, this is not the book you want to read :). Go find A Modern Witch and begin where it all started.

I figure the final book doesn't need much introduction. Take one last journey with your favorite witches as an oversized marble calls another member of Witch Central on a journey...

Forget everything you have read about witches before, because the witches in this series are probably not what you are used to, unless of course you already have read these books. I certainly have-all of them. And I have absolutely loved all of them. It was a shock to learn that this is the last of the witches of Witch Central we will ever read about, and I will miss them.

Most of these books revolve around the Sullivan and Walker families, their extended family, and friends. For the most part, they are all witches, with all different kinds of magic. Water witches, fire witches, earth witches, they are all represented, but with this story another sort of witch, finds her magic, and it isn’t good.

Nell and Daniel Walker are the parents of five children, which include a set of eleven year old, triplett girls. Ginia found her magic early, she’s an extraordinary healer. Shay has no magic, but she has her own great attributes. Up until now, Mia showed no signs of any magic, so when she suddenly exhibits signs of fire magic, all the fire witches are ready to start training her. What they don’t know, is that Mia is evolving into something that hasn’t been seen in over five hundred years, and it’s scary to say the least.

The best word to describe these books is heartwarming. Charming works too. They are always fast, well written reads, and feature a different witch in each book. The witch is usually facing some sort of problem, or just finding their particular magic. By this point, I feel like I know them all, and care about them all. Meeting their significant others, falling in love, having babies, this is how these witches live. There is so much love in these books, whether between a couple, parents, and their children, cousins, well you get the idea. It’s all held together by an old Irish witch named, Moira, the family matriarch. She lives in a small fishing village on the coast of Nova Scotia, where parts of these stories take place. It also takes place in California, and since the witches can port themselves to wherever they want to go, it totally works.

This book was shorter then the others,except the novellas. The author went through a personal crisis, and is unable to finish with the series. She took pains to try and wrap it all up in an epilogue, and I did enjoy the glimpses in the future that we get. I do regret not getting Aervyn’s grown up story-that’s the one I really wanted. Aervyn, also one of Nell and Daniel’s children, will grow up to be the most powerful witch that has ever lived(not a spoiler), and even at the age of four, surpassed all the adults. He, and Lizard, a female witch, and former delinquent, were my favorite characters of the series, and thankfully we did get Lizard’s grown up story, in a previous book. There is so much more to these stories, I could go on and on, like that there’s a magical realm game on the internet, run by witches, and mainly for witches, or that there’s always someone learning a life lesson, but there is just not enough room to tell it all. Suffice it to say, these are witches getting their happy ever after, and all they go through to get it-surrounded by love and magic, at every turn.

All of these books for the most part, top the Amazon charts when they are released, and if the reviews are any indication, are very beloved by all that read them. They certainly were to me. As I write this, eight of these books are listed in the top twenty fantasy reads on Amazon-including the top two spots. If it was me, I would start with A Modern Witch, the first book in the three series featuring these witches. I recommend them to ages 14 up.

Urban Fantasy:

	Incarnate (The Spellmason Chronicles #3) by Anton Strout Urban Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description HITTING ROCK BOTTOM When Alexandra Belarus discovered her family’s secret ability to breathe life into stone, she uncovered an entire world of magic hidden within New York City—a world she has accidentally thrown into chaos. A spell gone awry has set thousands of gargoyles loose upon Manhattan, and it’s up to Lexi and her faithful protector, Stanis, to put things right. But the stress of saving the city is casting a pall over Lexi and Stanis’s relationship, driving them to work separately to solve the problem. As Stanis struggles to unite the gargoyle population, Lexi forges unlikely alliances with witches, alchemists and New York’s Finest to quell an unsettling uprising led by an ancient and deadly foe long thought vanquished. To save her city, Lexi must wield more power than ever before with the added hope of recovering a mysterious artifact that could change her world—and bring her closer to Stanis than she ever thought possible…

	Generation 18 (Spook Squad #2) by Keri Arthur Urban Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description COUNTDOWN TO CRISIS A serial killer strikes every twelve hours. A vampire takes lives at random. At first glance, these tragic incidents seem unrelated. But Special Investigations Unit agents Sam Ryan and Gabriel Stern trace them both back to a military base known as Hopeworth. Is the murder spree part of a cover-up? And are the vampire killings less by chance and more methodical? The investigation takes an eerie, personal turn when Sam discovers a connection between herself and the victims—and a clue to her own mysterious origins. With the violence escalating and the danger drawing closer to home, the stakes are raised and the mission changes from seeking justice to ensuring Sam and Gabriel’s own survival. And the one person who seems to hold all the answers—about Hopeworth, about Sam’s past—is a mystery man she isn’t sure she can trust. They share a psychic link through her dreams, and he once saved her life, but he may just be the greatest enemy humankind has ever known.

	Priestess Dreaming (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #16) by Yasmine Galenorn Urban Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. Menolly is a vampire married to a gorgeous werepuma. And me? I’m Camille, a Moon witch married to three hunky husbands, and I’m about to journey through the veils to search for a long lost legend… With the war in Otherworld raging, the Queen of Shadow and Night summons me to her court. Aeval orders me on a quest through the mists to find an ancient ally of hers. I am to seek out The Merlin and wake him from his long sleep. Surrounded by danger on all sides, with Morgaine and Bran along for the journey, I must pray they are allies rather than enemies, as we undertake a perilous search through the labyrinth of time…

Paranormal Romance:

	Burning Desire (Dark Kings #3) by Donna Grant Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description The Dark Kings have fought for centuries to preserve their dragon magic. But can one warrior resist the greatest temptation of all. . .? A DESIRE THIS POWERFUL In his quest to destroy the Dark Fae—his nemesis—the Dragon King known as Kiril goes to Ireland as a spy. When a gorgeous, mysterious woman tries to seduce him, Kiril instantly sees through her glamour to the Dark Fae beneath. Shara isn’t just any Dark; she’s from one of the most powerful bloodlines—and despite the dangers, Kiril can’t stay away from her. He’s enthralled by her smile, enslaved by the undeniable passion… IS A WAR WORTH FIGHTING FOR Shara has one chance to make things right with her family—and to prove her worth. It seemed like such an easy mission…until she actually meets Kiril. His charm, his sexual magnetism is too much for her to ignore. Shara knows that falling into Kiril’s arms can bring her nothing but trouble. Yet she discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had…and an attraction that knows no bounds. But is her desire for Kiril worth the risk of eternal doom for them both?…in Burning Desire by Donna Grant

	Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #2) by Larissa Ione Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans. THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

	A Very Levet Christmas (Guardians of Eternity #11.5) by Alexandra Ivy Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description A gargoyle of Levet’s charm and intelligence should not be facing a solitary Christmas. True, he may appear a little unconventional—not to mention unconventionally little—even for a gargoyle. But what Levet lacks in height he makes up for in loyalty, and being banned from the festivities surrounding the Queen of Weres’ new pups is quite unfair. So when a beautiful Christmas angel begs for help in fulfilling her duties, Levet has nothing better to do than agree. Armed with a magical wand, Levet confronts Damon, a pureblood Were intent on seizing the throne. Challenging the King will put the pups at risk—and drive away Damon’s potential mate, Gia. Who better to convince Damon to choose love, not war, than a gargoyle expert in amour? With a little magic, and a lot of Levet, this may yet be a truly wonderful Christmastime…

	Innocent Prey (Brown and de Luca #3) by Maggie Shayne Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description To save innocent lives, they’ll have to risk their own. Self-help superstar Rachel de Luca and Detective Mason Brown have finally given in to their overwhelming attraction to each other, but neither of them is ready to let physical passion turn into full-blown romance, so they carefully maintain an emotional distance. Then a judge’s daughter disappears, and Mason has a terrible sense that it’s connected to the most recent case they solved together: the abduction of Rachel’s assistant. The discovery of a string of missing women—all young, all troubled—seems like a promising lead. But there’s no clear connection between the missing girls and the high-profile young woman Mason is trying to find. He realizes that once again he’ll have to rely on his own well-honed instincts and Rachel’s uncanny capacity to see through people’s lies in order to catch a predator and rescue his captives. But can they do it before Rachel becomes his next victim?

	Lying with Wolves by Cynthia Cooke Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description Only her powerful magic can save the Colony and the man she loves… In the wake of a betrayal, Celia Lawson, the last of a preeminent magical bloodline, is building a new life for herself outside the security of the Colony. Meanwhile, demon raiders have breached the protective barriers of the compound and are threatening everyone she loves. When she learns of the tragedy, Celia races home to help mount a magical offensive–and finds comfort back in the arms of the shifter who broke her heart…. Risking exposure for all that he’s done, Malcolm Daniels wants only to redeem himself with the pack and win back Celia’s trust. But as demon forces invade, Celia’s magic–and her own conflicted feelings for Malcolm–will be tested in ways neither of them ever would have imagined.

	Ghost Wolf (The Saint-Pierres #6) by Michele Hauf Paranormal Romance Amazon GoodReads
Book Description The Lone Wolf’s Salvation… When Daisy-Blu Saint-Pierre starts investigating the mysterious ghost wolf that’s been menacing hunters in Tangle Lake, she encounters a juicier sort of discovery in sexy lone wolf Beck. Beck, with his rugged, raw energy and virility to burn… A tragic accident has left Beckett Severo hungry for revenge. Now faery magick has turned him from a werewolf into something more powerful. The lovely Daisy is a great distraction. Time spent in her arms almost makes Beck forget the danger they’re in. Almost. Daisy and Beck must risk losing who they are to become what they are meant to be…together.

Fantasy:

	Summer Moon (Celtic Wolves #2) by Jan DeLima Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description She won’t be ruled again… Rosa Alban has been obedient her entire life. But when her alpha husband dies, she seizes the opportunity to flee the oppressive Guardians—the rulers of the secret shapeshifter world. Her flight instantly brands her as a pack traitor, and she has no choice but to seek protection from a neighboring tribe by marrying one of their sons. Known as the Beast of Merin, Luc Black loyally plays the part of unwanted son and devoted brother. He realizes marrying Rosa will strengthen his tribe’s territory, but he has no intention of loving ever again. Still, he’s unprepared for the intense physical need the wild she-wolf awakens in him. When the Guardians hone in on Rosa, Luc must fight to protect his new bride. And as war descends, the unlikely allies discover their destinies are irrevocably entwined…

	The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description Of all those in the King of Alden’s retinue, the bloodbinders are the most prized. The magic they wield can forge invaluable weapons, ones that make soldiers like Lady Alix Black unerringly lethal. However, the bloodbinders’ powers can do so much more—and so much worse… A cunning and impetuous scout, Alix only wishes to serve quietly on the edges of the action. But when the king is betrayed by his own brother and left to die at the hands of attacking Oridian forces, she winds up single-handedly saving her sovereign. Suddenly, she is head of the king’s personal guard, an honor made all the more dubious by the king’s exile from his own court. Surrounded by enemies, Alix must help him reclaim his crown, all the while attempting to repel the relentless tide of invaders led by the Priest, most feared of Oridia’s lords. But while Alix’s king commands her duty, both he and a fellow scout lay claim to her heart. And when the time comes, she may need to choose between the two men who need her most…

	The Wonder of All Things by Jason Mott Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description On the heels of his critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling debut novel, The Returned, Jason Mott delivers a spellbinding tale of love and sacrifice On an ordinary day, at an air show like that in any small town across the country, a plane crashes into a crowd of spectators. After the dust clears, a thirteen-year-old girl named Ava is found huddled beneath a pocket of rubble with her best friend, Wash. He is injured and bleeding, and when Ava places her hands over him, his wounds disappear. Ava has an unusual gift: she can heal others of their physical ailments. Until the air show tragedy, her gift was a secret. Now the whole world knows, and suddenly people from all over the globe begin flocking to her small town, looking for healing and eager to catch a glimpse of The Miracle Child. But Ava’s unique ability comes at a great cost, and as she grows weaker with each healing, she soon finds herself having to decide just how much she’s willing to give up in order to save the ones she loves most. Elegantly written, deeply intimate and emotionally astute, The Wonder of All Things is an unforgettable story and a poignant reminder of life’s extraordinary gifts.

	Winterspell by Claire Legrand Fantasy Amazon GoodReads
Book Description After her mother is brutally murdered, seventeen-year-old Clara Stole is determined to find out what happened to her. Her father, a powerful man with little integrity, is a notorious New York City gang lord in the syndicate-turned-empire called Concordia. And he isn’t much help. But there is something even darker than Concordia’s corruption brewing under the surface of the city, something full of vengeance and magic, like the stories Clara’s godfather used to tell her when she was a little girl. Then her father is abducted and her little sister’s life is threatened, and Clara accidentally frees Nicholas from a statue that has been his prison for years. Nicholas is the rightful prince of Cane, a wintry kingdom that exists beyond the city Clara has known her whole life. When Nicholas and Clara journey together to Cane to retrieve her father, Clara encounters Anise, the queen of the faeries, who has ousted the royal family in favor of her own totalitarian, anti-human regime. Clara finds that this new world is not as foreign as she feared, but time is running out for her family, and there is only so much magic can do…

New Adult:

	The Curse Defiers (Curse Keepers #3) by Denise Grover Swank New Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description For centuries the gods have waited—for the betrayal that will release them, for the traitors who will defend them, for the warrior who will challenge them. Now at long last the gate between the human and spirit worlds is open, and with it, an army of vengeful demons poised to swarm the earth. Only the Curse Keepers, Ellie Lancaster and Collin Dailey, can stop it…if they can break free from a tangled web of treachery, jealousy, and lies. Torn between two men—her heart belongs to David, yet her soul is bound to Collin’s—Ellie no longer knows who she can trust. Demons slipping through the gate are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake, each death a chilling reminder of the power of the ancient spirits to bring humanity to its knees. Faced with an unimaginable future, Ellie realizes the time has come to turn her back on prophecy and choose her own destiny—even if it means defying the gods themselves. In the thrilling conclusion to the Curse Keepers trilogy, humanity faces its final battle for survival!

Young Adult:

	The Queen of Zombie Hearts (White Rabbit Chronicles #3) by Gena Showalter Young Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description I have a plan. We’ll either destroy them for good, or they’ll destroy us. Either way, only one of us is walking away. In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice “Ali” Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She’s ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It’s then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun. As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn’t the girl she thought she was. She’s connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole’s mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

	Sacrifice (Elemental #5) by Brigid Kemmerer Young Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time. Michael Merrick is used to pressure. He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way. His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice. But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war. They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight. . .

	Dead Zone (Blackout #2) by Robison Wells Young Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description Homeland meets Marie Lu’s Legend in the explosive sequel to Blackout, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Ally Condie called “a thrilling combination of Wells’s trademark twists and terror. Fantastic!” It began with a virus. Then a series of attacks erupted across the nation. Now America is at war—and a handful of teens with impossible powers are its only defense. In Dead Zone, Robison Wells delivers his most nail-bitingly tense read yet—and an electrifying conclusion to a two-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Maze Runner and I Am Number Four.

	Unmarked (The Legion #2) by Kami Garcia Young Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description He is here . . . and he could be anyone. Kennedy Waters lives in a world where vengeance spirits kill, ghosts keep secrets, and a demon walks among us-a demon she accidentally set free. Now Kennedy and the other Legion members-Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared-have to hunt him down. As they learn more about the history of the Legion and the Illuminati, Kennedy realizes that the greatest mystery of all does not belong to any secret order, but to her own family. With the clock ticking and the life of someone she loves hanging in the balance, Kennedy has to ask the question she fears most: what is it about her past that has left her Unmarked?

	Invisible (The Twixt #2) by Dawn Metcalf Young Adult Amazon GoodReads
Book Description Some things lie beneath the surface. Invisible. With the power to change everything. Joy Malone wants it all—power, freedom and the boyfriend who loves her. Yet when an unstoppable assassin is hired to kill her, Joy learns that being the girl with the Sight comes with a price that might be too high to pay. Love will be tested, lives will be threatened, and everyone Joy knows and cares about will be affected by her decision to stand by Ink or to leave the Twixt forever. Her choice is balanced on a scalpel’s edge and the consequences will be more life-altering than anyone can guess.

Non-Fiction:

	The Penguin Book of Witches by Katherine Howe Paranormal Amazon GoodReads
Book Description Chilling real-life accounts of witches, from medieval Europe through colonial America. From a manual for witch hunters written by King James himself in 1597, to court documents from the Salem witch trials of 1692, to newspaper coverage of a woman stoned to death on the streets of Philadelphia while the Continental Congress met, The Penguin Book of Witches is a treasury of historical accounts of accused witches that sheds light on the reality behind the legends. Bringing to life stories like that of Eunice Cole, tried for attacking a teenage girl with a rock and buried with a stake through her heart; Jane Jacobs, a Bostonian so often accused of witchcraft that she took her tormentors to court on charges of slander; and Increase Mather, an exorcism-performing minister famed for his knowledge of witches, this volume provides a unique tour through the darkest history of English and North American witchcraft.

Summer Moon
Series: Celtic Wolves #2
Author: Jan DeLima
Publisher: ACE
Published on: September 30, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Werewolves
Format: 304 pages, ARC
Provided by: Publisher

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She won’t be ruled again…

Rosa Alban has been obedient her entire life. But when her alpha husband dies, she seizes the opportunity to flee the oppressive Guardians—the rulers of the secret shapeshifter world. Her flight instantly brands her as a pack traitor, and she has no choice but to seek protection from a neighboring tribe by marrying one of their sons.

Known as the Beast of Merin, Luc Black loyally plays the part of unwanted son and devoted brother. He realizes marrying Rosa will strengthen his tribe’s territory, but he has no intention of loving ever again. Still, he’s unprepared for the intense physical need the wild she-wolf awakens in him.

When the Guardians hone in on Rosa, Luc must fight to protect his new bride. And as war descends, the unlikely allies discover their destinies are irrevocably entwined…

The sequel in Jan DeLima’s CELTIC WOLVES series has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2014 because I really liked the groundwork she laid in book 1, and fully expected this second installment to make my werewolf top 10 list once again this year. It only took a couple of chapters for me to fall in love with this author’s rich mythology, gripping characters, and captivating storytelling all over again, and to realize that CELTIC MOON barely even scratched the surface of this writer’s vast fictional universe.

One of the things that I enjoyed the most about the first novel was that the protagonists were older, so I was pleased that DeLima continued along that same path in SUMMER MOON. Rosa and Richard have both previously been married, are several centuries old on account of their shifter blood, and that maturity really shined through in both their personalities and actions. Their previous relationships were vastly different with one not being able to escape hers soon enough, while as the other is still lamenting over his loss some seventy years later. I loved the way that the author demonstrated how their past loves shaped their futures because getting readers to sympathize with a character who can’t let go of his long deceased wife while being married to another is no easy task. I never resented Richard, and I think the inclusion of Koko’s journal entries and artwork played a large role in that.

Rosa’s courage, strong protective streak, and loyalty made her the ideal wolf queen. I liked that rather than being cowed by years of abuse and neglect, she instead bided her time, and waited for an opportune moment to strike. Once her inner alpha was unleashed there was no stopping her forward march to free her people, even if it meant tying herself to yet another man. However, from her perspective, marrying Luke was indeed better than being raped by eight Guardians because of the council’s horrendous idea to revive an archaic fertility ritual in order to keep their blood ‘pure.’ The CELTIC WOLVES world is definitely not a kind one, but I appreciated that the author took the time to show Rosa what true love is supposed to feel like. The sex scenes were few in number, yet the steam factor was through the roof. This story sucked me right in with its mesmerizing mix of ugly and beautiful.

I’m grateful that this installment came with a glossary of terms because between the Celtic vocabulary and Fantasy writing style, it’s obvious that DeLima’s first career was as a researcher / librarian. As much as I enjoy this author’s way with words, it’s also her downfall at times. Now, her world-building on the other hand is absolutely phenomenal! I enjoyed learning more about the Guardians, who were only mentioned in passing in CELTIC MOON, and the lore surrounding the Beddestyr (Walkers), Bleidd (shifters born wolf), and Hen Was (slaves) was downright fascinating. There’s even a bit of Fae mythology which I suspect will come into play later down the line on account of the ending. I’m hoping for Elen and Cormack’s story next, but really there are so many great secondary characters to choose from that I’m sure I’ll be happy no matter which couple shows up in book 3.

SUMMER MOON is proof that Jan DeLima’s writing debut was no fluke—there’s a new werewolf queen in town (and I don’t mean Rosa)!

Celtic Wolves Series
My Review

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This short picked up right where CHARMED I'M SURE left off, so I'm happy that there was some continuity to these stories because they don't really add anything to the series as a whole other than bonus time with John Charming which isn't in itself a bad thing. We have yet to encounter any of the cunning folk in the full length books, so that was a fun extra as was the Fossegrim. I like how creative the author is at coming up with new and original ways of conquering villains, and in this case that was Greek fire—nasty stuff! The aleuromancy angle, the ability to read the future in sifting flour, was pretty neat too. My complaint about the price remains however.

I have to give it to Elliott James, he sure knows how to get creative when choosing his paranormal beasties! Only John Charming would pick a homeless guy up off the side of the road, and associate his forlorn state to a Wila's machinations. This was an action-y short, and a modern twist on an ancient Fae lore, instead of bows and reindeer steeds we get Harleys and machine guns. The hero made defeating formidable foes like the bugganes look easy, and the story was a fun addition to the PAX ARCANA world, although I wouldn't recommend reading this one before CHARMING even though it's labeled as a prequel, and the price is a little steep considering its length.

Tori is SO annoying!

The Bloodbound
Author: Erin Lindsey
Publisher: ACE
Published on: September 30 2014
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Format: 368 pages, eARC
Provided by: NetGalley

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Of all those in the King of Alden’s retinue, the bloodbinders are the most prized. The magic they wield can forge invaluable weapons, ones that make soldiers like Lady Alix Black unerringly lethal. However, the bloodbinders’ powers can do so much more—and so much worse…

A cunning and impetuous scout, Alix only wishes to serve quietly on the edges of the action. But when the king is betrayed by his own brother and left to die at the hands of attacking Oridian forces, she winds up single-handedly saving her sovereign.

Suddenly, she is head of the king’s personal guard, an honor made all the more dubious by the king’s exile from his own court. Surrounded by enemies, Alix must help him reclaim his crown, all the while attempting to repel the relentless tide of invaders led by the Priest, most feared of Oridia’s lords.

But while Alix’s king commands her duty, both he and a fellow scout lay claim to her heart. And when the time comes, she may need to choose between the two men who need her most…

Fantasy Romance is one of my favorite sub-genres, but I rarely have an opportunity to read it, b/c there’s not a lot of it available. This makes no sense to me, b/c AWESOME–it’s Fantasy AND it’s Romance . . . what’s not to like?

I think some people automatically shoot down anything designated as Fantasy, b/c they get overwhelmed by visions of infinite pages, multiple POVs, gruesome battle after gruesome battle, etc.

BUT.

Fantasy Romance is an entirely different beast. Yeah, some of them are a bit longer (not this one) then the average book, and yeah, there is often more than one POV (only two), but the focus is different. The characters are still trying to save the world (or the kingdom), but the story is focused primarily on the heroine and her love interest(s), NOT on so many characters and organizations that a glossary is required to keep track of them all.

At least that’s my take. FYI.

And so The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey had been on my watchlist long before I had the opportunity to read it.

I instantly liked our heroine. The story opens in the heat of battle, and we meet Alix as she decides to run headlong into danger when she sees her leader in trouble. When a friend tries to reason with her–reminds her that their orders are to stay put–her response is, “And their orders were to attack.”

AND that is my reasoning every time I’m driving and have to pass some idiot on the right. You see . . . orders (rules, laws, speed limits, whatever) only work if everyone follows them . . . and when everything goes according to plan. Sometimes you just have to roll with situation you’re thrust into, damn your orders, and Alix gets that.

So does her brother:

“We’re not strong enough to confront the enemy directly, but we’ve become quite adept a hit-and-run strikes–taking out their scouting parties, raiding their camps, targeting their supply lines, that sort of thing. Some of the men disapprove of such devices–they’ve got fool-headed ideas about glory and honor–but I’m no martyr. I do what I can with the resources at my disposal, and no more.”

I realize that’s a lot of war talk for a Fantasy that I’m trying to differentiate based on the Romance aspect, but there is a war going on, and there are battles. They just aren’t the page after page (after page) of lopping off limbs and heads (and thank the nine Virtues for that) type of battles.

Speaking of the nine Virtues, the world-building left a bit to be desired. To save you the trouble, here are the Virtues I was able to figure out:

• Farika – Patience/Grace(?)
• Destan – Honor
• Olan – Courage
• Ardin – Boldness (Strength?)
• Eldora – Wisdom
• Rahl -
• Hew – Wit
• Garvin

Beyond that . . . I got nuthin’. I appreciate the lack of an info dump, but by the end of the book, I still hadn’t gleaned enough information to know what all nine Virtues were, let alone understand their importance. I had similar issues with other aspects of the world-building, but it wasn’t a huge problem for me, b/c I was too caught up in the story.

Why was I so caught up in the story?

Well . . . I don’t know about you, but by the end of Thor: The Dark World, I was ready for Thor to kick Jane Foster to the curb, b/c Sif. I mean really . . . Jane was BLAH, and Sif . . . Sif was Sif (A-W-E-S-O-M-E).

Alix is Sif with red hair. And Erik is Thor, and Tomald is Loki. *shrugs* Hey, you have to get your inspiration somewhere, and I’m pretty convinced that’s where Lindsey’s came from:

Tom sat beneath the window with his back to the wall, one arm draped across his knee. He made no move to stand as Erik entered. He did not even raise his head.

Don’t misunderstand–this is a completely new and original book, and one that I very much enjoyed. All I’m saying is that if you’re a fan of one (and I SO am), then it’s likely you’ll be a fan of the other (I SO was).

Full of witty banter, immensely likable characters, and swoons aplenty, The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey is not to be missed. There’s something for fans of both Romance and Fantasy, and I can’t wait to see what Lindsey has for us next.